Happy Birthday Lucas! Happy Birthday Ashlee!

Today my babies turn 2! Part of me can hardly believe that it's only been 2 years since they were born. In the same breath, it feels like they just arrived yesterday.





Lucas Marvin
Born at 1:18pm
5 lbs 2oz, 19 inches

Ashlee Faith

3:42pm
(yes, that's correct)

5lbs 13oz, 19.5 inches

Since the day they were born, they've each been unique. Lucas is usually very serious and "all boy." Ashlee began her life as a drama queen and has never looked back (notice the 2.5 hour delay between their births)! In the two brief years they've been on this earth, they've taught me so much about being a mother and follower of Christ. It hasn't always been easy, but their lives have given me joy each and every day.

Lucas,

You're such the little man. You want to do everything your big sister does (plus some). You love to "help" Daddy. You are strong willed and determined. I know that if I do my job and train you properly, you will use that strong will of yours for the Lord to further His kingdom. You are a very serious little boy, but you also know how to be silly. When you belly laugh, you make our whole family crack up!


Ashlee,

I've never met a little girl as loving as you! You are constantly offering hugs, "sugar-lips" and affection. God knew just what I needed when He made you my daughter!! I treasure the endless kisses and hugs. You have a fiery temper to match that beautiful red hair. I pray, that as I parent you, you will learn to focus that "passion" toward our Savior, and win people for Him.

You both make my heart swell with joy and pride.

I love you,

Mommy

From 1 - 31? I'll Be An 8

I really don't like the Proverbs 31 woman. Since the first time I read those words, I've never liked her. She is a woman that seems to have reached near perfection, something that is light years away from me. When I read most of the words in Proverbs 31, it leaves me feeling disheartened rather than inspired. I feel angry not convicted. I feel hopeless not rejuvenated. In the 21 verses that describe this impeccable woman, I can only identify with two. Verses 11 and 23 seem to be only ones I posses or even want to;

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Even those have more to do with my husband's mindset than my ability. I see this woman and I have no desire to be anything like her. Who wants to "get up while it's still dark" and have a "lamp that does not go out at night?" Not me! When I see Proverbs 31 I think of all the things I am not, rather than the things I aspire to be.

I consider myself more like the woman from John chapter 8. No, I'm not an adulterer, but I can identify with her sin, her scars, her dirt. Here is a woman who has been caught in the most heinous of sins. Then, for everyone to see, she is brought to the center of town and called out. Instead of persecuting her more, Jesus draws the attention from her to Himself. He takes her sin and makes Himself the center of attention. Then, in a moment completely true to His character, He commands that she be stoned only by those who have never sinned. Impossible!

The guilty is redeemed. The woman is seen in light of the Truth.

I am this woman. I am the one who feels as though her every sin has been brought forth to the center of the crowd. I am the woman who sees the innermost of my heart and feels as though it's on display for the world to ridicule. Then, when thrown at the feet of Christ, waiting for my judgment, He simply takes the sin and draws the attention to Himself. My sins are forgotten and I am made anew. I am pardoned and excused. I visualize Jesus reaching His mighty hands down, grabbing me under the armpits (much like you would pick up a small child), setting me on my feet again. He gently brushes off the dirt, then pats me on the back, sending me on my way. The shame is gone, the sin erased.

I don't like the Proverbs 31 woman, but I love the lady in John 8.

1,000 Thoughts

It's been a crazy week. I have so many thoughts rolling around in my mind. It almost feels like that game you get at the dollar store, where there are several little marbles inside the little plastic case, and the goal is to get them to all land securely in their little holes. For some reason, my thoughts cannot be settled. We'd have busy schedules these past few weeks, but for some reason, even during down time my mind cannot be still. I need to do several days worth of my Bible study, which I know is not a good thing to cram several days into one.

I went to a homeschool convention on Thursday and Friday (and was too overloaded to go back on Saturday). I've been thinking about the curriculum I bought and I am excited to begin showing Elizabeth (and the twins) the world so that they might fall in love with learning.

Our foster care license should be processed soon, which means that any time now we could get the call. I am already praying for the children that will come into our home and that I might have discernment for their situation.

Lucas and Ashlee will be 2 years old on Friday. I can hardly believe it! Luke and I were looking at some pictures a few weeks ago, and it really seems like it's only been a few months ago that we brought them home from the hospital. Lately, when I look at them, I see little kids rather than my babies and it makes me sad.

There are some family situations that I am worried about. I know that a lot of people close to me are hurting, and it's challenging to be uplifting when I feel the weight of their sorrows on my shoulders. With each revelation of pain, I feel physical weight being laid on me. I know I need to pray and lay it at God's feet, but for some reason I'm struggling with that. Am I doubting His ability to work miracles or the willingness of the people in my life to change? I'm not sure.

Those are just a few of the thousand thoughts running through my mind. Sorry to be Debbie Downer. Sometimes you just gotta lay it all out, so you can walk away and give your mind time to breathe.

Prayers for the Chapmans

Please be in prayer for this family. I can't imagine their sorrow.

Experiencing God, Take 3

This morning, I attended a women's group with my mom. She's been attending regularly with these women for a while now, and always raves about how wonderful they are. They have supported her spiritually and emotionally in ways that I am unable, and for that I am so truly thankful.

Today, they began a new study, Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. I have done this study twice before, but jumped at the opportunity to do it again, because it is just an amazing study that shoves you face-to-face with God. I am looking forward to seeing God more clearly. I am always blown away at how much God loves me, desires me and shows Himself to me. I hope that if you've never done Experiencing God that you will RUN, not walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy it TODAY. It's that good. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and my family in the coming months as our Foster Care license becomes valid and as I pray over various things that have been on my mind. I know He is a powerful and amazing God, and I am so humbled that He chooses ME to do things for His kingdom. How awesome.

Come Thou Fount

This song has been in my heart for several days now. Along with it, Chris and Lindy have been on my heart as well. As I searched Youtube for a video with the lyrics, I found the video below. It was by no "accident" that the two (Africa and song) were combined.

So, Chris and Lindy...here is my prayer for you both, as we sit exactly 1 month out from your departure. I love you. God is good, and His goodness proceeds you.


PS-When Elizabeth saw the zebras in the video, she exclaimed "Mom, it's Zachy!" Thanks for putting this constant reminder in her life. We'll never see zebras the same way again.

Five For Friday

I stole this from another blog. Five for Friday is 5 thoughts I have rolling around in my mind. This week's are all about events/happenings from this past week.

1. Our family had 2 opportunities to help other people this week (both on Tuesday). Both of the chances to serve were b/c of our van and it being broken/fixed. They were great teachable moments for Elizabeth, and even better chances for Luke and I to see God at work.

2. Decorating with my Mom can be fun.

3. Nothing makes me feel as good as a clean (I mean REALLY clean) house. It's so relaxing.

4. I'm thankful that I have 3 healthy kids.

5. I need to sort through Elizabeth's 24 month clothes for Ashlee. My babies turn 2 in 2 weeks. Where did the time go?

Kick That To The Curb

Nothing frustrates me more than car troubles. Why is it that I allow so much anger, frustration and hatred creep into my heart over nothing more than a pile of plastic and metal? Two Friday's ago we dropped our van off at a local auto shop. We knew it needed some serious work because it is continuing to leak coolant and overheat. After keeping our car all day, I called at 5:00pm (closing time, on Friday, remember?) and asked if it was ready to be picked up. The gentleman explained to me the problem and told me it was at least a 6 hour job and that they wouldn't be able fix it that day. I told him I needed the car as it is the only vehicle we have that our entire family can ride in. We went to pick it up and were going to return it the following week.

Our schedules didn't allow us to drop it back off yesterday (Monday). They worked on it all day yesterday (never called me, not once) and when I called at 5:15pm to see if it was ready, they told me that the needed to keep it until the morning. The gentleman assured me it would be done 1st thing this morning.

Elizabeth also had a dentist appointment this morning. So, the plan was for Luke to take her to the dentist (which is literally 10 min from his work) and I would go get the van and meet him there to pick her up, hopefully eliminating the need for him to drive all the way back home, then back to work (roughly 1 hours worth of driving). I called the auto shop at 8:15am, only to be told it would be at least 1 1/2 hours. Great. I took a shower and loaded the twins in the stroller, I was determined to be there promptly at 9:30, hoping my presence would light a fire underneath them.

I left my house a little after 9:00am and walked, yes you read that right, walked the almost 2 miles to the auto shop. We get there just after 9:30. I wait patiently...only to be told it that there was a new problem w/ our car and it would be another 30-45 minutes. Uuuuugggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Luckily, there is a coffee shop just around the corner. The twins and I head there, hoping to grab a quick snack.

TWO HOURS LATER, I call the auto shop, where I am told that my vehicle is finally ready. In those 2 hours, I got no phone call explaining that it is taking longer than expected, telling me that the job had to be pushed back, nothing. As the twins, Elizabeth (b/c Luke had dropped her off at this point, so he could go to work) are walking from the coffee shop back to the auto shop I am praying that my blood will stop boiling. I am asking God for peace. I know that the owner of the shop is a Christian b/c of previous interactions. I know that I do not need to be rude, but accept this misfortune with grace, showing Christ's love for everyone in my actions.

What I wanted to say was, "This is ridiculous! Can't you see that I have been waiting for this car for almost 36 hours? My family can't go anywhere! I WALKED here w/ my two 2-year olds and you didn't even have the decency to speed things up?"

However, I asked all three kids to thank the man for fixing our car. I knew that this poor guy had lost his teenage son just over a year ago. I heard him talking about his children to other people in the shop, and I knew that the LAST thing he needed was a piece of my mind.

Trust me, I wanted to let him have it, but by there sheer grace of God, I held my tounge. It made me realize that the next time, I may not know the background of the person I'm dealing with . Instead of being so critical, I should accept things for what they are, and try to show Christ's love thru my actions.

You know, I REALLY love God, but sometimes, being His servant is so hard. Now, if I could only erase the anger in my heart I'll be moving in the right direction.

Diamonds and Roses, The Best Gifts of All

Have you ever viewed the world through a child's eyes? Have you ever really looked at the everyday and seen the extraordinary? How overwhelmingly delightful the world must be! Lately, Lucas and Ashlee have discovered the wonderfulness of natural "yard berries." You know, those pesky little red berries that grow in the those pesky clover patches that consume your yard? Luke detests them, but my children delight in them completely. They love exploring the yard and finding hidden "treasures". I watch as they bring them to me, running full speed to seek my approval. Their eyes search my face for a glimpse the same excitement they revel in. I gladly accept each and every token of their love, but (admittedly) I return each treasure to it's natural habitat when little eyes aren't looking(shhhhh)!

Each time my children seek out treasure, it is pure joy. Rocks become bits of gold and diamonds, berries become beautiful jewels and weeds are breathtaking roses. They are so excited to share them with me, hoping each time I will cultivate a response worthy of their gift.

Last night was my long-haul teaching night. I am on the computer, tutoring from 6pm until well after 10 o'clock. I miss dinner time, bath time and bed time with the kids, leaving in all in Luke's hands. At about 10:30 last night, I drag myself into the bedroom, ready for some rest. I am a little peeved that there are still miscellaneous trivial tasks that need to be completed before I too can crawl into bed. I finish up the last of my "to do list," wash my face, brush my teeth and head for the kids' rooms. I peek in on each of them sleeping (one of my favorite times of the day). I check to make sure all the doors are securely locked, the alarm is set and nothing perishable has been left out in the kitchen. Ready for my pillow I walk into our bedroom.

As I am about to crawl into bed and enjoy our fresh sheets, I notice the most amazing gift on my nightstand. Beside my alarm clock, one or more of my children has left me a gift. It melted my heart to know that even though I couldn't be outside that evening exploring the yard, my children had found a treasure especially for me. It was a heartfelt offering that only a mother could love.

As I looked at my treasure throughout today, I began thinking about my relationship with God. I thought about my worth and my value. Sometimes I am too quick to count myself as ordinary. I easily cast aside the talents and strengths that He has given me because I cannot see their worth. Although my achievements may be just like everyone else's, they are special to my Savior. Even though my life is as boring as any ordinary rock in the yard, it is special because it was given, and is sustained, by a marvelous Creator. Although to this world I may seem as common as a wild weeds, to my God I am as beautiful as the most breathtaking rose.

As you scroll down to see the greatest gift of all time, I encourage you to see it in the same light that our Savior views you. Though to the world you may be a rock or a weed, to the God of Creation you are a Diamond and a Rose.


Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4

Mother BabyFoundation

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Happy Mothers, Healthy Babies

A Bout of Boat Fever

It's getting warm and we are all looking forward to summer! On Saturday afternoon, we took the boat down to the lake and went for a spin. (Click on pics to enlarge.)

There's no place like Nana's,
except her lake house!

Feeding the ducks


My favorite Men


Elizabeth helps PawPaw drive


Ashlee's turn


Lucas' turn...all boy!


Ashlee loved driving fast.
She's such a dare-devil!

We can't wait for summer!