Gratitude and Habakkuk

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 It has been such a long time since I have recorded my gratitude here in this place, this journal...I have felt the incredible need to write things down once again, recording in the process God's hand in our lives all around despite the pain, despite the brokeness I feel, despite the fast pace of life as I set out each day to do my best at mothering my little flock. I know that when I am focusing on the good around me in the little things only then can I truly feel His arms of love and comfort around me. Otherwise I quickly get focused on the overwhelmingness of life and the uncertainty that the devil wants me to feel thus crippling me into a quick depression and numbness.

So here continues the list....#241-266 *Katherine loving to sew~ above picture of Katherine with friends Julia, Bailey, and Kara after completing a cute bag last spring *precious girls all snuggled up under the canopy of soft material *a boy, the only boy (!) curled up on the loveseat in their room because he doesn't want to sleep by himself *sheer bliss roses in the family room *looking up a newly spotted bird in Mary's bird book *knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me *true friends who can laugh with you, cry with you, shop with you, feed you....just BE with you no matter what *kids laughing as we read Caddie Woodlawns Family tonight over dinner *dark skies and winds blowing *the smell of freshly cut grass *kind dentists who call to check on how the tooth is feeling *a girl who caught herself before she lost her temper, who smiles up at me as if she is saying..."mom, I did it!!!! I stopped myself!!!! I can do it!!!" *kind emails from older women in our church checking on me *bright yellow iris flowers picked and adorning the patio..."sunshine" on the table! *stripes...clothes, bags, paper, socks, rugs, fabric, shoes...fun! fun! *story hour cd's *good movies, The Young Victoria *bright yellow scrambled eggs, kids love breakfast for dinner and so does their mother *#3 reading books to me! pure joy! *seeing Thomas kiss Caroline when she was hurt *big brown eyes full of expression as he tells a VERY long story *patience when all are talking at once *cashmere hot water bottles *snuggling with Mary on my bed reading Rainbow Garden *an appointment with my pillow that was sucessful for over 45 minutes, ahhh rest for the weary! *#2 being diligent all day long, no hassling or reminding or pushing...hallalujah and praise the LORD!

EASTER

The Beautiful Easter Table~~~ Patsy made a wonderful breakfast, waffles, an egg dish, fruit, applesauce, orange juice and Angie set the table so beautifully with awesome place cards that she made..."He is Risen!"

Angie's family had the tradition of hiding the kids Easter baskets somewhere in the house and as soon as the they woke up they would start looking. Angie said that once she hunted all day, right up til bedtime! Allen hid a basket for each of the kids. The older girls baskets were hid in very tricky places! Below Carolina has just found her basket!

Decorating Eggs...When did there become such amazingly creative ways to make an egg look so beautiful? What happened to the basic colors? When did things become so complicated? I am feeling old!

Sara and Family came over to Patsy and Allens for the Easter Egg Hunt. Fun to get the kids together. It was fun for my kids to be with Megan and Seth and for all of us to hold and enjoy baby Kate who is 5 months old, an angel baby!

Uncle Allen made an awesome treasure hunt that took the kids all over the farm, typed to rhyme and cleverly written!

The Hunt Begins.....

Preparing for the Party

The kids thought it would be fun to make a big banner for the penny carnival party we had planned for Lizzy and Mary's birthdays. All worked together and Lizzy added the finishing touch as she painted a giant penny. Invitions were made, designed by Elizabeth with moms help! Envelopes by Katherine. We had so much fun together working on things for the party. The three older girls and I checked out the ever faithful pinterest for ideas for the big day! Pictures of the actual party to follow.

Carolina....Sweet Little Thing

A quote from Carolina..."IS THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW TODAY?" I have to admit, I had to think about that one! Is she really smart or does she make the obvious complicated?
No matter what, she made me laugh....a lot! This precious little one is a character, full of life, sensitive, a total joy...LOVE HER!