Gavin celebrates a 5th birthday and new life!!

Gavin has stolen my heart. I think he is one pretty special kid. It is with great joy that I get to celebrate him today.
I'll tell you a special story that happened this week.
I could repeat it 100 times over and it would never get old.

It was Thursday morning, we were supposed to be at bible study but Gracie had a runny nose. I was dissapointed but honestly, enjoying the quiet morning, lounging in my jammies. The tv was off (we had had too much of it) and I was at my computer, catching up on work, while Gavin was drawing at the table. I had music on and the babies were crawling all over eachother in the kitchen, happy as can be. From the dining room Gavin asks, "Momma, where is the cross?" I asked, "Did you ask that because you heard it in the song thats playing?" He said, "Yah", pretty matter of factly. The song was still going...Lead me to the cross where your love poured out...
I explained as simply as I could that Jesus died on the real cross 2000 years ago once and for ALL but that the song was explaining a longing to go to the cross because thats where Jesus forgave our sins. I explained that if we ask Jesus into our heart then He forgives our sin. He then said, "Yah because Jesus can't live in our hearts if there is sin in it." Blown away...I said, "You're absolutely right." We smile and he goes back to coloring while I turn back to the screen. Maybe 30 seconds go by and I hear him say, "Jesus, will you come into my heart?"
I turn quickly to see him shrugging his shoulders and looking upward. He catches my gaze and says, "Did He hear me?"
I gave him a big hug and said, "Yes. He absolutely heard you and you just made His heart (and mine) SOOO happy."
He couldn't wait to tell Daddy and we celebrated that night at dinner.

What a precious gift.
God's gift of life is so simple and is so easy to receive.
We like to complicate it.
Maybe that's why Christ told His disciples in
Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Joy in trial

Watch and see my dear friend & amazing athlete, share her story about how her faith has brought her joy in trial.

Watch more video of 2011 University of Washington Final Qualifier on flotrack.org

In the spring of 2008 the nation with hit with one of the best high school state meets in history as the fastest times ever were run in the boys 3200 and girls 1600. Christine Babcock ran 4:33 that day in May (splitting 4:17 for 1500). One of best prep's in history entered her freshman year at the University of Washington and she delivered with a bang. Christine was the top freshman at the 2008 NCAA XC Championships and 7th overall in the country as she led the dominant Huskies to a national title. She went on to become a finalist in the 1500 meters at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Since then Christine has had trouble putting together stints of healthy training. Now on the road to recovery, Christine talks about her journey and what its been like to be sideline as one of the best. Her positive attitude is unlike many others out there and just a small part of what makes her such a wonderful person. All the best to Christine on her road to get back to the top!

February

I tell my kids I love them everyday.
And then I ask them, "But who loves you even more than I do?" The answer is always Jesus.
I get such a short time to pour into them.
I want them to think of Him when they walk outside. When their sick.
When they receive a gift. When they give a gift. When they dance. When they cry.
My only dream for my kids is that they would know just how loved they are by Jesus
and that they would reciprocate.

We've had so much fun this month...

Josh and Gavin headed to Daddy & Me night at Preschool.














Bo is 8 months old!! He is a joy! He is crawling now, gives ooey gooey drooley kisses. He whines when he's not held, fed, or not being fed fast enough. He is a bruiser and I love that he smiles so big that his eyes disappear. :)
Grace is 23 months!! What?? I can't believe my baby girl is almost 2!! She is my precious gift. She loves to sign. We can't learn words fast enough. I love seeing her communicate. She recently signed "Please + Eat!" If you know her...this is amazing. She wants to eat! She is doing great and I promise a full update on her health is coming soon! :)
Gavin will be 5 in 2 weeks!! My baby...almost in Kindergarten. He is my sweetheart. Really. He is thoughtful, kind, and loves to play with his baby brother and sister. He is high energy, loves to ask questions, but just a joy to be around. He makes me laugh everyday. And I love to ignore the fact that one day he will grow up and not want to cuddle any longer. I ban the thought. :)

The monkey trap

As the story goes, the monkey hunters cut a small hole or slit in a coconut and fill it with rice. Then they tie the coconut to a tree or attach it to a stake in the ground. The hole in the coconut is big enough for the monkey to get his hand in, but not big enough to get his hand out if it is filled with rice. As the hunters approach, the monkey desperately tries to get his fist out of the coconut, but can’t seem to understand that gaining his freedom is simply a matter of letting go of the rice.

Why do I hold so tightly to the things that are trapping me? Is it what I'm holding...or is it the actual act of holding something? Something I control, something that is mine. And then I look up and wonder how or why am I bound.
What are you not willing to let go of? What is of so much value that it costs you your life?

I too have been bound.

I too bear guilt and shame.

I too am letting go.

I too have been made free.


Hebrews 12:1-2
...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

1 Peter 5:7-11
Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,
perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Valentines Day!

We love Him because He first loved us.
I John 4:19

What a fun day. On Sunday afternoon I drove home after a shoot and as I pulled in the driveway I noticed Josh was loading the last kiddo in the car. What? Where are you going? He says, jump in the car, we're going out! YaY!!! Josh found babysitting, took me out for Sushi and a movie...the best. No one calms me like Josh. I love him forever. Thennnnn Valentines night we got to have a fun family night... take out, movie, homemade cookies, valentines, kisses, dancing...the works. I found myself thanking God in those moments last night. You know those moments where you look around and everyone is laughing,smiling,drooling,dancing...so grateful...i mean really grateful.xoxo

Feeding tube awareness week!

Its feeding tube awareness week!
Here is Gracie at 22 months old in all her pink glory.
The mirror seems to be her favorite past time right now and I just die when she crawls away from the mirror, stops in her tracks, and looks back one more time to check out her backside. I die.
I love how she looks at herself...and especially here.
To read how Gracies journey began read here:
(see the link on the side bar, under her picture)

I wish I could express

There is no one like My God.

I wish I could express what life is like walking with Jesus. Its amazing. Like...new adventures around every corner, a glimpse that He is directing my exact steps, a homeless man that becomes a friend, a tap on the shoulder when I'm selfish, a gentle correction when I'm wrong, like a quiet walk to the store with my dad to return what I've stolen, a hug when I'm overwhelmed, a conversation when I'm lonely, an army of angels sent to watch over my family while I sleep, an answer before my question. I think if you only knew how freeing and wonderful it is you would be walking right along with me.
I wish I could express.

Its His kindness that leads us to repentance...not the law. I'm sorry Christians have pushed the LAW on you. I now follow the law, in response to the gift of life, Christ gave me. I didn't follow the law first. I'm free. Christ died so that you can be free too...if you only would respond and believe.
Its the easiest thing you will ever do...He made it easy. A simple prayer of faith, a simple yes, and instant LIFE for eternity and to boot, a life that is fullfilling and full of hope. And He gives you His word, the Bible, as a precious guide. How could you refuse?

Your creator wants a relationship with you. Even more than a parent would want with their child.
When your laying in bed tonight...talk to Him. When its quiet and your seemingly alone...talk to Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and He will respond. He wants you to come just as you are.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

And Faith...I was asked a couple weeks ago "How, how do you have faith that its all going to be ok?" At the time I gave a simple answer...but couldn't stop thinking about it all week.
It really comes down to God's trustworthiness...
He loves me more than anyone ever will.
He created me...so He knows me better than I know myself.
He promised me.

Like a child holding his fathers hand to cross the street, completely oblivious of the near misses that are all around him, he trusts his father. Why? Because he believes his father is trustworthy. His father loves him so much that he would jump in front of an oncoming car to protect his son. He would die for his son. And thats exactly what Christ did for you. He died, so that you could live.

Psalm 146

The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the LORD

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.

5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.

8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the LORD!

O God, You are my God

Psalm 63: 1-8

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thristy land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sancturary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on you in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice,
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.


We had two people close to our family pass away this past week and it got me thinking about heaven.
Oh, how I long to be with Jesus. And, oh I long to bless Him while I live.

10 years together!!

I have loved this man for most of my life. We were kids when we first started dating(17 & 20) and have practically grown-up together. Seriously, how could I have known what I was getting myself into...only God could have granted me the desires of my heart in human form...Josh. He is honorable, has truly great character. He loves Jesus, and takes my kids and I to church every Sunday. He makes me laugh and always catches me off guard. He gets me out of my head, and breaks me when I am taking life and myself to seriously. He tries to hold on while I talk about 29 different subjects in 2 minutes. :) He NEVER complains. He LISTENS. He loves me with his eyes. He protects me, and provides for our family. He plays with our kids and makes our home JOYFUL.
I could seriously go on and on...so I will... He is my KNIGHT in shining armor, my HERO that daily stands along side me, takes my hand, and quietly leads me through the craziness. He is a rock...so SMART and steady when my emotions are all over the place. He is my BEST FRIEND and I'm better for being married to him for these wonderful 10 years. What an incredibly blessed girl I am!



Our anniversary weekend!!!
We GOT AWAY!!! HOORAY!!
Thanks to amazing moms who watched ALL 3 of our kids, we were able to get away for a night in Marina Del Rey. The weekend started early Saturday morning as we drove into Pasadena to catch a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl. They WON with 0 seconds on the clock and it was a blast to watch! yay!
Next we were off to Marina Del Rey Marriott. We relaxed all of Sunday, lounged around, watched a movie, read ,went in the spa. The extra hour from daylight savings time, relaxation and quiet were little gifts from heaven that day. We headed into Hollywood for yummy yummy Sushi and then made our way home.
It was so wonderful to have that time away to reconnect and come back refreshed, ready to tackle the next 10 years. :)

A Halloween Open House

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.


We invited our neighbors over!! Something we have been wanting to do since the day we moved in, and it finally happened. We love our home and we love where God has put us and we are so excited to be involved in our community. So, a bunch of families came over, we ate pie and drank cider, roamed the neighborhood, and returned home with bags full of loot. All in all it was a great night. Even Bo made a new friend...Jacob, a new neighbor that is only 4 weeks older than him! Hooray!
Gavin wanted us all to be ninjas...easier said than done. There are NO ninja girl costumes, I wonder why! :) So, we ended up all being ninjas...except Bo, he was a ninja monkey, and Gracie a strawberry. :) HAHA
We definitely had fun and thats all that matters.