Learning lessons from little ones...

Isn't it amazing how much we can learn from children? Or from children's stories that we've heard a hundred times before? Do you know the story of the three little pigs? Remember, where they each go off on their own and build houses? If not, here is a little reminder:

Well, last week, Tyson was reading the kids this story and tucking them into bed, while I stayed downstairs trying to get Selah to sleep. I was listening to him read to them....we have a baby monitor set up so that we can hear the kids upstairs at night, in case anyone has a problem or bad dream or something...back to my story...so because I wasn't actually reading the book to the children, I had a chance to think about and reflect on the story again. I know the main point is about working hard and doing your best even if you don't really feel like it at the time because in the end it will pay off. The Holy Spirit was speaking to my quieted heart at that time though and I began to see this story in a different way. It reminded me of the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock from Matthew 7:24-27. Perhaps you've thought the same thing before too, but I'll just keep going since this is my blog. ;)

When we build our lives, or rather hide our lives, in Christ, we need not fear the storms or the big bad wolf (Matthew 7:15). The Bible says that the Lord is like a strong tower and the righteous run to Him and are saved. Many, however, have their own ideas about how to build their homes (lives) they trust in the world or in their own vain and futile ideas. They end up with houses of straw or stick, which won't stand at all when the storms of life come or when the big bad wolf threatens.

We can all have that strong tower as our fortress? Which home are you running to? Which little pig are you? The big bad wolf may be out there trying to blow our house down, but we do not need to be afraid, the Lord can be our sure and strong foundation.

Scrapbook Sunday???

We had a busy day last week and I missed sharing...so here are a couple shots for this week:

Foto Friday

Will you be my Valentine? Well, this little girl ADORES her Daddy...so do I! I'm not going to write and tell everyone how he spent all of Valentine's Day taking care of his sick wife and four children, or how he took three of the kids and did all the grocery shopping, or how he did the laundry, made me a delicious bowl of Ramen noodles (the only kind of chicken noodle soup that he knows how to make), drove me to the doctor, got my medicine, fed and cared for us the whole day and following days until I was well, took the day off work just to help and take care of me...I'm not going to tell everyone that because I might embarrass him. He gives up so much for us and in my opinion he puts many to shame by the way he gives up his life for his bride, except for the Lord Jesus who is our greatest example.
 Thank you Tyson! I love you so much!

Next week's challenge is hands...hmm...I might have a good one for that!

Foto Friday

Warming...this certainly was a challenge for me. I had a few ideas and here are my best attempts. I have to admit that the first photo, while I set everything up and made sure the angle and everything looked good, I had to have Lucy push the button for me. :) The second was all on my own. So...when I thought of warming, I mostly thought of books, blankets and knitting. The top photo is of my first ever attempt at knitting socks which when finished will keep my feet very warm. :) I've only just cast on the toes and knitted a few rows. I'm excited to keep working on them. The second photo captures my favorite rocking chair, a blanket that I crocheted (in college) and some books I'm looking forward to reading...and the lovely bright winter sunlight shining through the many windows in our warm and cozy home.

Next week's challenge: Valentine. Hmm...I'll have to be thinking about that one.

Multitude Monday

my growing gratitude list:

The weight of sleepy bodies both large and small

teeny tiny knitting needles and the hope of knitting socks

homemade bread

toboggans, filled with family fun 

Grandpas to climb on and photos snapped by children

little girl dreams of preparing to a be a flower girl, bridal dresses and pretty shoes, preparing for a wedding, a doorway to walk through to begin a new chapter of  life, the rest of your new life together

childhood memories reborn and created anew

new stages

 pink sunglasses

 sweet faces

silly faces

children who miss each other when they're apart

quiet moments to snuggle and read together

growing hunger for God's Word

fresh snow

icicles

warm winter boots

abounding grace

lavished grace

undeserved mercy

smiles

noisy children

the unending song of God's Love for me

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Scrapbook Sunday???

Well, I told Catie that I would try to join her on her Scrapbook Sunday posts. I have one problem. I don't do any scrap booking anymore. :(  I'll spare you the long explanation. Anyway, I do LOVE to make cards, so I thought I could post a picture of a card I've made.
This is a bad picture...a bit blurry...and it was difficult to really capture the colors of this card, but nonetheless, I was very pleased with how this card turned out.

Well, since scrapbooking is usually about your kids, I felt bad joining this and only showing off my handiwork...so here is a painting of Lucy's...an apple :)

Foto Friday

This week's Foto Friday challenge was "Rainbow". I tried several "rainbow" shots, but wasn't happy with any of them. Finally, I remembered that Selah had this shirt that had many rainbow colors. I guess it could have qualified for last week's stripes challenge too, but I didn't think of it then. This shirt is one that all of our girls have gotten to wear. That's pretty neat I think when the clothes make it that far and still look so cute. :) This was a fun little photo shoot to do with Selah. She is such a sweetie! She did get tired of her picture being taken by the end...especially because she couldn't get a hold of the camera I was dangling in front of her. :) I tried to get a good picture of a mad face, but that
 didn't work either. :) Someday I'll get one so that I have proof for others that she does cry.