Mommy Love--day at the Park

Life's been busy, but so wonderful!! Homeschooling, keeping up with the house, the children, and loving my husband can be time consuming. I don't have much to say, but wanted to post some pictures of us at the soccer park the other day. I had gone to Justin's soccer game and Shiloh helped snap some of these pics of me and the kids.

Enjoy!!

The amazing circus girl!!

Daddy, Mommy, Galen and Ana

Mommy and baby

Mommy and Galen

Mommy and Kole

Mommy and Shiloh

Mommy and Ephraim

Ephraim getting into the charcoal. Don't worry it wasn't hot

Buddys: Kole and Galen

It about You!!

Here is a song I started to sing unto the Lord this morning as I was cleaning up my kitchen.

It's not about the riches

It's not about the treasures

It's not about the healings

It's not about the things you give, LORD.

It's all about the one who is in Meeee

It's You, Lord....Only You Lord.

It's all about your beauty inside of Meeeee.

It's You, Lord...Only you Lord, Only You Lord,

and your glory inside of Me.

I thank you Lord, for all your goodness.

Thank you Lord for your peace.

I thank you Lord, for your glorious grace in me....

Holy, holy! Holy, Holy! Holy, holy are you Lord, God Almighty!

Worthy, worthy! Worthy, worthy! Worthy, Worthy are you alone, inside of me.

You make my life complete

and this is all that counts

when you speak to me in the quiet of my house.

I want nothing more than you,

to hear your voice in me, speaking those

treasures of untold mysteries.

Glory, glory! Glory, glory. How can life be any

different without You.

Mercy, mercy! Your wonderful Mercy. I can lean on You

for all eternity.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.....YOU ARE LORD!!!

I wasn't going to share this new song the Lord gave me, but I felt led to do so with you all. Now if I can get Moriah to put music behind it..... :) that would be awesome.

Parade and The Ink Baby

Interesting title you might say. Yep, I have a few things to share.

Last Friday, it was a special day in our town. Our town is extremely college football crazy, so much so, that the whole town shuts down just for it's homecoming day parade. I remember almost 12 years ago when I laboring with Moriah, I went to the my doctor's office to check in and they had gone home. Yeah, can you believe it?!! The whole staff had shut down because of the Homecoming day Parade. My goodness!! What fanatics!!

Anyway.....last Friday we had a homecoming day parade and I actually went!! I haven't been in years. I just don't do well trying to push through crowds with a double strollers and toddlers in tow. :) I'm sure some can relate. I was dreading facing the crowds with all my children. But I tought it out!!!

This year my gorgeous 15 year old son was marching in the parade with his color guard team. I had to show up. I, as the proud mama that I am, had to be there to watch him march. I had decided I was going to push through all those crazy Florida Gator fans and get a glimpse of my son.

First and foremost, when Friday came a friend of mine blessed me by watching the baby for me. Thank God for good friends!! I know Ana would not have enjoyed herself out there in that heat. And yes, it was hot!! Ok, so second, I had to find Orange and Blue shirts so the children would blend into the crowd. I didn't want to feel out of place, you know?? Trust me, I am not a fanatic. I hardly ever watch a game. Thirdly, there was a slight problem!! Why...am I... wearing a RED shirt if the colors are orange and blue? I thought "I hope the team's color their playing this weekend isn't red. Ok....that would be...BAD!!" So check this out---ha ha ha---I spent almost 30 minutes digging through my son's closet, drawers, give-away clothes bag sitting in my laundry room, and finally....ahhhhh.....there it was.....a Gator t-shirt which was way to small for me to fit in....bunched in my children's dress-up box. YES!! I can now fit in at the parade!! THANK YOU LORD!! I squeezed into this small shirt and off we went.

As I drove down to campus, I had to fight the traffic and the closed off roads. I finally found a parking spot about 7 blocks away. We were in a hurry.....the parade was starting in 15 minutes and I didn't want to miss any part of it. I was determined to get there. We were speed walking by this time. I called my hubby to meet me. He was on the other side of the main road the parade was marching down. This was about 7 blocks the other direction!! Thank God for cell phones we met right up. I found a nice shady spot under the oak tree and happened to see a few friends from church. It was packed but I enjoyed every bit of it. As soon as my son marched by we were outta there.

Here are some pictures of the day. Ok.....Don't laugh at me. I didn't put any make-up on and I look way to big for that small t-shirt. ha ha Plus cameras put 10 pounds on us ladies, right???

The Florida Gators Mascots

Some of the Seniors

Tim Tebow was not on this float. I don't even know if he was in the parade

If some are wondering who Tim Tebow is, well he is the quarter back and golden boy of the team. He truly is a great guy. He is a radical, professed Christian, youngest of 5 children, was homeschooled, and has an awesome testimony on how when his mom was pregnant with him, she got very sick and thought she was going to die along with the baby in her womb. The doctors were even suggesting she abort the baby. Because of their faith in Jesus, they faced the battle with much prayer and believe God for the healing. Tim was then born healthy and whole. His parents are missionaries and whenever he isn't playing football he is preaching the gospel and goes over to the Philippines with his parents. It is so awesome to have him as a role model for kids of all age. He truly has made a difference at the University of Florida. Oh, and Florida remains #1 in the US as the best college football team....

GO GATORS!!!

And for the second part of this post: ha ha ha

The INK Baby

This is what happens when you are in the middle of helping your teenage son research a career path in the Marines. Everyone was busy doing their own thing and not keeping an eye on the baby!! And guess what??? The baby got a hold of an ink pen and decided to have it as an afternoon snack. Yuuuummmy!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

LOVE YA,

Chris

Ana's Photo shoot

My gorgeous little, baby girl Ana was photographed by my friend Tracy a few weeks ago.  Tracy is a very talented photographer who recently started her own photography business.  She is a homeschooling mom of 4 and works her business whenever she gets a chance.  Her phone is ringing off the hook, but since her family comes first she books up quickly.  I feel very blessed she took these of Ana. Tracy and I would joke around about when the actual photo shoot would take place.  We would say it would be for Ana's wedding.  ha ha ha.  We both have been so busy since Ana's birth.  Tracy had her baby own baby girl about three months prior to Ana's birth.  We originally scheduled a newborn session.  I am so glad we finally got it done.  I know she isn't a newborn anymore but still...... I have these awesome pictures to fill my walls with.  That is the goal and plan.

It was so hard to get Ana to smile.  She's been teething.  Poor baby.  But you would never know how much work it was to get these awesome pictures.  Tracy is very talented.

I think there was a teeny, tiny little smirk in this shot.

I just love this one.  One of my favorites.

I ABSOLUTELY love this one.   This is perfect.  I love the bright color of the flower.  Gorgeous.

There are many more to come.  As soon as I get them....I will post them.  My friend Tracy has a blog and a website.   I'm in one of the photos in her website under "bellies and babies".   See if you can find me.  ha ha :)

Chris 

My Ephraim Tobias (Ephee) turns two--Sharing his home birth

Ephraim Tobias turned two years old the other day, September 28th.  I know I'm a bit late on posting but I had Tsavah's birthday post first and since I only post about once a week...I waited.  ha ha.

We didn't do much for his birthday.  Actually....he didn't even know it was his birthday.  What two year old really does?  The day before,  he went over to his Mema's and Pops house and they sang happy birthday to all those having a birthday in September.  I think there were 4 birthday celebrations!!  So on his birthday we just sang happy birthday and gave him a balloons.  Yep, no big toys and not much money spent.  The kids have so many toys anyway, I could have wrapped an old toy and he wouldn't have known.  Ha ha.

Ephee's (pronounced ee-fee and we pronounce Ephraim:  ee-fram) home birth was the last one I had.  I delivered Ana at the hospital.  Having Ephraim at home was such a great experience.  He was my 4th home water birth.  I don't even think I've ever shared Ephee's  home birth.  Ok, hopefully I can remember......

On the morning of September 28, 2006, one day after my due date, at about 7:00 am I woke up with some mild contractions.  Nothing to call the midwife about.  I remember sitting in bed, hoping and praying that I would start labor.  As I was laying in bed, I felt like I needed to speak to my body and "command" it to line up under the obedience of Christ.  I did just that.  I said it just like this "Uterus, I command you right now to start contracting. Line up under the obedience of Christ and be obedient body.  Start working, start contracting."  Well....within 20-30 I felt a small jolt or pop feeling.  I didn't think it was my water since I wasn't "wet".  I then got up and went to the bathroom, sat on the toilet and felt water come out (sorry for the details...ha ha) I thought it was pee but when I looked into the toilet there was white vernix floating around.  I immediately called my midwife and she said to start walking around and that she would start preparing to come.  yeah...we were going to have a baby.

I woke the kids up and we were so excited.  I called my mother in law to pick the kids up.  The plan was for her to come and go as she please and have Justin and Moriah be present for the birth.  I walked down the road and each time I walked water kept gushing out.  I still had no hard contractions.  My midwife comes over around 1:30 pm and makes me drink castor oil in a strawberry milk shake.  Yuck.  She said that contractions should start a couple hours from drinking.  Within 1/2 hour I was on the toilet non stop.  ewww.  That was not fun.  I was having contractions and pooping at the same time.  I know....to graphic.  I will spare the details.  :()  At around 3:30pm I started active labor.  At around 6:00 pm she came to inflate the birth tub.  But I didn't get into the tub until around 7:30 pm.  Oh when she came around 6:00 pm, I was around 3 cm.  I was not happy.  By this time, I was still going to the bathroom but nothing was coming out.  I know.....not fun!!  :(

Once I got into the tub, I stayed in there and just sang songs of worship to get me through each contractions.  I kept singing the song "Glorious"--"you make everything glorious, you make everything glorious, I am yours.... So what doest that make me".  Yeah, this song. :)  Donnie, Justin, and Moriah were in the other room with the midwives watching "End of the Spear".  those Indian grunting noises the people in the movie was not helping my focus.  I was in my bedroom with the door slightly crack but I could hear everything going on.  I couldn't stand it!!  When I hit transition, I was so impatient.  I lost all focus, stopped singing, and wanted the baby to come "RIGHT NOW!!"  I was telling the baby to COME ON, NOW!!

Right before pushing, Donnie and the kids walk in and start snapping pictures.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!! (I thought and closed my eyes).  When it was time for pushing and birthing this little guy (who I thought might be a girl) I birthed his head but had no energy to push the rest of him out.  He had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice.  Again, I had no energy.  Then she asked Donnie to lift me up out of the water so I can birth him standing.  Poor Donnie.  His back was killing him after this whole ordeal.  Oh, and now my 13 yr. old son saw my bare behind.  It wasn't a very modest moment for me.  One more push and he was born at around 9:45 pm......ANOTHER BOY!!!!!  You little booger!!!.  This is exactly what came out of my mouth when he was born.  ha ha ha.   I was so glad it was over and now had my hairy boy right in my arms.  Best part after all that hard work.  ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

The story behind his name is that we didn't like his name so he didn't have a name for three days after birth.  Donnie had received the name Ephraim from the Lord a month before his birth and shared it with me days before his birth.  Yuck.  I didn't like his name.  And Donnie didn't care for it either.  Maybe we had heard wrong.  Nope he didn't.  I then accepted his name but wanted to call him "Toby".  The Lord rebuked me the next day and said "This is the name I have given him and you will call him by this name".  Ouch!!  I said "yes, Lord" His nickname is Ephee.  I don't feel convicted about calling him this though.  :)

Hope you enjoy the pictures!!

Isn't Ephraim the cutest?  He is so cute.  I can't stop kissing his kissable cheeks and lips. 

Tsavah Leone Turns 10--The story behind her name

(this is her a just a week ago)

(This was back when Tsavah turned 8.  I was a few days shy from delivering Ephraim)

(When she first met Ephraim)

(Tsavah and her baby sister Ana--So sweet)

My beautiful daughter Tsavah (pronounced Sa-vah) turned 10 yesterday.  She is such a precious and beautiful young lady.  It feels like just yesterday I was cradling her in my arms and nursing the feisty little newborn that she was.

When I say "feisty" I mean she was a little ball of fire.  When she was conceived I knew in my heart we were going to birth a very active and warrior of a child.  I felt I was going to have a boy.  When the day came to find out the sex of the baby, we were so surprised when the tech told us...."It's a girl"....."What?!  Are you sure"  I just thought we were going to have a boy.

Months later as we were praying for her name as we usually do with all our babies,  I wasn't sure what name would best suit her.  I knew God would have to give us a special name.  When she was in my womb she would leap and jump as early as 12 weeks gestation.  This is one of the reason I thought we were going to have us a "wild child".  I remember going to intercessory prayer at our church and praying for the youth of our church family, Tsavah, in my womb would do flips and turns.  I knew she would be a powerful intercessor and prayer warrior.

One evening at church, Donnie had forgotten his bible so he borrowed one from the Lost and found closet.  When he flipped open the bible,  it opened right up to a commentary about the Army of the Lord.  It spoke on the Lord of Host and how the word for Host or Army is the word "tsaba".  Donnie leans over and says, "I think this is the name for our little girl".  I glanced down at the bible to the word he was pointing at, looked at it, squinted at it, and asked "What does it say?"  He told me.  I immediately said, "No Way!  I can't even pronounce it.  This is such a weird name for a baby girl.  Nope!!"  Days later as my hubby would ask me to pray about the name,  I said "well, if we are going to name her this then God is going to have to tell me"  Days later, I became very excited about the fact that yes, this is the name for our baby girl.  I just had to change the spelling a bit.  LOL  :) A few months late we received the rest her middle name Leone knowing that she was a lion at heart.  So we say her name is the Lion of the Lord's Army.  And she sure is.

Tsavah is not just beautiful outside, but beautiful inside also.  Yes, she can definitely be a stubborn girl but her heart is so sensitive to the things of the Lord.  She has such a genuine love for God.  She is such a servant.  She has a mommy heart and I wouldn't doubt if she follows after her mommy's footsteps and has many children of her own.  She is very talented with her singing voice.  She has been singing since she was a little baby.  She truly has a beautiful singing voice.  I am not just saying this because I'm her mother, but others have told me as well.  She is a worshipper.  New songs of the Lord come forth from her mouth.  They are so gorgeous and ministers to everyone.  I can't say enough.

As far as her birth story goes, I was going to have her without meds but at the very last minute realized I couldn't take anymore.  I was exhausted since I labored most of the night.  I gave in to the epidural.  Minutes later of receiving the meds, I had began pushing.  The bad part of this delivery was  I had to wait for 20 minutes to actually birth her.  Yep, this infuriated me!!  I wasn't allowed to push since the doctor was delivering another baby and wasn't in the "room".  This is the main reason I home birthed my 4 little boys.  I didn't want to have to wait for the "doc".  Thank God she was born healthy and whole even though she sat in the birth canal for 20 minutes.

I love my girl Tsavah.  She is such a joy to our family!!  I love you my girl!!

Puppy Love

I love it!! Yesterday our wonderful friends of all time invited us for burgers, dogs, ice cream, cookies, lots of fellowship, and playtime with their adorable Lhasa Apso puppies. These little babies are sooooo adorable. They are balls of fluff and puppy breath!!! They are so cute. I was hoping my hubby would say "No problem, hon, lets take one home!!" Yeah.....RIGHT!!. He gave me one look and that answered my question.

The kids enjoyed them, but my sweet baby girl Ana (these pictures tell all) LOL... Actually when we first arrived at their home, I placed Ana on the floor to see what she would do. She was happy until the cute little baby puppies started to lick her face and nibble on her toes with those sharp puppy teeth. OUCH!! OH NO......SHE DID NOT LIKE IT......NOT ONE LITTLE BIT!! Not even the puppy breath!!

(Um mom...didn't I tell you I didn't like these fuzz balls with teeth)

(mama....why are you laughing!! This isn't fun)

(What are you looking at fuzz ball?)

(Mommy save me)

(I am not having fun)

Chris

Pray for baby Kara Faith

I have a wonderful mommy friend who I met about 5 years ago on the MOMYS group. It was actually pretty cool because she happened to live just 20 minutes away. We both had just had our 5th babies....both boys. We knew we had to meet.

Fast forward 5 years and Nancy now has 5 boys and 3 girls (the third little girl being knit right now in her momma's womb) and her name is Kara Faith.

Kara Faith was diagnosed with a condition called Holoprosencephaly (HPE). This condition affects the development of the brain. If you want to know a bit more on this sweet baby please visit her blog. It is Sweet Kara Faith. You can also visit Nancy's blog at Mom Just Like You

I, as a friend have committed to praying for Nancy and her sweet baby by going over to their home and laying hands on her belly and declaring the Word of God and healing over this precious gift. I will go and lay hands on her belly a few days before she has ultrasounds (she is to have one each month) I felt that the only way to truly show the Love of God for my sister in need is to cover her baby in prayer and the sweet words of Jesus. Plus, I am led by the Lord to do this. So in obedience, we are standing in Faith and believing this baby is going to touched by the hand of the Lord each and everyday. Yes, we are believing for the miracle!!

I ask you to lift Nancy and her baby Kara in prayer daily. Pray her brain will develop. Pray that she will live a long life. Pray she will have eyes to see and ears to hear. Pray she will not need much medical attention when she is born. Pray for the miracle. Nancy is in good spirits because she knows the Lord. She is trusting in Him to lead her into everything she needs to do for this baby---this meaning doctors who will meet the need of her child.

Thank you guys for always being faithful and praying.

Blessings,

Chris