Foto Friday ~ Remind me...

I am going to miss these days! 

in about 8 years,

 I will have 6 teenage boys living under one roof, MINE!

 

Sometimes, the days can seem so long

 

BUT...

 

the years are going by SO VERY fast!

I will miss boys giggling and looking out of a bird watch area

pretending it is a hideout...

 Moments of seeing big brother and little sister enjoying watching the world go by

just because

nothing else is filling their time and that it is enough for the day

I love knowing that for now...

A hiking trail and the great outdoors is all we have to do

if we want to...

Yes.,.

I'm going to miss this someday!

 

God...

please help me to enjoy today and savor these sweet, precious times

and not hurry my days.

 

I know that it is YOU who has been so gracious to me and

to even fathom that you would trust me with all these beautiful gifts is to great for me to comprehend...

I know I fail and I gripe and complain sometimes because it is so hard to put "self" last and I have moments of wondering if I can do it another day! 

 

 Then I am rememeber you did it for me to the point of death

and it reminds me that I CAN'T do it alone you and you don't intend for me to!

 

I ask that you carry me when I can't take

one more spill,

 more bad attitudes,

 another load of laundry,

kids arguing AGAIN,

another meal to make

 and I could go on and on and on...

 but you gently remind me that you already know my short-comings

and love me anyway.

 

Remind me that there is nothing I can't do without you!

...Even raise 12 kids!

 

I thank you for all of these moments and I ask you to help me day in and moment by moment to appreciate these times because it all goes WAY to fast!

Someday I WILL miss this but remind me TODAY...

To thank you for the privilege of being a mom to all of these blessings and to savor their growing up and consider it a joy not a burden!

 

Amen! 

 

 

Foto Friday ~ annual "Turning Hearts" picnic

Over Labor Day, we went to the annual "Turning Hearts" picnic at the Bontrager's home. It is to remind us the purpose God has for families...to have our hearts towards our homes. Father's leading, loving and sharing the love of Christ with thier children so they can go out and spread the Word of Christ with others. A Godly heritage to pass on to the next generation. Mother's learning how to encourage, support and share also in the responsibility. It is FILLED with big families and kids EVERYWHERE!

The Bates family from "United Bates of America" show on TLC, were the guest speakers. They were also there last year and once again, Gil Bates did an amazing job reminding us that our job at home cultivating our children's hearts is more important than ANY other job we will ever do.

Besides the Bates, who have 19 children, we won a prize for having the largest family there! (However, there was a family there who had 11 and we gave them our CD because we are nice like that!) :) My HUGE complaint and ONLY complaint was the heat! It was pushing 100 degrees and humid! I made it hour by hour and after my kids kept telling me I could make it, I made it 7 whole hours! :) I don't regret it a bit! Here are a few pictures to share our day! If you are ever in good ol' Iowa next year, I HIGHLY suggest you come to the picnic!

First view of a cow

Stare down

sitting by the rural "sky scraper"

(my 4 year old said it was a "weally talllll sky squayper)

Yes, the cows were the hit of the day for our boys

Farmer wanna be's!

I myself, prefer the Bates Family over cows

enjoyin the show

new friends

great friends

using a leaf blower to inflate the bounce house

(quite a creative idea in my opinion!)

We did locate some of our "old" friends also

ice cream was a HUGE hit of the day

yep...watching the cows still!

more friends and ice cream

boys playing football

And just plain FUN!

 

Malachai 4:6

And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers...

 

Foto Friday~ Welcoming summer

Brother's take time to smile for the camera

Little sister doesn't just sit watching anymore!

 God's beauty and "beauties"

Experiencing the new found freedom of walking in the great outdoors...

A world to explore!

The beauty is all around us!

Yep, he is as mischievous as this picture portrays!

Good food and cousins!

Can't wait to see what our summer memories will be this year!

It's Official...

We have 4 teenagers in our home!

Our latest addition to the grouping is:

fun
beautiful
smart
helpful
inquisitive
generous
thoughtful
compassionate
considerate

I have LOVED watching her grow from a little girl into an amazing young lady!

It will be so much fun to watch her grow into a woman of God in the coming years!

Happy Birthday our sweet girl! 

We love you!

Foto Friday~ entertaining boys

 Whatever would keep boys gathered at a fence...

 for sooooo very long?

 THIS!!

It is sure to make a boys day complete!

Happy Weekend!

Foto Friday~To my Daddy...

Tomorrow is my daddy's birthday.  He choose me!  He married my mom when I was 2 and I am SO thankful God brought us together!  I don't remember life without him but he could have chosen life without me.  I am so grateful for him loving me as his own!  The way he loves my children and his concern for them, is such a reflection of Christ!  I am so very blessed! 

Thank you, Daddy, for believing in me, choosing me and loving me better than any daddy ever could!

You are a blessing and I love you!

Happy Birthday!

Foto Friday~Boys at work

We have had SO many things to put together since our move!
For boys (and Moms) that is a good thing!
Don't ya love the tongue action!
(it shows GREAT concentration!)

It might have taken a little longer,

but it was all worth it!

For a time, they worked together and showed amazing abilities using screwdrivers!

Now if I can just keep them from taking it apart!

Have a great weekend!