Journaling-Dear Hope, this is for you...

This song was sent to me and I wanted to pass it along for all those that need Hope for past decisions. Yes, we each are more...

"You Are More" - Tenth Avenue North



There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/you-are-more-lyrics-tenth-avenue-north.html ]

Happy Birthday Little Bro!

Tommy, hope you had the best day ever! Can't believe you are....old! :) But then I guess that makes me even older. :)

Happy Birthday to you!
Love you,
NC 4

PS doesn't this photo in Hawaii make one miss summer?? Ahhhh, looking forward to constant warm temps.
PPS, you are an adorable couple! Julie-I wish I could pull off that dress-amazing! You need to help me someday with some fashion tips. :)
PPSS, yes, I stole this off of FB....thanks Julie I was also going to post the one of skydiving, but alas I couldn't get it to download. :)

Belated Baking for Valentines!

Katie and I were supposed to make Valentine cookies last weekend to take to her friends. But with the stomach bug going around our and runny noses, we decided not to. (I am sure her friends and their parents are glad :) So last night, after Owen went down, we dug into cookies making. I have been on the search for another good recipe (our tried and true Sour Cream cookies have dairy in them :( .

But thanks to this link on my friend, Allison's blog, we found one. Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies...Yippeeeeee! If you need some tips for cookies, this blog-Bake at 350 is awesome.

Not to mention that Allison makes some killer cookies too. :) *Allison you have no idea how much your posting of cookies has encouraged me to dive into this. It is something I have always wanted to try. Thanks for unknowingly encouraging me.

We ended up rolling out about 30 cookies-all relatively the same thickness. Perfect!

Yummmmmm. They were delicious! I tried the original recipe and only changed the flour from white to Spelt. Wonderful-a keeper!

The next day we did the 'celebrating' (aka decorating) as Katie says. I made some royal icing, minus the corn syrup (recipe here-from the same blog) and bought all the stuff for correctly piping the icing: bags, tips, meringue powder... I had a lot of fun outlining them and then Katie helped to fill them in and add the sprinkles. Most sprinklers were poured out in large piles. :) I learned a lot about how to decorate cookies-it took me almost all 30 cookies to get into a rhythm.

Owen LOVED them. Here he is showing me his empty mouth--therefore add more cookie!

Some final products...

before sprinkles...

Well done Katie! And if you are a friend of ours and don't get a cookie....don't worry, we will be making more of these in the days to come, to share!

And the one and only blunder. I think I got a bit too happy filling this cookie. It was probably when I diluted the icing to much and it was running all over the place! Ahhhh--but till edible!

journaling-Mission Fashion: Why this works

Over the past few months, most of you know that I have been on a mission to update my wardrobe. And I have been lucky to have some professional insights on how to wear clothes right...I have received a few thoughts. Most of you reading this already know this fact, but since I am lacking this department I, and someone else might be too, I thought I would share this one.

When wearing clothes, in order for them to look right, make sure they balance either other out. For example take Katie's outfit above.

First, take into consideration how cute she is-even looking like a monkey. :)

Second, her pants are not super fitted, but her shirt balances the bagginess of the pants with a tailored shirt. Or the opposite could be true of you. Your pants are tailored and fitted, but your shirt is more relaxed. But both should not be fitted or baggy. Does that make sense?

I have come to realize some of my outfits are not right because of this fact. So I have tried to have outfits (at least when I leave the house :) that are proportionate. And by golly, it has felt more right and I feel more put together. Whew...

My favorite mom outfit right now is a pair of dark jeans from Gap that are fitted boot cut, but not skin tight and a slightly tailored brown sweater from Old Navy-a more relaxed style, with a tank top under for some layering.

And I am on the verge of getting rid of my pants that are like balloon...but I don't know if I can, since I consider those my go to 'fat' pants. They are ultra comfortable, but not fashionable. :) Oh well! Maybe I can wear them with a tailored shirt??? :)

Any more fashion advice for me out there?

Finally Alive-The Joy Eternal album

Check this out...it is a great new song from Kenneth Padgett! (click on the second play button, the first one is Kenneth explaining. The second one is the song)

Kenneth and his wife Rebecca, are in our small group through Church. Kenneth and Justin have lots in common with their talk of theology. And Rebecca, Katie M and I are reading Surprised by Hope by NT Wright together.

We are excited to get to know them better. Plus they are expecting their first little girl in a 8 weeks-yay!

I think that if you listen to the song you will be overwhelmed with Truth and Joy. Plus it doesn't hurt that the kids LOVE to dance to it!

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Words of the Song:

Finally Alive

I was dead and depraved and I loved my sin
I was lifeless in the grave of hopelessness

But I'm Finally Alive
I've been made new
I'm satisfied in You
And these dead bones live
And this new heart beats
For You

You, in Your loving kindness healed my blindness and let me see.
Now I can see and savor, enjoy forever Your majesty!

I'm Finally Alive
I've been made new
I'm satisfied in You
And these dead bones live
And this new heart beats
For You

Kenneth is presently working on several more songs that will be releasing sometime soon as an EP.

(The song is posted on DesiringGod.org. ...under "Introducing The Joy Eternal", if for some reason the link doesn't work!)

9:50-7:04

That's the amount of straight, uninterrupted sleep Justin and I got last night.
It was amazing.
It was a miracle that neither one of our kids woke up during the night.
It hasn't happened since....well I can't remember when we last had no wake ups at nighttime.
Prayerfully, Hopefully, it will happen again.
Sleep is good. (ignore the computer in the photo, I just liked the saying)
Thank you Jesus.
Thank you Jesus.
Thank you Jesus.

Happy Valentines Day!

Last Thursday

It snowed a bit. We were outside playing in the powder by 7:30 am, which was good, since it melted by 9 am. We mostly ran around, trying to throw snowballs and make tiny forts.

Katie then proceeded to tell me we needed to do a few things around the house to get it ready for Christmas. Yes, she thought since it snowed....it was Christmas again! She wanted to get the tree down from the attic...put up some lights and especially have something warm to drink. She was super excited. She even looked for around the house for a few presents. It definitely was a joyful morning!

We did have a warm drink when we came inside, but the Christmas stuff, stayed in the attic. :)

Birthday p a r t y Fun

Katie (and Owen) were invited a birthday party for a Sunday School friend, Charissa and her sister Verity. It was a princess/knight party. She had a blast and they both enjoyed visiting a new park in Raleigh. Happy Birthday girls!

The princesses in their hiding spot.

Daddy and Owen exploring the fort.

Chrissa and Katie 'needed' to sit together at the table. It is wonderful to be making new friends at church!

After playing outside, everyone came in to color pillowcases, eat lunch and enjoy some yummy cake. Thanks so much for allowing us to celebrate your big days!

The amazing bubble time

Silliness

On most days, bubble time aka bath time, is a great resetting of the attitudes. They are free to be silly, but confined. They can be creative, but it washes off. And they can get clean, warm and cozy in their pj's. It also helps mommy to relax for a minute. Thankful for warm water and bubbles.

Try my soup!

More silliness

A big girl first

For some reason this seemed to be a 'right of passage' for Katie and me.

While I was watching from the door, Katie put on her hat, jacket and boots and went to check the mail, by herself for us.

Seriously. I had tears in my eyes. My little girl is growing up.

Someday she will be doing things without me.

Though I know she will always need my attention, love, prayers and joyful encouragement that she can do it.

I love you big girl.

You did a great job watching the street for cars, staying on the grass and pulling your hardest to get the box opened.

5:00

Whoever said happy hour started at 5:00 pm

Lied


*update-kids asleep, dishes done, floors swept, got to watch "the Office", and now I am reading my Bible, perspective much better. Love my kids and wouldn't trade the 5:00 hour. :)