#hartzeveryday2015 Week 8

Day 50: Three generations of fishermen!

 Day 51: Both boys full of smiles today- 

(Jackson didn't even cry when we told him someone stole his bike from our garage)

 And Lincoln is finally feeling better!

Day 52: Loving these date nights with my love!

 Day 53: I think we have another fisherman on our hands. He doesn't want to be left out.:)

Day 54: Brian always fills up my car for me, but I had to do it myself today (on one of the coldest days) because he has a stomach bug and spent the morning in the ER getting fluids. Thankful for a husband who spoils me and praying he feels better soon. 

Day 55: Thank goodness for my mother-in-law! She took care of the Brian and Jackson and disinfected the house today as I went to work and a hair appointment.

Day 56: He's a hoot!

#hartzeverday2015 Week 7

Day 43: Both boys had EKG's and ultrasounds to check their hearts because of Daddy's issues. Everything looked perfect for them. Praise the Lord!

Day 44: My husband is so thoughtful, not just at Valentine's but everyday! A handmade sign, devotion book for us, and one rose from each of my boys.

Day 45: Traditional Valentine's dinner at Chick-fil-a and a smile from Lincoln!

Day 46: Gone Fishin'- This is his first fish to hook and reel in all by himself! He is so proud!

Day 47: We were all tired, so lots of cuddles while watching Veggie Tales or Nachos as Lincoln calls it. :)

 Day 48: Papa is so much fun!

Day 49: Cirque Du Soleil didn't disappoint! Such a fun show!

Brian and I went to a show about 5 years ago and loved it.

 I won 4 tickets, so Sharon and Mel were able to go with us too.

All things lovely

 I love celebrating Valentine's Day with my loves!

The boys' Valentine gifts were on the island waiting for them in the morning. 

I can't get enough of this beautiful sign Brian made for me. Love it!

Jackson played his last basketball game of the season. I am so proud of how hard he played each week.

Then, I got to watch another game of basketball. I love getting to cheer on my students!

The boys went fishing!

Finally, we all got ready for our traditional Valentine's dinner at Chick-fil-a. 

My sweet boy and me

My Valentine for 16 years! 

Our attempt at a family picture:)

My heart is full!

Lincoln smiled with Grandpa and Grandma because we bribed him with fruit snacks.

We gave Jackson his first real Bible for Valentine's. He loves being able to look up verses he knows, and he was reading it when he woke up. 

We try to love and serve each other the best we can every day, but it sure is fun to celebrate a little extra with the ones I love most!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

Memorizing Scripture V3:4

This time I am choosing to memorize Psalm 34:1- " I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord."

I love the visualization of this verse. All day long, every minute of my day, I should be enthusiastically praising His name and His name is always on my lips. My whole body is proud is proud of what the Lord has done for me. I should be one happy person full of a radiant light that comes from Him!

About a month or two months ago, Brian told me he was healed. He said he felt God heal him in church one day after he prayed. He hasn't taken his medicine since and is doing well. To God be the Glory! I can't write these words without smiling and thanking God again and again! I love sharing the good news that God healed my husband. 

God still performs miracles and deserves the praise and glory for that, but I also need to extol His name no matter what I am going through. If it is a rough day or week, I want to be praising His name, because you know what I found to be true? It is when I take the focus off myself and my problems and turn my eyes upon him and praise His name that the stress, bitterness, anger, whatever else melts away and I find peace and strength in His hands. 

I pray that I will live a life of continually praise to the only one who matters- Jesus Christ. I want my daily habit to be praise!

#hartzeveryday2015 Week 6

Day 36: 100th Day of School!

So fun to be a Kindergartner! 

Day 37: Coffee from a friend and lunch from a parent made my Friday even better! 

Day 38: We are going to go on as many dates as we can while Papa and Grandma are here!

Photo credit: Jackson :)

 Day 39: Happy Sunday!

"Worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:5

 Little stinker will never smile for a family picture:)

Day 40: Beautiful night for dinner outside

Day 41: Riding with Papa

Day 42: Valentine's for the boy's teachers are ready. A little sweet and salty with a Starbucks gift card to show our appreciation and love for them!

#hartzeveryday2015 Week 5

Day 29: Thankful to be apart of an amazing group of educators. I love sharing and learning with others!

 Day 30: Teaching Jackson about helping others and jumping cars. This sweet lady at Hobby Lobby was SO thankful. It was a joy to serve her!

 Day 31: These city boys enjoyed an afternoon outside in the country.

Trying to catch a chicken

Day 32: (February 1st): We're bubbling with excitement that Papa and Grandma are her.

Day 33: Message Monday! Top message was an email I received from a parent in Jackson's class. Oh my! The bottom is a text message from my sweet husband, Maybe Jackson gets it from his dad! Love my boys!

Day 34: He loves food...even fake food.:) Love playing with him and watching his imagination come to life!

Day 35: Pedicure time with my mother-in-law!

Memorizing Scripture V3:3

1 Chronicles 21:13- David said, "I am in distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for His  mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of me."

How many times in a day am I in distress (sorrow, pain, anxiety)?  When I am I want to rest in His hands of mercy and love. He is reaching out for me offering strength and comfort. All I have to do is fall into His hands. I love the word fall because I don't even have to do it gracefully. I can just drop, drop all I am doing and the burdens I am carrying and rest in His embrace.

I must submit to Him and offer all I am because I want all Jesus has to offer, not the ways of this world.