Getting Our Strength From the Son: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

I have already declared my love for the LOVE DAY!

I think it's so important to teach our kids not only what Jesus did for us, but also how He taught us to live. Nothing is more important to God than love.

Am I wrong? (I might be...I'm no theologian)

What a great opportunity to talk about practical ways to show others we love them!

I captured some of the highlights this year.

It's been a crazy time in our lives and these pics aren't perfect, but it was a great celebration this year.

I had my mom help me put together this cute felt heart chain.

I was inspired by Sabrina who was apparently inspired by Mandy Sisco.... and thanks girls because it made the house very festive!

Jen hosted our annual Vday party. This year we made it a Saturday morning brunch and invited **gasp** boys! It was great fun!

Waiting in line for their cookie - what sweet children. : )

Fruit pizza. Yum.

Handsome and creative. Look at him making a face with his fruit.

Exchanging valentine gifts.

The joy of giving and receiving!

In the background you can see the kids each had a chain of hearts. We had them decorate foam hearts for each other instead of paper valentines, this way they look cute and don't get thrown away as soon as they get home. It's a cute decoration to enjoy all year.

Where is your fruit little girl?

Why not take a full morning and make it crazy?

Let's throw a craft in too!

Loved Jace in this one.

The group of our big kids.

(6 more kids at home waiting to be invited in the years to come.)

We also attended the Homeschoolers Vday Carnival. I promise, even though no pictures ever get taken to prove it.....I do homeschool!! : )

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Christmas Finale

FINALLY!!

Whoosh. There was one more Christmas celebration for our family.

Curt's parents drove down a few days after Christmas to spend some time with all of us.

They're so lucky to have all 4 (+1 unborn) grandkids in the same spot.

I know they wish it was just a bit closer. : )

Here are the kids opening gifts.

The boots were a favorite for Dillon!

Didn't know it then, but Ashley's pregnant with a GIRL!!!

A dream for Ashlyn and me.....we can't wait to spoil her!

Preston's favorite is and will always be the dogs.

He LOVES Trig, this is how to latches on and he just walks around saying, "MINE".

Uncle Mike thought it would be fun to get the boys their first nerf guns.

Do I even need to record my thoughts about this?!?! : )

Flashlights for all.

So, those were the only pictures I took while Grandma & Grandpa K were here.

It's a shame, because they came to our house and worked really hard and it deserved to be caught on film (or pixel?). Ed brought his router and made us all new window sills....from scratch. And they're beautiful. Curt put in new trim and Jeannette helped paint the bedrooms.

I hope to get some pictures up soon.

But you know, it might be a month!!

Our Favorite Gift

So, this is the GREATEST gift any parent can receive

and for it to come on Christmas and my birthday

was especially meaningful -

like God-breathed affirmation

life-giving

eraser of everything imperfect about this year's Christmas-

that kind of meaningful. : )

As we were going through the story of Jesus birth,

and why it is amazing that He came to Earth as a baby

so He could eventually overcome the sin of the world,

to reunite us with the God of the universe,

if we will just believe in Him as our Savior.

She interrupts and says, "I want to do that."

And Curt and I were speechless.

Caught totally off guard on this busy morning of birthday cake and flying paper.

This is the morning God chose to stir in her a longing to know her Savior personally.

And we're totally unprepared.

But we rally and are able to walk her through...

Admitting she is a sinner in need of a Savior,

Believing that Jesus is the Son of God - that Savior,

Ushering in the power of the Holy Spirit that will begin at that moment shaping her to God's image.

And then I have the presence of mind to pick up the camera and record the moments to follow. : )

If you're interested in watching, you'll want to turn up the volume. Our little girl is soft spoken.

Praise God!!

And only a couple days later the evidence,

we're sitting at lunch and she looks at me and tells me she lied to her dad earlier that morning and she needs to apologize. Amazing!