I see you and a juicer

So the other day, we were out running some errands and Ethan looks at Craig and says, "I see you" out of the middle of no where. He is learning how to talk and says random things at random times. It's so much fun and so cute to watch and listen to him. It's also a reminder to us that what we say will eventually come out of his mouth too. Matthew 12:24 tells us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (paraphrasing of course) Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on honest, just, pure, and lovely thoughts that are of a good report. (paraphrasing again) It's so important for us parents to have our own walk right with the Lord so that we may lead our children to do and say the right things. What goes in will eventually make its way out.

We have been wanting a juicer for a while now, and we finally broke down and got one. It was a little expensive, but totally worth every penny! We have started making our own juice every morning. It's SOOO good!! Right now, being sick with colds, we have been juicing fruits that are high in vitamin c. Our favorite mix so far are oranges, apples, and mangoes. It's hard to describe, but the juice is not really a runny juice like you would buy at the store. The mix of juices makes more of a juicy smoothy. I cannot wait to go to a farmers market and buy organic strawberries and some bananas and make a real strawberry-banana juice smoothy! =)

For God's glory

    I write this with a heavy heart. Yesterday, many of you read statuses and postings on facebook of a missionary couple who were killed on the mission field. I have met Bro. John and Mrs. Wanda Casias before while we were still living in Washington. Although we were not "buddy buddy", we were still brothers and sisters in Christ. They were doing what God had called them to do and they were willing to pay a very high price for that calling. To God be the glory that they were able to reach souls while here on earth, and that they were able to plant churches in a country that many of us may not ever get to go to. I am sure that much fruit remains from their labor, and that through this tragedy God will receive the glory.
    Growing up as a missionary's kid to the land of Russia, I am aware of the hardships that missionaries have to go through. While we sit in our padded pews, air conditioned/heated building, with all the bells and whistles here in America, it is not so in many churches around the world. We must all remember to pray for our missionaries DAILY, and to give them the support that they need so they are able to do the job that God has called them to do. My heart goes out to the Casias family, and my prayer is that they never forget that Bro. John and Mrs. Wanda did not die in vain. We will see them again in Glory! For those who are saved, this is not a goodbye but merely a "see ya later".
   

The ever changing world

     We live in a world that never stops changing. Those changes aren't always for the best either. The new movie "Courageous" put it into words perfectly...We are responsible for how our children turn out! Now more than ever, we have to be on guard at all times. Even within our homes where we feel the safest and most relaxed... Almost more so in our homes for there the T.V. sits, the internet is, and the garbage that continually bombards our front door. Satan so badly wants to destroy our families, and to be honest, he is doing a great job!

      Craig and I have decided that we will be apart of the minority. A family who desires to serve God as much as we can, keep our vows that we made to each other and to God (til death do us part), teach our children the truths of God and His word. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

     I have said all of this to build up to what I am about to say now. If I do not post for weeks or months at a time, I am busy raising my family. I am busy being a help meet to my husband, being a part of my children's lives (teaching them right from wrong, playing with them, and taking care of their daily needs), and attempting to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Which I believe with my whole heart that God intended every woman to strive to be like her. If you are not aware of what this woman is like pick up your bible, look her up, and study her! I will try to post every now and then and keep you updated on our family, but if I do not get to it for a while, you know where I am and what I am doing. I hope everyone has a blessed year and that you too strive to raise a godly family!

Gone Missing and Lessons Learned

     Ok, so it has been a long time A REALLY LONG TIME since I last blogged.  This summer has been insanely busy and so many things have changed (for the better)...From Craig's promotion, to vacations and family days, to having a baby, oh and throw in buying a new car somewhere in the middle of all of that! Life has just been too busy to sit down and blog. Days seem to just fly by and my kids are not getting any younger! I so wish time would slow down at least a little bit...Ethan is walking and Gracie is one month old! When did this all happen?? Anyways, that's where I have been and a little bit of what I have been doing!

       A few things that I have learned since becoming a mommy over a year and a half ago and things that I continue to learn everyday...

1. Parenthood is a job done on the knees

2. Sleep is to be enjoyed EVERY time the kids are asleep too

3. Bubble bath that is not disturbed...What's that?! A luxury to be enjoyed by those who do not have children yet!

4. Smiles, laughter, and constant playing are a must!

5. The "learning" and "teaching" never stop...It is a constant thing going on even when no words are being said

6. You just thought you had laundry before kids...haha! I went from laundry hamper to laundry hampers, and from empty to ALWAYS full!

There are many more lessons than that, but that is all that I am going to post for now! Like I said earlier, life is busy! Hopefully it won't be another couple of months before I post something else up!

This is the day that the Lord hath made

Here are some pictures of Ethan the last few days...He is growing up so fast and changing into a toddler more and more everyday! He is such a blessing to Craig and I, and we {love} him SO MUCH!!

So he was on our back deck playing with his Buzz car and saw a bug or something and decided to shoot it with his laser gun!

I {heart} his facial expression...so mischievous!

He talks with his hands a lot!

After shooting it, he had to tell me all about it! =)

Unfortunately, it started getting too hot outside so we came inside to watch a cartoon! His two favorite ones are...

Looney Tunes

  

Finding Nemo

Totally blank stare...mouth wide open...tongue out!

When he watches either of these cartoons, this is normally his facial expression during the entire show... 

 Today, he got to ride a mickey mouse car ride for the first time ever...he wasn't too sure about it at first but then decided that he loved it!