Thankful Thursday

Believe it or not I am writing this post late Wednesday night because I am up, wide awake due to a 9:15 volleyball match. So I thought I'd at least use my time wisely right.

Here goes...
1. the basketball hoop - just installed and waiting for us to hoop it up on the drive
2. volleyball - I still love the game
3. the funny things my kiddos say, a blog post to come on all the funnies
4. their voices quoting scripture - hide it in their hearts
5. our new adventure through the bible - the real one, more to come I promise
6. Sage's hearty appetite
7. energy
8. friends willing to drive to see us
9. furniture shopping with my momma
10. time to forget about the to do list and just play
11. fall weather - sweatshirts and shorts
12. hot chocolate
13. creative juices - they do still occasionally run through my mind
14. text messaging - makes life as a mom a whole lot easier
15. mail - it is way too fun, even as an adult I enjoy getting boxes (lights) in the mail


And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Baby Mum Mum

Sage sure enjoys food! Pretty much everything! 

Backpacks = Cool

New small fetish...Backpacks. Yes. I know Ells should really have a girly one but who doesn't love a backpack to carry around well just about anything. Snacks, socks, beanbags, dolls, puzzle pieces. You name it we probably got it. 

The pretend play of these two never ceases to amaze or entertain me. Here they are whispering the plan of attack. Usually its monsters, bears, missions, etc.

House Update

So I should totally update you all on the house. Like I am way behind. More or less because its just kinda tough to take pictures of the trim and stuff on the inside. Anyways lame excuse I know. Well we have house paint on...yes. Amazing. We also have a driveway, walkway, sidewalk, a deck, and almost all the trim done. Plus the tile floors look amazing - kudos to my brother, dad, mom and d for that one.

Here are a few pictures of the latest. I know I need some work in interior photography but hey you get the idea, right?

 

Well it should be all trimmed out today and then they start working on painting all the trim, doors, priming etc. We have lights all ordered and being shipped our way so that is a plus. Now I need to pick out cabinet hardware and then on to interior paint colors. Getting closer and super excited to move in. Although this co-living thing isn't too bad!

Thankful Thursday

I know today is Friday. Maybe I'll have two posts. Shaye was sleeping in the back so the computer was out to get these posted last night but I was thinking of them and praying them yesterday.

1. girls night out
2. celebrating the pregnancy, children, childbirth - what a miracle? how can anyone doubt a creator?
3. great great friends - i'm so blessed
4. early workouts - love them
5. the apple orchard
6. scripture - alive and well
7. house progress - need to devote a whole post to all the changes being made
8. how easy sage is - he is a real trooper, drug around all over with errands, playdates, etc
9. eager and willing babysitters
10. pedicure
11. my family and our spiritual bond
12. the fruit of the Holy Spirit - couldn't do it without Him!
13. bright lights on our car - we see a deer each night we drive 169 or 92
14. my sister's advice
15. treasures from jb (hopefully more to come)
16. D - the super dad (all 3 for a day and half)
17. all the little extras as we prepare to make this house our home


As you know the name of our/my blog is Immeasurably More. Fitting enough my bible study this next couple weeks is on abundance and today's lesson took me to our verse, Ephesians 3:20.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

Of course, as I meditated more and more on this verse this morning, I found myself questioning I really believe that. Do I believe and trust that the Lord is ABLE to do more (IMMEASURABLY MORE) than I can ask or even imagine. All I have to say is, WOW. We serve an AWESOME God!

So why don't I lean more on Him and a lot less on me. Just some food for thought as we approach the weekend. Hoping you lean more and more on Him!

Smiles

Finally took some pics of Sage in something other than the high chair. Look at that dimple and those teethers.  Love you!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday. Yes. I know it comes around each week. So much to be thankful for especially as we are changing seasons and I love love love fall. So here goes...

1. Fall weather
2. Football games
3. cuddling with any and all my babies
4. volleyball - feels so good to play again sans the knee brace
5. girls weekend - currently road triping up to MN for JB with one of my best friends Tara
6. the hubs watching the kiddos - with some natural help of course
7. seeing progress at the house
8. resources for Godly parenting
9. the country we live in
10. good ole junk
11. sleep filled nights
12. haircut
13. Shadd's tender heart
14. Ells free spirit
15. Sage's laugh and his eyes for his momma
16. hobby lobby

Just makes me think of the song "10,000 reasons" by Matt Redman. If you haven't heard it you need to listen to it. But the line that sticks out is...."for all Your goodness, I will keep on singing"

No matter what happens, I will keep on singing praises to my God!

Go Dutch

Last weekend...we were on our own as daddy was helping tile at the house. So why not load up the three and head over to Pella to cheer on Uncle Nick and the good ole' dutch.

Of course, Aunt Kels and Shaye could always use the company especially on game day.

We started things off right with a bag of Jaarsma Bakery - cherry donuts. The Mulders introduced them to me when Kels got married and I am pretty sure that I'm glad I didn't know about them during the 4 years I lived in Pella. At least it saved me a little money and whole lot of exercising.

notice the yummy blue bag

Then we headed over to the wooden park - which I love. Plus the beauty of the campus and being around the area brings back floods of amazing memories.

Then we headed to the game. Of course, I forgot my camera so no pics. Don't worry we will be back and I'm sure have too many to post. But I was just proud that we managed the four little ones with the help of Grandma Ellen without a nap til just about 4 in the afternoon. Amazing really.

Am I engaged?

I have been feeling a bit convicted of late regarding my parenting. I mean I think I have kinda slipped into a me mode and fallen out of being engaged in my children and what they are doing.

I know. I know. You can't do it all the time but sometimes I just check out. And as of late it has been more often than not.

I have stumbled upon a couple blogs, along with my quiet times that have led me to dump facebook off my phone. Prior to be technologically up to date, I used to sit on the floor and play with Shadd and Ells. Don't get me wrong, I can use some time to unwind and they need some playtime with out me but why don't I use that little few moments of quiet to spend time in prayer or reading God's word instead of checking peoples' statuses on facebook. I mean do I really need to know what they are doing.

One of the blogs that I just recently found is...When you rise
She has had some great posts. One I found was regarding moral parenting vs. christian parenting. What she had to say was mine blowing to me. The question was raised how am I pointing my children to Christ with every bible story I teach them rather than cueing in on the moral principle portrayed on the surface. Here is a link to the post.
http://www.whenyourise.com/2011/11/moral-parenting-vs-christian-parenting.html

I am ordering the book, Give them Grace. I am super pumped to read it.

Today's post was awesome too. It took me to some amazing sites with some powerful thoughts.
http://www.whenyourise.com/2012/09/some-needles-in-haystack-excellent.html

But this quote from John Piper was the last straw for me.  “One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.” 

So facebook is no longer a temptation of mine, at least via my phone. Instead I will engage in conversations with my kiddos, play on my hands and knees and spend time in fellowship with my God!

Driving, driving and more driving

Lately we have been doing a lot of this. Yep. With Uncle Ross, Daddy, Papa and Frama working on laying some sweet tile in our bathrooms, kitchenette, and garage entry/laundry area - we have been rolling to and fro in the car. Adel - we really should just call you are second home as we spend quite a bit of time there.

So I thought I might as well document our travels. This is what we look like. Although to more accurately portray the car ride I should have taken a picture of one of us throwing back snacks, water, etc. A tantrum taking place. A screaming baby. A movie playing. Books thrown all over the backseat. Crackers and wrappers on the floors. Paint samples. And of course, Go Fish blaring on the radio.

Anything to get through building a home 20 minutes away with three small children. Some day I know we will look back and laugh at the experience but right now I'm usually just too exhausted.

Of course the trip wouldn't be complete with out a phone call to one of our lucky friends (aka our builders) or someone wanting something for business because they love to call right around dinner time.

Thankful Thursday

With the shortened week, it feels like Thursday even though it is Friday. So I guess that's my excuse. I promise I will get better and run out of them.

Just getting back from early morning workout and there is just something about signing up and paying for a workout that motivates me to get up and go. I love it. Plus I think in a class you just work harder. At least I try not to give up. Maybe an image thing but hey whatever works to push me.

So here is my list...

1. grandparents always available to watch our kiddos, which lately seems like a lot as we are constantly trying to work on something for the house and it is tough to do with three little ones in tow.
2. rain
3. fall weather - its coming
4. one last time to fill up the pool
5. ells and shadd's imaginations
6. trip to the zoo with some friends
7. our encounter with the seal (shadd laughs so hard as tells the story)
8. 1st carousel ride - not sure we are quite ready for adventureland let alone disney someday
9. time spent with my hubs (even if its discussing politics, lighting, concrete, counters, etc)
10. Sage's dimple
11. piles of laundry - trying really hard to find joy in this one!
12. my family's health
13. great friends all across the country


We just can't be thankful enough for even the small moments we have. My mom mentioned a book she was reading where the author said we need to embrace interruptions as they are what make up life. And when I think he was talking about interruptions he meant all the things that break up what I want to do and get done. I have my checklist even if its not written down of all the things I would like to accomplish at the beginning of the day but I need to be prepared for the interruptions because they are what makes my life glorify God. The daily chores probably aren't what I will remember when I look back on these days. No. I will cherish the conversations I get to have with my mom, the dirty smiles and laughter of my kiddos, our moments of care free fun, late night chats, our full family dinners, etc.

Just take a moment and relish what you have because at any moment it can be taken away. A dear sweet friend of mine from college knows this all to well. Her mother is battling Alzheimer's at a really young age. I knew her mom and the two of them are really close just my mom and I are. I can't even imagine the trial that she is facing to know that someday if not already her mom doesn't even know her name or who she is. Its just a reminder that life here on this earth is only temporary. It won't be pretty or even easy. No, its not whether or not we will face trials here on this earth; no, it is just when and how will we respond. Just makes me think of this passage. Consider it pure joy. Yes. Easier said then done but as you persevere and lean on the Him,  He will use you for His glory and you will grow in Him!

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 2: 2-4

House Update

Here are some pictures of the house.

We are totally sided and they are pouring the driveway, sidewalk this week. They are starting to trim inside and then we will get some paint on the house and the walls. Getting closer!!!

Over the weekend, D and his brother and a friend put up some retaining walls around the daylight windows in the basement.  Sorry forgot to take pictures of the finished product. It looks amazing! Hard work though - don't think D will be quitting his day job anytime soon. And my brother and Dad will be tiling some floors for us this weekend.

Plus cabinets are in and looking fabulous.

D and I threw up some paint colors over the weekend and we are just so excited to see the place painted. Right now it looks a little drab. I'll do my best to keep taking pictures and trying to remember what I post but you should see the transformation taking place a little more visibly these last few weeks of the process.

Growing up...

Since Shadd can write his name I had him sign all his thank yous' from his birthday. He had a blast. If only I could make all his school work this much fun!

Of course, when I tried to help him get his fingers right in holding that crayon or suggested using a marker or pen this is the face I got. Doesn't always respond well to correction from his momma. Keep trying to tell him that I'm just trying to make him smarter! Not sold I guess. 

Sage 5 mo

So I thought maybe I would just skip this month since I was so late in documenting Sage's 4th milestone but I better keep up with all his musings, right.

The latest...He says "dada". Can't quite remember but it seems a little earlier for this first word but it isn't just a fluke because he is constantly chatting it up and that seems to be all that is on his mind lately.

Other new things: 

-Almost sitting up unassisted. He can for a little bit but needs to be surrounded by pillows. Sage when on his tummy always is laying in superman position so he back muscles are rock solid, hence he is pretty tight so we have squat him in sitting position and push him forward a bit but he is getting better and better at it each day.

-Chatting with the kids

-The top two teeth are finally breaking through. I used to laugh at those bibs sold with outfits but we need to be wearing those so now I know what it is like to have a major drooler. 

-Loves to be outside. He can be screaming and fussing and take him outside instant quiet

-Has the tightest body. Lots and lots of thick muscle fiber. Muscle mania here we come!

Eating: Still nursing a ton. He loves his momma. Loves cereal, banana, sweet potatos - not real sure on the avocado yet but momma will keep trying. He even had his first baby mum mum thanks to papa. 

Sleep: Up in the night again - blaming it on the teeth and the fact it is just easier for me to get up and nurse him for 10 minutes then listen to him moan and chat. Just once around 3 or so then sleeping til at least 6. Taking short morning nap and a long afternoon with the other kiddos (whoop whoop) and then a little cat nap in the evening.

You would think I would have some other pictures of this little dude but I guess I just haven't been carrying my camera around much. He is the smiliest thing and he thrives on any attention he can get. He is my charmer. Great now. Could be a problem later.

p.s. little funny story. yes. sage does have on ellsyn's tank top and skort. with the house we run around crazy these days. so we were out and about one afternoon and sage had a monster blow out. like in the car seat all over kind of one. well no extra outfit for him, of course. but luckily i had one for ells. nothing like cross-dressing as baby, right. d and i had a good laugh and ellsyn just couldn't get over how sage had an ice cream shirt just like hers. guess she didn't quite grasp that he was actually wearing her clothes. oh well.

just thought i would share as he will appreciate this as an adult some day, right?

A sweet reminder of school

Remember a few weeks ago when I said my mom and sis and I scored some great treasures. Well you are looking at a couple below. I love chalkboards in every form. In fact, I believe I have at least 5 and some pretty large ones but these were awesome. Yes. Green but definite potential from their original school chalkboard form. And for $5 I fell in love and then so did Grandma. Just a smidge to late to score lots more for pretty much everyone we know. 

So we needed to get them cleaned up. Mine will go on the large wall in the basement but my mom's is currently hanging in the kitchen and it looks awesome. However they needed a small change...but first why not have these two eager ones help us get them cleaned. They loved it. In fact, I have given them a bucket of soapy water since and they have cleaned some other stuff up for me too. 

Then we added some chalkboard paint - this time the gray stuff. I have made my own and it worked great for this little guy but since these were massive and we needed it to be dark and didn't have any paint on hand to doctor we just bought the can of chalkboard paint. Painted them and cleaned them up and hung it on the wall. Of course, it is filthy now as Ells and Shadd have been drawing away. Its a great place for our memory verse of course and any reminders I need as I still have prego/3 kiddo brain. 

Just a fun, cheap little guy to spruce up a wall. Hope I can score some more sweet deals as we venture up north for our annual Junk Bonanza in the next couple of weeks. Hard to believe this will be our 4th trip.

p.s. here are my thankful thursday's as I didn't get a round to it again. might need to start posting a week in advance.

1. football
2. completed siding
3. time alone
4. 5:15 workouts - thank you Lana
5. ells saying "I love you more", after I said "I love you"
6. my kiddos kisses
7. jolly sage - dubbed jolly by his aunt kels
8. my mom's advice and encouragement and correction (even at 29)
9. family that surrounds us
10. late night chats with my hubby - build a house and you will chat more than ever
11. white kitchen and bathroom cabinets - beautiful. can't wait to see them with doors on
12. all the small stuff that goes unnoticed
13. starbucks frappaccino
14. naptime
15. sage's love for new foods