Easter Eggs

This is the day before Easter-Us and the kids making Easter eggs.........We had a really good time!

New Pictures!

I finally got the cord to go with my computer! So now I can put some pictures on and update! Love AMy

So I got up today, and we got ready to go to church, and Tyson called to say he had the car seats in his truck. So we listened to some sermons on the radio, and I had my own praise and worship time. I have been studying Colossians Chapter 3 for the past two weeks, and it's really good. So I was suprised (but I should'nt have been) to hear a sermon today on Colossians 3. I so struggle with faith, not my faith in Jesus, just my lack of it in Him. It's so hard to just trust.....and believe.
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

We are to set our hearts and minds on things above. "Set" means to "seek or strive for earnestly". I look at that and think, Do I do that? Am I living a life that shows that I am continually setting my mind on Christ? Oh, and there I am saddend and brought to my knees is humility as I humbly realize I am so far from it.

My commentary says "Knowing that all wisdom is in Christ (col.2:1-5), Paul urged the Colossian Christians to continue in Him(Christ)(col.2:6-7), not being decieved by vain philosophies(col.2:8-10). Since believers are indentified with Christ, they are not to live under Jewish laws(col. 2:11-17), for that would only rob them of their rewards(col.2:18-19). They have died with Christ and hence need not sumbit to legalistic rules(col.20-23)."
"Furthermore, they have also been raised with Christ. So they should set their hearts on heavenly things (col. 3:1-4). "
When I am in Christ, and setting my mind on spiritual values, I will be putting to death all the parts of me that still desire to be part of worldly things. When I seek the values and virtues of Christ, I will be putting off the sins of the old life and be putting on the virtues and values of the new life (my new life in Christ). As my commentary puts it: "This in turn should affect their relationships with other members of their families and society."

Wow. Do I do that? Is my relationship with Christ something everyone sees? Or do they see something fake? Even more so do my children see a faith that is strong? Or do they see mommy lose control? Do they see me thanking God for everything? Or do they see me complaining or grumbling about what I don't have? Will they one day say that I was so in love with Christ that it showed in everything I did? Or will they rebel in their teen years saying that I talked the talk but never walked the walk?

The pastor at my old church has a fantastic saying, one I have memorized, because it is something I so struggle with. It comes from the verses in Ep. 4:22-24 that say "You were taught, with regard to you former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by it's deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of you minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true rightousness and holiness."

His saying is this " God wants me to be changing, to be more like His son, by putting off my old self, and putting on my new self, as a result of renewed thinking."

Lord, I thank you for bringing these truths to me again. Help me to seal them in my heart, and to meditate on them. I pray that I would put away my desires to please other people and that I would begin to instead follow and please you. I pray that whatever it is that you would have me to do here in the place that I am, that I would obey you, and that you would grow me and help me to change to be more like you. I pray that my children would see someone in love with you. And that they would in turn love and cherish you. I thank you that you have the ability and the power to change me, and that you also are there to comfort and hold me when I fail, and you pick me back up and dust me off and say "come on, let's try it again." Thank you Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen

What's going on?

Sorry it's been so long since I posted a blog.......Life has been busy! I also lost the cord that I needed to use to download the pictures on my camera to my computer.........so no pics till I figure that out!
The daycare is completly full now....the twins moved away, and I filled their spots with 3 two year olds, and another 5 year old. My days are full! But it's lots of fun, and as long as I don't fill my time with anything but my family, life is good. It's when I start filling it in with unessicary obligations that I get crazy stressed out. If it doesn't pertain to our family.....I don't do it! We also turned off the tv. For good. It was'nt a planned thing, but our cable wire broke, and so we have'nt had it for about two weeks now, and the kids are finding other things to do, better things to do. I was so worried. How silly! We still have our vcr for priviliges, but it's really wonderful how much time we have when we are'nt couch potatoes!

I am trying to get all of Briannah's offical Homeschooling stuff in order.........we officially start school this August, so I am trying to get all my ducks in a row.

Well, That's all for now, I'll blog again later!

Feeding the ducks

My brother has some ponds with ducks at his apartment complex, and the kids love it! (what kids would'nt ?) So uncle adam took them out to feed the ducks, (and so Cody would'nt terrorize the cats) and Aunt Teri went and got some great picture. There is also a great picture of Katy and Briannah. And one of Lauren and briannah waving Hi. Briannah loves the ponds cause they have fountains and it reminds her of Swan Lake. Go figure.

Aunt Dawn

Well, we went to see Pa Pa Bill (Tyson's dad) and see the fam there, and I got some really good pictures of the kids with Aunt Dawn. Now, no one argues with me about Cody looking like Tyson, but when you see the pictures of Briannah and Dawn, they look SO much alike. Those are just for the people who argue that Bri looks like me. Now I have proof!

More Addison

More Pics of Addison!

At Adam and Teri's........

Adam and Cody are having a moment!
I had a great time at my brother's, Teri was great with putting up with us being there all the time! I know that was the last thing I wanted after having Briannah and Cody! After seeing the pictures of Addison, I wanted to come home so badly, and God just worked out the rest! I happened to have the following week off of daycare, we had just gotten the cars registered, my grandparents were kind enough to let us stay with them,(even though we probably were alot for them to deal with, they were fantastic!), and Tyson agreed to let me go, and it all worked out. There was some issues with my daycare parent at the last minute, but with the help of my grandparents, it all worked out in the end.

My Trip Home

Cody and Briannah having fun at Mema and Papa's House.

So, we are back from our trip home. Whew! It was so worth it though. Everything worked out with my daycare lady for those of you who were privileged to hear that story. There are lots of pictures, so there are many blogs after this one explaining them. We went to Adam's alot, and to the Zoo with Lisa, Josh,Katy, and lauren, to my dad's, and to Ohio to visit one of my very best friends Tiffany. I had a great time, and I can't wait to move home. These pictures are of my brother Adam with Cody, Adam and his soon to be wife Teri, Adam and Addison, my sister Lisa and cody at the zoo, and of course, my first time seeing Addison, literally, I walked in taking pictures. We had lots of fun at the zoo till a tornado hit the surronding area! My father in law said"that will teach you to come home in the spring huh?" Anyways, it was a fantastic time, as you will see in the upcoming blogs. Amy

Addison Nicole

I am a aunt, finally! Oh, my heart is breaking! I want to be there more than anything in the world. I hate being so far away. I think i'm crying more now than when I had my own kids. She is so beautiful. I will write more later.

"We love the truth as it is in Jesus; and nothing but that will satisfy us."
Charles Spurgeon

Thoughts

So, I'm sitting back tonight, just thinking about life, mine in particular, and trying to look at it from a bigger aspect. How frustrated God must get with me! I know he really does'nt, that he loves me no matter how long I take to do his will, or come back to him, or remeber to thank him for the numerous blessings in my life. But I would be frustrated with me. I'd be ready to give up!
Lord, I thank you for all the blessings you give me each and everyday, right down to waking up each morning with another breath in my chest. For my family, for my friends, for getting my attention and showing me what a life with you can be like. Which I would'nt even have if it was'nt for your awesome grace and love. What a wonderful love it is, just thinking about all the mistakes I've made, the people I've wronged, all the times I turned my back on you, and you are always there with open arms, ready to fill me up again.
We have been studying the fruits of the spirit (love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfullness gentleness and selfcontrol) and last week was faithfullness. What an amazing week it was. So often I struggle with my faith, especially when so many around me don't share it. Who can blame them? It is so hard to trust something that you can't see, how do you know it's real? Everything in the world revolves around instant gratification, having it all, right now.
I know that I struggle with the believing part of it. SO many times I wonder if what I think is going on is really God working in my life or Satan. Is that something that God wants me to change, or is it Satan getting me to stumble again?
That's when the word of God comes in. EVERYTHING is in there! Oh and God will speak so clearly to you when you let him! He is just waiting there, patiently, for you to come and find out WHO he is. He wants you to know. I am really trying to spend time in the word everyday, consistently, and it can be really hard. But then when I spend time with Him, learning about WHO He is, the peace and joy that comes is more than worth it. Talk about your INSTANT GRATIFICATION! WOW! So many people search their whole lives for something this amazing. They spend so much time and energy, and money, and here it is: it is instant, and free!
Father God, I praise you! I pray that you would continue to reveal yourself to me, WHO you are, not what you do in my life. Please help me to see your will for my life and to accept it with an open heart and mind. Help me to have faith and beleive you at your word. In Jesus Name, Amen

Briannah's New Look

On friday we went to walmart, and there was a little boy there getting his ears pierced. Briannah decided that she wanted it done too. I was'nt sure about it at first, but she was really sure that she wanted to do it, and I had always said that it was a decision she needed to make, and she was ready! She didn't even cry! I have more pictures, but I will have to wait until tonight to put them on-So long for now!
Love Amy

Wow, I'm tired

Whew..........so who knew? (definitely my aunt deb-) Taking care of twins is hard! But they are so cute, and it definitely makes the days pass. Right now I am catching up on some much needed house work, and I have a show tonight, who is also a possible recruit. Keep your fingers crossed.

I am really having a great time in the bible study that I'm doing. It's amazing what the Lord is doing............I'm really learning alot.

So.....it's been a good week, tiring, but good. I'm gonna go spend some time with the kiddos. Luv you all, Amy

Valentines Day

Briannah and Sally

Thursday afternoon we all got cards from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, and when Cody opened his card-wow!-he saw the money and ran around talking about how he was going to get some treats! It was so funny. I thought I would take some pictures of him, being so possesive of his money. He would'nt let anyone touch it. It was really funny. Usually I just have them open the cards with me and and they give it to me so I can hold it-but not this time. You should have seen their faces when they saw stickers too! (Briannah said " This is the best Balentines day ever!That's not a mis-print, that's how she sounds when she says it!) Then later on in the afternoon we also got a package from Grandma Tish-and that was just the icing on the cake. On monday she got a card from Grandpa and Grandma Tish-with feathers in it from her chicken "Sally". I'll have to put some pictures of "Sally" and Briannah on here so everyone can see. She is so proud of the chicken that Pa Pa Tish gave her. IT WAS A WONDERFUL VALENTINE'S DAY, thank you all for the cards and gifts. Love Amy

Twins

So the daycare is officially running. My first call was for 9 week old twins! Then I got a call for a 3 yr old boy. It turns out that I will probably take the twins and then just take my name off the list till I know that I can handle the pressure! We got to meet them on Tuesday, and they are SO cute. I really pray that God will do amazing things through this daycare. Even if the only thing he does is provide a way for us to get out of the military and move home.
We got our first snowfall of the year here, but it's back to the 50-60 degree weather, and the snow is gone. But the kids loved it while it lasted.
I'll keep everyone posted on the updates, and will post more pictures when dad comes home to stay on the 23rd.

Daycare Update

My daycare is complete! I had my last inspection today, and I'm seeing God really work in some amazing ways! I've been really nervous about these inspections-I've been praying that if this is really what God wants that he would make the path smooth-that everything would happen without any setbacks from these inspections. And for both inspections, it could'nt have gone better! So now I am ready to go forward with this process, and I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!

The will of God

The Will of God

The will of God will never take you………
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
And Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you……….
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you………..
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
And Where the authority of God cannot overrule you.

The will of God will never take you………..
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot be done for you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
And Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Everything happens for a reason. We may not be able to see it now, but trust Him. If we love God and are called according to His plan, He will make everything that happens to us fit into a pattern for good.

Clubhouse

Yesterday we spent the day at home getting ready for Daddy to come home for the weekend. I built the kids a "clubhouse" - you know, the kind where you throw a bunch of blankets over chairs. Anyways, it was really cute. And with Tyson being home I'm sure we will have more pictures soon. Amy

Happy Groundhog Day!

I don't know how we can wish for six more weeks of winter/six weeks of spring if there has not been any winter yet! But whatever!