Colorado and a new kitchen

Here's some pictures of us with Danny and Judy last week. The first is of us going out for dinner..of course you all know Judy!

The next day we went to Noah's football game. The weather was amazing and the mountains were so beautiful! It was really nice to sit outside for a while watching these boys tackle.

The last photo is of Vara's new kitchen, courtesy of Nana and Papa. Lori found it at the Homestead. Thank you Nana!

You want REAL?

I rejoice right now because I cry out to the Lord and he hears me. I, for the first time in weeks, feel somewhat normal. God has graced me with energy to do all I need to do and be all I need to be to my babes. He is my strength when I am week, and He is so quick to be that for me! Thank you lord for hearing me and helping me when I owe my all to YOU!
I am thankful for all these REAL posts. Its just another opportunity to think of the Lord and what He wants to do in me. I mentioned I am a complainer, and boy am I! I was thinking about it more since the other day and God has revealed more of my heart to me. I am the queen of ease and "my own way"..I say I love my life and my boundaries but when things aren't just so, I really dont love them. I really dont believe my boundaries have fallen for me in PLEASANT places...not by my reaction anyway. I see more now of my automatic reaction to think "GEEZ!". I am thankful for this conviction. I am excited for God to show me more of how to die to myself. My hope is in Him to change my deserving heart, and to think of myself less. He endured the cross for me and didnt complain. I hope I can be more like Him, and with His help, Im sure I can. Thanks be to Him for our hope!
I am a bit embarrassed to say all this (pride!), but it's fine. Im probably worse than I even portrayed. I am a real sinner. My heart is true in its ungratefulness. Thank God for my Savior!

Here's something REAL for you (click above picture to enlarge ::at own risk::)
Yesterday, I was about to enjoy my much coveted 2nd nap of the day. Reid came out of his room and his feet were squishing on the floor. This is what I found.
My reaction? I cried. Not of a happy heart(simple but true), but of frustration, distrust, anger, and hopelessness. I didnt believe God would sustain my energy or stomach to tackle this, I was afraid. I wasn't patient with the situation, but angry I had to deal with this. I finally realized my sinful heart and took this picture to show what my REAL was yesterday. And, He did sustain me. (no surprise)

Surprise...and SURPRISE!!

We are here in Colorado, visiting Judy for her birthday. It was a secret and she was so happy to see us...whew! Anyway, more on that later.
There's another surprise...Im pregnant! Baby #3 is expected in June, probably around Vara's 2nd birthday. We are happy to know another beautiful child. I just keep thinking of doing "that" again (birth). Well, when we get back to Virginia, its time to plan plan plan.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Gifts from Grandma

My Grandma is always thinking us us. Here are just a couple of the many things she's blesses us with.

Grandma, I hope you take joy in the fact that we use and love our gifts!






Here is an old rocker she gave to me before Reid was born. I actually used it when I was young. Vara has recently adopted it for herself. I find her scooting it around the house and propping herslef into the seat. Sometimes she just sits there and watches us, rocks, or looks through a book.










Here's a great find my Grandma made about a week ago. I mentioned to her that we have more books than shelving, and she found this wood shelf for $15!! I wish I had taken a "before" picture.. it was a dark brown, with some funky knobs. With a little paint and new hardware, its perfect for our home. Thank you Grandma! Love you!

Dusting for the glory of God

I was dusting my house this morning. I really love to dust. The spray is fragrant with lavender and peppermint, everything gets put in it right place(for the time being), and there is plenty of time to think. All you moms know that there aren't many moments in the day for thinking. So, I am glad that dusting is one of them.

Well, I was just wiping and thinking and God crept in and spoke to me so kindly. He reveiled my hidden heart to me. He reveiled my self-sufficiency the last few days. I am sober now to how I have treated Him. He, who gave His life for me, has been treated as a servant. How arrogant!! I am so unthankful and proud towards my loving father. I have prayed to Him the past few days, but only with requests for help and clarity. And really, my prayers felt awkward. I know He is honored by this reliance, but not honored by my prayers of fear. I have been truly forgetting Christ. I have been forgetting to read and think about His words. I have been forgetting to live for Him. I have only grown in my self-sufficiency and knowledge of my "needs". I have been trapping myself in this sin, and He was kind to lift me out and remind me again of the TREASURE that He is.
Lord, you are my beautiful inheritance. Thank you for forgiving my so quickly! Thank you for being so attentive to one who deserves nothing. Thank you for the unending mercy through the cross. I rededicate me days to you, please help me to do this. You are me strength and my help. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. Help to not lean on my own understanding but in all ways acknowledge you. I love you Lord. I am thankful to call you father.

random..

This week Ive been creating little stuff. The first are of magnets. Then one of the many bows for Vara and some other girls.



The Alkire's came!! (well, most of them) Here we are one our brief, but very sweet visit.








Vara coloring for the first time. She was really into it for a few minutes, but then just ate the crayons.

Reid showing off our DAILY stacking and knocking over of blocks.

I posted this because we got all dressed up and Mark was nothing but goofy! I was laughing pretty hard. (This was Jason and Katie's wedding) I took pictures of the ceremony. It was outside and very nice, but none of my photos came out.

-Winchester-

Last weekend we went to Winchester with friends. It was VERY fun and beautiful there. The house we stayed in was built in 1802 and was filled with antiques. The first photo is our front door. ( There were so many amazing doors in that town!) Mark and I are so thankful we got to have that time with our friends. Cant wait to reunite and do it again!
Walking around the historic part of town, just a few steps from our house.
The kitchen's original fireplace area.. Mountains outside Charlottesville

Front View One day we went Tubing on the Shenandoah River. The water was perfect, and it was so funny to see each other in such a vulnerable-"Im floating away!"-state.

OH! Ha! The boys decided to dress up for the occasion. Dont be fooled, all their clothing and hats were purchased the night before.

The boys fighting the river