His Love NEVER fails

One of my favorite worship songs right now is "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture. The lyrics are so powerful and it is so the prayer of my heart right now. In the midst of all of life's circumstances and sadness- and all those situations we wish we could just fix... His love never fails us. What a powerful revelation. His love NEVER fails. Never is such a strong and absolute word... I am so thankful for His love and provision. Here are the lyrics.....

Your Love Never Fails

Nothing can separate-

Even if I ran away...

Your love never fails.

I know I still make mistakes-

But You have new mercy for me everyday...

Your love never fails.

You stay the same through the ages.

Your love never changes-

There may be pain in the night

but joy comes in the morning

and when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that You love me.

Your love never fails.

The wind is strong and the water's deep

But I'm not alone here in these open seas.....

'Cause Your love never fails.

The chasm is far too wide

I never thought I'd reach the other side

but Your love never fails.

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes.

There may be pain in the night

but joy comes in the morning.

And when the oceans rage-

I don't have to be afraid

'Cause I know that You love me.

You make all things work together for my good.

You make ALL things work together for my good.

You make all things work together for my good.

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes.

There may be pain in the night 

but joy comes in the morning.

And when the oceans rage-

I don't have to be afraid

'Cause I know that You love me.

Thank you Jesus for loving me that much.......

Precious Sweetness....

So, last night- the kids are all jammied up, sung to, prayed for, and cuddled up in their beds- and Miah and I are enjoying a little quiet time and a movie. Everyone has been out for about an hour, when we hear little feet scuffling down the stairs. And there is Elijah- dressed- eyes half open- stumbling towards us..... I say "Lijah... what are you doing?" He comes over by me and says "Mama, I want you." And there starts phase one of my heart just melting. I say "Why are you dressed? You should be in your jammies and in your bed...." He says "Mama, I want to lay by you." At this point, Miah leans in and Eli starts loving on him- kisses and hugs and shy smiles. I say "Eli, go get your jammies and we will help you put them on.... but then it is back to bed... Ok? I love you...." Elijah goes to get his jammies- brings them back- Miah helps him change (again)- and he sweetly says again, "Mama- I want you." And bats those mile long eyelashes of his... and throws me another of his super sweet "shy" smiles and says "I lay nice mama.... I go to sleep on your lap..." He climbs up on my lap- covers up under my blanket- snuggles up to me- tries really hard to hold his little eyelids shut........... and I'm pretty sure my heart has liquified within me.....

Memories in the making......

Today my lovely mom came over and we made her famous little mexican cookies Biscochos... they are sooo delicious and fun to make! :) She imparted her wisdom to the girls... giving them jobs rolling the balls (which have to be rolled "just so") and showed the boys how to roll dough. It was such fun watching them learn the things I learned as a little girl and how they were so eager to help and to do more.... I am so blessed to have such a wonderful woman as a mom- and so thankful for her and her love-- even as an adult :) Someday my kids will look back on today and remember Grandma's wisdom and instruction... and how special she is to all of us.

Giving Thanks...

Just reflecting on Thanksgiving-- and all that we are so thankful for. It is too easy to forget what great blessings we have been given and how often those things go unrecognized. I, for one, am so thankful to have 4 beautiful, healthy, loving children- who help me to appreciate all the little things in life. I am so thankful for a husband who loves the Lord and is committed to being an awesome leader, friend, lover, and father. I am thankful to be surrounded with friends and family who love and accept us as we are... and forgive all the shortcomings we have. Thankful for a warm home, laughter, and sunshine. Mostly, though, thankful for where God has brought me from... for His love for me... for forgiveness. I pray such things will never grow old to me- that every day I will be awestruck and filled with wonder for my Savior. Today I commit to be thankful every day. No matter the situation, no matter the cost- to just be thankful.

And the time just keeps flying by.....

You know, as I was observing my children today I realized there are so many moments every day that I cherish and how horrible I am at documenting these things. So, instead of feeling like I have to be all eloquent about how I present such things, I decided it is better to just record them than to miss out on sharing these special times with those who are so special to us. :) And so today, I decided to give another try to blogging... only this time, with the intent of just documenting- even if I am the only one who ever reads it or enjoys it... it is one way for me to preserve the memories of these precious times I share with my beautiful children!

That being said... there are soooo many times I wish I could have a camera running 24/7 at my house. There are so many hilarious things that are said and done around here... witty and inspiring thoughts our kids lend to us and sometimes the sweetest bits of wisdom. :) Sunday we started a Rice and Beans challenge (a challenge to eat Rice and Beans for 2 meals a day for 1-4 days) as a part of the P.O.W. (Poor, Orphans, and Widows) series our pastor is bringing us through. We met a couple who run an orphanage in Haiti on Sunday... they shared amazing testimonies of little children they have been able to rehabilitate and save. The sweetest thing about the whole experience has been our girls' commitment to the challenge. They boldly chose to do the entire 4 day challenge (that's 8 meals of rice and beans)- and even chose to take rice and beans in their lunches for school. They have faithfully prayed for an orphan each day- every time their tummies rumbled and every time they sat to eat rice and beans. My sweet Isabel- with her missionary heart- tells me every day how much she wishes we could go to Haiti and adopt some of the children..... "Mama, my heart is so sad for them.... I wish we could just love them all...." She melts me. What an awesome example of Christ's love- she wants to share all we have been given- and is so open to serve. I pray God continues to cultivate this sweet and tender heart within her... and that she will continue to stay "soft" to the plight of others. 

Here we come park!

We love to go to the park in the summer time... even with the playground in the back yard (which the kids get SO much use out of)- it is still fun to get out and away from home. :) Here's all four of them riding the infamous dinosaur. Elia (6), Isabel (7), Elijah (2), Gabriel (3)

Eli loves riding this dinosaur... though not as much as swinging, he is still so cute sitting there. It was hard to get him to sit still for the picture! LOVE it.

This guy (Gabe)'s smile can light up a room. He is so funny... and a non-stop talker. He is so detailed for a 3 year old. I wonder where he gets that from ( Miah ) LOL. :)

These two find humor in EVERYTHING. :) I am so blessed they are such good friends to eachother.... and love one another so much!

We take up all the swings when we are at the park! As you can see, Elia is so much higher than everyone else! She LOVES being up high!

Isabel... and her wild hair! :) It just never tames down! I so love that about her! :)

Elia swings so high, sometimes I get nervous she is just going to fly right outta there! :)

Gabriel has become a STELLAR pumper. His sisters were so happy to teach him how to "pump in, pump out"... and he caught on so quickly! And here is so proud of himself!

Elijah loves the swings! I think he would swing ALL day if I let him. He hardly got out of the swing on this particular day... :) He is too sweet though!

"Chick-sitting"

This weekend we get to "baby-sit" Miah's sister's little chicks! The kids are loving this and have enjoyed every second of the chicks! Here Gabe is cuddling one.... and poor Lily, all she wants to do is chase!

"Chick-sitting"

Isabel is loving taking care of the chicks!

"Chick-sitting"

Elia loves holding the cute baby chicks!

Elia Elia

There are just too many things I love about this picture.... and this girl~! Her eyes just draw me in. Her heart is so lovely.

My Isabel

I love this sweet picture of Isabel. This is SO her... I love the joy in her eyes.

Isabel Iona

Isabel and her Lily. They're out to fight fires :) And don't they both look sooo cute doing it? What a sweet pair!

Elia B.

Elia... what a tender, sweet little girl. This picture says it all.

This is Eli...

This is Eli... his personality is so evident in this shot. His bright, curious eyes.... the sweet tilt of his head... and his little animated mouth. :) He is so adorably sweet!

Handsome guy!

Gabriel enjoyed his Easter dinner... and flashed me one of his handsome little smiles! He is hardly a toddler... but growing into such a handsome young man! :)

Gabriel

Visitng puppies is one of Gabe's favorite things to do lately. :) Thanks to Barb and Russ Felt for letting us come and play with them!

Elijah

Ok, so I hardly EVER get serious pictures of Elijah... but happened to capture this one. And love it. He is so sweet and such a lover.

Elia did it!

Elia just the day before Easter learned how to ride bike without training wheels! She is doing so well!!!! and is so proud of herself! (though a little embarrassed by all the attention!)

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is finally here- and we are so blessed! My beautiful tulips have started coming up and I am so thrilled to have them start blooming! :) We were also recently blessed with a playground set- from some dear friends of ours. We put it up this last weekend- and already the kids have put in hours of play time on it! This weather is beautiful and spring is always a reminder of how God is always making things new... and growing us into who He has called us to be. Praise Him for that!