Nine Months In, Nine Months Out!

Happy nine month birthday sweetie pie! You get cuter every day, if that's even possible. We love you more than words can say "Monkey", you are the sunshine of our lives! Thank you Father for giving us this sweet little boy to raise and love, for entrusting us with this precious person. We pray you will guide us as we lead him to You. Even in our weaknesses, help us to be the parents he needs to become all You've created him to be. Amen.
Here's looking at how much you've changed in nine short months! Slow down baby, slow down!

God's Newspaper

This morning:
Emma is crying and saying "ow!" I come into the room and ask what happened.
Emma: "Chloe pinched me!"
Me: "Are you telling the truth?" (We've been teaching about the importance of being truthful)
Emma: "Yes mommy, God knows I'm telling the truth. He was reading His newspaper, but He looked over it and saw Chloe pinch me."
Me: "Oh good, well in that case, thank you for telling me the truth." (and yes, Chloe had a correction for the pinching:)).

The Perfect Shorts!

I am just so excited about my find this evening, I had to share! As moms, we are always on the wardrobe quest for the perfect balance between style and modesty, comfort and affordability. I mean come on, none of us want to surrender to frumpiness for the sake of being modest! And on the same token, our bodies have changed a bit and we have no buisiness sporting muffin top or cellulite! Can I get an Amen?! Well ladies, I think I may have found the perfect shorts this evening! They are Walmart's Faded Glory Cargo Bermudas. Without sounding like a spokesperson for the company, let me tell you what I love about these shorts. They are midrise, so just the right rise in my opinion, and the waist is stretchy, but also drawstring with a button for just the right fit and comfort. They are a linen blend ( I LOVE linen!) and the pockets/buttons/strings are all in just the right places for a totally in-style, young look. I bought a pair in the brown and one in the white, I'm just so thrilled about them! And here's the best part, they're only $12.00!!! So now you've just got to go try some on right!

There is a Season

(The beauty atop my kitchen table: Mother's Day flowers:))

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they are drowning in spring to-do lists!? These are full days my friends, but very, very good days too. I wish I had more time to ponder the deep mysteries and truths of life and faith, oh how my hands are itching to write, but it seems God has different priorities for me these days. There are children to love on, taught, and trained, a house that needs cleaning and organizing, meals to be planned, groceries to be shopped for, a husband to be pursued in intimacy and friendship, a Savior to spend time with. Extra projects, like cleaning out closets to get ready for our garage sale or writing eloquent, picture-full blog posts? Well, let's just say I'm squeezing out the last few drops of my time and energy to do these things when I can, which isn't often. So bear with me, and don't forget me sweet friends! As Paul often says in similar words, I think of you often and pray for you whenever you come to my heart. We eb and flow on this journey yes? There is a time and a season for everything. Now on to that load of laundry that needs folding... Until the next squeezed drop...

All my love!

Sarah

Spring in Pictures

A Boy of Eight Months

First of all, know that there are MANY more pictures coming! I need to make albums to share here I think. We have been having so much fun this spring and I know you all love to see new pictures on here, so never fear, I am working on it. But for now, enjoy this little set of three pictures that capture what a boy of eight months does to fill his time these days.We have Sawyer's pack n play on the back patio. He loves the fresh air and we love the convenience of being able to do all our backyard activities more freely.

Any guesses what our precious Monk is working on here? Okay, I promise I won't use it as blackmail when he's a teenager.

Ah yes, a good ol' bath in the sink. Bathing is by far one of his favorite activities. That's all I've got time for right now, but keep checking back. I've got lots of pictures of the girls that will make you smile:).

Quote of the Day

Emma: "Mommy, could you get the fly killer, this fly is bothering me?"

Me: "Okay." (I grab the fly swatter and kill named fly)

Emma: "Mommy, you're a great killer!"

Me: "Thanks Peanut!"

From the mouths of babes!

My Love...

Long story short, I came down with a nasty bug on Easter Sunday, complete with high fever and just feeling crudy. Well last night, whatever this junk is really settled in my chest and throat. When I was up at 2:00am with Sawyer, the pain with coughing was unbearable, then a fever came on really fast. I fumbled around to take an Ibuprofen and a throat lozenge, then went back to bed. Sawyer started crying again, so Travis jumped up to tend to him. As I lay there, teeth chattering, Travis shows up on my side of the bed with the Vicks Vapor Rub in hand and starts to rub down my chest and neck, taking his time. As aweful as I was feeling, this simple act of love and care overshadowed my misery as I let myself enjoy his love. I thank God for the love of this man! I am a lucky girl!

Belated Thank You!

My dear friend Beka made this adorable bib for Sawyer. She sent it to me around the time of my baby shower for him and I am JUST NOW getting around to giving her this public "thank-you". She is an amazing woman, who at the time of making this bib, was going through her own share of heartbreak. Read her story and be blessed! Thank you Beka! From the bottom of my heart!

A new job!...kind of

This is post one of several overdue posts. Long story short, due to raise and hiring freezes and a pay cut at Travis's place of employment, he was looking for another job. Quicker than we foresaw, he was offered one at a company about an hour+ south of where we live. The new offer was a nice jump in pay and possibly more job security, but it would have meant a three hour a day commute or a move, neither of which seemed appealing to us. At the last minute, after He had already pretty much decided to take the job, he brought the offer to his current employer to see if there was a chance they would counter offer to keep him. The thought was laughable and highly unlikely, but low and behold, God showed up and made possible the impossible. The counter offer is just shy of the new offer, so I'm happy to report, we are staying put! This proved for Travis his value in his group and with the company and is the answer to prayers for financial provision. All praise and glory to God! It feels good to be able to focus again on our life here without an impending move on the horizon. We know that we can't predict the future, and this whole process has brought much growth and stretching as far as priorities, dependance on the Lord for wisdom and provision, and in the area of stewardship, which we are everso thankful for. I hope you are all enjoying your spring! Buds on trees and bushes have got to be one of my favorite treasures. They are like little presents all wrapped up and waiting to be opened by warmer days. My gardening fingers are itching and ready, little veggie plants starting in my window sills. Until my next post...