Today driving,

I had a flashback to driving in the sun as a 19 year old in college, not a care in the world except what I would wear and getting my homework done. I swallowed hard and fought back tears. Time moves fast! How do I have an almost 8 year old and 3 other little ones?? I was also reminded recently exactly what my time on earth is for. God saved me through His Son Jesus and I cannot live passively. I want to spend my time sharing that truth until my time runs out. I have been praying for opportunities to tell others about Jesus and on top of that to take advantage of them when they present themselves. So, here it goes... life on earth is hard, lots of hurt, pain, sadness, with fleeting moments of happiness. God came to give life more abundantly and heal all those hurting places in our lives. All we have to do is accept His free gift He is offering us which is eternal life. But how? It's simple, He has not made it complicated. We have sinned, and sin and Heaven which is perfect can't be together. Trust me you wouldn't want murder, hate and the like in Heaven, it wouldn't be much to look forward to if that was there. We needed to be saved and that's where Jesus comes in. He became man, left Heaven, died on the cross, and rose again so that me, and you could live with Him free from the hurt, pain, sadness... Seems impossibly easy right? It doesn't depend on us being good, or having enough faith, or saying the right phrase it just takes us saying, 'I can't do this on my own, please God I need Jesus. I want to spend eternity with you.'

Acts 16:31

English Standard Version (ESV)

³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Luke 19:10

'For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.'

You know you're a mom of 4 if...

you are blogging during the 2am feeding, because there isn't time during the rest of the day. Sorry the pictures are out of order, but there are pictures(=. I love the one with all the kids and Riv is as far away as possible. Things are definitely fuller here, but honestly wonderful, since welcoming Bode Tru into our family March 6th. I went in for my 39th week visit and found out I was having consistent contractions. Not the kind of contractions you breathe through, you just kind of know they are there. Andy did the classic 'dad' thing where he made the hour long trip back home with our kids, dropped them off with our friend Brit, picked up all hospital things and headed back up. Good, hard labor,the kind you do notice, didn't kick in til 9 that night, and Bode made his grand appearance at 12:06am.

Here are some blessings I encountered during this experience;

1. My midwife was off, but came in and coached, guided and just stayed with us! Words can't express what that meant.

2. This was my 4th time doing this all-natural and just when I feel at the end of my rope and I am unraveling, I find out we are at the end and Bode was soon in my arms.

3. Every nurse was WONDERFUL, which again makes the experience that much sweeter!

4. This was the first time I was like, 'Ok, I'm ready to go home and face the troops.' Generally I feel like, 'Ok, can't I stay a couple more days and have room service and morning television?'

5. Everyone who babysat, visited, care packages from special sister-in laws(=, has brought meals or whisked my kids away...The body of Christ is a beautiful thing!

6. A great recovery and beautiful weather. I have been on significant walks the past 4 days.

7. My mom has stayed and committed 2 weeks to just helping us transition and it has been such a fun, and huge blessing!

8. Andy, he is my best friend and I wouldn't want to go through intense labor and then the beauty of welcoming new life with anyone else right next to me saying, 'You're doing great Em!' I will never forget those words and the care he always gives.

9. Seeing our kids all together, and River loving on Bode and the girls always wanting to hold him-Precious! God is so good and deserves all the praise through this. I am beyond thankful!

Make the everyday special.

Valentines is coming and for some reason, I really like going all out for it! The girls and I made this today, during River's nap of course. They were able to help alot and it turned out great! Do yourself a favor and do not read the nutrition facts on the back of the ingredients-yowza! Never too early to start planning for V-day.

Here I am.

I'm pretty good at hiding huh? I am at 34 weeks pregnant, reading about homeschooling while River naps and Claire and Lily ski with dad. This is a very normal Sunday! We are loving this season and I don't want to sound too annoying, but I'm enjoying it so much it's easy to hole up. School is going well. Lily is deep into 2nd grade and Claire is transitioning well into what I would consider kindergarten work. Andy wants them to be close together grade-wise so I have picked it up with Claire. I am thankful for the little hands that help unload groceries, buckle carseats, and sweep after meals. What a blessing family working together is! River loves 'hutball'(football to the layman) and can be found running around on our new hardwood floors with one most of the day. Which leads me to another blessing, Andy. I am VERY,VERY thankful for the husband and dad he is! Tonight we will continue painting trim and installing base board while we tune into the series 'REAl MARRIAGE' put out by Mars Hill in Seattle. It makes painting trim a little more fun. I'm journaling every day during my devo time trying to remember things like; went sledding, held Claire for an hour while she wasn't feeling good, Lily asked me how she could help me, Andy and I went out for dinner. The little things that I will want to remember when I'm gray. I am very excited to meet the next member of our family, but I am in no rush. I know it means sleepless nights and less going so I am trying to savor the calm before the storm. I'm also excited that it means family visiting and a hospital stay, or as I like to call it, a mini vaca. Life is good as we know it!

A few more gifting ideas.

Here's a few more ideas.

1. I bought This plush robe from Pottery Barn yesterday. It was originally 89$ marked down to 49$. Anyone who loves baths will LOVE this!

2. I kind of love this shimmery cardi from anthropologie. It's in the sale section at their website and it's an additional 30% off.

We love doing homemade too! Some things to think about; if you are a crocheter baby booties or a hat are a quick little project that everyone thinks are adorable! Sea salt scrubs in a mason jar. I use 2 cups of sea salt, 3/4 cup olive oil, one dropper of an essential oil. I like going to second hand store and finding cool purses, wallets, plates, mugs etc... If you don't have wrapping paper try some pretty magazine pages. It makes it eclectic and recycles-gotta love that!

A few of my favorite things.

Tis the season for Advent, celebrating, anticipation and perhaps a wish

list... Here are some of my favorite ideas that may inspire you when someone asks that big question, 'What would you like for Christmas?

1. I love the magazine 'Athleta' and they have done it again with the piper headband. I made my own and wear it constantly!

2. A turquoise bead necklace dresses everything up.

3. I found a great tablecloth and milk glass at goodwill and this picture inspired my to get some cuties to go inside.

4. A great pair of yoga pants my personal favorites are the American Eagle brand. I live in them.

There's a little list, maybe I will add more later now that I know how to copy and paste! Only 17 days til Christmas!

Just so you know.

I still really care about this blog! It's just that now we have a mac, and blogging on a mac takes time to learn. Andy tries to teach me as I'm printing off copies for homeschooling, switching laundry over or helping someone in or out of the bath. And, oh brother, I have plenty of time to sit and learn it's just that when that time rolls around I choose a bath,or a walk, or _______ enter excuse in the given line. A tutorial on a mac gets a big 2 thumbs down on how I want to spend time, but I will! I promise. My New year's resolution this year is to master the mac...or just learn how to copy and paste, baby steps(=.