Trail of Blessings

It has been a morning full of blessings. The only way to express my gratitude to my Savior is to live every moment glorifying Him.

We had to run some errands to finish off the grocery list and get some soil to get the garden started (woot!). As we're driving down the county roads, I began praying that the Lord would fill me with His Spirit. I try to make this a habit when running errands with all 3 kids.

As always, He did just that.

We're sitting at the stop light of decision... left to this store, or right to that one. I had been planning on going to "this" one first but last minute decided on "that" one.

The shortened version: The kids were so good. I found everything I needed. I did not buy anything extra in spite of the temptations. And we only had to go to one store.

The most miraculous of all: I was patient.

The Holy Spirit was in charge.

There truly is nothing more satisfying than knowing you're doing exactly what God wants you to. Even (especially??) in the day-to-day stuff.

Thank You, Holy Spirit.

• Holy Spirit filling
• Kempton napping in his carseat
• Unexpected (and much needed!) chicken sale

• Guilt-free shopping
• "Horse" ride for a penny

KJ is 6 Months Old!

On February 7th, Kempton Charles turned 6 months old.

He can sit up.

He's got two bottom teeth.

He can scootch (is that a word?) around backwards, and has been experimenting with getting up on his hands and knees.

He's eating solids 3 times a day while still nursing every 3 hours, and occasionally enjoying extra meals in the night.

((I'm still a very firm believer in the parent-led method. This kid would rule the roost if I wasn't in charge!))

Oh, how I love this kid. Even in the middle of the night when some undetectable noise wakes him up, he's tossed his pacifier behind his crib, and decided that the world would end if he doesn't get a full feeding as quickly as possible, my heart is so full snuggling him in my arms. I cannot get mad at this adorable dude. 

Many of the little gifts I write down have to do with his tiny self. 

Curious baby blues...

Squishy arms reaching for me...

Snuggles...

Squeals...

Hiccups...

Smiles in the early morning darkness...

Thank You, Father, for the privilege of raising sweet Kempy.

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."

• Fridays

• Craft time

• Babies getting along

• Friendship

• 2-year-old "smiles"

• Duck, duck, goose

• Puppet shows

Around the House: Master Bedroom Edition

Today marks 2 years since we signed the papers that made this beautiful Conor House ours!

Not only have we not once regretted it, but we've been flooded with blessings ever since. Every once in a while I pray for floods of blessings on the previous owners because it was a sacrifice to them to sell us this house. As fellow believers, I know they followed God's leading and I'm so so so grateful they did!

To celebrate here on the blog, here's some shots of the newly painted master. A romantic master bedroom is good medicine for the married soul.

Our happy place.

Poor lighting, but I LOVE these curtains. We plan to paint the furniture eventually.

Awesome book shelves we got from the inlaws! I don't know how we lived without them for so long!

More bad lighting, but this is a picture my MIL made for me to give to D.

Our caricatures.

So many people contributed to this haven and we are so grateful! There is still plenty to do (dressers to paint, decor to hang, mirror to find) but we are so happy!

More multitudes on Monday...

• Lofted ceilings
• Crumbs under the table = well fed babies
• Dishes to wash
• A shared bed
• The color purple

A Thankful Heart

Source: superswoon.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

This is how I will live the width of my life... with thanksgiving.

• Hot tea
• Baby girl prayers
• Warm glow of kitchen lamp
• Clementines
• Curious baby blues

• The smell of homemade cinnamon bread
• Warm sheets
• Chunky toddler legs
• Girly conversations
• Sibling love

Linked up HERE.

My heart will sing no other name... Jesus.

My Mother-in-law gifted me with Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. It's taken me a couple of chapters to get used to her writing style, but it didn't take nearly that long for me to realize that reading this book was definitely in God's plan for my life this year.

I've linked up to the author's blog before but I am planning on being more committed to sharing a list of gifts God has given me every single Monday (here on the blog. Daily in my journal). It'll take different formats and be different lengths, but every Monday prepare to see God working in my life :)

• The sound of 3 babies breathing evenly during a silent nap time
• A huge pile of laundry
• White stuff covering our patiently waiting garden
• Only black numbers in our bank account
• A husband with a heart to give
• Our church family
• A pastor who isn't afraid to preach Truth
• Radical repentance
• Being overcome with thanksgiving for that repentance
• Worship with hands lifted high
• Singing this song next to the man of my dreams...

Linked up -

Oh beautiful naptime.

The perfect time to count my blessings...

41. An eager-to-learn 3 yr old beauty

42. Fall decor

43. Uncle Erik's soccer games.

44. Cousins

45. Room for 3 car seats in the SUV

46. A husband who tells me just before my first 10 mile run - "You could run 15 if you wanted. It's all in your head."

Taken during a 9-miler.

 47. A sister in Christ who prayed for us and allowed herself to be used by God to bless our family.

48. The Wakarusa children's resale!

Marie is absolutely obsessed with her princess pj's.

 49. Amazing homeschool curriculum!

50. Chick-Fil-A ... My sis-in-law and I got free food for ourselves and the 4 kids we had running around us! Amazing food, amazing service, amazing company!

Multitudes on Mondays

21. Coupons in Monday's free newspaper.

22. Cough drops

23. The strength to finish a 9mile run

24. A husband who forced me to go to bed early so I could get better quick!

25. Babysitting jobs

26. The funds to pay our mortgage


27.

28. Jewelry sales

29. $4 meals at Steak n Shake

30. Best Friends...

Throughout my life I've had so many amazing friends come and go, leaving permanent impacts on me. Some of them I've completely lost contact with. Some I need to do a better job of keeping in touch with. Some, while we don't chat every day, we keep up.

The bottom line is, I couldn't have/can't survive without each and every one of them. But today I'm especially grateful for Stacey.

She is the type of friend who loves me for me no matter what. And I always feel that, never doubt it. She inspires me to be a better mother and wife and child of God. She makes my day.

I love you, Stace. And miss you like crazy.

Country Livin'

The other day I was on a bike ride mulling over this recent trial God has us going through.

I glanced down this random gravel road and was instantly thrust into the most beautiful, peaceful scene.

A little Amish boy in his typical blue pants, white shirt, and bowl cut was strolling next to his father, twirling a stick.

It was like a painting. It warmed my heart.

Then just beyond them I caught a glimpse of a little girl, probably Marie's age, wearing a plain pale yellow dress with her blond hair up in high braided pigtails. She was skipping.

Just as she disappeared behind the house I noticed another girl, a little older. She had on a pale purple dress and had long brown hair. She was leading a pony, jogging with it around the house.

I live in Amish country. But I think I'm still getting used to it. Something about this incredible glimpse into their lives forced me to forget about the rough times in our life for just a moment. The joys of simplicity, of childhood, of the country... I needed that.

It was surreal.

So I decided to whip out my iPhone and capture some of my surroundings as I rode by.

I really love it here.

I love that the overwhelming stench that sometimes permeates our neighborhood isn't bus fumes or cigarette smoke. It's cow manure. Duck poop.

I love how rare it is to hear sirens out here. Instead I'm listening to birds chirping and crickets buzzing.

I don't know what God has planned for us. I don't know how long he'll let us stay here. But for now, I'm in love with the beauty, the quiet, the peacefulness.

I'm so grateful He has us here now.

Clinging to His Truth...

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)



11. Sweet corn
12. Prayer time with hubby
13. Girl chats with my neighbor
14. Homemade pizza
15. Flat bike tires
16. Sunday morning nursery
17. Spending the afternoon reminiscing with old friends and getting to know new friends.
18. Continual reminders that I am not in control
19. Both babies willingly going down for naps at the same time
20. Quiet time