Our Life

Pictures tell such a story. I was playing with my new camera... squeal...and decided to shoot a couple of images of my morning. It is 7:30am. I am on the front porch finishing my coffee, Bible reading and morning chat with my husband. I hear the children begin to wake upstairs. Here is what I see...

Brand new day lilies

Water hose on the tramp from the kids water play yesterday...

Reece's whiffle ball in the grass, that really needs weeded/seeded. The clover has taken over! Good for the chickens, bad for the curb appeal. If we had a curb...

Baby lettuce...

Coke? Really? Nobody in family drinks Coke. Except this guy named Shane who buys them from the gas station when I am not looking. But he certainly would not leave it in my garden as evidence of his poor nutritional choices. Speaking of garden, I should really finish filling these boxes...

Color-by-number worksheet balled up in the landscaping. It just goes to show you what my children think of my schooling methods:)

Tire potato garden...hopefully today I will add another tire and fill with more dirt.

Sun dresses left on the line overnight...you know, 'cause the moon is efficient like that!

Blooming azaleas....

Weeds in my azaleas...

Shane's boots filled with water from the rain last night. Does this mean I can skip the dogs water bowl this morning?

Birthday present from last weekend. We forgot to take it to the party. We still haven't delivered.

Leftover laundry from last night... See the big tall pile? That is going to the winter closet until next year.

My unmade bed...I don't normally make my bed until I am dressed for the day. Yes, that would mean I am still in my pj's.

Welcome to my world.

Happy Easter!

So, we ran out of time/energy to take a family picture, decorate eggs, or hide and find the easter treats I bought. I have no photos to share of my kiddos covered in chocolate, or how cute they looked in their peach/ brown/ blue coordinating Easter outfits. But, I can show you this!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1845840517118&notif_t=video_tag

This is what we did all weekend. This is what we prayed for for weeks. This was part of a series of four services spread throughout the weekend in which hundreds of hands were raised by those who accepted Christ. This is what Easter is all about. And, my kids didn't suffer one bit. And, don't worry, we are dying the eggs today:)

It is Here!

Reece is 2!

Reece Christian Zadok "Zealous Christ-follower Warrior Priest." Although he has a long way to go, he well on his way to living up to his name. Reece turned 2 yesterday!

This little man is the baby of the bunch, the only brother and the quiet strength in our family. He is content to play with his cars, trucks, motorcycles, and baseballs for hours. But, don't come near his toys, or his sippee cup, he will pull them all close yell, "No!" and turn the other way. Although we are working on manners and kindness, who can blame the guy? He does have three older sisters who tend to just take what they want. He has to be on guard. See the warrior part coming out in him?:)

I made him a gluten-free cake for his birthday. It was a rare treat and he was a bit apprehensive at first. He has kind of gotten used to the fact that he doesn't eat what we do.

The thought that he was laid back and chilled was a bit on target, but most certainly overrated as I learned at 6 months, he was not only dairy intolerant, but gluten intolerant as well. All that bad-for-him food in his body was just making him lethargic! We stopped all dairy and wheat products and he has been a happy camper; energy to spare and a smile to go with it!

Reece loves to drive, race, push and make noises with anything that has wheels. He likes to play catch and will surprise you with his aim. He is a lefty, which makes his Daddy very happy. He wants to wear shoes the entire time he is awake, and would keep his jacket on all day if I let him. He reminds me of a teenage boy the way he walks around with his hands in his pockets, even if he has to squeeze them in to fit. Reece is the best sleeper I have ever had. He goes to sleep without a fit, wakes with a "Momma!" and takes a 2-3 hour nap right on schedule. He eats constantly and is obsessed with all kinds of granola bars. Although his phase of bananas and blueberries is over, he still loves all things healthy.

He is in no hurry to prove anything. Reece didn't walk until 16 months and he still doesn't say a lot. But, I know he is growing steadily and right on target. I am so excited to hear his mind and look forward to the year ahead. I am so very thankful to have the opportunity and great privilege of training, raising and loving this Man of God. Thank you Reece Man for everyday you bring joy to my heart!

*2 yr old photoshoot coming soon:)

Mornings

My morning coffee-on-the-porch ritual has spread to my children. This morning I found hot chocolate cups left all over the place. It is a perfectly cloudy damp morning, but our windows have been left open for days now. So the emptied, inviting cups have remained in place, just because I think they are pretty and telling.

Sick.

We have been sick.

We have been sleeping, among other unmentionable things, a lot.

We are all well now. Lovely.

Happy Birthday Mama Mia!!!

I introduce to you, Mia. I met Mia back in college when she was somewhat of a celebrity on campus. She was part of The Sounds of Liberty which was the all star team as far as singing talent was concerned. We roomed across from each other for a total of three weeks. And, although I remember her, remember the celebrity thing..I doubt she remembers me. She will tell you to your face that she does. That is cause she is nice like that.

We met (again...) 6 years later, at Lifepoint Chruch where she serves on the worship team and her husband is on staff. I remember our first day at church she was singing the cover song, Life is a Highway. Mia was singing that song like it was the last song she was gonna sing. Her 9mth pregnant belly was hindering my recollection of who she was. BUT....then she smiled, and I remembered, Mia McNeil!!! I told elbowed Shane and whispered,"That is Mia, from Sounds, back when we were at LU." He didn't seem nearly as excited as I did. After the service I introduced myself and we have been friends ever since.

I love Mia because she is so full of life. She is passionate when she is happy, when she is sad, and when she is down right angry! She never lets up. Full of energy she will love you with all she's got and them some. She loves Jesus, her man, her babies and her family and friends. She is real, bold, confident and honest in a way that many people aren't. She has a smile that lights up every room she has ever entered and every stage she ever stepped on. Her singing voice is so clear and powerful, but her heart of worship makes it unbelievably anointed. I begin to cry just writing that statement. I cannot even think of words to describe her talent. In fact, I tried just now and had to give up. You would have to hear it for yourself. Have I mentioned that she is beautiful?She is cool, too. I mean like The Buckle cool. Her style looks like Anthropology, Ikea and The Buckle got into a fight and everyone came out a winner. She is a designer and a lover of children. She was a music teacher pre-children, but I just can't picture that. Mia is a leader, a party planner, a match maker and the biggest social butterfly I have ever met. We cannot have a good conversation in a public place. She gets distracted by everyone else she could be talking to. So we smile, hug say something cute about our outfits and save the important stuff for later. Cause when you are alone with Mia she is loaded with thought provoking, real life questions, thought, opinions and ideas. See, I told you she was full of life.

I thank God for the friends in my life. I am so thankful to see a little bit of Him in each one. I thank Him today for sending me a friend in Mia! Happy Birthday!

Inaugural Bonfire!

We had our first bonfire of the year. With the temps in the 70's all day an evening under the stars was calling our name. I love the atmosphere of a bonfire. The kids are off in wonderland running back and forth across the yard, playing in the tree house, jumping on the tramp and just getting lost in the freedom they have. The men do all the roasting and fire stoking while discussing very manly things on their side of the fire. Inevitably the ladies end up clustered together dancing that fine line of staying warm and dodging the smoke. Time becomes irrelevant and we lose count of how many smores the kids have had. They keep coming back for more and we say yes, because it is fun that way. The crowd dissipates as the kiddos begging to melt. Shelby falls asleep in Shane's lap and Avery gets more hyper by the second. The circle of friends tightens and the men and women merge into one conversation. The moon is bright and the thoughts of an early morning cross my mind. But, I push them away for just one more marshmallow. I relish these evenings. There is something to be said for the freedom we all have just to enjoy.

*Please forgive the ridiculous poetic overkill in this post. I am feeling a bit sentimental this morning.

It's Coming....!!!

Sun bathing...

Bike riding...

Blackbird invasion...

Just around the corner!!!!

Remember This?

Well, it is finally done.

www.shulamitessecret.com

Shabbat Shalom!

We finally started our Sabbath tradition. We have been intending to, talking about, and planning this for months, but it all came together this week. We will continue to have a Sabbath meal every Sat. from now on. We will also work hard to not work hard for the 24 hrs following the Sabbath meal.

I am so excited to see the provision and protection that follows as we sacrifice this time in honor of the Lord. Shane and I feel strongly that God put laws in place for our provision and protection. Although we are no longer under that law, because of Christ's fulfillment of the law, there are still reasons He instituted those laws in the first place.

In our Christian culture we still hold the other 9 commandments in high regard: Thou shall not steal, though shall not commit adultery, honor your father and mother. But somehow we seem to totally dismiss the command to rest on the Sabbath. We have always made it a priority to worship on the Sabbath, but rest...that is a different story. How could we? We have only two days a week where Shane is home before 9:30 pm. It is not like there is a lot of free time for us to get things done; important things. But, we believe He commanded a rest every 6 days. If He had to rest, shouldn't we? I am looking forward to the blessing that I know will come, I am just not sure how to identify it. I will let you know when I figure it out.

Making Honey Whole Wheat Challah Bread

Coconut rice with steamed flounder, broccoli and crushed cashews

Shane speaking a blessing over Annalee.

Shane blessing the wine/juice

Shelby praying the blessing over the wine/juice

Rest begins...