Update: Our August B-day Kids...

It's in the genes...

So here's my one year old cleaning up for her older brother. I ran and grabbed my camera after I realized what she was doing. The dishcloth was waiting for William to finish his smoothie/mess. She picked it up and started scrubbing away. I thought it was hilarious...especially since she had no prompting from me. So, apparently those German cleanliness/germ-freak genes are shining through, even at the tender age of 1.

**Now watch it again, and focus on William...he's in his own little world, discovers that his crayons are on the table, comes close to knocking his smoothie over, & nearly tips back in his chair. Regardless, he's extremely excited about his find...and may've even added them to his smoothie. I did see him licking on something, that resembled a crayon...Ya never know w/ him! I just found his antics in the background amusing...**

Please excuse my baby-talking in the background--annoying, I know. :)

devotional life...

So it's taken me about 4 years to figure this one out! After having children, there were 2 areas of my life that dramatically changed. One was my devotional life. I am learning, that the key is my attitude:

My devotional life doesn't have to be...

...quiet...:)

....at 5:30 am every morning

...in the same spot every morning

...reading of an entire chapter

...w/ notes

...and a concordance

..with a long prayer list of people and circumstances

Rather...my devotional life can be...

...at 12, 2, and 4 am. while nursing a baby

...at 1 pm while my kids are napping and it's quiet

...at 11 pm after everyone's asleep

...flopping my Bible open and grabbing a few verses while feeding the children breakfast

...with my children on the couch, wiggliness, corrections and all

...on some extremely busy, just-putting-out-fire-days, the scriptures on my walls can be my "food"--amazing how you can forget they're even there!

...praying while at the kitchen sink washing dishes and watching the kids play on the swingset

...praying w/out ceasing throughout my day...as the Lord brings people to mind

...a whole-day approach to communing w/ the Lord, instead of 30 minutes in the morning-"Check it off my list" type of thing.

...lying in bed first thing before I get up, asking God for wisdom and joyfulness and energy to serve the people I love best

...worshipping God while I do the "little/mundane" tasks of life

...praising God when I see the beauty of a sunset, the beauty of God's creation, the sweet expression of one of my babies...

I'm not saying all this to excuse the need to "study to show ourselves approved unto God." There are certain seasons of our lives that allow more time for such priviledges. The season of young motherhood doesn't have to be a season of barenness, though. I believe it's all a matter of focus. Who am I focused on? Who do I run to when I need help? Who or what do I commune w/ most throughout my day? (negative thoughts, mentally complaining, talking on the phone, chatting on the internet...etc) I've been realizing that running around every day w/ the "burden" of not getting my quiet time done, is not the way to live. Many days, I have it "hanging over my head." I don't like that feeling! I believe the Lord knows and sees all the things that we, as mothers, have to do. Leaving the children, dishes, housework, and laundry to go "get spiritual" is not "it." I believe taking Christ w/ us as we teach and train the children, as we do the dishes, laundry, and housework...that's how we can commune w/ the Lord as we do the things He's called us to.

I've been realizing more and more, that who I am, or rather Who or what is in me, will either attract or detract my children from the Gospel. What good is it, if I've had my hourly devotion time, if I'm crabby and short w/ my kids and unsubmissive and grouchy w/ my husband. I already "know" lots...it's doing it that's important. Running around everyday being distraught that the children have "kept me from" my all-important devotion time is not being Christlike. I've just realized that having the attitude of all-day-communion w/ the Lord, mainly in my thoughts and prayers, is the answer of this busy and consuming season of motherhood.

I love the days when I plan the night before to get up early, before the kids, and preferably w/ Justin, before he leaves for work, just to read my Bible and pray. It does start the day of on the right foot. And I am getting a few more of those days, here and there. But, all is not lost if we wake up w/ the kids and our feet hit the floor running. For me, it's taking the little moments to turn my heart towards God, to ask Him for help and wisdom as I tackle the issues of the day. I believe that's what that scripture in Galatians means when it says, "To walk in the Spirit..."

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Gal. 5

These fruits in us, will (by God's grace) help our children "see" Christ in us, our hope of glory.

~just a few things God has been teaching me...and thought I would share~

...I wish I had more time to write down everything I'm learning...I love it! I'm just finished a new book, I'm learning so much from gardening, I've been researching natural health cures, trying out remedies and herbs, making yogurt, putting up some veggies...I'll write more as I have time...Have a good Tuesday everyone!!

Madeline's 1st Birthday...

Madeline Hope Goff: Age 1 Year

My Daddy's Arms...

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

" The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." Romans 8

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God throught Christ." Gal 4

"...as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. 6

Do You Like My Hat???

Samuel Justice: Age 4

These were taken, August 18th...his #4 birthday. Wow, all I can say is time flies! Farmer Boy...

My favorite funny things he's said recently:

"Mom, girls don't have muscles, right?"

"Mom, was I a girl when I was born?"

Samuel Trivia:

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Treat: Chocolate

Favorite Snack: yogurt, smoothies, or walnuts (yes, I actually found that he had gotten the bag down and ate them for a mid-afternoon snack)

Favorite Veggie: Green Beans from the garden

Memorizing: Psalm 23

Favorite Book: Dangerous Journey (illustrated version of Pilgrims Progress...we've about worn out the book. He loves it! I think we started reading it to him when he was around 2 :)

Favorite Activity: Bike riding

Best Friend: Isaac (his uncle)

Favorite Song:"Teach Me Your Way"

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Person: Daddy

This is the scripture I'm claiming for Samuel for his 4th year, and for his life.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is you r shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor th emoon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 121