Monday, July 30, 2012

The Things My Boys Say...

Ok, so being a speech therapist mom and having two boys and a funny husband...I love the things my boys say!  Bryan is still developing his articulation and vocabulary, and Addison is asking questions now about what certain words mean.  It's great!  Daniel is funny, and my boys have their dad's sense of humor.  I love it!

Here are a few of the cute things they have said lately...
Addison at the library with me yesterday..."mom, what does non-fiction mean?"
Me: "They are the books that are about real stuff.  Fiction is about imaginary things or made up stories.  Non-fiction is about real life."

In the pool...I said: "Addison you need to respect your stuff and your adults."
Addison:  "What does respect me?"
Me: "Respect means taking care of your things and listening to people...being nice."

Bryan's cute words that I love right now "foofall" (football), "cash can" (trash can), & "wuv" (love)

Our boys will continue to grow up, and it is fun to be a part of their growing understanding of the world!  It is a great blessing to be a parent, and God gives me glimmers of His Grace with so many moments in time.  I really liked this quote that I read earlier this morning on the incourage web-site.  It said...Motherhood isn't rocket science.  It's harder.

True.  So very true!  Hope we all continue to meet life's tests as great scientists and know it's all a part of God's grand experiment!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

A Day of Rest...

Sunday...thank God!  I think our family needs this day of rest dearly.  It has been a stressful time for Daniel at work, and he is overworked, overtired, and now sick.  He and Bryan both have fevers and will head to urgent care when they open later today.  I praise you God for the health that we do have, and pray that you will heal Bryan and Daniel with the miracles of doctor visits and antibiotics! 

Yesterday was a wonderful day with a morning run with a friend and Addison at Crane's Roost...a park in Altamonte Springs, FL that is truly beautiful.  One mile loops provide an excellent venue for morning work outs.  Addison enjoyed seeing a rat in the bushes, ducks, ibis, and lots of people exercising!  He was the only kid in sight...I'm so proud of his interests and "early to rise" similarities to me!

For me, yesterday also provided a nice break from the kids, and time for Daniel to rest.  The kids went to play at a neighbors house, and I hosted a 31 party!  So much fun!  A really neat product that is inspired by the Proverbs 31 verse.  Products for women that can be personalized...bags, purses, and even home organization stuff!  I got a lot of free stuff for being a hostess, and thank my friends, mom, and aunt for coming and ordering!

Today we will rest, relax, and bask in the Sabbath.  I know God is good, and he is present in our family and in our World.  I hope that others get to know HIM and love HIM as we do.  Amen!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Boys will be Boys...

Glimmers of Grace today are just that...glimmers of grace filled moments with my young boys.  I have to be patient and give them grace when today they have...

served themselves breakfast...goldfish, chocolate donuts, hershey kisses, and a rice krispie treat...all over the living room, wrappers, packages, spilled milk and water;

Addison microwaved a crayon to see what would help...it melted of course...then as I took it out of the microwave with a pot holder I spilled yellow crayon wax all over the tile floor.  Thankfully it scraped up fine with a plastic spoon scraper...praise God for tile on our kitchen floors!

Bryan pooped big time in the potty...then wiped himself using half a roll of toilet paper...roll all unwound on the floor in bathroom and ran around naked with butt semi-wiped while I was on the phone with the roofing/insurance company...pool smears on kid couch.  yuck!  Lysol and baby wipes to the rescue!

Stalled on getting dressed and cleaning up their toys so that we can go to Lowe's for bow and arrow craft and seed/garden supplies.

Whined and fussed at one another about many things.

Watercolor painted the table and paper...thankfully that was cleaned up easily too.

Trashed the office while I've worked on downloading photos from our camera and trying to list things for sale on Ebay. 

One of my favorite quotes applies here...I framed it by our door..."Please excuse the mess, our children are making memories."  Dear God, Continue to give me patience today and every day.  AMEN.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Seeds...

Enjoy watching seeds grow...may have to start some more...this is a great website that tells you by zip code what to plant now!
http://sproutrobot.com/
Looks like we may plant some tomatoes, watermelon, and pumpkins this week!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Robert Brault...

I discovered a great quote master today...Robert Brault.

“Without faith there is no truth.” ~ Robert Brault


Today I plan to enjoy the little things, dance the cha-cha, tend to our gardens, and celebrate the truth of God!  I hope your day is filled with optimism and glimmers of God's grace also!  Love, JKC

 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sunday Glimmers in Nature...

Today we skipped church again...we've been so busy with other things.  Maybe we'll go tonight?  However, we do not fail to be thankful for our blessings or that the Lord is directing our daily path.  Last Sunday we had a family photo shoot, and my birthday celebration. 

Today I went on a trail run for the first time at the nearby Wekiwa Springs State Park...3 miles of roots, sand, bushes, and a doe crossed the path!  It was super fun.  Then I went home for a quick shower and to pick up the family for a picnic with the Central Florida Runners.  It was a great day for it.  We enjoyed the cool water, good food, and new friends.  Addison's rare find of the day was a large Hickory Horned Devil Catepillar that fell from a tree right in front of him.  It was super cool...a God creation of great attention for all to photograph and admire!  The park rangers took it to their boss to show him!  Daniel found out the name and some pictures of it here: http://hilarynelson.com/Hobbies/Bugs/HickoryHornedDevilCaterpillar/

Now, we are pool side in warmer water and enjoying some family time.  It is great to be together, in the sun, and shade of our backyard.  We love Florida living and each other so much!  Below are some of my favorite photos from last weekend.  Rochelle Stone took our photographs, and she was great!






 Love is a great beautifier.



-Louisa May Alcott

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Hello Mornings...

What is HelloMornings?

The HelloMornings Challenge was birthed to encourage Christian women toward the life-giving habit of waking up early.
Inspired by the (free) ebook, Maximize Your Mornings, thousands of women from all over the world have joined the challenge. Through our tri-annual online community groups, these women are inspired to action as they receive encouragement and accountability.
Our hope is that over time HelloMornings participants will:
1. experience quality time with God
2. intentionally plan their days
3. and exercise regularly

—all before the day gets going! God. Plan. Move.

 If you would like to join my group I have a facebook page so you will have to be a Facebook member...this is the group link: See my post Hello Mornings Off with a Bang!  Click the star and it should link you to the group page and request to join!  It will run this fall from August-November!  Should be a fun way to FB connect with other Christian moms.  Love you all!  Happy Thursday!  The downhill of this week!  Yeah!
Jennifer

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me! 33 years and counting my blessings!

Today I turn 33 years old.  I'm thankful to be "home" in Florida once again.  Thank you to my super sweet husband who was willing to hear my heart's wish and make a move back to Florida possible.  We are blessed to have super jobs on the horizon, and we have our family close by.  Our parents will join us today to have a family photo shoot in our new neighborhood.  We live in a gorgeous piece of Seminole County, and we are surrounded by God's glory!  It will be a different Sunday of sorts...no church...but we will worship Him!  After family photos I will join my college freshman room-mate for brunch and shopping.  Then it will follow up with a dinner and movie in Winter Park with my dear soul mate, Daniel.  I am celebrating this birthday with joy, peace, and a grateful heart.  Pictures to come soon!

"Act with God in the greatest simplicity.  Speak to Him frankly and plainly." Brother Lawrence

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Simplify...

Quote of today on my flip quote book from my Auntie Deb...
"Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplify, simplify, simplify!"  Henry David Thoreau
Wise words!  I just sorted through another junk box of papers etc. in the office.  I am seeking to declutter and simplify daily.  It feels so good to recycle, throw away, and give away stuff!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Surprise Us...

Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long. PSALM 90:14 MSG

The love of my husband and two boys always surprises me with a happy start to my days.  Here are some photos from yesterday that filled my heart with joy.  My boys often dance all the day long!  Their energy and smiles are infinite.  Thank you God for these glimmers of grace!





Monday, July 9, 2012

Art Gallery?

"Art gallery?  Who needs it?  Look up at the swirling silver-lined clouds in the magnificent blue sky or at the silently blazing starts at midnight.  How could indoor art be any more masterfully created than God's museum of nature?" Grey Livingston
At Sweetwater Park, June 2012

Moonrise...Cross Shaped, Our backyard April/May 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012





This was a political cartoon that I found on http://www.usnews.com/cartoons/daily/2012-07-04

It is a good one!  I salute my brother in law and all the military families in our country today!  Happy 4th of July!  We are heading to Winter Park today to celebrate with our family on Park Ave.  Dinner at mom's and dad's house, and perhaps some sparklers in the backyard tonight with our boys!  Tomorrow we'll hit Aquatica and cool off with all the other tourists and locals!  We are thankful that Daniel has some days off work so we can relax as a family this week.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Published!

http://seminolemagazine.com/2012/07/02/wekiva-springs-a-hidden-gem

I was selected as a community blogger for Seminole County/Seminole Magazine.  I represent Longwood, Florida.  My first article link was published and the link is above.  Hope to write more soon!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Housewarming



Our housewarming was a success!  We enjoyed sunny weather to swim, sit by the springs in freshly painted adirondacks, tikie torches a lit, and a plethora of food and drinks.  Our friends came from all over central Florida to visit some for the first time and others for a return visit.  Cleaned out the last of the boxes to the garage, and we felt truly moved in!  Here are a few photos pre-party...we were too busy chatting and enjoying the moments to photograph during the party!  Thanks to all who came!  Those who missed it come see us soon!