#hartzeveryday2015 Week 2

Day 8: Roasting marshmallow for S'mores on a cold night

Day 9: We survived the first week back to school, but barely! We were all exhausted!

Day 10: Jackson's 1st basketball game

Day 11: We may live in Texas and wear cowboy boots, but our hearts belong to the Packers. Go Pack Go!

Day 12: My boys were over tired and just needed their Mommy tonight. I opened my arms, wiped away their tears, and hugged them tight. Reminds me what my Heavenly Father does for me!

Day 13: He is such a Mama's boy! 

This is where he has to sit while I get ready and brush his teeth.:)

Day 14: We are SO ready for warmer weather, but thankful for a warm house, hat, and Kitty!:)

(Jackson is carrying Lincoln's lunchbox to help)

LOVE them!

Memorizing Scripture V3:2

I am choosing to memorize Luke 10:42. 

"Kyndra, Kyndra,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I tend to want to do it all and do it all right away. I want to focus on the One that matters. He deserves my time and energy more than the "things" I need to get done or look at on Facebook (it is deleted off my phone).  I feel like this also has to do with living in the moment with my boys and being present when I am with them. I want to choose the better thing!

#hartzeveryday2015 Week 1

I love trying to capture at least one part of our day every day. The boys change so much and some of our "every" day pictures are my favorite. Taking a picture everyday and posting it on Instagram with the hashtag makes keeping the blog up to date rather easy. 

So, enjoy our #hartzeveryday2015 pictures.

Day 1: (January 1st)

Brian had to work a 12 hour shift at the hospital. I am so thankful he is normally home by 3:30!

But, I was able to spend the morning with my sweet friend, Claire, and her boys. They came over to play and have lunch with us. It was just what we needed! Please pray for her family as her husband is fighting leukemia. 

Day 2: Last week day of our Christmas break

So we went with some friends, who happen to be our neighbors, to Monkey Joe's. The boys had a blast jumping and playing!

Day 3: Mommy got some alone time and Daddy and Jackson went on a date to see Big Hero 6!

Day 4: I am excited to serve in Children's Worship at church this year!

Day 5: I missed my boys like crazy, but thankful for the sunshine and fun with them outside after school.

Day 6: Hot tub swimming!

Day 7: Saw this sweet thing in the hallway today! LOVE having my boy at school with me!

 Jackson had a super night this night. No arguing or complaining, helping before we asked, reading his Bible before playing, so at bedtime I was telling him how proud I was and how great his heart must feel for making those God honoring choices. He looks at me and says, "I bet Satan is crying and throwing a fit right now." Yes, bud I think he is.:) Love him!

Christmas Break

What a wonderful break! Lots of time to relax and just enjoy moments with my boys!

I love pretending I'm a stay at home mom.:)

I want to remember all the fun things we did together. These boys make me laugh, smile, love more, and at times want to pull my hair out. But, I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

We went to the park as much as we could, played up in Jackson's room, colored/crafted a lot, and read lots of books. 

I don't want to forget how Jackson wanted to leave a treat and card for the garbage men for Christmas. Love his sweet heart!

Enjoying outside, trips to Target can only be conquered with snacks, rides down the stairs, Jackson always has a book

Waiting to go into Costco, making cookies, playing at McDonald's, popcorn and movies

More park, stealing marshmallows from the pantry, playing with friends, cold days

Had to have set snack times or these boys will eat ALL day, more reading (he's a machine, I'm telling you), building with Legos, wagon rides to look at lights, more Mickey love and math practice

I'm so grateful for a job that allows me so much time off to spend with my boys. These moments are now precious memories. 

How many weeks until Spring Break?;)

Memorizing Scripture V3:1

I am joining Beth Moore once again as she hosts Siesta Scripture Memory Team. The last two years I did it, I was really able to learn God's word. He always put the verses I needed most on my heart to memorize, even if I didn't know it at the time. 

My first verse is Jeremiah 29:13 because it is our family verse for 2015. "You will seek me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart." NASB

What a great way to start the year. If our hearts our focused on Jesus then so will be our thoughts, words, and actions. I know the more I seek Him, the more He reveals himself to me and shows me in the direction to go. My heart is also filled with joy, peace, and love that comes only from knowing Him. I will be able to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, person if I can live out Jeremiah 29:13.

I want to not only begin the new year seeking for Him, but each and every day of the year! I know it won't come easily every day and will require discipline and commitment. I want to worship, praise, and serve Him with all that I am because of what He has done for me. I pray that this year our family will seek Him and find Him so that we can grow closer to the one who made us, loves us, saves us, and forgives us and with each other.

 I can't wait to follow God and see the things He has in store for us in 2015! 

NYE 2014

The boys and I had a great time getting ready for NYE. We colored and made party hats for everyone, created a big 2015 sign, and made cookies! Jackson loves a good party!

Katrina, Louis, and Titus joined us to ring in the new year. Here is everyone with their custom party hats!:)

We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating, playing, and doing some fireworks. It was sure cold!

We came inside and toasted with some yummy sparkling apple cider, and then we called it a night for the little ones. 

Brian, Jackson, and I played Monopoly for a little bit. Starting him on this Vande Slunt tradition early.:) 

Such a fun night celebrating with some of my favorite people!

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 52

Day 357: Lunch with Daddy is a good prize for waiting 1 hour at the doctor with Mommy (they were really good)! It was a Christmas miracle:)

Day 358: There is a light that shines in the darkness...His name is JESUS! He offers peace, love, and joy. I pray you experience Him this year!
Christmas Eve picture before church

Day 359: Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Day 360: It's a Legos and Panera kind of day!

Day 361: Date Night at home! Happens more than going out, and I love it too!

Day 362: Lazy Sunday watching football and Lincoln got some alone time with us, since big brother needed a nap.

Day 363: Both boys had friends over to play today, and I got some quiet time in while the big boys played.

Day 364: We are got haircuts today, but Lincoln's is the only one we need to document. The sucker did the trick!

Day 365:  Cheers to 2015!

I loved capturing at least one moment from each day! I think I will continue doing it in 2015.:)

2014 was so good to our family. We got more sleep, took some leaps of faith, and spent a lot of time loving one another!