Christmas....

I anticipate this time of year so much b/c it almost makes me feel like a kid again! I love Christmas, the excitement, the wonder, the family, the fun, the coziness of just being in my home w/ my husband & kids & always, a beautiful time to reflect on the birth of my savior. It's not so much about going crazy shopping or seeing myself strive to make the holidays perfect. I simply love how Jesus is my center even more this time of year. JC & I enjoy showing the kids what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. It's neat to see their faces when we talk about baby Jesus being born, the wise men...the story is magical & such a beautiful reminder of God's love for us.

This time of year as well, is a difficult time for JC's job. Work really slows down, so it really forces us to put on the breaks with spending & yielding our temptations. Which has actually been a healthy thing. It's not easy, but it realigns our focus even more, which we hope will teach our kids a thing or two about the meaning of Christmas.

I've got some photos....so enjoy....more thoughts I will write soon...today w are baking Christmas cookies....fun, fun!

Time goes by....

My, I can't believe it's almost been a month since I last blogged....so much time, so much to share, yet so little time to write. It has been a good month...November has flown & I cannot believe tomorrow is the last day of the month! I enjoyed this month, as it was full of many wonderful things. Just to name a few: I entered my 2nd trimester with sweet baby...I feel pretty awful, but am truly thankful for a healthy, growing lil' bean. JC & the boys are pretty excited too! We find out the sex next month! yay! Hoping for some pink, but no matter what, the gift of another child is more than we could ask for!

Let's see....oh! I turned 34! Yeah, I"m gettin old....feelin old too these days! ha! Guess its those boys that keep me on my toes & wipe me out at the end of each day. I cherish every moment of this amazing life given to me, so 34 or 94, I'm certainly a happy, blessed & thankful woman.

During my birthday...we had a pretty strong Nor' easter...wasn't so fun, b/c we lost power for 2 days....it was pretty cold, lots of candles & fires, but it got old real quick. We managed....made a tent...got alot of take-out, since I couldn't cook. Wasn't so bad, b/c I was with 3 incredible men!

Also, JC and I hosted our very first Thanksgiving in our home. We loved it! It was loads of fun & surprisingly, I wasn't stressed one bit. My family is so amazing & everyone pitched in, brought tons of food....we did enjoy cooking the turkey..it was fun slathering it w/ butter & stuffing it w/ herbs. It turned out pretty darn juicy and perfect! Yay!!!! Our first thanksgiving was a success! Would do it all over again too!

Over all, we've been really happy in this new house. I have loaded some new photos...we've done quite a bit to upgrade this place: painted, put new locks on, new blinds, painted some more, re-wired most of the electrical, new kitchen sink & disposal, re-vamped our fireplace, new bathrooms were done b/f we moved in, new appliances & tile in kitch. The house looks pretty nice....we have loved nesting & making it our own.

This weekend we christened it with Christmas lights & put our warm touches on it for the holidays. Today we decorated a beautiful, fresh, fat tree. Kids enjoyed it as well....many broken ornaments to show for that! :-)

We are very thankful....busy, busy, busy these days, not much time for blogging, so not sure when I'll be back. Until then...happy reading...love to you all!

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!

My favorite Scriptures...

Just thought I'd blog some of my favorite scriptures that I daily bathe myself in....no matter how happy, content or completely crazy I am feeling from one day to the next, these verses recharge my spirit & remind me of who I am in Christ. The woman God created me to be. It's easy to get lost in who we are b/c of our role(s). I cherish being a wife, mother, sister, friend, chef, laundress, taxi driver, prayer warrior, nurse....you name it, us mommies are truly blessed, but it's in those times where I sort of forget who I really am, that I am reminded through these beautiful words from my heavenly father. I pray they encourage you the same:

These verses are taken from the amazing bible, 'The Message/Remix' by Eugene H. Peterson...I LOVE the translation...hope you do too:

Romans: 8: 15-17 " This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next papa"? God's spirit touches our spirit & confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us - an unbelievable inheritance!!!! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Psalm 91: "You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge". I trust in you and I'm safe! That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His HUGE outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm."

Psalm 31:24 " Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon."

Romans 5:3-4 "There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling short-changed. Quite the contrary - we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

More to come.....

Summer daze.....

We are loving the summer time! yay! It's been insanely hot, but that's summer! The boys and I have been finding creative things to do inside, when it's too hot to be outside. I made them a little book corner, when I found this great bookshelf @ a thrift store for only $10! I love finding deals like that! I had fun booking all their books & some toys in it and getting their little kiddy chairs & a lamp set up. Garrett said it reminds him of his preschool class.

Let's see....we have made picnics on our living room floor when it's too hot....popsicles on the back porch, tents when it rains, library on dreary days & of course, race tracks through out the house. Sword fighting when we get really bored! ha!

It's been a blessing of a summer and I am thankful for the simple, fun times we've had. No extravagant vacations needed here....we are just enjoying being together as a family & I'm thankful it doesn't take much to make us happy!

My boys are growing like weeds....literally. They both eat like two 15 yr old boys! ha! It's unreal what they can consume in one sitting at the dinner table. I am thankful for the food God does provide....it is amazing how fast it does disappear. LOL! Love these boys!

JC and I are enjoying each day .....regardless of any "bumps" we may hit. That is life...& the more transparent I am about reality...the healthier I feel about my perspective on things.

We are looking forward to more summer fun w/ our boys....more family times & soon-to-be preparation for Garrett's 2nd year of preschool! yay!

Well....that's all for now....more photos and random blogs to follow. Have an amazingly, blessed day all you bloggers!

xoxoxo
Jodi

Trust me Jodi....

"When is the time to trust? Is it when all is calm, when waves the victor's palm, and life is one glad psalm of joy and praise? NO! but the time to trust is when the waves beat high, when the storm clouds fill the sky, and prayer is one long cry. When is the time to trust? Is it when friends are true? Is it when comforts woo, and in all we say and do we meet but praise? NO! but the time to trust is when we stand alone, and summer birds have flown, and every prop is gone, all else but God.

"When is the time to trust? Is it when hopes beat high, when sunshine gilds the sky, and joy & ecstasy fill all the heart? NO! but the time to trust is when our joy is fled, when sorrow bows the head, and all is cold and dead. All else but God."

- Streams in the Desert (Author Cowman)

I pray, God gives me strength to trust, no matter what the days may bring! Thank you Father!

Our future home.....

House hunting, as we all know, is sometimes, a living hell. Yep, I said it. Oh well....sometimes it can be the truth when it comes to trying to find a home.
We are on the "hunt", b/c a home that we really desired, in a beautiful neighborhood, close to school and church...well, fell through the cracks. Yeah, the crackity-cracks! ugh!

We were beginning to be "strung" along, I guess you could say and we didn't want to get tied up with something that seemed so 'unpredictable'....so we have felt peace about letting the house go and starting the search again. yuk! But yet, there is something in my spirit that tells me, GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER.

So now, it's the waiting game. However, we were hoping for something to find sooner than later, as Garrett begins preschool next month. Our hope was to get beyond the chaos of portsmouth/norfolk tunnels and hopefully start our fall school year in greenbrier....but yet, once again, God apparently has a different or better (i hope) plan for us.

For now, all I know to do is to trust God with all the details. It's hard to do that, b/c in reality, we don't make much money, so we can't afford much......so my dream home, will have to wait.
Five yrs of marriage & two amazing little boys....our dream home w/ a yard might just have to wait a little longer. God-willing, I pray, it's sometime this year, we can at least find something closer to school...etc. For now, like I said, all I know to do is trust.

Trusting isn't easy, especially when life hasn't been easy. We haven't been handed things on a 'golden platter'.....we've had to endure much and work hard. Which is honestly, the way it should be. But even working hard...doesn't mean earthly riches.....it's kingdom blessings.

I'm going with that for now....whatever God desires and wants, is what I want. JC and I are determined to do whatever we need to do, to have a heart like God. If that means, sacrificing, living below our means, not "keeping up with the jones's"....than that's what we'll do.

If nothing else, being content right where God has us.....is what I'm going to do.

Our future home....is in God's hands, not ours.

P.S. this photo is something I've always dreamed of....one day, maybe, one day....

My boys enjoying their summer!

Here are a few photos from our fun experience @ Water Country USA! We had a great time....no crying, no poopy diapers...it was actually amazing how smooth & fun the day carried on! We'd do it again for sure! The boys loved every minute of that LONGGGGGG day! I'm very thankful to my sweet husband for taking a day off in the middle of the week to bless us with this!

Good Times w/ Family!

WOW! I can't believe it's almost been a month since I've blogged?? Where has the time gone? Oh, wait, I know, I have a husband & two small boys....that's where it went! ha! I have so much to write, but yet, part of me, really wants to keep it sweet & simple. :-) Think I may do the latter.

The month of June...well, as you can see on my last post, I was sick. Won't go into detail of that, b/c thank goodness, I'm just about 100%! Praise God! Been eating well, taking lots of probiotics, herbs & water. I think my body just wanted to get it all out and over with! yay!

The month of July for us, as been wonderful! I am very thankful!
4th of July was very fun...as we gathered with our family, cousins and planted ourselves on the waterfront here in p-town and watched the fireworks together! Very beautiful night indeed.

The kids and I have just been enjoying the summer, as each day brings. JC has blessed us with taking a day off from work here and there, so we can go to the water park(s). The boys have LOVED it....it's been a treat & a blessing!!!

I can't believe July is almost over.....sort of looking forward to Garrett starting back up at GCA preschool. He is too!
Not much else going on...other than, God continuing to shape & mold us as His children. It seems to be this 'eb & flow' thing...it's quite beautiful, actually, seeing God "stretch" & "prune" us...b/c it's only b/c He loves us so much! :-) I love that thought alone...that HE LOVES US SO MUCH! I think, if life was fluffy & easy & we were in this "bubble"...we wouldn't need God as much. So, I'm thankful, that there are "bumps" in the road, even big ones, b/c it's all for LOVE, His Love!

Alrighty, a little bit more lengthy than I wanted, but my thoughts get rollin and I can't stop sometimes. I've updated a few photos of our summer fun that God blessed us with! yay!

P.S. I am no longer a "facebooker"....hee....I needed a break from that world...just consumed me sometimes and I didn't like that. My hubby & kids are more important than that facebook rat-race....& I also was convicted that I spent more time on FB than in the word. ouch. That was a tough revelation, but glad I had it. Thank you God!

More thoughts to come....love you all!