Happy 3rd Birthday to Lydia!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Lydia Lyons!!  We are so thankful for this sweet girl and the gift she is to us!  Lydia is growing to be a sweet, helpful and caring little girl!  Lydia loves to clean with her Mama and is very helpful.  She loves baby dolls, purses and helping feed Josiah his bottle.  She loves to wear "pretty" things and is growing to love and serve others more!  She loves playing with friends and most of all playing "nest" or some other crazy activity with her big brother! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Lydia!  We love you!

This morning on our birthday morning tradition of getting donuts!!! :)  Lydia chose the pink icing with the rainbow sprinkles- she loves sprinkles!

Craving Idols...

I am reading a book lately with a few other ministry wives called The Pastor's Wife.  The Lord is using it to prune me in this season as Michael has been hired more full time in an assistant pastor like ministry.  I have been struggling lately with feeling "fulfilled" at home in my role as a mom.  Ministry outside the home- really anywhere calls me...  It echoes secret whispers in my heart- You should be spending time here... You would find more joy here...  And yet, God has been speaking His Truth to my heart and used several chapters in this book to reveal to me the "idol of ministry" that I often set above Him!  She asks some good questions, "What activity, if it were taken from you, would devastate you.  You know that a ministry opportunity is greater to you than Jesus if, when it is taken, hindered, or altered, you feel rattled, wrecked, preoccupied, anxious, insecure, insignificant, ignored, angry, sad, betrayed or distraught."  In those moments- I have given that ministry or "what I want" more value than knowing Christ!  It has become my idol to be worshipped.  She says, "an idol can't die for our sins...idols do not give grace, they rule by karma."  "Jesus must be more compelling to us."  He is our greatest treasure and joy!  "In pointing us to the cross, our frailties and shortcomings (and in motherhood it seems like many!) become servants for our joy in Christ!"  I have put this verse over my sink- trying to remind myself I live to please and honor the Lord- no one else! 

Colossians 3:17- "And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Knight and Princess Party...

Saturday I hosted a Knight and Princess Birthday Party for Jeremiah's 5th Birthday and Lydia's 3rd Birthday!  It was a lot of fun!  We had a reading of the Squire and the Scroll and the Knight and the Firefly.  We made princess tiaras and shields for the knights and made Valentines for some of the Silver Heir members in our church.  Then we went downstairs for piñata time and games like parachute with balloons- don't let it touch the ground.  We jumped to music and froze when it stopped and we played a relay to get marshmallows off the ground into a bowl- anything to keep these kids moving and getting energy out.  The kids and I attempted to make a castle cake- it turned out fairly well- not professional but they loved it.  And a HUGE thank you to all my lovely teen helpers Grace and Emily L and Emily D that came to help with the kids and the party!  They were so helpful as well as the wonderful moms too!

Making Valentines...

Lydia's First Trim...

 Lydia got her first haircut a week ago.  You can't really tell but it has made her hair look a little more even these days.  Mommy got her hair cut too and took all the kids with me the day before we left for PA- it was a little crazy but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Standing...

 At 11 months, Josiah just decided he could figure out how to pull up to a stand.  He is kinda stuck once he gets there but loves his new skill he has learned.  And yes, by the third kid in winter- I do keep him in his jammies all day and every day- it is just easier. :)

The Crazy Weekend...

This weekend, we went home to PA for my Grandmother's funeral.  Let me just the say- the weekend was crazy!  Josiah for the few days before we left was sick- deep congestion, fever and the day we traveled he refused to eat at all!  Thankfully I grabbed my pump before we left.  When we got there Friday night, we took  him into Urgent Care to assess his situation.  From there, they said we should go to the ER to be evaluated for RSV- needless to say, I was not too thrilled.  We spent a total of 2 1/2 hours in the ER- waiting to be called- saw a prisoner in chains and many other thrilling sights.  I was literally pacing with Josiah asleep on my shoulder.  When we finally got called back- they checked him out and his breathing had gotten better and after evaluating him- sent him home. We got home at midnight- by 7am- Jeremiah had thrown up all over his bed and I spent the morning with him on the couch.  After nap, Lydia threw up.  We were supposed to be celebrating Jeremiah's birthday- but instead we stayed home to lay low.  The funeral was Sunday and we were beginning to wonder if we would make it to the funeral.  Thankfully a sweet couple the Engles- friends from Cincinnati that moved to PA 30 minutes from my parents came through for us again!  Sandy offered to watch the kids for us Sunday so Michael and I could go to the funeral.  We were thrilled and humbled by their offer.  I told Sandy that the kids had been throwing up all day and in true servant form- Sandy responded- "I am not scared of a little throw up."  Wow!  We were amazed!  This couple just truly reminded me this weekend of what faithful, humble servants they are of the Living God!  So now the kids have had fevers and coughs since Saturday after the stomach bug.  We drove home Monday very tired but praising the Lord for how he worked in a very crazy weekend!  So today after taking Jeremiah sledding for 30 minutes- I did take an hour nap- I am still so tired!

Jeremiah setting up his Lego Garbage truck with Landon- the Engles grandson!

Some evidences of grace:
*  People praying for us and the trip to the ER
*  Because Michael's dad sent out a prayer request about Josiah- the Engles emailed and offered to watch the kids on Sunday which was a huge blessing!
*  Being able to go to the funeral!
*  Not getting sick for any of the drives and beating the snow on the way home!

Link Up...

This week in our Moms Group on Thursday, I felt burdened to have the ladies share what the Lord is doing in their hearts and lives- how He is growing and teaching them and making them more like Christ!  I admit sometimes it is hard to see this in the midst of the mundane, the daily chaos of dishes, laundry and bath time routines.  I am hoping to share these two articles this week of some things the Lord is faithfully reminding me of in this season- serving to the glory of God when only He sees and realizing my true satisfaction and treasure is Christ and not in the idols I want to create.

When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees

The Idols Of A Mother's Heart
 

Happy 5th Birthday to Jeremiah!!!

It's been a crazy weekend... More details to come but for now Happy 5th Birthday to our energetic, fun loving Jeremiah Michael Lyons!!!  Jeremiah makes like fun and full with his fun smile and energy.  He loves playing outside, hiking, exploring, riding bikes, building legos, and playing dump trucks in the back with his cousin.  So far we have seen a sensitive heart for the Word of God- he is quick to memorize God's Word and is sensitive to pray for others!  Thankful  you are our son little buddy!

 

Mom-Mom...

 My grandma (dad's mom)- Mom-Mom passed away Tuesday, February 2 into the arms of Jesus.  At one point, her and I were close- sharing with each other and encouraging one another.  The past few years, she slowly lost her memory forgetting me and many in her family.  This Christmas she had definitely gone down hill when we saw her- she never let her hair go white- she always colored it and she was slumping over and barely spoke to us.  The Lord finally took her home this past Tuesday.  Some things I remember about her- her love for flowers.  I remember going to her house and it was always beautiful with so many flowers.  I think I got my love for flowers and flower beds from her.  I remember going on long walks with her in the woods or on a forested path- she and I as well loved to walk!  And when we went to visit Pop-pop and Mom-mom they always served us yogurt and pretzels.  I remember her exercise bike she always had in her room.  And I remember how she worried and at times got discouraged and negative.  I don't think she ever was taught nor learned how to deal with these negative thoughts and emotions.  We are thankful she is now free from pain and sorrow in the presence of the King!