In God we {will always} trust

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A New Beginning

    Minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months. I haven't blogged since October! I have decided to pick it back up (as much as my kids allow me to, that is). We are starting a new life- a new beginning- here in North Carolina. Actually, it started back in January. Nonetheless, we are still getting plugged into this new life of ours. So I have decided to make a "new beginning" with my blog. I enjoy blogging. I don't know how many people actually read it, but I still enjoy blogging about our life and our home. So, we will see how this goes! =) 
    
     For now, here are a few recent pictures of our little family.

 
     Till next time...


     

The beauty of {Fall}

It's my favorite time of year again! Christmas is always a favorite, but in all honesty, fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing of colors upon the trees, the crisp autumn air, cozy sweaters, cute boots, and the lingering smell of a newly baked treat. Eating that goody is not so bad either! =) 

I love the way my house looks and feels during the fall. As you walk through the front door, you are surrounded by coziness! I took a few pictures so you could have a small taste of our home. Enjoy!

The last picture posted above are place mats from Wal-mart that I turned into throw pillows for our living room. Such an easy craft (took me about 10 minutes per pillow) and is a super cute addition to anybody's fall decorations. Not to mention, it's cheap! I waited until fall decorations were on sale last year, and then I snagged them from the clearance isle. 

I have another favorite thing that I have discovered this fall. It's the wonderful invention of the Keurig! From its cappuccinos to its chai lattes, everything that I have tasted so far has been SO yummy! Bonus- The holiday coffee creamers are out which makes even my regular drip coffee taste divine! Pumpkin pie spice has been my favorite so far out of all of them. I have a whole corner in my kitchen just for my coffee makers. I am so spoiled...I know! =)

I hope you enjoy your fall season just as much as I have and continue to do so. Enjoy every minute of it, because as we all know, time flies by so quickly! I will be blogging about Christmas before I know it!

 

Where did it go?

     Remember when you were a child and time went by so slow? Well, now that I'm on the adult side of life, I'm wondering why time has to go by so fast. Today was my daughter's nine month "birthday". It feels like I just had her, and now I'm beginning to think of what to do for her first birthday party. Many people have told us that the next 18 years will go by just as fast...

     Gracie has been such an amazing addition to this family. She brings so much joy to our days. Ethan thinks that she is a great wrestling buddy. =) Daddy thinks that she is a little princess that needs a pony for her first birthday, and he would serve her baby food on a golden platter if he had one. I have never seen a tough soldier turn to a pile of mush so fast. She has him wrapped around her little pinky for sure! (She has mommy around that little pinky too though)

     Things that she is doing now: 

1. Sitting up

2. Rolling everywhere

3. Feeding herself

4. Eating table food

5. Talks none stop (baby talk of course) ;)

6. Gets into things that are off limits

     I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of right now! I have enjoyed every day with her, and I look forward (by God's grace) getting to spend many more days with her. I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned with our baby girl. Mommy and Daddy love you so much, Grace Lynn! =)

No matter what the future holds {we are still blessed}

     Right now our future is such a mystery. Will we stay in the army or get out? If we get out, where will we go? There are so many questions that are yet to be answered. It's so hard to be patient sometimes. God works on His own timeline, and we are confident that He will show us what to do in His timing. A few things from my heart to you...No matter what happens, I will still love and serve my Savior. I will still love my husband and be the helpmeet to him that I was created to be. I will still train up my children in the way that they should go, or at least attempt to! =) 

     For now though, we are here in Missouri. We love each other more and more everyday. I might add that after three years, I am still amazed that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.  We have two amazing children. We have the most wonderful church family anyone could ask for. A steady income, a roof over our heads, food on our table, clothes on our back, shoes on our feet, and a car for transportation. We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams! God is so good to us even when we don't deserve it. =)