Sunshine in my soul

Today was cold, wet, and dreary...but I was still warm. Watching the kids smile as they played made all the other stuff crowding my thoughts just melt away. Focusing on the things that are pure can be difficult sometimes, but when you do it opens your heart to a ray of sunshine. They remind me every day that I have something to praise the Lord about.

Our New Arrival

But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. John 4:23

Although she is almost 6 weeks old, I am introducing Lily. She is as sweet as her name and we all love her way too much. Even Elijah and Violet are spoiling her. She was a whopping 6lbs 14oz and 19 inches long. Her eyes are dark blue and her hair is a gingery red color. She looks just like her big brother. I can't wait till we can visit Illinois so the rest of the family can meet her and steal all the kisses they want. I know her Grandma and Grandpa are ready to see her. She is much smaller than the other kids, and twice as needy as they were, but I don't mind since she is our last.

Jason and I are adjusting to this new addition and I feel God is giving us the grace to endure three kids...lol. She is such a blessing to our family and I can't wait to see what a wonderful young lady she grows to be.

Elijah

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18

Four years ago I held my baby boy in my arms and was amazed at his perfection...I am still amazed at God's handy-work. We are going to take him out for a special day this year. I hope he will like everything we have planned. He announced to us the other day how he wants, "a duck cake with sesame street, mommy." He made sure he gave us specifics. That is just how he is too, knows what he wants and when he wants it.

I know God has amazing plans for him over the next year. I truly believe that the Lord is going to strengthen our bond. He will begin preschool in August and I am so excited for him. He has talked about school all this year. I'll miss him though. It will just be the girls here at the house and I won't know what to do with out my little man singing along to his favorite tv shows or playing with his best pal Buzz.

Thank you Lord for giving me my little boy. I know he is a lot to take in for most people, but he will one day take the world by storm.

Celebrating Violet

Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31: 25-26

These are the words that Jason and I speak over Violet's life. I can hardly believe that she is 2 years old. It seems like just yesterday that I heard her cry for the first time as she took her first breath. I can honestly say that first cry my children made was the most precious sound I have ever heard. Now I get to listen to the sweet sounds of her laughter and thank the Lord for how blessed I am. She brings sunshine into our hearts and joy into our lives. My love for her grows stronger every day.

I love the way she smiles when she accomplishes something new, or the way she blinks her eyes over and over when she first wakes up in the mornings. She loves my cinnamon rolls and I've never seen a child love pizza more (she gets that from Daddy). Even though she can be a little rough on her brother sometimes and is a little too independent lately, I admire her strength of will. I could accomplish anything with that kind of persistence. I only pray I will have the wisdom to guide that will properly and help her understand the importance of bending that will to the Lord's. I pray she will look circumstances in the face and dare them to challenge God's faithfulness. I pray her humility and passion will be a powerful example to everyone around her. Most of all I pray she will love the Lord with all her heart and have confidence that he has created her perfectly with a plan for her in mind, that she will know he handmade her for a specific purpose, and that she will also know the Father's heart is overflowing with love for her.