Easter 2013

What's a holiday without a little drama?

 Well, it always seems to happen from broken ribs at Christmas, to broken down cars, sick children projectile vomiting in the car. Now we can add a hospital visit and missing grandmother to the crazy events.  

We had a nice time at the pool relaxing and kids trying to swim in freezing waters... when we thought it would be fun for us adults (my sister and brother in law) to go on a double date to dinner.  

We feed our children, watched the movie HOP and put them down snuggled in their beds, when sweet 92 year old grandmother GIGI came over to watch the kids for us. One of my nieces is really almost old even to watch the kids, she stayed up to spend some qt with Gigi. The night was fun and had a great dinner at a new restaurant... catching up on our lives, it was nice to have some nice quiet time together! When we got home my sister in law went to check on her 2 year old because she hadn't been feeling well and she had throw up all over and was on fire!! We did a cool bath, gave her Motrin, and my SIL laid down next to her to make sure she didn't get sick again. About 5am my niece had a horrible rash, a very high fever and was difficult for her to breath so my sister in law rushed her to the hospital...  a few hours later finding out she has just a really horrible virus. 

In the meantime my mother and father in law were worried... they called GiGi multiple times to tell her the Easter morning plans and she wasn't answering her phone. So, worried they got in the car and drove over to her house to find her car missing and no sign of Gigi ... they reached out to a neighbor but didn't know anything. They were about to call the police but decided to give it some time ... when at 5am my sister n law called them to tell them she was heading to the hospital.  When they heard the phone ring it scared them thinking something had happened to GiGi...when my sister n law explained she was at our house watching the kids the night before. Funny now, but what is holiday without a little drama :) For most of the day it went pretty smooth with tired kids and my niece so sick. Only other thing was my sister helping me load and start the dishwasher... she put DISH soap instead of dishwasher detergent so we had over flowing bubbles every where!! Very funny! And to top it all off... the next day after school I took my Parker to the Dr. who has had a rough cough for too long and found out he has walking pneumonia.

Whew, honestly it's really not just holidays we have drama we come across it all the time.

Every day we are going to fall short... our days on this earth can be a struggle. But through the resurrection it trumps everything...every other religion out there! One of the only things our religion is set apart from all the rest is the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection has over come all our troubles, doubts, fears, disappointment and drama. It overcomes every challenge we face with the simple fact HE has RISEN! 

He has over come it all and someday we will too when our time reaches to go to Heaven. 

On this beautiful Easter morning we celebrated the good news with our dear cousins! 

Where you see precious moments like these..... just a small taste of heaven and God's beauty around us

 Kate with her Great Grandmother! 

The twins special bond loving one another 

Kate enjoying hunting Easter eggs for the 1st time. 

Cousins only few months apart ... going in for a hug. 

Moments of pure joy from Jonas... soaking in the love around him. 

Even precious moments of laughter ... A son getting his father cracking a confetti egg over his head. 

which Jonas thought was hilarious! 

Brothers building their relationship!

 I caught a special moment of Parker teaching Jonas the TRUE  meaning of Easter that's just not just about the eggs and candy. It's about Jesus how he rose again to over come death to give us eternal life.

With all the suffering and struggles around us we can still see glimpses of the beauty of Jesus right in front of us because he has Risen over sin and death! It should give us the confidence and focus to carry on living out our days on this earth! Romans 8:18 I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
The end result will make it all seem worthwhile all because...

 HE HAS RISEN

HE HAS RISEN INDEED! 

Lucky the Super-dog

It's weird, erie quiet, lonely and I keep wanting to do the same routines of putting food in a dish and opening the back door in the mornings...I go to bed at night and he's not following me up to my room to be on guard.  It's been over two weeks since we lost our sweet Lucky dog!
I don't think you can ever really prepare enough of how hard it is to lose your first dog!

 
Our first Christmas together

Lucky snuggled in bed on a cold night 

You think to yourself "why" really because honestly he was second fiddle to our other 4 children that demands 99% of your time and a measly 1% of your time was giving  attention to our dog...poor guy. But then you think about the past...  When we first got married Lucky was our baby sleeping in between us, he would hang his head out the window ... I swear smiling while the wind blows into his doggy face with flapping ears. He would howl at the trains at night for fun, he had a doggy door he loved to run out anytime to say hey to all the neighborhood dogs, he would have endless amount of treats and trips to the dog park that I paid admission ..it was fancy! Any furniture he could lay on .. his life was good and spoiled... we poured into him as if he was our first child.

Until the twins came he took a big step down the totem pole... he had new rules sleeping in a dog bed, barking for when he wanted to go out or in for outside because of a new house and no doggy door. His role changed, he was on guard and very protective of the babies... he let them do anything... pull his ears and climb all over him he was such a good dog!  He would open the doors to lay in front of their cribs during nap time, any crumbs in the house he was in charge of clean up. He had new responsibilities and was proud. I remember when we brought the next two children home and how he sniffed and studying them but welcoming them even though he moved two more notches down the totum pole. When Scott was traveling he would lay by my side giving me such security and  someone to talk too. His puppy dog big brown eyes would look at me with such UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.... he didn't care that he didn't get as much attention, he still loved me the same no matter what! He had been there through every trial and challenge, celebration, and new beginnings!  It's even  hard to write this thinking he's not laying right by my feet right now.  I miss him deeply every day he crosses my mind..just because of r outine for 10 years caring for him  and  I see other dogs and think oh how I miss him ...he was just SO GOOD!! 

Our last family photo with our Luck dog 

Oh our sweet Lucky was such a big part of this family but especially close to my heart as all I ever wanted when I was a child was to have my own dog! I never thought we would have one the first year of marriage but he entered into our lives in such a big way and he left it with my heart still so devoted to him. I don't know if ever another dog could compare to our Lucky boy, he was just so GOOD I mean 4 kids and the chaos that was around him would stress anyone out but he stayed steadfast loving and protecting us!

If you haven't heard the story of how Lucky got his name and entered into our family it's a special one ... Please read below...

http://armstrongfamilyof5.blogspot.com/2010/07/lucky-is-not-so-lucky-anymore.html

Even though his days here on earth have ended I do believe in Doggie Heaven...(why not) as it was the biggest comfort we could give our children when telling them the news. Our children are sad and miss him... it comes up often that's he's not around but it's great that he will always be remembered as the BEST dog anyone could ask for and a piece of my heart is with him until I see him again!

Flashback Friday: Biking

 I had a clever idea that on Fridays I would do a flashback story that had happen and either didn't get a chance to share or it's a fun memory to document. So many great stories to share and just not enough time to share them. Well, this is one I was actually sharing with my sister this week and thought it was one I need to cherish.

Scott and I were feeling guilty, as our just turned 6 years olds didn't know how to ride their bikes without training wheels. We really hadn't found the time to teach them so one beautiful day in October a week after their birthday we decided to try. We went to this park close to our house that had lots of sidewalks with a small (Florida) hill. After awhile... like few minutes or so ... We were thinking this is going to take multiply visits to this park but at least we can let them see how it feels to ride without training wheels. Fall after fall we thought they were never going to get it! They were both frustrated and thought it was going to be much easier, resistant to take much instruction, Parker headed off on his own to practice by himself. We were focused on Brooke as Parker was done (I thought). She would finally get it for one second and then go crashing into the grass... but she was determined! They both had a little friendly twin competition was shinning through as they inside wanted to be the first to get it. Scott and I were focused on Brooke, when in the corner of my eye is see Parker talking to himself .. maybe saying the things Scott had told him out loud... a few minutes later I see Parker do it all we way down the hill.... I screamed and jumped up and down like a crazy mom while cheering Way to Go PARKER!! I couldn't believe it! He was totally wallaby about to fall any second but made it down to the bottom of the hill into the grass to stop. I ran over and gave him a huge hug... I was so proud of him!!! He was on cloud nine... I said "how did you do it??"were you pep talking yourself into it? No he said I was praying to GOD.... For God to give me the strength to do it! Tears instantly came to my eyes... " really?" he said yes ..God helped me do it! WOW a huge thank you Jesus rushed over me ..thank you for answering his prayer!! What a feeling I felt .. I didn't care at all now if they could ride their bike with no training wheels a bigger lesson had been taught ... If you pray to God for strength he will answer your prayers! I looked up my heart so excited but I looked over to Brooke she was defeated, worn out, sad she wasn't the first one to learn it, and wanting to cry... I'm never going to get this she said. Parker came right over to her and said I prayed to God that's why I got it, Brooke and you should too! So, sweet but she was not in the mood to hear it but she tried again and again very determined. Parker was off practicing and getting it better and better. I could see he was talking to himself again... then Brooke grew stronger and stronger finally getting it further and further until she made it down the hill all the way. Screaming like a crazy mom again, I was so happy for her she stood up so proud smiling ear to ear! Parker came over and said "it's because I prayed for her". Wow, he got it my 6 year old son got it .. what a relationship with Jesus looks like! Just amazing! What a day to remember not only my kids learning to ride their bikes such a huge milestone in your growing up years but that they saw first hand what it means to trust and lean on Jesus and he will give you the strength! One of the first days, I had seen one of my kids use what we had teaching them and really getting it! They rode their bike all the way home not falling once we couldn't believe they had it so well. It had only taken an hour and they were off riding like pros... see for yourself!

Simplicity

Simplicity is my new favorite word for 2013.

This last year I found myself running from the things in life that really matter keeping myself consumed with busyness.  In the meantime, who really needs me the most I was putting everyone else in front of....maybe avoiding it because it's much harder to deal with the people you love the most. It's amazing once you get a conviction in your heart to change you seem to hear many messages from people speaking truth to you without them realizing it. 

One of the recent sermons I heard was 2 Peter 1: 4  you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness knowledge and to knowledge SELF-CONTROL and to self control perseverance and to perseverance godliness.

My faith hasn't been shaken but I do know its time for it to grow! To be very truthful to stop imposing like my faith is strong enough to lead others.. I'm missing the knowledge part!  I can easily have a strong relationship with Jesus while being in communication with him by prayer and just seeing him walking with me daily but I'm left with wanting more.... to know scripture his word by heart to have clearer understanding and grasp the meaning of scripture! I NEED to know and use scripture more to speak truth, to protect, and to live more like Christ. It's like going to battle every day without any weapons.

I always find myself signing up for bibles studies and leading them without fully committed to them.. I go to them but I'm just in too many that I'm not committed and it becomes just a great social hour. 

What speaks to me the most is to have self control . It tugs at my heart!  This time in life is busy and it can be overwhelming. I need the word of God to be my foundation and my strength. I want to be able to say NO to the busyness... to refocus my importance on the one who has the answers! Just as Jesus needed to take a time of 40 days to hear the voice of God, I feel he's called me to take this time to dig deeper into the one most important area of my life and that's my understanding and knowledge of Jesus! I was so busy trying to make it to different things that time with the Lord was cut short or limited to the material of the study.  I want to have the quiet time where he leads me, to be still so his word can penetrate my heart. The bible studies can be such a crutch of relying on our time with God. Depending only on that time for him to speak to us when our mind is racing thinking of the next thing. Instead, for a season I want to just let God lead my focus to see what he wants to teach me.

I  also want to dig deeper to understanding my husband and children. I want to surround them in prayer and teach them what it looks like to be devoted to God. I want to learn along side of the family God has given me, that Jesus is the answer! 

My sister was here last week speaking such great truth to me and it challenged me in this area in my life ... she rattled off her scriptures she had been learning and memorizing... Romans 8: 1-10 it rolled off her tongue so easily .. it was impressive! Crazy that next Sunday the whole sermon was about the same verses. Ok God I get it ... I need to start memorizing...here I go ... If you see me out around town ask me to say these verses... you can be my accountability. 

Romans 8: 1-4 

Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 for what the law was powerless to do in that is was weakened by the sinful nature God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. and so he condemned sin in sinful man 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the spirit. 

Yes, this year is about Simplicity going back to the basics and the first place I start is learning God's word to help this battle of  busyness. To rebuild the foundation of this family to dig the roots so deep it can withstand any storm that comes our way! 

18 months old Today

 Our littlest nugget Kate turns 18 months old today!

It's hard to believe she has entered into full toddler-hood. Our chunky squishy sweet adorable girl has hit the milestone of stubborn ways. Just when I thought we were getting off scott free of having an easy baby Kate has my mind thinking it was too good to be true. She is a Momma lover and melts my heart with her big blue eyes and smirk of love that she does when I hold her in my arms. The smirk is "I got my Momma right where I want her" knowing she is my last baby. She just loves to be held .  It's true if you're the youngest you truly DO get away with more. She is pretty funny too, her favorite word is "YA"  to just about everything you ask her but don't try to trick her like saying "I'm  going to feed your dinner to Lucky?" she quickly will say "MINE". I can tell she is on the edge of beginning to really talk as she is starting to try to speak more and more. A few favorite words right now are, YA, mine, hi, byebye, mommy, daddy, stop it, doggies, ball, bath, pappie, duck, and milk. 

This girl is independent trying to keep up with her brothers and sister watching their every move. She wants to do it all with nothing holding her back.. she will try it all. Thank goodness her tough personality comes in handy when she's exploring new things. She has had more cuts, bruises, and falls than any other of my kids, always within minutes she is up trying to do it all again. 

  We were out walking the lake today enjoy the Florida sunshine looking for fish in the lake.  

She loves walks and loves walking her baby around and around in her stroller... she does it for hours. 

If were not able to find her in the house, she usually off hiding in the boys room playing cars and trains, she's great at playing by herself.  Another great pastime is she loves opening and closing things especially doors... she could do it a hundred times. 

Our personal greeter loves to say hi and bye bye to everyone. 

Her snuggles are the sweetest and she is a full cuddlier with her head always resting on my shoulder. 

Most friends tell me she looks the most like Brooke which I see in this picture

For being the youngest, she can be spicy and spunky.. her cry is LOUD and mad... 

The girl has some volume! Maybe because Jonas at an early age was teaching her how to scream, it comes in handy for getting what she wants.  For these last few weeks we are at the beginning stages of the melt downs, body throws, and the irrational women of not knowing what she wants but just to cry. For example, in the photo above she's mad because I didn't give her passy to her. 

Look who won that battle! 

The girl is addicted to her passy more than my other kids .. within minutes if it's not in her mouth she's looking for it. Hey, she is my baby and I know she won't be 16 going to school with it. Our baby girl is growing faster and faster as each month goes by ... as I reflect on the New Year my mind races on all the things I still want to do and haven't done with my kids yet. I cling to these precious moments more to even enjoy the terrible twos we're about to embark on as they are most likely my last!  Here's to a great New Years day celebrating our little Kate as a family... I'm off to grill up some hamburgers. 

My Sweepers

 This fall soccer season was special,  with a last minute gathering of a team. Scott stepped up to be the coach and  Brooke joined the field as daddy was skeptical but she wanted to play with Parker.  

Everyone got along great and work so well together! 

All these friends had been in preschool together since they were two years old. Just so cool! 

Now they are in elementary school together, their bond is pretty tight knowing each other so well. 

I do think it helped them have better teamwork throughout the season. 

This is the only year the league allows boys and girls to be on the same team. 

Also, at this age group you're not able to have goalies but we created a sweeper position. 

It was both of their strongest position protecting the goal and kicking the ball away from the goal. 

After the first game, I thought "wow, Brooke is pretty good... hope she doesn't score a goal before Parker" she will never let him down to that!  ... very focused and her strong competitive bone came shinning through.  Last season Parker was unable to score, but by the second game Parker scored his first goal! We all cheered and he was so proud! It was his big moment we all had been waiting for. 

The very next game Brooke had her moment... the field was open and she ran it down to make a great kick in the goal. We all jumped up and screamed " Way to go BROOKE"  and Scott ran over to pick her up lifted her up in the air. When she came over to me she started crying. All the extra attention was too much for her to handle and I think she was a little embarrassed :) 

#3 and #4 

Kick the ball Parker! 

Kate ran to give Parker a big hug!! Congratulating him on a good game. 

We were an undefeated team until the last game. 

 I was so proud of them and how much they improved over the season. 

I'm not a big sports fan but I can tell you I have become one cheering on my own kids! I have all the years ahead to look forward to... I can't wait. Especially, as Jonas is biting at the bit to get into sports... hopefully this spring he can try out soccer. But until then this season will hold a special place in my heart with my Hubby as coach and Twins as great sweepers and awesome friends make up the perfect team and season!  

Way to Go Blue Tigers! 

A Mess

Our cozy cute new house is a total MESS! 

They started the work last Thursday to find so much more damage than we could have imagined. The leak from the AC (read about it here) had been going on for a long time. I hopped on the emotional roller coaster of updates every hour of how bad the damage was going to be. Plus having Kate with me made it even more stressful while trying to keep her outside so she wouldn't breath the junk! After hearing many times we have no idea where it stops and how much they were going to have to rip up... Friday afternoon walls had been torn up and a lot of flooring gone. They treated what they could but waited until Monday to move forward with the rest of the damage... as we needed to live there for the weekend. After camping out upstairs with windows open and pinic dinners. They continued their work on Monday, not knowing what to think...ripping up the bench seating, moving out the couches in the living room... I held my breath and prayed for dry flooring somewhere.

They then found some mold under the kitchen cabinets...a huge problem! Then within minutes later it looked to only be on a corner of one cabinet that they were able to treat. Amen! 

Yes this is mold... within our walls! 

 we thought we would have a little over a 100sq ft of damage but now it's tripled that amount 

It was in our 2x4's ugg...

The worst mold you can have .. fuzzy and black  

It's been a continued drama with trying to find hardwoods, no washer/ dryer, non-stop cleaning up mold partials and with having moments of being really upset. 

I just feel so frustrated on why we have to spend our money on someone else's fault can burn you up inside, but we're trying to keep a good perspective as it could been much worse! We are on a hunt for a lawyer but our case just might not be big enough to fight for this or do we really have the time or energy? 

After a day of drying out the moisture and treating the mold we are starting to see HOPE! Progress is being made and the worst is behind us .. we are moving forward which makes me happy! 

This is one chapter in life I would just like to skip over:)