today

I was praying a few minutes ago as I finished my bible study for my mom's group at church. In my prayer I thanked God for bringing me to Arkansas. Then I was taken aback by what I just said. I had to stop, open my eyes and think about that statement. Then I realized what I meant. I see my need for Him more here than I did in Louisiana. I was comfortable there. Life was easy. Even if Chip was doing this job in LA I would have had so much help. Here, not so much. I am alone in a lot of ways and that is when you see God more, at least I have. He has given us some great people and a great church and great neighbors. But, I am still alone in a lot of ways, mainly in day to day life. My best friends here live at least 30 minutes away. I met a few of them while we were in Little Rock. Even that is God's sanctification in me. It would be easier in a lot of ways if we were closer to those people. But, He does not choose easy for us always, we don't always thrive when it's easy. So, I finished my prayer time and immediately started singing...

Sustainer, Comforter, Consuming Flame
Companion, Redeemer, Above every Name
Hope for tomorrow, Joy of TODAY,
Father my Daddy, Master and THE WAY!

clarification

Amy: spring is trying to come out. we get a few little teasers here and there. it has been freezing and rainy the past few days. i am counting on april and may being nice!

Jenny: streed and ella took these pictures for me upon my asking. you know how it is.

march 1

Ahhh! That is a happy Ahhh! It is kind of like a sigh. I love spring. There is nothing like a cold dreary winter to make you love spring. You really do appreciate what you do not have. And of course I love having 4 distinct seasons. Summer was hot and winter was cold here, but, the fall was so nice and despite the pollen and the depression of the move, the spring was nice too. I love seeing the trees beginning to bud and the days getting longer. I probably should take some vitamin D next winter because the sunshine really does seem to affect my mood. There is also more interaction with people when the days are warmer. The neighbors all congregage in our cul-de-sac which I love. And while the boys and men threw the football one of the moms came and kept me company while I unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher.
PICTURES:
The days start and end cool here but mid-day is so nice. We did some school outside today. I can't do a lot because Streed gets distracted but we did read about Martin Luther while soaking in the sun. Then Ella was feeling left out and needed some duck kisses.

Starting my day with Mom's N More helps too!

earthquake!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/28/arkansas.quake/

last night i fell asleep on the couch watching to see if and when a tornado was coming. i was awakened to a strange rumbling sound. i sat still for a minute then got up and looked out the window to see if it was a tornado (smart). i went into our room and asked if chip felt anything. he did not. then a few minutes later a lot of our friends in the area started popping up on facebook asking if anyone else felt that. so strange. shortly there after chip found out that about 50 miles from us was a 4.7 scale earthquake.

family day

Our last birthday party yesterday put us near Little Rock around the time of our church's Saturday night service. We were in need of some family time since Chip was out of town three nights this week and volunteered for 4 hours Saturday morning for baseball sign-ups. So, we figured going to church on Saturday night would offer us a relaxing Sunday. And that it did. It was nice to be able to worship last night and really rest and restore today. Here is a picture of Nate and Chip cuddled up reading a book after breakfast.

mermaid

We went to two birthday parties yesterday. Two jumping birthday parties. It was a lot of fun and the kids passed out at bedtime! The 2nd birthday party was a "Pirate Party". When our friends invited us, the 5 year old informed Ella that she could be a mermaid instead of a pirate. So, I began thinking of how I could pull that off. I found an iron-on applique from ebay and a plain white shirt at Target. And isn't it so cute!!! I am a little addicted. Nate's birthday is in a month and it is a cowboy theme. I spent quite a while on Friday looking at cowboy related appliques. It is just a really cute and cheap way to spruce up a shirt. Back to Ella, she wore a tutu that our friend Jillian had gotten her for her birthday. She felt so cute. And she even threw on the necklace to match.

Nate's noggin

Because sissy had her picture taken this morning, little man had to as well. I am actually glad I took this picture

because after I dropped Ella at preschool and Streed at his co-op, I took Nate to get a haircut. He loves getting his hair cut. Come to find out, its because he gets a sucker afterwards. But, I must say he does really well in the chair. This boys hair grows really fast so he has had quite a few hair cuts in his almost 3 years! Actually he and Streed just had theirs cut right before Christmas. Poor baby has a large noggin and really thick hair, so we have to keep it trimmed or he looks really scraggly. Here he is afterwards...with his balloon!

sissy in school

I started Ella in preschool a few weeks ago. She needed some socialization. Going to Sunday School and my Tuesday mom's group had become very difficult because she was not wanting to detach. That is a major understatement. We are talking screaming, kicking the doors and walls, trying to rip the door handles off etc. So, thankfully a preschool here that was recommended had an opening in their MWF half day class! This is Ella today heading to school. This week's focus is the letter "M". They were taking a field trip to "McDonalds" where they had to use their "manners" in ordering and pay with "money".

so i lied

natural light got the best of me today so i had to post a few pictures.

just tired

currently blogging (or the thought of it) makes me tired. so, i will return at some point. right now i am going to attempt to put the little buddy down for a nap and do some more homeschooling. i have been trying to keep pictures updated on facebook.