I want to challenge you

I had seen something on pinterest that peaked my interest. It almost kind of blew me away. I have a bleeding heart for those who need help, whether its people or animals. I have wanted to do something to help people in need and spread the message of Jesus Christ, but wasn't sure how to go about it. Before I go any further, let me share what the Lord spoke to me a few days ago.

James 2:14-17-¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 

 
Let me say this really hit home. I saw a pin on pinterest about blessing bags. I thought it was such a wonderful idea. The bags can consist of almost anything.

Gallon size Ziplock bags
items to go in the bags, such as:
chap stick
packages of tissues
toothbrush and toothpaste
comb
soap
trail mix
granola bars
crackers
pack of gum
band aids, maybe some tylenol,
hand wipes, razor, cough drops, water
you could also put in a warm pair of socks, coins for a phone call, or food item, and maybe a gift card to starbucks or McDonalds.

Something that I really felt should be put in the bag is a gospel tract, and a small bible.. You are blessing people with these bags, but I feel like the ultimate blessing would be a message of the love of the Savior.

I am putting this in a blog for two reasons.   1- to be accountable for myself. I've wanted to do these blessing bags for almost a month now, and with the hectic busy schedule, I haven't had the time yet to get to the store to get the items for it. *shame on me* I will be doing it this week. And #2- to challenge you to do the same. You may be blessing other people with these blessing bags, but in actuality, its also you who are being blessed, by being used of God!

 

I took this photo from the interwebs, but it is a good idea of what it looks like.

 

Heaven in a truffle

My goal this week............

Red Velvet cake balls 

"Mommy, Thomas eats coal!"

I am in the process of doing a "spring clean," if you will, on our computer. I am throwing all the stuff that we no longer need onto the external. This is about a year too late, but hey- at least it's getting done. Its over 100Gb of crap! Ahhhhh!

And if you're wondering, yes we did make it home safely, praise God =) There was a horrible accident in Cleveland that slowed us down, but at least we are home. I need to throw some photos of our weekend vacation on here. It was absolutely awesome. We all loved it, and had an amazing time! The kids behaved amazingly. Emmett's face when he saw Thomas for the first time was PRICELESS. He was absolutely awestruck! And yes, indeed I did get a snapshot of his expression. After our ride on Thomas, we found a nice shaded grassy area, and relaxed, and had some snacks, and Emmett found a piece of coal on the ground, so we told him what it was, and that is what Thomas eats.....*Smacks head* Yes. We regretted telling him that, because since we told him, he say said "MOMMY, THOMAS EATS THIS, DADDY, THOMAS EATS COAL!!!!! MOMMY! GUESS WHAT THOMAS EATS?!?" 1,568,279,348,163 times. lol 

Soooooo.. about those food choices.. I didn't make very good healthy decisions on the trip. It sucks. Everything healthy is either expensive, or for lack of a better word- nonexistent in convenient stores, or fast food. So you can bet you know what I'll be doing for the next two weeks. Eating fruits and veggies, and pounding my chia seeds!

My Kyrie Belle will be ONE year old soon =( Isn't that horribly depressing?! You so much as blink, and the time is gone. It just seems as if yesterday she was born. Some of you might know, that I had wanted to start a tradition with the kiddos. Something special for either Christmas, or their birthdays, that we could hold onto for them. I had an idea for Bannah, and did start it, but hadn't started one for Kyrie or the boys. boo. I felt a few weeks ago something splendid come into my brain, and it would be sentimental, and you guys know what a sucker I am for sentimental stuff. I've made photobooks before for John, and a few other people, but I decided that  I am going to make a photobook each year for the kids for their birthday. So far I got Emmy's and Kyrie's done, but nothing for Mason, or Bannah.. 

Actually, I think that I will post the books that I've made to share =)
Emmett's photo book 

Kyrie's photo book 

The way  I see it, is when they are older, they will have these photo books from when they were children, and be able to look at them, kind of like a keepsake. Better than toys to have when they're older, in my opinion =)

<3 My babies<3

  

Growing process

I shouldn't be on this right now. As I'm writing this, I'm being continually pelted with question after question from the lips of my little children.

We are headed for a small weekend trip this weekend. We are all pretty stoked! Kid's are excited about seeing Thomas the train, going to Cabela's and going swimming. I'm pretty jazzed too, my thoughts, although are more consumed in making sure I rely on God to eat right while we are gone. My chia seeds have definitely helped me. I love them =) But it's more praying, and leaning on God to make sure I'm eating right. I got the kiddos some snacks for the trip today, and got myself some bananas. Oh yes, I am indeed proud of myself.

My daily bible verse on my phone for the day is; Proverbs 20:22." Do not say I will repay evil ; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." I think this this verse can be applied to a number of areas in my life. Waiting for the Lord, for him to deliver you. This is something that I definitely need help with. Waiting on Jesus for everything. Those of you that know me, know that I am a mover and a shaker. lol I like things done. I need to remember that I am not my own. I need to trust God, and have faith he will work out everything for his glory!

As I get deeper and deeper in my power of the praying wife & mother books, God is showing me such wonderful verses and things that Stormie has written, to pray over my family including- 1 Samuel 1:27-28-  For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that i made to him. Therefor I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.
Psalm 103:17-18- But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

I'm such a worry wort being a mommy. I'm so nervous of things happening to my children. This sentence in the book popped out at me.  If you have fear about anything- take it as a sign to pray, until you feel peace. here is another that spoke to me." We don't want to limit what God can do in our children by clutching them to ourselves and trying to parent them alone. If we're not positive that God is in control of our children's lives, we'll be ruled by fear. And the only way to be surethat God is in control is to surrender our hold and allow Him FULL access to their lives. THe way to that is to live according to His Word and His ways and pray to Him about everything. We can trust God to take care of tour children even better than we can. When we release our children into the Father's hands and acknowledge that he is in control of their lives and ours, both we and our children will have greater  peace." AMEN!! I truly God spoke to me through that paragraph. 

I now have a phone again, having almost a week of being without one. My number is on my facebook, if you need it. I was a bit nervous when we decided to go with a new provider, because they are still a pretty new company, but I definitely haven't had any complaints thus far! 29 bucks a month for unlimited everything is a pretty awesome deal.

I was able to get prints of the kiddo's shoot from Monday done. We have 8*10 prints of all the kids, and then an 8*10 of all of them together. It looks so cute. I have them put in frames, but John hasn't yet got it on the wall. I'll throw a picture up when it's up. We will have it on the same wall as  our handprint family tree frame =)

I'm trying to decide if I should pack right now, or if I should pack when I get home from work.. Also trying to decide what to make for the fam for dinner...... Something easy. Maybe bbq'd drumsticks, and John can make fries. Sounds good.

Okay, I have to put up a few pictures from pinterest, that make me roll everytime I see them. Enjoy =)

 Okay.. That's all.. For now.

I feel seriously like a chicken with it's head cut off alot. I have been thinking for maybe a minimum of 2 years of putting together a blog, to keep all my thoughts in ONE spot. I think it'd be good. Even if no one else reads this.

First off. I want to put down my list of goals, priorities if you will, to accomplish pretty much everyday.

1. Read my bible.
2. Continue putting my prayer journal together- for praying for my kids, and my husband, and prayer requests for others.
3. Finish my books- Power of a praying wife, and power of a praying Mother.
4. Make a conscious effort to watch what I eat every day. 
5. Try to workout 4-5 days out of the week.

 Well, those are the main priorities. I think I have it pretty much in order where they all need to be. There are definitely other goals as well, clean house, making sure family has a meal whenever I have to go to work, developing my photography "business." 

These all seem probable in a normal person's eyes, but in my eyes- everything being accomplished seems nearly impossible to be. I am still homeschooling Savannah, making sure my freshly turned 3 year old doesn't do anything destructively boyish, like throwing barbie dolls down the toilet, coloring on the wall, or getting into the fridge for something, and leaving it open for 20 minutes, as he did this morning. Which isn't destructive, but it's frustrating. lol. Oh, and let's not forget that little baby, who is about to turn 1 in 3 weeks. *wipes tear away*

Now if this is in about two more months-ish, I think all of my goals are definitely more realistic! School will be done for a few months, and that will free up some more time. I'm super excited though, Savannah and I agreed that she join Chef mommy to put together a bunch of meals ahead of time, so all John has to do is pull a freezed gourmet =P meal out and heat it up! VOILA!

I wish I had more time to cook, and do my photographies, but I suppose it'll come in due time. Last night, I was able to make wet burritos for dinner! They were amazing!

 I know, I know. Don't judge. I only ate maybe half of it, and yes I did have a slice of Emmett's cake, and it was delish, I don't have excuses,  but I'd say as long as something is in moderation, and I have a small portion, then it's justifiable. lol. That was lame. But it does make sense.

Oh, and by the way, for those of you who have tried calling/texting me, I have been without a lines of communication since Thursday. My phone went ka-blooey, and I have had problems with net10 since the beginning, so I am going with another provider. I'm hoping I can keep my number the same, but if not, I will def let everyone know the new digits.