What we've been doing (in 100 words or less!)

Just a brief overview! Lately we have been......

Eating up as much time together as possible. This summer has brought a hurricane of work for David (which is a huge blessing, even if it might not feel like it all the time!). Our times together truly are precious and few! On top of that we've been.....

Smooching.

And berry picking!

And exploring new talents and relationships.

In my remaining 31 words I will say, life has been life. Ups. Downs. Learning every day to embrace thankfulness and to lean wholeheartedly on the grace of God! What a way to live!

Next up....

~ What we have been up to during this last period of silence
~ One of my confessions ( I admit, I am learning to love....)
~ Figuring out a way to explain in a non-complicated way, the complicated way that we have uncomplicated our life!
~ My baby girl is 6 months old! I'm dying to put up pictures (whether your dying for them or not!)
~ How a house full of girls spends a week on their own!

It's all headed your way in the immediate hopefully not too far future!

Hang in there!!

Well, we are having serious internet issues around our house! I'm at my mom's now writing this quick note. Hopefully we will be up and running in a few days! Please remember to come check in again soon. Blessings to you!

So close!!!

I don't know why I encourage these things! I somehow can't seem to help myself!!!

I yika dat!

I am notorious for saying how much I love every stage that my children go through. I fall in love with them the moment I see them and it's never gone away. However, there seems to be something incredibly special about watching your toddling baby transform into a little girl right before your eyes! Havilah is right at that stage!

Take a look at this.......

This little chub was my Havi babe less than a year ago. She couldn't walk. She couldn't talk. She couldn't be left alone for 1.3 seconds. Now we've got someone new hanging around our house.

It feels like she has transformed overnight into this adorable, spunky, tenderhearted little girl. She says the funniest little things that keep us busting up all day long and the sweetest little things that make my heart throb. Her favorite thing to tell us these days is, "I yika dat!". Translation~ "I like that!". Everywhere we go. " I yika dat meat!", "I yika dat dress", "I yika dat pink dog". (No, the dog was not pink, but that is her favorite color to say right now!).

I have to say, just her cheerful exclamations of all the things she "yikas" has got me thinking! Here I am again, getting all bogged down in the day to day, forgetting to take in all the blessings I am surrounded by and forgetting to pour my thanks on the One who is not only sustaining me, but is working in the heart of my little two year old and revealing to her a world that is bright and beautiful and designed by Him.

So here I am to say, I yika my home. I yika my new book. I yika this quiet evening with four beauties sleeping peacefully. I yika that sweet little girl who is teaching me so much every day. And I am overwhelmingly thankful for the One who reveals more of Himself to me every day!

Jumping back in!!!

Just so you all know, I had given myself a  leave of absence this last week, I wasn't just MIA! I spoke at the home school conference this past weekend so the last week was focused on preparing and unwinding! The actual retreat was wonderful. We were so encouraged by the various speakers and it was a wonderful time for David and I to have some concentrated time together, while being challenged in how we want to raise our children. Speaking was a very new, very terrifying and yet a very blessed experience. Thanks to those of you who were there to support me! I was very encouraged! (For those of you who weren't there, I've covered almost all that I spoke on here on my blog!)

(Ella and Boppa at Applebees on the way home from the conference!)

It has been so fabulous getting back into regular life. I am freshly awakened to how thankful I am for my precious family. These last few days I've been able to spend wonderful time in the Word, reading a book I've been working on and working on a schedule for our summer days. ( I am NOT a scheduler so stay tuned to see how this turns out!).

We've also been having fun in the garden. Good news folks! So far, my garden is doing great! For those of you who remember my May  post, this is a tremendous blessing! Much of the credit goes to my ever incredible husband who declares that he actually enjoys weeding and who has spent many a pleasant evening weeding while I water. I love that guy! As you can see, Havilah thoroughly enjoyed her lesson in weeding as well!

My heart is simply overflowing these days. How could it not be? These two little monkeys came out to keep me company outside this morning. They are both wearing their older sister's boots backwards. Bethany is wearing Havilah sweater inside out and Havilah is wearing Lydia's sweater upside down. I just love these moments!

So anyway, I'm back! I'm excited about blogging again and excited about reconnecting with all of you! If you are new here, thank you so much for stopping by! If you leave a comment it will completely make my day! God bless!

Where Else?

I've never really been a "stresser". I praise God for parents who raised me to rely on the Lord. Their example during my growing up years was invaluable. However, while tendencies are very helpful, they are always put to the test it seems! For some reason this past year has just been one of those years! It can come in many forms and from all different sides. I found my non-stressed resolve crumbling on many fronts. Everything from fiances to overwhelming responsibilities to divided relationships began to pile onto my chest. You know that weighted down heavy feeling that makes it hard to breathe? How about that rock in your stomach when you wake up in the morning? This was all rather new to me! But it wasn't fun!

One day as I was driving home by myself (unbelievable I know!) I began to simply pray out loud. I started out telling the Lord all the things that were bothering me and making me uncomfortable, and went on to tell Him where I would rather be. It was then that I had the feeling of falling out of an airplane without a parachute.  I was scared. I burst into tears. I began to beg my gracious heavenly Father to hold me and keep me safe in His hands.

The thought of "telling God" what He should do terrified me. Completely and utterly terrified. As it should. It hit me like a blow that day, and I hope that the blow never goes away. The only place I ever want to be is in HIS HANDS! Where else could I ever begin to be safe? Where else would ever bring me even a glimpse of true peace?

Who holds in his hands more blessings than we could imagine? Only God. Who wants the absolute best for us, not only for today, but for eternity? Only God. Who has the wisdom to plan just what we need to learn and grow to be useful for the only things that really matter? Only God. Who has the power to accomplish whatever He desires? Only God. What or whom should we fear? Only God.

I love this quote by A.W. Tozer. "With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures."

To rest completely in the Father's loving hands is truly the only place I want to be! What else could I possibly desire?