our christmas tree

Chris and Sharkbait.

I took this video a year and a half ago, right after we found our beloved goldfish, Sharkbait, had passed on from this world. Chris has finally come to grips with it and has let me post this video.

thankful.

In Him we have breath, love and hope.

Everyday He graces us with His presence and touch.

 We will do our best to give Him our highest praise.

Family Fun Day: Wild Lights

All my pictures of the night turned out horrendous, but we ended up having a blast for Jake's birthday at WILD LIGHTS at the Detroit Zoo (it started off rough, but once the kids got used to the 18 degree weather we settled in to enjoy our night). If you have never been, it's worth the trip... hot cocoa, fire warming stations, holiday musicals, Polar Express 4-D show, Lego City, Storytime, Pictures with Santa, TONS of lights, etc.

The night was made even better by being blessed with free tickets from strangers.... it allowed us to take our family of 6 to enjoy the night without financial regret.

#reallife

 This was an hour after I had cleaned the house top to bottom.
I give up.

from their lips...

Just doing some meditating on Psalm 8 this morning.

Verse 2 is a game changer for me this morning.

Can the lips of my children bring so much praise to the Sovereign Lord that it will silence the enemy?



he will always be our baby.

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011.

It was one of the most incredible days of my life.

The baby of our family was born.

He completes us.

To my dearest Jacob...

You have such a love of life and it's contagious. You have this incredible ability to bring energy into every situation and those dimples bring a smile to everyone's face you encounter. You are our fireball.... our wild card.... our mascot. Tonight when I tucked you in bed, I whispered something in your ear.... something that was probably too deep for you to comprehend... but you smiled at me as if you knew exactly what I was saying. You always seem to know. I love your unstoppable giggle, your sign for "more," your blonde bangs that are always hanging in your eyes, your fearlessness, your tenacity and your cute little toes. I have so many heart secrets to share with you when you get older... you can't even fathom how much God has instore for you!
I love you.
Happy 2nd Birthday!

one of those nights.

Tonight was just one of those nights.

They always seem to fall on the times that Chris has to work late... go figure.

I won't run thru the list of mishaps, but I had HAD it.

I kind-of lost my cool.

I had to find it quickly.

I called a Family Team Meeting after the teeth were brushed and the baths were done. They all jumped in my bed, hesitant to see what they were in trouble for. I shared with them how I felt we were falling short of our potential as a family and that we could be hindering what God wants to do through us by the way we were treating each other. I paused to see if they were getting any of this, when my oldest raised his hand to say something. He asked if he could pray for our family so that we would always please God. He got it.

The prayer was sincere.... focused... incredible.

He told everything to God that was in my heart, but said it much better than I ever could... and I know God heard each word.

The others followed suit.... much more literal.... just as sincere.

 I knew God was showing me something.

Something I keep forgetting.

 God uses their faith to strengthen mine and their love to challenge mine.

Seems like God always uses those nights to be THOSE nights.

and in all things... session 48

Things I am thankful for on November 19, 2013...

1. Psalm 16:9
2. Bailout Blend from Great Lakes
3. Snuggling in front of our fireplace... everynight
4. Our new dining room chandelier. [we've been looking for 2 years]
5. Motivation
6. Melaleuca Oil- saves the day every time
7. New Christmas music
8. The unlimited power of our Almighty God
9. Transformation
10. Laughter

@ the joe.

A few weeks ago, Isaac's hockey team played a game on the ice at The Joe Louis Arena.... the same ice that we watched our beloved Red Wings play just hours later. It was such an exciting day and Chris and I loved spending this neat moment with him. Go Canadiens!