Posted by Tori on Mar 30, 2012 in
ayden. Sweet, sweet Ayden:
Been treasuring some precious, fleeting moments with you lately. I know all to well that these days pass like grains of sand through an hourglass. You’re only two now, but there is so much I want to tell you – so much I admire about you. Today, you celebrated your Easter party at school. Your teacher told me that when it was time for the Easter egg hunt, you chose to go the opposite direction from the others and walk along the perimeter of the fence in search for your eggs. Successful strategy, as it turns out. I thought that was so precious. Same thing your daddy would have done.
Yesterday, we went to Chick-fil-A with your buddy, Gavin. He was trying to escape from the play area, and you ran to hold the door closed, and told him, “No!” You hurt his feelings by snapping at him. We talked about what you should do when you see your friends doing something they shouldn’t. Then, you bent down to his face and said, “Sorry, Gavin” in the sweetest voice. Your grabbed a tissue from his mommy and wiped away his tears, giving him a great, big hug. Then, you raced one another down the slide.
These are such sweet moments. Never stop loving people. I know that as you grow and come to know Jesus, you will only learn to love them more and more. I love watching you learn.
The other night, you got in trouble for pushing your sister, Brooklyn. Your precious heart was broken. You apologized and had to go to your room for bed early. You were so upset that you couldn’t even try to sleep. We talked about sin and disobedience making our heart dirty. We talked about Jesus making our heart clean. Then you prayed, with your hands folded. “Brooklyn. Push. Jesus. Clean. Heart. Thank you. Mommy. Daddy. Brooklyn. Chelsea. Walker. Bed. Pants. Shirt. Amen” was how it went. Tears streamed down my cheek.
Thanks, Lord, for planting seeds in this heart.
I think one of the greatest, most horrible consequences of the Fall is forgetfulness. We FORGET what God has done. We forget who He is. As if His Word to us was not enough, we see Him in our lives. We feel and know His grace in the depths of our soul. And we still forget.
That’s why I’m writing this for you now. Because I don’t want to forget, and I don’t want you to forget. Time passes so quickly. His love for us is great. It never changes. It never wanes. No matter the season or circumstance.
Love you more than words can express,
Mommy
Posted by Tori on Mar 29, 2012 in
thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Sometimes, in life, you just become so aware and overwhelmed by the Lord’s everyday blessings that you’re struck speechless. At least, that’s how it works for me a lot of the time. His grace is so beyond my comprehension. I am thankful that He has opened my eyes to the little things each day – little things that remind me that we live and walk in His grace, little things that remind me that He is ever-present, and little things that remind me that I am and have absolutely nothing without Him. So, here are a few of those reminders from this week. I hope they bless your heart and encourage you to see His hand more clearly over your precious life.
These two put on their nice shirts to take me and the baby ladies out for a special evening – complete with dinner, Starbucks, and a trip to the mall.
My view across the table. That face gets me every time.
Then, Ayden and I went on a special mommy-Ayden date. It was so much fun. Driving the police car was one of his favorite moments…mine too!
Ayden’s daddy gave him some money to buy me flowers on our date. He kept the money carefully tucked in his pocket until it was time. He helped pick out these flowers. He said they were “pretty, mommy.” When it was time to pay, he handed his money to the lady, took his change, and said, “thank you” with the biggest smile! My heart melted. Over him and his sweet daddy.
Thankful for my new favorite candle. It makes me happy.
Also thankful for warm cookies and strawberries shared with my husband after the kids are in bed.
And for sweet times coloring with Ayden when he wakes up from his nap before his sisters do. Thankful for how wonderfully God has and is forming him and growing his mind.
Posted by Tori on Mar 26, 2012 in
recipes. try it. you will love it. this will become a new favorite.
8 no-boil lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp italian seasoning
24 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1/3 c water
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
Break noodles. Place half in the bottom of a greased slow cooker.
Brown ground beef and add italian seasoning. Spread half of beef over noodles.
Layer half of sauce and water, half of ricotta cheese, and half of mozzarella cheese over beef. Repeat layers.
Cover. Cook on low 4-5 hours.
It’s that simple. Enjoy!
Posted by Tori on Mar 22, 2012 in
a good word.,
family. This week has been a whirlwind! I received a phone call on Sunday that my only living grandfather was unwell. Monday morning, I packed up the babes and headed to GA. When we arrived, I got a call that William’s great-grandmother had passed away. Thankfully, my grandfather was doing much better than I expected. We had a wonderful visit. I will never forget the beautiful moments he spent sitting next to my sweet Chelsea, stroking her hair and telling her how precious she is. Tuesday morning we packed up, ready to head back to Charleston. My plan was to leave by 10. 11 rolls around and we are finally loaded in the car and ready to head out. Then…traffic stopped as far as the eye can see. We took 1 hour to drive 4 miles. We finally make it home at the same time William does from work. We wake up early the next morning to drive to Columbia for his great-grandmother’s service and then we make it home again by 9:30 that night. In all of this chaos and traveling, the Lord provided a few much-needed quiet moments to speak into my heart.
My life and my moments are His. Far too often I get distracted and try to make them mine. That’s when all measure of stress, discontent, strife, bickering, and frustration come flooding in. It doesn’t matter that I wanted to leave by 10 and that we really left at 11 and then crept along at a snail’s pace for another hour. What matters is realizing that my time is His and spending it on what He desires. I’ve never been so thankful for a traffic jam.
I kept playing this song in my head over and over again this week.
I am so thankful for a legacy of family that has gone before me, carrying His name. I am thankful that because He lives, my earthly grief fades to the background and the foreground is filled with His glory and celebration of the hope we have in Him. Come, Lord Jesus! Capture every moment of my crazy day. Make it yours. Give me eyes to see eternity in each circumstance.
Jesus lives.
