Trick or Treat....

Trick or Treat

We Look real Neat

We Got way too much good stuff to eat

My Momma does say

that if it don't go away

she will have a big price to pay

For crying out loud

Those dang Snickers she chowed

And for that she ain't too proud

For her buttocks now looks like a jello jiggler going floppity flop

And the love handles....have you heard the term "Muffin top?"

The candy has now got to go

Before she stoops to an all time low

Somebody help find that discipline she does know

Because everytime we turn around

We hear the "hands in the candy" sound

Momma shouts, "Look what I found!"

And pulls out a Snickers again

Is this the unpardonable sin?

So now we hide the candy in a great big tin

Praying she won't let herself in

Momma it's for your better good

PLEASE stay away from the sugar food


Ok...I really wrote that for myself.  Hoping it would be self motivation to KEEP MY HANDS OUT OF THE CANDY JAR.  Darn Halloween!  But I do have the cutest trick or treaters on the block!

This year we had a Bride, A Pink Poodle, and A Black Cat.  No Theme this year...sniffle sniffle.  It was the first year Steve hasn't dressed up with the girls.  They both had admandent ideas this time about their costumes.

My Sweet little Trick or Treaters...

We did have a fun Halloween.  My inlaws were in town from PA so they got to participate in all the fun.  I love having girly girls so dressing them up was half the fun for me.

Harper's Dedication

A couple Sunday's ago, Steve and I had the privledge of dedicating our sweet Harper Sophia to the Lord.  By dedicating her, Steve and I acknowledged and made a committment to the Lord that we were going to raise her by teaching her about Him and training her up as the Bible commands us to.  It also means that I will pray on a daily basis that Harper will come to know the Lord as her personal Savior and grow up to do mighty things for Him!  Heaven knows she is already a little powerhouse who needs little sleep!  HA!  Along with her dedication, I picked up a verse that I wanted committed solely to her on this day:

Ephesians 3:19-20
(add ins by me...)

"Harper I want you to know that Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you, Harper, will be able to know that love.  Then you, Harper, can be filled with the fullness of God.  With God's power working in you, Harper, God can do much, much more than anything Harper could ever ask or imagine."

Harper's Dedication Day.  She looked so cute but didn't feel well at all.  Her first time being really sick:(  Hence her runny nose!

Storms....

Do you remember that song that we used to sing in Sunday School when we were little?  Ok here it goes...umhmm...(me clearing my throat)....Ha...good thing you really can't hear me huh? :)

The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
And the Rains came tumbling down!

The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains can down and the Floods came up
And the House on the Rock stood firm

The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
And the Rains came tumbling down!

The Rains can down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
And the House on the sand went SPLAT!

So Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
 build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
And the blessings will come down!

The Blessings come down as the prayers go up
The blessings come down as the prayers go up
The blessings come down as the prayers go up
So build your house on the Lord!

I was reminded of this song as I was listening to one of my favorite speakers, James MacDonald who is doing a series on the family.  On the family during hard times.  Isn't it awesome how God uses random things and people to speak through you when you really need it?  And sure enough...he uses simple children's songs to inspire you....well at least me:)  As I was listening to this sermon series James Macdonald said something that I LOVED.
He said, "EVERY family goes through storms.  No family will beat the odds of getting off easy here.  We will all encounter some type of storm in our family lives.  And until the storms come, every house on the block looks good...it all looks the same.  It is only when these storms come can you determine which house is built on the rock and which is built on the sand.  It is only when these storms come that it is apparent if your family is built on TRUTH."

It is my prayer that Steve and I are building our home on truth.  The "sand" is the easy way to do family and quite honestly when I feel like I don't have any energy to stand up let alone "train up my child" or "work on my marriage" the "sand" is the most appealing way to do things...and do them quick.  But building my home on the Truth...on the rock..takes time...it takes perserverance...it takes energy.  But it's the only way our family will make it through these storms...and I know that when I ask the Lord for supernatural energy to do this...He will show Himself mightly.  He already has:)  Both Steve and I are committed that we want to build our houses on the rock...and not take the easy way out.  Maybe this is why God allowed these storms to come into our lives.  Maybe we were drifting off path and starting to get lazy...maybe our house was turning into sand.  But not anymore...we are refocused.  We are moving forward.  As my heart wants to grieve all this hard stuff going on around me, I can hear the Lord's still small voice telling me, "Sarah, look in front of you.  Not to the right or to the left."  It's His way of telling me to endure building this house up with a firm and not shaky foundation.  It's His way of telling me that "He works all things for the Good  to Those who love Him."  And I will trust in Him.  Because He is TRUTH!

Lord guide my feet and my mind in a direction that will lift my HOME and family up to your glory!

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger......

 I hope.....


I have been absent.  again.  sigh.  But quite frankly the reason is....well....I haven't wanted to blog.  I haven't wanted to share what is really going on.  I haven't wanted to act like everything is ok too.  Because it's not.  I'm really struggling.  Our family is reallly struggling.  It's been probably one of the hardest times our family has had to go through.  And while I don't feel like I am up to sharing what is going on, I do ask for prayer for us.  I realize that every family struggles....and I will be the first to tell you that our family is obviously not exempt from these.  And as we are going through a difficult time, I can't imagine those families who go through these times without the hope of our Saviour.  I honestly couldn't make it through the day without His encouragement and His Word that has told me that everything will be ok.  That we will be ok.  God is really tugging at our roots and breaking down all facade that have masked our true identity of who we once thought we were.

When I really needed to hear from God, He spoke.  It was loud and clear and completely directed at me.  And completely brought me that peace when I needed it most.

Isaiah 41:4
"Who caused this to happen?  Who has controlled history from the beginning?  I, the Lord, am the one.  I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished."

Isaiah 41:9b-10
"I have chosen you and have not turned against you.  So don't worry, because I am with you.  Don't be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."

Isaiah 41:13
"I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, "don't be afraid.  I will help you."

Thank you Jesus for your love and comfort...and most of all your soverignity. 

It's during these times that I will admit...the journey to joy is hard to find.  When all around me seems to be crumbling and what I thought life would be like is completely not.....I have to choose joy.  How do I do that?  Well...I will get back to you once I figure it out myself.  All I know is that I am going to have to make a conscience effort each and every day...maybe each and every hour. 

But I do know...God gives me the strength to do everything.  And that He who began a good work in me will continue it until completion....and it's those truths that I have to hold on to.


Well on a completely different note...I have never blogged about my baby's first birthday.  Now that was a joyful time.  The birthday girl was the smash of the party, of course!  She LOVED her cake (now I know for a fact that she is MY daughter!  HA!)  She had no problems digging right in.  And she did get into opening her presents too.  It was a lot of fun.  We had a Diva party for her.  Complete with a pink leopard print foofed out cake I made for her.  :)  It was a low key party (the poor third baby never gets the big shindigs like her oldest sister got!), but it was super cute!  I wish we could do it again soon.  Here are some pics...



The Birthday Girl!



The Diva Birthday Cake!



This Girl brings me TONS of joy!  :)!!



She shoved in her cake!



mmm...purple icing!




Brining in her mini cake!




This is the theme I got the cake idea off of!

Well we had a lot more pictures of the birthday party but I am not patient enough to deal with blogger upload right now!

New Uses for Ordinary Things...take 5!

So yes...I have been absent this week.  It's been busy again...not even a moment to sit.  And well..something less fun came up too...maybe that will be a blog post at a later time.  But for now..a new use for an ordinary thing! 

So Here is our Ordinary thing or things....

Paper and a Permanent Marker!!

Now...who doesn't have these things right?!  But did you know that besides the usual writing and drawing...One could do this?

drumroll Please....



A CENSOR for your husband's Sport Magazines!

I mean...come on  ESPN magazine.  There is not very many magazines that my husband can subscribe to anyway without gross..tempting pictures.  And now...you have followed suit as well. ESPN's annual "body issue" I guess.  It features...rather revealing photos that well...lets just say after 3 kids I would not fare well in this issue...HA!   Well..I took matters in my own hands.  And did you know how much fun censoring can be?  You can find that you have a whole bunch of talents with just a pen and a permanent marker...

Look what all you can do while censoring with a marker and paper...

Write LOVING notes to your husband while he reads....

Become your own fashion designer with just a marker and paper!

And become your own stylist....

Ok Steve...you may now read your magazine....:)

Coming soon...pics of Harper's 1st birthday party!  It was a blast.  But she is now up from her nap..screaming.  So I will have to upload later!!

To my sweet baby on her first birthday....

Harper Sophia,

I can't hardly believe it's been a year since I met you face to face for the first time. My, how fast a year flew by.  They say with each child it seems to go faster and faster, and I can say I am totally experiencing that.  I never knew how much joy a 3rd baby could bring to my heart until you walked into my life.  (or should I say "popped" into my life...ha!)  You are so big now...from this first little picture of you in the hospital's cradle.  You've come a long way in a year.

So much about me has changed as a mother too in a year.  It's funny how with each consecutive child, my mothering seems to adjust and reinvent itself.  I now have permanent bags until my eyes...HA!  That's right Harper.  Mommy sure didn't get a whole lot of sleep this past year.  But you are so worth it.  What I wouldn't give to cuddle you...even in the middle of the night.  I am also a lot more laid back in my mothering style.  I don't go by "the books".  I go by "what is best to survive".  And lean a lot on my instincts.  3rd time around I have learned to just trust my instincts.  Usually they don't fail.  And I am trying hard to just cherish you.  Not wish your baby time away.  Cherish holding you every second.  Cherish watching you feed yourself.  Cherish everytime you look back at me right before you know you are going to be naughty (umhmm..electrical outlet..need I say more Harper?) HA!  I have learned that it's ok to be tired all the time.  This is just a stage of life...that will soon pass way too quickly.  I have also learned, and maybe most important for me, that I cannot be "supermom".  I don't have it all together.  My house is not spotless a majority of the time.  I get stressed easily.  I can't have a lot on my plate.  And it's ok to have a frozen pizza for dinner every once in a while.  I am trying too hard to keep up with everyone else trying to do this, do that, get you involved in this, get you involved in that.  Maybe I am thinking that if I don't you will be behind intellectually or something...I know that is not the case.  Through this year Harper, you showed me that all I need to be is be a loving mother to you....you don't need all that extra stuff.  You just need me.  And not a stressed out me. 

You are so fun right now.  You are starting to say all sorts of words.  "Buh bye!", "Momma", "Dadda", "ALL done!", "Nigh night", "HIIIIII".  You also nodd your head when you want something.  I love it!  You wave bye bye and now you just started pointing.  I think it's adorable.  You started crawling at 11 months, and you are into EVERYTHING.  You especially like opening and closing the cupboards in the kitchen. You are sleeping better these past few nights...going to sleep around 8 and not getting up until between 7 and 8am.  YAH!!  Such a big achievement for you!!  :)  And such a relief for Mommy!  You are still very much a mommy's girl and I hope you always are.  I love the cuddles.

You love to cuddle all your stuffed animals.  You love your Minnie Mouse that is in your crib.  You sleep with your arm around her every night.  I hope you always love to cuddle. 

You are always so great in the nursery or anywhere we go anyplace.  You hardly ever cry and just love to sit and observe.  But if you do want something....you definitely let us know.  You are a lot more laid back then your sister's were and are just content with watching everyone.  Pretty soon you will be right there playing with them.

Harper...God made you so special and unique.  What a precious gift God has given me over this past year!  I can't wait to see your personality blossom and see what interests God has given you.  Thank you for teaching me so much about myself and about God through you.  What a blessing it is to be your Mommy.  I love you so much!  Happy 1st birthday my sweet little Harper.  I am so proud of you!

Birthday Week...

My whole life I have dreamt of being a mom.  I remember my little pudgy hands pushing a stroller around pretending I was the mother of 11 children.  I remember the clank of my little wooden high chair when pushing the tray down getting ready to feed my baby for the upteenth time that day.  I can so easily visualize playing house in my living room...ordering my older brother to play the daddy (which rarely I could convince him to do).  And then when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up?  It was simple.  "A mommy" was all I would reply.  I dreamed for the day when I would have that child of my own to rock to sleep, to feed in a high chair, and to take on stroller rides around the block.

About a year after I got married, I vividly remember going over to my parents for a Sunday evening meal.  I was complaining to my mom about grad school and working full time...felt I had too much on my plate.  I remember my wise mother saying as she placed her arms around my shoulders, "well honey, you are setting yourself up for a great future."  And my reply..."Yes, but Mom, all I really want to do is be a wife and mom right now."  Kids, at that time, were not on our radar (little did I know I was unexpectedly pregnant though!).  Even then, I had that yearning of pushing my little baby in that stroller.  And cuddling that little baby in my arms.

Well, God abundantly blessed me by making all those dreams come true---TIMES 3.  I am forever grateful for the gifts He has given me in my girls. 

But today..I am struggling.  It may sound very up surd to some.  Maybe a little over dramatic to others.  But can I admit that I am struggling that my seemingly last baby is turning 1 this week?  When children dream of being a mom...when I dreamt of being a mom...I dreamt of cuddling that little newborn.  Now...every stage of my girls is AWESOME and so much fun.  But can I grieve that babyhood for me is coming to an end?  I don't want it too.  I LOVE having a baby in my arms.

Isn't kind of ironic that while you are celebrating firsts during that first year of a baby's life...you are also celebrating lasts?  I mean...last time you held your baby's neck to support it's floppy head--she learns to hold it upright.  Last time you worked so hard to get a burp out--she overcame it.  Last time she would wear that adorable outfit that your mom got for her (which meant so much to you)--she outgrew it.  Last time you would be feeding her in the night--she endured it.  Last time she sat still in your lap--she found independence.  Last time you would open a jar of putrid smelling baby food--she learned better.  Last time she would sit in that little whale bathtub--she outgrew it.  Her last back and forth in that swing she spent so many hours in--she moved on.  Last time you could take a shower without fear--she became mobile.  Last time she breastfed---she didn't have time for it anymore. 

And while I am so excited to celebrate my baby's 1st birthday, I am also grieving that this year has gone by so fast--most of it while I was in a blur. And while I am so elated that my baby is achieving all of her milestones and appreciating her God given personality that is coming out, I am sad.  Sad that my baby will now be a toddler.   Sad that most likely I will not have those "firsts" again in my life.  Sad that I know the innocence she has as a baby, will ever too soon be stripped away by the cruelness of this world.  I wish I could hold on to that baby forever.  To shield her from all that hurt that slaps us once her independence hits her.  To keep cuddling every cruel word away.  Keep kissing every mean look off.  To sing off every little bruise. 

But I can't.....

That's not the way God designed this life.  If he had us mother's holding on to all of that, we would have no need for Him.  So I pray...I pray hard that as Harper grows and experiences some of that, that God will "cuddle" every cruel word said to her, that He will "kiss" every tear that those mean looks cause, and He will comfort her in her pain of this earth.  I can't do it all...and I am pretty sure that is why God designed this life as He did.  To push us to depend on Him...not on our Mommas...

So as I am grieving through this...I am also swelling up with joy.  Joy that my baby is learning so much.  Absorbing how cool this world is.  Enjoying how much the little things in life can bring one so much joy.  Today for Finley it was being able to push her own grocery cart at the store.  Those little things that bring us so much joy.  And Harper...well...I can't wait to see her personality bloom.  Excited to see how unique her character is and God's fingerprints all over her.  And even though I miss those "first year" stares with those big blue eyes looking up at me as if I am the only thing that matters in the world, I will bottle up the here and nows of her little being. I will miss the senseless babble that I awaken to every morning coming from down the hall.  Soon that senseless babble will form into words...and I can't wait to hear those words "I love you Momma!" coming from those sweet little lips.  I can even say that I miss those nighttime feedings where I can get full range snuggles from Harper without having to tend to anyone else...where she actually fell asleep in my arms.  But soon...even Harper...will learn that sleep is a precious commodity in life....:)

So even though I grieve, I am so excited to watch my baby blossom and fly into the world with abandon.  Because I will always be there.  Always be there to watch...and most importantly to catch....

Thank you God for this incredible opportunity....