Laughter is medicine for the heart...

Around here we usually have plenty to laugh about, but occasionally we need to MAKE time to laugh together...

In the midst of a crazy day and crazy schedule...

When tears seem to been falling like crazy...

Sometimes the best thing to do is to put some music on, pull out something fun and be crazy together...

forgetting all that you "have" to get done.

These glasses gave us a good laugh last night and the kids put on a good "show."

I also have no doubt that the Lord has graced me with an easier pregnancy because He knew all that I would be dealing with in the midst of it. His grace is perfect.

My prayer life has never been more challenged and I am still learning to find Joy only in Him as He alone is my strength. Writing it down and meditating on it helps tremendously.

Finding something to laugh about is also very healing.

Hope you find a good laugh today!

Oh yeah, and something else that gave me a good laugh yesterday:

This is how my two year puts on mascara...

The joy of the Lord is my strength...

I sat down last night after a long day to catch up on business with school and such and found this taped to my desk...

God is good. I have had an over-flowing plate of activities and circumstances that have caught me off guard and require an extra amount of time and prayer to get through each step/decision. Decisions to make and relationships to mend... Life can feel overwhelming at times but I am finding more and more that my strength comes from joy in my Savior. How refreshing is that?

SO thankful and humbled to know that He cares enough about me and my circumstances to carry the weight for me. It's a daily walk, but a joy to be on...

And a joy to find that the Lord can use my six year old to remind me of how much He loves me and cares for me. Her note taped to my desk could not have come at a better time.

Blessings to all and may you be reminded of the love our Savior has for us!

Find Joy and Rest in Him today:)

Incredibly grateful~

Well, we went in for our sonogram yesterday. My feelings were completely wrong! We found out we are having a little GIRL! There is no explanation I suppose for my "easy" pregnancy, other than the grace of God. It is very strange that the last two were so difficult (as far as sickness goes) and this one seems to be a breeze. And no, I am not faking! (As many of my friends have asked!)

I was a little disappointed in how the actual sonogram went. I really didn't get to see the baby other than for about 20 seconds. The technician had the screen turned away from me while she was focusing on her job...that was a bummer! I have never really had it happen that way before. Everyone else with me got a good show of the little baby girl and Greg knew it before she said anything. I am glad that he at least got to see it for himself.

It's funny, I actually thought that I would feel some ounce of disappointment if we were not having a boy...for Micah's sake, but I can honestly say that I am thrilled and incredibly thankful for the life that the Lord has so graciously given to us. What a blessing this little girl will be to our family, and as I wrote before, they are all so very different!
I am also always so incredibly thankful to see a healthy picture of a beautiful baby inside me. I will never quite understand why the Lord chooses to bless me in this way when so many others face the battle and pain of unexpected health problems or life threatening situations.
Praise the Lord for a picture of health! We continue to pray that He would form this little girl with health and strength.
Lastly, I cannot help but be completely grateful that my Lord also has a perfect plan for our family. His ways are truly higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Regardless of what I "felt" we were having, His will is far beyond perfect. My thoughts were that Micah needed another boy in our family. I rest in knowing that his Maker knows Micah's needs far better than I do. I also rest in the big picture...His Kingdom and knowing that He has not only a perfect plan for this little girl within me, but also a perfect plan for our family to glorify His Name (in the good and the bad). For that I will always be grateful.

The sweetness of girls...

It was bath night tonight. Every night really is, but sometimes when I am by myself it turns into shower night...hose 'em down. Greg has been studying so I have been by myself for what seems like many nights lately, so tonight was a treat to have bath night the traditional way. Daddy takes the boy and I take all of the girls.

It's fun to throw all of the girls in at the same time. Afterwards they always seem to run around and scream...you know act like girls. As I watched each of them I was completely amazed at how different they each are. Dakota has officially joined "the big girls" and loves to do whatever they are doing.

How blessed we are to have these girls! I have occasionally read phrases like "it takes a special Daddy to raise a girl." I agree. There is something special about Daddy's and their girls. Daddy can make them smile and laugh like no one else. I love that look in Caitlyn's eye when she interacts and has fun with her Daddy. He really can make her giggle like no one else.

Cassidy is still going through a fun stage. As I tucked her in we always seem to talk about the "baby in Mommy's tummy." Tonight she asked the usual questions, "Is there a baby in Mommy's tummy?" "How big is the baby in your tummy?"

Tonight she also added a classic quote..."So how did that baby get in your tummy?" "In a hole?"

OK so we are still working on explanations around here but we have no doubt that we are incredibly blessed by our Maker with three fun girls...all very different and unique~

Now we are all just ready and waiting to find out what the next little surprise will be!

Quote for the day...

Caitlyn came home from school yesterday and kept saying, "Hey Mom, guess what! I'm made in China!" I finally caught on when I saw the sticker plastered to her shirt that she found which of course read, "Made in China." She loves to be silly and funny and guessed this would be a pretty funny joke. Keep up that sweet smile and fun attitude Caitlyn!

Project of the day:

My husband and 4 year old son spent the morning working on building a bike ramp.

Mission accomplished. I think this is enough air for my four year old to catch.

I read these verses this morning...

and thought they applied very well to our financial/political situations surrounding our country:

"The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations, and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken...

The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made all their hearts so He understands everything that they do. The best-equipped army cannot save a king or a nation,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory- for in all its strength it cannot save you.

But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love.
He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy Name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in YOU ALONE." Psalm 33:10-32

Lord, may we fear you alone, trust in you alone, and find strength and hope in YOU ALONE. Our foundation is in You...may we not be shaken.