Then Sings My Soul Saturday: Love Is Here

Happy Birthday Love Of My Life

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

Today my dear husband is celebrating a milestone birthday and I'm celebrating the days God has given us together. Eight years ago God allowed our paths to cross and they soon became one path to travel hand-in-hand.

I'm thankful for the 30 years God has given my husband to grow in Him and to serve Him. I am thankful for the past 8 years that we have known each other and the past 6 & 1/2 half that we have really known each other...living life side by side.

To my Dear Husband,

Today is your day! Today is the day that we get to celebrate the life and the 30 years God has given you. I pray each day that if it is His will He will give us much more than another 30 years together. But if that is not His will I want you to know that if it all ended tomorrow I would go on celebrating my time with you for a lifetime. God gave me the best gift outside of my salvation the day that He placed you in my life. You are my other half...you ARE me! You are what God uses to change me, grow me, love me, care for me. In you I see Christ's love for us reflected. You are a man that stays faithful even when your body is shaking from the burden you bear and you just want to give up. You are a man that seeks God and strives to live for Him because of all that He did for us.

Thank you, Justin, my love, for the impact you have had on my life. Thank you for walking the road of life with me and carrying me when I grow to weak to walk on my own. Thank you for being a precious tool in the Father's hands to sculpt beauty in my life. Thank you for being a loving father to our 3 children and teaching them about their Heavenly Father.

Justin....I love you. Yes, I have mushy-gushy feelings of love for you, but much more important than that is that it's my choice to love you...my commitment to you, and to God. As long as there is breath in my body I will love you, respect you, cherish you, care for you. As long as I live I will be your devoted wife.

Happy Birthday!

I'm praying for many more!

Say It Forward: week 6

My Loyal Commenter Award this week is going to Tarrah over at My Blue-Eyed Babies. (Tarrah click here to get the code for your award button.)

I always enjoy getting a comment from Tarrah because it's like talking to an old friend whom I haven't seen in a while. The only catch for us is that we have never met face to face! I can't even remember now how we met via bloggy land, but we quickly hit it off with a number of things in common and a desire to bring glory to God in our roles as wives and moms.

Thanks Tarrah for being my friend in the land of blog and I look forward to many more comments from me to you and you to me!

Thankful Thursday

Dear God,

Thank You for all that you have been teaching me in this new year. Thank You for choosing me to mold into a pot for Your use. I am humbled that You, the God of all things, has chosen to use me in Your great plan.

Thank You, Father, for my husband and the 6 and a half wonderful years of marriage together thus far. Thank You for using Him to help me learn to love others as You love me.

Thank You for your faithfulness to me when I am anything but faithful to You.

Your Daughter,
Mandy

(To share your thankful thoughts join us here.)

Mandy's Blogroll

Here's a list of blogs I have come across that I enjoy reading every so often. Obviously I can't "keep up" on all of them, but when I have a free moment I might just stop in for a quick "hello" and "what's new with you". I hope you too will enjoy saying "hi" to these sweet bloggers.

Now, I feel that it's only necessary for me to explain that just because I'm blogrolling them (there's a new verb for ya'll!) doesn't mean that I always agree with what they blog about. So please, read responsibly and with discernment...blog, book, newspaper...whatever it may be that rule should always apply. Have fun!

Would you like to be on my blogroll? Leave a comment and your link and if I enjoy your blog I'll be sure to add you!

• We Are That Family
• He Will Carry Me
• Jack Hager's Thoughts And Jots
• Burrill's Notes
• Grace Dependent
• Unexpected Blessings
• When Does Daddy Come Home?
• The Simple Woman
• Extravagant Grace
• Signs, Miracles, and Wonders
• The Adventures Of An American Mum
• 5 Minutes For Mom
• Sleeping With The Pastor (So wish I had thought of this name!)
• Grace Alone (Home Of Thankful Thursday)
• Thoughts Of The Heart (She went to college with my husband)
• Chatty Kelly (Another great blog!)
• From The Country To Cleveland (Our Dear Friends)

A Few Book Reviews

I'd Be Your Princess: A Royal Tale of Godly Character by Kathryn O'Brien

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a very sweet book and is an excellent read for a father/daughter. It takes the daughters wishes for the life of princess and weaves them togther with a father's encouraging words for his daughter.


View all my reviews.


The Way Home: A Princess Story by Max Lucado

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I reall enjoyed this beautifully written and illustrated book. I think it was slightly too old for the girls, although Abby at almost 6, did catch on enough to make somewhat of a connection to the spiritual emphasis of the book. It is one that I would like to own in the future.


View all my reviews.


Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Several short stories that are fun to read to your kids! I think I enjoyed them just as much as my kids. They were also good little stories to jump off of into a spiritual conversation with my 5 year old. She picked up on the wrong attitudes of the characters and we were able to have good discussion on what they should have done to please God. Fun, light reading that can lead to some serious conversation with your kids!


View all my reviews.


Mind Your Manners! by Diane Goode

My review

rating: 1 of 5 stars
I picked up this book in a search for books on manners but was sorely dissapointed when I got it home. It's a kids book in all old english. Yes, "Thous & Thees" abound! While the kids had a good time looking at the cute and silly pictures I would say it was a waste of time since I had to rephrase the entire thing just so they could understand the basic concept.


View all my reviews.


Bartholomew and the Oobleck: by Dr. Seuss

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
While it was a cute story and all I was not my favorite Dr. Seuss book.


View all my reviews.


God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW! Yesterday we read a book called "Are We There Yet?" by this author and I was sorely dissapointed. Then today we read this book and I loved it! This is one that I would like to own. Though it's simple and fairly short, the message is a simple truth that needs to be heard over and over by my children, and yours, too! Thank you Dandi for a good book!


View all my reviews.


Please Say Please! Penguin's Guide To Manners: Penguin's Guide to Manners by Margery Cuyler

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a nice little book about manners and I really liked how it was interactive with the kids as I read it. My 5 & 3 year olds really enjoyed it.


View all my reviews.


My Cowboy Boots by Crystal Bowman

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a cute story about a girl & her cowboy boots. A short read with adorable pictures! And a nice little "Jut For Mom" page at the end.


View all my reviews.


Ten In The Den by John Butler

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another sweet book by John Butler. My kids (& I) enjoy the cute story line and he sweet illustrations.


View all my reviews.


If Only I Had a Green Nose by Max Lucado

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoy reading to my kids that have such spiritual depth to them; it makes for good conversations following story time. This is good story about being content with the body God gave you.


View all my reviews.

Wordless Wednesday

Tackle It Tuesday

Have you tackled something week or today?

Then show us all by linking up here!

My tackle was actually taking my top band and my diamond to the jewelry store to be re-sized. But I finally did it and now I can wear them again! It's been 2 years since I have worn anything but my bottom band and so I felt like a newlywed walking around with all the sparkle. And the girl's reactions at seeing them all on was so cute! They were amazed and now can't wait till they get married and can wear rings. Sweet things!

This may have been an easier tackle in the time department, but the money it cost was more than I expected. However, to be wearing symbols of my commitment to my husband again is priceless.

What have you tackled?

Micah's Birthday In Review

The celebration started on Sunday with a family party at Grandma & Grandpa's house.

I was so excited over the cake and the "hot" candles. I made sure everyone knew that they were hot!

Then I ate cake...but not with out my car in hand!

Then it was time for gifts. I was sure to read my cards...unlike my bad uncles who don't read their cards!
My own John Deere hat! I HAVE to put it on!

WOW! My very own fireman coat! Uncle Adam & Uncle Aaron think it's pretty cool, too!
(It's a raincoat!) Let's see if it fits...Yup!...perfect fit Grandma!

Oh! And won't Uncle Jeremy be jealous?! My very own CAT hoodie!


Opening my next gift - wrapped in camo paper! Does it get any better than this?!

I bet you didn't have a clue that there would be camo clothes in the camo wrapped package!

Now that I'm done opening gifts let's put everything on. John Deere hat, CAT hoodie, and my fireman raincoat. All on! Thanks Uncle Adam!

Bagging my loot!

Okay, party's over. Let's go home!

Eating breakfast on the special Birthday plate.

What's a birthday without getting dressed up in all my gifts and playing with my toys?!

Just having fun...all day long!

Dear Micah

The "Surprised Look"

Dear Micah,

Today is your 2nd birthday and I can't believe how the time has flown. I know! The phrase is way over used but I have never felt it so much as I do today.

Was it really 2 years ago that I was 5 days over due and going crazy being trapped in the house with 2 toddlers and a belly ready to pop? I was so anxious to meet my third baby and firstborn son. I wondered what you would look like and what your personality would be. Would you be blonde or stick with the "3rd child is the black sheep" pattern that both our families seemed to have going on?

And then all of a sudden you came. Practically with a pop! Never have I hurt so bad...but you were worth every moment and many more.

This has been a big year for you. You have changed from my little baby to my little boy. Your blonde hair, blue eyes, and angelic round face melt my heart. When I hold you or give you a hug you will pat my back or arm with your chubby little hand as you lay your head on my shoulder. You love it when I tickle you and kiss your "mommy button" (belly button). It's fun to watch your expressions and there are plenty to watch! Our family favorite is your surprised look when you raise your eyebrows and open your mouth in a big "o". You always giggle afterwards and love it when your sisters cheer for you. You have learned how to play peek-a-boo, drive your ride-on truck around the house, tackle your sisters, climb up in your stool at the table, get in and out of your big boy bed, and last but far from least, you have learned how to walk!

My housework is now very slow due to your constant call "Mama!" as you point to something you want me to see. Every time we read a book you do this with each picture and it takes a long time to get through a book. But I enjoy your excitement and the fact that you want me, your Mama, to see what you see.

I love to watch you get comfortable in the play room to watch a movie as you lay against a pillow and pull a blanket over yourself. And most of all I love to watch you laugh at the things you think are funny.

Micah Matthew, I love you dearly and treasure each moment we have shared in the past 2 years. I only hope that God will give us many more. But if for some reason that is not in His plans I pray that you will know how much I love you and that God loves you even more than that.

I love how you hold my hand at night and in your little boy way say "pray" as I tuck you into bed. I love how you say "amen" after I pray each night that you will love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Thank you for the lessons you have taught me. Thank you for loving me, your mommy.

Happy birthday, Micah!

Love, Mama

Simple Woman's Daybook

Click on the above picture for more daybooks.

My Daybook ~ February 23rd

Outside My Window ...

It's snowing like a snow globe...soft & gentle

I am thinking ...

About how much I have to get done this week.

I am thankful for ...

My little boy turning 2 today and that he is walking!

From the learning rooms ...

I am learning about having a cross-centered life (via C.J. Mahaney's book)

From the kitchen ...

I am making riblets & sourkraut for supper tonight.

I am wearing ...

jeans and my Third Day sweatshirt.

I am creating ...

This blog post!

I am going ...

to the dentist in the morning for a filling. Uhg.

I am reading ...

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

I am hoping ...

That Emmy takes an extra long nap today.

I am hearing...

The hum of my dryer drying some of the 4 loads of laundry I've done today.

Around the house ...

I'm cleaning.

One of my favorite things ...

Is bright, sunny, winter afternoons with a good book and a cup of steam hot chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week ...

Dentist appointment, Ladies Bible Study, Youth Group, My husband's birthday party...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing~

I Need A Mommy!

The past 48 hours have been emotionally draining for me. It involved steadfast discipline from me as a mother and my child who apparently was born with a desire to rule the world at the age of 3. In 6 years of parenting this was the most unbending, unwavering will I have yet to redirect.

As the hours ticked on and my nerves became like that of a frayed rope I used the wonderful technology we now have and texted a dear friend of mine who has done this same thing 4 times over ahead of me. I knew what I needed to do, but my own will was melting under the heat of the emotions I was feeling. Her quick reply was the boost of support I needed to keep keeping on in the battle to raise children who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. And her added little tip in the middle of some encouragement helped to end the battle sooner rather than later! Let's just say that Ketchup may be a mom's best friend!

All this has reminded me of how I have always had someone in my life, another mother, who has been a mentor to me. Now, it's never been an official mentoring, but rather an informal one as I randomly seek their advice and input.

As a newlywed in a new hometown in a new church family, I found a woman who just radiated with the desire to please God. I ever so timidly tried to reach out and become one of her many friends. It took time and effort and sometimes sheer determination on my part. She was always sweet to me, but I still felt like she held me at an arms length and I just couldn't get close. A few years later she told me how in those early days she couldn't understand what I wanted...she didn't feel that she had anything to offer me! Now today this woman is not only a mentor to me but also a dear friend whom I can share some of my deepest soul thoughts with. Though we have about 400 miles in physical distance between us, we can pick up right where we left off without a moment's hesitation. God was beyond generous to me when he gave me Natalie as a friend. But He also used our friendship to teach me many lessons.

I could spend the rest of the day blogging about the lessons He taught me through Natalie - some she knows about and some neither of us realize. However, the most important one I think is that sometimes you have to seek out the advice, help, support, and comfort of another person. In my case it was to seek out advice on marriage and parenting. I talked to her, I spent time with her, I watched how she handled her kids...all to glean whatever tid bits of wisdom I could.

Sometimes as a mom we just want to sit down in the middle of the room and cry out, "I need a mommy!" Ultimately God is there for us, but He also uses other women in our lives to bring us the encouragement, support, and Biblical advice we need. And that brings me back to today.

This morning I was able to text the second woman in my life who I have seen living with passion for Christ, and God used her to help me, a sister in the Lord, to press on toward the goal in Biblical parenting. And I'll let you in on a secret... I had to pursue this relationship, too!

So before you lay down on your kitchen floor sobbing with utter loneliness, I want to encourage you to take your need to God in prayer. Share with Him how you could use someone to look-up to when it comes to being a godly wife and mother. Then look around and watch for a woman who you see reflecting the Son's love for her husband and family and then....like a 3 year old after their favorite toy...pursue her friendship and seek her counsel. Maybe it will be in having a play date together. Perhaps offering to watch her kids or having her over for lunch. It might be a one time conversation; it might be a growing friendship that will last for years. Whatever it is, seek out a woman who can mentor you, informally or formally, in the character traits you want to develop in your own life.

The blessings are so sweet! And God will use her to grow you closer to Him.

I hope that you will share here your own stories of seeking out the "mentoring" of another woman or your desire for one now. Keep in touch with the blessings that God gives you!

From The Trenches Of Motherhood...
where you need to pursue some friendships with purpose...
Mandy

All About "B"!

I'm playing along with my bloggy friend, Cassandra, in a meme she posted. It looked like fun, so I decided to join in....and same as her I'm getting to it later than I meant to!

Here's how it works:
If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know, and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you enjoy that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on...FUN!

My letter is the letter "Bb". So here goes!

1 - BLOGGING!
I really enjoy blogging. It's a great way to keep in touch with distant (geographically!) family and friends. It also helps me record the funny stories my kids provide for me as well as their major...and sometimes not so major...milestones.

2 - BOOKS!
I really, really, really enjoy books. Not every kind of book, but Biblically sound books that help me grow in my personal relationship with Christ. My favorite authors are Elizabeth George, John MacArthur, Paul Tripp, Tedd, Tripp, Gary Chapman.

3 - BAKING
This enjoyment is something I think my Mom passed down to me. She liked, and still enjoys, baking and now so do I. My favorite things to bake are cookies and bread.

4 - BORROWING from the Library
I have just started going to the Library and really enjoy doing this. Of course the kids enjoy this, too! (Can you tell that I like books?) Of course you can borrow more than books from the Library. I'm enjoying videos and audio books, too!

5 - BEDTIME
My own bedtime and that time of night for my children! I love them, but God did give us bedtime to refresh ourselves for the next day.

6 - BREAD (homemade)
Since learning to make my own bread about 18 months ago (I know! I'm behind!) I have really enjoyed eating a fresh slice or a warm roll straight from the pan with a nice little pat of butter. Hmmm!

7 - BIG TRUCKS (Tractor Trailers!)
I grew up with a Dad who drove one every so often for the family business and it was neat to see how God placed me into another family (Justin's family) that is full of men driving big trucks, too, - my husband included. When we were first married I would ride with Justin 3 out of 5 days a week and had so much fun talking and spending our days together criss-crossing central PA.

8 - BIBLE VERSES
What can I say?! I LOVE the Word Of God!

9 - BLUE!
The color blue is my favorite. In the 2 homes we have owned I have always painted our bedroom blue. My old kitchen was blue along with the guest room. Now it's just our bedroom and my study.

10 - BIBLE STUDY!
I love to study the Bible! This is the best thing on this list! I hope that you, too, will take time each day to spend time in God's love letter to us.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Today is Then Sings My Soul Saturday and if you want to join in the encouragement you can click here.

A Book Review: Sacred Marriage

Sacred Marriage: Celebrating Marriage as a Spiritual Discipline by Gary L. Thomas

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW! Every couple should read this book and every couple getting ready to get married should read this book. Gary Thomas did a powerful job of showing how marriage is not about our indiviual happiness but about how we can grow in holiness. The copy that I just read was a library book, but if it had been mine it would have been dog-eared and full of stars and underlines! My perspective of marriage has been greatly altered and I look forward to the years ahead that God gives us with a renewed passion.


View all my reviews.

Lafayette Or Bust

Last week (February 8th through the 13th) Justin and I had the blessing of attending Faith Baptist Church's Biblical Counseling Conference in Lafayette, Indiana. We attended back in 2006 and then were not able to go the last 2 years due to first the birth of Micah and then last year the remodeling and moving in to our current home.

This conference is life changing and so you can imagine my sheer delight and excitement at being able to go! We were in track two and heard from speakers such as: Steve Viars, Paul Tripp, Randy Patten, Brad Bigney, and Elyse Fitzpatrick.

Here is Justin in front of Paul Tripp's display after hearing a powerful message by him on marriage. We were there to learn more about counseling others Biblically, yet we both walked away convicted of sin in our own lives that needs to be dealt with just the same as the problems people bring to us.

And what's a good trip without a good bookstore? I have to say that I have some deep emotional attachment to Faith Resources! What I admire and like so much is that they sell the best of the best. As I have said in other posts, I am a discerning reader (sometimes picky!), and try to read only things that are Biblically sound and profitable. Whatever you purchase at Faith Resources fits that criteria perfectly! So if you have a dish of spare change and a hankering for a good book, visit Faith Resources Online Store and get great books at outrageously cheap prices. (Usually cheaper than CBD - my other emotional weakness!)

This is Steve Viars teaching us in one of our many classes. Our day started at 8:15 and ended at 6:30. By the time we ate supper we wouldn't get back to our hotel until around 8:30 or 9:00pm. Each day we had 8 classes and a total of 36 through out the whole conference.

Each day on our break we tried to walk outside. One day it was raining and we couldn't, but on the days it was sunny this is where you could find us. We had our picture taken here behind the church's community center and in the background you can see their 17,000 square foot home for girls in crisis situations - like eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, cutting, etc - called Vision of Hope. They have some amazing ministries happening in their community.

I am still processing what I learned and look forward to sharing it with you as time permits. It's hard to take so many thoughts and boil them down into a blog post! But as a teaser for you, I will share that I was challenged about truly loving my husband (God's kingdom, not mine), about letting go of my plans and desires (getting rid of the idols of my heart), and how my life - every waking second - is not mine, but the Lord's.

Wordless Wednesday

Update Coming Soon!

I know that there are a few readers lurking out there waiting (on the edges of their seats I'm sure!) for my post on our recent trip. So before you give-up and think that I have totally left writing about things other than silly conversations with my children, I just wanted you to know that it is coming. Stay tuned and come back probably on Thursday. I'm just struggling to put into words the feelings and thoughts that have totally taken my body and life captive after such an awesome conference. (And I use the word "awesome" very little...so you know that it means it was really good!)

Kid Konversations

A few Wednesday nights ago on the way to church Abby and Emmy got into a conversation about hell. This is what I heard:

Emmy: I'm not going to hell - I'm going to Grandma and Papi's house.

Abby: Yes you are! If you don't believe in Jesus you are going to hell! And in hell you get tied and then they beat you and you sit in fire.

Uhm, for the record....we have NOT told her this. This is something she has made up on her own! (The part about what happens in hell...that is.)

The conversation quickly changed but I do plan to work with Abby a bit more on her witnessing techniques!

He Reigns