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The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

I read this verse and it seems pretty much impossible to carry this out as a mom. Oh, I would like to say that I do this day in, day out. But I don’t.

The endless questions, the repeating of the same phrases over and over and over again, the spilled juice on the newly mopped floor, the endless stuff laying around, the complaining, the yelling, the drama, the “too cool for school” attitude.

Yes, it all gets to me from time to time. And I forget what I am called to do. To be a mom is a high calling. It is a blessing. It is hard. If I am honest I don’t treat God that much different than my kids treat me at times. I complain. I yell. I mess up and he graciously points me to His truth again and again and again. I can be drama and put off the attitude that I am “too cool for school”. But how does he respond?

With compassion, grace, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He’s called me to do the same with those He’s entrusted me with. Even on the hard days.

Because that’s when we both need it most.

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There are some tell tale signs that Spring and warm weather have arrived. Whether it is here to say I don’t know but for now our family is embracing it with open arms. Here are some sure signs that Spring is here or near.

• Dinner prep and dinner time are way later than normal.
• The slamming of the doors as they kids go in and out. In and out. In and out.
• TV is hardly on.
• Little people don’t ask for as many snacks because they are too busy playing.
• Piles of flip flops by each of the doors.
• Neighborhood kids fill our yard.
• Bikes, wagons, scooters, sidewalk chalk and baseballs and bats little the yard and driveway.
• Brown murky bath water.
• Kids are sleeping in .2 seconds after their head hits the pillow.
• Smiling faces all around.

Yes, we are warm weather people around here. We’ll take it any day!

Enjoy that sunshine, won’t you!

It was a year ago tomorrow that we moved to Indiana and into our home. Today we celebrated Valentines Day with 4 families in our neighborhood and we had a wonderful time. There were 20 kids ages 1-15, some big families in attendance! We played silly games, made crafts and filled up on lots of sugar. Yep, good times had by all.

I am so thankful for where God has brought us in one year. He has poured out his love for us in countless ways looking back. Today was the perfect way to celebrate our one year housing anniversary. He has helped us make a new home, make friends and share his love with others. Last night we celebrated Brian’s birthday. We sat around a table with two other couples who we didn’t know last year at this time but now have become great friends. They are a part of our lives and we do life with them. Once again, his love is lavished upon us. He has answered prayers through and through. He has met us every step of the way. We are loved.

Happy Valentines Day to you. May you feel His love for you today and always and share it with others!

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

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Have you ever had that feeling of overwhelming thankfulness for something that you get to have and be a part of everyday? Like your family? Sure, I’m always thankful for these people that God has given me to do life with. But it’s not everyday that I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness for them. There are days that go by that thankfulness is not the first thing off the top of my head when I am experiencing them.

But today I woke up with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for my family. We are not perfect by any means. But we are a well oil machined in our own way. We have figured out what works for us. We laugh a lot, we cry some, we hug and wrestle, we listen and encourage one another. We mess up and hurt each others feelings. We forgive each other.  We are free to be ourselves around each other.

I love these 4 people that God has chosen to be my family. Today I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness. It’s a real good feeling.

Almost everyday one of the kids will say something that cracks me up. I’m sure they do not intend on being so funny but it sure does make their mama laugh. And each time I tell myself “Don’t forget that. Write that one down.” And you know. I don’t. And I forget it, within .2 seconds.

But…

Last week I was intentional about writing down their funny, little comments. For me to remember and to keep laughing and to now share with you.

Mason- After talking about bears hibernating “So where do they keep their food? In their bottoms, their belly, their legs?”

Theia- After reading a Star Wars book that says R2D2 knows every language she asks if he knows Amish.

Kaia- Out of nowhere she asks me “Do you like sitting in chairs?” I answer with a simple “yes” and off she goes.

Theia- “Even though Daddy sometimes spanks me I still love him infinity.”

Kaia- “I’m hungry. I’m hungry. This is the time I get hungry: 97 38 4 miles.” Do you know that time? Yeah, me either but apparently that’s when Kaia gets hungry.

Kaia- After we told her she cannot blow bubbles in car she said ” But we can’t do it outside. It’s so cold out. Winter will burst our bubbles!”

Mason- After praying at bedtime I told him I’m thankful for him he replied “Me too. I am thankful for me too.”

Oh I love my kidders!

Happy Monday!

This week I’ve started a new bible study along with my “get up and get some time with God before the little people wake up” group. For the next 13 weeks I will be diving into the Psalms. A new one each week. I’m liking this. It will balance me out as I make my way through the early part of the OT. Still keeping on track for my goal in reading through the bible in a year. Sure it’s only the third week in January but this is where I usually start to sputter out. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t get everything I am reading in Exodus and sure the details of family lines and plagues of flies and gnats don’t apply to my everyday life. But I know that God will use my time in His word for His glory. It’s not going to waste. His Word fills me up, it pushes me through.

I am reminded of this truth this week in Run2Him. We are looking at Psalm 1. It talks about delighting in the word, meditating on it day and night. If so, we are strong, fruitful and do not wither. We prosper and He blesses us!

Good stuff friends. Good stuff!