Truthful Tuesday - Holy Week

Nothing like getting it in at the VERY end of the day....I had hoped to get this posted way before now!!!
I have so many thoughts and emotions and they are all jumbled together [as are all of my thoughts] about this week and I am praying that God will sort them out for me to be clear.  I have really been pondering and trying to grasp in my heart of hearts what Holy Week really means...to me personally.  How the happenings of this week, and what Jesus did, impact me.  Bottom line is that Jesus suffered, died and rose and in each of these there is something that makes my heart skip a beat at the realization that, of all people, He didn't deserve it, yet He endured it so that I can be free and righteous before Him. He suffered.  He took it -remained quiet with little to no responses.  He never defended Himself.  Painful - not only physically but emotionally and mentally.  But the joy in all of this is that He has risen indeed!  He overcame death.  He conquered death. He gave His life so that I have eternal life, in Him.

I am reading three different devotions right now regarding Lent, Easter and Holy Week.  Matthew 26 has been the focus so far this week and there is so much about Jesus' time in the garden that strikes me and grabs my heart.  He is sobbing, crying out to His Father.  Asking for what He knows lies ahead, to be taken from Him.  Is there any other way?  Is there something else that can be done?  I can't even imagine His pain and emotion.  But this reminder is that when we are going through our own pain and suffering, it is our Heavenly Father who we need to run to.  It is to His feet that we need to fall and pour out our hearts to Him.    We have the same access to God and He hears us just the same. Now the hard part is next, trusting and being in full obedience for what is God's plan and not ours.  Jesus says ' I want your will to be done, not mine' (v.39b)  and then again 'Your will be done' (v.41b) and this is where I sit with my jaw on the floor.  How does He do it.  Even to death, He is obedient.  He is willing to obey at all cost.  What about me?  Am I willing to obey and allow Him to complete His will in my life?  Lets be honest, my obedience isn't even half as painful as His was and yet I struggle with the simplest things some times.  So, this just sparks a flame in my heart to be aware of what He is asking and not only to obey but seek Him first in my struggles [instead of calling my Mom, texting my friends, or trying to talk something through with Justin] go to my Heavenly Father and fall to His feet and surrender...'Your will Father be done, not mine'.  

The garden is where I pause to hear His sobs and His prayers.  Its where I see that cup we poured so violently spilling over.  And its where I thank Him for His willingness to drink every last drop of it.  For me. - She Reads Truth, Holy Week Devotional

And then we fast forward to the glorious Easter morning.  Jesus was gone from the tomb yet very well alive.  He had risen.  He was with His Father.  He defeated death.  He won.  And when I think about this part of Easter and how Jesus left perfection to become fully human, just like you and me, to live in this corrupt world.  To live a perfect life and die the death of a criminal.  I can't help but think of his explanation to the disciples in John:

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't the Advocate won't come.  If I do go away, then I will send him to you.  And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment.   The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me.  Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.  - John 16:7-10

There is so much wrapped up into His Resurrection.   It is the proof that He is the Messiah, and that He is the Savior of the world.  It is freedom.  It is access to the Father.  It is redemption.  It is gaining the Holy Spirit.  It is access to the Father.  It is forgiveness.....and the list goes on.  But for me, right now these are the focus of my Lenten Season and this Easter.  That I will fall to the Father in any time of need and trust in His will over my desires and be willing to be fully obedient.  And to remember that Jesus over came all and is in us through the Spirit.  All we have to do is believe, in Him!  Amen.

Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.  Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of the highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:7-11

A Tweet Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Kenley turning one with a Birdie birthday party.  I fell in love with so many awesome idea's on pinterest that I knew that I wanted to do a birdie theme and it was so much fun.  My sweet baby is already one and I can hardly believe it.  She is the sweetest little girl I could ask for. I wanted to share the fun of the party first and later this week I am going to do a one year post just on this sweet birthday girl!

Her so adorable and perfect birdie dress was specially made by her Mella!  How great is that?  Isn't it just the cutest dress ever?  I loved it and it was just perfect for her party dress. Thank you Mella for making this for her!! I didn't get a great picture of her in it because she is on the move so much, hard to get her to sit still for a picture. (and the tongue doesn't stop moving, either across her front teeth or sticking out)

 This invitation was the inspiration for the whole party.  I fell in love with the invitation and the rest fell into place. Invitation via

 I made the birdies (thanks to this pattern) and the birthday sign out of craft paper

 Once I knew I was going to do a birdie theme, I remembered one of my good friends also had done a birdie party for her little girl.  She was so gracious to let me borrow the precious birdie garland she made!

 I hung pictures of her through her first year!

 We went simple and yummy on the food... fruit salsa and hummus for snacking.  Hamburgers, chips and beans for lunch.  

 Birthday Girl need a power drink before opening her presents...

 We had great helpers to distribute the cupcakes to everyone.  Collier kept asking what his job could be and this was just the perfect one.  Strawberry cupcakes!

Cupcake Time...

This was the guest book...it was so fun to get everyone's personal touch on the little sign.

All of the guest went home with bird seed and gummy worms...again, this came from my friend as well! I am really thankful to have friends who don't mind if I copy them!!!  

The weather was perfect for us to be on the front porch at the lake.  It was fun to have all of her grandparents, and even 2 of her great grandparents, along with aunts, uncles and cousins (although we did miss a few) to celebrate her turning one.  She is did great and enjoyed all of the activity and fun of the party.  Still can't believe she is ONE.

Birthday Girls

This is a week of very important birthdays!  First, we celebrate Mom's birthday TODAY!!!  The best Mom I could ever ask for.  She is a nurturer and care taker on every level.  She has always gone above and beyond for me and I am so thankful to have her as my Mom.  She deserves to be celebrated! [and the bad news is that she is working over time because I have some unusual work commitments this week, so it is a working birthday week for her...Booo!]  Maybe I can make it up to her a little next week.

And then she is Nammy to my two kiddos.  Again, not only an amazing grandmother but also the most perfect care giver of these two babies.  She loves on them, teaches them, guides them and then loves on them some more.  I am so thankful that she is so close and gets to be apart of our lives daily.  The fact that she wants and is able to keep them every day is the biggest blessing!  Collier and Kenley adore her and love every second that they get to be with her.  Collier told me the other night that he didn't like his house and wanted to sleep at Nammy's house.  I asked him how he was going to get to her house and he told me that she would come and get him.  The problem is that in about 5 more years, he'll have the ability to just call her and ask her to come and get him.  He loves his Nammy!

And then this weekend we will celebrate Kenley turning ONE!  What, holiday-whobe-whatie? [sorry for that Grinch outburst]  Where does the time go?  It is also her birthday week.  Mom said that her birthday week is being overtaken by Kenley. So, they just have to share the week!  Birthday Girls!

We will have so much fun celebrating this weekend.  We'll make it for the both of them.  As I put Collier to bed last night we were practicing singing happy birthday and he did it to Nammy and Kenley!  They will just go hand and hand for the rest of our lives!  Happy Birthday Mom!

Truthful Tuesdays - I am His

I think that I shared a few weeks ago that at the Discovery weekend we did at our church one of the speakers kept saying that God tells us 'Don't worry, I've got you.  You're mine.  I love you'.  It sends chills up my spine at this simple and amazing truth.  You know the good ole phrase, I've got your back.  That is just how I feel....God has my back.  He is in my corner.  He is calling me to come to Him and trust.  To lay my request at His feet and just trust.  That is the whole thing, TRUST!  Having confidence that He really does have whatever situation that we are facing or going through, He has it all in the palm of His hand.  He already knows what is going to happen and how it is all going to end up. 

So, I have been stressing with some work stuff the past few weeks [as in my eye won't stop twitching because I am worried about it and can't stop thinking about it] but God keeps working it out and showing me that I need to stop worrying.  For instance, twice in the past week He has opened doors for conversations that eased whatever concern I was having that day.  And then I just happened to pick up my Jesus Calling devotion, that I haven't read in weeks and here is what is says:

...Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day...Secret things belong to the Lord,  and future things are secret things.  When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine.  This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you.  Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me.  I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that.  Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go. 

Amen to that!  Worrying - check.  Trying to figure out the future - check, check.  Planning my own next step - check.  Realizing I need to repent and turn to him - check.  that is the hard one.  Realizing that my own worry and concern is doubting that God is in control.  Doubting that He has my best interest.  Thinking that my ways are better or that what I do or plan will impact what is going to happen.  The one day I happened to pick up this devotional and read it was the one message that I needed to read and be reminded of.  It was no coincidence or chance happening.  He lead me to that devotional on that very day to speak directly to me.  Thank you Father!  My favorite reminder is the last sentence to actually ENJOY the journey.  I am working on that part and when my eye starts twitching...that is where I go...to Him.  Asking Him to lead my next step and tell Him I am trusting Him with this situation.  Thankful that He already knows how it is going to pan out.  I also have to repent because when my eye starts to twitch, it means that I've taken it back on me and worry has set in and my own planning and anxious thoughts are present.  Which takes me back to the fact that He has me.  I am His and He is in control.  He loves me enough to care about the small details of work that I am currently going through.  There is nothing too big or too small to lay before Him.  I don't even know what I would do without that relief that I can lay my burden's at His feet.

In my Lent devotional [by NT Wright via YouVersion Bible] I read about Jesus walking on water out to His disciples and how Peter trusted Jesus and walked on the water out to Jesus...only for reality to set in and he lost faith but then called out to Jesus 'Lord, rescue me'[Matthew 14:30b].  When I waiver and allow that worry to circle back around me, I need to be reminded that Jesus is right here.  He is here to rescue me and take care of me.  I am His and He loves me.  He has it all taken care of!

Lord, give us the faith we need to attempt the impossible fr you; and rescue us when our faith suddenly gives out. -NT Wright

My Babies

As we quickly approach Kenley's first birthday, I am just beside myself that she is about to turn one!  Nothing seems to slow her down.  She is my little shadow and will follow us all over the house.  Her favorite thing is to pull all of Collier's cups, plates and bowls out of the drawers in the kitchen [I have them in low drawers so that he has access to them all].  She also likes the bag of bath tub letters that are soft and great for chewing on!  

 Collier is into spiderman [can only assume the this is from his class full of boys because he hasn't ever seen an episode of spiderman] and also into guns of every kind and sort.  We work hard on gun safety and it is a work in progress for sure.  He recently has become interested in bow and arrows.  Usually he tries making any kind of coat hanger into a bow and arrow.

 Kenley has started on whole milk [beginning of February] and she is now only nursing morning and night and gets whole milk through the day.  She doesn't seem phased at all.  Just fill that tummy up and she is happy!

 Collier is coming around more and more to like his sister!  Each passing month brings new tiny steps that makes my heart sing praises to the Lord!  Literally.  Let me emphasize TINY, it is slow but any progress, I am thankful for!  He is really helpful with her too and this helps a ton

 Kenley thinks that Collier is very funny!  and so do I!

 Kenley is very inconsistent in her napping routine and habits. Some days she will nap three times and other days she will only nap once.  The once a day nap days will almost kill my mom!  Collier on the other hand is an awesome napper.  Although he does resist going down and has these arguments of why he shouldn't nap: 'I don't need a nap', 'I don't like my bed',  'I'm not going to take a nap', and most commonly used is 'It's not my favorite thing to do'.  But once he gets snuggled in, he naps great!

 We dance at our house!  Kenley is just starting to bounce and rock when music is playing.  I think I have well documented Collier dancing.  He loves it.  Which makes me think we should have a dance'n night at our house!

 Collier is working hard on writing his own name...this is unprompted by me.  We have a white board on our refrigerator and he just likes to write on it and seems to practice his name most of the time.

 Kenley has been going to the one year old nursery on Sundays for the past month and a half because she is on the move so much.  They can't believe she isn't even one and moving like she is!

I am happy to report that Collier has gotten his hair cut since these pictures were taken, it was long over due and is much better trimmed up :)