whole hand ( 5 years old)

Five years ago today Layne Marie entered our world. She was born after 24 hours of grueling labor, but was worth every tear shed, every ounce of sweat and pain. Today, we celebrated her, allowing her to pick the activities of the day.

The morning began with breakfast at McDonalds... I tried to protest, but daddy said she could pick what ever she wanted...at least they make good hash browns.

Off to Big Lots to spend her birthday money. She came out with new nail polish, chap stick and some wax based eye shadow stuff. She look gorgeous!!!

Next stop Ikea. She wanted to play in the play area. So, Jeff and I gladly dropped our children off to play and we went and shopped for 1 hour kid free. Glorious!!! The girls had an absolutely wonderful time, and really never want to leave. But they do kick you out after an hour, so sad.

After so much shopping, we were all starving, so off to XXX Root beer. They make the biggest root beer floats and hugest burger that I have ever seen. We all ate to our hearts content.



Lunch finished and we thought it would be fun to walk around the Space Needle. We thought wrong... its Bumbershoot weekend. Lots of alternative music blaring, one to many people all in one small location and the clincher for us, no free parking to be found.
Layne did however get good look at the Needle and that made her birthday!

Jeff and I thank Jesus everyday for our gift of Layne Marie. She is our treasure and joy. She is the first to laugh at a good joke and the first to cry for others in pain. I see everyday her life being molded by the Potters hands, to be a handmaiden for Him. She will tell you that when she grows up she wants to help baby's in China or India. Our pray for her is: Lord continue to mold her into Your Image, may she bring Your good news to those who don't knowYou, keep her pure and innocent, may she taste and see that You alone are good, that there is nothing in this world that will ever compare to serving and yielding her life fully and completely to You!

Happy Birthday Layne!

Mom and Dad love you very much!

Kindergarten

Last night we had Layne's kindergarten orientation. I knew that one day this day would come, I just did not realize how quickly it would arrive.
Layne was elated the minute we walked into the room. She quickly found her cubby, desk and name on the wall. During the evening the kids were given their first assignment, draw a house with your family. Oh how she could not wait to get home and work on her "report." She also got to meet the ballet teacher that will come in once a week. At this point I thought Layne was going to burst from sheer excitement! So, today our task will consist of finishing the report, and going to get ballet slipper, tights and a leotard!!!
Layne also got her passport photo taken last night. The theme this year is A Trip Around the World. So for every country they " visit", they will get a stamp in their passport. Their first destination will be China! Pack your bags, cause the Kindergartners are travelling!

We told the girls....

Yesterday, Jeff and I told the girls about the new baby. Maisen did not really get it. Layne, however, did not take the news well at all. She teared up and lost control. It was hard to watch her react in that manner, but I also understood that she is still dealing with the loss of Nicholas. During church, she leaned over and asked her dad "if when the new baby comes, will it have a heartbeat and live?". So, if you could pray for peace in Layne's heart and that we would have wisdom in addressing the questions that Layne raises.
In other news, Jeff worked a total of 57 hours this last week and add the 3 hour commute to and from work, he was gone a grand total of 71 hours. Pour guy, he is such a trooper and never complains one bit about it. I think he enjoys his car ride as he has downloaded Mack Driscoll sermons and get to listen to them everyday. It makes Seattle traffic bearable.
Count down is on at our house for school to start. Everyone is ready to get back to routine and day to day schedules. So we have many plans this week to enjoy our freedom to play when ever we want, cause starting next week that will not be the case... yeah!!!!


if you felt like my blog was missing something...Amy Grant had to go

Tag your it

I tagged, so here it goes!

A. Attached or single? Married to the world sweetest, cutest, most loving man
B. Best friend? I have been blessed with many different people from all walks of life: so for starters Jeff, cause he laughs at all my stupid jokes, Laura cause she loves me even when I am seriously cranky, Jodi, cause she knew all my dirty little secrets starting the first day of 9th grade... she was my locker partner, and boy did we grow some interesting stuff in there, and because no matter the distance or time between meeting we pick up right where we left off... she is wonderful
C. Cake or pie? cake... can't stand that pie crust... gross, but warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream... it just does not get better than that.
D Day of choice? Thursday... not sure why but I just really like that day... maybe cause that is the day that the Office shows... yeah JAM
E. Essential item? My hand sanitizer.. can't leave home with out... and my kids, they are always there
F. Favorite color? Pink
G. Gummy bears or worms? do cinnamon bears count, those are my favorite candy ever
H. Hometown? I was born in Caldwell, Id and have lived all over the Pacific NW
I. Indulgence? pedicures, with a yummy coffee, my phone off, no kids, I am all alone sitting there enjoying 30 minutes of peace while someone massages my feet
J. January or July? January, I love the cold weather... I am a native to the Northwest
K. Kids? 2 little girls, 1 little boy in the arms of Jesus, and 1 bun in the oven hoping to make it's grand appearance March 10
L. Life isn't complete without? having a personal relationship with Jesus
M. Marriage date? July 27,02
N. Number of brothers and sisters? One way too cute 12 year old sister, one to big for his own good 16 year old brother and one "I live for cage fighting" 25 year old brother
O. Oranges or apples? Both, well as long as the apples are crisp and the oranges juicy
P. Phobias? the dark, snakes and germs
Q. Quotes? " the child heart is open to any and all avenues: an Angel would no more surprise it than a man. In dreams, in visions, in visible and invisible ways, God can talk and reveal Himself to a child; but the profound yet simple way is lost forever- immediately we lose the open child like nature." Oswald Chambers
R. Reasons to smile? Sweet little Maisen and her lisp ( she has a hard time with s's) and Layne outrageous outfits, today a red dress she bought her self at a neighbors garage sale, bright red and pink sock with her pink slip on Sperry's... makes me laugh just think about it!
S. Season of choice? fall, I love that cinnamon and apple smell that brings me back to my grandmas house and her dinner's
T. Tag seven peeps! (see below)
U. Unknown fact about me? can't stand clutter, makes me crazy
V. Vegetable? all veggies, except for eggplant,
W. Worst habits? biting my nails
X. X-ray or ultrasound? ultra sound as long as it's to peak at a healthy baby
Y. Your favorite food? I love all things Italian
Z. Zodiac sign? not even the slightest clue.. if you know fill me in


Tagging people:
Jeff cause you like to play my games!
Laura cause you too, like to play my silly games
Melissa Mcclure cause we want to know you better
Missy Coburn aka Melissa.... cause I just think you should
Jessica Edmiston cause I am sure that if you were here you would love to play all my fun games


I Know not 7 but 5 will do

Sabbath

Today, Jeff and Layne were having a discussion about preparing for Sabbath rest. Layne posed the question "why do we have Sabbath rest?". I told her the story of creation again and placed more emphasis on the 7th day when God rested. She sat there quietly pondering what we had just discussed and then without missing a beat she asked how could that be, cause God never rest, He is always there anytime night or day! Hmm, what a smart girl.
The conversation ended by an interruption from her sister, but it floored me at how her brain was working and that she knows her Heavenly Father is there always.
I need to sit down and try to explain that God was modeling for us what Sabbath rest would be, but this is where I struggle as a mom, how do I word doctrine and biblical truths is such a way that she will grasp it. I know the answer to my problem is take it to the Lord in prayer. So, I will.
I'll let you know how the rest of the conversation turns out!
Enjoy your Sabbath rest!

Praise the Lord

I found out this afternoon I have insurance, so do the girls!!!
This is a huge weight taken off my shoulders. God is so faithful to provide all of our needs!

this is for you Jaime

Last night I was at a baby shower and the party had began to break up and people we just lingering visiting. A few of my friends wanted to know the status of Jeff's job, Layne's ability to go to private school and just how I was doing. I was doing my best to answer the questions without having to go deep. Vulnerability is not my strong suit, I firmly believe in self preservation at all cost... then it hit. How can I fully express the great things that God has done with out telling just how in dire need I am for Him to come and rescue me!
So, here it goes... I am going to tell you the good, the really good and the thing that scares me the most. I don't want to hide, for I want God to be glorified in and through my life.
About 3 weeks ago ,as you all know, Jeff lost his job. Our hearts were broken, yet hopefully optimistic that this was the Lord allowing us to move back to be near our families. That has not been the case. It has been shown to us over and over again that this is where God would have our family be. There was some disappointment, but also anticipation to see what great things God has in store for our family.
Layne will be going to The Legacy Academy. This was a desire of both Jeff's and my heart, but with the loss of his job and the gaining a new job with less pay we thought that it was out of the question. God was faithful was again. We contacted the school and let them know our situation and waited. Principal Aaron called wrote us back and said they were looking to hire an aide in Layne's class, it would be 2 hour, 5 days a week and if I wanted it the job was mine. Wow, yes I wanted it, that would help out greatly... then came the best news! Doing this would completely cover our tuition bill. Once again I saw God clearly orchestrating His good and perfect will in my family's life.
I mentioned there was something that scares me....well here it goes. Even sitting here trying to write this sentence out I want to through up but I need to tell . I am 10 weeks pregnant.
I am nervous, will I lose this one like I lost Nicholas, will the stress of my life cause any difficulties for my pregnancy. We also found out we don't have insurance and how do we have a baby with no insurance. I am trying every minute of every day to place my faith firmly in the One who holds my tomorrows...easier said than done, but I want at the end of this journey I am on to give praise to God for His faithful provision.

Please be praying for guidance and wisdom, and for God's provision for health insurance.

Thank you for all of those who have supported us through this experience, you are our treasures and gifts from God!

Ps we have not yet told the girls about the upcoming baby yet, so please do not say anything to them... we will tell them once I have been to the Dr and had everything checked.

My Utmost for His Highest!!!

This was written by Oswald Chambers, but truth, wisdom and insight can be found in his writing . My perspective of Jeff losing his job are changing, realizing that no matter the circumstance God is at work and I am to rely on Him for all things....with that said I wanted to share today's reading !

God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God's. But what seemed to be a failure from man's standpoint was triumph from God's standpoint, because God's purpose is never the same as man's purpose.

This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea - no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen, do not happen by chance- they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.

If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say " I wonder why God allowed this or that?" And we begin to see what compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm,relaxed pace which should be characteristics of the children of God.

note- I highlighted the parts the struck, made me feel uncomfortable, forced me to examine my own self reliance and how little I trust Him. He is changing me!