My Savior My God

We sang these lyrics in church yesterday and I couldn't even sing as tears ran down my cheeks. This song really touched my heart and I'm sure many of you are familiar with it. As we begin to focus on Easter and as we journey toward the mountain tops and valleys in our lives, what a blessing that we have a Savior who gave His life for us and NEVER leaves our side!

My Savior My God by Aaron Shust

I am not skilled to understand What God has willed, what God has planned I only know at His right hand Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed Christ died to save me; this I read And in my heart I find a need Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high And come for sinful man to die You count it strange, so once did I Before I knew my Savior

Chorus (2x’s)

My Savior loves, My Savior lives My Savior’s always there for me My God: He was, my God; He is My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring My strength, my solace from this spring; That He who lives to be my King Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high And come for sinful man to die You count it strange, so once did I Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives

My Savior loves, My Savior lives

Happy 2nd Birthday Audrey!

It's hard to believe this little sweet pea is 2 today! The time has flown by and on some days, barely creeped by. She has taught us so much about patience and joy and we are so thankful that God chose us to be her parents. We love you Audrey Elizabeth! As always, she will not look at the camera and smile so here's the birthday girl minus a birthday smile. :)

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A new blanket

At MOPS we learned how to make no-sew fleece blankets and I wanted to make a big one for all of us to cover up with when we're watching a movie. If Michael and I sit down on the couch the girls are usually on our laps and we typically have out multiple blankets. Now we can all cover up with one and it's great! Of course it makes a great blanket to wrestle on the floor with or make a fort with too. I love the cheetah print. :)

Ornery Audrey!

Miss Audrey was being silly on our bed. She LOVES to jump on any bed, especially Anna's. Daddy got her this shirt when he was in TX.

Daddy's Cowgirls

A few weeks ago, Michael traveled to San Antonio for a conference and we were all soooo happy when he got back home. He brought back a suitcase full of goodies for us girls... I'm not sure who missed who more. =) Anna was all ready to ride her pony with the new pink cowgirl hat!

Baby Audrey

Audrey loves to play with babies and pretend to be the baby. Anna has her trained well putting a paci in her mouth, getting in the doll crib, fake crying... oh my!

Pro-Life Rally

On Thursday, my good friend, Karri, and I loaded up our kiddos and headed to the State Capitol building to take part in a Pro-Life rally. Many legislators were in their offices that day and West Virginians for Life are hoping to get a bill passed that will require that women who are seeking abortion will have the opportunity to see their child via ultrasound before they determine to end their pregnancy. There were many of us "pro-lifers" in attendance and we're hoping that our legislators "heard" us as they prepare to vote on this important matter. The Capitol building is BEAUTIFUL! The dome on the top is made of real gold. The pictures below show what it looks like on the inside. They spared no expense with this building as much of the interior, floors and walls, are made of marble. It truly is breathtaking! Our governor spoke and stated that he is pro-life! Praise the Lord! The display below is for the Pregnancy Resource Center that I volunteer with. It is the only one in the Charleston area and is completely run by volunteers. I really enjoy working with the moms who come in for counseling. Many of them are so young and in such tough situations. What an awesome cake! The black bear is West Virginia's state animal. Audrey loved looking at these. She kept calling them teddy bears. :) It was very warm in the capitol building so before getting back on the bus to head toward our vans after the rally, we decided to let the kids get some fresh air and burn off some energy outside of the Capitol building. The kids were determined to run up the steps and get to the top! They made it up all the steps - great exercise, especially for Audrey's short little legs! Also had to snap a quick picture of the flag flying. On their way back down - I love this picture looking up at the building. Riding the bus around town was the highlight for the kiddos. Anna was beyond excited! The girls' shirts are just a little long but they love to wear them. They make perfect night gowns! :)

Upward Basketball

Anna only has a few games left of Upward Basketball. We've really enjoyed watching her learn and play and she's had so much fun with her friends and coaches. Warming up Guarding her "man" Anna brings the ball down the court several times during each game. Her dribbling has really improved since the beginning of the season. After each game, the team gathers and their coach gives out colored stars that can be ironed onto their shirts. Each color stands for something different. Anna has gotten the stars for Christlikeness, Best Offense, Best Defense, Best Effort, and Sportsmanship. In the picture above she's getting the star for best Sportsmanship. Her coaches are so good with the kids, we are very thankful for their guidance and patience. :) The videos (click on the play button even if they appear black, they should still work) give you an idea of just how chaotic the games can get with several 4-7 year olds all trying to learn how to play the game and go after the ball. Anna's not overly aggressive but she does have a lot fun playing and that's what matters.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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The following was taken from a blog that I love to read by Jill Savage (http://www.jillsavage.org/). She is an incredible woman with an incredible ministry for Mothers. It's too good not to share. Immature love is a noun. A thing we long for. A feeling. An expectation of what someone will do for us. Mature love is verb. An action we take. A decision. A choice to do something for someone else. Unfortunately too many of us have yet to mature in our love and our relationships bear the scars of that fact. But it’s never too late to grow up. And if we want our love to last a lifetime, we can’t afford to keep believing that love is a noun. The feeling of love is short-lived. We have to transition to understand that long-lasting love is really a verb. But what does this English lesson of nouns and verbs have to do with real relationships? How do we take this concept and apply it to real life? Maybe these scenarios can help paint the picture.  Love as a noun spent all last week wondering what your spouse was going to do for you for Valentine’s Day. Love as a verb spent all last week preparing your expression of love for your spouse.  Love as a noun feels despair when you no longer feel “in love” with the person you are married to. Love as a verb understands the ebb and flow of feelings. It focuses more on expressing love than feeling love.  Love as a noun demands its own way. Love as a verb works to understand differences and is open to new ways of doing things.  Love as a noun finds faults in others. Love as a verb gives grace and forgiveness.  Love as a noun expects others to serve them. Love as a verb serves freely.  Love as a noun expects to always feel warm and fuzzy and “in love.” Love as a verb realizes that often we have to choose to love even when we don’t feel like it.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband! He's the big 3 0 today and we're not letting him forget it. =) I'm so greatful that God chose him for me. He is my best friend and a wonderful father to our girls. They are very lucky to have such a hands-on daddy but most important, a daddy who strives to please the Lord each day.

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Fun in the snow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Audrey's Masterpiece

What is it you ask? It's a mass of panty liners that Audrey thoroughly enjoyed taking the paper off of and sticking together in one big pile. For some reason she is infatuated with feminine products, panty liners are just the start. Guess I need to start locking them up in high places that she can't reach although knowing her, she'll just climb up to wherever they are and help herself. Sigh... I was shocked to see her bending over and sticking them to the crotch of her pants. Yes, that's a panty liner hanging off her hind-end as she reaches up to turn the t.v. off to tick off her sister. Anna couldn't help but join in the fun.

Anna's Cafe

Welcome to Anna's Cafe! She loves to pretend to do big people things and Audrey and I have fun playing along with her. She did a great job in her role of waitress. She loved taking our order. Audrey's typical restaurant face - she's almost always a handful whenever we go out to eat. She even got to color at Anna's restaurant. Here's a short glimpse into our fun. Anna cracked me up as usual and Audrey was zoning in on the letters that spelled "Start" on the kitchen microwave. She's a letter wizard right now. :)