Encouragement

I came across this beautiful poem recently and I wanted to share it with all of my dear Mommy friends as an encouragement to you. I hope that it will be a blessing to you as we begin a brand new year in our "busy" season of life. 

CONTINUE ON

by Roy Lessin

A woman fretted over the usefulness of her life.
She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.
She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

"Is it worth it?" she often wondered.
"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"
It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still, small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart.
"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.

Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye, but I notice.
Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.
Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support.

Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.
Your children are precious to me.

Even more precious than they are to you.

I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.
You may never be in the public spotlight, but your obedience shines as a bright
light before Me.

Continue on. Remember you are MY Servant.
Do all to please me.

I am praying that through all of our daily trials, no matter how big or how small, we will remember to praise the LORD. He knows what is best for us and is shaping us into the person that He wants us to be.  May He pour out his blessings upon you and your family in 2012!

Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.

Hebrews 13:15

A Fun Christmas "Tree-dition"

One of our favorite family traditions is letting the kids decorate their own Christmas tree.  They have lots of fun hanging their crafts and special ornaments wherever they like.  On Friday, November 25th, exactly one month before Christmas, we spent the evening listening to Christmas music and watching the kids decorate their tree.  Here is the tree before:

Jonathan's favorite holiday is Christmas and he is so good at putting up the trees...ornaments and all!  He always wears his Santa hat as he's decorating.

Our *5* blessings!

The finished "Kid" Tree:

Our early Christmas present, Miss Josey Hope:

She is definitely loved by all!

What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions?

And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Leviticus 23:40

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Josey celebrated her first Thanksgiving at 9 days old!

This cute, little outfit belongs to baby Ezra who is now one year old.  He and Josey share birthdays!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Jonathan's Grandparents' home.

Gramps fed Josey her Thanksgiving meal.

Our 4 older ones ate at the kids' table.

I am so thankful for my family! 

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Fantasy of Trees 2011

On Wednesday, November 23rd, we went to the Fantasy of Trees to see Lily perform with the Angela Floyd Dance Company.  Their costumes were a beautiful red color!

We even brought our sweet, 1 week old Josey to see her sissy dance!

The AFDC danced to "Bop to the Top" from High School Musical!

Our first family photo!

Parker LOVED the cars!

Carousel fun!

Face painting by the Halls High Cheerleaders!

The kids making glitter ornaments:

We enjoyed our time at the Fantasy of Trees!  What a fun way to kick off the Christmas season and support the East Tennessee Children's Hospital!

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the LORD, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-20

Josey's 1st Days at Home

Here are some pictures of Josey's first few days at home with us.

Snuggling with Lily during nap time:

Sweet, little hands & fingers:

Napping on the Boppy pillow (Thank you, Amy C.!)

Fun in the swing:

(Our swing is over 8 years old! I have pics of each of the kids in this same swing right when they came home from the hospital!

Maddy feeding Josey breastmilk in a bottle:

She was very excited!

So happy to have my sweeties together!

Katybug turned FIVE on November 20th, just FIVE days after Josey was born!

Happy Birthday, Katybug!!!  We love you!!!

Josey-1 Week Old:

Thank you for the blanket, Jen!

 Sweet, little feet and toes:

 And...she's ALL done!

So thankful Josey is here!

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16