Obsessions

Some obsessions are ok to have...

Love unfailing

Some friends and I were talking recently about how we feel at bedtime....

Like the kids bedtime. 

We all were pretty much in agreement that there are nights when the words 'one more story' are the most painful words we can hear. There are nights when we just want to yank the covers up, mumble good night and exit their rooms as quickly as possible and perhaps even slam the doors on our way out. 

My poor children deserve more. 

Our love fails. 

Period. 

We fail in how we love our children, our husbands, our loved ones and our friends. 

Later that day I heard the song, 

'One Thing Remains'

by Jesus Culture.

It made me tear up realizing that He is so UNLIKE me. 

He is so perfect in His love. 

It NEVER fails. 

Never. 

Period. 

His mercies are new each and every morning. 

(Lamentations 3:21-24)

Period. 

'Your love never fails, never gives up

never runs out on me.

On and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never, ever, have to be afraid.

One thing remains:

Your love never fails, never gives up, 

never runs out on me. 

Your love never fails, never gives up,

never runs out on me.'

Then I read this quote posted by a friend on Facebook.

'He is not moody or capricious; He knows no seasons of change. He has a single relentless stance toward us: He loves us.' (Manning)

It made me so grateful.

Because I AM moody and capricious and I do change with the wind and I am not relentless.

(Side note...I know nothing of this Manning credited with the quote, he could be a complete flake...

but this quote spoke to me and its true, so Im re-quoting it.)

Its nice to be reminded that I am secure in Him. 

And that I can also remind my children that while Mommy and Daddy are going to fail them, time and time again, His love will never fail them. 

And it will never give up.
Our relationship with Him is the only one that will never let us down.
We look to Him as our strength and rock...not those around us. 

His Love Never Fails.

Even at the end of a very long and hard day. 

Happy birthday week(ish) to me!

When I was born my dad started the 'birthday week' rule. (Cause obviously I was his favorite.)

I've demanded this tradition continue into adulthood.

So last Saturday I met up with my birthday triplets, Jama and Meghan and we did a little shopping and had lunch to celebrate our shared birthday on the 3rd.

Then Jordan surprised me on Monday night with an impromptu date night.

And yesterday my friends held a little party for Meghan and me. 

I'd say this birthday week is on the right track!

Somehow I misses taking a picture at the first two birthday events but we did get some yesterday. 

Meghan and I with just a few of the kids helping us celebrate!

Meghan's cake.(anatomically correct and everything...way to go Mandy!)

Meghan teaches fitness classes...the cake fit her perfectly.

And.... My cake. CRAZY CAT LADY!

I would like to clarify that I own one cat. ONE.

However I've been dubbed the crazy cat lady. And I'll happily accept the title.

(Although for my own pride I will add that one of the children thought Meghan's cake was mine because I work out too!)

I couldn't bee more thankful for my friends. And I only get a mild set of the shakes when I think about leaving them next year!!! 1.5 hours is still close !!!

my three year old

within 30 seconds of opening her eyes for the day

Torrance had on a leotard and was dancing. 

What a way to start the day!

some lucky girl....

I have a birthday coming up. 

Sullivan decided yesterday that we should start the celebration early. 

So he started doing little things around the house as pre-birthday presents for me. 

He picked up a bunch of toys and organized some school books. 

Then he brought me this. 

Serious sacrifice here people. 

This football is NEVER not in his hand or by his side. 

NEVER. 

(I told him I did not want him to stop playing with the football, I just wanted him to 

stop playing with it when Im talking to him!!!!)

But really, some girl is going to be really lucky to get this boy. 

He is so very sweet and thoughtful and sacrificial. 

However, I will warn you...he also thinks this book is extremely funny. 

(no such thing as a perfect man!)

Random phone pics

Alright, it's frigid out again...below 0 temps, blowing snow. Yuck.

But these pics make me happy.

I have an obsession with his perfect teeth. And he's really good about letting me admire them. 

The kids and I got to meet up with Jeff and Amy Jo for an afternoon this weekend. We hung out at their hotel with them and danced in big windows.

Love my brothers.

Our Patriots lost on Sunday...but we were all dressed up cheering them on. 

And this guy...well he's pretty much my favorite. God knew what he was doing when He paired us up...I couldn't be more grateful. 

Training him right...

Sullivan and I were grocery shopping today and in true Sullivan fashion, he was very interested in what everything cost. He was astounded by the total cost.

As we were walking out he said, 'I think I'm only going to have 3 kids, cause that will cost less than having 5.'

I responded with something about how yes, kids cost a lot but they are worth it and we are blessed to have all the things we need.

Then I asked what he was hoping for in a wife. I was really expecting something clever and memorable from him.

His response, 'I really don't know. I guess as long as she doesn't live in a ditch it'll be good.'

Yep, clearly raising him right...keep your expectations low. 

:)

Again????

In hindsight it would appear that purchasing the Frozen soundtrack was a mistake. 

Seriously, if I hear those songs too many more times I might pull my hair out.

But then Tori sings along in her ADORABLE voice, and they all start dancing....and then I'm ok with listening to 'Do you wanna build a snowman?' For the 254th time.

If I was trapped in a snow globe...

Way back on NYE the kids made this craft...them stuck in a snow globe.

Super fun and cute...thank you Pinterest.

Today we turned it into a writing project. The three older kids wrote stories about what it would be like to be trapped in a snow globe. 

Seriously fun project...full of lots of giggling.

Hope

Hope is a beautiful thing.

Hebrews 10:22-23

'Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.'

Funny thing...

So it seems that when I tell God I'm mad at Him...He doesn't get mad back. 

He's funny, and awesome like that. 

Instead He sent some friends and loved ones to me to encourage me. 

We were definetly not meant to walk through this life alone...

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.'

And, He reminded me of some great verses over the past two days. 

Psalm 40:1

'I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.'

My favorite part there is that when Im down, HE turns to ME when I ask. 

I might not have the strength to turn to Him...but He'll turn to me. 

Isaiah 45:3

'I will give you hidden treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.'

 I loved this. There are treasures in the darkness. He has secrets for me when I'm quiet enough, maybe even in a dark enough place to finally ask for them. And then that reminder...He summoned me by name. 

Isaiah 40:29

'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.'

Yep. He does. And I need Him to give it over and over. 

Hebrews 4:16

'Let us approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'

This one came in an email devotion today. 

And it was perfect for me. 

We all need grace to get through life. 

Grace from Him is freely given. 

Grace from each other can be harder to come by.

And grace for ourselves...well that's maybe the one I need to work on the most right now. 

what Im saying to myself today

1. its January 13th...probably should take the christmas tree down.
2. when your kids ask for grape juice - ALWAYS buy WHITE grape juice. ALWAYS
3. you haven't really cooked or meal planned since mom died...probably should pick that up again, kids are going to OD on mac & cheese and hot dogs very soon. Why don't you do freezer meals like all those really smart mom's of large families?
4. house needs to be on the market in 2 months...probably should start getting ready for that.
5. I should really go back to work, I would love to work for IHS when we move to DSM...probably better start making contacts on that soon, and figure out how the kids will be homeschooled while I do that. (and who will do that cooking and house work I mentioned before)
6. your kids really need to drill math facts daily...remember that. And do that now.
7. do you really think you are qualified to teach Lauren how to write a persuasive argument when you can't persuade anyone about anything with out ultimately saying, 'whatever' and walking away?

And lastly, Romans 10:17 has been floating around in my mind a lot over the last few days...'So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.'  - or, translated, Becky, if you want to know ME, and know what I want for you...spend time with ME. When you do that, all the other voices will fade away.

But that last one is really hard to listen to when your starting to admit that you are just a little bit mad at Him.

There I said it.

Good thing He gave me this promise to remember while I work all that out...
Joshua 1:5 'No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

My biggest enemy right now is me. Well besides Satan...but I'll admit, Satan doesn't even have to work too hard right now...Im making his job easy.

But God promised me in Joshua...NO ONE can stand against me...not even me.

Praising Him for that above all today...(even if I am mad)

Football down!

The words that come out of my mouth most frequently are...'Sullivan, put the football down!'

It's 9:30, I've already said it 13 times.

Blizzard Donuts

My mom had a tradition of making her homemade donuts every year at the first blizzard. Then she'd invite us all over to enjoy. They were super yummy!

We are not having a blizzard today...

However we are having this...

And wind chills like this...

Some of the coldest temps in over 20 years. And schools cancelled. I've NEVER seen school cancel because of cold. This is Iowa! We don't cancel unless there's at least a foot if snow and it's blowing around like a tornado. We are made of tough stuff! ;)

But we still have a day off due to weather today. So we are picking up grandma's tradition. Inviting friends over and making donuts!

Only we are making 'easy' donuts with Avery's donut maker.

Stay warm! 

Playing...

Sullivan and Contessa got in trouble for arguing this morning and their punishment was to sit on the couch together and tell each other things they like about each other. (Awesome!)

This triggered hysterical laughter and fun. Something magical happened and they started playing together like a dream.

When Tess got home from school Sullivan had a 'party', a treat and an entire plan for playing school together. 

And the getting along continues!

So long 2013!

We had a low key and fun NYE here at home with the kids. Played some games, ate some yummy food and rang in the New Year at 11pm with the crazy New Yorkers.

Looking forward to 2014 with this crazy crew!