The Sun Does Shine!

Lately the sun has been hiding behind the clouds and the rain. I am so thankful that we had a beautiful weather weekend! I told Jeff, "This weather makes me want to go camping!" He said, "Yea that would have been nice, but we could have easily had snow on the ground." :)

Grace was picking flowers (ok or weeds) outside. I said, "Look at me and smile!" "Mommy the sun is to bright!!!"

She loves the tree house swing!

"Can I go again?"
Yes, it's now dark outside and we are still going strong. ;)

The boys LOVE climbing this tree!!

Time for a little Hopscotch.
We even brought out the bubbles which is something we normally do during the summer. Not in January!

Even Abie enjoyed the beautiful weather the last couple of days! As you can see, she has found her a comfy spot in the leaves and this is where she has spent most of the weekend, this is the last pile of leaves in the yard, we just couldn't bring ourselves to take it away from her.

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16

Like Mother Like Daughter

A few weeks ago I was looking through some old photos and I came across several of me when I was a little girl. I knew Grace resembled me a little, but until I came across this picture I had no idea she looked soooo much like her mother. ;)

Yes. This is a real polaroid photo no editing in Picnik this time. ;)
When the kids saw this picture, they thought it was Grace.

Grace is now 3 1/2 and I was 4 years old in this photo.
Can you guess which one is me and which one is Grace?

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”Titus 2:7

{below one the in I'm and photo top the in is Grace }

This Week

It is funny when I stop and think of what we say in our home throughout the day, we sound so funny!! I heard us saying things like: Good job Grace you didn't poop on Tinker Bell! Grace walking toward me holding an egg she got from the fridge: I will hold it, it's hatching. No Grace, it's not hatching, go put it back in the refrigerator. But it's a baby bird hatching. I will be a good girl. I will be gentle with my brothers. You are? Yes, I will be gentle with them. You obey Miss Gaye at school tomorrow okay. Yes, I will be gentle with Miss Gaye. I can't help but laugh when she says this because she is very serious. We love watching Monk on Net Flix and most evenings we watch it as a family..well not so much Grace anymore, since last weekend. I had pulled my back and I was laying on the floor in my bedroom doing some lite stretches, Grace walks in and runs out and hollers at Jeff, "Mommy got died!" Jeff is in the kitchen and says, what? Mommy got killed come see. I holler no I'm just stretching! No more Monk for her. This week she played Wii for the first time.

Boxing!

I know, this is just what she needs. Right. Maybe she will be gentle with us?

Last night Caden asked if he could comb her hair before she went to bed.

This was so precious, and he was very gentle with her. ;)
She has such sweet brothers.

Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 1 John 5:4

Kiss the Cook

Grace loves anything that involves cooking, and baking in the kitchen. As soon as she hears the rattle of a dish... my daughter comes a runnin.

She wanted to help her Daddy cook, it really doesn't matter what is cooking. And today is no different than any other day.

Daddy got awfully hungry waiting on the chili to get ready so he thought he would take a bite of something sweet. ;)

She was such a big help so daddy gave her a little kiss on the nose!

So she returned the kiss! So sweet!

“I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.”
Psalms 119:162

Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

This was us one week ago enjoying the beautiful spring like weather, just 24 hours before the cold winter weather hit East Texas. Now all I can say is...Brrrr... it's so cold outside! Where is my Snuggie!

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.
Psalm 126:2

One Month Ago

Sometimes things do not hit me until I read them. The other day I received this from a friend of mine.

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

-Frank Outlaw

This was something I really needed to read today and everyday, thank you Lord for this reminder.

Jeff and I have been through a lot this past month. After lots of prayer we felt like we needed to journal this for our family.

As most of you know, we (I) had the tubal ligation after Grace was born because the Doctors, my OBGYN and my Neurologist were not thrilled about the pregnancy. Four months into my pregnancy with her my neurologist wanted me to abort the pregnancy, because of my brain aneurysm 3 years prior. We named her Grace because it took all of Gods grace to make it through her pregnancy and just to get her here. Now, 3 1/2 years later (confirmed by the doctor on my birthday) we're faced with a miscarriage and a decision we and the doctors both thought was best for my health and for our family. But now, a loss. I was just told, 2-3 years after a tubal ligation the chances of getting pregnant are higher than just after the procedure, but your most likely to have a tubal pregnancy which is very dangerous, or result in a miscarriage. Going through this before seeing lots of family, just before the holidays was not easy, but at the same time was such a blessing! I am so thankful it happened when it did and not the week of Christmas. This gave Jeff and I a little time to wrap our heads around it all. Truly Gods timing!

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

Sunday Snow Day

The kids were so excited to see it snowing yesterday. We knew it was coming so on Saturday we (us and our neighbors) worked on the yard trying to get most of the leaves picked up. Grace was sick and not feeling well...so it was so sweet of them to help us! I'm glad she was feeling better on Sunday so that she could enjoy the snow with us!

Just one quick picture before you go play...

but everyone needs to look here!

Okay... lets try one more time guys..

GOT IT!!!

Now go play!

We had so much fun playing and having snowball fights! In these next few pictures... watch Caden. I had thrown a snow ball at Jared and he thought Caden threw it.

Caden...(ewww... this is NOT going to be good...)

Caden...(cool, good shot)

Caden... (laughing hysterically!) Jared...(WHAT THE HECK?!!..)

Caden...(It wasn't me, it was Mommy)! Jared...(Okay, that is IT!! It is ON)!! You can see that I have not moved much at all... Jared reacted very quickly! :D

Oh!!!.. is was you!

She didn't enjoy the snowball fights...

she enjoyed making a snow man together ;)


Me and my kiddos!

Jared 11

Caden 8

Grace 3

I love my Daddy, he's so silly!

Okay it is time to go inside and warm up and enjoy some hot coco and cookies! We love snow days! I just wish it would come more often and last a little longer! It's always a little sad when the snow starts to melt :( The kids were out of School today so we got to enjoy another day playing together. Yay!! Winter is just getting started so we are hopeful we will see more beautiful white snow again this year!

“How great is our God!” Psalm 147:5

Fall

Every year, Fall is always fun around here!

He had no idea he had a leaf on his head. hehehe...;) Love it!

The kids have had a blast playing in the leaves everyday this week!

Now... let the "Fall Cornett Clean Up" begin!

This is a job for the whole family. Perfect family time! ;)

This morning Jared was walking through the living room and the bright redish tint coming through the glass in the front door caught his eye. He says, Mom come here and look at this. What is it? Just come see! Oh wow, what a beautiful sunrise! He said, I've never seen one that looked like this before. Yea, we are either still in bed or getting ready for school at this hour. Caden says, it looks like a huge forest fire is coming toward us. It sure does!.. That's cool! ;)

I am so thankful God gave us these few extra minutes this morning to enjoy His beautiful creation!

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Lamentations 3:23

It's Official :)

We have officially bought her last box of Pull Ups!

Jeff and I thought this day would never come. ;)

I can now say Grace is potty trained!!!! Wooohooo!!!!

You did it: God, my God, I can't thank you enough. Psalm 30:12

Happy New Year

1-1-11

We are looking forward to what God has for us in the new year!

New Years Eve we spent the evening with the Akin family! We had lots of fun and laughs, (with out the alcohol) so before you scroll down, consider yourselves warned.;) Yes I was standing up straight. I LOVE this picture but, Man, I am short! Note to self: Next time wear heels not flats!

mmmmhhhh.... sparkling grape juice! :D Gotta be friends forever to do this cute little number. ;)

Cheers to 2011!

Yes, we were acting like silly teenage girls. We're crazy I know!

Abi and Grace playing "dress-up".

I can't get over how much these two look alike!

12:30am. All but Grace is still up and going strong! She was so tired. She was in her pjs and sleeping (in Abi's bed) by 9:30.

This morning Caden was so excited! He said, "Mom, I stayed awake this year! (He missed midnight by 5min last year) I was up till 2am! And, just woke up at 10:40!" I said WOW!.. that's almost lunch time. Yeah, I've never slept that late before. I said, I know, your always up before the sunrise! ;) Mom, were we really there 8hours? (I guess he had done the math). I said, Yes, I guess so! Wow!.. it only felt like 2hrs! Time flies when your having fun, doesn't it? Yeah! We have a feeling Jared could have slept all day. We woke him at 11:30.

Thank you Akin's for inviting us and for the fun evening ringing in the new year!!

Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!

Psalm 90:12