Thankful Tuesday

My final Thankful Tuesday for 2015. Guess I better do something special right? lol. It's been a long year. A better one then the year before, but still long. This year I am thankful for:

1. Answers about Natalie and a plan going forward. 
2. Our sweet baby Odin. Makes every day just a little brighter. Even when he's naughty. 
3. My first year with my husband being such a blessed one. 
4. McKayla's successful dental surgery making her mouth more comfortable. 
5. Alivia's schooling being so amazing and "worry free" for mommy. 

What about you, what is something you are thankful for? 

Thankful Tuesday

This is the time of year that everyone starts to focus on the things they are thankful for. My family is no exception. I post weekly, five things I am thankful for and keep that thankfulness all year long. Today, I thought it would be nice for me to share what my girls are thankful for.

McKayla (10): I am thankful for family because they take care of me.

Natalie (8): I am thankful for you because you're nice.

Alivia (6): I am thankful for violet because if I didn't have her I wouldn't even be able to sleep at night. 

Wordless Wednesday

This is why I don't take many pictures of all my girls together

The dog ruins it by trying to run

no one is looking the right direction

Miss poser Natalie and then Liv is distracted 

funny faces (because I told them they could if they gave me one good one! 

And this is the best I got! 

Wordless Wednesday

1000 Gifts: 3 gifts undervalued

• it is an undervalued gift to be able to spend quality family time just being at home. 
• it is an undervalued gift to not have to worry about bugs in our home. 
• it is an undervalued gift to be able to sleep at night without the night terrors that used to plague us. 

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks Mama Frances for taking pictures! The girls got to ride horses at the fall festival at their dad's church last week. Natalie was over the moon excited.

1000 Gifts:  three gifts given

• it was a gift that was given to me by my sister that really changed my kitchen. 
• it was a gift to get unexpected help from people when I needed it most. 
• it is a gift to have given rides to the neighbor girls for church. They so need Jesus and I love being the one to make it possible for them to meet him. 

Almost Cousins

We had such a great weekend with my bestie and her kids. The six of them had so much fun. My girls SLEPT so good both Friday and Saturday night. I love that we can be seperate for months and go right back to where things were. That's what best friends do.

Thanks again Sammie! It was a blast! Lets do it again sometime, soon.


1000 Gifts: 3 gifts miracles

• it is a gift to have the miracle of a child born to a virgin, sent to save the world. 
• it is a gift to have the miracle of our Lord living a blameless life and still going to the cross for me. 
• it is a gift to have the miracle of Christ's resurrection from the dead. With Him raising again, he made the way for us to be with Him in Heaven, even as undeserving as we are. 

Wordless Wednesday

1000 Gifts: a gift outside, inside, upside down

• it is a gift to have the beautiful sun shining outside. 
• it is a gift to have air conditioning for when it's just too dang hot outside. 
• it is a gift to have had my world turned upside down by these girls. They are what makes my life exciting. 

Wordless Wednesday

A special thank you to Robin for getting these for the girls. 

1000 gifts: 3 gifts of beginnings

• It is a gift to have been able to have a new beginning with Stephen. 
• It is a gift to have a new beginning each day, a clean slate to write a new day's story on. 
• It is a gift to have the beginning of a new book to jump right in to. 

WW: Favorite Part of Summer - from the kids

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: ask your child what their favorite part of summer has been and then write about it. These are always fun to get a perspective from the girls about how they are feeling.

McKayla (age 9) - I really liked going to grandma's house and really liked camp. We swam in the pool, had a water-fight, played on the playground and I got a bottom bunk. I also had some of my friends from last year in my cabin.

Natalie (age 7) - I liked camp because we got to read the bible and pray. And I told my teacher when you are mad and can't sleep, you should pray because it makes you feel better. I liked roaring springs too because we got to go in the pool. And because I met this crazy boy but I don't know what his name was. And I like going to grandma Lynn's house because I got to see aunt sissy and the kitties and Daisy and Papa Jaye.

Alivia (age 6) - when I went to roaring springs because we went down the dark slide, and the wave pool. I really did like the slide that's yellow that goes really fast. And I liked the purple one. I liked going to grandma Lynn's house because we got to swim in her pool and see aunt sissy.


This post inspired by:

A gift high, low and far away

• It is a gift to have that bright beautiful sun high up in the sky. It's just amazing to me how perfectly God created our world. Close enough to the sun for life to flourish but not close enough for us to be cooked. 
• It is a gift to have my girls so short and low to the ground. They are so easy to kiss that way! 
• It is a gift to have my family, although far away, we are close in heart and I love that. 

Vacation Bible School Performance

This last week my girls attended Vacation Bible School at The Salvation Army's Boise corp. They all had so much fun learning about the treasure of God's love. On Sunday, we got a performance of the songs they learned during the week. It's always fun to see the kiddos perform. In case you need help, mine are Alivia, the little girl in the white dress (front row) the girl next to her in green, McKayla, and two girls over, the one in yellow, Natalie. Enjoy! 









Fair warning, these might not be in the order performed.

1000 gifts: 3 gifts cured

• it is a gift to have been "cured" of my kidney stones way back in 2009. My sister just had one that she passed and it reminded me how lucky I was. 
• it is a gift to have my grandmother "cured" of her MS. She went to be with Jesus in 2012 and though that isn't what we wanted, it is an answer to prayer. 
• it is a gift to have such amazing treatments for illness now a days. It is even better to be able to go natural and not have to use them for the minor things anymore. Thank you essential oils we are able to treat and cure naturally. 

Our Sweet Rosie

Alivia, Natalie, Roselyn and McKayla 

Rose and me 

We were blessed to be able to spend some time with my brother's baby Roselyn. Guess she isn't really a baby anymore. She is two (born on May 1) and already bigger then her cousins! Such a sweet girl.

1000 gifts: a gift in faith family and freedom

• It is a gift to be able to live my life as a christian without persecution. We in the US are beyond blessed. 
• It is a gift to have been able to spend the last few days with mine and Stephen's families. 
• It is such a gift to have freedom here. People often forget the price that was paid so that we can have the freedoms we so cherish. 

WW: Laughing Still

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: The last thing that made you laugh.

The last thing that made me laugh really hard was Monday night. The girls had been with their dad since Wednesday. I was starting to miss them a bit so I called. Natalie was the first one I talked to. Melted my heart by telling me she missed me and loved me. Hopefully I made her feel less "mom-sick" by telling her the next time she saw me we would be on our way to Oregon. She told me a bit about what she was doing in mine craft. We talked the longest of the three girls. I finally had to ask if I could talk to her sister, so the phone was passed off.

Next came McKayla. I could tell she was distracted. Telling me about her mine craft game. I made myself look lame by asking if she was beating a lot of levels (apparently there aren't levels in mine craft) Asked if they did anything fun. I just got "no" without any explanation. I imagine they haven't been out and about much this visit. She made sure to tell me she loved me before she asked if I wanted to talk to Alivia. That is kid speak for "I am done talking and want to do something else.

Alivia was on the phone next. Sometimes that child makes me laugh so hard. I was really trying to make conversation with her. Asking questions, even asking leading questions that I knew the answer to. She would say a few words, then nothing. I asked her if she was playing games or watching tv (her aunt gets zoned out too, I can always tell when the TV is on!) But I kept trying until finally she blurts out "are you done with me yet mom?!" You could almost hear the exasperation in her voice. Did I mention she is seven!? Good lord what am I going to do when she hits her teen years? But it did indeed make me laugh, almost fell off the bed laughing.

This post inspired by:

1000 gifts: three gifts today in someone older then you

• it is a gift to still have my grandpa around. He has such amazing stories to share, I can't wait to read what he has down in his novel! 
• it is a gift for my children to get to know their great grandparents, or at least have met and spent some time with all of them. 
• it is a gift to have so many grandmas and second mothers at church. It's a blessing to be cared about. 

Happy Father's Day!

Since the day is here, I am posting pictures of what I made for both my wonderful husband (who is a father by choice!) and my daddy who is an amazing one and wonderful Papa for my girls.

For Stephen:

The writing on the right is: Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a bonus dad.
You made the choice to love when you didn't have to. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. 

For Dad:

Happy father's day to two of the most important men in my life!


1000 gifts: three gifts found in light

• It is a gift to have the beautiful view around me to see in the sunlight. 
• It is a gift to have consistent reliable energy to light and heat/cool our home. Reading a former pastor's blog, who is in now stationed in Kenya, has really shown me how blessed we are. 
• It is a gift to have the light of my mom candle to remind me that she is still here for the special times. I light the one from our wedding during special occasions as that visual reminder. 

Thank You & Goodbye For Now

I have the most amazing church family. Look at the beautiful dresses our pastor made for my daughters. Please ignore the horrible photography!

Today was Alivia's kinder graduation. So we wore them for the special occasion. Thank you again Major Ronda!

We also had to say a temporary goodbye to a new friend.

Sara, you are an amazing woman of Christ. Our prayers are with you as you move forward into your next step of ministry. Thank you so much for the blessing you have been to my children. 

1000 gifts three gifts orange

• the beautiful marigold blooming on my front stoop, a gift from sweet Alivia. 
• this blog (the logo is orange) has been a sanity saver in more then one way. It's my outlet and a gift for certain! 
• the orange colored lilies that are scattered throughout the valley are a gift, a reminder that God wants us to have pretty things. 

Interviewing My Girls

One of my friends posted this on facebook, I thought it would be fun to look back on, share with my girls someday.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
   McKayla - yes.
   Natalie - I love you
   Alivia - please do something
   
2. What makes mom happy?
   McKayla - that I tell her "I love you"
   Natalie - when we aren't grumpy
   Alivia - kissing her
   
3. What makes mom sad?
   McKayla - when I say "no" to her
   Natalie - when her mom passed away
   Alivia - not kissing her when she wants a kiss
   
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
   McKayla - by tickling me
   Natalie - tickle me
   Alivia - tickling me under the elbow
   
5. What was your mom like as a child?
   McKayla - she had blonde hair and lived in Florida.
   Natalie - she had blonde hair
   Alivia - me
   
6. How old is your mom?
   McKayla - 29
   Natalie - 25
   Alivia - 31
   
7. How tall is your mom?
   McKayla - I don't know
   Natalie - 5 inches
   Alivia - 15 inches
   
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
   McKayla - spend time with us
   Natalie - play on her computer and watch tv all day.
   Alivia - tickle people
   
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
   McKayla - cook, go on dates
   Natalie - go get sodas
   Alivia - watch tv
   
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
    McKayla - her love
    Natalie - writing
    Alivia - I don't know
    
11. What is your mom really good at?
    McKayla - cooking
    Natalie - well printing on her computer
    Alivia - kissing
    
12. What is your mom not very good at?
    McKayla - I don't know
    Natalie - you're not so good at catching birds and squirrels
    Alivia - helping us swim
    
13. What does your mom do for a job?
    McKayla - clinic person
    Natalie - check people in to hospitals.
    Alivia - works at the hospital
    
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
    McKayla - cheese pizza
    Natalie - cucumbers
    Alivia - peanut butter and jelly
    
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
    McKayla - that she loves me
    Natalie - that is a great mom
    Alivia - that she can kiss me
    
16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?
    McKayla - a cooker
    Natalie - Rainbow Dash
    Alivia - Lala Loopsy
    
17. What do you and your mom do together?
    McKayla - go places
    Natalie - we walk to the park together.
    Alivia - kiss
    
18. How are you and your mom the same?
    McKayla - cause she is nice and so am I
    Natalie - we are almost the same but not the same
    Alivia - cause we both like to watch tv
    
19. How are you and your mom different?
    McKayla - she is bigger then me and I'm smaller
    Natalie - our hair
    Alivia - that we don't like the same shows
    
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
    McKayla - she helps me when I get hurt.
    Natalie - she gives me hugs and kisses
    Alivia - cause she kisses me
    
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
    McKayla - Oregon
    Natalie - to go get sodas
    Alivia - McDonalds
    
22. How old was your Mom when you were born?
    McKayla - I don't know.
    Natalie - like 16
    Alivia - 30

Made me laugh. Especially how tall they think I am!

1000 Gifts: 3 gifts you gave today

• I gave a hug to a friend who is leaving this week. 
• I gave my girls an afternoon in the sprinkler. 
• I gave my friend a laugh with a funny message posted to her wall. 

Wordless Wednesday

My three little owls are growing so fast!


1000 Gifts: three gifts found in church

• It is a gift to have a second family in our church. They love and support us just like my family back home. 
• It is a gift to have a place I can safely worship God. 
• It is a gift to have people who care for the futures of my children. They want to help them learn about God and be confident in their faith. 

Wordless Wednesday

Their daddy took them out and had family pictures done. His wife-to-be was kind enough to send me copies of the ones of just my girls. Love them! 

1000 Gifts: From your childhood

• It is a gift to have spent my childhood with a lot of focus on spending time with my grandparents. Even more special since I am missing two of them now. 
• It is a gift to have a few toys and books from my childhood to share with my children. 
• It is a gift to still go to the same church from my childhood and be able to raise my girls in the same beliefs. 

WW: I Know My Kids Love Me....

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: I know my kids really love me because…

1. They request hugs and kisses before they leave, often more then one. 
2. They want to cuddle with me on the couch. 
3. They like spending time with me, most of the time. 
4. They are excited to see me both on the day they come home from dads or even just when I come home from work. 
5. They make me all kinds of "art projects" 
6. They want to show me what they have been doing at school. 
7. They want me to meet their friends.

I know there will come a day when they don't do these kind of things, so I am going to do my best to enjoy them while I can! 

This post inspired by:

1000 Gifts: A gift picked up, put away, put back

• it is a gift to have my amazing husband let me know that he picked up around the house today. Just makes me smile knowing that he knows I appreciate it. 
• it is a gift to be able to put away my work at the end of the night and know that I did it well. 
• it is a gift to put back some kindness into the world. Help teach my girls that the world is not all bad. 

Great-Grandparent Visit!

Stephen's grandparents are in town for a few days. We were lucky enough to go out to dinner with them last night. The ladies all finished before the men, so we waited outside enjoying the sunshine and the flowers. It was a most beautiful night. I attempted to get a good picture of the girls with their great-grandma Hart. I think we did pretty good. 

aside from them not looking at me, the picture is good

Then Natalie get's fisty with M, Liv is tired of posing

and we are done. lol

I am loving them all. Might just have to put them together in a frame.

1000 Gifts: three gifts flat

• It is a gift to have flat portable technology. We have been able to have a few skype dates using my tablet and I love it! 
• It is a gift to have a nice flat yard the girls can play in.
• It is a gift to have flat mostly smooth roads to travel. I can't imagine traveling the way they did back in the old days, before freeways. 

Thankful Tuesday

I have so much to be grateful for in my life. But there are still times in my life where I find myself saying "I wish ___" or "why me?" That is why I choose to be thankful. Every week I list at least five things I am thankful for. I think for me, it has really helped me be a more grateful person.

• I am thankful for my books. They provide an excellent escape from my life. 
• I am thankful for the girls' counselor. She is just amazing and has really helped the girls, especially Natalie. 
• I am thankful for my oils. I have been suffering allergies for YEARS and was taking a daily allergy pill. Since getting into doTerra I haven't had to take any. When I have the horrible sinus symptoms I simply rub some lavender on the bridge of my nose and it keeps it from running. Put some on this morning at work and it lasted ALL DAY! 
• I am thankful for skype. I had a great chat with my aunt last night and another with my sister Saturday. Both were able to watch Alivia open her presents in real time. Love having that connection. 
• I am thankful for conversations with my sister. She is now my phone call on the way home from work and I love being able to just talk to her and joke like we did when we were younger. 

1000 Gifts: 3 gifts waited for

1. It is a gift to have found Stephen. He is the man I never knew I was waiting for. 
2. It is a gift to be a part of Jamberry. I hesitated getting into a direct sales company but this is a perfect fit for me. I'm so glad I waited for the right opportunity. 
3. Waiting until the last minute to get the girls' Easter baskets ready was a gift. Stephen and I got to spend some time together, we only spent about $35 on all three baskets and the girls were thrilled with them.