Splash in the Rain Puddles

Well we survived the blizzard and finally got the kids back to school after adding an entire week off to their Christmas break.  Yikes.  That was a lot of snow days to be stuck inside with hubby out plowing, 3 antsy boys, and 1 very ornery puppy.  But we survived!  with board games, card games, puzzles, the Wii, movies and popcorn, and some very brief attempts to play in the snow...but seriously...it was just too cold!!  Things have leveled out a bit and we're back to a more normal winter feel.  still cold. still windy. have I mentioned I'm ready for spring?! if you're stuck inside and the windows are being buried in snow there is nothing better than a dinner of hot soup.   and when you're stuck inside and your garage doors are blocked by snow drifts you may as well eat waffles and bacon.....every morning....for a week.   dunkin date with this guy once the older two went back to school. so handsome and ready for the cold ...

there's been an addition to family.   meet Buckeye.   he's adorable. the perfect Christmas present for three little boys.  however, he's a puppy.  he chews, he pees everywhere, he chews, he bites, and chews, and pees and.....you get the picture.  Who thought this was a good idea?!  haha!  after a few rough first days and a sincere desire to return him, I'm trying to remember what I told myself with my babies.  It's only a stage.  Here's hoping the puppy stage passes quickly and as painlessly as possible!  and let's be honest, just one look at that sweet face and usually all of the days antics and accidents are forgiven.  Oh Buckeye. The holidays have come and gone.  so quickly like they always do.  The boys went back to school yesterday and now are off again today because of this crazy blizzard on the east coast.  Yikes!  I'm ready for spring!!  I'm pretty sure I say that every singl...

Christmas is in the air!  Today we are getting a very unusual early December snow.  And even for this summer loving girl, snow around Christmastime is just fun and magical.  Our house is decorated and cookies are baked.  We've been enjoying the holiday cheer...apart from this past week when the stomach bug decided to wreak havoc on a few of us.  but we're moving on and looking forward to healthy days ahead.  As I look at my calendar for the rest of the month, the days are full of activity and there doesn't seem to be much free time.  But it's my prayer that with each party, with each gathering shared with friends and family, we would never forget who we are celebrating and why we are celebrating.  I'm always overwhelmed when I think about the amazing gift of Jesus.  We are so blessed and undeserving to receive such a gift.  But how grateful I am for such a loving and gracious God.  For a God who gave the world his baby boy.  a...

It's November!  The start of the month that holds my favorite holiday.  Thanksgiving is my favorite.  A time to focus on all that we have...not all that we need....or should I say, want.  I'm thinking of my children in particular.  Teaching them the importance of gratitude and contentment is a deep desire in my mommy heart.  I feel very strongly that when we do not really grasp those two concepts and truly live with an attitude of thanksgiving, it becomes really difficult to have a spirit of joy. As Christians, we are given the gift of eternal life...the gift of mercy and grace that is new every morning...the gift of being a disciple of Christ.  As Americans, we are given the gift of freedom...the gift of living in a country that is a blessed land...blessed in ways that most of the world can only dream of.  And as members of our own families, we are given the gift of acceptance and love....the gift of belonging...the gift of knowing those people w...

Today my baby turns 4.  my littlest one who makes every day an adventure.  There are many times when I look at him and am overwhelmed by God's amazing greatness.  If there is ever a moment when I doubt God's power or his ability to do the impossible....I just look at Luke Vernon....and there it is.  A living, breathing gift of God's goodness and grace.  And also a very clear reminder of how desperately I need him to guide me in raising this little spark plug.  He knows no stranger....which can make for some pretty awkward moments in public places....he loves to make people laugh....which makes for some pretty interesting moments in school.....he loves to be just like his brothers....which makes for some really entertaining moments as he attempts just to keep up....he is so sincere and just beginning to grasp what it really means to love Jesus and how much Jesus loves him. He is learning to pray and understanding how to bring his concerns to God.  What ...

I'm not sure how it can be.  10 years ago I became a mom.  After days of labor and an emergent delivery, God blessed us with a son.  Nothing could have prepared me for the intense love that overtook me when I first held him in my arms.  He was perfect in every way....entering such an imperfect world, with such imperfect parents......who were relying and trusting in our perfect heavenly Father to guide us through parenthood.  What a journey it is.  Nothing has brought me more joy than watching our children grow.  There have been so many happy moments....and a few hard and challenging ones.  But through it all I have watched my tiny little first born baby, transform into a young man who I am so proud to call my son.  He loves Jesus...with a kind heart that cares for others in a way that goes far beyond his 10 years.  He loves his family and expresses his love freely...everyday...and holds so tightly to all the things that make us his famil...