Heart of Gold

My Siah.....Words cannot describe the personality, drive, ambition and passion this red head of mine has. Somedays he pushes me to the brink of frustration, and other days he melts my heart to no end. This past week, as I was cleaning up their downstairs area I came across this piece of paper and well it made my day.

You never truly know what goes through their little minds, especially when those minds sometimes say otherwise. I love that God uses moments like this to encourage me and see inside the minds of my boys. I love this little boy of mine, whether he is giving us all a bad time, or being who I know he is. A boy with a heart of gold, passion like no other, and a genuine love for others. So thankful for my Si!

My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways

Proverbs 23:26

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart

Proverbs 27:19

JP's Chicken Farm

Ready or not here we go. Today we received 34 baby chicks to add to our already 14, so as you can see our chicken farm is expanding. We decided at first we would get chickens to provide for our boys who eat(along with their dad) a large amount of eggs each week. Little did we know, the growing need for those who want farm fresh eggs is quite large and now we are supplying eggs to others. While we are unable to keep up with our orders(thank you Couer d'Alene P.D.), we took the plunge to grow our little farm into something for the boys future. It is amazing to see the support people have and watch as they tend to their farm with the guidance of their amazing dad. I watch as they work cleaning, feeding, building, and nurturing these chickens and am amazed at their work ethic God has blessed them with. To see them gather the eggs, wash the eggs, store the eggs, market the eggs, I am so proud of them. They are doing it! They have been blessed to see God pour out support and financial blessings all because they offer it up to him in all they do for it. So we wait until the new chicks start laying eggs late spring. What does God have in store for us? I know this, it has taught our boys so much responsibility and that their abilities are way beyond what they think. With God they will succeed. Our hope is that someday JP's Chicken Farm would be a business flourishing in every area. I sit with anticipation as we work towards the small goals and dream as we strive for the large ones. All the while giving God the Glory!

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalm 9:1

Thoughts on Daddy

I always love to hear the boys' perception on Patrick and myself. I'm sure they have a whole lot to say when I'm not around, as they do with Patrick when he isn't. These ones have been the latest. Funny or sweet I'm amazed by these little minds I call my sons.

When Daddy was little he loved to play outside and build stuff. That's why he so tough when he wrestles with us. Like when we bite him he doesn't roll around crying he just says "owww!" Then he keeps playing with us. He is really tough. Jonah

Daddy who has been off work for 2 days already and is well rested. Still manages to get sympathy from his fan club(the boys).

"Daddy needs to sleep in, he works nights." Jeshua

With tears in his eyes after basketball practice this Sunday I ask Siah why he is so sad. After minutes of going down the list of possibilities he finally breaks and says, "I wish daddy was there with me." Sometimes we just need our daddies to be there for a sense of security and peace.

I'm so blown away by the love, respect, and perception they have of their daddy. Those boys are so blessed to have such a wonderful dad who invests in every area of their lives.

Our Uncle Joey

Uncle Joey has always had a special place in the boys' hearts. I worried when he left 2 1/2 years ago that distance would make them grow apart. After this mornings prayer I am reassured and know it is stronger than the day he left.

Josiah-"Thank you God for letting Uncle Joey and Grandma get home safely, and please let Uncle Joey get a job at Sacred Heart when he is done in Iowa."

Jeshua-"Thank you God for letting Uncle Joey get to Iowa safe and I pray that he comes home when he is done becoming a doctor."

My heart melts when I hear these prayers and I'm certain that the Lord hears the prayers of his little ones.

Joey,

Our hope is that the Lord will bring you back to Spokane. You are loved and missed more than you know!

Love,

Us

Mom

This Christmas I was blessed to have my mom come and spend a week with us. I am always so thankful and especially grateful when I get to spend time with my mom. For many reasons I have grown to cherish these times. Living away from family has changed my perspective in so many ways. I realize that the time I get with them must be focused on the things that matter, not just to me but to them. I always stress that I won't be able to say and do all the things I want to in such a short amount of time. I become worried about all the should haves and lose focus of what is most important, even when I know that just being together is the blessing. I know seems kind of crazy, but these are the things that run through my mind when I'm away from them. I want her to be a part of my world here, to be a mom to me and a grandma to the boys, on a daily basis. However, in the midst of all the stress and worry I hear the Lord say, "just be still." Be still and enjoy the moments you do get. Be still and just be. So that is what I did. I enjoyed every moment with my mom. Sitting, talking, laughing, sharing our thoughts just being a mom and daughter even just for a week. Wow! The little things I think that are taken for granted when you have your mom close by. Telling and showing them how much your love them in those little moments you have. What a blessing to have my mom be a part of my world even if it is for a short time. What I would give to have that all the time! So I thank God that I had that week with her and look forward to the next. I am reminded that time is so precious and our thoughts, actions and words must be focused on the things that matter most, your loved ones!

I love you Mom!

Kelly

Getting back on track

So much time has passed since my last post. I think about all the things I haven't written down and shared. I become frustrated and saddened when I reflect on the past year and half that I let go by. Not that anything bad has gone wrong or changed, but I have somehow stopped doing the things that used to be bring me so much joy. Was it me just being lazy or it possibly could be all the things that keep us moms busy. Life that is. Our lives, oh so busy. I am reminded that I need to stop and reflect on the things that are important. All the little things that I skip over and walk by when I going from one thing to the next. I miss writing down all those moments we share with one another. All the little things that those little men do and say every day! I don't want to look back and forget! I want to get back to jotting down all of my family's thoughts, fears, triumphs and dreams. Taking in those precious moments that fly by so quickly. My life needs to be more than busyness and a mundane daily routine. God wants more from me, the little things that matter to Him. So I move forward from here taking the time to do the little things that matter to God and those around me. Realizing that I must not just get through the day, but enjoy the moments of every day I am given. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the things that He has blessed me with.

Kelly

Jeshua

For many years, I have had a little man by my side one day a week while brother's went to school at NWC. This year, I sadly said goodbye to that season and watched as Jeshua joined the boys on a new adventure in his life.  Kindergarten.... Although, I was ready somewhat for him to go I don't think I knew what it would entail. Him crying and saying, "don't leave me here," and "why can't I stay with you?" Well, why can't you stay with me I ask myself, and why can't I hold you forever as you cling to me? As much as I want you to just stay with me and never grow older I know that isn't what is best for you. So, I let go and leave you as you try to be strong and not cry so much. All the while, I am dying inside wondering why this is so hard for me to let you go and be a big boy now. I go about my day hoping the teacher is tending to you as I would, hoping you are making friends, hoping you get to see your brothers, wishing I could call and check on you every hour, and then I realize I need to let you grow in this area. I need to grow and enjoy this new season not only in your life but mine. So, I wait to see how your day goes and you say "it was awesome!" I gasp feeling relieved that he made it and so did I.  So, we see Jesh grow up each day, making big steps towards being a big boy like brothers. He does homework, he ties his shoes, makes new friends who aren't his brothers, and walks a little bit taller and prouder. I am so proud of him!!!!