Love.

I've recently had a beautiful thing happen to me. It involves a storyline that goes back way too far in history and includes way too many details (I'd just as soon forget) to share.

I'm sorry. It's a pretty good story.

But the moral of the story is something that I do, however, feel compelled to share.

And it's simple and something you've heard a thousand times...

Love never fails.

If there is someone in your life who you don't feel like forgiving much less loving, let me encourage you to step out in faith and just do it anyway. Extend the grace you didn't think you had. Forgive the person who doesn't deserve your forgiveness. Take a chance on someone who doesn't deserve a second chance.

As my Dad has said...

"The strongest healing agent God uses ... is love. Unconditional love. It isn't always accepted. Sometimes it is abused. But the one who loves, as God does, can be certain that He is honored and people can be healed."

And to that I would add...

You just never know, the person who's healed might actually be you.

Miracles happen in places you never thought they possibly could. And sometimes, it takes us stepping up and reaching out and living out the change in others we hope to see. If you take a chance and do it, you might be surprised at what God can do in peoples live- beyond what you'd ever imagined possible.

Someone once gave you a second chance when you didn't deserve it and it if you accepted it, it saved your soul. On a human level, loving the "unloveable" is the least we can do to honor what was done for us.

When you don't think you can, just make the choice first. The feeling will follow. I promise. Because God's word is true.

Love never fails.

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Thank you for sticking with my blog. I know my posts have been few and far between in recent months, which is unfortunate because I love blogging. Not a day goes by where I don't think of something I'd love to share. I create the post in my head and then by the time I've finished my day and put the kids to bed, I'm just so tired I can't get the words out on the screen. That being said- I am not going to quit blogging. I'm going to try to step it up and post more. Not because I think readers are waiting for it- or because I feel compelled to check off blogging as a "to do" on my checklist. No- It's because I go back to the whole reason I started this blog, which was to keep a record in thoughts and pictures for my children to have. I gave up scrap booking long ago. This is my "scrapbook." And in recent months I've left too many holes!

This has been a busy time of year, preparing for Christmas- for Florida- for hosting family gatherings. Nevertheless, I have still found opportunity to pick up my camera to capture some snippets of a "day in the life" of us in our home.

One of my favorites is of this moment when Daddy hugged the kids goodbye to catch an early flight for a recent business trip.

Before they said goodbye, he sat on the couch and snuggled with them and told them a story or two.

This man loves his children with every ounce of his being. There are few men I know who tear up at having to leave their kids for a night or two for a business trip. You'd think that after years of traveling, it would become common place to say goodbye and return with little fanfare and no regret. But that's not the man I married and I thank God every SINGLE day for the father he is to our children. I'm so grateful that my children have the privilege and blessing of having him for their Daddy.

It's been cold outside and ridiculously snowy. So we are forced to find ways to entertain ourselves inside. Even I get cabin fever and go a little stir crazy.

Exhibit A.

Balancing Christian on my knees and playing "airplane" while manhandling a (more heavy than light) DSL camera and snapping pictures. But it was fun while it lasted.

As far as the girls go, all they need to do to entertain themselves is open up their closets. Give 'em a hat and presto... we've got a coupla cowgirls and a few hours of dancing and singing and performing "shows" around the house.

And just for fun, because people often ask me, "Does Ariana ever stop smiling?" I thought I'd answer the question for you all right here...

So... Yes.

But of course, not for long.

See?

She just can't help herself. God hard wired this girl with 99% pure joy. It's in her DNA.

And though big sister is much more the "serious" type, I can get her to crack a smile, too. Maybe not quite as often... but that's okay. It makes it that much more special when it does come out.

Have a wonderful week. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your blessings. Forgive the unforgivable. Watch God move and miracles unfold before your eyes.

Love.

Priorities

Because we home school, we belong to a "co-op" of other families who meet together twice a month. Just the moms and the kids (Ok, well, there is ONE dad)- and we meet during the day. We call it "school" even though it's a far cry from what "real" school is actually like, but it's as close as the kids will ever get to the real thing.

I like co-op because there are yummy snacks for the moms and for those 3 hours (2 times a month) I have a break from Mom duty while my kids are in their classrooms (and my baby is in the nursery screaming his head off... but I'm upstairs eating snacks, remember, so I'm blissfully 'unaware.")

Each co-op meeting the Moms get a newsletter telling us all sorts of little tidbits of upcoming information. Additionally, each time, 3 different families are "featured" and we can read a tidbit (or paragraph- whichever the mom submitted to the editor) about a family in our co op. Honestly, they are a bit of a snoozer to read. I read my 2 best friends features, and that's about it. I say "snoozer" only because, really, does anyone care how many activities your 8 year old is in, and what your favorite curriculum is? Maybe- but probably not. But one week, I peeked down (after reading 1 of the 2 said best friends profile) and noticed another Mom's entry. I'll call her "Ingrid." (because that's her name)

The reason I happened to notice Ingrid's entry was because it was so short. The other reason I decided to read it is because I like Ingrid. Ingrid was in my prayer group last year. If there's a woman who knows how to pray, it's Ingrid. She's tight with the Holy Spirit- of that there is no doubt.

I cannot quote exactly what she wrote, but to paraphrase, she very succinctly wrote that at one time, years ago, she was very diligent to ensure that all her lesson plans were meticulously followed  and that her days were filled with following rigid schedules but that those days are long gone. Now, she spends her days teaching her sons about God and about life through a Biblical worldview, and if they learn something academic, that it's an added bonus.

I read it, smiled and thought, "Yep. That's Ingrid."

And then I thought, "I want that to be me."

More than once scripture reminds is that our life (on earth) is short. Several scriptures reveal this truth.

"You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath." -Psalm 39:5

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 4:14"

Does this mean, then, that I find no importance in teaching academics? Reading, writing, arithmetic? Of course not. But Ingrid's thoughts reminded me to evaluate my priorities.
Life changes, the unexpected happens, dynamics are ever changing. So, as one Bible commentator puts it, "Who can build any solid hopes on a mist?"

In the light of eternity, there is, truly, only one thing that matters- our response, and our relationship, with Jesus Christ. And so, from my perspective- Ingrid's got it right on.

I will continue to teach my children strong academics. But I will strive to ensure that what comes first in my priorities, is teaching them about our Creator, Our Heavenly Father- our Omnipotent Savior.

Inside the beautiful chapter of Deuteronomy 11, we are told to...


"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

I owe everything to Him. And I want, more than anything, to give back my first fruits... of my minutes, my days... my whole life. To invest in and plant the seeds that will bear fruit in the lives of my children and my children's children for HIS name sake.

Because what's better than FREE?

I stumbled across what might possibly be the best holiday "bargain" of the year. Not sure if I can even call it a bargain, cause it's FREE, and bargains cost at least something- but the only thing this bargain "costs" is a little bit of your time. Sprinkle in some imagination, put in a good word and... WALLAH! You have...

50 FREE CARDS FROM SHUTTERFLY

Now THAT is a deal!

I have already used Shutterfly several years in a row, anyway, to create our Christmas cards. I have not found a better value considering pricing and quality with any other site- and I've definitely kept my eyes open throughout the years. I honestly think they have the best selection for cards and the ease of creating one couldn't be easier. I actually just created and ordered a photobook of our California trip, as well, from Shutterfly and I was absolutely thrilled at how easy it was to create a customized book using the storyboard. I had dreaded taking the time to make the book but when I sat down to actually do it and realized the ease of being able to customize it to exactly how I wanted starting with the storyboard and then applying whatever backgrounds and layouts I wanted, I was seriously impressed. I can't wait till it comes in the mail! I have also ordered calendars in the past for a favorite Aunt of mine who asks for the same gift every year... a photo calendar. Easy peasy.

All right, so if you are reading this, and you're a blogger- go get your 50 free cards! Do it!!

And if you think this reads like an advertisement- you're half right. But that's part of the bargain. And truth be told, I really, seriously dig Shutterfly, anyway, so it works for me!

California

I figure since it's been a month, I should probably post some pictures now of our trip to California before the whole memory becomes ancient history. It's not entirely my fault for waiting so long. I took 584 pictures, after all. It was too overwhelming to choose which ones to post (or to even open and wade through the photo album for that matter!)

Without further ado, here are some of the highlights (finally!)

Our first stop: Newport Beach! We spent a few different days here walking around, eating, hanging around on the Pier since Newport Beach is fairly close to where we were staying in Anaheim. This picture was taken the day we arrived. From the airport - to the beach!

The next day we headed up to L.A. This is something I'd been wanting to do for a long time, but somehow it wasn't quite as enjoyable with 4 little kids in tow. Don't get me wrong, I love having the little ones with, but walking the streets of Hollywood with all it's crazy business was more work than entertainment. But we saw the sites, tried out our celebrity hands and feet "size" and spied the famous "Hollywood" sign up in the Hills. So for all that, I'd say it was a success. 

Ahhh- the Santa Monica Pier. It appears in the opening credits of "Private Practice" (which no, I do not watch) and probably 100 other tv shoes and movies.
But I just HAD to see it for myself. So I did.

Here's my big strong boy flexing his muscles at the famous "Muscle Beach"

LOTS of muscles at this beach. Lots of muscles....

All righty then...moving along...

I'm pretty sure there is no sunset more exquisite than the West Coast sunset. I don't know why but the sun seems to appear bigger and closer. There is nothing quite like watching the beautiful glowing orange sun sink into the Pacific (except maybe watching it sink into the Gulf, which is also pretty lovely. And, come to think of it- watching it sink into the Atlantic, which I - believe it or not-  have also done from the shores of Spain a few times in my life)

My little girls at the beach.

One of our favorite places was Crystal Cove near Laguna Beach. It's almost as if this area of protected shoreline transplants you a million miles (and years away) from the rest of the crowded, developed California shoreline.

The kids had so much fun playing in the tide pools and running around on the beach. They didn't want to leave! It was pretty amazing.

I realize this picture below really  has nothing to do with my family- but I couldn't help but snap this picture as we sat at a stoplight because, as my husband pointed out, "Nothin says juicy Hamburger like, 'Duke's Hamburgers -- Mexican Food."  (What!!?!?!)  Gag. And as if putting the words "Hamburgers and Mexican Food" on the same sign isn't bad enough, it continues the assualt by adding at the bottom, "Breakfast Served." (Of course! And why would it not be? Hamburgers, Mexican Food and Breakfast... ummm ummm good)

One of our favorite memories is the trip down to the San Diego Zoo. I had always wanted to visit and finally got the chance. I was thrilled to be able to experience this with the kids! The Zoo is absolutely everything it's "cracked up" to be and MORE. The only problem is that you most certainly need more than a day to explore. There sheer expanse and walking distance makes it impossible to traverse all in one day with little kids. But we saw as much as we could.

Though there were so many amazing animals, seeing the Panda was truly a once in a lifetime memorable experience.

The boys checking out the Polar Bear- which I now see that I cut out of the picture when I snapped it. So, FYI- He was big, white and furry. And chewing on a carrot.

Another favorite destination was Downtown Disney. During the week of our hotel stay the kids endured about 57 elevator rides with other well-meaning hotel guests who repeatedly asked either 1) Did we like Disney? or 2) When we were going to Disney? The answer to those questions is No and No.

We decided not to go to Disneyland for various reasons. However, my husband and I were able to pacify the constant Disney inquiries with the kids by taking them to the (free and open to the public) Downtown Disney area a few different evenings. I'm pretty sure they kids had (almost) just as much fun dancing to the outdoor live music and eating at neat restaurants and my wallet saw a lot less action than it would have if we would have gone to DisneyLand. I think that's what you call a Win. Win. :)

Ok, I realize that Christian looks like he's sayin something along the lines of "Ufta. I'm tired. Get me outta here." - and, truth be told, if he could actually talk, I kinda think he would have been saying that very thing. Poor kid. We kept him up late. But he was a trooper!

On the last day, we made one last stop down at Newport Beach Pier to say goodbye to the Sea Lions.

We had an awesome time and we're so glad we went!