that friend.

You know the friend.

The one who has seen you at your worst.

The one who reminds you of your worth.

The one who laughs at the same things you do.

The one who knows your looks, your sighs and your heart.

The one who knows what the tears are for.

The one who has seen parts of your heart no one else has.

The one who loves you unconditionally... and then loves you some more.

The one who has arms strong enough to hold you when the going gets tough.

The one who made all the inside jokes.

The one who knows the kind of macaroons you prefer.

The one who knows how you take your coffee... and how that's changed over the years.

Yeah... that friend.

Well, she's having a baby.

His name is Noah Grey.

I couldn't be more excited.

my very trendy letter to my daughter...

Dear Zoey....
I have been reading a lot of letters to young girls lately. They are everywhere.... pinterest, facebook, blogs, etc... and it started my heart and brain on a journey to decide what I would want to say to you. Don't get me wrong, a lot of these letters are inspiring and very forthcoming, but what I have to say to you was birthed 20 years ago when I was a "Christian" teenager. I knew early on that I was set apart. I guess that's just a fancy way to say that you aren't going to be able to do things the way others do them. I was always ok with that. I never had a problem standing out. The problem creeped in when people started to explain to me why I needed to stand out. It started to become very confusing. I am so grateful that my parents stepped in and made things very clear... and I hope to do that for you, as well.

Here is the one thing I want you to know: You exist to give glory to God. Everything you do, say and choose should be birthed from that knowledge.

Please don't dress modestly to "not turn guys on" or to be "the kind of lady a good guy would want to marry." Dress modestly because you desire to honor God. You see, I dressed modestly and still had guys say perverted things to me. I had to learn early on that choosing to do things God's way doesn't automatically launch you into a world where you will be treated the way God intended. I want you to understand that you were created to bring God fame, whether people respect that or not. Your decision to be a disciple of Christ shouldn't take others into effect at all, only the call of a God who is unwavering, unchanging and unfailing.

Please don't choose to do the right thing because people are upset that Miley Cyrus chose the wrong thing, or because choosing the right thing will "bring the right guy." Do what is right because you want to become more like Jesus... to change the world, to shine your light, to see the power of God displayed before your eyes in a way you never thought imaginable. Please be less concerned about what a guy is looking for in a mate and more concerned about what Christ is looking for in His bride.

And lastly, and most importantly, please don't allow the idea of being a "Christian girl" take your attention away from knowing Christ. The story is about him... never about us. You were created for a specific reason, with amazing gifts and talents, and the ability to love the lonely, the hurting and the confused...whose sole purpose is to be Jesus to a generation who don't know Him. The world doesn't need another nice girl who wears skirts to her knee... they need a young woman of God who is unashamed to be synced with Jesus Christ in everything she does and with a voice of surrender to the One who created her in the 1st place.

Oh, and just for the record... that amazing girl will most likely be wearing skirts to her knee.
XOXOX
- Your Mom-

1st day of school 2013

Isaac is going into 2nd grade.

Zoey is starting her elementary career by entering Kindergarten.

My heart is full and heavy.

The scripture I prayed over the kids last night...

and all the little ones I love that are heading back to school:
 

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Zoey and Elijah's pARTy.

We had a wonderful day celebrating Zoey's 5th birthday and Elijah's 3rd birthday with an art party. Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the chaos to love on our kids! They had so much fun and are going nuts over all their wonderful presents.

***Special thanks to everyone who helped me out.... and to Nina for always making the cakes for the kids... you are a lifesaver!***

summer lovin'

she is ready. i am not.

Well, the day has almost arrived.... the day my precious baby girl heads off to Kindergarten. I thought I would do so much better with her being my 2nd child to head off to the abyss of school, but no such luck. She is MORE than ready and can barely contain her excitement. We are confident in our prayers to our God who is always in control and trust that He will continue to take her hand, even when we cannot. I'm counting down the days in my head, knowing that my emotional capacity is very low at this point. Give them wings... right?

our little zo-zo.... my, how you've grown!

Happy 5th Birthday to our most favorite daughter EVER!

Zoey, it's amazing how much you have changed over the last year to become a beautiful and thoughtful young lady. You always clean the house without being asked, are always more concerned about others having a good time than yourself and you always make sure everyone feels welcome wherever you are. You love art, crafts, cooking, cleaning, annoying your brothers, putting Elijah to sleep, carrying Jacob on your back and cuddling with daddy. You always keep your room spotless and help mama with all her responsibilities each and everyday. You want to be a teacher when you grow up, and we know you would be amazing at that! For your birthday you wanted art supplies and "girl" legos. We couldn't be more proud of you if we tried. Your heart for worship challenges us daily and we know God has incredible plans for you, girl!!!

Church Baptism/Picnic

Thank you Auntie Li-Li for all the amazing pictures!

good-bye summer. you have served us well.

What a fun summer!!!

Only complaint is that it went waaaaayyyyy too quickly.

We did so many fun things....

• Zoey took her 1st ballet class and looked so cute in her leotard. She knows all her positions and is extremely flexible.
• Isaac finished his 1st karate lessons and can now defend himself and me from stranger danger. Kiai!
• Zoey learned how to swim and can swim the length of the pool by herself. She loves to swim underwater.
• Isaac can do a full-front-flip on the trampoline, can get to the top of our climbing rope like a navy seal and has mastered the monkey bars.
• Chris put up 3 new swings on our play-scape, so almost all of the kids can pump on their own. No more "underdogs" needed!
• Both Isaac and Zoey can do pretty good cartwheels. Zoey is close to doing it one-handed.
• Jacob is now sleeping without a crib. He can climb in and out of it in record time.
• Elijah is now going on the potty daily. We are not potty-trained yet, but it is in our near future.
• Isaac and Zoey can quote almost all of Ephesians 6.
• Isaac can now vacuum out the pool on his own.

I am going to miss having my days with all 4 of my kiddies. It has been so much fun learning, playing and hanging together. I am excited to have some more individual time with my babies, though, I do have to say. Good-bye summer.... Hello school-time craze!

Here is the video of Isaac (Zoey's didn't come out well due to her brothers screaming.) We missed a verse at the end, but I am so proud of how much he remembered!

there is none like him.

I have a prayer pattern.

I usually am drawn to a particular song throughout the week and get stuck on it when I pray. I end up praying to that particular song over and over... and probably play it over 50 times throughout the week. My kids understand this madness and never complain. In fact, they know most of my prayer songs because of this reason. This is the one that I am stuck on this week...

"None but Jesus" sung by Sean Frizzell

realistic DIYs

Things I have pinned in the last few months:

• How to make a beautiful housekeepers bucket to inspire me while cleaning.
• How to make a burlap mail/picture holder for the foyer.
• How to make my very own scented misters for outdoor parties during the summer.
• How to make my own lunchables for back-2-school and save lots of money.
• How to make my own personalized concrete bookend for my bookshelves.

Things I SHOULD have pinned in the last few months:

• How to thoroughly dispose of broken glass over your entire family room while you have 4 children running around.
• How to properly medicate a 3rd degree burn on your neck and chest area do to a scorching hot chili incident.
• How to keep a 1-year-old busy in a doctors office lobby for over an hour.
• How to remove chocolate hershey sauce from a microfiber couch.
• How to take a shower when your 4 children have taken you hostage and are threatening unsuccessful nap-times for the next week.

our treasures become trash.

Well, it's that time.

Time to rid ourselves of the baby stuff we no longer use.

It's bitter-sweet.

I can't wait to get it out of the house and out of my way, but each milk-stained item served our family well... for all 4 of our children. We are donating most of our stuff and trashing the things that are no longer safe for human touch.

Bub-bye baby stuff.

I want to cheer and cry at the same time.