Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Stand Up and Praise the Lord your God!

I have been going to this part of Florida my whole life and just recently found out about Shell Island. You ride a ferry to a deserted island where the shores are COVERED with seashells. Unbroken, Huge seashells. It is best to go after a storm as they get washed in. I definitely recommend it for the kids. Don't forget to wear sunscreen if you go! And take a pack mule (see Tim's pic for illustration).











You can even ride a pirate ship to get there! We have never done it but I have heard it is worth it!





The boys were dumb-founded by the size of this boat. One of them said seeing it was their favorite part of the whole trip!

It was a monster!


















Tim was only there for 2 short days. As dumb as this sounds, life is just kind of gloomy for me when he is gone. I am desperately in love with him.














Reece. "The big one". He is growing so fast. He is smart like his daddy. I am so proud of him. He is very tender-hearted and sweet. He loves to play with Lake and take care of him. When Bubba can't find Reece, he panics. Reece is his world. I am so thankful for the example he is to his younger brothers.
























Watching God work in this child's heart may be the most visible evidence of God I have ever seen. It blows me away to hear him pray. I am constantly learning from him.

As I was preparing for my conference call Bible Study teaching on the Word of God, I asked him why we read our Bibles and he said..
"to know God."
"to obey God."
"& because He loves us."
So, that is what I told the girls.

Here is a funny Reece quote. We were in the very back of Target and he said, "momma, I have to go to the bathroom". By the way he was dancing, I knew he meant business and that it was #2. I said, "can you wait honey? the bathroom is all the way in the front of the store and we are almost done shopping." A few seconds later he said in a completely calm but serious voice, "Momma, I really need to go and I am feeling like we need to RUN."

I giggled as we hurried to the bathroom dropping everything immediately. Anyone else ever had that same thought in the back of Target? ;)

Another quote that made me realize they don't understand me as much as I don't understand them.

Reece: "momma, why do you where your bathing suit but you never get in the water?"

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Bubba. "the middle-size goat". The only place he is called "Evan" is on his birth certificate. Reece gave him the name as soon as he was born because he couldn't say "baby" and it stuck. He tells everyone, "My name is Bubba. B-U-B-B-A... Bubba."
He reminds me so much of his daddy. He is FUN. He lives for the moment so is often in trouble.
Although, he still loves to be rocked. His dream date is to be rocked while watching Aristocats because my mom did that with him one time over a year ago. That was his total love language.

Here are two Bubba quotes for you...
After a long day of playing, we sat down to eat and he said...
"MMmmm. My tummy is full-- OF HUNGRY!"
On the way to their very first baseball practice last night, we were giving them a pep talk about a sport they know nothing about. Now, boys LET'S PLAY BALL!
Bubba said, "yeah, I'm going to get that pitch man!". Tim and I just laughed as we wondered what was getting ready to happen on the field.




































I always wanted a beauty mark. Why do the guys get things they don't care about?











































And finally, Lake, "my curly-headed baby." His hair was so curly at the beach that everyone stopped me to talk about it. It matches his personality. Mom lovingly calls him... a MANIAC. He is our class clown. He loves to make people laugh- especially my mom. He is a little obsessed with her. He still doesn't talk. He is a man of two words.

1. Mimi- I think I heard it, seriously over 3,000 times in one week. Maybe more. I would wake up to him screaming Miiiiiiiiiiiii-Miiiiiiiii! from his pac-n-play while banging on the wall until she came to get him out of bed.

2. His second word is "Jesus" because I lay my hands on him every night and say, "Jesus, heal this baby". His allergies are still bad. Some days terrible. He had a reaction to something at the beach and it just breaks my heart. I am trying to do my best with the no egg/ PB diet but need to read and read to really know what I am doing.
Here is a Steph quote for ya...
"So, let me get this straight... are milk and egg allergies totally different?"
Tim: "Yes, unless it is a cow egg or chicken milk."
The best part about this is that Tim thinks I am hot and encourages me to homeschool.

When I pray over Lake he says, "Dee-duh". I hope he always loves the name Jesus. I have a feeling/hunch that he is going to be a worship leader. He can sing songs in the perfect key and loves music. I hope God gives him musical talents so he can exalt the name Jesus through song his whole life. Don't tell him but sometimes I go in his room at night and get him out of bed just to rock him. I sing and pray over him and put him back and he never knows it happened.
It is one of my all-time favorite things to do.






































You can see me standing in the water in Tim's glasses! Fun! I am ready to go back.
























































































































How to dress a monkey near the pool when you don't want to get in because it is too cold...































































































This was funny. Mom was playing with Lake while we were eating at a restaurant.




Then, he started stuffing coasters down her shirt before she knew what was happening.
We were both so tickled that we couldn't stop him. The more we laughed, the more determined he was to keep doing it.














I love my mom. So do my kids.








































































Homeschool elective: Oceanography 101.













































Jellyfish were everywhere one day. YUCK! Look at the length of those stingers. The boys weren't allowed in the water that day. I am pretty sure they weren't tempted to disobey.
Reece drew this sign on his own. The cute part was the next day, they were all gone! ;)


































































































Another one of my favorite things to do is to walk on the beach and say a verse we learned about a year ago. God's creation is just so majestic, worship is a natural response! It is such evidence of His greatness when you see His power and beauty on display in all the things He has made- even the fascinating jellyfish.

Pause the music if you want to hear Bubba say it.

"Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!...Praise his glorious name! It is far greater than we can think or say. You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you."

Nehemiah 9:5-6

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This post took forever!

Blogging really is my addiction/journal/scrapbook/therapy. ;)

26 comments:

Kelli said...

Beautiful pictures, family, but most of all the message of Christ. Thanks for sharing. Was that Sanibel you were talking about?

Anonymous said...

I have never had as much fun! Every day we were there was wonderful.
I am so proud of you for so many reasons - especially the way you are raising your boys to be loving and respectful. And the Scripture memory sessions were memorable - wish I could be there for every one of them to learn along with those sweet boys!

It hasn't been nearly as much fun to wake up to an alarm clock the past two days - I much prefer MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIII!
Love,
Mimi

Anonymous said...

Steph,

Great post!! I loved all the pictures.
--Kelli O.

Erin Southwell said...

Where to start?

I *loved* this post and the individual stories on each of your beautiful boys. I'm the youngest of three girls but think I always played the Reese/caretaker roll, even as the youngest.

I love the way the beauty of your pictures make God's blessings in your life look like a fairy tale. You aren't wasting any time because His glory shines through. Trust me.

And then this: "The best part about this is that Tim thinks I am hot and encourages me to homeschool." just makes me sure that you are way cool and I love that too. ;)

Glorious! The perfect word for it-the whole shootin match! :)

LeslieTummel said...

Love it! I love your sweet boys even though I have only met them twice in real life. :) (Oh, and I love you and Tim too!) I was plowing up my garden last weekend and I thought, "I should see if Steph wants to bring the boys over when I plant the garden for another 'homeschool elective.'" Then I thought you would think I was crazy for asking, so I didn't. ;) I love your individual quotes and stories about the boys. Kiddo quotes crack me up!

I'm glad you guys had a great time!

lots_of_love_four_kids said...

Nothing that you would ever type and put on your blog is a waste of time!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, family and your beautiful heart with all of us.
Love you. -Jen

Suzanne said...

I need to learn take pictures like you. I bought a Nikon D60, now I need to learn how to use it as good as you, and edit the pictures like you. I so enjoy your postings. It inspires me to try harder to be a better mom and take time to enjoy it more.

Keep it up. One day I may even try a Perry blog. God is using it in an amazing ways.

Keri said...

And I am addicted to your addiction/journal/scrapbook/therapy... :) You say it all so well. And Lake sounds so much like Mathis. Didn't talk until 2 1/2, singing exactly on key very early on, and definitely the clown of the family. Maybe they will be good friends one day and start a band together. :)

Adrienne said...

Absolutely beautiful Steph! I cannot wait to get to the beach! (We're going next Friday...)
I just wrote about how you are an inspiration to me and my friend Cami on my blog. Check it out.
Miss those Sunday night calls!!
Adrienne

gillian said...

Girl, I cried reading your thoughts about Reece and how much Bubba loves and looks up to his big bro!!! and when I read that Lake's two words are Mimi and JESUS!!! how awesome!!! and I cried from laughing so hard at the cow egg/chicken milk story, I'm sure the people at sitting around me at work think I'm crazy as I busted out laughing! You are so sweet and BRAVE to get your baby out of his crib to rock him in the middle of the night, he must be a good sleeper! Your family is so beautiful and you are an INCREDIBLE momma, you inspire me! The way you are teaching your precious boys is amazing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Steph! I love how you see the different gifts and talents the Lord has given your boys and it is so beautiful to see the love you have for your family in your writings and pictures! God's love shines through in every word and picture!! You, my friend, have such a beautiful gift for writing and spurring others hearts to see Jesus in EVERYTHING!!! That is never a waste of time!
I am Standing Up and Praising the Lord Our God with you this morning!!
Love ya,
Kelly

Noah's Mommy said...

A great post! Makes me want to head to the beach. Also can't wait to be able to help Noah memorize scripture. How awesome is it that one of Lake's few words is Jesus, that says a lot.

Erica Brandon said...

Stephanie,
Your post are NEVER a waste!!!! I check several times a day to see if you've posted a new one LOL:)
My girls are just as close as your boys and I love it! Always, Always, Always enjoy your post and scriptures!!My girls love their
Gi-Gi(my mom)just like your boys love Mi-Mi.
Erica

Jenny said...

Lovely post Steph! Love your pix, thanks for sharing with all of us that feel like part of your family! Your blog is a blessing to many, never waste of time......Keep it up!

AG said...

Girl, Let's do it, Let's go!!

We did the Train Depot by oursleves! Well...I'm very sure that Our Father in heaven sent out troops of Angels!! "To The Train Depot, My Daughters are Leaving without Their Husbands!!" :)



By The Way... The song playing is You Are Holy(Prince of Peace)
One of my favorites, because we sang it every night while we were on a construction mission trip in Mexico. Great memory!

Trinity said...

I love reading about your boys! They are beautiful and precious!

Anonymous said...

Steph, I absolutely LOVE reading your blog! You and your family are so inspirational. Beatiful pictures and beautiful stories.
All I ever hear my 3 year old niece, Kayli, say is Mimi(my mom). It's a sweet term, but I wish she knew other words! :)Love you dearly!
Lauren

HIS Child said...

Stephanie,
I love the beautiful pictures of those boys! You my sister are truly blessed with a Godly Man that loves you and three princes from the Most High. I pray that you continue to feel His presence and His healing upon your life.
Thank you for sharing your life.
Tell Mimi she is gorgeous.
Much love to you,
Celeste

Erica Brandon said...

Oh I am going to CVS on my way home today...LOL

Anonymous said...

What a great post! It is so awesome watching them memorize scripture. Sydney knows a couple of verses and it is precious. It has inspired me to memorize more so I can teach them to her.

I've been so jealous seeing the beautiful ocean. The beach is my all time favorite place. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Selena

Anonymous said...

The beauty mark picture looks EXACTLY like Allie!

Anonymous said...

I have loved your spring/beach posts! I want to be done with school so I can go to the beach (and please dont forget to call me if you need a babysitter on your next trip)! :)
Cant wait to listen to the recording.
Miss talking to you every week!
Mellette

nancygrayce said...

I knew when I saw that sand that you were on the World's Most Beautiful Beaches! My hometown. So nice to have you visit!

Carrie said...

I happen to come across your blog through My Charming Kids, and I truly enjoyed all the GORGEOUS pictures. I loved reading about your precious boys, and your photos just tell a wonderful story!

Such an inspiration! Beach photos are my favorite, and I just love them! ALL of them are great, I love the trees in bloom this time of year! Thanks for sharing :)
Carrie

Super B's Mom said...

Your family is absolutely GORGEOUS. I love your little one's curly hair. It reminds me of long ago when my little boy's was curly like that. I laughed when I read how you say it "fits" his personality, b/c I used to think the same thing about my B. There's just something about curly-headed boys!

I enjoyed this post so much and I love how you're raising your boys to be God-fearing young men. What an amazing mom you are.

And the beach looks like a little slice of heaven!

Becky @ BoysRuleMyLife said...

I found you via a comment you made on Super B's Mom's blog.

I think you and I have a lot in common... I, too, am a mom to 3 boys. My youngest is allergic to dairy, egg, and peanut. My middle child has a speech delay and my oldest is so smart (like his daddy... whew!) it scares me! :)

I enjoyed your pictures so much! And what a beautiful video of you and your boys singing! You are obviously a loving mama and a devoted daughter of Christ. So please to have found you!