Ahhh Another Taste of Spring - I'LL TAKE IT!!

Just Friday morning, we had two inches of snow on the ground and by Friday afternoon it was long gone!! (Can you see me doing the happy dance?)

On Saturday, the weather was beautiful and temps were in the 60s!! On Sunday, it was so warm, so beautiful.....way to nice to stay inside!! We headed to the park for some sunshine & fun!!!

This boy loves to swing!!!

Pop, I wanna go high!!

Even Am was with us...we missed M (he was working!)

Not the best pictures....but it sure was fun!!

I think there are a few cold days headed our way later in the week....so we will take whatever we can!!

Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!!

It's Baseball Season!!! Yes, Really!!!

When this little fella started playing baseball.... I remember sunshine and high temps!!

I do believe I see some sweat!

Well.... when you get to be a BIG BOY..... Baseball season begins mid- February. For those of you that  live in NC...... you know it isn't warm, sunshiny days. Not lately anyway.

My Bub in the catcher's gear.

Ready for action 

 There have already been 4 games and the highest the temperatures have been for a game is 42!! At the game above it was 39 when the game was over. Nothing like looking like an eskimo to watch your son play ball!! Bundled up from head to toe with a blanket..... Now the next night B was bundled up, long johns & all. And he was fortunate enough for a friend to loan him his little heater.

Yesterday's practice was cancelled due to the forecast of a wintry mix.....

which turned out to be over 2 inches of snow this morning!!

I took these pictures on the way into work. It is beautiful, but does it look anything like baseball season to you???

Just last weekend it was in the 60s and beautiful sunshine!! This ole' chic is ready for SPRING to come stay awhile...not just for a visit!!! It will be here again tomorrow, really..... 67 is the high! :)

And this is how winter of 2013-2014 has been!

A Sleepover at Lolli-Pop's!

We had a cutie-patootie come spend the night Friday night!! This little boy has grown up way too fast!!

He is no longer Baby C....he's a Big Boy!

He came to spend the night with us .... we made Mini Pizzas  - as well as a bit of a mess

Uncle Kea was enjoying this too!

Pop can you help me??

Look Mom -I made my own Pizza!!

I had plans to make cookies with the boys....but I guess all the pizza making was just a little too much.... so while they watched a movie.....Lolli made these (sorry this is such a terrible pic!) They were not to tired to eat them though :)

A great recipe from my friend at Raising Future Esthers

On Saturday, we headed to Micky D's the boys' favorite.....

then we headed to

Cute Movie...my favorite part - watching the boys WATCH the movie!!

 As if we needed anymore fun we stopped to get ICE CREAM!!!

Cotton Candy is yummy!!

But he needed a second bowl

to make absolutely sure!! :)

Poor Uncle Keaton didn't get in any pictures........ He was busy checking out all the cool movie star pictures on the walls!

I would say Sleepover at Lolli-Pop's was a success!! Because he was far from ready to go home....

Heading home caused some sadness.....but he knows he can always come back!!

Lolli-Pop loved every minute of our time together!!

JOY! Good Morning Friday!

Don't know about you but, I am ready for the weekend. This week has seemed to drag on. Although, time does fly by too quickly, I am ready for this week to be  over.  This week we have had more rain, and more cold. It just makes me feel blah! I know some of you may think I am a whiner, because 43 degrees isn't the slightest bit cold to some of you. And I know that all this whining doesn't sound like JOY! But, I am ready for some SUNSHINE and some warm Spring days. And the fact that BASEBALL SEASON is in full swing for this awesome teenager......

 cold + baseball game = big coats, gloves, blankets. Which equals too cold for baseball!!! Today's forecast is mostly cloudy and the high is 48. By the time the game is over it will be dark and colder. Brrr!! Go ahead, call me a whiner....cause I am! HA!! 

 Thinking about Bub and baseball. This time last year he had broken his thumb during the first game. And was out for about half the season. While it was tough on him, it was a great learning experience for him. 

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but its the Lord's purpose that prevails". Proverbs 19:21

He clung to that verse, and even today, he knows that God has a purpose and a plan for his life. Makes my heart smile to know that he has God's word in his heart. I look at this man child and wonder what happened to the funny, rough and tumble little boy that was our families entertainment?? Now, he is a sophomore in high school and days are fleeting. He will be 16 next month!! YIKES!! Two years from now he will be three months from graduating. :(  I am tearing up just thinking about it!!

He was 8 or 9 in this picture.

Freshman Year

Thank you Lord for your many blessings! Thank you for the rain, I know we need it, but I could really do without the mud, lol! Thank you for the opportunity to raise this man child that sometimes wears me out. But, he is a great reminder of how I must wear you out as well. Thank you for the JOY you have given me in the gifts of my children. Give me grace and mercy that I may extend to my children as they grow up. Keep your hand of protection on my children. May they cling to your word, and may they desire to focus on you and the plans you have for them. Help me to clothe myself with kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness and patience!

In Jesus Precious Name.

This is for Kea.....

Dear Kea,

As I walked you into school today, I was a little sad that we didn't head down Kinder/1st Grade hall. But, you are so grown up now, that you just turned left, because after all you knew exactly where you were going. You even said to me, "I walked to that same classroom for reading group last year, don't you remember?" You are so funny, you make my heart smile.

Sunday night, when you said you were a little nervous, I was a little worried, but when we got to school, God wiped all that worry away. You didn't seem nervous, you acted as if you hadn' t been away all summer. You are growing up so quickly. We know that you have some fears that you are working at overcoming and you know that we are praying about them for you.

As we talked Sunday night about the scripture that we chose for you this school year, we wanted you to hide God's word in your heart so that when you become fearful, that you can draw strength from this verse.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong - be strong in God's Power!
and of a good courage - be brave (knowing God is right there with you)
fear not, nor be afraid of them - do not be afraid, God says it, so you know He means it
for the Lord thy God  - He is your Heavenly Father
he is that doth go with thee - He is with you every step you take
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee - He will never leave you, He is right there with you always!

We love you and we are so very proud of you. We are praying that you have a great year, that you will be kind to others, and that you will let your light shine for Jesus!! We thank God for you!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this precious little boy, that is growing up way to fast. Lord, you know his heart and you know his struggles better than we do. Please help him to commit this verse to memory, and help it to be a guide to stay focused on you and not the storms and the weather that the enemy uses against him. Help him with school, friends, and help Him depend on you. Thank you for his sweet and kind heart. May he continue to live for you. In Jesus name,  Amen 

This is for Bub.....

Dear Bub,

WOW! It's unbelievable that you started your second year of high school today! It seems like just last week you were toddling around following Dad everywhere he went. And just yesterday, it seems as if I walked you in on your very first day of Kindergarten. As you drove to the school this morning, I looked over at you and I saw that sweet little boy and in an instant you were 15 and you were driving yourself to school. Then I realized, that today was the last time I would take you to school on your first day. Most likely, anyways, you will be driving next year. Then I saw a confident, young man, with a heart of gold walk up that sidewalk towards the school. I know you don't want to hear this, (but you probably know) that tears started flowing and my heart swelled with pride over the young man you are growing to be. Your faith is strong and you know that God has a plan for you and you stand your ground in what you believe. That to me is amazing. Oh, how I wish I could have been as strong as you when I was your age.

Last night, we gave you this scripture and before I could even write this you already had the same image on your phone. Commit it to memory, and into your heart. We were not kidding when we were talking about his schemes. satan cannot have you, YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, but he will come after you in ways to cause you to stumble.

Put it on every day, because the times you least expect it. He will strike.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Belt of TRUTH

God: the Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

The holy and perfect righteousness of Jesus in those who are "born again" and filled with His Spirit

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6) Sandals of PEACE

Inner peace and readiness

"For He Himself is our peace..." (Eph. 2:14-15)
Shield of FAITH

Living by faith

"I am crucified with Christ:...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...." (Gal. 2:20) Helmet of SALVATION

Salvation through Christ today and forever"Nor is there salvation in any other..."(Acts 4:12) 

The victorious Sword of the spirit: GOD'S WORD

God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations"...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory...." (John 1:14)  

As we have told you before we are very proud of you. Work hard, do the right thing,and remember that God is with you everywhere you go. No matter where you step, He steps with you. Stand for right in all you do. And may every thing you do, do for the Glory of God!

We love you!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your precious gift to us. Lord, as he begins another year of school, we want to pray that he will put on your armor each and every day. That with the armor, and you before him, that he can face whatever the enemy puts in his way. Lord, please protect him from this world. Do not allow satan to rob him of his joy, his witness or his love for you. Please put those that love you in his path, may he be a light in a dark place. We thank you Lord for loving him. Please lead guide and direct his path. 

In Jesus, precious name. Amen

Sharing a CHALLENGE!!!

I have been following The Mob Society for a while and its for Moms of boys, by Moms of boys. I think I started following them midway through their last 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge . I thought I need to get in on that!!! As a mother of two girls (27 & 18)and two boys (14 & 7) I need all the help I can get!! And there is nothing like the power of prayer!!

So now the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge  is back! I just signed up to participate. How about it, Moms of Boys, are you up to a challenge. I cannot wait to participate, I hope you will visit here to find out more about it and 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge  to sign up!!

I hope you will join in and spread the word. Hopefully, by spreading the word, I can also get the book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need It Most!”

Thanks Mob Society!!