a bit of life...

How is it the middle of February already? Time seems to be flying by these days...

I enjoyed an evening out with this man on Valentine's Day. It was good to get away for a few hours and enjoy a nice dinner together. A young couple that is part of our small group volunteered to babysit for us....doesn't get much better than that!  Mark and I had  a good time talking and connecting without interruptions. Although by 8:30 I was ready to be taken home. I can tell I have hit the third trimester...I am more tired and have even been having braxton hicks...crazy. And you know you are close to the end when they start scheduling your appointments for every two weeks. CRAZY...twelve more weeks to go!

We are very much anticipating the arrival of new little baby girl. Here Sarah is drawing our family including mama holding baby. Hope and Sarah have especially taken an interest in the baby. Hope lifts up my shirt and yells into my stomach, "Hey baby you want some candy!" and Sarah is now earnestly praying for the name. She faithfully interceded on behalf of the baby's life and got her heart's desire for a baby sister so now she is requesting the name. We will see....I love her childlike faith.

And I started potty training Hope two weeks ago or should I say started round three or four of potty training (i have lost track). I think we are getting closer....this little girl keeps me on my toes!

We enjoyed a surprise visit from Grandma and Papaw a couple of weeks ago. They brought pizza and the word of the Lord...just what I needed!

I have been trying to intentionally make time for rest and quiet time in my days...time to dream, be with the Lord, read and reflect. When I have pockets of those times throughout me week it is so good for me and my perspective....

 Happy Thursday...

legacy of love...part two

   This morning Poppy took his last breaths here on earth. I also finished reading the book "Heaven is for Real", the story of a little boy who had an encounter with heaven. In the book the little boy says "in heaven no one is old and no one wears glasses." I picture Poppy in heaven young and vibrant again like in the pictures, greeted by Jesus and by his sweetheart Nana. It is a beautiful thing when you know there is hope even in death. And in the midst of grieving we can celebrate the lives Poppy and Nana have lived and the legacies they have left behind.
   Writing and reflecting about Poppy and his life got me thinking about Nana...because it is hard not to think about the one without the other. One of the greatest compliments I have received is to say that I look like my grandma, "Nana". She was beautiful, thin and classy. But more than her outward good looks...her spirit was beautiful. I remember in elementary school writing how I wanted to grow up to be like her and then drawing a picture of her wearing her "PTL"  (Praise the Lord) sweat shirt! She loved the Lord with all of her heart and it was apparent in how she lived her life.
   Nana was full of joy and child like faith. She always believed the best about everybody. Last year my aunt shared a story with me how Nana refused to gossip and even if you would try to she would not participate. Whether you were the homeless person she talked to every week at the food bank or her granddaughter she took time for you. She loved to play and could often be seen getting down on all fours to crawl around with the grand children on the floor. Nana was free with her affection and I can vividly remember seeing her kiss my Poppy and sit on his lap.
   I can also remember her singing in church not because of her voice but because she sang with all of her heart. And after the service there was often a line of people waiting to talk to her. She always had a hug to share with them and a word of encouragement. Nana was a prayer warrior and had a sign posted on her bedroom door that said, "Good morning..it is me God, I will be handling all your problems today".
   Nana died five and half years ago of Lou Gehrig's disease. She is greatly missed and I know she would have loved giving my kids a squeeze and would probably be on the floor giggling with Hope. But I also know she is happy and free in Heaven embracing the love of her life as he crosses over.
   And my prayer is that more than just bearing resemblance I could live a life full of love for the Lord and others...just like Nana and Poppy.
 

 

legacy of love

   I touch my growing stomach as I peer into the room where my grandpa "Poppy" is asleep and breathing heavily as he lies on a hospital bed in my parent's living room. As I prepare to bring this baby into the world Poppy is ready to leave this life for the next one. He is dying. But though his body is weak his spirit is very much alive.
   Saturday we had a family gathering to say "goodbye" to the patriarch of our family who has faithfully loved his sweetheart for sixty plus years, raised two children, made countless memories with his six grandchildren and has lived to see nine of his great grandchildren. Mark spent some time blessing Poppy for the legacy of love that he is leaving behind. Though he did not speak or open his eyes he seemed very aware of our presence. I rubbed his arm and said "I love you Poppy." His eyes were closed but suddenly he lifted his head slightly off the pillow and with a broken  raspy voice said,  "I love you....I love you...I love you". I was undone. It was a blessing from one generation to the next. But it was more than that. I felt the Father's unconditional love coming through loud and clear. That night during church worship we sang this chorus, "I believe you move at the sound of my voice". I cried remembering Poppy rousing from his deathbed at the sound of my voice to say I love you three times so I would know. How much more is the Heavenly Father listening to the cries of my heart and hearing me, rousing at the sound of my voice. It is life changing to think about...
   Watching Poppy on his deathbed puts things in perspective. Like all of us he was not perfect but he loved and he loved well and that is what he will be remembered by. He will be remembered for the life long love story he had with his high school sweetheart and how he cared for her till she died. For the unconditional love he showed to his children and grandchildren. For the patience he showed to this little girl in teaching her to throw the line, wait and reel in the fish. For the way he took time to bless Mark and I and our children at the end of every visit. For his faithful prayers and generous heart. For his gift giving. For his example in serving the homeless and unlovable. For his love for camping, fishing and hiking. For trumpet and clarinet duets in the basement as he tapped his foot to keep the rhythm and always said how good it sounded as I squeaked along to his confident trumpet call.  And for his love of the Lord.
His legacy is love and I only hope one day the same can be said for me. Thanks Poppy.

Snow Day

I uploaded these snow day pictures last week but am just now posting them. Such is life these days! :)

The kids loved waking up to snow last Saturday morning. Hope actually squealed and laughed with delight when she looked out the window to see the world of white!

The kids and Daddy had a fun time playing in the snow and sledding down the hill in the meadow.

Mommy had fun indoors enjoying a few moments of quiet between the dressing and undressing of four children in and out of their snow clothes!

It is always good for me to look at pictures of the kids being kids. It reminds me of what is important and how truly blessed I am to have these four in my life...

Happy Monday!

dream BIG

So I love a good bargain. It gives me a thrill to find something for nothing. I love yard sales, thrift stores and the bargain bin at Goodwill for just that reason.
I especially love when I find something I had already been dreaming and thinking about it. Like when I had been thinking about getting a new rug for my living room and then go to Goodwill and get a brand new rug from Target for only $11.97. Yes, that makes me so happy. And I feel almost as if those special bargains are little love notes from God. Because He knows about the little things. He knows the Big desires of my hearts but also the little things that make me happy.
So we have had this blue couch sitting in our living room. And for the past two months since we have gotten our new couch I have debated what to do with the old one. It is a love seat that was one of my brother and sister in laws first new pieces of furniture they bought when they married 15 plus years ago. Their family with four kids used it for many years and then passed it on to us about 5 years ago. The color blue has faded to a gray dingy color with spots on the arms where little children have wiped off greasy hands while enjoying movie and popcorn nights. The stuffing is coming out in several holes in the cushions where eight different children have enjoyed jumping and dismantling them into forts. It is the velveteen rabbit of a couch...it has been well loved. I love the shabby chic look but this was beyond that and it was an eyesore.
So I had debated possibly slip covering the couch and even  looked for one online and craigslist but then decided it was not even worth the money. Burn pile?
So Monday while rummaging at the Goodwill Bargain Room I found two couch slipcovers including one for a love seat and when i took them to the register the grand total was $2.12. I was giddy. I came home and tried it on....and I like it. The $1 transformation worked.

Well as I was sitting in my newly arranged living room with my $1 slip covered couch I was thinking about the different things I had looked at online or design blogs and then found at Goodwill. I was thinking how it is crazy that happens. Then I started thinking about the Big dreams and desires I have. What if I spent as much diligence pursuing them as I do thrift hunting. What would happen!? It is exciting to think about. I have seen God fulfill desires of my heart both big and small recently. But I also realize how too often I don't let myself dream or even acknowledge the desires of my heart. It is fine to get excited and step out in a $12 rug or a $1 slipcover because there is not much at risk. But can I be real and get excited about the big things...the deep desires?
Yes, and I must. Because God has a huge "Bargain Room" in Heaven waiting to bless me. And it is not second rate or second best. It is good because He is good. I say "God is good" but then sometimes the way that I approach God and life says otherwise.
But I want to know that in my heart and walk in that knowing "He is Good. He is LOVE. He delights in His children."
I want to not hold back my dreams and desires for fear of being disappointed. That is no way to live.

I am excited to sit on my new couch and dream....

our farm girl

 Sarah has become a regular little farm girl....confirmed recently by her increasing love of animals. We dog sat recently for a weekend and Sarah fell in love. She now wants a dog along with the horse she wanted so badly for Christmas. Being the great mom that I am I bought her a toy horse for Christmas :). Maybe one of these days this mama will be stretched and we will get some animals down home on the farm but till then here are two of my favorites of Sarah and Bear....

Sarah is also loving her bright pink camera she got for Christmas and these days she can be seen snapping shots with Daddy( check out www.hingework.blogspot.com) I love this picture because she just lost her top front tooth and is wearing the new look well!

I love this girl!

the farm show.

We ventured to the farm show this week for some fair food, free samples and family time. Another advantage to Mark not having regular work is spontaneous family days. We were blessed to have our good friend Amber come with us too. We had a great time walking, eating, and hanging out. Here are some of the images from the day...

Hope loved the chickens and was being hilarious making faces at them and imitating them!

P.S. If you are wondering what Mark is driving these days...wonder no more. He can be seen driving the vintage "Woody Wagon" as we affectionately call it. The kids think it is just the coolest thing ever and ask for frequent rides. One evening as I was making dinner it got real quiet and when I went looking for them I found them outside playing in the mini van just because it was "so cool" in there! We are thankful to Poppy for letting us borrow this sweet ride! ;)