Embrace Grandma

Today my Grandmother would have turned 90 years old.

I still can't believe that she is gone.

I'm so grateful for the many times I got to spend with her and

for the powerful ways she impacted my life.

Today my Embrace The Camera is some of my favorite pictures of my Grandma.

I've always been sad that this photo is blury. But I love it anyway because I can still remember just how soft her cheek was as I pressed up against it at my cousin's wedding!

This was my Grandma's 86th birthday that she spent at my house when she came out to meet her twin great grandaughters! She said her mother always made her a white cake with lemon filling and whipped cream frosting... so that's what I made her.

I love how hard she's laughing in this picture! My Grandma laughed a lot and I always loved to laugh with her.

And of course my favorite picture of me and my Grandma!!! Mother's Day, smoking some candy cigarettes in the back of the car in the pouring rain!!
Happy Birthday Grandma! I miss you like crazy.

The Moment Before

In my 24/7 Family class this week Chelsea said that” the moment before” can change your life. Take a moment before you react. She was talking about parenting, and the moment before we react to our children and discipline them, but this idea applies to many areas of life. I first thought of the moment before I walked down the aisle with my dad. So many people told me that your wedding flies by and it is like a blur – you won’t remember any of it! I was determined to not adopt this theory and made every effort to be present at my wedding and notice every detail and hear every word. The moment before I walked down the aisle, I stood in the 1912 Italian mansion alone, watching my wedding unfolding below, and I sang along with Koti Hu who was leading worship. Tears ran down my face as I sang, it was a powerful moment alone with God, preparing my heart for what was about to happen. That moment before changed my life, just as much as the moment itself. It was one of my favorite moments in my wedding. The moment before we accept a new job, the moment before he rings the doorbell to pick you up, the moment before we respond to a harsh word, the moment before we hear that baby’s first cry, the moment before we discipline our children… it’s what is done in the moment before that will determine what the actual moment looks like. I was reminded today that the best thing I can do in the moment before is to get my heart right with God and let what follows glorify Him.

Genuine Interest

Last night some of our favorite people came to visit! Friends from Seattle that I used to work with were down speaking at a college retreat and came to visit us after the retreat was over. I know they love children, they have 3 daughters!, but I was amazed at how much they loved my children! From the moment they arrived the feeling was mutual and my children were in love. “Mommy, are they going to watch us while you leave?” “No,” I said, “they’re here to visit with all of us!” “Well, can you leave sometime and they can stay with us?” I was shocked! Mind you, my children have had little to no interaction with these friends so their opinion was truly being formed that evening. My daughter climbed all over Mike, the girls begged Shari to show them pictures of her girls, Shari read them bed time stories, Mike tickled them, it really was an amazing evening and I just couldn’t believe how quickly my children, who often are timid with people they don’t really know, were attached. After the children went to sleep, we had an adult dinner and discussed how in love the children were. My husband made a keen observation – kids know if someone is genuinely interested in them or not. They pick up on our attitude, our mood, our polite questions, or our genuine interest in them. Mike and Shari came into our home genuinely interested in our children - wanting to play with them, tickle them, ask them questions, read them stories, and spend time with them. They kids picked up on that immediately and dove in (after about a 5 minute grace period!!). It’s not enough to just ask our children a few questions, kiss them on the head and walk by. We must take genuine interest so that they feel that what they have to offer is of great value to us. It’s not enough to just say “I love you” to our children. We must make sure they feel loved. When we take genuine interest in our children, or other people for that matter, they come to life. They light up and feel so important, special, and significant that the dynamic of the relationship changes greatly. There is trust, honesty and most importantly love. Take time to be genuinely interested – it will change their life, and yours too.

GHF

Is it already Friday? Where do the days go?

It's time to celebrate Grateful Heart Friday! I'm taking a moment to reflect back on this past week and recall all that I’m grateful for.
I’m grateful for an awesome mom who cannot miss a holiday without her grandchildren! I’m thankful for awesome friends that made Halloween a blast with crazy costumes, delicious food, and lots of laughter! Once again I’m thankful for Chelsea Cameron and her anointing to speak the truth in love. I’m thankful for my dear friend Gretchen and getting to celebrate her birthday on a double date with no littles! I’m grateful for 3 children that all took naps twice this week!! I’m grateful for a new babysitter and the opportunity to go out with my husband more often. I’m thankful for amazing neighbors that have wonderful children that we love to play with. I’m thankful for hilarious kids that provide tons of entertainment doing shows on the fireplace, night night yoga class, and creating “super hero babies”!

Most of all, I’m grateful for God’s patience with me, His faithfulness to forgive,

and His promise to never leave me nor forsake me. I am loved.
Now it’s your turn – take a few moments to reflect on all the blessings from this past week and cultivate your grateful heart!

Embrace Halloween

It's Thursday and I'm sending out a flashback to embrace the camera!

I know Halloween is over, I know!

I took down the decorations last night, but one last little memory!!!Now I'm ready to move onto Thanksgiving - I promise!

Last Impressions

Last night as I finished up some things before bed, I came across this little slumber party! For a moment I just stood there and looked at all the sleeping baby dolls, knowing that my baby dolls had gently laid them down, covered them up, and put them to bed. I remember as a child when my parents would put me to bed. My mom loved to tickle us and bed time was usually when we laughed the hardest. We’d say prayers and I remember demanding a kiss from both mom and dad. It’s the last moment we have with them in our day. It’s our face, our words, our touch – it’s the last thing they will remember before the next day starts. It’s our last impression. They say first impressions are the most important, but aren’t last impressions equally as important? What are we leaving them with at the end of the day? I have to admit, by the end of the day, I’m sometimes at the end of my rope! Sometimes I leave them with threats, “If you get out of your bed one more time…” But I love most to leave them with security, peace, and unconditional love. The last impression Jesus left with us before he ascended into heaven was ,”And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:20 Mark says His last impression was a blessing he gave his disciples. What is the last impression you leave on your children at the end of the day? Or your spouse? Or what is the last impression you leave on your friends as you part company? Words of comfort, encouragement, and blessing are wonderful last impressions.

Halloween Fun

I didn't get a regular post in yesterday, but Grammie just left and the guest room which holds the computer is free, so I thought I'd post a little Halloween Fun from the weekend!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Maybe it's the candy, maybe it's the freedom to dress up silly and intrude on your neighbors that you've never met, I'm not really sure!

But each year I look forward to all the festivities.

The Little Ladies carving pumpkins with Daddy

Each year we have a family dinner party with friends before we head out to Trick-Or-Treat.

I love the totally themed out families!!

My girlfriend made all these costumes! Who has time for that with 2 little ones?
She does - Super Mom!!

My family was not so themed out!!! Daddy - Gum Stuck to the Bottom of a Shoe,
Grammie Pirate, Mommy the Black Widow (I have a box of my Grandmother's old hats and I just had to make one work! When else will I get to wear them??), Emma Sleeping Beauty, Macky Garden Gnome, Georgia Giraffe

Our Garden Gnome was thrilled to meet his little inspiration

I think the parents might have had the most fun!!


Sleeping Beauty and The Gum

Cutest Giraffe I've ever seen!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

GHF

I’m loving Greatful Heart Fridays!!
I’m taking a moment to reflect on a beautiful week and all the gifts God poured out upon me.

I’m thankful for a husband that was stoked to go Halloween costume shopping and dress his son like a Garden Gnome!

I’m thankful for Fall-ish weather, wind, leaves, and candy corn! I’m thankful for Chelsea Cameron changing my life through her honesty and convicting messages each week. I’m grateful for a husband that works really hard to take care of our family. I’m thankful for lovely

girlfriends and the amazing kiddo Halloween party they put together.

I’m thankful for an amazing third trip to the pumpkin farm, with just me and my children, for a fun mommy / kiddo date.

I’m grateful for awesome pre-school teachers that love on my girls and share the truth of Jesus with them. I’m so thankful that it is Friday and tomorrow Grammie comes to celebrate Halloween with us! I’m thankful for all the friends who will fill

our home on Sunday for food and fun. I am a blessed woman. I’m thankful that God has radically multiplied my little bits of sleep this week and that He has been my strength in the midst of much weakness.
Now it’s your turn – take a few moments to reflect on all the blessings from this past week and

cultivate your grateful heart!

Embrace Costumes

We had our first Halloween Party last night and we all had a blast!!

My little Giraffe, Garden Gnome (without his beard), Mrs. Halloween, and Sleeping Beauty!

Observe

I took baby boy on a little walk in the gusty wind today to enjoy the Fall leaves. The little dude has given up his stroller, so walks aren’t as enjoyable for me because he doesn’t really walk – it’s more like: step, stop. Step, stop. Step, stop! But today something really struck me. For 20 months now we’ve gone on little walks everyday and his 4 ½ year old sisters have their funny routines at almost each house where they walk on the retaining wall, hide by the side gate and say, “Mommy, say ‘where’s Georgia?’,” stop to touch the lamb’s ears, say hi to Mr. & Mrs. Tree and so on. Today, out of his stroller, the little man followed their routine almost down to pressing on the last tree knot to see if a magic door opened! He’s been observing and paying closer attention than I had thought for 20 months and now he has mastered all the quirks of our walk! I was amazed! These little people are so observant, it’s almost scary. What are they learning from observing me? Like I said last post, “more is caught than taught.”
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 I pray that as my children observe every little detail of my life, it causes them to turn towards God and praise Him.

Be Content

Yesterday we were in the front yard and as our daughters ran around the grass and picked up rose petals from one of two plants in the yard, my husband and I looked at the lack of landscaping and talked about what needed to change! They were happy. We were discontent. They counted the petals they had gathered and held them like precious treasure. They wanted to bring them inside and put them in a glass of water so they wouldn’t die (little did they know!). They didn’t notice all the empty dirt in the yard, they noticed the one piece of beauty – a red rose bush. I wish my eyes were more like those of a child – drawn to the beauty in every situation instead of complaining about what is missing or out of place. In my parenting class today I heard, “discontented parents breed discontented children.” “More is caught than taught.” So true. I immediately thought of yesterday and wondered how long it would be before the girls go into the front yard and start complaining, “when are we going to get some plants in the front yard? It’s so ugly out here…” How long before their contentedness turns to discontent because of what they see and hear from us?
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

GHF

It’s the GHF Baby!! Grateful Heart Friday. Let’s get started with looking back at this week and cultivating our grateful heart!
In this lovely rainy week, I scrambled to find our zebra tent and teepee to set up in the family room as indoor entertainment for the kids! Yesterday, with some cranked up tunes, the littles started running through the tents and laughing like crazy until it happened. A loud thud and screaming. Baby boy had fallen inside the zebra and hit his mouth on the coffee table. As he cried, his sisters began to cry too and scramble to help in any way – running to the freezer to grab the kitty and fishy (frozen boo boo buddies), getting a bib to protect his shirt from the blood that was already all over it, Kleenex, milk, you name it! They sprang into action. I’m thankful for children that take care of each other and hurt when their siblings hurt.
I’m thankful for thunder, lightening, pouring rain, and Los Angeles when there is no traffic!! Even in the rain! I’m grateful for women in my life who being with them for a few hours is never enough! I’m thankful for spur of the moment play dates that are the best, celebrating my mom’s birthday, and children’s giggles ringing through our home. I’m thankful for a little artist that draws me pictures everyday, and a little singer that makes my life like living in a musical. I’m thankful for a late night out with a dear friend last night with fun conversation and great food. I’m grateful that it’s Friday! I’m grateful for the tea I get to go to tomorrow with more fabulous women. Most of all I’m thankful for my God who has shown me His power this past week, His grace, His care, and His love.
Now it’s your turn – take a few moments to reflect on all the blessings from this past week and cultivate your grateful heart!

Embrace Pumpkins

It's time to embrace the camera!!

After many failed attempts, this one was the best!

And that's why when all 3 smile at the camera it's a miracle!!!

Help

It’s one of those days. After being woken up 6 times last night by little people, I knew today was going to be rough. The dishes are piled up, laundry room is stacked, toys are scattered everywhere, 2 little ladies are having a rather loud “quiet” time, and the little dude hasn’t decided yet whether he will nap or not. I don’t feel physically tired, but every other part of me says otherwise. My temper is short, I’m annoyed, unmotivated and in this moment I’d like to get in my car and drive to the ocean and just cry for a bit. Today really isn’t that different from every other day – dishes, laundry, toys, kids being kids… But today I’m different, so everything seems wrong. Today all I can think of is myself and what I want. But I will not get it. Amazing how attitude and perspective change everything. I have a choice in this moment – to carry on in my own strength and lack of it! Or simply say, “God, help.” I know the outcome of both options – one will lead to a screaming Mommy, crying children, and regret. The other will lead to a miracle as God hears the cry of His daughter and comes to rescue her. I choose to cry out to you for help. Amen.
PS – the little dude is sleeping, girls are quiet, and already my Help has come.
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1,2

Know All About Jesus

I love when it’s bed time for my children – no, it’s not because I’m ready to be done with them! (Although there are evenings when I’m counting the minutes!) But I love when everyone is fresh out of the tub, “jammied up,” and we cuddle up as we read stories together. I put the baby down first, so the girls get my undivided attention for their girlie books about princesses and fairies! The other night, as I was taking the baby out of the tub, my daughter said, “Mommy, I picked out Macky’s stories and they’re on his chair for you to read.” She escorted me to his room and pointed at the books, “Please read him all these books because I want Macky to know all about Jesus.” She carefully had pulled out every Bible story book from his shelf and stacked them up for me to read. There really weren’t words for me to express to her how amazed, overwhelmed with gratitude, blessed by her heart, and filled I was at that moment. I simply said, “Ok baby, thank you.” I remember asking Jesus into my heart when I was 5 years old. I remember the words spoken at Sunday School that day, I remember praying in my canopy bed that night, I remember knowing that Jesus was now my friend and Savior. As I read Macky his stack of stories that night, it struck me that my girls are almost 5 years old. They know all about Jesus, but do they know Him? It’s time to get intentional. What about you? Is there someone in your home or at work or down the street that you need to be intentional with? I pray for a heart of evangelism that longs for everyone to know all about Jesus.

GHF

It's a lovely Grateful Heart Friday! Taking a moment to reflect on all I have to be thankful for in this past week once again refreshes and renews me!

I'm grateful for Columbus and giving us his day to not have to go to school or work! I'm grateful for super fun play dates with our rockstar neighbors where I got to pull my groin and bruise my wrists trying to teach the girls to do cart wheels! I"m thankful for friends that feel like family, family that feel like friends, and the buds of new friendship. I'm thankful for hot apple cider, pumpkin muffins, witches hats, and a misty morning at the pumpkin farm. There is so much to be thankful for! Now it's your turn - take a moment and reflect on all the blessing from this past week and cultivate your grateful heart.

Embrace Moma's Bed

He just looked so cozy and happy in all that fluff..

I had to join him!

Pearls

My girls love to dress up in jewels, heels, and tutus of course! All of the fine pearls and jewels came from a 2nd cousin, who received them from her Great aunts Paula and Willa! We were lucky that they shared. All of these pearls reminded me of the verse in Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” The verse that precedes it is, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” In these verses, I can see the thrill of the merchant and the joy of the man that found treasure. I remember when the package arrived from Cousin Callahan, sharing her jewels from her great aunts. The package was clearly addressed to my daughters, but when I saw what was inside, I was over the moon! The vintage jewels lit up my eyes and I couldn’t wait to try them on. This package was completely unexpected, and I was overwhelmed at its contents. Cousin Callahan and her mom had no idea that I am in love with vintage jewelry and it was like I hit the mother load! I think in a small way I felt the same way that the merchant did when he found the fine pearl, or the man who found the treasure – But their treasure would transform their lives forever. We are all searching for something in this world – peace, purpose, love, contentment, happiness, freedom… We are on a quest for fine treasure that will unlock the pain and fear in our lives and give us a sense of purpose and meaning. There is no need to keep searching. Jesus. He is the fine pearl and He is not hidden or buried. He is alive and knocking at your door, waiting for you to open up all that you are to Him. “Selling all that you have,” to follow Jesus and experiencing abundant life truly is like hitting the mother load.

Don't Assume Too Much

I can no longer assume he’s sleeping! My son was put down for his daily nap on Friday and all seemed well. Until I opened his door after an hour or so to find that he was not sleeping, but had climbed out of his crib (first time), turned on the lights, and decided to destroy his room – all in a stealth like manner! Sometimes I’m so certain of what is going on that I don’t even stop to question or check in. I knew baby boy was sleeping from 1-3, that’s our daily routine! Oh how wrong I was! It’s easy to get comfortable in our routine and begin to stop paying attention and that is when we open ourselves up for a sneak attack! It’s like that in my life as a follower of Jesus, a mom and a wife. It’s so important that I daily check in with my God and don’t just assume that all is going well and put our relationship on the back burner. In the same way, I need to keep up with the goings on of my children and my husband. Those are valuable relationships and if I don’t keep them in the forefront, I open myself up for attack and destruction. I remember when I was in high school, my mentor was married and we called them “Ken & Barbie.” They were perfect in every way! I said to Jenny, “you know Sean would never cheat on you right?” Her response shocked me and has stuck with me to this day, “I hope not,” she said. You hope not??? What? Aren’t you more sure than that? Why would you marry someone that you hoped wouldn’t cheat on you? I want someone who I know won’t cheat on me! She went on to explain that no one is above temptation and the moment we think we are, we open ourselves up for a great fall. We can’t assume too much. As a high school student that was unsettling. But now as a wife, those words haunt me. Not out of fear that my husband will be unfaithful, but just at the potential of sin and the enemy that is always working in a stealth like manner. Don’t assume that he knows how much you appreciate his working overtime if you haven’t told him. Don’t assume that he feels loved and respected if you haven’t shown him. And don’t assume that a harmless conversation, facebook friend, e-mail, or coffee meeting can’t lead to destruction in a home. Luckily it was only my son’s bedroom that got destroyed this time! But this little event opened my mind to think that I need to wake up a bit and pay closer attention to the relationships around me. I need to check in more and assume less. What areas of your life do you need to check in with? Are you assuming too much? Take an active role in the relationships you’ve been blessed with and watch your life flourish and grow.

I had to include this photo of my son

hurling his life-sized Mickey Mouse through the air!

GHF Boo Berry

It's Grateful Heart Friday friends! Taking a moment to relfect on all the beauty in this past week has given me some renewed energy! This has been a wonderful week and I have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful that the Halloween Fairy visited us and decorated our house! I’m thankful for Boo Berry Crunch cereal that showed up on the shelves for the season to remind me of my childhood. I’m thankful for Mommy & Me, candy corn, rainy days, a weekend to look forward to, feeling inspired to cook again, a little person that trusted her Auntie to drop her off in the nursery, a husband that did all the dishes last night, little ladies that snuggled in bed with me, baby boy who broke the record and slept until 8:30am, and an overall filling of God’s grace and blessing that I’ve been praying for.
Happy weekend to you all and do yourself a favor – go get some Boo Berry Crunch cereal and relive the good ole’ days!!

Embrace the Beach

A little "embrace" on the beach in the early, gloomy, drizzly morning! I gave the 4 year olds the camera (the one below I did with my go go gadget arms!) We had a blast playing with nothing but a bucket of animals until it started to rain! We moved into the back of the truck for a dance party until the drizzle stopped. But, they didn't want to go back to the beach, the ExpiDisco was too much fun!!!
Mommy Girl and her Little Ladies

Mommy and Em - I swear I've never seen her smile like this! Holy underbite!!

Moma and the Little Dude

Mommy & a Little Pouty Gigi Jungle Fun!

ExpiDisco!