3 Years Ago

3 years ago we were anxiously awaiting baby # 5....

Caleb...he still has those chubby cheeks!!!

I cannot believe my baby is going to turn 3 years old tomorrow.  He is such a joy to our family. He's funny and smart (and yes at times naughty)! He loves to go shopping with Mom, read stories with Dad, wrestle with his brothers.

You are LOVED like crazy buddy!! Happy ~ Happy 3rd Birthday! Thank you God for blessing our family with this precious child.



This Time Was Different

Last Sunday we sang this song in Church. We've sung it many times, and I've listened to it dozens more over the past many months.  When I was singing it Sunday though, it was different. I had this lump that kept forming in my throat and tears that I couldn't stop from flowing.  Every space around me was filled with His presence.

Those words...
...the greatest love that anyone could ever know that overcame the cross and grave to find my soul

...and in my heart I pray you'd let your will be done
...I'll trust in you

I will live....
...to love you
...to bring you praise
...as a child in awe of you

...You are the voice that calls the universe to be

...You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me

...You alone are God of all
...You alone are worthy Lord
...And with all I am, my soul will bless your name

Lord, help me to live a life in awe of you and who you are. I praise you with ALL that I am. Not just part of me.  Good and bad times, tears and laughter, joy and heartache. From the time I rise in the morning, until I rest when day is done this has become the cry of my heart. May my life be a reflection of what I believe...


The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And 'til I see you face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

With all I am I'll live to see Your kingdom come
And in my heart I pray you'd let your will be done
And 'til I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I will trust in you Lord

I will live to love you
I will live to bring you praise
I will live a child in awe of you

You are the voice that calls the universe to be
You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me
And 'til I see you face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in you

You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
And with all I am my soul will bless Your name

My Gifts

I've been dropping 'hints' all week to the boys reminding them of what day is coming up. Every time I say "you know what day it is on Sunday", they look at me with BIG smiles and say SHOUT "Mother's Day"!!  A day to celebrate Mom...all we are....all we do.

While I enjoy the celebration that comes along with Mother's Day, what I love even more is the pure gift I have been given by God to be a Mom.  I want to celebrate the who of why I have that title! Not once, but five times with babies living here on Earth with me and two babies in Heaven. I do not deserve anything more than what my salvation, through the blood of Christ has secured for me....but the Lord saw fit to bless me beyond anything I could have ever hoped for, wished for, prayed for.

I love being a Mom more than anything else in the world. It's all I ever wanted to do....honestly.  That does not mean I do not have days that I want to pull every single hair out of my head, or go lock myself in my room and cry because I just do not feel like I have a handle on this 'title' God has given to me. There are many, many moments like that....but for all those 'few' moments of heartache there are a million more JOYS!!! I cannot give God enough thank yous in my entire lifetime for what He has blessed me with.

Bending Not Breaking

Just so I remember...



....maybe you need to be reminded too?

I don't have to look far to see people I love hurting.

God sees and hears you~don't give up on Him!

The righteious cry out, and the Lord hears them,

he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord

is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who

are crushed in Spirit.

Psalm 34:17-18