All 10 Popes

I'll be sharing our home with you today in all it's messy glory. I'm asking for grace, please, and for one more thing too But more about that in a bit.     This Country. I'm thankful we live here. No, not perfect. Not even close. Still, freedom rings and I am thankful.     These People. The Pilgrims. Who endured and persevered at great cost and suffering. Again, not perfect. Though... Their yearning for freedom: unquenchable. Their hope in Christ: unshakable.     Messy boys, lots of toys.       Comfy beds to lay our heads.         Lots of shoes of which to choose.       Always enough. And really, even more than that.     It's was in the looking through the lens today that I really could see. The more pictures I took of the beds and lights and running water and the washer and the dryer and toilets ...

Words mean something. There I said it. They just do. They mean a lot. And it is interesting how the same word can mean different things to different people? No, I'm not talking about synonyms silly. I mean the exact same word. I haven't figured out why this is. My uneducated guess that it is our postmodern, relativistic society wherein we can't even define a word because it means one thing to one person and another thing to another person. I looked in the dictionary used dictionary.com and I see this when I punch in the letters that spell the word judgement: 1. an act or instance of judging.   2. the ability to judge, make a decision , or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgement. 3. the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity: The major was decorated for the judgement ...

This wispy thing called time flies by when you're having fun. Or not. Or when your kids are sick. And this week as flown by. For all those reasons and more. Though we I did sneak in a few special moments with one of my favourite little men.     We decided to take a morning (while sister nursed a sore throat by staying in bed, listening to Adventures in Odyssey and reading) to build a desert diorama. Like most things in our life, it was pretty much a mess to begin with.     But like my mom is forever saying, "Sometimes you gotta make a mess to make a thang better." Did you hear the Southern drawl??     And tada. Something to feel good about. It's actually a desert with an oasis. Pretty brilliant, I know. Ok, maybe not but good enough for this mess of a home. And this handsome boy, he smiled big.     Cause accomplishment always feels good. Even in the small th...

How is it that a just turned 20 year old looks into the eyes of her newly birthed, blue, beautiful baby girl and thinks she knows something? You see, as a new Momma I did, at least I thought I did. I thought I knew a thing or two about this thing we call Motherhood. I thought I would do (or not do) certain things and poof this wonder of a child would turn out ok. Well, not just ok, but perfectly ok. Here's the thing though. She was wrong. I was wrong. Parenthood is not a certain formula. Sometimes it feels right opposite of what we think we should be doing as does just about all other forms of becoming a servant. This girl that had all the answers still called her Momma (though she swore up and down she would do many things different) at least once...twice...three times a day. She walked next door to her sweet Aunt's house, tears brimming, saying, "She won't quit crying! I don't know what to do." That Aunt smiled softly, took the wailing baby child...

Yes, I know it's Sat. It's actually lateish Sat. evening. FridayFavs are actually supposed to be posted on Friday. Which is not today. Obviously. Oh, time management we have already decided you are one of my greatest foes. However, since the past couple of weeks have been, well pretty wonderful I thought I would share in more of the fun and favorite things we did together. These here are some of our Favs from when the laundry fairy (AKA Nana) was still in town.  Making sweet treats     And a Pinata And just for the record Pinatas are hard to make. It is a project that takes about a week. Not 2 or 3 days Unless you live in the South and can put it outside to dry in Oct.     Best. Dad. Ever.     Ironman. Meg (from Little Women). And a pirate, of course. I love them all. Well, the children dressed up as them anyway.     Yup. This here is the...

For two Sundays in a row now we have sung out together. This song. This simple, Gospel breathing song. And we spilt over a little as we remembered who we are. And Who He Is. And what He has done. And that, we cannot do. Thank you Jesus.     *This acoustic version is remade by Shane and Shane.* Before The Throne Of God Written by Vikki Cook and Charitie Bancroft   Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart. When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free. For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me. Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My per...

Time management. Not my best skill. Using a bow staff, now that's totally my skill. Still, if I had to use the bow staff at a particular time, it might just be rendered useless or not found because it is under my laundry pile (which by the way is awfully low since my Momma showed up on the scene from North Carolina...yeah she's the best). This is why I have not again posted to FridayFavs. No, not because I've been using my bow staff skills all too often. No, no that's not why I don't have time...it's that managing it wisely thing that hangs me up. Anywhoo, it's actually Thursday night (HA! Take that time management) whilst I work on these. Enjoy! Oh, and do read some of Rachel's encouraging blog posts. You can thank me later.   Gideon. The boy who wears a helmet while mowing the sidewalk. I do love you dearly.        Koen. Spent all of 5 minutes figuring the two wheel thing out. Way. To. Go!   ...