#1 in the books

I am so proud of my girl! She killed her first deer over Christmas.  So many things about her make me proud.  She is her own person that's for sure.  She doesn't let other people dictate who she is... I was told just recently that she IS NOT a princess! She is a cowgirl! YES MA'AM!

She has been helping her daddy track and field dress deer since she could walk.  She gets very upset if he doesn't take her with him to track the deer or is he takes the deer to the processor.  She likes to help him do all the yucky stuff! And no he didn't brainwash her..It's just something she was born with. 

Love my little sassy frassy country girl..

Super "Engine" Turtles

Job well done Gigi! The Superman capes and Ninja Turtles masks and swords were a hit!

The sparing never injured anyone!! Jackson and Tripp circled each other for I promise 10 minutes! making chopping sounds and karate moves! We could not stop rolling! Great times!!

Who Am I?

I laid in bed last night..and thought...Who am I? I couldn't go to sleep on this New Years Day.  Restless. Thoughts moved in. I believe God put this question on my heart as I prepare for a new year.

And my answer is....
I am a child of the one true God, a sinner redeemed and saved by grace. Worshipper, follower, servant, disciple,
I am a wife to a wonderful, compassionate, loving, handsome hunky husband. At one time I don't think he was very compassionate.  At one time, we didn't know how to love...God has worked in us both. So we have become communicators and forgivers. We are team mates, companions, best friends. He is my life partner. God has a purpose for us both! How exciting!!
I am a mother to two very lively, spunky, personable, fun kids.  And they know God. And I want them to know Him deeply. So I am a shepherd, teacher, mentor, disciplinary.
I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, employee, niece, aunt, cousin.
I am a sinner. Who has stumbled. Who has fallen. But God has lifted me up. Forgiven. And washes me white as snow. Behold all things are new. And in the midst of the hard, the turmoil, the dark and gray, God reveals himself clearly. He says he will never leave or forsake us. And he proves himself time and again. His promises never falter. He stands true. So its not about who I am.  Its about Who God is...thru me. And that's my new years determination for 2014. I told my awesome husband, its not really a resolution as we discussed the new year, but rather a declaration for our family. I want this year to be more intentional and more on purpose for God. Its not about me and my wants. Its about God. And then God confirmed it two of my devotions...back to back...Here are the verses!

Deuteronomy 11:18-19

^18-21 Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth. (The Message)

 

Romans 12:1-2

12 ^1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (The Message)

 

I won't waste another year.  I have an important job to do.  If you are a mother or father, friend, husband, wife, etc...So do you!

Happy New Year

Jenn

 

 

What do Formans do?

Most mornings before I drop Josie off to her big girl school, as Tripp calls it, I run the spill. And she gets tired of it...

But I don't care.

There is power in the tongue. I want her to get that from an early start.  And even though we may have rough mornings, I still have to leave her with happy words.

Years ago, a mentor of mine asked me if my family had a mission statement?!? What? huh?  I am just trying at that point to figure out life and what being a mom is all about... So the obvious answer was no. But I loved the concept.  I pondered, tried to come up with something, googled, read blogs, and nothing!

And then like a light switch...FORMAN! My sorta-mission statement was our name.  At the time Josie was a baby and Tripp was not even born.  So was not really even able to use it much at that point....But I loved it!!

I love that it represents our home and it is something that we have to strive for everyday. And no we don't always live up to this....  So as we pull into school, I ask Josie, "What do Forman's do?"  Now I have had to put these on 1st grader terms and as she gets older they will change a bit...

The F is interchangeable at this point as well...She tells me, Friendly(Forgiving, Faithful), Obedient, Respectful, Mannerly, Affirming (nice on Josie's level), Neighborbly (we help our friends)....

And then I proceed to tell her that Jesus lives in her heart and we are Christians so we have to act like Christians.  I love you Josie, have a good/great fun day!!

You think by the time she is a senior she will be tired of this speech?

He's a trip...

Literally. He is a TRIPP!! Joseph Tripp to be exact.

From birth, he has been very feisty and independent. You can't make him do anything that he isn't ready to do. Ask him if he wants a spanking and he will say yes. Everyone always told me that boys love their momma and he would be a mommas boy. But I am wondering when that will take place. He is a boy of his own time and space. This little fella cracks me up! And he knows it. He comes to entertain. Smart little guy. I know he loves his momma. I am thankful for his little self and his own personality.

Things that have horns get shot, only this time sister did it.

 

 

Beautiful Things

My favorite! Enjoy....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0

Blessed

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." Philippians 4:6

 

Last night Josie asked me to pray with her, as she does most nights. And she always prays that God will let her have good dreams. Her prayers are sweet, real and straight from her heart.  I love to hear her talk to God. She is developing her own relationship with him. And I get to watch.

 

This morning on the way to school she said "Guess what God did for me! He let me have good dreams!" What sweet faith! She knows even at her age of 6, that God is holding her every thought captive and he is concerned about her dreams. Then she asked me is she was blessed!? WOW!! Of course!! My baby IS blessed!! We ARE blessed! Thank you Jesus for your great and small blessings. For revealing yourself to us in great and small ways. For teaching Josie what it means to blessed. She is learning. Help us to not loose sight and to never quit teaching or learning.