Alive!

{scroll to the  bottom of my blog and pause my music}

You have to watch this video.

I cry each time I hear this song.

I am so thankful today for Christ's love for me!

...for me… 

I am broken, tattered, ugly, sinful…and He loves me.

I can't wrap my head around it today. 

I've been talking to my boys about it. Trying to have them understand the power of Christ's love for us.

I made them watch this video with me.

I wanted them to have a visual picture of what it may have been like when Jesus rose from that grave.

goosebumps

I am so grateful to serve a God that defeated death!

I am feeling so small today. So unworthy. So totally thankful for this gift!

~ and in completely unrelated news….don't forget to enter my giveaway~

Fingerprint Friday

Giveaway Day!

I'm excited to let you ladies know that I'm doing another giveaway from Fashion To Figure. 

Here's what's up for grabs!

One Item from the shop valued up to $30

Look at this lovely clutch they sell! 

~I'm drooling~

Check it out here!

So head on over to their site…pick out something pretty…and enter to WIN!

So here's how to enter:

Must Follow My Blog

Leave a comment how you follow me!

*look at the left hand side of my page for the  blue "join this site" button

Extra Entries:

Like My Facebook Page

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~comment for each one~

-all submission close on April 15th-
This giveaway is now closed

Letter To Micah

Dear Micah,

I'm kinda lost where to even begin with you. There is so much about you that I absolutely adore. Then there are things about you that drive me a little nutty.

You are 3 years and 2 months right now, and the most determined boy I have ever met. You have a fire within you that I know will serve you great as you get older. You will not care what others think about you, and you are going to be a natural leader (even if you don't want to be). People will want to follow you. You are strong, courageous, and determined.

You will never let somebody convince you to do anything you don't want to do. For instance I have now told you to put your pants on 8 times (in fact you are in time out right now). I have never met another kid with as much persistence as you have. You will never give up when you set your mind on something. You are messy. So messy. I can't even begin to explain the mess that follows you. I am truly hoping you grow out of this. But it's so funny to watch you eat spaghetti!

While you have so many strong, and rugged qualities about you, you are my cuddle bug. You do not like to sit on the couch by yourself. Anytime I sit down at the computer, you jump on my lap. You love to touch my face, my hair, my arms. You love to give millions of kisses and hugs. You love to dance with me (while I hold you). You want nothing more than to show your love. You don't get your feelings hurt very often, but when when you do you express it strongly (and loudly).

You love your family, especially your big brother. You don't like to drop him off to school, you get sad every single day we do. You love to play superheros with him. You love to tell each other "knock knock" jokes, and hear daddy tell you "goofy daddy" stories. But the thing that makes you very unique in our family is your love to sing. I find you singing songs all day long. That blesses me, makes me sing, and makes our home joyful.

Thank you for being part of our family. I know that one day you are going to be a force to be reckoned with. The world better watch for you. You are going to be a mighty man of God.

Smooches!
Mommy

Easter

It was a great day.

Early morning start for me. Just oatmeal for breakfast for the boys. Then off to church. It was a great sermon {from what I heard…no childcare…}. It was about not being a "fan" of Jesus, but a true follower. I'm excited for the rest of the series {especially since there will be somewhere to drop off my children}.

This was Ella's First Easter

{and her last "1st" holiday}

She was crabby…due to getting teeth up top. But gorgeous as always.

Lunch at James parents house.

I really missed my parents. From what I hear it was really quite at their house this year. 

It's really sad to think about those future days when my kids are off doing their own thing.

James was very determined that Ella wear this dress. He finagled the zipper for 20 minutes before we could get it to work. Pure determination.

Totally worth it. She was perfect!

The boys had 2 egg hunts. A community egg hunt on Saturday and then another at James' parents.

Josiah needed 2 baskets to hold all of his loot. 

My poor kids are so deprived

~eye roll~

Because I couldn't pass this dress up, she had to have an outfit change.

Love this dress!

 

I think the best part of the day was that they boys walked around singing this song all day.

{make sure you scroll down to the bottom of my blog and pause my music}

YES! My God's Not Dead..He's Surely Alive!!!

Sour Cream Cutout Cookies

What is it about spring that makes me want to eat really colorful cookies?

Josiah loves to help me in the kitchen. And these are by far the best cookie to decorate. And my all time favorite too!

They are much more work than your average chocolate chip cookie…but it's so worth it!

So here's the recipe to my favorite:

Sour Cream Cutout Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

frosting:

1/4 cup cold milk

3 tbs instant vanilla pudding mix

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Food Coloring

Sprinkles

Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in egg, sour cream, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda; add to butter mixture. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to roll out ( I usually don't wait…I'm impatient like that).

On a floured surface roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut out cookies and bake at 375 degrees for 5-8 min. (I like mine really soft, so that's 5 min)

Remove immediately to wire rack for cooling.

For frosting, combine all ingredients and bet until smooth. 

Divide frosting and add food coloring.

And get your decorating on!

~Embracing The Camera In A Very Attractive Way~

 Aunt Chelsea is the true artist!

~I couldn't help but add this pic of Ella….she's so fancy is her faux fur : )

What They See

I've looked into these eyes countless times.
They are perfect. They are innocent. They are hopeful. They are full of pride. They are loving.

These are the eyes of my 3 year old.
I have often asked myself what these eyes see when they look at me.

To these eyes I am the most beautiful woman they have ever seen.
I have magic kisses that heal any "owie" instantly.
I am the best cook in the world.
I have eyes in the back of my head.
I come up with brilliant games to play.
I give the best hugs.
I am their moral compass.
I am the world's best singer.
I am an awesome dancer.
I have a direct line to speak to Jesus.
I smell like roses.
I am a role model.


This is how my children look at me.

I feel an immense amount of pressure to not let them down.

If I complain that I am not beautiful, they will be confused about what beauty is.
If I tell them to "suck it up" when they get hurt, my kisses will not be needed anymore to heal.
If I don't pay attention to what they are doing, they will get into trouble.
If I don't have time to play with them, I will become boring.
If I don't take the time to cuddle with them, my hugs will not be so special.
If I make a have a "bad judgement" moment, they will know that they can too.
If I don't sing and dance with them, singing and dancing will not be as silly.
If I don't pray or read my Bible, they will think they don't need to either.

But I am not perfect, and it is inevitable that I will make mistakes. I will be "too busy" to play with them at times. My kisses will someday lose their healing power. I will say something stupid silly in front of them {"we don't say stupid mommy"}. I will miss a devotional. I will burn dinner. I will have bad breath. I will not have any ideas on a game to play. I will yell at somebody in traffic.

But God's grace can redeem all those things where I will let my kids down. I have learned so much about forgiveness from my own children. When I have lost my temper with them, or when I have been too selfish to play with them, and when I have been broken with them and apologized for letting them down; they forgive me instantly. To them I am still perfect. Even in my failures I am still flawless. I am inspired to be a great mom because of my children.

It makes me wonder how Christ looks at me? Does He see me as perfect?
He knows how I sin. He know where I am weak. And yet, He still loves me.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved.

Praise God for His grace and mercy! He forgives my failures, just as my children do. I'm so lucky to be a daughter of Christ and I'm so lucky to be a mother to some very forgiving boys. And I am blessed that to their innocent eyes, I'm still perfect.

~Josiah~

What I Love About….Josiah at 4

Josiah is like a new boy.

Once he turned 4 years old his mind began to grow like crazy!

He seriously says the funniest things. He has the best sense of humor, and the sweetest nature. 

He is sensitive, caring, generous, and sweet beyond words!

I love that his imagination is growing. He comes up with the most elaborate stories about superheros.

Things Jo says:

"Mommy, can I have some CheezeIts? You told me that you need to eat everything when you are hungry. And I am hungry and so I need to eat CheezeIts so I can grow!"

"If I drink your boobie juice I will EXPLODE"

"Adam and Eve were naked. But they had a lot of hair. Pa (his grandpa) has no hair like them."

 ~funny cause it's true~

"Daddy you are not pretty. Mommy is pretty. Girls are pretty and boys are cool. Daddy you are cool."

"I want to go on my honeymoon with "Vee Vee) {Olivia}. But you will have to come with me, cause I don't drive, and I won't know where to go".

"Mommy, I really want to go to Heaven."

"You never pet a cat like this (demonstrating a 'rough petting' motion). Because if you do that they will scratch you in the face. That is why I do not want a cat in my house."

James would play this game with Josiah about the characters on his undies. In a silly voice James would say "Hey…Buzz says it's stinky down here!". Josiah laughs so hard for this nonsense and came up with his own. While wearing undies with basketballs, baseballs, and footballs on them Josiah says "Hey…my balls say it's stinky down here."

"My angel says 'Don't be afraid' ".

James showed a pic of Jesus to Josiah and asked "Who's this?" Josiah said "Looks like grace to me."

Josiah reading to his brother. Moments like this are my slice of heaven.

Things I love about Jo:

I love that he is like a sponge, and can remember almost everything I tell him.

I love that he loves to hear Bible Stories.

I love that he would rather stay home and play with Micah than go to school. Just like his Mommy…wanting to ditch already.

I love that his favorite thing to do is play with Daddy.

I love that he wants to please.

That when he gets hurt, he still thinks my kiss can heal it.

That he is beginning to understand things better. Like what rolls (a ball) and what slides (a book). Smarty pants!

That he know what his vowels are. And recites them at random.

I love that he doesn't like bugs. Can you really blame him?

 Loves to help with his baby sister. He was so proud of himself!

Being silly, as usual.