Some misc. pictures

one rockin' dude dancing to U2

Isaiah turned part of his scooter into a pretty cool gun!

Cuddling

Justin thought it was hilarious when he saw Alison and I doing "satin lips" from Mary Kay! I guess you could say it's like cleaning out a closet... it looks worse before it gets better! :)

Snow Day!

a Valentine's Day tribute to my love...

I had originally intended on posting a slideshow to honor my hubby for Valentine's Day, but Photobucket and Blogger didn't want to cooperate. ;) I went looking for photos of the two of us as a couple, and realized that I didn't have any on my computer!!! How terrible! But then I noticed something. All of the photos that I found of him were with our two precious sons, born of our love for each other. How fitting. So I found it not neccessary that I was not in the pictures, because at the same time, I sort of was! (i know that's not proper grammar, who really cares anyway?) I feel so lucky that I'm living my dreams right now. Life on earth can throw some crap at you every now and then but like my Dad said one day, if life on earth was perfect and free from suffering then what would heaven be? I'm so thankful that I'm married to a man with as much character, integrity and conviction as Justin. I feel at such peace knowing that my kids are being raised by the father they have just as I was raised by my precious, one-of-a-kind, brilliant, funny, selfless, silly father! (i love you dad) How blessed I am that he wants me forever.

More laughs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9WmKre5O2I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYxNMFbgLEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeJPmSrHUQo

Love these guys!

I had to share this clip. I don't know if you follow these guys, but they're great. We don't have cable, but Justin and I watch clips from the Colbert Report online. He's my favorite. His comments and "insight" ;) into political news is hilarious and refreshing! Check out the show sometime, it won't let you down!

(warning moms, the word "ass" is used several times)
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=155946&is_large=true

“A woman is like a teabag—only in hot water do you realize how strong she is.”
~Nancy Reagan

BestHomeschooling.org

I Took His Hand and Followed
~Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.
Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I...
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky
We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood...
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life was gay and good.
We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.
We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill...
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.
That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.
But that I've helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

Optimus Prime & Bumblebee tatoos

more great poems by Connie Faust

"God commended His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED
There are four words that bring to me
an awesome sense of peace!
Just one small phrase that tells it all --
the song of my release!
I do not know the reason why
God chose this wretched soul,
But I can thank my Father that
Christ's blood has made me whole! ---
ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED! ! !
In me there is no good thing --
no righteousness; no merit;
But Christ, the Son of Righteousness,
condescends to share it!
He -- righteousness imparts to me --
that my sin may be hidden;
And I am called a son of God!
I, who was sin-ridden! ---
ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED ! ! !
~Connie Faust



THORNS
There was no hint of beauty
in the crown of thorns He wore,
as His sacred head was bleeding
and the crowd cried out for more;
No loveliness in Jesus
as He hung on Calvary's tree,
but the cross He bore
and the thorns He wore
make Him beautiful to me.
When the thorns that I encounter
pierce my heart with grief and pain,
I will lift my eyes to Jesus;
He'll renew my strength again.
As I lean upon my Jesus
He will make my trials grow dim;
and my heartfelt plea
and my bended knee
make me beautiful to Him.
~Connie Faust

pictures from the 2nd snow day

making snowballs

our "frosty"

our neighbor tristan playing with isaiah in the snow

"Office" withdrawal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENphCznlfek

finger-painting...i must have been on crack

what was i thinking? they would have rolled in it if i let them!

glad that's finger paint and not what it looks like!

this is not even funny... now he actually has to take it off so i can wash it!

and then I actually turned my back on them... what an idiot!

bragging on my hubby

I had to share this beautiful window Justin finished for a customer here in town. He gets credit for the design too. He's amazing...

it snowed! ...sort of

Here are some pictures from yesterday morning when the kids and I woke up to everything covered in snow. Isaiah has been asking for snow recently so it was a great surprise for him, although it wasn't quite the texture he was hoping for. By the time we got outside it was just beginning to drizzle and everything was getting slushy. Oh, well, there's still plenty of winter left to get one good snow.

the bunkbeds are back!

Isaiah has been petitioning for the return of the bunkbeds for some time now. It's gone surprisingly well. For the past four nights Isaiah has slept on the top and Gabe has slept on the bottom! Gabe had absolutely no trouble transitioning from a crib to a bed! I wasn't expecting it to be this easy. He still uses a passy when he sleeps, but he's still a baby to me even though he's almost two. I'm not going to rush breaking him of the passy. Baby steps. And I must be honest, the beds are actually made in this picture... they never look like this.

"Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse." ~Philip Yancey Where is God When it Hurts? ....great book (thanks Jon & Shannon)

I found this today and it really spoke to me. Enjoy.

Walkin' In The Valley of Beracah

I live in the Valley of Beracah;
It's the valley of blessings and praise.
Sometimes I encounter fierce battles;
Then my hands in true worship I raise.
My enemies, honed to engage me,
are stronger and smarter and fit,
But my great Commander has trained me,
and at His feet calmly I sit.
At times, they will boldly approach me;
at times stealing in from the rear.
But always I stand in the ready;
I'm wearing my full battle gear.
My spiritual armor protects me,
for the warfare is spiritual, too.
My Commander's already prepared me--
alerted, I know what to do.
I know my position's surrounded;
I feel the pain of each blow.
So I trust and I praise my Commander,
and He comes to vanquish the foe.
Battles aren't fought by bravado and strength,
but the Sword of the Spirit, and praise.
The shield of faith still protects me
as I follow Christ all of my days.
The more that I call on my Jesus,
the clearer His vision I'll see.
As I walk in the Valley of Beracah,
He will fight all my battles for me.

~ Connie Faust ~Copyright © 2007, All Rights Reserved

pictures from Christmas

Isaiah's new bike

Gabe's new bike

the new tent from Grandma & Grandpa

Gabe sneaking candy from Mychael's stocking Christmas morning

Some misc pics I found on my camera

falling asleep watching a movie together

Isaiah sneaking chocolate milk after bedtime

Isaiah and Ange napping on the couch

Isaiah setting up the manger scene

My Great Dad