Gracie Elizabeth Sheree

 

My Girl

 

Always know that you were fearfully and wonderfully made....

the only YOU that God gave this world!

 

 

You are a blessing to your Daddy and me!  One of the greatest gifts that God has ever given to our lives!

 

 

These other 3 love you wildly and free....and I pray you will always treasure the gift of each other!

 

 

They loved you first, and you've loved them since!  Here and in heaven, you are still their great baby girl!

 

 

And the 'Grands'... lets just call them 5 of your biggest fans!  Gracie Elizabeth Sheree.... you too are blessed my dear!

 

 

And loved, and loved, and loved some more....

ALWAYS loved past your wildest dreams....by the One Maker, our ONE TRUE KING! 

I pray our love will be a reflection of our Savior towards you....

And that you will always know the only one, perfect love of Jesus.

How much He treasures you.

Yes YOU!

Your are His child first, then thankfully entrusted to us!

 

 

 

Never forget...He has plans for you.  To prosper you, and not to harm you!  My sweet girl, I love living this life with you!  You are loved and cherished more than we could ever tell you.  So I pray, that we can and always will show you.

 

You, my baby girl, are a gift!

And WE LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY GRACIE

Little Brother, Little Sister

 

 

 

Little Brother, Little Sister....How I Love You!

 

 

 If there's anything we learn as we age, it's that life will always change.  This year I see, that our roles transform as we move from one year to the next.  Always intertwined with the roles of those we love, there comes a season when our places become unrecognizable, different, and eventually we trade responsibilities all together.  About the time we start figuring that out, it becomes clear that it's different with every relationship.  The seasons of our life change.  Sometimes we want them to.  Sometimes we don't.  Sometimes we don't see until we look around and realize that it's a different time.  And we have a new job to accomplish.

 

 

Every storm weathered has it's cost.  Flooded fields, downed power lines, or damaged roads.  What I want you to always see is the growth, the new life that comes after one of these times.  Just as rainwater and the following sun rays bring new plants to life, so does our heart heal and live happy once again.  God's funny like that....if we just slow down and look around us we can see.  See that He has and always will care for us more than He ever has a simple bird in the sky, or flower in the field.  And even they are counted, loved, and clothed in beauty. 

 

Always stand up for what's right!!!  Don't be surprised to see what a minority you are!  Take courage in that and stand strong!  When in doubt, read the Bible and pray...God will always make it clear!

 

 

When you need a friend, and I promise you that you always will....I've found they're so few and far between.  And if you look at your life, the ones you need are already there-they always have been!  Be yourself with everyone.  Share your life with some.  Trust few.  And always trust Jesus.  God knows your heart, your thoughts, your everything-before even you do.  He is the ONE you will never have to be good enough for, and who will always be there.

 

People will always disappoint you!  If you're like me, you'll continue to allow them into your life.  Find comfort in that too....it shows how good and true your heart really is!  Don't be afraid to step away from the toxic people in your life.  Sadly, they will be there and always try to find their way in.  Never be afraid to let the joy of your heart and life try to rub off on theirs.  If it doesn't, don't feel bad about walking away.  Life is too precious, too short, and too important to waste on such matters.

 

We live in a fallen, broken, unfair world.  It is what it is, and will be that way until Jesus comes back.  Today, right now, all of these broken moments....are but a blink of eternity!  Once this life passes, we have forever to be in the arms and peace of a perfect Savior.  He is the only perfect, faultless, solid thing we have to hold until that time.  Until then, find the joy.  Find it in giving thanks and counting the small, beautiful blessings around you.  You'll begin to see that the simple, the small, the 'normal' things....in fact they are the extraordinary.  They are blessings.  They are the things which cannot be broken and stolen away.

 

 

 

Treasure what's been left behind.  See the lessons and memories of his life in the gifts and legacy he's given us.

 

 

Choose joy.

 

 

Choose to love.  Share that in small acts of kindness to those you know...and those you don't.

 

 

 

 

Laugh at yourself.  And never be afraid to be a pirate!

 

 

And when all else fails.....

 

 

 

I'm your sister.  I'm your friend.  I love you.  I like you.  I pray for you.  And I will ALWAYS be here for you!  No matter how old you get!

Seasons Changing

 

This week we learned that it is very possible to have school with no electricity!  We're watching and waiting for the trees to start their change.  I reminded the kids to look really close because being away for 3 weeks will bring us home to another season at play.

 

 

 

This week was filled with wonder, babies, puppies, and friends.  I love hearing their laughter over such simple joys.  Watching a bubble form and make it's way through the light!  Training a puppy all on their own!  The joy in tiny fingers and tiny toes!  The pride in being able to hold a new one on your own! 

 

My children have changed.  I have changed.  Something of a miracle has happened to our days.  They have SLOWED down.  My spirit has deflated from the busy, crazy, rush filled days that we were so use to.  Days where we got less done, spent less time together, had less to give to those around us.  Days of less peace and less joy.  Yes, the slowing has settled our souls.  From old to young, our days are full of so much more.  The SLOWING has opened the doors of our hearts to have MORE.  I guess that's something only God can do....bring more out of less.  Today, we are blessed.

 

 

Challenges still find us.  Life still carries on the way it always does.  I face valleys.  I have to remind myself that one foot goes in front of the other.  Even when my oldest best friend, a full 1/4 of my genes, faces the next step of her journey.  I remember that I take part of both roles in this scripture so true.  That one day, her role and love will live in my heart while she dances with Jesus. 

 

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Titus 2:3-5

 

That's how we roll!  Littlest brother has us ready to catch the bad guys I guess! ;)  The promise of fall is sneaking into our weeks, only to be chased away.  Sent back to it's waiting with air so hot that these kids come in looking like they've ran a marathon.  Hot, still, muggy air is about to be replaced by 3 weeks of dry, crisp, and assuredly cooler desert air.

Another year celebrated with a forever cousin friend.  Happy Birthday Tucker Wade!  We love you!



 

Mondays will be Mondays.  Fridays will be Fridays.  I have days I don't feel like getting up on time for school, but I do.  The kids have days they want to be little grouches, and we deal with that and move on too.  Life will always move in it's God appointed way, whether we think we're ready or not.  And in the midst of seasons changing, we will give thanks! 

 

Today, I thank you Jesus for slowing our days to find that perfect gift of MORE that only you can give. 

 

I thank you for a little girl overcoming and completing her work on her very own, so very well.

 

I thank you for opening my eyes anew to what perfect gifts you surround us with.

 

I thank you for 4 generations.

 

I thank you that you are preparing such a beautiful, perfect place for each of us.

 

I thank you that there....we will have no more tears.

 

I thank you that we are exactly where we are supposed to be and that no matter what life brings our way, I find such joy and peace in knowing that You will be there to hold my hand through it all.

 

And I thank you for an awesome first full week of Homeschool in our house!

 And on another hilarious, typical day in our household note......

Gracie said, "It's an emergency, call the emergency room!!!"

 

Aiden asked, "Mom, why do you do stuff like that?"

 

And I say that next time, I'll wait until I go to the store to get another box of detergent, instead of trying to throw together a concoction of my own!!!!  Or, I'll just follow the homemade recipe and not throw a bunch of liquid Dawn in!  Lesson learned!  Y'all enjoy your weekend!

 

And at least it was our day to mop the kitchen anyway! :)

 

Our Aiden

In 5 days we'll be patiently waiting for some amazing Dr.'s hands to complete the work God will be guiding on Aiden's foot.  God is already moving in answered prayers!  My brave little boy's nervousness has turned into, 'being ready to get it over with' and focus on the fun we will have before and making some new friends at Shriners!  So proud of our oldest boy! 

I would love to share our story thus far with you as this week approaches! 

Just CLICK HERE to read the story of our son's journey with his foot since birth.  This is so special and so dear to our hearts.  I pray that it will bless you today as it has me for so many years!  And it will help you understand just what it is we're praying for!

Thank you all for your prayers!!!!

 

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3

Parenting Grace

 

So blessed to have this man in our lives, over our home, and always in or corner.  If you would have asked me years ago, I'd have easily told you it would get easier for him to be away from home.  And I believed that.  Silly girl.

 

We have done our duty when it comes to sippy cups, late night feedings, and potty training.  But now, the real 'parenting' begins.  Learning to ride a bike, late nights at the ball park, and early morning soccer games have become our days.  As special as it is to watch these kids grow, succeed, and master their gifts, that too is the easy part.

 

 

When I see a challenge or insecurity in their sweet eyes, I ache with understanding.  These small, innocent people are beginning to face the life lessons that I relate to even now.  Making friends, keeping good ones and protecting our hearts from those in disguise.  Learning it's okay to not be accepted by all in the world around us.  Striving to do our best, even when we don't want to. 

 

I pray they only learn from my good attributes and that the Lord help them not to pick up my weaknesses.  And I thank Him that I too am learning, learning from the same small hearts I try to teach daily. 

 

I'm learning that when I want to scream about one of these kids' behavior, that is my cue to draw them closer.  To hold them tighter and to love them harder.  Kind of the same as my savior does to me, such an unworthy me.  Grace.

The small things.  At times they just don't matter.  Other moments they bring the greatest teaching opportunities...for child and me.  Each moment an opportunity of grace, a way to let Christ shine.
Today I won't hurry, I will strive to be slow to anger and quick to love.  I will listen to that still, strong voice in place of the hurry of the world.

That same concept of drawing my children closer when I want to anger...it applies to others too.  Have I really slowed and prayed like I need to?  For my family and friends, of course.  For those I don't consider such...no.  When appalled by someones behavior, I need to stop and pull them closer too.  Not closer in touch, but closer in prayer.  I've been very good, very good at not doing this.  How sad because isn't that what we've needed in the past too?  Still probably need more often that we'd like to accept.  My answer is yes, and yes again. 

I love the Lord, I love my husband, and I love these kids.  Today, I will strive to love those I'd rather not.  To love them especially through prayer. 

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you

Matthew 5:44

 



A Gift

God moves.

He transformes.

He grows us.

He brings glory, even in pain.

As our lives change, He remains the same.

Before I can get back to this journey behind the keyboard, let me share what an amazing summer we had.  An unexpected trip and stay with my family was a greater gift than I can ever share.  Our hearts will be forever greatful and treasure these weeks beyond measure....

Grandpa and Cass

This can't be bought or replaced.

Grandpa's Girl

Oh how Aiden loves him

Smiles in their hearts

Three generations and a whole lot of fish!

Like Grandpa, like Uncle, like Aiden.... from the love of rocks to horny toads!

An ongoing Wyoming tradition....from the time a small Charlie and Vanessa smuggled a horny toad home from the blue forrest to the recent release of yet another generation of toads!

Great Grands!

They've only gotten more amazing with time!

Grandma and Grandpa you are such a big place in my heart!

They love their Grandma and Papa

Broter and Sisters

Sister love is passed down to a niece and up to an Aunt

Awww see....I told you so!

Four generations and the three that fill up my heart!

These two....I'm telling ya!

Friendship planted a seed 26 years ago!  Most people will never have the gift I have in my oldest and dearest friend!  And now....our children carry on the gift.....

So much more than friends!  Jayce, Dessa, Gracie, Aiden, Trenten, and Cass was too cool for school that day!

And who would have thought our baby boys could pass as brothers?

Best friends and best friends' daughters

And how appropriate...they are just as crazy as us :)  Except sweeter!

WHAT A PERFECT SUMMER! 

THANK YOU GOD!