Friday, July 31, 2009

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

Friday, July 24, 2009

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!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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....

Monday, July 20, 2009

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!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

I've been sick :-(


So, not sure where to begin, this will be very short, as I'm STILL sick. I"m claiming healing in my body, in JESUS NAME right now!!! I've had bronchitis and sinus infection and so for 3 weeks now, I've been fighting this. I'm exhausted in every way, but managing some how. God has given me alot of strength, b/c with 2 small boys...being a sick mama, AIN'T NO FUN AT ALL! I am very grateful that I have my herbs, probiotics, supplements, fish oil...and unfortunately, my meds to help me..along with much needed daily, or hourly prayer.

The boys have been awesome as I've endured this funk. Thankfully, I've taught my boys to enjoy doing nothing, just reading, playing, movies, not having to go somewhere or be somewhere...ALL THE TIME. Being sick is no fun, but it has taught me to yield to having to "DO-DO-DO". I'm learning to just let things go more, relax and let my boys be boys. So, maybe not being 110% is good sometimes. Not having to be "on". Is actually a healthy thing for me.

Ok, so I think I've run out of energy to finish typing, so nap time, here I come, AGAIN!

If you've read this, please pray that God would restore my energy and strength and this virus would dry up and FLEE! I am full healing in my body, RIGHT NOW!

More fun topics will be coming soon....it's time for me to rest & not keep up with everything that I have allowed to float away.

Bloggin more later....peace to all!