Insta-random

Here are some random happenings from the week...

I had at least 2 supervision fails:

#1, the popcorn debacle

And #2. He definitely has an artistic flair.

Also this week while I was doing my makeup I heard a commercial for Blue's Clue's and the announcer said "Is it Steve or Joe? Soon you'll know!", to which I immediately thought...

"Oh, I hope it's not Steve, he is so annoying. Please let it be Joe."

Immediately after this I thought. "must get some adult time in."

What has happened to me?

My little ones got to feed chickens at our friend's house. Completely awesome.

This completely exhausted her.


I love that he wears his cowboy boots and shorts to school. He's so cool.


And this is how I feel on the rare occasion I get to have a massage and a mani/pedi all in one day. This never happens...it's like I'm getting away with something.


Have a happy weekend!

Found - A Quiet Moment

This week I found a quiet moment with my baby in the midst of the craziness.

Thankful.

"we encourage" - A Big Adventure

Today I am hoping you will all encourage Kevin. He is the husband of a friend I adore and admire. Mission trips have worked their way into my heart through the example of my own husband and I am priviledged to be able to share the heart of a group of people who want to do something to build the kingdom of God in a real way. To do something that is hard, to help others. I don't think there is anything greater we can do in this life.
 I'll let Leslie explain their adventure, but as you read this please consider how you can help.
I mean really consider it. Giving up a Starbucks or not picking up that extra item at Target. I'm talking to myself as much as anyone else here. I know Kevin will gratefully except any support you can give.

You can click on the button below to support Kevin.
{you can also head over to Leslie's blog and grab a button to add to your sidebar}

A few weeks ago, my husband Kevin and I traveled to Bend, Oregon to meet with our friend and director of the Elisha Foundation, Justin Reimer, and his son, Elisha.

TEF is a non-profit organization that supports and serves families of children with disabilities. Eli, for whom the foundation was named, is 15 years old and has Down Syndrome. 

We met up with them because, together, we are about to embark on a big adventure.
(some of us more literally than others)



Kevin (right), my man who is so very passionate about the outdoors and particularly mountaineering, is going to be leading a team of twenty people on a trek of a lifetime to the base camp of Mount Everest, at over 18,000 feet in altitude, in order to fund raise for TEF, whose purpose is close to his heart.

We're talking Nepal. An 18,000 foot challenge. 

For families who need help facing the mountain of challenge that is raising a disabled child. 
For disabled children here and overseas who are marginalized by society.
For intentionally bringing the love of Jesus to the least of these. 

One very exciting aspect of the trek is that Justin (left, above) will be joining Kevin's team, and Eli will be trekking alongside his dad (see below).

In Oregon, we spend a day at Mount Bachelor (above), we went snowshoeing, and we worked with an incredible video duo (more about them later) to be able to share this endeavor with you visually.

Each of the 20 trekkers will need to raise a radical $10,000 to benefit The Elisha Foundation.

That's $200,000 total.

Mt. Everest is BIG.
Helping meet the variety of needs in families with disabled children is BIG.

$200,000 is REALLY BIG.

But God is bigger. In fact, we can't even come close to grasping just how big. 
We hope and pray you'll join us in spirit.We need a prayer covering, and we need financial supporters to make this happen. We are so humbled to be a part of God's plans to love othersAnd we are so humbled to be invited to join His adventure.  {If you feel so led, we'd love for you to share this with others via Facebook, Twitter, or blog. Thank you.}

A Date & Some Treasures

Hi! Remember me? I got my computer back. {I'll pause for a moment of applause}

I think we are all aware I have 4 kids. It can make it difficult to spend one on one time with them if Hubby and I aren't very intentional about it.

Alone time is super important to my oldest. He's a thinker, likes quiet {something that is absent from this house} and I think he sometimes feels trapped in this crazy household.

Let's face it, who doesn't feel that way from time to time.

When I had the chance to sweep him away for a mini date I jumped on it. 

Louis Zamperini was coming to speak at school so I decided to take W with me. Louis was great, but that was not the best part of the evening.

{did I mention when I upgraded my phone software I lost all my contacts and 600 pics of my kids? I may or may not have cried, and now you are stuck with screen shots for today.}

This was the best part. A Starbuck's homework date. We sat and had snacks together. He did homework, I memorized song lyrics. A perfect afternoon. I love this picture of him. I think it captures him so well. my sweet little man.

Later in the week I got some time to myself {thanks Mom} so of course I headed straight to the antique store. Groceries can wait.

I picked up these little treasures that I think I could stare at all day. Is that weird?

Come back tomorrow and link up for 'we encourage"

Some Bits From the Weekend

Happy Monday everyone. I am blogging from my phone because our computer took a hard nose dive and my friend took it home to fix it. Poor computer.

I'm sure this post is going to look all wonky but I know you will all forgive me.

We had a pretty laid back weekend. Sometimes those are the times I find the most "bits of splendor".

Here were some of my favorite moments:


Some Saturday morning snuggles with my little man.
Flowers from Trader Joe's. Wait, you don't buy yourself flowers? Well you should. Get on that.
Saturday evening I attended a beautiful St. Patrick's Day tea at church.

We also added a another dog to our family. Yes, 4 kids and 2 dogs. We're crazy. I'm aware of it.
Meet Rocki!


I'm in love. My BFF texted me during the week with a picture of her and said, "don't you need her?"
And of course I said "um, yah!"
It did take me until the end of the day to convince Hubby, but now he is in love too. Her previous owner had named her Blossom. Right away Hubby said, "there is no way I'm going out to the back yard and yelling BLOSSSOOOOMMMM."
I can't say I blame him, every man has his limits, so we changed her name. Not to worry, I checked with my cousin, the dog expert, and she said it's not weird at all to change the name. Whew! Crisis averted.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Oh Yah I Did

Yesterday we all played hookie and went to the Santa Barbara zoo. So Fun!

And yes there were lots of cool animals and we all had a wonderful time but here is all that really matters...

There is this thing they call the "ant hill". There are a bunch of pieces of cardboard laying around so you can surf down this hill.

Perhaps the hill was filled with lots of kids, but you better believe I got up there.

I will not be that parent that just watches the fun. 

We had a blast.

I almost peed my pants

And it ended up like this. 

Thanks honey for catching that flattering shot.

"we encourage" - Yelling & Surrendering

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 10:19-20

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Psalm 4:4

Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am not ashamed to say that the overwhelming responsibility sometimes seems too much for me. Being "on" every minute of the day. They are always watching, listening...I am always modeling. 

Modeling my behavior, my attitude and my words.

Some of these moments are ones God uses to humble me. 

Sometimes doing what is right is humbling.

Yesterday I had one of these moments with J.

I was frustrated with the effort she was putting into her piano practice. And how did I handle it? 

I yelled at her. Not one of my prouder moments. I yelled, she cried and we both fell apart. 

Where does that come from?

I have a theory.

 I want the best for my children. I want them to work hard and develop their skills to the best of their ability. Of course yelling does not accomplish this. I know that. I quickly apologized, she forgave me and we had a great conversation.

 But what am I modeling? I'm modeling a quick temper and lack of grace.

As I was praying and meditating on the verses above, trying to figure out how I was going to get a handle on the yelling, the feeling of being overwhelmed, I came across this verse...

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all: he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 145:8-9

All at once, I understood. 

I need to worry less about what I am modeling and worry more about WHO I am modeling. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love". I believe that. He has shown me that.

Am I showing my children? 

It's a painful question to ask myself.

This I know, I am surrendering this to my heavenly Father. I am praying for Him to do a work on my heart, to help me model Him. This is the only way. 

The only certain way to live out the love I have for them in my heart.

What do you need to surrender?

Sisters

I don't have a sister.
And that's ok.
I've never known any different.
Until God blessed me with 2 daughters.
I pray often for their relationship. That they would have a true friendship. They they would laugh together, walk each other through heartache and be wise counsel for each other.


I'm amazed at the way my baby already emulates her older sister. I'm hopeful I can impart to J what a huge responsibility she has.



Watching these two interact is one of the highlights of my life.




I don't take it lightly and I try not to take it for granted.  
I am also reminded of my responsibility.
To show them what it means to be a woman after God's heart.
I'm grateful to have them entrusted to me.
I am blessed.


Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 
Titus 2:3-5


I have a wonderful older brother {he doesn't read this, but I still feel the need to point out the wonderful part}.

"we encourage" - Make Him Glad

                                                                               Source: Uploaded by user via Jami on Pinterest

I saw this on Pinterest {where else} the other day and it really gave me a gut check.

That moment when you read something and you feel just a bit convicted.

I'm not 100% sure what Hubby would say if I asked him whether or not he was always "glad to come home".

What would your Hubby say?

Of course, I don't think any of us could pull this off at all times. That is not why I was feeling convicted. My concern was more about how much thought I give that at all.  How often during a hard day do I stop and think about how he will feel when he walks through the door of the place that should be his sanctuary?

Maybe not often enough.

I try to have most of the toys picked up, and hopefully I'm preparing some kind of meal for everyone. The part that may not always be present is doing it with joy. What good does it do me to have a clean house and dinner on the table if my attitude does not show joy in having him home?

I am very lucky. Hubby is home for dinner most nights. We sit together as a family over a meal most nights. I think I've been taking that for granted.

So, here is what I am going to do.

Ask him.

Ask him what I can do to make sure when he walks through that door he feels cherished and respected , as he should. 

I remember years ago I asked him that question and the one thing I got was "clean underwear". What? That's right, it makes him feel loved to have a drawer full of clean underwear. That's not so hard. I have never forgotten that request and I try really hard to make sure he has that. 

I know, I'm almost like Wonder Woman.

I encourage all of us to show our love and appreciation for the men God has given us. Even when it's hard to do.
Read that graphic again...

If we can work on the former, we will most certainly effect the latter.

A Simple Day

Here's the deal.

We are busy.

We don't allow the kids to be overscheduled, but there are 6 of us. Just factor in school and homework and our days practically fly by. So when we get a simple day, we savor it.

This simple day was nothing more than going to the park. Some bikes, a soccer ball and ice cream.

What more could a person need?

Honestly, I did a lot of sitting. It was warm and sunny. Hubby was taking the kids 1 or 2 at a time out on their bikes. And I just wanted to soak it in.

A few hours with nowhere to be.

A few hours to watch my babies interact.

I won't lie, there was a little crying over ice cream, but it couldn't ruin the day.

What a beautiful afternoon.

Not fancy, but just what I needed.