Sunday has come!

Today was not just any ordinary day, nor any ordinary Sunday, today is Easter! The day to worship and celebrate that Christ has risen from the grave! The day that we proclaim our Lord has defeated sin and death! The day that gives us great hope---that our lives are not in vain! We didn't just start the morning in the best of spirits considering all we were celebrating........it's been a long week, Casey has traveled--which means I've been a single mom most of the week, then my allergies seem to have gotten the best of me, so all that to say I've been pretty worn out--and as much as I tried, I wasn't very prepared to start the day off as I had anticipated. I woke up to take pictures of the kids looking at their Easter baskets---camera battery dead (thank goodness for great iphone camera). Then because of not having myself up earlier and ready, we were unable to go to early service--meaning we had to wait til the late service at 11! Typically we have sunday school but since it was Easter there was just a mingling time---which with a 21 month old, 2 1 /2 year old, and 4 1/2 year old you really "don't" mingle all that much. So we were just home--trying to gather my sad sides for our lunch with friends (seriously I'm usually not so unprepared, but fatigue and feeling so blah was getting the best of me!) The children were fighting, climbing, toys everywhere--I think Casey and I were about to loose our minds! It's amazing how chaotic the morning can get when one is not organized and prepared. But thankfully there is much grace! Much grace that the Spirit pours onto our heart's attitude on this glorious day-- which (in all honesty) one we were already ready for it to be over before it had barely begun!
But yet how sweet He is! We did finally make it to church ( and on time), heard a wonderful sermon preaching truth and grace, and a great afternoon of fellowship (despite my poor, pitful food preparations) with dear friends. So once again I'm humbled by His faithfulness, and so thankful none of it depends on my efforts or doings! So we proudly proclaim, He has Risen indeed!

Embrace the Camera--Thursday April 14th

So I just realized it's basically been since last Thursday that I did a post. Oh well, at least I'm attempting to again continue this "embrace" tradition, that I saw on my friend, Joy's, blog. I've begun doing these (or attempting to do theses posts) every Thursday to capture and remember these brief years with my little people---as I heard it said recently, the days are long but the years are short! So I want to savor and soak them in as best as I can---so what a great way to help keep/build memories but through our photographs together! I am truly in awe that Reed will turn 5 this year, and this sweet little baby will be 2 in a few months!! Some days I really do feel I just had this baby a couple months ago!

This is a picture with my youngest sister, Mary Etta, and I when we were both at home a couple of weeks ago. All the children love their "aunt Nee-Nee".....and we always enjoy our time with her! As I know not too long ago we had our quick visit with her while she came on a transport for work up here. She is a great aunt and we look forward to the day when she is a mother as well!

It's Thursday--so another "Embrace the Camera!"

Today I thought I'd post of picture of me and my girl #1.......our sweet, little, energetic Emery-Claire. This girl is so full of spunk and life! She truly is her daddy made over! Not only does she look SO MUCH like him (just in a girl version) but she has his zeal and zest for life as well. She doesn't meet a stranger....she is often wanting to converse or know who it is walking down our street by our house, or who people are when we go to a store or restaurant. And if she sees other children she just loves to make friends and play with other new children. And the she seems to have his tender, humble heart for the Lord (or so I continue to pray) too. She is always singing......Jesus Loves Me, Holy-Holy-Holy, Shout to the Lord, and many, many more that she knows all too well. She also loves to pray and is so eager to pray all too often. It's so precious to hear her sweet words to the Lord. We are so thankful for this little girl, even though she is a little more fiesty and tiring than our other 2 children--but she is still a blessing from the Lord!

Our busy trip

I know I haven't posted on here in awhile.....it's been a crazy past couple of weeks, and I'm finally just getting around to downloading several weeks worth of pictures from the camera today! But when is it not crazy with 3 children 4 and under?!! About 2 weeks ago we made a long awaited trip to visit my family. We had a great time seeing everyone, not lots of down time, but it was still fun being together and catching up with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. All 3 kids did great--with the exception of Mary Etta's continual crazy sleeping habits during travel (it took her 3 of the 4 nights we were gone to actually not wake up on and off all night)!

Here are some of our pics........

One of the only "good" pics of all the kids! A certain little boy kept covering his eyes! At least they are all "lined up"

A silly picture....though I don't think the girls thought it was so silly

Fun visiting with Nana!

Lots of fun outside, despite the more chilly temperatures!

We had a great trip! We are thankful for all our family that we were able to see and visit with....and my time with some sweet & dear old friends! So all in all it was a well worthy trip---though we are thankful to be home at the same time and working on resuming our normal routine.

Our "Embrace the Camera"

So I've enjoyed seeing my friend, Joy, with her "Embrace the Camera" photos every Thursday. I am realizing how I hardly ever get pics of me and the children in just everyday life---it's usually when we are primped and ready to go "wherever" (which isn't often with 3 small children)---hence it was probably Christmas that I took a picture with me and one of them! So I've decided to "steal" Joy's idea of embrace the camera too......so here is ours for today!

here we are in all our "stay at home mama with 3 young babies" glory---we've been outside enjoying this weather so no fix ups at all! So since the girls are still napping and Reed just got up from rest time, I thought it fitting to start our series with our oldest---and sweetest boy! I can't believe this sweet boy is 4 1/2 years old now!! My sweet baby is getting so big! But what a joy it is to continue to watch him grow and get to know him more and more! We are so thankful for him! And of course being that it is St. Patty's Day--my children all are wearing green--I of course never put any on (just grabbed the first t-shirt out of the drawer). Though it is some sort of UK (well, Campus Outreach UK shirt that is)---I suppose in honor of the CATS playing in the tournament today?? Though I'm still a TN fan/girl through in through, but I just don't think they'll make it very far this year--- (nor did I put them in my bracket very far either : ( Looking forward to a better/maybe football season in the fall! So we'll see.

Big Day!

Yesterday we got to have a fun little surprise..........

Aunt Nee Nee (a.k.a. my youngest sister, Sarah) came to visit us up here; well she came to bringing some babies to a local hospital here in town. So we were able to meet her over there and give hugs and hellos, and the exciting part---"tour" the ambulance! Sarah is a NICU nurse and has recently started "transporting" babies---so exciting indeed! This was of course an ambulance transport, but she has been up in the air too! We are so proud of and so excited for her!

So here they are checking out the inside of the ambulance. Reed was so excited as the driver let him push all the buttons and turn on all the lights.

Sisters checking out the seats in the back.

Reed and Aunt Nee Nee---he was just so excited! Can you tell?!

Not so happy it was over and they had to leave.....so best picture we could get.

Today we went to the dentist......Reed of course has been several times but this was Emery-Claire's first time for exam and cleaning. Very excited as you can see!

She did SO GOOD!! She is very excited to take home her bag of goodies! She laid as still as she could and didn't fuss or whine at all! She even let them take her x-rays---the hygienist was amazed and said this 2-year-old was better than some of their bigger kids. Who would of thought?! I think big brother kept talking about his excitement and how he "loved the dentist" and she got to watch him first, so I guess all that helped her because when she has to go to the doctor she is terrified! So we sure have had some big days around here lately!

New Header....new name

I thought it only fitting to change our name to "Our Quiver Full" as I've had the Psalm 127 verse there for some time now. And now I was able to "collage" our header---I love finding out new ways to play with our pictures!

And onto pictures, as I know grandparents out there love seeing them!

Sweet time with Daddy after a bath

Fun with the dirt outside

**And an update on the cleanse....today is day 21--whoohoo! It really has not been too bad. Though I am more relieved to not have to prepare so much separate food/meals. Though I do feel I can continue my "no sugar", "less bread/carbs", and even "less dairy" to continue these better eating habits. I have felt good and it's been a nice break from all these food groups. I think overall creating new patterns for 21 days is going to make it easier to continue such patterns.