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My son the smurf

So we were fingerpainting tonight and I was letting the kids do their own thing while I cleaned up dinner-and apparently Cody's ambition in life is to be a smurf! Too funny! Here are some pictures of what happens when you let your kids paint without close supervison.

The Aloha Dress

This is Briannah in her "Aloha" Dress. She got this from my mom, and loves it. I almost could'nt get her out of it to put on her pajama's!

Up and Running..........

So my daycare is almost up and running-I had my pre-inspection today, and it went well. I'm really excited about the change this is going to bring in my life. I was so hesitant to start this daycare, and really got the ball rolling just out of sheer obedience to my husband - but since then God has shown me so many ways to further his kingdom through this. I will be forced to stick to a schedule-something I strongly dislike and is totally against my nature. But will do wonders for my children, they will learn that the world does'nt revolve around them, and so many other life skills will be taught to them through this experience.

I'm doing a bible study called "Living Beyond Yourself" by Beth Moore-it's a study on the fruit of the spirit- but I did'nt even think of learning about the Holy Spirit before learning about the fruit of them. Oh how naive I have been. I've been closely walking with the Lord now for 5 years, and I was close to the point where I felt like I was getting to know everything, that I was really getting it, and before I knew it that good old pride comes in. Oh how our loving father so wisely corrected me! Sometimes when you won't listen any other way, you have to hit rock bottom and let Him restore you to where he wants you. And if you have ever been there-(rock bottom)- then you understand where I have been for the past year or so.

But so amazing is His love for us, and how gently is He showing me all the things I've been
missing. How selfish and self-centered I have been! But Praise Him, he knows that all, he knows me better than I know myself. He know every wicked way in me, and he loves me anyways. Better yet, he works on conforming me to the image of His Son. How very blessed indeed.

I am sometimes questioned why I believe, or why I am a Christian. Better yet why do I do the things I do or live by the standards that I live? "It feels so good to serve yourself! " the world calls. But oh the peace that reigns in my soul when I spend time with Him. I could never get tired of it. "He restores my soul"(pslam 23:3) No drink, or drug, person, relationship, NOTHING can do for me what God does. Period.

Cody's Birthday

So we had Cody's birthday! My boy is getting so big! Tyson was able to come for an extra long weekend, and we had a really good time. On Cody's birthday, we all went to Applebees, and had lunch. The kids are used to going to the Applebee's in Maine, where our good friend Ms. Katy works, so we had to pre-activity them that she would'nt be there! We had a great lunch, and that night we had the Compton's over for a Barbque, and Cake and Icecream. He loved his presents, and blew out all his candles on the first try! Now he is happy to tell anyone who will listen that he is "1,2,1,2,3!" Yeah!

Mom's Translation

This is part of a devotional I do(Our Daily Bread). This really touched my heart, being a mom, and I pray that everyday I can live like God wants me to live, so that I can touch others with Christ's Love. Especially my children and family. ~Amy

Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. —Ezra 7:10

Four pastors were discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked a particular version best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another preferred a more scholarly edition because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another liked a contemporary version because of its up-to-date vocabulary.

The fourth minister was silent for a moment, then said, "I like my mother's translation best." Surprised, the other three men said they didn't know his mother had translated the Bible. "Yes," he replied. "She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw."

Instead of discussing translation preferences, this pastor reminded them that the most important focus should be learning God's Word and doing it. That was the top priority of Ezra's life. As a scribe, he studied the Law, obeyed it, and taught it to the Israelites (Ezra 7:10). For example, God commanded His people not to intermarry with neighboring nations who served pagan gods (9:1-2). Ezra confessed the nation's sin to God (9:10-12) and corrected the people, who then repented (10:10-12).

Let's follow Ezra's example by seeking the Word of God and translating it into life. —Anne Cetas


When we take time to read God's Word,
Our heart is filled with pleasure;
So let's relate the truth we've heard—
With others share the treasure. —Hess

The best commentary on the Bible is a person who puts it into practice.

Christmas.........just joking

So now that I'm done with the Christmas pictures, here are some new ones, not of christmas. These are the kids before church on Sunday, and Briannah is in the new dress that her Grandma Welles got her. We really had a great time at Christmas, and really appreciate all the gifts everyone sent. The kids really loved them. It looks like Tyson will be able to come home for a long weekend over Cody's birthday. He will be three on the 13th. I just can't believe it. But then again, we have grandparents and parents reading, so I guess they know better than even I do about how fast it goes. Boy does it make your heart ache.
Cody has a new haircut too-actually it's the same, just shorter. Aren't they the cutest? Yeah I'm kinda partial, but they do tend to take my breath away. What precious gifts from God! ~Amy

Christmas Again (and again and again...........)

So here are some of the last of the Christmas pictures. These are the gifts from my mom and dad (Gma and Gpa Tish) Briannah just loved the sewing machine. I'm always on mine and now she can join in! Love, Amy

Christmas Pictures (again)

So after I put on the last set of Christmas pictures, I realized I only had pictures of Briannah on there! Whoops! So here are some pictures of Cody and some of his gifts. There are gifts from Gma Welles, Gma and Gpa Tish, and Gpa Ralls.

Christmas Pictures

Here we have pictures of G-pa Ralls outfit, Polly pockets and clothes from G-ma & G-pa Welles,
A baby doll from Great G-ma and G-pa Thompson, and a playdoh set from G-ma Tish


I can't fit everyone's gifts on here, so here's one from everyone I could fit. I will try to get more on another post!

Christmas Eve PJS

Every year MaMa Welles (Tyson's mom) sends the kids new pjs. They get to open them on Christmas Eve, and wear them to bed. I'm not sure when this started-I think it was something Tyson's family did growing up-(someone correct me if I'm wrong!) Anyways, the kids love it, and it's a fun tradition. Here are some pictures of this...................

Christmas cookies

These are some pictures of the kids making Christmas cookies. Actually, I made the cookies and the kids each got some dough to play with. No matter what I do, their cookies never actually become cookies, and so I resorted to just giving them dough and letting them play while I do all the hard work! (just joking) They enjoyed eating the finished product, and so did Santa!

Daddy's Home!

We were so blessed to be able to have Tyson come home for a visit this weekend. He even got home a hour early! The kids were so happy to have him home, and so was I. Earlier in the week I was so down cause I wanted him home all the time, and then God reminded me that there are lots of other people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, or their dad or mom may be in Iraq, or overseas, like Tyson was this time last year. So I gladly choose to be grateful that he was home, even for a couple of days.Daddy and Cody














Even one of the cats got in on the Daddy time!

Visiting Ms. Elizabeth

On Thursday we traveled north a couple hours to have a special visit with Ms. Elizabeth. Ms. Elizabeth and her family are from Maine, and Ms. Elizabeth babysat the kids, and her and her family will always have a special place in my heart. It was so fun to go and spend the day with them and catch-up.

This was such a special time. Ms. Elizabeth is one of Cody's favorite people. She is such an amazing person, and I am so blessed to know her.
We had a wonderful time visiting with her and her family!

Hopefully they will make it a habit to visit so close to us so we can do this again!

Aunt Lisa

These are some pictures I took while we were home. This is Aunt Lisa with Cody and Briannah. How cute are they? Aunt Lisa ranks up there with the best-she took them to the firehouse to see firetrucks and helicopters, and they got soda, and chips! They both had a great time and slept great that night! Aunt Katy was there too, which was treat too. We all had so much fun. Thanks Josh for being a firefighter so we could do this! ( Ha Ha)

Santa

Here is a picture of Briannah with Santa. Cody apologizes for not cooperating with this situation. I tried, but he was NOT going to have his picture taken with santa. Not even for a really cool candy cane. But Briannah fully enjoyed the experince.

Comments

So I could'nt have a picture of Cody and not Briannah right? Anyways, this was taken on her birthday with her brand new Strawberry shortcake digital camera. (Thanks Mom!) She loves taking pictures - all the time. She's pretty good at it too. Notice the short hair-she wanted it all cut off for her birthday. She looks too cute.....eh?

On a different note..........Tyson was'nt able to get leave or to come home early- so he will be home the24th25th and then leave again on the 26th. Pretty frustrating, but we know that there are a lot of others who won't even get that privilege, so thank you God!

We have good friends that are going to move here also, and they will be here for the holidays-So God truly provides and then some! Well, I'm sure I will be posting more pictures soon, especially the way Briannah is taking pictures! Love you all, Amy

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who gave such positive feedback about the blog site. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. I will be ready with some new pictures soon.

Maine

These are some pictures of Maine, a place that I was blessed to live. It was wonderful to live in a place so beautiful, and meet so many cherished friends, who I now consider family. Even though I know God has wonderful things planned for me in Maryland, I will miss Maine and the memories I treasure there. Now that we are settling in Maryland, I am getting to a place where I am looking forward to what God has in store, Cause I know He only plans for my good. And He planned it before the world was even created! How cool is that?

"O LORD, You are my God;I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness." Isaiah 25:1

This is a picture of me and the kids when we went apple picking before we left Maine. We went with Ms. Elizabeth, who we miss SO much! We had such a great time.