Life on Kent Island

For the most part, I feel like I'm in a dream, and I need to pinch myself to wake-up because it is so beautiful here. I love the rural feel of this place and being next to the water is soothing. Joshua and Paul are adapting well. Paul seems to be quite a talker as he is already imitating words as I speak to him, and Josh, more quiet, seems to enjoy observing his surroundings, and running science experiments with anything he can get his hands on. As for Chris, preparations for opening the store are going great. He has had some good hires, and is seeing continuous progress of the store. So much for which to be thankful.
One thing I found in myself is that while everything is wonderful, I  started thinking  that something bad must be on the way. A vague and silly fear, really, but, seriously, I was surprised to realize this little pestering thought, " Don't get so happy about everything. It will all end soon" has been lingering, and pestering me.  Once I realized it today,I decisivily pronounced it as a lie, and have since replaced it with gratitude to My Father who always lovingly provides what I need and desire in due season as He sees fits. It made be live the quote, "The only thing to fear is fear itself" It's true. Lies/fears can quietly debilitate you into forfeiting your dreams/goals for today. Knowing I'm in God's loving hands is the most encouraging truth. As one person put it, "Love God with all that you are, and then, do whatever you want!" God has gifted each and given desires for a reason, seek Him first ,and then run with how He fashioned you!

catching up on blogging....

catching up on blogging..... later.

Josh is Two

Wow, Josh is two! He is growing up so fast!! Today, we are reminded of the great privilege that God has given us to raise His amazing creation, our wonderful Joshua. It is not always easy, but nothing that is valuable ever seems to be a cake walk, right? We have so enjoyed this rich journey of parenthood , and pray that we are the parents who God has called us to be, always relying on His grace.

I wish we could have celebrated with all the cousins and, of course, all of his grandparents, and aunts and uncles too! So looking forward to seeing all of you!!! We had a beautiful birthday picnic at the park...I didn't even have to pack anything because we just picked up some delicious Chick-fil-A! Josh's fav is nuggets, fruit cup, and waffle fries, of course. Thomas the train was fun and yummy(his birthday cake) for Joshua. He made a mess with the cake,so he absolutely enjoyed that! The added bonus is that Mishu was able to come into town, so although it would have been wonderful to see everyone, it was a treat to have at least Mishu here!

Josh is taking a nap now :). I just finished setting up his little train set, so it will be waiting for him when he wakes up! Enjoy the pics of his birthday picnic. See you soon, I hope!! Love and miss you friends and family!

I just want more

Goals...I heard that if you write them down where you can see them everyday you double your chance of success. So thinking I'm going to do that and since I just wrote down that I am going to do that, I've just upped my chances of accomplishment.

Goals. Visions to better things. I just want more.

I feel like I go about my days with a backpack load of stuff that I want to accomplish or things I should do, but, huge issue!!! I have no clue what is in the darn backpack!!! I guess because I almost never think of opening the backpack to find out what's inside, and when I do, I realize that the backpack zipper is stuck and... can you believe that?I hate when that happens!! Anywho, that has been me the greater part of these past couple days,

but then steps in MY Great Comforter (and no, I'm not talking about the one on my bed- that would be weird).

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest"

The best part is, I drop off this heavy backpack at His feet, and as I enter into the acknowledgement of His presence,I find out (as if it was the first time I heard it)...

He loves me.

In this moment, I don't even care what is in the stink'n backpack. The glorious "I Am" loves me!! I think I kind of figure out in this instance that the "I Am" also answers what I'm really after.

and then my soul sings...

All of you is more than enough

you satisfy me with your LOVE

Trying to Keep it Simple

So It's just me and my boys for a few days. Chris is at Chick-fil-a's annual seminar. I'm keeping it simple while daddy's gone. Stayed at home and enjoyed watching the snow fall in a warm apartment. Eggs and toast for breakfast and some grapes to finish off- Joshua was satisfied with that :) random:I've come to enjoy the Disney channel, kind of scary how addicting, seriously Miley Cyrus is hilarious (we would have been best friends in school). I cut my own bangs while the boys took their afternoon naps YIKES! (I later pinned them back),PB and J for lunch with yogurt and fruit(Easy-simple), a little indoor golfing, playing with cars, chasing eachother up and down the hall, wrestling, left over spaghetti and salad for dinner, paper plates,tickling, snacking on banana puffs, flash cards (counting),bath for both of them, snuggles, simple prayer and night night time...The theme of today could have been "keeping it simple". Sometimes it's the simplest things that bring so much delight.

Something else reminding me to keep things simple (not shallow-there's a huge difference)- "Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word. It is that simple"- R. Foster

While simple, it is just taking the time to hear God's voice, that becomes an unexpected battle, for me. I too often have time for everything else, but to spend time with my God. Oh the distractions...long distance accountability? anyone? anyone? beuler?

The Celebration of Discipline. I started reading the book a while ago, but did not make time to finish. HAH! the irony! so I've started again- It's really good so far, so if anyone else wants to join me in reading it that would be great! Speaking of discipline, I'm also "bringing it!!" P90x that is! Any takers? I love and miss you- friends and family! Good night!

Our Life Lately

We are settled (for the most part)in Kansas City, MO. The above are photos of our whereabouts (Maryland, Ohio, Canada, Upstate New York and everything in between) from the past couple weeks. The week of travels was with My Mom and Dad, Joshua, Paul and me. Chris was working while we were visiting family. It was great seeing my grandparents, great aunts and uncles, regular aunts and uncles, and cousins. Chris met us in OH and then we drove to KC together, as a family. The kids are definitely getting used to traveling...Thankful for the compact DVD player my parents let us use. Joshua got Lion King and Veggie Tales overload, yet he never got sick of them.

The Adventure Continues

So we've really enjoyed being in Baltimore these past couple weeks. What we've been up to.. worshipping at Agape Mission Church with our wonderful brother and sister, Mike and Tina, Visiting with Steve Pavlosky and family (Josh made friends with a St. Bernard at their home and what a warm and welcoming family), seeing snow, replacing old tires on the Durango, reading, cooking a lot...okay, I'm making this blogging-so-everyone-knows -what-I've-been-up-to thing a little too detailed...and it continues

The latest with Josh: Josh really loves books (being read to), hugs and kisses Paul all the time, sings and dances in front of Paul to make him laugh (I think), wrestles with mommy and daddy, stacks Lego's non-stop, plays with miniature farm animals, twirls, loves bath time eats just about anything and has been such a cuddly boy.

The latest with Paul: Smiles all the time, screeches like a chapuchee (whatever you call those miniature monkeys from Night at the Museum) a lot, sat on his own for the first time(as seen in photo evidence), rolls to his back and stomach, prefers sleeping on his stomach, started rice cereal, grabs toys, is cool as a cucumber and enjoys being in the baby bjorn, and bouncing in his bouncy seat.

I must be really tired because I forgot to mention that we are moving to Kansas City, Missouri!! Yeah, I know we just moved up here, but God's got something for us over in Kansas City...Chris leaves tomorrow morning and the boys and I will be joining him soon. Keep us in your prayers. We'll be praying for you guys.

Good Night! We love you friends and family!