Encouragement

I did a guest post yesterday over at Not Your Average Crazy and I thought I would share:

I always struggle with the "guest post" topic...I was really thinking about what I have been doing, what I have been reading, places I have been getting my encouragement lately when I decided I would share a few things I have found and continue to use on a daily basis.

I am a lover of good quotes (a.k.a. scripture). I have a bunch of screen shots on my phone of just quotes. I use them often...it has helped sooooo much! I encourage anyone who is struggling (with anything) to find a few good ones and put them somewhere you can see them ALL THE TIME!

There are many area's I have found weakness...if I am being honest...I want my blog/myself to be so "real." I use my blog as daily journal for our family. I want to be tactful in my posts but real as well...Mark and I have experienced so many emotions most married couples WILL NEVER FACE and I if there is ANYTHING I could give it would be encouragement to others "like us." 

There are lots of trials and even parts of life we would rather have not experienced but many of us get to "praise the Lord" all is amazing and well. We don't get to say that...yes, we have 2 healthy children but that doesn't hide the fact that we have unexpectedly lost a child...

Yes, we do still "praise the Lord" and know he is Lord! We worship him and fully trust in him...that's what gets us thru the day. We know matter what the trails he will be there...he will help us thru....

No matter what you are going thur at this moment...no matter what you "think" you can't get over or make it thru...you are wrong...you CAN!!! 

I lean toward the "anxious" personality. I want everything to be perfect...blah blah blah! That is SO wrong and I know it. It angers me what those thoughts cross my mind. I want to be real...I don't want to create this terrible fake person for others to see. I am being honest when I say I have to make a conscious effort to not let situations and others get the best of me. Prayer is what gets me thru...

It's the support from some family and friends that helps me day to day...there are always stumbling blocks...those people that always try to appear they have it all together (little do they know we can see right thru it) that's when we get on our knees....

and ask the Lord to help us. So...if it's you trying to act as if you have it all together, bury the hurt, or even just struggle to keep your head above water I challenge you to put together some scripture or quotes that can help you in time of need.

Put a few together that are easy to access! You will be so surprised at how often you find yourself reading them...

Then there are not only the feelings you have on a day to day basis there are the actions...the words and feelings you have toward the situations you are placed in. I love the verse above! It's so true...sometimes it's better to just "guard your lips,"than to speak.

We have prayers that are all about timing...prayers that ask the Lord to show himself...I am so often reminded it's not about our timing, it's HIS!!! It's so hard...so hard to just trust!!! 

Mark and I often talk about how we can't imagine "making it thru" a day without a realationship with the Lord. We praise God our parent's were such great role models of what we needed to be as adults. Even on my darkest day I know the Lord is by our side, I know he is there watching over our family. It's such a comfort...it's because we were sooooo "grounded" as children and young adults. I truly believe that...

I love Beth Moore. Her words are always so blunt but needed...she speaks the truth! I hope you'll find at least one of the quoted images helpful to your current situation. We all have our baggage...don't act like it's not you...

Search for those words that will help you deal with the daily trails you face...

Graduation Day!

Last week we had the honor to attend Mark's sisters Masters graduation. She is AMAZING! It was so neat and such a great ceremony. 

The bag pipes were there as they entered...

Congrats Kiki!! We love you!!! 

Everyone is SO proud!! 

So happy I could be a part of such a special day for you!!! 

Bring on the sunshine!!!

 We have had quite a few REALLY nice days and were able to take advantage of them and be outdoors! I think they would live outside if I let them! Usually asking to go outside is the first question from Wyatt in the morning and Sis just wants to be with her brother so....

Just a little dirt, rocks, a tape measure, a brink or two...LOL!  

Please excuse the snotty nose...this is our "allergy" child. ;( 

Thinking I should be concerned...as I raise the camera she looks up, smiles, and says cheesseee!!?!?!? 

And this one with the hand on his hip...really?!?!? 

Oh lover of eyelashes...

He is his father's son...playing golf with a baseball bat. ;) 

We also were a *bit* creative and made Wyatt binoculars to help him spot the birdies! ;) He had a blast with them! 

Duck Park with Eesie

Last Tuesday we took Eesie to the "duck park." It's Wyatt's favorite place to go lately...it's really just a STL County park with a few farm animals and a big pond where you can fish and feed the ducks. There is a HUGE playground as well.

We had a blast at the duck park...until next time...

Mother's Day

*A little late but a recap from our Mother's Day...

It was an "IKEA weekend" so we had lots of EXPEDITEstl business to attend to but we still tried to make time for family as well. We were so lucky to have unloaded the night before (which NEVER happens) so we got to move a little slower Sunday morning. We don't ever get to go to church on IKEA weekends because we usually have people coming by 10:30 am or so for pick ups. We tried to schedule them with enough space so we could go visit Mark's Maw Maw in the nursing home...

She is so funny! I know she was so excited to see us. The kids did really well and Wyatt talked and talked...he was so curious about everything in her room. It was so cute. ;) We had a great visit! Wyatt gave her the card and we also took her a really pretty potted flower. After our visit we had to get back home because "pick ups" were about to start.

We had a few minutes to snap a few pictures of me with the kids...
(Out of about 15 pictures, these are the best 3 we have.)

(this is Wyatt's weird way he smiles...I have no clue.)

LOVE MY LITTLE'S!!!!!! 

After a few pick up's were finished we made plans for Mark's mom and dad to join us for lunch. (Wyatt's new thing is the hand on the hip. Ya, weird I know!) The kids loved giving Maw Maw her presents! 

Again, the best picture we could get. ;) I love that Mark makes it a point to celebrate with his Mom! I pray there isn't a Mother's Day that goes by that I don't get to hug and kiss on my sweet babies. We pray we are examples to our children in the years to come! 

Due to travel we weren't able to see my mom until Tuesday. The kids were still just as excited to give Eesie her present too! Wyatt is making that weird smile again...

We had a great day with my mom! We took her to the "duck park" to show her around. Wyatt (and all of us) had a blast!! Post coming soon...

We had a great Mother's Day! I am so blessed!!! 

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today is my dad's birthday! I have the best dad a girl could ask for...I think the only thing that can beat having the best dad on Earth is him being just as good Poppie (g-pa) as well!!!!

We had a great time today! We were able to see Poppie and Eesie for a little bit. They were on their way "thru" to visit some friends and stopped to see us. They met us at church and then we went to lunch together afterwards. It was so fun! It's these little small things we sometimes take for granted...eating together after church...not an option when you live 2 hours away. It was a nice treat today. We celebrated Poppie's birthday!!! 

Love you Dad!!! Thanks for being the best dad a girl could ask for!!! 

Happy Birthday Jane-Rainbow Dash

It's been a few weeks but I am am playing a little catch up on the blog...I hate it when it happens but oh well! We attended Jane's Rainbow Dash Birthday party! It was so cute...the kids had a blast playing with their friends/cousins. It was a beautiful sunny day...Jane was turned 5!!!!!

 I can't believe Jane is FIVE!!!! It was a great party...she got so many fun gifts!!!! 

The cousins always have a good time together...we really have to work on Buddy's weird smile. LOL! 

 Me with my little's...;) 

Thanks Jane for inviting us to your special day! We had a great time!