Looking back through my life like a timeline - Finding the joy in the journey

Have you ever really experienced Joy in the Journey?

As I was driving home from dropping off the kids at school I was listening to KLove radio. The song "Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing" was playing.
I grew up hearing this song as a little girl hundreds of times in church. On this day it was different - it took me back- back through my journey- back to where God has brought me. As I sang along in my car tears of joy, and utter relief of the transformation that is happening in my life and my relationship with Jesus Christ poured out. I was listening, singing and just looking through the years and being so incredibly grateful and joyous for the freedom I feel having the Lord at my side.

Then I thought of my Mother...

She definitely did her part planting the seed in me as a child- though I have strayed her example truly inspires me and brings me right back. I guess that makes me a prodigal daughter. ;) I have a beautiful Mother on the inside and out. Oh I could go on and on about how much I love my Mother and her sweet gentle spirit- always striving to do what is right. It's not just me... she has touched so many peoples lives and so many adore her. That is Christ inside of that special woman ...that I... get to call ...my Mother. I can only pray and hope to have a pinch of that ability to touch peoples lives the way she does.

Thank you Lord for helping me to find Joy in the Journey.

Train ride along the Sacramento River turns into all out photo-op! :)

Shianne and Brenden on the train going along the Sacramento River...Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Lapierre for the tickets! We had a fabulous time!Yay we found a brick wall! Mrs. Shabro would be so proud of me! :)

I told them to just talk to each other and this is what I got. Shianne is so funny!

haha... the boys have it down- Shianne's trying a little too hard ;)

Atta girl!!!

Okay so the idea of jumping photos popped in my mind from my friend and photographer...These are very hard to capture...Love the hair in the face!

Better...

lol...now to get a natural look at the same time...not easy

Awwww...

Yay a red door!!! Now I really want photoshop!

Now we try jumping again! This is funny!

haha Jimmy decides to join in- now Shianne has a Sprite bottle in front of her face! Jen Shabro...how in the world do you do this???

Totally over the jumping at this point- by this time my kids think I am crazy!

You think someone needs to go to the bathroom?

My little model again!

I love this!!! So much it's my new blog header! ;) We had a great day today! I am so blessed to spend my days with such awesome children!

Blessed by Blog Hopping...

One of my favorite bloggers P 31 ministries; Lysa Terkeurst. I just loved this entry and had to share. I'll give you a little bit of it so you'll want to read more.

"Then I must take up my cross...

My cross. Stop the blaming and finger pointing and wishing everyone else would change... and see my sinful reaction as a negative contribution to the problem at hand. I must take my issues to His cross and see my sin for what it is- sin. And I must be disgusted enough by my sin to truly want to do something about it.

Take up my cross. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.

Finally, I must follow Him...

Really follow Him. Follow who He is and how He is. I must close my mouth, pause long enough to let Him interrupt my eruption, and let His Spirit redirect me. Yes, my children need to be corrected but I can let the consequences scream so I don't have to. Only a calm mama can think of rational, reasonable consequences that instruct."
-Written by Lysa TerKeurst

Come on all you Mommy friends I know you want to read the rest. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or some tea (maybe a little dessert) and have some girl time. She'll make you laugh; and while I'm at it so will all the Proverbs 31 women. I have been so blessed by this website; I call them my virtual friends. lol. Happy Blog hopping!


http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2010/04/move-over-mean-girl.html

When the world lets you down- Be Reminded- God Never Will!

There are and will be people in this world who will let you down and want to put you down for your past. I am so grateful for my Savior who forgives and wipes away the old and makes me new. I am reminded gently and lovingly by His spirit that He and only He can do this so perfectly; and to never expect this from the world. I am thankful everyday for what may come across to the world as insecurity; is in reality a spirit of humbleness. I've honestly asked the Lord to show me how to be more outgoing-more fun-louder- more outspoken. I am reminded He has made me the person I am and I know somehow in someway and maybe even now He will use these traits for His glory. I am also thankful for His word has taught me to have a spirit of forgiveness for those who may not yet understand and resort to saying hurtful things. In this I can learn to Love as He Loves and this is my prayer.
There is such healing in His word and I wouldn't have it any other way.


"Therefore as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be Thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." Colossians 3: 12-17

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun" Psalms 37:6

Jimmys Parents Day Performance...

Jimmys class had a parents day before going off track. It was a reality check for me that there will be no more kindergarten performances for me to see after this school year. :( This Mama is hanging onto every moment I have left of Kindergarten. The songs they sing are adorable; it's just such a fun grade...I've joked about it in the past...hmmm is kindergarten teaching in my future? lol. I don't know if you can see it in the picture...but what he is holding is a ladybug door stopper. Soooo cute. Hand painted red with black fingerprint dots. The green grass was painted using his four long fingers. How precious is that for a keepsake to keep our door open for a lifetime.

Oh...and Shiannes' long wavy hair...
The night before...

The day after...

I soooo remember my Mom doing this to my hair too!