Be Still

He is here for the broken and life to the one who is undone

He is peace to the wounded and hope for the helpless one

He is here, He is here

Be still my soul be still

Be still my soul be still

Wait patiently upon the Lord

Be still my soul be still

When the waves rise against me and the wind tries to draw me away

I will stand on the mountain safe in your arms, I will sing

Be still my soul be still

Be still my soul be still

Wait patiently upon the Lord

Be still my soul be still

"Be still and know that I am God"

Last year when Mike was on deployment, this verse was breathed into me daily. I needed to constantly remind myself to quiet my heart and my mind and to be still. Through those long days in which I was dying for a five minute break between baths, wiping tables, and waking up alone, God walked beside me. He gave me that extra push to splash with my boys, smile and be grateful for a table to wipe, and new mercies every morning to start the day afresh.

That is something that all of us women, mom's, wives need to live by daily. Sometimes just stop ad-mist your business, take a breath, and know that He is God. In control of all, no matter the circumstances good and bad. Take His yoke and learn from Him...what love and compassion Jesus has for us! Know that He has created you unique and for a purpose that NO OTHER mom, woman or wife could ever do! You are special and powerful with God on your side...what can stop us? Take a listen to this beautiful melody by one of my new favorite artists, Kari Jobe. What simple yet powerful lyrics that can stick in your head throughout the day and get you through it.

Wanna have a good cry?

My mom showed this to me on FB and when it got to the little boy after the dog (watch and you will understand) I totally lost it. He had to be about 4 or 5 and had the sweetest look of joyful tears and "my daddy...sigh". Anyways, even though my soldier is home for the moment it still makes me emotional. Thank you daddy's who serve our amazing country.

MN fun

Only a week down and it feels like we have been here forever! We have gone to the MOA amusement park, Como Zoo, community center pool/waterpark, and plenty of walks! The boys are so tuckered out everyday that they take about a 3 hour nap...(very nice!). This week we are changing houses and going to my parents for the rest of the time. During those few days Mike and I will be getting a night out, professional family pictures taken and extended family time!

Here we are at the Como Zoo...it is free, a perfect size and by far the best to see animals in my opinion. There is a butterfly atrium that we went in and saw all kinds and enjoyed the beauty. It was fun to notice the different kinds of plants and see ones that we have in our own garden.

Logan didn't even know that this butterfly was on him and he kept swatting at his neck throughout the whole visit because he thought they were landing on him.
Here we are at the MOA at Legoland...a giant Woody! Logan was trying to get Austin in the picture with him.
Logan and Mommy riding the swings

Logan riding an up and down ride. At first he was unhappy with the ride, but then he saw that all the other kids were laughing so he started laughing.

I haven't shared a picture of one of our male pumpkin flowers yet, so here one is! We are still waiting for a female to show up which will give us a pumpkin!

Flash Me Friday!- Favorite piece of furniture

Unfortunately I can't show you all a picture of my favorite piece of furniture which more than likely would be our kitchen table. I don't love it for the looks. It is probably one of the most tore up pieces we have; it's been hammered on, picked with forks, has a 1/4 inch layer of syrup on it, the head of the chairs are falling off, etc. I love it because it is one of three remaining first pieces of furniture we bought as a married couple. So many family dinners as two, then three, then four...family and friend gatherings, long discussions, funny jokes and major decisions made at that table. Even though I am begging mike for a new dinning room set, I think I might actually shed a tear when I see that table go someday. Perhaps when we return home I will snap a picture of the ugly thing so even more people can create more memories with our family:-)

Surprise!!!

We are in MN! I am not sure who all knows due to the last several days being a blurr...literally; but we took an impromptu trip to MN! Mike was supposed to be training in AL starting this past sunday for 2 weeks, but at the last minute got canceled (YES!) and we all ended up on another long car drive to MN. We are going to spend about 2 weeks here as a whole family, get plenty of dates (even a night away), and play time with the boys! So here we are, I will update with pictures and stories for our reading pleasure:-)

One thing that made me hesitant about a trip for two weeks, was my garden! The pumpkin flowers are finally blooming (so far only the male ones

and you need the female to get the pumpkin to grow -long story) and may need help pollinating and I just planted the most beautiful Hydrangea plant called "Twist and Shout" which needs some extra love and attention. So to ease my fears we bought a cheap yet very reliable over the ground sprinkler system. Took us a few hours to get it just right, but every night the water will nourish my garden and my dear garden friend is going to check up on it every few days. I am anxious to get back home to see the new "family" because my garden friend said it has rained a ton since we left (YEAH!!). Here is a pic of the neat new kind of hydrangea. The Hydrangeas bloomed in VA almost 2 months ago and they are in full bloom here in MN...so beautiful!

Flash Me Friday!- Artwork

Every Friday I will post pictures of our house/outside/or other things around our living area. Just a fun way to "see" inside my life! Want to join me? Go on over to Molly's Blog or to Jen's Blog.

This week is ARTWORK! When I first saw this was this weeks Flash...i thought "I have nothing!" But then I looked around my house and actually started to realize how much I love the art/pictures hanging in my house. If it isn't a picture of family/friends, then it is usually something I made! This one from our bedroom I made last year in the very beginning of Mike's Deployment. I bought wood, had it cut, sanded and stained it. Then I painted the letters, glued them on and hung the ribbon! I think it speaks so much for us because I pray every day that there is love going on in our house. In Love with each other, our boys, our house, our Lord!

This was another piece that I love and has so much meaning. In the early months of marriage, so broke and yet in love, Mike bought this Thomas Kincaid (wish I had ALL his paintings!) picture for our first place. Not quite the biggest painting, but so loving and meaningingful to us. We have always hung it in our homes where we are the most. Maybe someday we will have a cottage like that!

Updates and Such...

Our days have been flying by recently. I have officially started thinking about deployment and am preparing myself for it. Those military wives out there (or ones who have hubbies gone for any amount of time) there is a period before they go where you kinda...well...shut down to put it simply. I start trying to do more on my own and gaining my independence back. In doing this I sometimes end up pushing Mike away, which is not my goal, and he just knows this is part of the mental and emotional progress. We are starting so savor every weekend, dinner meal as a family, day off, and every moment of laughter. Mike has a little over 7 weeks till the time apart starts.

Anyways, a lighter side of things...we went to the park the other day and once again had fun playing as a family.

Mike thought it would be neat to see what a slower shutter speed would look like...pretty cool huh?
Austin has this personality that just explodes sometimes and is so fun to watch! Plus those incoherent words are hilarious!
Such little men

I think there is only a handful of nights in the 3.5 years of being a mom that I HAVEN'T checked on my boys before going to bed. I wish I could take a picture of them every night, but sometimes what I see just warrants a picture so much! Here is my copy-cat Woody...same position it seems!

Logan got a haircut!!! I wanted to grow his hair out which I have tried on numerous times, but he has such thick hair that it just looks like his head grows, not his hair. So we chopped it (actually a stylist at a normal haircutting place did). I do have to say that I love the short little boy haircut. However, I do feel that I could have done a better job than her.

BEFORE
AFTER (why are his bangs always crooked?)

Played with play-dough today. This can keep them entertained for about an hour! Austin just wants to be involved and sits there putting the tops on the containers and putting balls in and out of them. Hasn't tried to eat it yet...or that I have seen:-(

We made a duck today...pretty sad huh?

This just made me crack up. I saw this in our classifieds today. Anyone wanna prank call them?

Our Garden! We have had so much fun with this garden, who knew watching plants grow everyday could be so fulfilling! These are our green beans and they are strong plants! They popped out of the ground just 6 short days after being planted. They will grow about 2 feet tall!

Our pumpkin patch...we have two of them and bought them with a few leaves growing and now there are tons! We have read up on the stages of the growing pumpkins and we have already gotten past the first stage and are on the second. Did you know they actually bloom a flower for one day or so, fold in on itself and then become the pumpkin?
See the vines...just like you see in a pumpkin patch! Watch out though, they will grow up to 10 feet long!
View towards our flowers..we have quite a variety!
The long shot...we have lots of room still and need to fill it up quickly! Our dirt is drying out and needs constant watering. Mulch isn't really an option because of all the flowers and plants we still need/want to plant. We are also re-seeding around the planter...slowly but surly...patience has been taught to us by having this garden!

Letter from God

I have been checking out other Christian Mom Blogs lately and was extremely blessed by this Letter written by one of the Moms. I couldn't believe how perfect each word and verse was and I was teary eyed the entire time I read it. Every new paragraph just cut deeper within and my heart was so overwhelmed with peace and joy of how much God is taking care of me. Isn't it just so incredible how the verses in the Bible can speak to you in so many ways and just at the right time? I actually didn't realize how much I have been trying to hold myself up lately until I read the words "Don't Worry..." over and over and I could feel myself letting go yet still being held up by God's hands. Ooofta...still tearing up!

If you want to read more of these wonderful devotions and just some amazing Godly thoughts, go on over to this blog http://www.cookingupfaith.com/ and be Blessed! I tried to find her actual name and couldn't...but she calls herself "Big Fat Momma". Gotta love it!

Dear Daughter,

You are a mother now. Your life will never be the same now.

You will have fears and anxiety that you never knew you would have. Don't worry, "I am holding you by your right hand-I, the Lord your God - and I say to you, don't be afraid; I am here to help you." (Isaiah 41:13)

You will wonder about your child's future. Don't worry, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

You will make decisions or say something that you will regret with your child. Don't worry, for his mercy toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:11-12

You will feel guilt about numerous things. Don't worry, for there is no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

You will feel lonely at times even though you have a house full of noise. Don't worry, fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victories right hand." Isaiah 41:10

You will go through trials as you raise your children. Don't worry, these trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. 1 Peter 1:7

You will have difficult times in your marriage with your husband. Don't worry, wives, fit in with your husbands' plans; for then if they refuse to listen when you talk to them about the Lord, they will be won my your respectful, pure behavior. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. 1 Peter 3:1

You will have moments when you feel like you have no more patience. Don't worry, and let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up. Galatians 6:9

You will want the best for your family and wonder how to give it to them. Don't worry, you should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 1 Peter 3:8

You will be confused by circumstances in your life. Don't worry, trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely no; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3-6

You will wonder about life after death. Don't worry, "for God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Love,

Your Father

Wanna leave a Comment but don't know how?

Yes Momma, this one is for you! I used to have my privacy settings so that only people with certain accounts could leave comments, but I have now changed that so any one (MOM) can type a comment with ease. Here are the steps:

Under the post you want to comment on, click on the highlighted (usually blue) words that say "0 comments" or the "0" may be another number if people have already commented. Here is an example of what it looks like.

Posted by ElissaM at 6:30 AM 3 comments

Once that is clicked you will go to a page with other comments. Go to the box that says "Post a comment" above it. Type in your lovely words, and if you don't have an account that says your name, then please sign your comment "from...." AFter you type in your comment then right underneath the comment box there is a pull down box that you can chose how to comment. If you don't have any of the accounts on there then choose "Anonymous" and then click "Post Comment" underneath that!

Hope that made sense to you all...hopefully I will get a comment from my momma now! Love ya!

Flash Me Friday!- Your outdoor Space

This is a new thing I am going to try and do every Friday. My girlfriend Molly has been doing this on her blog and it has been fun to "see" inside her house/life! Every Friday I will post pictures of our house/outside/or other things around our living area. Just a fun way to "see" inside my life! Want to join me? Go on over to Molly's Blog or to Jen's Blog.

We have a massive deck in our backyard, which is a good thing due the very steep slanted ground underneath. However, it was not a professionally made deck (or if it was, they did a poor job!) and we are still waiting for the budget to fix it up. Of course Mike has been gone so much that we also haven't had the man power. We love it though and use it for lazy evenings, grilling, get togethers, and picnics!

This massive tree is actually dying. We had pulled off the vine, but as you can see it is growing back already. It would cost thousands and us removing the deck in order to get the tree out. Oh well!

The patio furniture we got at Big Lots...they have the best deals! The other chair and another table is by the front door.
Ok...now DONT' Laugh!!!!

Here is the first pictures of our garden in progress. We just planted these plants last night. When we were buying them from the store I thought it would fill it up...but no way! I tried to make a panorama of it but my computer wouldn't upload it. Grrr.. anyways, there are huge empty spaces between the flowers and veggies. It will get filled though!
We have all Perennials such as Creeping Jenny, Butterlfy Flowers, and Verbania. There are others, but I don't remember the names at the moment. Lots of color though!

You can kinda see how long the planter is and the space between the front and back. The far plants on the left and in the back are the veggies! Red pepper plant, two pumpkin plants, and green beans! We shall see if I am lucky to have a homegrown pumpkin this year for Halloween! You can also see the other planter along our house in the background. We are slowly but surly going to have that "secret garden" looking garden...if you know what I mean!

Proud Military Wife

Those of you who know our family well, my husband, Mike is a Navy EOD Tech...(Explosive Ordnance Disposal). It has been a little over 2 years since we checked-in here at Virginia and it was time Mike went for Senior Tech. Coming out of school all techs are Basic Techs and throughout the next several years, deployments, schools, etc they move up (a promotion) to a Senior Tech and then Master Tech. This past week, Mike passed his boards and was pinned a Senior Tech (the above pin). I was as nervous as could be due to the fact that Mike said it would be a 90 min board and I didn't hear from him for 3 hours! All sorts of things ran through my mind...he failed and didn't want to talk, or they kidnapped him and took him out for lunch...? I DON'T KNOW! Well, I finally got the call that he made it and even though I wasn't the one in his position, I could breath again.

Anyways, I thought I would give a little history lesson in light of how special and meaningful the EOD "crab" (pin) is.

The "crab", as it is commonly known, is the only joint service badge and can only be earned upon successful completion of the 52 week course at the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The Wreath Symbolic of the achievements and laurels gained minimizing accident potentials through the ingenuity and devotion to duty of its members. It is in memory of those EOD personnel who gave their lives while performing EOD duties.

The Bomb Copied from the design of the World War II Bomb Disposal Badge, the bomb represents the historic and major objective of the EOD attack, the unexploded bomb. The three fins represent the major areas of nuclear, conventional and chemical/biological interest.

Lightning Bolts Symbolize the potential destructive power of the bomb and the courage and professionalism of EOD personnel in their endeavors to reduce hazards as well as to render explosive ordnance harmless.

The Shield Represents the EOD mission - to protect personnel and property.

The star in the middle means you have attained Senior Tech competency. I just think it is so awesome how God blesses us so much (not trying to boast because we are not the ones blessing, God is) by giving Mike the wisdom and time to study for the boards. For giving Mike co-workers that he gets along with and respects. For giving Mike the confidence and know-how to do his job well! As an EOD wife, I try not to think about what Mike does when deployed but pray continually that he has steady hands, clear mind, and team members that he can count on! God has given us one deployment already as an EOD tech and as we are about to venture into another one I know that God once again has Mike in His hands. So, with that...Congrats EOD1 Morris Senior Tech!!

Big Meadows, Big Deer, and Big Kids...

My wonderful husband decided that the weekend after his Senior Board (which he passed by the way!!!) would be a great one for camping. Now, I love to camp...the campfire, early morning birds, being in nature...etc. However, tent camping with a 16month old and a 3 year old is a bit different! Nonetheless, we are adventurers and went for it! The Shenandoah Valley is about 4 hours from our house and Big Meadows is a famous campground right smack in the middle of it. Legends say that the Meadow (pictures above and one down further) was a the home of some Indians, and the ground is packed down so hard, that trees are just now starting to grow! Between my husband and me, I am much more the worry wart or I like to call it practical. One condition on the trip was to not bring the dogs (worried about ticks). Husband complied...and away we happily went talking about camping, seeing deer, and going to "Dark Hollooow Falls".

We arrived at our campsite a little later than planned, 7pm, but immediately set up tent with the help of Logan and got dinner started, Hamburgers! While all this was going on the boys were helping Daddy and playing around. These campgrounds were awesome, felt totally safe and so clean! Now...the pictures to come is why camping with a 16month old can be an adventure. After getting the tent set up, I turn around and get a closer look at my little Austin..."seriously kid?"
He was as happy as can be...so he was left that way until time for bed and then he got a wipe washing in the car. Silly Man!

Logan had fun exploring our campsite the next day and I had a great time taking pictures. What can I say, I love my subjects!

Oh...some stories. It wasn't till about 1030 that we were finally getting to bed the first night, I was unzipping the tent to go outside to get Logan from Mike and he wispered loudly and said "There are three skunks right at my feet"! Which was also about 4 feet from ME! So...zipped up the tent after seeing one out of the corner of my eye and waited like a wimpy girl for Mike to let me know it was safe. We only had one incident with sleeping at night. Austin woke up furious about 130am the first night and I had to calm him down in the van to not wake up the entire campground. Other, than that it was freezing at night, so thank God I brought warm clothes and ton of blankets!

DEER, Oh my Goodnes, So MUCH DEER! Right away when we pulled in the first night there was deer in the campground and a ton the next day! We saw a couple of bucks and a few females. A hunters dream to have a deer walk 5 feet from you! Not only did they walk around but, one buck laid down in the tall grass between our row of campgrounds and the next...if I didn't see him lay down, I would have no idea that he was there!

The first morning Logan was up early and he got some great time alone with the deer...notice the big middle picture, he is holding a twig up to the deer and saying something...totally did that one on his own!

Mike really talked up the hike to Dark Hollow Falls, a kid friendly hike to a kid friendly waterfall. Logan just kept talking about it the whole drive there, the first night and next morning. As a tradition in my family when I would hike as a young girl, a walking stick was a must. Little did I know it would be 18 dollars! Should have just found one in the woods! HA! Well, Mike and Logan do their usual jabber in the car, and all of a sudden Logan shouts "I'm a Hiking Man!" So, there you have it...our little hiking man...

I love this picture of my men...to me it says so much about them in life, being children and being a Daddy.

The trail was light and easy...mostly downhill there so you know what that meant going back! The trail followed a creek (which I am sure has a name...but I don't know it right now) and there were several small waterfalls along the way. Mike pointed them out and at one point Logan was ahead of us and found the little waterfall (the one in the bottom right picture) and declares "There it is! There is Dark Hollow Falls!" We gladly explained to him that there were falls much bigger than that!

Everyone was looking!!!

Our little hiking man...horse head walking stick and jumping off of everything! We were so proud of him walking the entire way there and back. Only 1.4 miles, but that is a lot to a 3 year old! He definitely was pooped because no later than 5 minutes after getting in the car he was asleep!

Dark Hollow Falls!

The weather got warmer and was a beautiful sunny day! The boys even got on the swimsuits and tried going in the water at the bottom. Less than a foot deep but oh so cold! Do you see Mike and Logan in the picture?

Having fun with my camera...despite not having a tripod, which would have made a world of difference, I slowed my shutter speed and got some fun pictures of the water.
Beautiful wild flowers, the boys down below, Austin playing in the water, and Logan throwing rocks...could be a better 1.5 hours spent at the falls!

Here Mike took this great picture of the butterfly...there were so many around, but very hard to catch on camera. So many people were there to take pictures, set up some awesome tripods; even one guy had a camera that zoomed 500mm! That thing was so long! What shutter speed would you do the falls at? I tried a variety between 1/10 and 1/25. One thing I found too was because the falls were in the sunlight, I couldn't open the shutter speed too much because then it was so bright! I tried compensating with the Aperture...but no luck. Guess I will have to read up on it! Anyone have any suggestions?

Some of my favorites that sum of the trip...

Lastly we pieced together a panorama picture of our campsite!
This trip was so fun for me because we got a glimpse of an older big boy Logan. We are so proud and impressed with who he is becoming...an adventurous, loving, outgoing kid. (he made a friend by the way and nearly broke our hearts!) We are now more excited than ever for family vacations as the boys get older. I told Mike that I am so glad that I am a mom to boys because of how adventurous they can be and not necessarily afraid of much! At least then, I am the most wimpy one of the family! Austin was a blast too and reminded us to enjoy the simple things in life and to NOT WORRY! Overall, we will be camping again if we can!