Blessed Beyond Measure.

My list of things to do today is longer than usual with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up tomorrow. I found myself waking up this morning with the sense of urgency to spend extra time with my Savior before the business of the day takes over me. As usual I approach Thanksgiving with an overwhelming sense of wonder and awe at what the Lord has done and continues to do in my life. I am overwhelmed by His great love and the people He chooses to bless me with in my life.

That is not to say that this past year has been easy. It has had its share of struggles, fears, doubts and worries. He is faithful to remind me that His hand is constantly on my life and I have found more and more that He alone is my source of strength and JOY.

I will not find joy in people, not even my husband or my children, without His hand upon me.

I will not find joy in things until I see that He is the author and giver of every perfect gift.

He alone.

IS good.

He IS good.

He is God.

And He is all that I ever need.

But for some unknown reason He CHOOSES to bless me beyond measure. Beyond just the gift of HIMSELF in my life.

And He, in all of His goodness, chooses to bless me above and beyond anything I can fathom or imagine. He is not only good because of His blessings,

He is good because He IS.

Thank you Father for blessing me with Your presence.

You have truly blessed me beyond measure.

May I continue to see your hand and your light in all that you surround me with and may You continue to humble me with the works of your hand.

May I always be thankful and satisfied by YOU alone.

May you also be blessed by our Savior this Thanksgiving and may you see HIM in all that surrounds you.

Just a few more...

Some of my favorites from the weekend...

Get ready! Sometimes the best pictures aren't ones that you prepare for...it would have helped if I had a different lense on, but I am always grateful for a picture of everyone!

Micah's idea of posing for a picture...
"Hey Mom! Take a picture of me jumping!"

Sister Lovin'

Dakota is cutting two molars so this face is a lot more common these days...more than usual anyways!

Walkin' with Daddy...

I just like how her little face is in this picture...

And of course, what is a weekend without a little riding?

Our thankfullness tree...

The kids and I worked on this together today. They gathered a branch from the yard and rocks to fill the pot with...Caitlyn and Micah diligently cut out the leaves for our tree and Caitlyn wrote down things that everyone said they were thankful for. This is kind of a fun tradition at our house this time of year and is always worth doing.

They say that boys and girls really aren't so different...

So why is it that I can't keep my son off of his motorcycle?

(Greg found a pair of these on Craig's list for $50!)

As a mom some days it is hard for me to watch him in a relaxed state. Yes, the Lord is teaching me to turn all of those fears and worries into prayers. And he is truly amazing on this thing...and don't worry, it really doesn't go very fast.

And why is it that all three of my daughters LOVE to dance to music and put on pretty clothes...and especially show Daddy how they can dance...

Could it be that the Lord really did create them each differently, with different needs and desires?

I must say that with each of their unique and fun personalities I find myself as a mom realizing more and more that there is so much I do not know about raising kids!

The one thing I have learned is that these times are precious. They really do pass by in the blink of an eye.





That is why I never want to forget the way Micah rode a motorcycle at 4 years old (and how it made my heart race at times!) or how Caitlyn, Cassidy and Dakota loved to dance around the game table upstairs when Daddy turned on some music.

This week...

In all the extra down time we had this week, we went through some older family videos and photos together. This video of Caitlyn when she was younger summed up our week with everyone (except for Greg) coming down with the stomach flu. So, I thought I would share it with you. And yes, only a dad would video tape something like this! This kept the kids laughing so hard I found myself watching their response to it more than the video itself.

Yep. I think I am finished cleaning up throw-up and messy diapers for awhile (hopefully!). But hey, I also always remind myself that it really could be worse. And, Greg really helped out a ton while I was sick. As always, he is amazing...especially when he doesn't hesitate to clean up some puke. I always have a lot to be thankful for... I have kept down a meal today and all of my babies are fast asleep. Time to catch up on laundry!

A not-so-typical Sunday...

We headed out to a park for the afternoon only to spend most of the day in the car. I won't write about everything that happend, but let's just say it didn't exactly go as planned. We didn't quite get to our destination, but we did see some beautiful scenery and Fall colors along the way. We also made a couple of stops on the way there, and back. Micah fell alseep during the drive there and woke up complaining that he did not feel well. The trip ended with him throwing up and just as we pulled into the driveway Dakota threw up as well. We spent the rest of the evening cleaning sheets, clothes and kids. Whatever they came down with came on fast. Cassidy joined them right before bed, so now Caitlyn is the only one who hasn't gotten sick.

Even though it didn't go as planned it was a good day spent together as a family. Now I am just praying everyone gets a good sleep tonight and feels better tomorrow.