January 365

January highlights: 

Daddy's birthday

Baby shower for our friend Corbin

First dentist appointments for the boys

Ended our time looking after our friend Abby

Created by God.... for God

This story so concisely reflects the heart of the lessons I learned as a young girl, of who I was and how God continues to carry me through life. The details are different, but the message resonates to the hurt places that God continues to minister to daily.

The scripture reference of Psalm 139 is so very dear to me. That's my memory chapter for this year. I very much need to have those words sink deeply in to my heart and beliefs so that my actions and words reflect the truth of God's word.

January 30, 2013
Created by God … for God
Part 2
Mary Southerland from Girlfriends in God

Today’s Truth

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:14-15, NIV).

Friend to Friend

But Mama did not say a word. And the look in her eyes told me that she was not happy. Evidently, Robert had not measured up to whatever obsolete standard she had in mind. When I asked her what she thought of him, she smiled and said nothing. Nothing? Nothing! How could she not see what was so very obvious to me – that Robert was absolutely flawless and we were going to be so happy. Together we would change the world!

I would show her.

I would pray about it and let God deal with Mama.

I started praying about my relationship with Robert and off-handedly tossed out a prayer asking God to close the door if Robert was not the right one for me. Never in a million years did I expect God to do that. But He did. With a resounding crash, God slammed that door shut, locked it and totally obliterated my perfect life plan. What in the world was going on? It made no sense – to me.

Before that summer mission trip when Robert and I met, he dated a girl for several years. He assured me their relationship was over and I believed him – until she came to town and I never saw him again. No, I am not kidding. Have not laid eyes on the boy since that day.

I was crushed. I had been so sure. I poured out my heart to Mama who listened quietly until I ran out of words and tears. She then took my face in her precious hands and simply said, “The first time I met Robert I knew he was all wrong for you.” What in the world was she talking about? I could not believe my ears. I stared at her in stunned silence.

Sensing and seizing a rare teachable moment in her not-so-teachable daughter’s heart, she went on. “The truth is that he is not good enough for you.” I chalked those words up to one of those things a mama is supposed to say to her daughter who has just been dumped by the most amazing catch of the century. Mama saw the doubt in my eyes and said, “Honey, if I could buy that boy for what he’s really worth, and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth, I would be a millionaire!”

I can count on both hands – with fingers left over – the number of times I ever heard Mama say an unkind word. But she evidently felt the occasion warranted her brutally honest opinion. With the proficiency of a seasoned lawyer, Mama began to skillfully and accurately lay out her case against Robert. I was in the presence of greatness.

“Honey, he had a spirit of pride about him. He led you on while keeping in touch with an old girlfriend. He lied to you. He took you to a movie that was so raunchy that you got up and walked out while he stayed and watched it (Sad, but true.) And then had the nerve to stand in a pulpit the very next day and preach the Word of God. Yes, he is handsome and charming, but inside – he is not a true man of God right now. He may be some day, but he surely isn’t yet. And you deserve better.” She was right. I did. I just didn’t believe it.

I worked hard at presenting the right image. I wanted people to see me as a confident, spiritually have-it-all-together kind of person, but the truth was that I had spent my whole life struggling to believe God really loved me – just like I was. I could not see myself like He saw me – chosen, loved, planned and wanted. I could not grasp the truth that I was created by God – for God. To think that God wanted an intimate relationship with me outside of my good works was totally beyond my comprehension. So when someone like Robert came into my life, he immediately became the living proof I so desperately craved - proof that I was worth something. Guys like him didn’t look at girls like me. I was certainly not beautiful. I was overweight and insecure. I was simply not good enough. I had allowed the sin of inferiority to rule my life.

Pride and inferiority are the opposite sides of the same coin of preoccupation with self. And both are sin. I have spent so many years, so much time and bucket loads of energy trying to be good enough. I followed all of the rules, hoping to please the Ruler. I said and did all he right things in front of all the right people in a desperate attempt to persuade them that I was right. I spent a lot of years accumulating the perfect mask for every situation.

And talk about irons in the fire – had ‘em by the dozen - all shapes, sizes and colors. If I did good things, I must be good. Right?

The bottom line is that I was running the race of life for the wrong audience until God shut the door, turned off the lights and said, “Daughter, that is enough.” And then I spent two years in a deep, dark pit of clinical depression where I learned what it really means to rest in the Lord. I learned how to simply be instead of frantically doing.

For the first time in my life, I came completely clean with God. I abandoned myself to Him – and He was there – never condemning me - and always loving me. For the first time in my life, I was set free from my own human and very confining expectancies as well as the lifeless expectations of others. They were not my audience. God was. And His heart was for me. I swear I could almost see Him grab those heavenly pom-poms when I quietly turned to Him, leaving a world of hurt behind. And His smile – His smile dried every tear and healed every hurt. I no longer needed a relationship with any human to prove my worth. The only relationship that mattered was with the One who made me worthy – my Father- my God.

I think Mama learned a lot of these truths through the many difficult years of her life. She knew. And she also knew I would have to come to those truths the same way she had – the hard way. It was worth it.

I learned that God loves me – period - just as I am – warts and all.

I learned that absolutely no one could take my place in the Father’s heart.

I learned that I am indispensable to no one but God.

I learned that I am not an accident – even though I was not planned by human heart or mind.

I learned that I was created in response to God’s special and unique plan for my life.

I learned that God is crazy about me – no matter what I do or don’t do.

For so long, I had looked for worth in the eyes of people the world deemed worthy instead of finding my worth in God alone. No more. Mama saw me – just as I was – precious in her eyes and in the eyes of God. And she loved me.

Psalm 139:14-15  (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

There was not an ounce of pride in my Mama’s heart and life. I never saw her put her own needs above the needs of others - not once. She was a humble and precious woman who loved God, cherished her family and knew how to be a true friend until the day she died. Maybe that’s why she could so easily spot pride. It was a foreign language that she simply could not and would not speak. I want to live my life the same way.

By the way, the first time Mama met my husband, Dan Southerland, she looked him dead in the eyes and measured every inch of his gorgeous self. Mama then smiled and softly said, “Take good care of my daughter.”

Let’s Pray

Father, I praise You because I am made in Your image. Please help me live my life on the basis of that truth and not on the lies of the world. Thank You for a mother who loved me in such a beautiful way and modeled the very definition of humility. Help me to honor You like she did.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Here is your assignment for the week. Read Psalm 139 at least one time every day. In your journal, write each verse in your own words. At the end of the week, set aside time to celebrate who you are in Christ. Have a praise party – just you and God – or invite a few girlfriends to join you in celebrating how special you are to Him.   

Here's part one if you're interested in the other half of her story:

January 29, 2013
Created by God … for God
Part 1
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

Friend to Friend

My mother may not have had a degree in psychology, but she certainly could read me like a book. I often wondered if she was secretly going to night school or something because the older

I got, the smarter she got. For the life of me, I could not figure it out.

Oh, Mama was a clever one, hiding all of that steely wisdom and motherhood cunning beneath

her honest-to-goodness kind and gentle exterior. No doubt about it – my Mama was the first

velvet-covered brick in my life. She had to be where I was concerned.

I can be a little stubborn. Okay – I can be a lot stubborn – but I usually have what I consider to be stellar reasons to back up that stubbornness.

I do know stubbornness can be a good thing when it is attached to an important issue. However, my stubbornness was usually attached to nothing more than the issue of who was in control. And I like to be in control, a fact that was highly evident to everyone in my life during my high school and college years.

I wanted my way – period. When my mind was set on something, it would take a boatload of dynamite to loosen my grip on what I perceived to be the perfect plan – my plan. You can see how this attitude might set the stage for fireworks between mother and daughter. But Mama was not big on fireworks. She was, however, big on prayer and quietly watching and patiently waiting, desperately counting on God to help her deal with me.

Yes, my mother knew me all too well. When she saw me headed in the wrong direction, she wisely kept silent, lulling me into a false sense of security and the foolish belief that I had once again outsmarted her. At the same time, I am certain she was on her knees, crying out to God, waiting for just the right moment to say the words that often derailed whatever foolishness I was determined to carry out.

I believe wisdom is knowing what is right and then saying the right thing at the right time

for the right reason. By that definition, my mother was a very wise woman, especially when it

came to the boys and men I dated.

As a sophomore in college, I was in love and had my future planned. Yep! Every detail was covered. I had not really consulted God because I was certain He would agree with me. After all, it was a great plan that was practically handed to me on a silver platter. How could it possibly be the wrong plan?

We belonged to a small country church where my mother made sure we attended every single time the doors were open – and I do mean every single time. Bill Crews, a great man who truly loved God and our family, was our pastor. My mother was a widow raising three children, working the day shift as a nurse and often cleaning houses and babysitting on the side to earn extra money. Bill and his wife, Joanne, took a special interest in our family – and in me – and seemed to think God had created me for some kind of special work. I was clueless and certainly couldn’t see it – but they did – and they always encouraged me to seek and serve God.

Good grief! I basically lived at the church. What more could I do? Like Mama, God knew how to handle me.

After graduating from high school, I was devastated to learn that the Crews were leaving. Pastor Bill explained that God was calling him to serve another church in the Pacific Northwest. I didn’t really get, like or necessarily agree with that whole “God calling” deal, but my devastation was short-lived when the Crews offered me an opportunity that would ultimately change the direction of my life.

I could live with them and work as a summer missionary for the Pacific Northwest Mission Board. I had never even been outside the state of Texas where I was born and raised. We were as poor as dirt and were often thankful for enough gas to get Mama to work and my brother, sister and I to school. The prospect of travelling anywhere was both exciting and frightening. I also had the feeling that God was up to something. A red flag to my self-centered self! My mother thought it was a great idea. Another red flag to my control-freak self, but the whole thing sounded exciting - so off I went.  

Because I sang and played the piano, I was assigned to a team of students who went from town-to-town, leading worship services at night and conducting vacation Bible schools and doing door-to-door witnessing during the day. It was a lot of hard work – but I loved it. And I especially loved getting to hang out with some really awesome guys, one of whom was beyond awesome. In my opinion, Robert (no, it is not his real name) was one tall, lean God machine. With coal-black hair, sparkling blue eyes, colossal dimples and a smile that melted your heart, Robert could preach the stars down. Every girl on the team had a crush on Robert and I was no exception. But I knew I needed to make some changes if I was going to have any kind of chance with Robert. I needed to change the way I wore my hair and find a way to buy better clothes. And I needed to lose weight. Guys like Robert did not date fat girls. It seemed the more weight I lost, the better friends Robert and I became. Yes, indeed, we became good friends and promised to keep in touch after the summer ended.

I came home, ranting and raving about the love of my life – Robert, the man I was going to marry. He would preach. I would sing and play the piano, and we would win the world to Christ. Now I ask you, how could that not be God’s plan? Mama just smiled and said, “That’s nice.” Nice? My plan took nice to the cliff and shoved it right over the edge. My plan was totally and unbelievably awesome! She would see.

Robert and I did indeed keep in touch. I flew to his hometown where I met his parents and friends and immediately fell in love with them all. The following year, he began attending seminary in Fort Worth, Texas where my sister and brother-in-law just happened to live. See? Another sign from God! Mama just smiled when I laid that bit of wisdom on her. I can remember thinking she must be deaf, dumb and blind if she could not see the oh-so obvious plan of God playing out before all of our eyes.

I am sure Mama was on her knees again, praying like crazy, while Robert and I dated and dreamed and planned our future together. When Mama met Robert for the first time, she looked him dead in the eyes and seemed to weigh and measure every inch of his gorgeous self.

Finally, she could see what I was talking about. Robert was perfect! I was certain she had fallen in love with him on the spot.

I could not have been more wrong.

Join me tomorrow for the rest of the story.

Let’s Pray

Thank You, Lord, for the people in my life who are not afraid to confront me when I am wrong. Forgive me for the arrogance that makes me think I know what is best plan for my life. I don’t pretend to understand the height and depth of Your love for me, but I choose to accept it and revel in it today. Help me learn to see myself through Your eyes.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

• Do you really believe God loves you unconditionally? 
• What proof of that belief is evident in your life?
• Do you consider yourself worthy in the eyes of God? Why or why not?
• Read John 3:16. Memorize it and record it in your journal. Then write the verse in your own words. Ask God to make it a reality in your daily life.

More from the Girlfriends

A daily time alone with God in prayer and Bible study will strengthen you to face whatever life throws at you. Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey, for practical ways to tap into the power of God’s Word. The first study of 2013 is Power Up With Proverbsand begins January 14.

FREE MP3son Mary’s website in the Freebies Section!

Do you or someone you love struggle with depression? Mary’s book, Hope in the Midst of Depression,offers practical steps you can take to get out and stay out of that pit. And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about 
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Give me an A :-)

Today ended 5 months of getting to help out and watch this precious little friend of ours. She is soooo sweet, such an easy baby. Who can resist the dimple, the chubby cheeks, belly laughs and the irresistible bows and outfits??  I am going to miss our frequent girl talks, both with little A and her amazing mommy! Great side, play dates with great friend and both of her amazing kiddos!!

We are honored by her parents trust and blessed with many sweet memories of this time. I know, I got all teary eyed. We go to church and small group together, we'll see them all the time. Sniff... must be in a melancholy mood after that tear jerker of of an episode of Downton Abbey last night.

Matthew has VERY much enjoyed having her. He gets excited knowing she was coming in the morning. He now says at most meals whether A is present or not the following, Sorry A, you can't have my _____ (sandwich, carrots, cookie, etc) cause you don't a have a any teeth. The additional a's are accurate to the pronunciation ;-) Hugs, sharing toys, putting up push toys when she's awake and getting more video time when I would feed her. Matthew liked helping Sarah carry A's car seat out to her. The last couple of times, Daniel wanted to help too. The littlest person's eating and sleeping schedule really sets the pace in the home.
Daniel has been mostly oblivious, but sweet none the less. He has just started saying her name, which is adorable.

Loving People While Having Our Own Purpose

My favorite line from the movie "City Slickers" is

Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is? 
[holds up one finger] 
Curly: This. 
Mitch: Your finger? 
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean.... 'uummm anything' (edited by me)
Mitch: But, what is the "one thing?" 
Curly: [smiles] That's what *you* have to find out. 

I run the race doing my part to the best of my human ability with the much needed help of the power of Christ. God has a purpose and calling specifically for me. Currently that is homeschooling my two sons and being a wife to an amazing man. There were times in my life it was going to school, the Ukraine, ministering to my family, participating in Friend Speak, etc... There is a season for everything -Ecc 3:1. I've been in mourning, in celebration, in frustration and in fear. I know what's it like to be running away from God and to desperately seek a specific answer from Him. I have wasted dark days being luke-warm, confused, angry, hurt, afraid, confused, and cold. I have peacefully and with peace been joyful in His presence, thankful even when the answer wasn't what I wanted, pressing in to Him as I sought answers, healing and forgiveness and calm in the midst of a storm. Looking back, I learned something from each and grew closer trusting in God. Probably not as much as God might hope, but I did. 

God made many members of His body of Christ- Romans 12. Somehow, some times we think that everyone should have the view point, prescriptive, talents and abilities we do. There are times (years, months, day, moments, seconds) that I step over the line of respect, love and  honoring of another God made creation and I question their heart. I question their motives. I judge their decision and minimize their value. This article has been replaying in my mind today. I wrote recently about a few mean girl experiences of my own and yet I know that there are situations where I'm the lead character for someone else and it pains me. Satan has worked through me and brought pain, doubt, anger and fear.  As gifted at the Lord has given me through mercy and compassion, I'm not perfect in any area. We are at the very least oblivious to the social ques around us and at worst behaving out of revenge, spite, anger and hurt. We got the zinger, we made the point, we had our laugh at someone else's expense. We put them in their place, taught them a lesson and showed them how much we found them lacking.

Apologize

When statements born of our own inner conviction starts with "Well, everyone should know that", It's so obvious", "It's a given"," That's the minimum", "That's common sense", "They should have known that", "I would never" then we are pressing our expectations wither spoken or unspoken on to someone else. We assume our view is the only correct, right, best way. Everyone else will fail in our eyes. When someone's goodness, kindness, patience or love is responded with, "That's what they are supposed to do", "That's the least they can do", "It's about time", "It should have been done earlier" we fail to appreciate the heart and the giver. We feel owed, entitled, that we've earned what we have received or are due what we've been short changed. Instead of saying "Why Me?", we could start asking "Why Not Me?" or maybe pray to have the strength to say,"God, what would bring you the most glory here?" with out thought for ourselves. 

We confuse needs and wants and everything is flipped upside down. We operate out of a system where cause, materials items, our comfort and our personal best overshadows the wants, hearts, needs and desires of others and most importantly the will and plans of God. We become self focused and driven. Make no mistake, that will always end in someone else's pain.  The ripple effects of our selfishness starts hurting God and out own connection with him and spreads outwards like a pebble in a pond. It's doomed to fail and effect more of our choices in an ever widening path as the justifications seep deeper in to our core beliefs. It's not balanced with the needs of others. There's no room in there for giving, serving, humbling ourselves. When do we admit we don't know everything? Social media (like Facebook, Twitter and blogs) gives us glimpses in to each others lives and I'm thankful for that but let's not forget, it's never the whole picture. We need to remember only God knows their heart.  When do we start supposing the best in others and give them the benefit of the doubt? When do we stop jumping to the worst conclusion? When do we stop our cynicism, skeptically based critical thinking? When do we remember that it's a human defense mechanism and a very poor substitute for the peaceful wisdom and  protection of our loving God? When do we realize we are hurting ourselves, limiting the love of Christ and the possibility of God's given purpose in that moment? When do step down off the thrown of our own human knowledge to have figured it out, not be taken or made a fool of? Is that why we are here? To protect ourselves? The main calling and the great commission has nothing to do with self and everything to do with the purposes and main objectives of God. Spreading His nature, His love, His message. He does care about our hurts, our disappointment and there is no substitute for the power of His healing grace.

Our view point becomes our idol. The more that any one else's weaknesses don't come to our acceptance, the more people we discard. That's our society's ways. Replacing, upgrading, the bigger-better-faster, name brand, latest, most expensive 'IT' thing means value and security. That broken philosophy then bleeds over to people, that people are only in my life for a season. I'm sorry to disagree with the pretty flowery statement, but really? The heart of that statement says to me I can replace you, you're not needed anymore here. It's all about me.  I'm on to bigger and better things for myself. I can make peace with cutting someone out of my life because it suits me. Our causes become more important than people. Our stands, our view points, our approval and support is our idol. You may disagree whole heartedly with my view on that and have very sound healthy reasons for it and we would have to agree to disagree. I'm not saying you're wrong and it would not be your place to convince me like wise. The work of the Holy Spirit is stronger than any word, any fact, any experience you have to draw from. There are places where I'm sure we shall both not be moved. It doesn't make either of us wrong, it makes us normal, human and individually God created. When those differences begin to define our relationships and mark others with a one dimensional label that overshadows the complex and diverse individual make up of another person, we've lost our way. We are the resounding gongs Paul warns about in 1 Corinthians 13.

We are not carbon copies of each other. God and the world doesn't need more than one of me or you. To expect someone else to be at ... ahem... our standards is selfish at the very minimum. When the differing views of any two people become the basis of elimination of the relationship, I think it's a fail. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. If you're looking for someone that is going to agree with you on everything, look in the mirror. That's the only person who is going to agree with everything you think, do, believe, say or act on.  A view point born of pride and the inability to to interact and meet someone else willing to know their heart. Not with the mindset to change their way of thinking or to use the Christian word, convict their heart but to know and love another person different from you. We all are different with backgrounds, experiences. I grew up with three siblings, same house, same parents. We are all vastly different people. It's not just about influence, but reaction. Two people can see the exact same event and will have completely different experiences. Just because you would do more or something different or would never do that does not excuse the cold hearted hateful words towards another human being. Regardless of the tone of our voices, that's the tone and color of our heart when we fail to see the good in the person and praise it. God has challenged me to find good in the people I least relate to, agree with and understand. 

I also don't believe in pity friendships either. Everyone deserves to be appreciated for who they are and what they have to contribute. If truly you can not, with Christ, find it in yourself to see just one thing of worth, of good report in another human being than walk away. I challenge each of us to press more in to God. I'm sure there are critical arguments against what I'm saying. I would counter by saying very few flaws in other people are as dramatic as the labels people give them excusing their behavior. I know, I've done it and it was hogwash. I just didn't want to do the work. I wanted to throw my pity party giving the litany of things they had done and excusing my responsibility. Each person has the image of God within them and if we are so clouded in those moments with our own pain then walk away and pray. Give your heart to the Father and pray to see that person with the eyes of the One who created their inmost being and would die on the cross solely for them as well. With humbleness we recognize it's us lacking the most in those moments. God grieves when any of his children are hurt by one another. Hurting people hurt people and God alone has the ability to stop that cycle.

God IS love- 1 John 4, it's not something he chooses to exercise only in certain situations. It's an intrinsic part of his make up. Love is who He is. What ever our cause, our conviction, our beliefs, our traditions, we are never excused from living those out with love. Passion, purpose,  opinions and facts are pointless. They become semantics and detrimental used as a weapon to hurt. Let's not try to convince ourselves that it's a faceless, large group of "them". We are efforting to depersonalize the damage we cause by not putting a specific face, lives and hearts to what we consider to be inexcusable. We are just another creation, we are not the Creator. He alone has decided the law, the penalty and the price for it being broken. It's already been paid for each one of the "thems" and for us.

Just because you wouldn't do it, doesn't mean it's not forgivable. We all have our temptations, our flaws, our weaknesses and our sin currently every day in our lives. Let's not forget that our enemy is not of flesh and blood but of spirit. Yes, I believe this applies to politics, religion, life style choices, lies, betrayal, abuse, criminal activity etc. God's loving guidance knows no boundaries and doesn't selectively apply to only certain personality types, circumstances or situations. 

Live the purpose God has individually picked out for you, but never forget to do so with love. Only you can do it.

Scripture says it beautifully here:

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Babies are calling, nap time is over. God's grace covers.....

I love this man

Happy Birthday Honey!

I love you so much! I'm grateful to God for bringing you in to my life and for your commitment, loyalty and love for me and our sons. You are strong, caring, funny, smart, sensitive and easy on the eyes ;-)

Brother Pics

Favorite recent brother pictures

JANUARY

Little guys

Matthew reading to Daniel

A parade

random love

coloring time

reading together

blanket and jumping time

snow!

Hanging out with our friend Abby

Cuddle time with daddy

DECEMBER

Playtime in the box, it doesn't get better than that!

The boys with their small group friends listening to a story

Matching sweater vests, it's a weakness

Speaking of weaknesses, the boys are drawn to the water dispenser. 

Tablet time

Letter Fun with Abby watching

Super little guys racing.

Baby Jesus time with Isaac

Snow!

You can tell Daniel is pained to have this photo taken

Happy New Year with their friend Jacob!

NOVEMBER

Watching Charlie Church Mouse

Window crayons

Taking brother's temp

Exploring Daniel's new big boy bed

Technology time

Letter stickers

Magnadoodles

Peek a boo in the pantry

Snack time

Time with our favorite Austinite

Candyland

At the park

They are getting so big

Not every picture comes out perfect, just in case you're wondering ;-)

Ten on Ten

Daniel up at 6.am, so we previewed a recent purchase until Matthew woke up 

Mommy's breakfast

My breakfast buddies

play time racing their big rig trucks

Learning for the week. We read our books during meal and snack times
(Except for dinner when Daddy gets home, then we talk about our day)

Snack time talking about Jesus and his 12 friends

 

Some random love initiated by Matthew, favorite part of my whole day!

We got dressed and played at a friend's and did a porch pick up on some summer clothes for Daniel. $5 for all three :-)

Boys are napping so mommy got to watch her show

Mommy plays a game

Daniel woke up first and we had snack time.

We also received daddy's birthday gift in the mail that I ordered. 

Since it's not for a couple more weeks and he looks at this, no can do on a picture ;-)

Play time for Daniel

Checking out the tablet

BOZ time

Easy dinner night since my own coughing woke me up 4 times and Daniel woke up early. Daddy came home and played with the boys so I could get dinner on the table. I got a late start handling some strong emotions from the boys

Matthew's couch cushion creation

Night cups and off to bed for the kiddos :-)

I just realized Billy nicely dodged being in pictures this month.....


Ten on Ten photo project here. Other January entries are here.