]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/this-is-sigh-our-song/feed/ 0 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/your-grace-is-enough/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/your-grace-is-enough/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:18:51 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4758 Keep reading →]]> Winter has come back again Feels like the season won’t end My faith is dying tonight And I won’t try to pretend I’ve got it all figured out I don’t have any doubts I’ve got a busted heart I need You now Yeah, I need You now (Chorus) Hold on to me, hold on to me Don’t let me lose my way Hold on to me I am the wandering son Your love is never enough I keep chasing the wind Instead of chasing Your love I’m screaming out Your name Don’t let me fall on my face I’ve got a busted heart I’m in need of a change I’m desperate for grace Hold on to me, take all of me Don’t let me lose my way Hold on to me Broke Your heart a thousand times But You’ve never left my side You have always been here for me You never let me go You never let me go Don’t ever let me go Hold on to me, hold on to me Don’t let me lose my way Hold on to me Hold on to me, take all of me Don’t let me lose my way Hold on to me Until it comes to an end Soon this season will end I’ll surrender tonight You meet me right where I am. -Hold On by King and Country.

If His grace is an ocean than we’re all sinking! How He loves us.

It is our Father’s grace which sustains us. It is His grace that produces in us the Fruit of the Spirit to be evident so that Christ is on display in our lives. We will never be enough. His grace is. Jesus Christ is enough!

We’ve heard studies about people on Facebook after x amount of years experience a level of depression, as a result of reading the glamorous things others share about their lives. First of all, Facebook is surface. It isn’t the place to share drama. The majority of people post wonderful things.. Everybody has got the friend that focuses on the negative.. Yea, that’s no good. Don’t be fooled. Your identity is not in a silly social media site. Don’t forget that anyone can be whoever they want behind a computer. Nobody has got it altogether. Nobody! Real life happens in real relationships.

I love to blog, to share, to post, to socialize. I noticed today… Well, let me just say, that I felt very led to share with you that it’s not always a grand ol’ party with candy, balloons and laughter. I am the least of these. I am my own worst enemy. I do things I don’t want to do. I struggle, fall, drop,to my knees and sometimes let those broken tears run down until there is no more left. I desire for my flesh to die. Paul said to die is to gain. Putting something to death is extreme. It’s intense and it’s painful. Those moments…. In the ashes… I pray that the flames burn away the things that are of me, and not of Him. Empty me! Fill me with You!! Painfully beautiful. That’s what we call it. The necessary brokenness that strengthens our faith. We are filled, to be emptied again.

I don’t want easy. I desire, regardless the pain, to be continually transformed. Pleasing to my Lord.

We desire to reach our fullest potential in Christ. That can only be attained by surrendering all to His guidance and not giving up. In my weakness, His strength is revealed! Praise the Lord!

I want you to know, that we are so thankful for our relationship with you!!!
It is in these relationships that we are able to see more clear. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13.

Grateful for His grace and with so much love,
~Amanda

I am so nuts about him………

You are wonderful. In every way.

30. Fili B’s.. yes, please! His fave place to grub. 29. Did someone say Dr. Pepper?! If only it was healthy enough to replace H2O. 28. Handy-Man. He is our Bob the Builder! ha. If he doesn’t know how to fix it, he will figure it out. 27. Humble and patient. 26. His name is tattooed on my hip. And he loves it. 25. ‘He sees a need, a he meets it.’ 24. He’d love to be survivor-man or a fighter pilot. 23. When it comes to date-night, he’d rather be together on our couch than out with a crowd. 22. Someday he’d love to live far away in a wide open space. 21. He loves our children with his whole heart, with his priorities, with his time, with his hands. He wears his heart on his sleeve and you can’t be around us very long without seeing how into his family he is. We are blessed!! 20. He sees our children with his heart. 19. He communicates… and prays. 18. His #1 is Jesus Christ! 17. He drives a fire truck and gets to serve others. 16. Hard-worker. 15. He fights for what is true and righteous. No matter if it’s difficult or not popular. 14. When he is wrong, he is the first to admit it. He doesn’t need the approval of others. Whom will you serve? For this guy, it’s wholeheartedly the Lord! 13. He listens more than he speaks. 12. He doesn’t anger easily. 11. Fun is as important as sleep. 10. He fights to keep an eternal perspective in all things. 09. Home-Depot lover. 08. Eager to learn. 07. He is the kind of man that asks why and how. 06. Enjoys candy more than vegetables. 05. Despises structured exercise. He loves activity and working on projects. 04. Family-time is the best time. 03. He is a tee-shirt and jeans, hat-guy. 02. Jeremy Camp is his favorite singer. 01. His wife is his biggest cheerleader.

Happy Birthday to you…
Happy Birthday to you…
Happy 30th Birthday to the man of my dreams…
Happy Birthday to you, Craig!
I love you with all of me… forever.

I praise God for YOU and am so blessed that he chose ME for YOU. It brings me so much joy to watch you grow and lead and love. Our Perfect Father reveals so much of Himself through you because of your abandoned faith and relationship with Him. You make me strive to be the best version of me. Thank you for giving me unconditional love. Thank you for holding my hand so tightly and leading me into the most painfully beautiful places because you knew that is where He was. Oh’ the Lord’s perfection. When we started dating you were 19… and now, 30! Look at where we have come!!!! It excites me to my core to grow old with you… I am who I am, because you are you. Quitting is not an option. All of me, is all for you. From you, Kyler and Kaiden will know what it means to love and lead… and Audrey will know what to look for in a husband. She looks to you for admiration. I love the way you talk to her and tell her how beautiful she is. To our boys, you are hero. I admire your humility as a father and how you point them to Jesus by the way you live…the way you love….

I could go on on…

ah… my Love, Happy 30th Birthday!

Craig and I renewed our vows on the beach in Cancun.

When we got married, almost nine years ago, we weren’t who we are today.
We didn’t get married in the Spirit.

This time… was different.
Incredible. Perfect!!!!!
In every way.

The Lord’s plans are unfathomable. He is sooooo good!

To us, this was (other than the days we met our children) the BEST moment of our life!

We went to Cancun excited to have a great time with our friends.
We came home from Cancun united, stronger and more crazzzyy in love than ever.

I looked at Craig on the airplane, the sunlight was coming through the window and hitting his face – his eyes glistened. He looked hotter than ever. It was an overwhelming moment of… LOVE. God’s love. Craig’s love. Our love. It was a whoa-God moment… a whoa moment that my husband is.. my husband. My best friend. My peanut butter.

Our vows weren’t planned or thought out before hand. Our vows were made in the Spirit, from our hearts.
It was just the three of us – God, Craig and I.

…a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Shame on me for ever trying to ‘figure out’ what the Lord is doing. His faithfulness, grace, love and plans are so overwhelmingly unfathomable. I will TRUST! Always. Because He is God! He is MUY BUENO! You can’t reason the things of the Lord. You can’t be led by the Spirit and by reasoning.

I’ve fallen in love all over again.. but harder.. for my man.

It’s new. It’s HOT!

It’s all because of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Wherever You lead us, we will go!
Whatever You have for us, we want!

Lord, let YOUR will be DONE in ALL things!!!!!!!!

We were so excited to get back to Kyler, Kaiden and Audrey!

.   .   .

May our love for each other bring glory to His name.
May our love point our children to the perfect love of the Father.
May we walk in the Spirit all the days of our life.
May our children become who they have been created to be.

We pray that you, too, are overwhelmed by the Father’s PERFECT love!
We are so thankful for all the relationships in our life!

With LOVE,
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Knight

Ah. the BEST!

We love this family!!!!!! sooooo much.

Justin, Liz, Savannah and Ben. Not pictured: Allie – who got to stay with and enjoy her G&G all to herself.

Cute kids. Special friends. Cabin fun.

Kyler, Savannah, Kaiden and Ben put on a Nativity Scene play for us.

Kyler was Joseph.
Savannah was Mary.
Kaiden was baby Jesus.
Ben was the donkey.

Here is Kaiden (with some of his dinner on his face) as baby Jesus.
With Savannah’s pronunciation: ‘Geez-US.’

I absolutely love this picture of Craig & Kaiden!

Kaid went down SEVERAL times SOLO!
He LOVED sledding.

And then they rested.

Us adults equally had a BLAST on the sled run too! We laughed so hard. It was like being on a day date while Audrey was napping and the other four played inside the cabin. Craig went down with no hands. We went down as couples. Liz and I went down together and with passing time, the run only got faster and the jumps, higher! During all the fun, we didn’t think of capturing a video. The videos we do have is from when we first started sledding and the jumps seem like baby jumps compared to what they became!

Here is one video of our boys going down the run at the beginning of our sledding fun: Look at far they go!

The Lord truly blessed our time together………

We can’t wait until our next visit with them.

XO

Ok, not-so-little.

Younger.

He made our Christmas evening sweeter than our Christmas dessert.

________________________________________________________________________________________

A few weeks ago, I surprised my brother with a venus fly trap.

Wait. Ok. Let me back-track.

He’s told me this story several times and it goes a little something like this:

[my brother to me]
I’ll never forget the time that you got mad at me,
and purposefully, knocked my Venus Fly Trap off the counter onto the floor.

I have no recollection of this story. But, he did. It hurt him. I hurt him.

The most recent time he had mentioned the story, we were sitting by our fire pit… and it was all in laughter. Even so, I was well aware of the truth that you can’t go through this life without being hurt and hurting others.

Because we are human. Imperfect.

“I’ve got to see you ASAP!:)” I wrote on his FB wall on December 7 @ 7:23pm.

With Michael and his beautiful wife, Katelyn, in my living room… I apologized and asked for his forgiveness. Not just for out of my anger, immaturity and emotion, knocking over and ultimately killing his brand new venus fly trap that he had gotten from school when we were little kids…. but for all of the memories that he has of our childhood when I was a selfish brat. I know I was. I know I don’t remember all the details that he might and vise versa. But, I do know that I wasn’t then who I am now. I also know that I would never act in ways that I used to view as acceptable.

I love you, Bro.

I am so proud of my brother.
His heart.
His maturity.
His authenticity.

Before the night was over, he killed a fly and fed it to his plant.

It was pretty awesome.

As is he.
As is He.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

I KNEW that I had to buy Mike a venus fly trap before I knew what a venus fly trap was.

I could have found out by my dear friend google. But no. I (oh’ so) excitedly told Craig: I have to figure out how to make a venus fly trap and give it to my brother!!! [insert his jokes and laughter here]

Really. All these years and I thought I knocked over some sort of wooden bug-trap like box with net walls. Something to “trap” flies in… a bug trap! That he had made.

When I realized that I had killed a fragile plant that he had grown from a seed, I felt like an even bigger jerk.

Think of this new plant as a love fern.

I am glad he liked his gift.

And that I now know what a venus fly trap is.

The greatest gift of all – Perfect Love.

we saw this sign coming home from playing in the snow – photo worthy
the beginning of a lengthy blog post about why we do what we do.

This is our CHRISTmas tree topper – It’s all about the birth of The King!

We believe that Santa Claus was designed to replace Jesus Christ, who is the SOLE meaning of Christmas.

Santa Claus and Satan’s Cause
by: James L. Melton

The modern-day Santa Claus is an American version of Saint Nicholas, a fourth century Roman Catholic bishop from Asia Minor who was noted for his good deeds and gift giving. This tradition first spread throughout Europe, and then found its way to America by the early Dutch settlers.

Since God’s word warns us to BEWARE of tradition (Col. 2:8), we shouldn’t be surprised to find the Devil right in the middle of the world’s most celebrated holiday. Lucifer’s desire has always been to dethrone God and exalt himself (Isa. 14:12-15). He desires worship (Luke 4:7; II Ths. 2:3-4). Perhaps you’ve never thought of it, but please note how Satan robs the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory by spreading the Santa Claus tradition…

SANTA IS ETERNAL
A child knows nothing of his beginning. To a child, Santa has just always existed.

JESUS CHRIST IS ETERNAL
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:8)

SANTA LIVES IN THE NORTH
Tradition holds that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, a place ABOVE the rest of us.

JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN THE NORTH
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” (Psa. 48:2)

SANTA WEARS RED CLOTHING
Santa wears a red furry suit.

JESUS CHRIST WEARS RED CLOTHING
“And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” (Rev. 19:13)

SANTA HAS WHITE HAIR
Santa is always pictured as an old man with white hair like wool.

JESUS CHRIST HAS WHITE HAIR
“His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;” (Rev. 1:14)

SANTA FLIES AROUND GIVING GIFTS
Santa has the ability to defy the laws of gravity and fly around giving gifts to people.

JESUS CHRIST ASCENDED AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” (Eph. 4:7-8)

SANTA IS COMING SOON
During the Christmas season it is emphasized over and over that “Santa is coming”.

JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)

SANTA IS OMNISCIENT
Children are taught that Santa “knows when you’ve been good, and he knows when you’ve been bad”.

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNISCIENT
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Pro. 15:3) “And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Mat. 9:4)

SANTA IS OMNIPRESENT
Santa must be omnipresent, because he has the ability to visit over a billion homes in a twenty-four hour period. That’s over 1100 per second!

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPRESENT
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mat. 18:20)

SANTA IS OMNIPOTENT
He has the ability to carry presents for over a billion children.

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPOTENT
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Mat. 28:18)

SANTA HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ELVES
Webster, 1828: “ELF…a spirit, the night-mar; a ghost, hag, witch”

JESUS CHRIST HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ANGELS
“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” (Mat. 4:11)

SANTA – SANAT – SATAN?
Sanat Kumara is worshipped by some new age groups as God. H.P. Blavatsky, the mother of the new age movement, said on page 350 of her book, The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 2: “The name isn’t important. It is the letters”. “Santa” has the same letters as “Satan”! According to G.A. Riplinger, “Ole Nick” is listed as the name of a fallen angel in the Dictionary of Fallen Angels. (New Age Bible Versions, Gail Riplinger, pg. 53)

Friend, don’t glorify Satan by giving the glory and attributes of Jesus Christ to Santa Claus! Santa is a COUNTERFEIT GOD, and you are honoring Satan when you teach your children to believe in Santa! Christians should teach their children the TRUTH. We should glorify God by teaching our children about Jesus Christ and His saving grace!

Copyright © 1996 James L. Melton

____________________________________________________________________________________

Santa judges you based on if you have been “bad or good”…No wonder the average adult today thinks that they might go to Heaven if they’re good enough. Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven.

Lying is wrong. Agree? Ok.. Telling your child Santa is real is lying. There are no exceptions with honesty.

It’s all about the Truth.

We love our Lord and our foundation is The Word of God in ALL we do.

“Satan has a bid for your child mom and dad, and he’ll use Harry Potter, Santa Claus, Lyra from The Golden Compass or any other Satanic deception to lure your child away from God’s Word.” -David J Stewart

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. -James 1:17

This year, Kyler, Kaiden and Audrey will open three Christmas presents from us.

Me: Kyler, Why do you guys get three gifts for Christmas?
Kyler: Because Jesus got three.

I also bought these from Hobby Lobby: (1 for each of our children)

Jesus was given three gifts by the three wise men or Magi.

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasure chests
and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
-Matthew 2:11

Inside, I have wrapped little gifts for each of them.

My mom used to wrap all of our stocking stuffers, growing up and I loved that. Actually, that was my favorite part! Growing up, my parents did Santa Claus and so did Craig’s parents.

The Lord is doing things differently in the lives of our children. He has created them for His purpose and through our son/Father relationship with Him, He will guide us to ‘training them up’ to fulfill His purpose for them.

Why did He come? Truth! Hope! Love! Salvation!

The foundation we are laying for them is built upon the Rock. We don’t want gaping pits or even hair-line cracks of lies in their foundation! Just solid… firm… strong… Truth. Matthew 7:24 says, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Take up the Sword (The Word of God)! All of our battle is a spiritual one. Ephesians 6:12 says, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The enemy wants nothing less than to steal, kill, destroy, distract, attack, confuse, twist and deceive. We want NOTHING that is not of The Kingdom of God!

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14

Whatever He has. We WANT! We heart’s desire that of our Fathers, for we are His children.

Not just at CHRISTmas…
Every day of every year…

For us, it’s ALL about JESUS the KING of kings!

Luke 2: 4-19 says:

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Jesus is the reason for the season!

REJOICE!

Tomorrow morning, our celebration of the birth of our Savior begins!

Kyler Michael (just now):
Mom, I saw you took the crown off the tree to take a picture of it.
I think we should put it back up there.
I like it up there!

Excuse me, while I go put back the crown, representing JESUS CHRIST, at the top of our Christmas tree………..

Congratulations, Cox Family!

[hoopin' and hollerin' and jumping up and down - Eeeek]

Our great friends, Andrew and Christina just welcomed their first child yesterday!

Christina had an incredibly quick and smooth delivery!

And Olivia is so sweet!
SO BEAUTIFUL!
So tiny. 6lbs. 2oz.
Absolutely precious.

What a JOYFUL day!

You are very much loved, Little Lady.
Happy BIRTH Day, Olivia!

Christmas Countdown: 2 DAYS!

We are EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

Craig doesn’t like surprises.

Normally, I’m like: Okay.

But…

It’s Christmas.

So I’m like: Oh well! *wink*

______________________________________________________________________________

Photo by: J Ashton Photography.

Ron and Shirley had them take some photos of the whole Knight crew.

And may I just add… The kiddos were troopers!

And it was FREEZING outside. Well, it wasn’t really 32 degrees. It was in the 40′s!!! And to us, that is practically freezing! haha. Jamie said it took her a couple hours afterwards to get warm!

Here are a few of my faves:

Justin and Jamie did a GREAT job! As always.

Ah. I am so grateful that the King was born to save, lead and love us. His plans are unfathomable. And perfect! My part is simply trusting and receiving all His goodness. I love to watch Him ‘show-off’ and ohh.. He does!

I am my kids’ teacher. And it’s so awesome.

Kyler Michael – Grade 1

Adorable, right?!!

What a great craft idea.

Look at those sweet freckles on your face… Those are His kisses.

You love your babies! (especially dirty baby) Haha! (the Slater’s bought her favorite baby and Kaiden is the reason why it isn’t wearing the diaper it came with)! lol.

You love it when Daddy admires you.

And he does so everyday.

You love playing with Kyler & Kaiden.

You love getting ready with me.

And you love it when I hold you.

And we all LOVE YOU!

Duke too!

I found them sleeping like this when I went in to go to bed last night. Ah. They love sleeping in my bed with me on the nights that Craig is on shift. Sweet boys. Kaiden is a little bear cub and Kyler must think he is more comfy than a pillow! Ky’s been known to spin, twirl and kick in his sleep – even in my womb! There will be a day when they won’t want to sleep in my bed… or they won’t fit! Today is not that day.. and I am thankful!.. Even if it means an occasional round-house kick to face! Boys will be boys, right!? Ha! I am grateful that our boys have each other.

Sledding, 2 BIG snowmen, snowball throwing, lots of laughter and….

snow eating.
That was Audrey’s favorite part.

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/oh-christmas-tree-cookies/feed/ 0 4knights P1040646 P1040653 http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/my-father-my-father-by-sam-soleyn/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/my-father-my-father-by-sam-soleyn/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:55:47 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4572 ]]>

…with the help of some Herbal Instincts Non-Permanent Hair Color.

me & my mister.

I love being his.

3 days after this photo was taken, we found out we were pregnant with Ky.

ahh… Lord, thank you for being so great to me.

I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria’s Secret Model.

Since then, other Baylor students and their friends have reposted, made graphics, and even a page has been made for it all because of the positive reaction it received from the people that saw it.

He’s posted a video of his thoughts: Proverbs 31 Movement.

Awesome stuff // Way to go, Alex!

.   .   .

I love this poster!

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/victoria-secret-model-or-proverbs-31-woman/feed/ 0 4knights 212654413624545331_bOf0AZKN_c http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/gloria-in-excelsis-deo/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/gloria-in-excelsis-deo/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:33:50 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4535 ]]>

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Watching them sing this live was nothing short of AMAZINGGGGG!

The age gap between Kyler and Kaiden has always seemed significantly larger than that of Kaiden and Audrey. Maybe that has something to do with Kyler being the oldest. Or maybe it is because he has the heart of a servant. Kaiden is tougher than nails and he is a fighter but he doesn’t have that strong desire to please. To put it bluntly we discipline the same issue over and over and over.. and my patience is being worked on. *wink*

Audrey is our lil’ diva – the little miss – the princess – and even though the boys rough and tumble with her, this mini chick gets what she wants from them a lot of the time. Audrey, at this age, keeps me BUSY!BUSY!BUSY!

Motherhood. Ahh. It’s a gift. It’s hard. It’s a full time JOB. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done…. and I couldn’t do it well at all without the One who created them showing me how. Oh how he loves us!!!!

Today, while I teach our first grader, I simultaneously find myself saying things like:

“Did you go pee pee on the floor, again?”
“Don’t play in the toilet water!”
“Put on your undies!”
“No, you may not have ___ for breakfast.”
“Don’t ever unbuckle your sister’s car-seat!”

And picking up mess after mess after…

Did I say mess? LOL.

There will be a day when they all can wipe their own butts, buckle their own seat belts, tie their own shoes, get themselves dressed, make their own peanut butter sandwich… but not today. I have today. I will be right where I am and do everything I do with righteousness, peace and joy… living for my Lord. And when I am fully doing that…, the messes, pee, poop and small things are just that. Small.

I never want to look back on my life and say, “What if…” or “If only…”

I read this awesome article in the Arizona Home Education Journal and it is awesome… I had to share it with you. I believe it was going around on FB too, however, it is that good.

A few years ago, when I just had four children and when the oldest was still three, I loaded them all up to go on a walk. After the final sippy cup had found a place and we were ready to go, my two-year-old turned to me and said, “Wow! You have your hands full!”

She could have just as well said, “Don’t you know what causes that?” or “Are they all yours?!”

Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had them, how you could have prevented them, and why they would never do what you have done. They want to make sure you know that you won’t be smiling anymore when they are teenagers. All this at the grocery store, in line, while your children listen.

A Rock-Bottom Job?

The truth is that years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law.

Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.

If you grew up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood, to think like a free Christian woman about your life, your children. How much have we listened to partial truths and half lies? Do we believe that we want children because there is some biological urge, or the phantom “baby itch”? Are we really in this because of cute little clothes and photo opportunities? Is motherhood a rock-bottom job for those who can’t do more, or those who are satisfied with drudgery? If so, what were we thinking?

It’s Not a Hobby

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.

Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.

Our culture is simply afraid of death. Laying down your own life, in any way, is terrifying. Strangely, it is that fear that drives the abortion industry: fear that your dreams will die, that your future will die, that your freedom will die—and trying to escape that death by running into the arms of death.

Run to the Cross

But a Christian should have a different paradigm. We should run to to the cross. To death. So lay down your hopes. Lay down your future. Lay down your petty annoyances. Lay down your desire to be recognized. Lay down your fussiness at your children. Lay down your perfectly clean house. Lay down your grievances about the life you are living. Lay down the imaginary life you could have had by yourself. Let it go.

Death to yourself is not the end of the story. We, of all people, ought to know what follows death. The Christian life is resurrection life, life that cannot be contained by death, the kind of life that is only possible when you have been to the cross and back.

The Bible is clear about the value of children. Jesus loved them, and we are commanded to love them, to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord. We are to imitate God and take pleasure in our children.

The Question Is How

The question here is not whether you are representing the gospel, it is how you are representing it. Have you given your life to your children resentfully? Do you tally every thing you do for them like a loan shark tallies debts? Or do you give them life the way God gave it to us—freely?

It isn’t enough to pretend. You might fool a few people. That person in line at the store might believe you when you plaster on a fake smile, but your children won’t. They know exactly where they stand with you. They know the things that you rate above them. They know everything you resent and hold against them. They know that you faked a cheerful answer to that lady, only to whisper threats or bark at them in the car.

Children know the difference between a mother who is saving face to a stranger and a mother who defends their life and their worth with her smile, her love, and her absolute loyalty.

Hands Full of Good Things

When my little girl told me, “Your hands are full!” I was so thankful that she already knew what my answer would be. It was the same one that I always gave: “Yes they are—full of good things!”

Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Sacrifice for your children in places that only they will know about. Put their value ahead of yours. Grow them up in the clean air of gospel living. Your testimony to the gospel in the little details of your life is more valuable to them than you can imagine. If you tell them the gospel, but live to yourself, they will never believe it. Give your life for theirs every day, joyfully. Lay down pettiness. Lay down fussiness. Lay down resentment about the dishes, about the laundry, about how no one knows how hard you work.

Stop clinging to yourself and cling to the cross. There is more joy and more life and more laughter on the other side of death than you can possibly carry alone.

Rachel Jankovic is a wife, homemaker, and mother. She is the author of “Loving the Little Years” and blogs at Femina. Her husband is Luke, and they have five children: Evangeline (5), Daphne (4), Chloe (2), Titus (2), and Blaire (5 months).

*  *  *

Casting Crowns  – Already There.

Casting Crowns – The Well.

*  *  *

I am just striving to be more me than I’ve ever been for these precious faces:

Today’s moments are so precious…

even if it involves lots of poop and pee.

And messes.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15

*  *  *
I have one chance to raise the children I have been given.
I desire to do be better tomorrow than today and even better the day after that.

*  *  *

Kyler being Kyler… This boy rocks my face off!!!!!

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/pinterest/feed/ 0 4knights 245375879667089359_Q6yLo0DO_c 245375879667088596_viQ80RAE_c 245375879667087040_Kdy1rJUO_c 245375879667091298_oxENT4D9_c 245375879667089417_cftlKfSU_c 245375879667099163_RRvE6fN5_c 245375879667087021_0IAYNNO2_c 245375879667087062_ZXRQ9OG6_c 245375879667099164_muM4cEQc_c 398053465_KlMFAT0i_c 245375879667089464_KDzDezuX_c 245375879667087058_jpwHihhb_b 457687761_43rDkGOU_c 245375879667087055_fOwnKMgL_c 245375879667099171_VnsT0ZWF_c 245375879667099166_yR9ZU7w5_c 245375879667088445_2VFbAge9_c 11892386485583262_sOeoSyB5_c 245375879667087061_dCpdNfXw_c 245375879667087049_hhgUpN6h_c http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/we-are-practically-twins/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/we-are-practically-twins/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:23:02 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4435 ]]> ‘What do you mean practically?’

Particularly, my Ash Toms! =)

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/i-am-thankful-for-2/feed/ 0 4knights WJtk http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/i-am-thankful-for/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/i-am-thankful-for/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:22:23 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4426 Keep reading →]]>

Vinyl Lettering.

Nothing is perfect.
Nobody is perfect.

Speaking of… see if you can find the two mistakes in this vinyl Names of God cross from Hobby Lobby. I still love it.

HE ALONE IS PERFECT. He is LOVE. GREAT. GOD. FAITHFUL. Always!

I am also thankful for……….

Laughter – the kind that hurts your cheeks.

Mascara! Without it, I look tired. Wait. Let me rephrase: I am thankful for all my make-up! Enough said.

The blessing and honor to be a mother! Everything Craig and I do, is for our children.

Before I even knew who I was or what I desired in a man, I walked down the aisle and became the bride to my amazing groom. My husband is my lover and my very best friend. For this, I am grateful.

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/i-am-thankful-for/feed/ 0 4knights 1104012110 http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/our-gazebo-construction-is-complete/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/our-gazebo-construction-is-complete/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:15:55 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4423 ]]>

At the moment, my Mister is running the wire for our lights! =)
I swear, there is nothing my man can’t do.

. . .

Yea… It pretty much ROCKED!

Look what I made!!! I took an old pool noodle and duct taped the ends together, spray painted it black and hot glued on candy corn! Oh. I totally just opened a can of worms. Bring on the wreaths! 12 would be good. 1 for each month. Creative credit goes to my neighbor who made one last year with a smaller foam wreath from Hobby Lobby and gave me the idea. I also saw on Pinterest! BTW: Right now, Fry’s has candy corn on sale: 5 bags for $1 if you want to make one too! =)

We were THAT excited to put sod in our backyard!

Roof to our gazebo scheduled for this Wednesday…

Finished photos coming soon!

We did another HaloHatz shoot… I can’t wait to see all the photos – I am so grateful that Rhonda asked me to be part of it!

Here is one from last night…

And can I just say once again that Justin’s (& Jamie’s!!) photo skills are insane!

The creative talent oozing from those around me… ah. just BEAUTIFUL.

Here is Ms. HaloHatz herself… the beautiful, Rhonda Neville…

I am so glad I know her.

I am humbled and grateful for the Lord’s love and perfection.

Ava means life.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life.

He is my LIFE.

Our LIFE!

4 years seems like 4 decades!! … yet it is as though it were just a blink ago…

There will be a day when we get to see our daughter, Ava, face to face.

As for today, we rejoice in truly…..

LIVING.

Great is your faithfulness, Oh Lord.

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. -Psalm 40:5

]]> http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/life/feed/ 0 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/smash-slam-wham-warrior-kaid/ http://4knights.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/smash-slam-wham-warrior-kaid/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:31:33 +0000 4knights http://4knights.wordpress.com/?p=4377 Keep reading →]]>

With each of your cuts, bruises and goose-eggs, I am amazed at how tough you are and how you handle pain!

You are strong!!!

The Lord is equipping us to be everything you need to become YOU.

You are so loved. So precious!

You wipe-out and get right up without skipping a beat.

You have such a sweet gentle heart… but physically, you are tougher than nails!

Warrior.

This goose-egg is a day old. Last night it was… well, HUGE.  I had peace about it, the moment Craig carried Kaiden into the house. But to my eyes, the deformed bulge on our son’s forehead was far from comforting. He wasn’t even crying!!! Today and in this photo, the swelling has gone down significantly.

This goose-egg was the result of rough-housing with big brother on the trampoline too close to the basketball hoop.

Got HALOHATZ?

Rhonda is awesome.
Her hats are so much FUN!

Visit her site and fall in love with cute halos!

She started making hats to cover up her gray hairs… her humility had no idea how the Lord would bless her through her gift of making beautiful things. I bet she sure is grateful for gray hair now! hahaha.

Dress your halo up!

Or throw it on second or third day hair and still feel sassy and fresh!

Photos by: Becca Pikula

It’s hard to imagine leaving our kids.
I’m going to miss them like crazy.

The mere thought of a romantic vacay with my man excites me to the core!
We are going to have a wonderful time.
And so will our kids.

Oh Babyyy, I can’t hardly wait!!!!!!!

His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT.

Ky Guy. He's so cool.

Tuesday – Then we went to Aguirre Springs in Las Cruces, New Mexico and camped there. It was gorgeous. We want to take the kids back there to hike when they are older. The weather was cooler and the view was truly remarkable! On our way to Cloudcroft we took the kids to the Alamogordo Zoo and to ride the Toy Train.

Cruisin' up the mountain!

Choo!Choo! Alamogordo Train Ride

'Can you find the 'monkey' in this photo?'

Wednesday – Our next stop was in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Ohmy beautiful fall leaves! I took a photo of the moon against the dark sky and was able to capture its craters. We bundled up while we were here! I followed my kids around with the camera as they played. They definitely don’t love having their photo taken as much as I love taking their photo!;) I was hoping to snap a Christmas card worthy photo of our trio – it’s harder than it sounds! LOL.

Handsome Kaid-Man.

What a gorgeous day!!!!

Beautiful Audrey Jane!

Thursday – We loaded up to head to Tatum and… our truck wouldn’t start! We were towed down the mountain to a nearby mechanic’s shop. All of our Texas trips have been known to bring about some crazy weather and unexpected events! Always incredible, nonetheless! It turned out to only be a five hour delay. Thank you, Lord! Kaiden took a lengthy nap in the tow truck and Kyler got to use the controls on the tow truck and lower our pickup. He thought that was so awesome!!

5 people + 1 dog + A pickup + A trailer = quite the tow!!

A huge helper! He got to lift and lower the truck!

Thursday evening to Monday evening – There are no words. We had the most incredible time with friends family in Tatum. If only all of our days were spent like THAT. We did life together. We broke bread together. Oh… the love!

Note: We were planning on leaving Monday morning but decided to wait it out as the wind gusts were over 50mph! I wasn’t able to capture photos of the BIGGEST dust storm I have ever witnessed! But as soon as I get some of them sent to me, I’ll share the view. It was wild!

Monday evening – We left Tatum around 9:00 Texas time and hit up the gas station for a 5-Hour energy drink. For the record, Craig thought it was nasty and I thought it was yummy! We drove to Deming and stayed the night in the Wally World parking lot. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive as the kiddos slept. We had uninterrupted conversation – it was like being on a date!!!:) We just may have to start traveling that way and let the kids sleep during the drive. We made incredible time not having to stop for potty-breaks.

Tuesday morning – We drove the rest of the way back home… forever changed.

He makes ALL things new!

God is GOODER!

Yea, I am aware that g-o-o-d-e-r is not a word.
But, it soooo fits.

Craig LOVES this song. LOVES it!

Kyler knows most of the lyrics by heart and sings them in his bed at night when we talk about our day and to God.

Kaiden asks us to play it and then asks us to turn it up louder!

A great friend said that when she was listening to the song she thought of Craig. She is right!

Craig is a courageous man of God.

I am totally in awe of.. in love with.. proud of.. thankful for.. and humbled by you, Craig Knight!

The lyrics:

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we’re watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we’re taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we’ll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors

Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous
And we’re taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we’ll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous
And we’re taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we’ll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We’re excited to see the movie.

It comes out this Friday!

Craig and I, together, put up four beastly beams on the pillars of our gazebo.

I’m still not quite sure how.

Philippians 4:13!

Each time we set a beam in place – I had to fight back some tears.

My husband is amazing.

God of the Universe is overwhelmingly indescribably incredible!

We’ve never built a gazebo before.

Nothing is impossible.

More pictures to come…..

and lots of BBQ’s and backyard get-togethers to be had!

.    .    .

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Deuteronomy 4:37
Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,

Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 11:8
Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Nehemiah 1:10
“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

Nehemiah 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalm 20: 7-8
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 28:8
The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 31:24
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 105:4
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

Ezekiel 34:16
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Daniel 10:18-20
Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

Zechariah 4:6
“Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit” says the Lord God Almighty

Habakkuk 3:19
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Luke 10:27
He answered: ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. “

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ephesians 1:17-21
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:10-12
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light

1 Thessalonians 3:13
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

music: gungor
song title: beautiful things
montage creation: brian wurzell.com

This is the last day that our firstborn son will be five years old. What to the what??!!

Seriously. Six!

SIX!!!!!!!!!

At 3:43am on September 1, 2005… Kyler entered this world and forever changed our lives.

This boy is soooo beyond awesome!

Out of our whole family, this Knight loves to sleep the most.

Sometimes he asks to take a nap!

Today, he rolled out of bed a little after 9:00…

He climbs into our bed almost every night.

This photo melts my heart…

A little boy in a king-size bed!

Sleeping so soundly.

We love you, Kaiden Allen Knight!

We hung some decor stuff in the boys’ room.
Vacuumed and dusted the kids bedrooms.

The plan for lunch was Filiberto’s – or so I thought.

Me: “I just need to do the bathrooms and then we can go to lunch.”
Him: “OK.” Then he sprays the floors with bleach-water for me.

Craig and Kyler whispering about some ‘surprise.’

I am on my hands and knees scrubbing the bathroom floor with bleach. I am excited and feeling loved as my guys are discussing something cute they’ve got up their sleeve.

I am thinking it’s a trip to Target while we’re out.

Kyler: “Mom, we have a surprise for you…

You are going to get a massage and pedicure.”

right now!

Filiberto’s was still part of the day plan.
Just not mine.

A month ago Craig planned a surprise spa day for me at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Willow Stream Spa.
Kyler knew the whole time.

I did NOT have the slightest clue.
I love surprises.

I was surprised! to say the least.
Overwhelmed.
In of awe of… my family. my man. his love for me.

I packed up a spa bag and spent the rest of my Tuesday getting pampered.

Like a queen.

2:00p – 60 minute massage.
3:15p – 60 minute pedicure.
5:00p – dinner.

After sharing about how Craig surprised me, my massage therapist says: “Wow, you’ve got a good one!”

I sure do.

He is WONDERFUL.

I was loving her in her butterfly pj’s and her big grin.

I was chasing her around the house.

I was capturing the sweet sound of her cheerful giggles.

And those adorable curls.

I love this girl.

Audrey Jane, you are sooooo LOVED and so BEAUTIFUL!

I beat a snake to its death.

Combine ingredients.
Spread evenly into skillet coated w/ cooking spray over medium heat.
Cook for 10 minutes, flipping once.

Top w/ your choice of fruit/applesauce/peanut butter/syrup or honey!

[serves 2]

I read this super easy recipe in a magazine last night and it made for a yummy breakfast this morning.

Next time, I’m going to mix bananas and walnuts into the mix before cooking.

Have you ever had The US Egg’s protein cakes??
Yea.. I’ve got to figure out THAT recipe! yum.

Wait.No, huge!

So huge. So GREAT!!!

Great is Your faithfulness, Oh’ Lord!

These past three days have been Kyler’s first three days of First Grade.
These past three days have been my first three days of teaching First Grade.

The days prior, I prayed, prepared and prayed. I felt a little like my head was going to explode. Praise God that through Christ, I am fully-equipped! He knew the plans He had for me before day1 of Creation! (I remind my children of this truth for each of them, almost daily). He created me with a love of learning. When I do something, I do it with all I’ve got! My all-or-nothing mindset hasn’t always been a positive thing, but when I keep it in check by taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), it helps me do my very best! Whatever you do, do it with all your heart as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). I loved every one of my college teaching courses and took great knowledge away from them. Yet, it was being in a classroom setting, working with various grades and children that my passion to teach a classroom full of students was not there.

Let me go back to just over 7 years ago. I had just graduated from Community College with an Associate of Arts in Special Requirements Degree. One of my teaching courses didn’t count toward the AA in Elementary Education Degree. To me, the title was irrelevant. It was my Bachelor’s Degree that mattered. That was the goal. I opted not to walk in the graduation ceremony as my sights were on ASU — joining their teaching program and walking on graduation day when I received my BA! In my brain, A Bachelor’s Degree and teaching certificate was my prize at the end of the education race I was running. My medal. My ticket! My ticket to what? Teach? My heart wasn’t in teaching. It was in learning how to be a teacher. To me, graduating from college was the goal to say, “Here I am!! I am a grown up now and I can now become a mother!!!” ASUE was my next step because that was the plan I’d set. The main reason I was doing what I was doing was for everyone in my life who thought I should.

Here I was – I had hundreds of hours of service learning under my belt and several letters of recommendations written to the ASU EDU Department for me by very respectable education college professors. I had my application packet organized, thoroughly put together and looking mighty spiffy. I was proud of my accomplishments! Yet, something was holding me back. Excitement. Passion. God???

Here we were – Craig and I – laying in bed one night… by this time it’s 3:00AM and we are discussing our plans for the future. I was going to take on as many classes as I could handle to speed through two more years of education to graduate so then we could have children and I could stay home with and raise! Oh how excited we both were for that day!! We were on the same page. But for some reason, on that particular night, our plan didn’t seem to make any sense. The goal at the end of graduation wasn’t to end up in a classroom full of students. The goal at the end of graduation wasn’t to get a job. Suddenly we found ourselves asking the question: ‘What’s the point of getting a teaching certificate with no plan of using it?’ Silence. I recall it like it was yesterday! However, I don’t remember any of the rest of our conversation. It’s like we were driving down a path and knew that at the fork, we were going to go left. Why left? Just because! After stopping to look at the map, we realized we really needed to go right. Right was… right. It wasn’t until this particular conversation that either one of us questioned the path I (we) was (were) on. But, our eyes were opened. I could see. Right then and there at 3:00AM…. The direction of our life changed.

The next morning, we ate our cereal at our little kitchen table in our first home together. We were silent. Our car has just taken a new route — an unexpected turn. We were going another way. This was huge! We were both shocked. We were, again, on the same page. A new page. We didn’t need to discuss anything further. It was one of those WHOA-moments. How did we get here? Who initiated the conversation? And… WHOA!! What was so whoa, you might ask?? Whoa#1. I had a packet of hard work that was no longer going anywhere. Whoa#2. We were going to start trying for babies! Both of us desired children. The timing was no longer two years from now. No, it was right now. Whoa!

Fast-forward just a bit now, with me, to December of 2004. We find out that we are pregnant!!!! While I was pregnant with Kyler, I worked at an elementary school alongside of five fifth grade teachers. I got to experience so much there. I am thankful for it all. It was there that I received even more confirmation that my heart’s desire wasn’t to be a public school teacher but to be a mother.

……. To be continued.

I am awe-struck by the sky.
By Him.

The way He shows me Himself in the sky.

I can’t get enough of the way He reveals His love.
His beauty.

I run outside.
I stare.
I am… awe-stuck!
I want more.
I could stare forever.

My camera doesn’t come close to capturing the moment.
No amount of words ever could explain what is taking place in my heart.

This photo was taken the other morning with my cellphone.
I sat outside alone, enjoying a moment with my Maker before the kids awoke for the day.

Never stop, revealing Yourself to me, Jesus.

You alone are enough for me.
You alone are so soooo good.

God created the heaven and the earth.
Every morning, day and night, He paints the sky.

The sky.

Audrey and Kaiden got to pick out and make their own Build-A-Bear for their first time.

I think these may be the cutest bears I’ve ever seen.

They both had a whole wall of animals to choose from, not just bears. There were cats, monkeys, dogs, rabbits, bears and all sorts of colors!

Audrey knew instantly which she liked best. She carries it all around the house with her and this morning, many things were thrown overboard (out of her crib) this morning.. but not Sparkles! She pushes it around in her baby stroller.

Kaiden’s choice took a little more time. He liked many of them! He has a love for animals. He ended up choosing Skittles – the DQ Blizzard bear. He loves sweet things! Kaiden has a deep heart… a gentle strength.

I think it’s so neat that out of all the choices they had they chose two different, yet very similar bears.

Kyler was a big help to his younger brother and sister. He was enthusiastic about helping them and showing them what to do – as he’s made two Build-A-Bear animals when he was younger. This was a great lesson for him – as he didn’t receive anything. He found joy in watching Kaiden and Audrey receive.

This morning the kids and I played “puppet show.” We talked about friendship and what a blessing it is to have a brother and sister – God brought each one of our children to our family at the most perfect time. Their birth order is no mistake. Their individual roles in our family could never be replaced. Kyler, at almost six years old, eagerly fills up his oldest-sibling shoes and he encourages the younger two. He is our first child. Kaiden, our second son, is Kyler’s sidekick. He is our middle child. The creme in the Oreo cookie of the three. The perfect balance. Audrey is the youngest. The little Knight Lady. She lit up the room with her beauty when she entered this world and instantly softened the heart of our family with her presence.

The other day the kids performed as a band in the living room… Oh’ my fun!

Kyler was the singer. The entertainer. Singing and dancing around the living room.

Kaiden was the drummer. He was cool. Sunglasses on. Drumming with rhythm.

Audrey was laughing. Giggling. Running around. Oozing with joy just being part of what was taking place.

Craig and I were their audience.
Sitting on the couch.
Our faces laughing at their performance.
Our hearts humbly thanking God that He chose us to raise up our three beautiful children.

His Kyler. His Kaiden. His Audrey.

Kyler Michael, Kaiden Allen, Audrey Jane… Mom loves you! Dad loves you! GOD LOVES YOU!!!

I found this written on our plate in the kitchen. Written by: Kyler Michael. xoxoxoxo

While Shark Week was on t.v., the boys gathered up some scuba divers, a container of water, rocks (to make it more realistic, of course) and a great white shark toy… These two had an adventure in the ocean! First, they started with a small bowl and then upgraded to a bigger bowl (so the shark could fit). Then, our entire sink was filled with water, the boys each standing on a stool to reach and pretend. The end result was a soaking wet t-shirt (Kaiden), a pretty wet kitchen.. and a whole lot of shark fun. What an adventure!

Then we made ocean cookies.

Regular cream cheese frosting on one side with Nature Valley Peanut Butter bar crumbles… to represent the sand. Cream cheese frosting mixed with blue food coloring… to represent the ocean water and 1 chocolate chip (or 6 of them — Kaiden) … to represent the shark fin(s). Kaid had a shark infested ocean!!!

The kids LOVED it! We even had a couple great friends join in on the fun!

So much fun we did it 2 days in a row!! ha! I think the second time was more for the cream cheese frosting!!

What this?

Ocean water?!!

This was a fun experiment we did with vinegar+blue food coloring and oil.

Shake it up!! Watch them separate!
Shake it up!! Watch them separate!

Me: Oohh I have an idea! Let’s make strawberry jello! We can pretend it’s ‘bloody shark water!’
Kyler: (scrunching up his face) No, Mom! We do NOT want that!
Me: (oops!)

Our journey with our kids is not just about disciplining and training them. It is also about our discipline and training. I know that I have done some major growing up with my kids, yet I still have far to go. My character is constantly being molded into the image of Christ and is slowly being perfected. Parenting is clearly not at all about me, and yet it is about me: God is using this opportunity not just to prepare my children for His calling, but also to break me, mold m, and use me as an instrument of righteousness for His name’s sake — if I will let Him.

Written by: Rachael Carman

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. -Isaiah 64:8

Kyler is starting First Grade!

On July 22nd and 23rd we attended the AFHE Convention – Not Ashamed: Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World. It was held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Let me see how I can best describe the whole ball of wax in a single word . . Okay. Yes, I think I’ve got it:

WOW.

Truly. Wow!  The speakers radiated a selfless, obedient, strong love for the Lord. I listened to real-life stories of mothers I could relate to and learned insight from them regarding things that had never occurred to me. Many were homeschooling parents who had graduated children who had gone on to college to become the people God called them to be. Their successes achieved only by wholeheartedly loving and raising their children by loving the Lord with all their heart, mind and strength and letting Christ rule in their lives. These parents were humble and shared stories of only doing the seemingly impossible by surrendering all to Him.

Mary. Mother of Jesus. A woman of obedience. But Mary treasure all these things, pondering them in her heart -Luke 2:19. So often God called the most unequipped and unworthy so that His greatness is revealed thousandfold. David and Goliath! The devil lies to me every single day. My trust is in the Lord. I am not always patient. I am flawed and I have more weaknesses than hairs on my head. But, I do know that nobody loves my children as much as Craig and I do. I know that these children are not my own. They belong to the Lord and He has entrusted us to raise them as best we can. He has called us to homeschool our children. That means that we get to spend even more precious time together as a family! That is a pretty spectacular thing!!!

I don’t know what God is going to do in the lives of my children, but I do know that it is going to be AMAZING!

Where there is no vision, the people perish -Prov. 29:18.

As parents, I believe that we need to hold ourselves to the same standards we want for our children.

Listen to counsel and accept discipline that you may be wise the rest of your days -Prov. 20:19. Truth or lie? The devil lies to me every single day. Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT -Romans 12:2. Distinctly different. I hope our kids don’t “fit into this world.”  As Christians, we have been called to be set apart! The road is narrow. We don’t want any other path! The narrow path leads to life. The narrow path is the only path that you’re able to fly on… Soaring on His wings. No chains holding you down. No chasing.

Spend time with Him.
Focus on His power.
Not fear!
Faith.

Be active in the battlefield of your mind!

She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue – Prov 31:26.

The resources. Whoa, pencils! I mean the amount of resources made me giddy overwhelmed. It was incredible. It was inspiring. There is no place more satisfying to my heart than right in His will for me. Dancing to the beat God plays for my life… not to the beat of the drum of this world, not to the beat of chimes that a certain friend is dancing to and not to the beat of the brass that someone else would like me to dance to… I love dancing in obedience, faith, truth. Period.

God is faithful. Always. He is a promise-keeping God! Always.

Maybe He didn’t call you to homeschool. But, He does have a plan for you… a GOOD one! Jeremiah 29:11. How do you know what it’s like to walk on water if you don’t take that leap of faith and step out of the boat? The storms will come. Just like Peter, the only way we will stay afloat is by looking straight into the eyes of Jesus.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! — Audrey Hepburn

Here we are, Lord. ALL YOURS.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. -Psalm 86:11

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

I will start praying each week before I prepare and plan for our school week, just as Hezekiah did in 2Kings 19:14. I KNOW that He will lead the way. I can’t wait to share the “Wow-God” moments we will have.

We are starting First Grade with A-Beka and we are so EXCITED for all God has in store for this year!

.   .   .

Rachael Carman was the woman who I was most impacted by at the conference. I just have to share a little about her with you… I heard her speak and I saw a woman after God’s own heart. His light shined so brightly through her. She wrote How to Have A H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids. I am currently reading it – so so much truth! I was also blessed to hear her husband speak at the conference as well – The heart of these two. Awesome!.. and again, they give ALL the glory to our Holy Mighty God! They have seven children from 6-19 years. Rachael challenges parents to live by reckless, obedient faith. She was encouraging, inspiring and celebrates motherhood actively! She was brutally honest and exceptionally beautiful. I was blessed to meet her and hear all about her story. www.apologia.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, DAD/POPS!

You are a wonderful dad and grandpa.

We are so grateful for YOU.

We love you more than you know!

+

=

Satisfying Summer Sipper.

The other 20% of the time… I enjoy.

Our family’s favorite meal… Filiberto’s makes.

Ah. so good.

Combine everything in blender and blend until smooth.

Chill.

Make it spicy! Or Add some cilantro!

While they were away, I whipped up some yogurt-bran muffins and enjoyed some alone time with my little lady.

Yogurt-Bran Muffin Recipe

I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose and I was out of raspberries/blueberries so I used 1 60z cup of vanilla yogurt and 1 6oz cup of pomegranate blackberry yogurt.

I think they need just a tiny drizzle of honey before enjoying.

Audrey’s eye is so much better.

This little girl really loves her dog.

This little girl’s dog really loves her.

Attempting to get a cute one of the 3 of them goes a little something like this:

After her nap, she was much happier! And splashing in the pool… Happiest!

Remembering this time last year:

Our 5 yo wanna-be firefighter went swimming in his turnouts yesterday.

Why?

He’s been watching Craig’s academy graduation video and…

He wants to be just like his dad.

He LOVED it!

Slipping off a chair and scraping the ground with her face, didn’t take away the fact  that this girl loves to play in the dirt and creek.

We escaped the heat and played outside for 3 full days… We love Christopher Creek.

I, intentionally, didn’t pack our camera.

There are no photos to share.

As much as I love taking photos… my eyes saw more as I wasn’t looking through a camera lens.

Kaiden: I love me.

Every night, she falls asleep cuddling it.

Audrey, you are a sweet taste of heaven.

He forever changed our lives.
Forever we are grateful.

Happy 3rd Birthday to a little boy… who we are blessed to have as our son!

She gets excited and quickly waddles after her brothers.

Her huge open-mouth and squinty-eye grin is the best!

She loves to carry around a soccer ball.
She can hold her own with her two older bros.
She loves her babies, but she wrestles and plays with balls and trucks.
She is the princess.

Every meal of the day to her is: Snack (nak).

I took her to the mall yesterday.. just us girls, and took a few more potential photos of her for her room. Plus, I can’t get over this outfit on her! BTW, My mom-in-law bought her the cutest Naartjie dress! Oh my.. It’s my favorite thing she owns! I’ll be sure to get some photos of her in that soon. But, who am I kidding, this girl is the cutest thing naked! She looks adorable with a diaper on a mud all over. Ahhhh. I am so in love with her.

Here are a few from our mall trip.

There will be a day when she will enjoy being in a store and shopping.

Today is not that day, unless she has her baby, her bottle and a nak.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. -Psalm 27:4

One thing I didn’t know when I met you, Craig, is just how wonderful you are.

One thing I didn’t know when I married Craig was how deeply he would love.

I had no idea that he would wholeheartedly live for Jesus.

Craig’s compassion is a gift. 

He is truly the most selfless person I know.

I didn’t know that he would provide and protect his family the way he does.

I couldn’t comprehend how things could get better… but they have. They do.

Happy Father’s Day, Craig!
Our children are BLESSED!
You are a remarkable dad!
We love you! LOVE YOU!!!

For I am the perfect Father. -Matthew 5:48

Today, I spent some time looking through old photos.

Tonight, I watched Kyler participate in his Little Athletes class.

I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart!

Kyer was wired before practice.
He was very excited to be there.
Kyler knows boundaries.
He respects his coaches.
Kyler won a serious game of Hot Potato.
He was smiling from ear to ear.
Kyler kissed me on the cheek during his water break.
His coaches really like him.
Kyler was thoughtful toward the other kids.
He high-fived his coaches.
He shared his snack with his brother.

I am so blessed to be a mother.

I believe that children are a reflection of their parents.

Tonight, I watched. My heart smiled.

All the glory to God.

Kyler, You are so AWESOME just because you are YOU.

seriously. Three years old??!

How can that be?

Bye-bye diapers. Hello, comfort.

He is now loving learning to swim. This is so HUGE.
And wearing underwear all the time. This is mega HUGE.

On the 22nd of this month, this handsome stud will turn THREE.

He has grown up so much in the last couple of weeks.

He LOVES Lightning McQueen.
The 2nd Cars movie comes out just two days after his birthday.
I need to get him some new Cars underwear.

Am I really blogging that Kaiden is out of diapers!!!??
OH YES, I AM.

Whoohoo, Kaid-Man!

What a BIG KID.

1 skittle for every pee-pee.
1 chocolate for every poo-poo.
2 very happy parents.

potty trained…. priceless.

Their room is becoming a fire station.

 Her tongue is her favorite accessory.

And getting dirty is just as much fun as tutus.

Paint house: check.

A REAL man wears PINK!
A REAL man lets his wife paint their master bath PINK (coral)! haha

4. Kaiden is wearing BIG BOY UNDERWEAR during the day, at home! He is on the road to being potty-trained. He is so ready! Hooray, Kaiden!!! XO!

3. Kristi Kizer is incredible and I just have to say that I love her. So much.

2. Kyler & I went on a date to the San Tan Cafe and the library. Just us. <3
He has really been into taking something and turning it into something else. Today, we are going to make something out of an empty gallon of milk.

1. I took a few pics of Audrey for her room. Here are 2 pairs of photos I am deciding on…

or this one???

The rest of the evening, she’d stand up and take many steps all on her own… loving the cheers and excitement she was receiving from us all.

It’s happened.
Audrey really walked.

She was so happy for her.
We are so proud of her.
Time is so precious.

I’m just going to have to be that much faster to keep up with her.
Good thing I cycled this morning. 

Yayaayyyay, Sissy!

Now this summer, you’ll be able to feel the sand between your toes rather than scratch your precious knees.

I love that wide-open-smile mouth face you make.
I love that you love to be cuddled.
I love the way you hold your baby.
I love how your hair flips out.
I love how happy you are.
I love that you play in your crib so contently when you awake.
I love that you are a momma’s-girl.

I love that you just WALKED!.. because it’s our job to help you grow. Teach you, train you, show you… love you. Even though, I’d love to keep you little forever… I will forever hold our memories! It excites me to imagine all the things we will go through… 

…walk through, run through and skip through.

Forever, my hand is here for you to hold!

I love you, Baby Girl.

We are going to the store to put together a care package for the troops! www.packagesfromhome.org has a list of much needed items and ways to donate/drop of locations! The kids are going to pick out the things they’d like to give. Kyler said.. “We’ve got to give them sunscreen!” I love how into this he is.

{ Acts 20:35 } . . . It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.
{ John 15:13 }

God bless the veterans and active military men, women and families!

Happy Memorial Day.

This was Kaid Man’s lunch yesterday.

He loved it.

Don’t play with your food.

Play with your food!

I’m a sweaty, cleaning, organizing, productive woman today.

I’ve got the itch.

Our list of summer-home projects is calling to be checked off one by one.

It’s time.

Honey-do-list, here we come.

Baby… get ready!

It was our 1st trip out with the new camp trailer.

We made some great memories.

Craig’s crew even came to join us!

As always we snapped a ton of photos…

I sure am blessed. I loved watching my family through the video camera lense while listening to the beautiful sound of the creek.

Tall trees.
Tree climbing.
Dance poses on rocks.
Crisp air.
Sunshine heat.
Laughter that hurts cheeks.
Gooey smores.
Livin’ in Five Finger shoes.
Crawdad catching in a metal pot.
Rainbow trout gutting and eating.
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake slithering beside us.
Bright stars against a dark backdrop.
Butterflies. Caterpillars. Bald Eagles.
Cuddling next to the fire’s warmth.
Carrying kids on shoulders.
Campin’ Folgers instant coffee.
Creek walking. Creek falling.
Dirt beneath fingernails.
Careless to the clock’s time. 

Watching the incredible process of this locust hatch from its skin.

Delighting wildly in the gifts of God.

 Hello, best girls’ day! Ever.

Photos to come……………………………….. 

she’ll take a few steps.
and then DIVE into our arms.
she giggles and grins.

Today, this is still her most efficient means of getting around.
The girl has a strong upper body!

the bear cub crawl.

I am quite sure it won’t last much longer.
She is walking along everything.
And walking behind her toys.

Once she is walking, she’ll be speedy when she’s on the go.
And we’re going to have to keep up with her quicker pace.

That will open her up to a whole new world of… SHOES!

We love the desert!

We love playing in the water on warm days.

We are very thankful to have a pool in our own backyard.

Audrey LOVES water. The pool! The bath! The… SPLASH-PAD!

Kyler is a compassionate, responsible, eager to learn five year old. We’re loving homeschooling! God provides on a moment to moment basis. He fully equips me to do everything He asks of me. Sometimes I forget this. He so lovingly reminds me. It’s when He asks me to face my fears that my faith in Christ deepens.. and I truly see Him. How it’s about Him. His will. Not me. Not mine. It’s not merely words. It’s true JOY. It’s trusting. Kyler is reading!! and now he is rocking math facts!!! He is super excited to starts a sports class in June and he loves going to open gym on Tuesdays. I am excited to purchase his cirriculum for first grade! We’ve got a homeschool convention in July and I am excited to load up on some resources. Although, abundantly, He has provided educational tools from the hands of many family and friends! We are incredibly grateful. I’m grateful for support!

I am learning all about eucharisteo.

I am seeing God in all things. I am joy-filled.

water droplets on eyebrows.
smiling eyes.
songs and prayer before bedtime.
imagination of a child.
sticky popsicle fingers.
wet kisses.

swim trunks with cowboys boots in a world of play.

It’s “Make a Difference Monday!”
How will you make a difference??

God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us. -Martin Luther

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. -Freya Stark

XO!A

Audrey and her dolls.
She says: “UUUUUHHH [excitedly gasping] DddAW.”

At any given moment, there is a doll on the floor of our house.
I LOVE THAT.

I also love how she makes car noises with the boys. Girl car noises.
At this age, I think the boys like having girl toys around too…

It is so sweet how she says “Bebe!” She just started saying BABY!
She is so sweet.

I also love how sweet her brothers are to her – & with her dolls… today.
No Sid-kids Allowed!!! Play nice! Be nice to the toys! hahaha.

She has a favorite.
She cuddles it. She kisses it.
And she grabs it by the dress & crawls around with it.

Audrey is a girly-girl.. and this girly-girl LOVES her little dolls.

And we LOVE HER.

…to Duke.

He pretty much rocks.
He fits right in.
He is great with the kids.
He might think he’s a cat…

Even when I am the most unlovable.

I am loved.

Truly truly loved.

Even when I don’t believe it.
Even when I doubt what is true.

We’re in this together.
Forever.

Craig Knight, Thank you for loving Jesus! Thank you for fighting the battle for my heart. Daily, I am in awe of God, in you… the way you love, the way you live… your selflessness. Thank you for holding me up. Today. Always.
With all of my heart…xoxo..

You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way

If you keep believing

I’ve been singing “Happy Birthday” to her all day long.
She loves it! She sings along too.

Is it me or does she seriously look older?!!

1 year ago today, at 1:25 pm, Audrey Jane Knight was born.

 She is the cherry on our family sundae. She brings so much joy to our life!

She is beautiful.
She is wonderfully made.
She is girly. 

Happy First Birthday to our precious daughter! We can’t believe you are 1!

Audrey,
You are loved. You are beautiful. You are a blessing. You are a gem - It is no surprise that your birthstone is a diamond..

Sweet Darling, you’re a princess!

We love you more than you know. We loved you before we even met you and the day we laid eyes on you we all fell in love even more and met a joy greater than we knew before. 

Oh’ praise the One who formed you.
Oh praise the One who brought you forth on the day you were born.
Oh’ praise the One who has a perfect plan for your life.
Oh’ praise the One who chose me to be your mommy.
Oh’ praise the One who created you.
Oh’ praise the One who desires for you to seek Him with all your heart.
Oh’ praise the One for…. YOU.

We love you more and more everyday, Sweet Girl.
You have all of our heart, forever and ever.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy xoxoxoxo

LET YOUR BEAUTY NOT BE EXTERNAL – THE BRAIDING OF HAIR AND
WEARING OF GOLD JEWELRY OR FINE CLOTHES – BUT THE INNER PERSON OF THE HEART, THE LASTING BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND TRANQUIL SPIRIT, WHICH IS PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT.

God loves you.
Dad loves you.
Mom loves you.

We are on our way to the…. BEACH!

Beach was in big colorful letters.
Kyler read that first.

They were so surprised!

playing on the beach. cold salty ocean water. soothing roaring waves. greasy sunscreened skin. sandy smiles. squinty joyful eyes. excitedly exploring.

open mouth laughter. hearts racing while running. breeze against skin. humidity, birds and humidity in the air. holding hands. splish-splashing. cuddling.

grilling chicken. code 3 call for an oven fire. checking off the san diego ladder truck. hush puppies and shrimp at joe’s crab shack. crusin’ the boardwalk.

browsing shops. starbucks coffee. balboa park. sweet cotton candy. wave house. ocean view room. the beach cottages. flip-flops. america’s finest city.

Before… and After.

Kaiden loves:

Food.
Playing.
Making messes.
Wrestling.
Thanking Jesus for Mommy, Daddy, Ky Ky and Sissy.
Getting dirty.
Thomas the Train. He wants to “drive one when he’s bigger.”
Going to the zoo.
Sucking his thumb.
Books.
Animals.
Lightning McQueen.
Movies.
The color orange.

He is all-boy.
He tests the limits – He is 2 years old.

He is AWESOME!

He is the cutest food-lover-mess-maker. Ever.

1! wait… ONE??!! Noooo. really? 1 YEAR. ONE WHOLE YEAR!!??

1 year ago today, I was pregnant and we didn’t know what we were having.

This Friday….. is AUDREY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY.

I look at her, right here beside me, and I take a deep breath. I pray asking the Lord to teach me even more how to thoroughly live every moment.

I’ve fully abandoned the following words from my language, as I found myself saying them often: Quick. Real fast. Hurry. Speedy. Rush.

The devil is a thief. I have been guilty of allowing him to steal my time. Hurrying always empties the soul. God, Himself, is timeless. I have an entire eternity. Life is not an emergency. I desire to full be right where He wants me to be. I desire to fully live and receive and see all the goodness of His glory around me. I want to do my one life well, and live it. Truly truly live it. I want to live slow. I want to soak up all the richness and sweetness of today. All of the precious moments that make up my today.

“Life is dessert – too brief to hurry.”

“Time flies by the seat of your pants!” YA’ GOT THAT RIGHT!

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Even more!

I’m grateful for Audrey.
For her drool that drips from her gigantic smiling mouth.
I’m grateful for how many times a day she says “momma.”
For the way her head rests on my chest.
I’m grateful for her laugh.
She has the best laugh.
I’m grateful for her smiling eyes.
They tell me that she knows that she is loved.
I’m grateful for her learning to walk.
And for our video camera to capture these sweet moments.

I am grateful for all the things You have done it my life, prior to bringing her in it… For I seek to pour into her all the Truth you have revealed to me… and continue to reveal me. I desire to represent to her beauty, worth, loyalty, purity, holiness, confidence, humility, love, contentment… the things that You value. Your Truth. I desire for her to wear a clear pair of glasses that see this world through Your perspective… not a fuzzy pair fogged up by the lies of evil.

Change me, daily… so that I can be everything You have created me to be, so that Audrey can become, to the fullest, the beautiful woman that you have created her to be.

ONE YEAR.

So much happens in a year.

I pray this year, doesn’t go by quite as fast as the last… and that every day I get a little better at savoring my moments – letting them linger.. like a bite of dark chocolate on my tongue. Enjoying the flavor… the fullest flavor as long as possible, letting it dissolve on it’s own… because it’s only mere moments that it’s swallowed and the taste fades… becoming part of the past.

The present is sweet.

This is where God is.

In the present. I AM – His very name.

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
large marshmallows
melted butter
cinnamon and sugar

Give each child 1 triangle shaped section of crescent roll. [the tomb]

Each child takes 1 marshmallow [the body of Christ].

Dip marshmallow in butter and roll it in the cinnamon and sugar mix. [This represents the oil and spices that Jesus' body was anointed with upon His burial].

Lay marshmallow on dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.

Make sure all seams are pinched together well! Otherwise marshmallow will ooze out of seams.

Bake according to package directions.

Cool.

Break open tomb – Jesus is no longer there!

HE IS RISEN.

Celebrate God’s love!

“It is finished!”

4. We are home from California! [post to follow]

3. I am reading a book… that is so much more than a book! [post to follow]

2. Audrey is going to be 1 year old in ONE WEEK. whoababy!!!

1. Thank you, Jesus, for paying the price! Thank you for dying so that we may live. Truly live.

My little sister was diagnosed with cancer and she kicked cancer’s butt!!!!

I praise God for her healing!!

I love you, Alyssa!

More than you know.

Love, Mans 

The marvel is that a library so perfectly cohesive
Could have been produced by such a diverse crowd
Over a period of time which staggers the imagination
Jesus is its grand subject, our good is designed
And the glory of God is its end

The Word is alive.

Says who??

Says GOD.

The Word is alive and it cuts like a sword through the darkness
With a message of of life to the hopeless and the frail
Breathing life into all who believe.

The Word is alive
And the world and its glory will fade
But its truth, it will not pass away
It remains yesterday and forever the same.

The Word is ALIVE.

Watch this pretty awesome video to this song here. The video was created as a movement to get Bibles in all hands.

I am thankful for the Voice of Truth! I am thankful for the TRUTH of Jesus!

Who am i in Christ?

I am forgiven. Ephesians 1:6-8
I am reconciled with God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
I am rescued. Matthew 20:28
I am redeemed. Ephesians 1:13-14
I am bought with a price and belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I am known by God. Romans 8:29
I am chosen. Romans 8:30
I am justified before God. Romans 3:23
I am accepted. Romans 15:7
I am saved. Romans 5:8
I am alive. Romans 6:11
I am free. John 8:32-36
I am secure. Romans 8:28, 31-38
I am a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, 16-19
I am born of God. John 1:12-13
I am adopted by God. Romans 8:15
I am a child of the promise. Romans 9:8
I am Jesus’ friend. John 15:15
I am a citizen of heaven. Ephesians 2:19
I am a member of Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
I am sealed. 2 Corinthians 1:22
I am loved. Romans 5:5

We can’t wait to surprise them!

Kyler’s artwork! He made this using real dirt, real plant leaves, stickers, a glue stick, cardstock paper and a black marker to make his funny-looking beach dude. During the project, we talked all about the beach. He wrote  two sentences about the beach:

We are going to ride bikes.

We swim in the water.

What he doesn’t know… is that we don’t have to wait until July to ride our bikes along the beach. We aren’t going to tell them until we are Cali bound! I’m putting together a fun little clue sheet and then the kids will open a “present” of beach items and SURPRISE! Then our fun family beach vacation will begin!
C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A…..

We sure love California. I sure LOVE my sweet family.

Just because he is the most amazing best friend/husband.

Just because everyday he shows me and tells me how much he loves me.
And he does.

He really really does.

Just because.

He walks in the door with a smile on his face and plants a huge kiss on my lips and has flowers, sushi and red wine in his hands.

Just because.

Dear Lord, I pray that you have a man to love my daughter the very same way that her daddy loves me!!

Here is a lil’ glimpse into our past several days..

Last Friday, Audrey throws up – five times to be exact.. falling asleep after each time and not being fussy at all! Then when Craig went to check on the boys in the middle of the night, he finds Kaiden SLEEPING in a pile of puke! Did he not know he threw up? Did he do it in his sleep? Three loads of laundry and several baths in the middle of the night.

Saturday Audrey and Kaiden were doing better – drinking pedialyte and being partial couch potatoes.. both of them were smiley and giggly and acting as though they were back to normal!

Sunday morning, we wake up to Kyler coming in to our bedroom whining and then… throwing up on our bed. our poor children! Sunday morning, Craig went to work. By Sunday afternoon, I too was green in the face! Nauseated to the fullest. That evening, I threw up. Then, it was Craig’s turn.. at work.

Monday we rested and didn’t eat. We watched many movies. We stayed in our pj’s and were recovering. I attempted to get the kids and myself ready to go that morning to take the boys’ to their Get Active class. But, after not being able to stand for more than 30 seconds – I knew that was probably a bad idea.

Tuesday we ate a little. We began to feel much much better. We even went out to dinner to a new Greek place we’ve never tried! The boys didn’t eat much.. they each ordered a scoop of icecream. That night.. we hear Kaiden crying in his room. We find him laying in a pile of chunks with a full diaper of where it had come out the other end too. whaaatt??!!! nooooo!!

This week we have been napping a LOT. Changing a LOT of poopy squirt diapers. Drinking lots of pedialyte. Cleaning up throw-up…

…And in all of this…

1. We are beyond thankful for our HEALTH.
2. We have been praying, wholeheartedly, for families battling life threatening illnesses.

It’s Wednesday. We are doing good. No vomitting. Just a little diarrhea.

I hope that this is it for the dumb germ that decided to overtake our bodies.

I am thankful that God cares about every detail and how He reveals Himself to us in ALL THINGS.