New home, my boys, new season......THANKFUL!

Well, been almost a month since I last wrote....lots of stuff has gone on for us...we're busy, busy, but I can honestly say, I wouldn't trade my life for ANYTHING! God has been so faithful to us! He continues to show JC and I His love for us, even through the "daily" days of life.

We have moved. We love our new house. We love living in va beach. Our boys now have a backyard, a tire swing....we have a house that we truly feel "at home" in. We have painted, updated, cleaned & pretty much made this house a place that is warm, inviting & hopefully, a long time stay for us.

JC has done an amazing job on our yard...planting pansies, mulching, rose bushes, gardenia bushes & hydrangeas....all his doing, without my nagging! ha! The yard looks awesome & inviting. I love it! I can't wait to put christmas lights everywhere...oh boy,....love the holidays & in our new house! yay God!

Here are some photos of the house & the kids! Love to you all! Happy November!

Control

I learned alot this past week....that if I try to be in control of ANYTHING, it almost 99.9% of the time ends up NOT going the way I want it too! It's sort of funny actually, b/c I am very "inside the box"....I love plaid, so that in and of itself, describes how I roll! So, with our move, being a bit drawn out, tiring, frustrating, backwards in every way, really taught me, that even when things don't go the way I had hoped, God knew all along, & it didn't bother Him. He knew & KNOWS that we had to go through that bumpy week, in order to realize that if we let HIM be in control, no matter what the chaos or the insanity of that moment, He's there. He's going to carry us through it. He's got it covered. He's taken care of EVERYTHING.

So, why am I worried, frustrated, tired & just plain confused when things like this happen. Because it didn't go my way. That is sad to me - oh well, I'm human & can seriously be a flesh-ball, as my sweet hubby likes to say.

As of today, we are staying at my mom's still we can get the house in livable condition. I don't want to rehash all we had to do.....but in a nutshell, we had to "evict" our landlord, & practically renovate this house. It is a great, solid house....wonderful for our family to grow in, but we were greatly deceived. We learned alot in this process. "Control" was a huge thing.

It's much easier for me to let God be God. Let Jodi be Jodi. Simple that way. God ALWAYS knows better than I. I trust more than I did a week ago. I know He took JC and I through that exhausting experience to bring us one step closer to His heart. Funny how we have to go through ikky things to love on the Father, but we'll all better in the end for it!

I will post photos of the house soon....right now, it still needs our "love".

I'm tired....going to bed now. Thank you for reading.

Change & fall is in the air!!

Not too much to report, other than we are now, down to 7 days left in our townhouse here in Portsmouth....I am surprisingly going to miss this place, but only for a few reasons. We moved here when I was 9 mo. pregnant w/ Gideon & so, for most of his first 2 years of life, we've grown as a family of 4 and seen so many beautiful changes taking place in my kids lives. It's been wonderful, having the honor of being my boys mother and getting to see all God has done & all that God is going to continue to do!

I am thankful for the many blessings and favor we have on our lives. God is so good to us. I am tired in many ways right now, as we move to this next house, BUT, like always, I am rejoicing with pure, pure joy, at the home God hand-picked for us. It literally fell into our lap....we didn't have to do anything to control this outcome of a wonderful home, in a wonderful neighborhood! God did it! yay God!

So, for today, I am thankful. No matter what is on my "plate". My "to-do" list is large, but I am taking small bites & breathing in & out, & resting in the arms of Jesus to take care of all that only HE knows what we need.

This may be the last post for a while, until we're all moved in & somewhat settled.....I will update w/ some fun photos here soon! Until then, enjoy this wonderful day, the fall that is in the air, and the change that God is doing, even in you!

Life

Hello again....I have a few photos of the mix of life, packing, growing, cute, silly, little boys, & soon-to-be warrior men!!!!

Silly boys in boxes!

Garrett's gotta have his sword!
Gideon got ahold of the markers - thank goodness they are non-toxic & washable! yeesh!

Here are a few photos of the mix of life, packing, & growing, cute, silly, little boys, soon-to-be warrior men!!!!

Love to you all!

xoxoxo

Proud mama jode

Packing, moving....ahhhhhh

Well, I cannot believe how long it's been since I've written....truthfully, I don't have much time to even write today, so this will be short....hmmmm, where to begin?

God did find us a precious house, in virginia beach. We are so excited. It was definitely a 'needle in a haystack'....really unbelievable rental that comes w/ everything. Location is awesome, quiet, old neighborhood. Perfect for our growing famil & JC's business. The owner is doing all sorts of upgrades and renovations b/f we move in, which is the icing on the cake. The yard in the back is 1/2 acre...w/a shed & oak tree. My boys will love that!

My sweet husband is like a little boy on christmas morning....he is so excited about having a garage & shed. Having run our own landscaping business out of apartments for the last 2 years, hasn't been easy. God answered our prayers in many, many ways.

We feel blessed. Undeserving at times, but we know our God is a good God and wants to bless His children. We have waited 5 & 1/2 long years living in apartments to enjoy this amazing house. We don't know what to do not having to share our mailbox with someone or parking space. Yipee!

For now, we are 2 weeks and counting.....we are thick in the midst of packing, boxes, & messes. I have been a little overwhelmed not really about the moving, just about all the little details to keep on top of. Bills, running a business, getting more accounts for my husband, budgeting, staying organized, cooking, cleaning, it sometimes gets hairy mainly b/c we are in the midst of moving. I'd say, once we're settled in this new house, I'll start to feel at ease again. JC and I just have a lot on our minds, trying to be responsible and wise in all we do.

God is ultimately in charge of all the teeny-tiny details and I need to rest in that. I pray we have peace and the move goes smooth for us & the boys. Change is good. Hopeful of what God has in store for our family & our future. Good things, come to those who wait. That would be us! Thank you Jesus!!! You deserve all the glory!

For now, I must go....will post photos of the kids playing w/ boxes & our moving adventure very soon!

Keep on, keeping on!

His eye is on the sparrow.....

Ok, so I got the title of my blog, literally from God speaking to my heart one afternoon....I knew there was a scripture for it, but I was sitting....desiring to start this blog, & all of a sudden, it stuck: 'His eye is on you Jodi'....then of course, 'His eye is on the sparrow', followed my brain waves shortly thereafter. It was fitting. Perfect. It meant many things to me....so I went with it.

Well, yesterday, a man I don't know, came across the title of my blog....and sent me something very interesting. He sent me the link to the 143rd anniversary of the song/hymn that was written by Civilla Martin, of this title 'His eye is on the sparrow'......

It's beautifully written, which I have copied and if it isn't exactly perfect, down to every word, that truly explains my life & my heart. It's neat how God has brought this all together....how it means so much to me, in so many ways. So enjoy reading this little portion I have taken from the history of this hymn.

"Another song of Civilla Martin’s came in 1905 from the comment of a friend. She and her husband were visiting a Mr. And Mrs. Doolittle in Elmira, New York. She had been bedridden for nearly 20 years, and her husband was wheelchair-bound. But the godly couple continued to have a joyful, positive outlook. When Walter Martin asked their secret, Mrs. Doolittle replied, simply, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

It is a reference to the words of Jesus. “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will….[“not one of them is forgotten by God,” Lk. 12:6] Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29, 31). The song that resulted from this encounter was later made famous by converted actress and blues singer, Ethel Waters. She even entitled her autobiography, His Eye Is on the Sparrow.

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Seasons....

So, it's been a week or so since I last wrote.... & I've got quite a bit going on in my brain, so I'm not sure if this is going to be short n' sweet....?

God has been doing alot with us this summer. There's been alot of "stirring", but it's been good.
JC and I have really enjoyed the summer with our boys. It's been a fun, but very busy summer. Mainly, JC's work load, which is huge, is what makes the summer fly by. He is pretty consumed by his business, but that is a huge blessing too - better than the latter! :-) I am good - just a bit tired. My boys have both turned a corner in the last month, where their energy levels & interaction with one another is truly amazing, but crazy at the same time. From every little thing boys do, well, mine have done it! ha! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being home with my boys, to train, teach, mold, develop and nuture - however, as any mother knows, it's work. My rewards are priceless & treasured. I have held every moment, difficult or not, with my boys in a little golden, treasure box in my heart. It's times like these, that I cherish, grow & learn the most!

As the summer has dwindled, we've walked through different "seasons" of good change. Change that is creating us into who GOD desires for us to be, as husband & wife, parents & for my boys as well.
JC is an amazing team player in all of this. He is an amazing husband, father, best friend & son. I couldn't have been more blessed when God brought him into my life! I am honored to be his wife. He chooses each day to love God first, his family second & then everything else just falls into place. It's my husband who reminds me that whatever "season" we are in, is when we give our best, regardless of how hard or easy it may be. JC is my rock & I love doing life with him!

Seasons do however, ebb & flow...... & are apart of who we are & how God carries us through each one.

We are looking forward to this new season of change, as we are moving! yay! October 1st!!!! wahoo!!!! God brought us a beautiful house, in a very much desirable neighborhood. This house was built in the 50's, so it's got all the old, nice hardwood flooring we love, solid house, built well, new roof, all kinds of beautiful upgrades & amenities that the owners have put their heart & soul into. It's a one-story, which we love. It's not huge, which we prefer & yet it's got years and years of us growing with it. The biggest blessing about this house, is that the location is perfect, the neighborhood couldn't be any more ideal for a growing family like ours & best of all, it's got a working garage, nice long driveway, & a 1/2 acre of a yard in the back w/ a beautiful oak tree as it's centerpiece! Having lived in apartments for the past 5 years with no yard, no storage, this couldn't be any more wonderful!! Now who doesn't think God is in the details!!!

He always give us the best and more! We are thrilled for this blessing of a house! There's so much potential and what we love, is that we are adding our own touches, that will make it ours. We can buy it, but we're in no hurry to do that. Just taking it one day at a time as renters. It's easier that way. The fact that we can move in, in a little over a month, is exciting too! We'll be in there by fall. yay!

I trust God, no matter what. Even when nothing makes sense, even when there are no answers, even when hard times come. I knew He would have something special for us. This house is my home. I can't thank God enough for all He has done & is doing. He's not finished with us yet - the amazing stuff, has ONLY BEGUN!

So, this next "season" God will carry us....He will have the answers & He will direct our every footstep. We are to simply soak ourselves in His love daily & trust in His plans. If tomorrow, this house slipped through our fingers for some reason, then Praise God! I don't want it, if it's not God's will. His will for us is perfect. Trusting in that alone.

We will be busy this next month, packing, pitching, purging, organizing & preparing, so if you read this, please keep us in your prayers. Thank you!
More seasons to come, I'm sure....until next time....love all you blog readers.....

Blog on....

Fun in the sun.....

We have really been enjoying our summer - needless to say, it's been an oven, but the heat makes you appreciate the AC and when fall arrives! yay! I can't believe school starts in 2.5 weeks! My big Garrett will be in Pre-k. He's excited, as we are! So, we are enjoying some of our last summer days, outside in the sun, splashin in our kiddy pool, doing what we can do enjoy the summer God has given to us. We've also had some amazing thunderstorms to cool off those hot days...which we love & the kids go wild when it thunders!

These days are times in my life that I truly cherish and wish wouldn't go by so quickly.

We hope next summer, we will have more of a yard for the boys to play in & a little more space to run. But for now, this cozy house & tiny backyard is what God has blessed us with & I am very thankful!


Here are my boys, taking in the warm, summer days together!