Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Praying for You

Dear Children,

Today I have had such urgency to pray for you. I don't know why except for the fact that the Spirit was leading me to.

My heart has been heavy as I have thought about you today, as our family has gone about doing our Saturday activities. As we went and had lunch today, I have thought about you. As I was writing lesson plans, I have thought about you. As we went to the park to play, I have thought about you. As we went to throw rocks in the lake, I have thought about you. As we went to a fall festival, I have thought about you. As we watch Tennessee football on TV, I have thought about you.

As we ate lunch, my heart was heavy. Wondering if you were getting something to eat today. As I wrote lesson plans for your brother and sisters, I wondered how you are doing in school. I wondered if school is hard for you or if it is easy. I wondered what your favorite subject is. As were were at the park, I wondered how often someone takes you to a park to play and explore. As I was pushing your baby brother in the swing, I wondered if you have someone who pushes you in the swing. As we were throwing rocks in the lake, I wondered if anyone has taken you to a lake to throw rocks and see the splash they make. As we were at the fall festival, I wondered if anyone has shown you the love of Jesus. As we watch Tennessee football, I wondered if you have anyone to snuggle up on the couch with to watch your favorite football team play.

As my heart was heavy, the only thing I knew to do was to pray for you. I know that eventually bad things are going to happen to you, but I was praying that today was not that day. That today you felt loved. I don't know when we will meet, but know that my love for you is already growing in my heart. Know that you are prayed for. Know that if there was anything that I could do to prevent the hurt that you will endure, I would do it.

Until we meet, I will be praying for you...my love will be growing for you.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Fire Safety Fun

This morning we headed to the mall area because some of the local fire departments were gathering for a morning of showing area kids their fire trucks/engines and to teach them about fire safety. Hootie Hoos 1, 2 & 3 had a blast (Hootie Hoo 4 is still a little too young) getting inside the engines. I think their FAVORITE activity was this trailer that had been turned into a house...kitchen, bedroom, living area. They were taught some important fire safety tips like stop, drop and roll; checking to see if doors are safe to exit; staying below the smoke; checking fire alarms once a month; coming up with an evacuation plan; etc. After they were taught these things, the "house" was filled with "smoke" and they had to apply what they just learned. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from this time because Tobias was a bit too small for this. So, the two of us went shopping and started getting supplies for Kyrie's 3rd Birthday.

Goldsboro FD

This tire was from one of the Air Force fire trucks...it was HUGE!!

Sitting in the driver's seat...which was in the middle of the truck

She loved being in the driver's seat

Sophie was so excited to be in the State Trooper's patrol car...she wants to be a police officer when she grows up

Trying to keep Kyrie from touching all the buttons...OK, let's be honest..I wanted to push the buttons, too!

Enjoying his time in the patrol car

Wearing her police officer "badge." She was beyond excited!

So very thankful for all the police officers and firemen who risk their lives each day to keep us safe.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Time to Worship

So the last couple of days, I have been able to sneak some time to do some things that bring me great enjoyment. Time to be myself. Time to spend using the gifts and talents that God has given me. Time to worship Him. Here is some of the things that I have been working on...the first group of pictures are of some busy boxes that I made for a friend who just had her third baby. I had some boxed activities for the Hootie Hoos that I would pull out when I was nursing. I would also use them when the two older Hootie Hoos stopped taking naps and moved to quiet times. A couple of the ideas I got from scrolling through Pinterest.

I made some "parking spaces" to park the cars as the boys work on shapes, colors, letters and numbers

I made four different themed bags (family, transportation, fall, farm). The boys need to clip to spell the words

A bag of crayons and stickers and a pad to be creative


Some puzzles to put together

Then I spent some time making a review poster called "Characteristics of Creation." We have been reading "My Big Book of 5 Minute Devotions--Celebrating God's World" by Pamela Kennedy with Douglas Kennedy. We got this book when we ordered the first grade curriculum from My Father's World. I made the posters to remind the Hootie Hoos of the characteristics we can learn from God's wonderful creations. If you are looking for a family devotional to do with your child(ren), I would recommend getting this.

This is the book

"Characteristics in Creation"

I am thankful for this little bit of time to just be me...to spend some time worshiping the One who created me.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Monster PJ's

Tobias is now big enough to wear the monster pj's. ALL of the Hootie Hoos have worn these pj's! There are such sweet memories when I look at these pj's. Some of Sophie with two pig tails in her hair that reminded us of Boo from Monsters Inc. Some of Kyrie's eyes looking extra blue when she would wear them. Josiah being so excited to have footed pj's...he was so tall that we had a hard time finding footed pjs' that he could wear. And now we will add a few more memories of Tobias wearing them.

Round 4 of the Monster PJ's

LOVE that smile!

Look at those monster feet

Such a big boy!

Monday, October 6, 2014

Homemade Butter

So today we made homemade butter!! Why did we make homemade butter? Well, it was part of Sophie's lessons today in school. We did this by filling a small jar 3/4 full of heavy cream and then we started shaking...for 20 minutes. It was sooooo cool to make butter and this activity has stirred something in me. I have a big desire to grow fruits and vegetables, to have some chickens for eggs, to make my own butter and other things. Chris things I am crazy, but that isn't really anything new! :)

Here are some pictures of our butter making time:

Sophie shaking the heavy cream

Daddy stopping yard work to help make the butter

Even Kyrie helped with the shaking

The finished butter...it was a BIG hit with everyone

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Fall Day

Today was the first day that it REALLY felt like fall. We spent most of the afternoon after church outside playing. I LOVE that we have a backyard that we can walk out to and run around and play in. For so long, we would load up the van grab any toys we thought the kids might want to play with and drive to a field. We are so thankful for this simple little thing that is REALLY big to us.

Here is Hootie Hoo #3...such a pretty girl!

Hootie Hoo #1...such a handsome boy!

Hootie Hoo #2..another pretty girl!

Hootie Hoo #4...another handsome boy, but too busy to look at Mommy for a picture!

Mommy with Hootie Hoo #1...love this kid!


Mommy with Hootie Hoo 1 & 2...love them!

This, my friend, is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Imagination Station

This morning we went to Wilson, NC to visit the Imagination Station...a fun children's museum. The Hootie Hoos had LOTS of fun learning lots of new things, "racing" animals and seeing some real reptiles. Enjoy some of the pictures from our family outing.