JOY

JOY


Haven't blogged in a few days....just busy, busy with life I guess. I am home today, on this chilly, quiet tranquil day with my sons & we're babysitting a sweet little girl, she is precious! It's always fun to see how my boys interact with a girl. It's fun to watch, actually.

I don't have much to say really....just alot going on in my head, but can't find the words to write.

I am filled with much JOY, regardless of circumstances or just plain ol' life.
I love my life. I love what God has given to me. I love the word 'JOY', b/c there is something so simple yet satisfying about that amazing word. I am thankful to be given JOY, no matter what's going on.

JOY for me, always comes in the morning, when my sleepy-eyed boys wake up, the smell of coffee, the presence of God in my home, the warm hugs from my husband...there is something so timeless of that JOY that presents itself to me in the morning. I love it!

I thank my God every time I am elated with that JOY!

Today is today....filled with JOY, no matter what that may look like. It's the perspective that I try to keep for myself daily.

Psalm 30:5 "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but REJOICING comes in the morning."

Rainy days....among other things

Rainy days....among other things




Today is actually a sunny, beautiful day! We had some rain over the weekend & we took a few pics from inside our house of the boys watching the rain. It was cool, different, just hangin by a window. I guess it's the small things that put a smile our faces. It's the little joys that we grab hold of and hang on to. So we can recall them when we are faced with "tough" days. The little, simple moments like rainy days at home with my kids, are actually, the best days. It's a time for us to explore closets, make tents, read stories under the covers, jump in puddles after the storms have blown through.

Lately, I have seen God take my hand & say "take a step back Jodi and look what I have given to you..." and I am in AWE of just that! What HE has given! My amazing, heavenly Father! He has done so much already and continues to do more in us!

We are excited to see what's around every "corner" or "season".
Rainy days...I tend to find myself reading more, talking to God more, being inside can either drive me nuts or if I choose, it can be the most amazing, cozy day on earth.

JC and I visited a new church this past weekend, called 'The Hope Center' and BOY! Was it full of Hope or what!!! wahoo!!! Go God! It was awesome! The atmosphere was full of the holy ghost. You could literally feel it on your skin! It was a place where we felt completely tapped into the spirit and free! We were warmly welcomed & by the end of the service, someone(Heather Clark - worship leader) had a word for JC. It was beautiful & timely AND the 2nd same prophetic word we received about a month ago. She had said that God can trust JC's heart & he is a man of excellence & like Johnathan in the bible. A man whose heart God can fully trust! wow! We received it with humility and joy. It was amazing. We are walking in a "season" right now, where we really needed to hear that. It was confirmation that God is doing something in the supernatural. We are just waiting patiently for Him to move & for Him to lead us to the next step.

I guess you could say, "rainy days" are full of mysterious ways of God, beauty of His creation & pure enjoyment with my family.

Love & hugs to all! Going to sit in the sun for a bit.

Blessings!

Sunshine..

Sunshine...


I can't believe the amazing weather we are having this weekend! Wow! Thank you God! We have enjoyed our weekend thus far....nothing crazy going on, just being together. Sometimes, that is enough for me. I had coffee this a.m. with a dear, dear friend. She is 16 weeks pregnant, with her first, so we reveled in all the newness that she is experiencing with her first pregnancy. She and I were actually pregnant at the same time, literally, the same week, until I miscarried. Our due dates were 2 days apart. I am thrilled for her...she and her husband are so excited, as they should be. I loved seeing her, catching up with her, & giving her those brand new, unopened lil, teeny-weeny, swaddler diapers.

Later on, I went with my men to get haircuts. It's so cute watching your almost 4 year old sit in a hair cut chair & talk about how he wants to look like a skate boarder. I never really knew skate boarders had certain haircuts, but I guess to my Garrett they do. It was cute. My hubby always leaves the hair chair, looking a tad bit hotter. ohhh, how I love those guys. Me & sweet lil' Gideon just hung out, practicing his walking outside while we waited. Any day now, Gideon (14mo.) will be walking...he's just about there but not too confident yet.

I am enjoying this day, b/c it's filled with the beauty of life & what blessings God has given to us. It's easy to find something wrong or to get frustrated about something, but this weekend, I have chosen to set aside the things that "bug" me, or the constant keeping up with everything....just really letting it go.

I love my life. It's so full & blessed. I couldn't be more grateful! And that sunshine, I just wanna kiss it! I love the sun on my face & the salty, sweaty faces of my boys after playing outside. What a gift my life truely is! Thank you Jesus!

Tired...

Tired..

Today, has been one of those days...I just don't have the energy to do ANYTHING. Right now, both my boys are napping, which is what I should be doing. But, many thoughts fill my brain, so off to blogging I go. It's been rainy this week, so I guess the saying, "April showers bring May flowers'...is very true. The sun hasn't really peeked out too much, which usually gives me a pep in my step, but not this week. It's my sweet Garrett's spring break from pre-school and we're home. I've tackled a few projects like ironing, organizing spring clothes for the boys, giving away things/items/clothes we don't need to a homeless shelter. Sort of feels refreshing doing a little "spring" nesting/cleaning.

The boys and I journeyed over to our favorite thrift store today, as it was the perfect day for bargains, plus it's dark and rainy, so with cabin fever looming, we strolled to find some good deals. And we certainly did! I bought the boys 13 pieces of clothing for ONLY $13! What a bargain! These clothes were in impeccable condition AND to top it all off, they were Old Navy, GAP, Polo & JCrew! I was stunned at the deals AND how completely adorable my boys will dress for a buck a piece! Wow! God is good - looking out for us, even in the small things. He cares about bargains too!

Well, like I stated in my title, "Tired"...that is what I am. So I must close, with this verse, that has propelled me in my spirit today: Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Be well my blogger friends.....Blessings!

Catchin up...

Catchin up...

It's been a couple of days since I last blogged...so, there's no tellin what I'll come up with in here...maybe some random thoughts, but thoughts no less. I had a wonderful weekend with my family. Friday was low-key...I went to a fun dinner party for my lil' sister's birthday. It was fun sippin on some wine, chatting, huggin necks and best of all, getting a surprise visit from my dad. He swept into town unannounced, and we all loved it! So we spent saturday out in smithfield with him & the cousins. Very relaxing, fun but always chaotic at times when we all get together. Let's see, there are always boy fights we are breaking up b/t Judah and Garrett. ohhh, and someone always gets hurt or hits....and nevertheless, right before we leave to head home, Garrett gets stung by a wasp...randomly, inside papa's house. He didn't like that boo-boo, cried a bit, benedryl & ice helped, then he snoozed the whole way home.
It's always fun to be out there in the countryside of Virginia. What a blessing to have that cozy home where we can gather, laugh, argue, ya know, all the drama that goes along with one big family! Love it!

Sunday, we had a lil' egg hunt for Garrett...Gideon watched. We have a postage stamp backyard, so it didn't take long for him to find the eggs, but what fun & joy he got out of it. We enjoyed this easter, b/c Garrett was really into it, loved the egg hunts & continued to inform us as to what easter meant to him....we loved how at school, he was taught the beautiful meaning of easter.

All in all, it was a nice weekend, that carried over into Monday, and we had the day to spend with JC. Instead of a mundane monday, we were able to play around, head to trader joe's and just enjoy another day together.

More to come....

Easter.....

Easter




Today was Garrett's Easter egg hunt at school. It was so much fun being around kids & parents & teachers whose focus was on the true meaning of Easter. We sang songs with the kids, iced easter egg cookies, prayed & then went on an egg hunt, on this amazing, beautiful day in April! I had fun, of course, what mom's don't love carrying around a 14 mo. old who can't walk yet, who wants EVERYTHING in sight! ha! I must say, going to my kids school parties, is a part of what I love about being a mom. Because before long, they don't want you at their parties! ha! Today's weather for Garrett's easter party could not have been more beautiful! I am so thankful God gave us a fun day outside with all the kids! I have a poem that Garrett brought home from school that could either represent the colors of eggs or jelly beans, or whatever little 3 years olds want to imagine & what Easter means to them:

- Green....upon the ground for Jesus for his parade one day.
- Purple...that Jesus shared with his friends a meal of bread and wine.
- Red....that Jesus loves us so much that he died for me and you.
- Brown...reminds me of the sad place that was our Jesus' grave.
- White...who gladly said, "He's risen! Our Jesus is all right! (I love that one!)
- Yellow....reminds me of that Easter and what our God has done.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will have life even if he dies. And he who lives and believe in me will never die." John 11:25

Ohhhh how I love the minds of children & what amazing promises that they learn at school from their teachers. I enjoyed today, being with my sons, hunting for eggs, enjoying the sunshine & the smiles on my boys faces as they inhaled candy! ha!

For now, I leave with a sensitive spirit to how important & special the life of Jesus Christ is to me on this Easter weekend.

He is Risen! Let's continue to celebrate His life not just on Easter, but every day for the rest of our lives.

Our Boys

Our Boys

I thought today, during my boys nap time would be a good time to reflect on my precious cherubs that God has temporarily given to us! I say "temporarily", b/c truthfully, they are HIS & He has given us the honor & privilege to raise them up here on earth.

My first born, Garrett James Lawrence, will be turning 4 May 9th.....we can't believe how quickly he has grown & oh what a joy it has been to see him evolve into each stage. He was our early, early marriage baby! Our 5th wedding anniversary is the day before his birthday. I went into labor the day after our 1 year anniversary! Wow! What an amazing, exciting, first year of marriage that was! Phew! Garrett is unique in many ways. We love his heart. He thinks of others. He loves to pretend he's flying. He loves cars. He loves wrestling with his dad. He loves huggin & kissin on his lil' brother. He LOVES to talk. And I mean T-A-L-K. But what lil' munchkin doesn't. He is full of life and challenges me in many ways. (in ways you wouldn't imagine!!) It's very humbling to have a 4 year old that corrects you when you say something you shouldn't say. wow! The biggest thing we adore & cherish about Garrett is his love for Jesus. I couldn't be more thankful for a young heart like his, that is already sold out for Jesus. What a blessing!

Now, my sweet, precious 2nd born, Gideon James Lawrence. Ahhhh - he's still my little angel. Doesn't talk much, so it's different challenges with him, but I really wouldn't call them "challenges", just amazing, cute, adorable stages of a toddler. He is 14 mo. and exploring like crazy! Having an older brother, he's definitely doing things Garrett never did. It's too cute to see the beauty of how God creates the minds of this precious lil' ones. Gideon is curious about everything & takes it all in. He's quiet at times, watching Garrett & doing alot of thinking. It's amazing to see both of my sons love on each other AND take after their dad, in many ways.

What a joy our children are to us! Every day with them, is a gift from God. I don't know I would know what to do without them. They make me confident & sure of myself. They remind me that I'm a good mommie & that I don't have to be perfect. They are also a huge reminder of the union that JC and I have. We created these precious boys together & look forward to creating more babies! :-)

I am thankful. I am looking forward to more life with my family. Seeing God do the things He does with us, together, is quite amazing. I love our boys!

Hope

Hope

Today, I am up for sharing the "valley" we walked through this past March. I would say, in hindsight, that God used a full month of testing so that we could be sharpened, refined, & ready to be propelled into more of what He wants us to be. At first, in the midst of a miscarriage, you don't see the "testing" as a good thing or a fruitful place. I saw our miscarriage as though we had really lost something - but ultimately, we gained something. We have a child who is now in the arms of Jesus AND we took a step forward in the lesson of 'blind faith'. Plus, when you walk through a fearful, sad, experience with your beloved husband, it always brings you closer together, in a way, that I can't really explain. All in all, God was standing right next to us last month, holding us up, as we lost angel baby #3, I have the flu for 2 weeks, Garrett got sick with it, then Gideon came down with Croup. I think for an entire month, I had my share of the "funkies". That is what I like to call all of that. Sickness & sadness wrapped up into one. yuk! But, never for a moment, through all the "funk", did I forget that I was forgotten. I may have had moments of doubt, (what human doesn't?) but not for one second, did I think that my heavenly father had forgotten about us.

I do believe everything you endure is NOT FOR NOTHING! Is that even correct grammar? oh well, it's my grammar! ha! I know that our family "trials" or "funkies" are for the good that God wants to bring to us.....He doesn't want us to just sail through life, He loves us too much for that. He wants my husband and I to reach deeper, deeper than we've ever gone. So deep, that it feels uncomfortable. That's a good place to be -- well, that is what I am discovering. Being comfortable isn't healthy. For us anyways....He has so much for my family, that just a month of the "funkies", although was enough for me, was God's way of showing us how to TOTALLY depend on Him & Him alone.

I also realize, that all the "funkies" we experienced is apart of life. And sometimes it's just "life". But, I interpret it on a much deeper level....so that I can connect with my Father in Heaven. I can look back at last month, even with the dreary, dark, sad, confusing, horomonal days, and say, "yes, this is for my good". Thank you Jesus!

The title of my blog, "Hope", says it all. It's my word for the year! The next baby God gives to us to care for, their middle name is going to be "hope". It just explains everything, in the purest way! In God's way. He is Hope. He is mercy. He is love. He is all-knowing.

I am giving Him my "weights" & taking His wings!

This bird house, my dear, sweet husband bought for me last month, in the midst of everything, this bright, pink, happy bird house, put a smile on my face and reminded me, that we can "nest" in God's arms and rest, knowing He will feed us, take care of us no matter what! I like to think of that bird house, every time I look out the window, that I'm covered, snuggled closely by my Father, no matter what storms rage outside my window.

Nap Time

Nap Time

I couldn't resist...this blogging thing is too fun & addicting. Now I can see why so many do it! It's nap time here at the Lawrence home, ahhhh, the sound of the birds & the quietness of my boys snoozing away. This is "me time" when my boys nap. I don't have this piece of time everyday, but most days & I am grateful for it. It allows me to think, pray, plan, hope, dream & of course, look forward to seeing my sons & my beautiful husband walk through the door. For now, my 'nap time', will be a savored time spent with just me. So many thoughts running through my head, but for now, I will close with this: God is working all things together for our good. I am claiming only good things for my family & a future that is filled with hope & more joys than we can contain. I am looking forward to all God has in store. We have paid the price for trials this winter, & so with spring time here, I am trusting for only good things for my family. And so....my 'nap time'...continues....ahhh!

Spring

Spring












Well, this is my very first blog...and I'm not really used to putting all my thoughts onto a computer, so forgive me, if this blog isn't written that well. I am used to old school of having a journal and all my thoughts, feelings, & journey's through life get written down....so we'll see how this goes. Might be fun...
So, it's spring and what a winter it was! ha! I guess I can laugh at that now! But there was a "season" we walked through this winter that was more than any blog could describe. Let's just say, I am utterly thankful for where God has brought us. So much has happened in our lives over the past five years of marriage, babies, sickness, financial crisis'....you name it, we've been there. I am sort of sad that I haven't been more faithful in documenting all life has brought to us as the Lawrence's, but it's never too late to begin I guess. For now, spring has sprung, new life, new joys, new moments with eachother - I can't think of anything I am more grateful right now, then my amazing, rock-solid husband and 2 precious sons. What a treasure from God my loves are to me!
Here is a recent couple of pictures of these amazing men in my life! How blessed I am!