Psalm 84:3 {Created for Care 2012}

This little sparrow is my reminder of Psalm 84:3.  

 "Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near Him..." 

{Psalm 84:3}

It sits on my bookshelves in my living room...and I recite that verse every time I look at it.  

I am getting very excited about my upcoming trip to Atlanta for the Created For Care Retreat!  

I am reminded of these beautiful truths about my life at this Retreat {taken from their website}

I am...Created for encouragement...because when we share callings--the journey is more beautiful when we walk hand in hand with the same heartbeat

I am...Created for raising our children...close to Him.

I am...Created for taking time to be still...and replenish...and know that He is God

I am...Created for following Him to the ends of the earth...whether it's Africa or our backyard...and loving one another along the way  

...and following the stressful Christmas season, before entering the chaotic February month (3 birthdays and an anniversary), and then the birth of our next blessing in March...this weekend is going to be very important for me to recharge in Him.

"I love myselth"

Oh precious little girl.

I'm so glad that you love yourself...

even if you insist that all "f's" are "th's".

I also love that you love to sing...

and admire yourselth in the mirror.

Word for 2012

Vicki at From Our Home to Yours picked a word to focus on during 2011.  Her word was Diligence.  I really enjoyed reading her blog through the year and seeing how focusing on that word was changing her life.  When I read her post about choosing her 2012 word, I was inspired to choose my own word.

Immediately, the Lord gave me two words and I decided to pray about them in order to narrow it down.  The word I've decided to focus on during 2012 is:

This word means many things to me right now, but I'm excited to see how it evolves and changes over the next 365 days!  

I hope to pray on this word through the year and find other ways that it applies to my life.  I hope to study some verses from God's Word that talk about this and see what He has to say about it.  I plan to blog about some ways that I'm practically applying this word to my life and that of my family.  

If you were to choose one word for 2012, what would it be?

Things that make me smile on a gloomy day

Seeing that someone added some decoration to one of the Nativity Scenes.

My hilarious little girl.  Such a personality I'm telling you!

peaceful

All tucked in with Minnie Mouse...

Christmas at the Redburn's

Reading Graysen a new story

the family in purple...

The grandkids

 

My boys in their matching shoes

Then Gray wanted a picture of us in our matching boots

The Renauds
Becca and Justin
Keaton (4), Hayden (6), and London (9 mo.)

My family (hope someone else got a better shot...?)
Lincoln, Silas (7), Ashley and "Spike" (26.5 weeks), Blake (7)
Hunter (7), and Graysen (4)

The kids working on gingerbread men stickers

Waiting to open stockings

Graysen's first sighting on her new headboard...

Graysen's new castle headboard!  Papa made it and Gma painted it!

Christmas Morning

We woke up at home this year...it was nice.  The kids were greeted by this sign in the tree...

They looked outside to see this!!  A new playhouse!  The boys have been asking for a tree house, but I think they'll love this until spring!

A new clock for their bedroom that shines the world and the time on their ceiling!  

Entering the world of Legos...oh help us!

A new Iron Man hat and gloves set!

She was precious this year.  She opened very slowly and treasured each gift.  She wanted them open and wanted to play with each one before moving on to the next one.

The boys got pogo sticks!  Super fun!!!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve was spent at my Momma's house.  We had a great afternoon and evening together!  

She got each kid a package of M&M's and read them this poem:

As you hold these candies in your hand 
And turn them, you will see 
The 'M' becomes a 'W', 
An 'E', and then a '3'. 

They tell the Christmas Story-- 
I'm sure it's one you know. 
It took place in a stable 
A long, long time ago. 

The 'E' is for the East, 
Where the star shone so bright. 
The 'M' is for the Manger, 
where the Baby Jesus slept at night. 

The '3' is for the Wisemen, 
Bearing gifts, with which they came. 
'W' is for Worship, 
Hallelujah! Praise His Name! 

So as you eat these candies 
Or share them with a friend, 
Remember the meaning of Christmas: 
It's a love that never ends.
- Author Unknown

Hunter showing Aunt Sissy his new treasure chest (that was Papa's when he was young) filled with Dragon Scales!

Grammie also bought the kids a recordable storybook.  It's the story of the first Christmas and all they have to do is open it up and it plays her recorded voice reading it to them.  This will be a treasured gift forever!!!
Thank you Momma for helping me keep the real reason for the day first on their minds!

Introducing a new addition to Kara's family:  Mack

...and another new addition:  Mara

Getting ready to open their first gifts of the night!

Graysen's pink puppy!!

think she was a little excited about "Sally"?

Cute Mack playing with the paper.

Opening Sissy and Chad's gifts...Graysen's boots to match Aunt Sis!

Oh my...three football players!  

There was lots of posing with these favorite gifts!

Sweet Graysen (with a sticky mouth) and Sally

the end of the night...pouring sparkling grape juice and getting ready for Jesus' birthday party!

Jesus' birthday cake.  Hunter decorated, a M&M Cross with Jesus on it.

Three of the four with the birthday cake!

Back home, with Santa's cookies and milk!!  Ready for bed...