Change...its a coming!

When I start this post, for some reason I picture Johny Cash's DEEP voice singing one of his tunes about the troubles in his life and how he got through them:) Random, I know but its super early in the morning and I can't sleep. My sweet friend Ronda has inspired me to start blogging again, though her blog is FANTASTIC and mine will never compare but its to much fun to put things down with words.
2011 started out like most of my New year do. I wrote my New Years Resolutions. I have always loved doing this. I am super Goal based girl. I love lists that I can write and then crossing them off with a big smile is even more fun!
This year I wrote my list. I read over it and this huge amount of shame came over me. On my list were all of these surface goals....the body goals, these house goals, etc....and 2 tiny goals in the middle said this, "Get Deeper with God." "Work on my prayer Life." My conviction came with this...Why were those two things not the VERY first thing I wrote down on my list? Really? Why is "lose weight" "remodel this" "Go do this" way before my Spiritual health??? Right then and there, told Jason, "I don't want to just keep scratching the surface with God anymore...I am ready to see what ALL He has for me. I am done with my lazy life with Christ." Thus is where my story begins.
It was time to get Deeper...Put Effort. GO FURTHER! For my marriage, for my kids, and for me!! I was and am ready to be a Godly mom and a Godly wife. So, when you chose to go Deeper with God...He takes you at your word, lol. All of these *cough* "Respectable Sins" started creeping up. I was struggling even more with them then ever before and was constantly praying about them and going to God's word but they just kept coming up!! One evening I was at friends house and a couple of us ladies were chatting and talking about what God was doing in our lives. Out of the blue, I just spilled out this Sin that has been controlling me for over a year or so. I know it was the Holy spirit because I just don't share things with people like that...Not my down falls for heavens sake. I mean, who wants to rag on themselves to others? I've always been better at bragging about myself:) That night changed me. My friend said to me..."you say you have fully given this to God, but are you sure? Are you sure that all of the bitterness and other things that go along with it have been given to God and confessed too?" I honestly thought that I had! I really did. But why was I struggling with it worse then ever before. So my other precious friend, whom I look up to as a spiritual force IN my life...and yes ladies...she is nearly 3 years younger then me....suggested this amazing book that God has used to CHANGE me. "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges. I ordered it that night because I was DESPERATE! I was longing for freedom from this area like nothing before. I read through the book and realized that things I was struggling with weren't what I thought and God has allowed me to work through this sin. It is a daily STRUGGLE still though and I honestly think it always will be.
Sin never comes into your life uninvited. And struggling with what I struggle with, was something I let in. I let myself conform to this world, and by doing so, I allowed myself to let this sin Rule my life. Praise God for His Sovereignty and His patience and His Love and most of all for His Word. Because He has changed me...I have so far to go...and I know I won't reach it until I am in Heaven with Him someday but God...you are so good to me and I just don't deserve it.

He has placed a few verses in my life that I have on my mirror in my bathroom as a constant reminder of leaning on His word in every area!

"Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect." Romans 12:2

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" Phillipians 4:8

"We must not be PROUD and make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other." Galations 5:5

"But the spirit produces the fruit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control." Galations 5:22-23

Other then God's word, He has been showing me my warning signs and my so called "Triggers."
The areas that I am struggling in, I ask God to show me what Triggers those things? What am I allowing into my mind or life that triggers these sins. And as I said before, no sin comes into ones life without being invited.

HI!!! Remember us?!?!

Thought I would stop in and say HELLO and makes sure u all remember who we are and what we look like, lol!! We've been so busy...I mean BUSY!!! I haven't even check anyone elses blog in AGES!! Sorry, I am a horrible blogging friend! Love to you all and Merry Christmas!! I am off to finish wathing HSM3 with my kiddos!! Dance party, here we come!

Mixed Emotion

This has seriously been my season of good byes! With all of them come lots of JOY but also lots of SADNESS!! My brother MJ leaves for Iraq next month. I am so proud of him! He is an awesome soliders...all of his Lt. love him and he moves up in rank FAST. He's always been a little smarty pants and has finally found a place that he can really use it! As I am so PROUD and EXCITED for him...I am also so scared and sad. This is a huge thing and it's super dangerous. Please be praying for my brother Mark Jason as he is going to be over there for at least 9 months.
MJ is in Mississippi doing some last minute training before he ships out. He resuntly sent our family this photo with the caption: "I love this job." I haven't seen MJ with this kind of smile in a picture for a long time. It made my heart happy and content. Love you MJ!!!

Happy Trails to You!

We love to be outside!! And with the amazing Fall we have had, we've been on the GO like crazy!! Here are a few shots of the family enjoying our beautiful Oregon Coast and some of it's trails! We are so blessed to live where we do!

The view from one of our hikes

Logan always enjoys being the leader so we are often singing..."we're following the leader, the leader..." from Peter Pan

On one trail we saw TONS of Mushrooms. Logan said he felt like he was Mario in Mushroom land:) He thinks like his daddy, heehee.

Logan would go all day long.....we have to set a time limit or we would be out til Dark! Peyton really enjoys it too and does great. She's always been really coordinated.

I love this picture of the kids. They are just getting so big!

I hope we can enjoy some more dry Fall days!! We heard we are gonna have a WET winter! Maybe we will just put on our boots and rain coats and enjoy it;)

Chef Logan

I LOVE my job for many many reasons. One of them being the fact that I can make my very own schedule! I had this whole week off with my kiddos, which I love. There is nothing like just being home!! Logan really wanted to make a macaroni pizza! My friend Abbie had posted this yummy pizza on her facebook a while back and we've been wanting to try it!! SO...step on into our dinner adventure!
All you need is: Boboli pizza crust, Ragu-roasted gralic parmesan , and velveeta shells and cheese!
First you throw the crust in the air;)
Then you SPREAD your yummy cheesy garlic sauce.....PUT LOTS ON!!! Ours needed a little bit more.
Cook your velvetta shells and cheese and spread it all over the top of the pizza!
Smile for your mama on camera! And cook the pizza as the crust directions tell you to.
MMMMMMMMMMM!!!! It was soooooooooooo yummy. We are totally making this again soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

PAR-TAY!!!

Logan's been waiting about 10 months for this party!! He was invited to a POOL party last Nov. and ever since then, he's been counting down the days to have his own pool party! We have a blast and are so thankful for everyone who could make it!!!!
5 years old deserves a BIG old party full of family and friends!

***************5***********************

Our baby boy turned 5 yesterday. I can hardly even believe it. It's one of those weird feelings....it feels like yesterday that we were bringing him home in his little Logan stocking cap but at the same time, I don't even remember what it was like not having that precious boy in my life. God has been so good to me. All I can say is, I AM BLESSED!

Happy Birthday Logan. You are one of the biggest Joys of my life!