Fun in the Snow

Snow Day Tea Party

'But Not Without Sacrifice' and Curly Hair

Today's chapter I read in the book "Choosing Gratitude"is called "But Not without Sacrifice." It is the chapter of this book I have been waiting to read. It is all about choosing gratitude toward God even in the hardest of times. I simply want to record in bullet point style some of the things that really spoke to my heart. 

"To give thanks to Him for all things, is indeed, a very difficult duty; for it include giving thanks for trials of all kinds; for suffering and pain; for reproaches; for loneliness. Yet those who have learned submission will not find it a hard duty." -Priscilla Maurice

"God, I have never thanked you for my thorn! I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to you by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow." -George Matheson

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

"Not unscarred, not unmoved, not functioning out of reality like robots, but still spotting reasons for hope and promise. They seem to know that the only thing more debilitating than what they're going through would be going through it ungratefully." (or unchanged!!) -Nancy Lee DeMoss

"No, the days don't always get easier. The night can still drag until utter exhaustion finally pulls a person under for a few hours' sleep. But those who say "No" to resentment and "Yes" to gratitude even in the face of excruciating pain, incomprehensible loss, and ongoing adversity, are the ones who really survive. They stand against the tide of memories, threats, loss, sadness, and answer back. With gratitude." -Nancy Lee DeMoss

"The question that came to her heart was: 'Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?' " -Helen Roseveare

"My circumstances didn't change but He changed me in the midst of them." -Nancy Lee DeMoss

"I have learned along the way that, regardless of how I may feel, anything that makes me need God is (ultimately, in the truest sense) a blessing. Be it disappointment. Be it physical suffering. Be it mental or relational anguish." -Nancy Lee Demoss  

"Gratitude may not change your situation, perhaps not even a little. But it will put you in the only possible position for experiencing everything God desires for you throughout this hard stretch of life." -Nancy Lee DeMoss

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be on my mouth!"Psalm 34:1

Today while Annabelle was in school, Adelyn decided she wanted to take a bath and so her hair was so curly. I was just dying at how cute it was so I finally got out my camera and took some pictures and then I snapped one of the snow today for the snow lovers.

Hoping my sweet babies feel better soon!

Oh and don't forget about the giveaway of the book "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Lee DeMoss. Comment here if you would like to enter!

A Week in Random Pics etc

This is going to be such a random post but I wanted to include some of our pictures from this week. I haven't taken hardly any because Adelyn has had an ear infection and has been doing a lot of waking up in the night and sleeping with us (which means no sleeping for me!) The doctor asked us about going to an ENT for tubes but I decided we should wait and see if we have one more. I know...but it was just my gut instinct.

 

Sweet Adelyn had some very sleepy eyes.

 

Adam will want to kill me when he knows I posted this, but he has gotten some gray hairs. This is not even a good picture of all of the greys!! haha!

I also went to a semi-formal tea party for a girl named Tammy in our youth group! It was so fun and yummy!!

It snowed this week a lot and I think we are getting more snow tonight!

Annabelle and I colored and played with stickers while Adelyn slept one day! She is loving Pink-a-licious.

And the last bit of randomness, I found this in a Self magazine I was reading at the Y this morning. I thought it was hilarious!! Adam said, "Are you sure your brain goes back to normal?!" ha! Thanks Adam!


I am still loving my morning devos. Here are three verses that spoke specifically to me this week that I wanted to share:

"Humble yourselves (demote, lower yourself in your own estimation) therefore under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety (discontent, discouragement, despair, questioning, wondering, pain, suffering) on Him (trust Him) because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"I will walk in freedom because I have sought out your word." Psalm 119:45

"You may think you can condemn people but you are just as bad and have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others by judging do the very same thing. Why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do these same things (sin)? Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, patient, and forgiving God is with you?!? Does this mean nothing to you? Cant you see that His wonderful kindness is intended to turn you from sin." Romans 2:1-4


That's all! Goodnight!

I made it to Arkansas and Back!!!!

I arrived in Tulsa on Thursday night. The weather was soo bad there; they had just had the same snow storm that we had only they are not prepared for that in the slightest! Right when we got to Crystal's house, we drink hot chocolate!


We stayed up sooo late that night trying to figure out what in the world we were going to do the next day. Jen's bridesmaid's luncheon was the next morning and we just knew it was not safe to try to get there but we determined to do it anyway!


So, off we went!



I LOVED seeing all the Sonic's on the way! haha


And finally we made it to Rogers. We stopped at Walmart to change and get ready and then we made it to the rehearsal right after it was over.


Like I said, we missed all rehearsing but of course we got pictures! :)


Most of the decor for the wedding was set up that night and it was so beautiful; it was all earthy, branches, moss etc and roses.




Jen, has a huge family of 8 children. This is all the sisters and James.


And James and his girlfriend.


The rehearsal dinner was delicious and so much fun!


We were absolutely freezing so Crystal and I wore our boots in. We were very aware that they were not the best thing with our outfits but we didn't care at all at that point, we were just glad to be there!!


It was so fun to be with all of these people that I hardly ever get to see!

To be continued.............

Snow Day

This is what it looked like outside when Adam took Adelyn to the doctor. I was convinced that she had another ear infection BUT she didn't. She had fluid in her ears, a sinus infection, of course and then I guess she is teething.


Everything is ice. I am supposed to leave tomorrow and fly into Tulsa and then Crystal and I are supposed to go to Arkansas for Jennifer Elliot's wedding. I am praying that it all happens but I want us to be safe no matter what so whatever happens it is ok as long as we are safe.


We made the best of our day off. I cleaned and organized like a mad woman and Annabelle and I spent some time making our valentines. I didn't want to post any more pictures because it will ruin the surprise. :)




Adelyn and her daddy played and played and the girlies took a nap.


We also spent a lot of time watching the neighbor kids sledding and trying to ice skate. Well, it was actually a really great snow day. Let's pray I make it to Arkansas to the wedding!!