Basketball pictures (no words, just pictures)

wordless wednesday

I know she is mine and I am bias, but she is beautiful!

*photo by Angel Eye Portraits

Princess in training

Sometimes sassy, but mostly sweet- my princess Ella.

a clean van

I love having a clean van. I love getting in and there is no clutter. Nothing to move out of the seats. Nothing to embarrass you when the door gets opened and people can see inside. I really love having a clean van.

EXCEPT. . .

when Ella throws up and there is NOTHING to grab. No dirty shirts or socks. No extra napkins. NOTHING! Then, I really hate a clean van.

Happy

Sometimes it is just the little things that make you happy. Like these:

- a new bra! (maybe TMI, but it really makes me happy)

-clothes for the kiddos on clearance! (I found Matt shirts for $1 and the girls each a pair of pants for $2.48!)

-Cheez-its!! (After the basketball game last night, I found a bag of Cheez-its on my sweatshirt. So happy!)

The little things can sometimes just make your day!!

Service

This morning our pastor preached on being a servant and Jesus' example when He washed the disciple's feet. One of his final comments was maybe we should start with serving those closest to us, in our very own home. This got me to thinking. I spend way to much time complaining and yelling and fussing about the very people that God entrusted to me to care for- to serve in love. I intend to purposefully spend this week with a servants heart toward my family. They are my greatest blessing, besides my salvation. A servant serves out of love not duty. A servant fills a need. A servant doesn't do things for show or recognition. I want to be a loving servant this week. I want to fill the needs of my family. I want to do these things without looking for recognition (this is a big one for me- my love language is words of affirmation, so I really like being told that I am doing a good job). I want to take care of the practical stuff without becoming bitter. This is my prayer for this week.

Big Brother

I love this picture. It is the one that is sitting on my nightstand. It conveys something that I know is true. Jonathon is THE big brother. They all look up to him and rely on him. He is protective and loving and wonderful (usually) with his younger siblings. I love how Ella is holding on to him and how Matthew is so secure in his lap and how Grace is at such ease leaning on him. I just love the man my boy is becoming.

This morning was a great example of who he is. I was up getting the girls moving and then was heading for a shower before Matt work up. I was walking through the hall and heard Matthew fussing. I knew this meant no shower! I must have "huffed" loud enough for Jonathon to hear me because he said, "I will get him Mom. Go take your shower." I just wanted to cry. What 12 year old does that??? He not only got him, but took him downstairs and got him some Cheerios and juice to munch on while he was waiting for me to finish up. As a friend said when she heard this story, that is husband material in the making! I fully agree! If he treats his future family as well as he treats his now family, some girl and kiddos are going to be extremely blessed by my boy!

A must read!

I came across one of the most amazing stories I have ever read and think you should take a moment to read it. Trust me.

snow clothes- Ella style!

You know you would choose the same thing if it was in the 20's outside and snowing! She is too cute and too full of herself! Totally Ella!!!!

Basketball, well kinda!

For the record, it is really hard to take pictures, keep Matthew from falling down the bleachers and referee the girls all at the same time! I will just keep trying for some action shot throughout the season! Go Big Jon #43!

Look who's walking!!

Update: I am not sure why the video isn't working but it is really making me MAD!! I am going to try and reload it and see if that fixes the problem!

What happens when Ella gets the camera...

I am not sure how she changed the setting, but this last one is pretty good. :)

Snow!!!!

watching the big kids
stepped out in the snow with Daddy- brrr!

Hi MOM!!

Incoming!!!!

All bundled up!

Birthday fun!!!!

friends, presents, decorations, food, cake and lots of fun- just what you need for a 1st birthday party!

Beautiful . . .

on the inside and the outside!

*photo compliments of Michelle at Angel Eyes Portraits

Still here

I am still here, just really busy and tired! We had a huge weekend, but I haven't had a chance to upload the pictures off my camera (actually, I killed the battery, so I have to go to the store and replace it and I just haven't had a chance!) to share them with you. Hang in there and keep coming back- I promise to get better, well at least try to do better.

The big "1"

I can't believe my sweet boy is turning 1!!!! Sweet Matthew, we love you and are so glad that God chose to bless our family with you. Happy Birthday, Mattie man!!

Exactly!

If you are a mom or a dad, you really need to read this. I couldn't have said it better. It is exactly what I needed to hear tonight. What a wonderful reminder of how being a mom is the hardest, but best job there is.

Just plain hard

Being a mom is just plain hard sometimes. Sometimes things are so chaotic that I feel like I am drowning. The needs of those who depend on me sometimes weigh me down so much that I feel like I can't carry the load one second more. Some days it's the day to day things like never ending laundry and picking up and pulling Matthew out of mess after mess after mess. And other days it is so busy! Like today- we had two birthday parties, basketball pictures, and a basketball game all in a two hour block! Poor Matthew just got dragged along for the ride as we dropped off, ran back home for a forgotten mouthpiece, watched a little basketball, picked up, and rushed back to catch the last 2 minutes of the game. Grace and Ella had fun at their parties, Jonathon's team won. It is hard to see the quiet at the end of the day when the noise is bouncing off the walls in the kitchen or we have spent all day in the van. But no matter how hard, chaotic, frustrating or exhausting being a mom is, I would never, never, NEVER trade it for anything!! I am blessed beyond anything I could ever deserve. That knowledge doesn't' make it any easier, but it reminds me that it is a calling that I should feel honored to have received.

too fast!

Things are just moving too fast in this house! Today I

*went to a meeting for Jonathon's first youth weekend trip (I think I sat there the whole time trying to figure out how I could go with him to take care of him!)

*listened to Ella sing Taylor Swift (at the top of her lungs- it was hilarious!!!)

*noticed that Grace was wearing lip gloss in church (she looked adorable!)

*and watched Matthew take a step (this one made tears come to my eyes! I do NOT want my baby to grow up!).

It is almost more than this mom can take! I love my kids and they are just growing up way too fast!!!!!!