Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-42

Just the other day I read the Bible story to the girls about Martha and Mary. Jesus came to visit Martha and Mary one day and they were so excited! Jesus was their special friend. Mary sat and talked with Jesus while Martha worked hard in the kitchen cleaning and making food to eat. Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to every word He had to say and learning more about her Lord. Jesus was there to visit. Martha got frustrated with Mary because Martha was doing all the work by herself. Martha cried out to Jesus, "I'm doing all the work, tell my sister Mary to come and help me." Jesus said, "Martha, Mary has discovered how important it is to spend time with Me learning about God. Stop being busy for awhile. Come, sit here beside Mary. I want you to spend time with Me, too."

I have read this story to my girls over and over, but today it especially spoke to my heart. How often do I neglect spending time with the Lord on a daily basis? Lately, I must admit, I have been struggling. I am a busy mommy and a homemaker doing the day to day duties of the home. I often get distracted with life and its daily duties. Sometimes the daily duties seem overwhelming and exhausting. Sometimes it causes me to lose focus and become too busy to just sit at the feet of Jesus.

I am learning the importance of a daily quiet time with the Lord is. As a mommy I need that time to focus on God and have time to spend in prayer. Is it hard finding time to do it? It sure is, but I know God understands that and He is patient with me!

I am learning to let go of the "To Do List" sometimes and focusing on the things that truly matter...my children and investing in their lives. Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the biggest challenges for me every single day. Raising my children in the ways of the Lord and doing my very best to be an example to them. God does have an important job for me and it does require much skill. It is my calling, my priority, my struggle and my goal. God is helping me to rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand. He is giving me strength as I LOVE, NURTURE and TRAIN my children in the way God has called me to do. God has blessed me and has given me this awesome responsibility.

I am learning that I cannot do this on my own and God gives me strength each and every day. I am learning to fall at the feet of Jesus. I am learning to not be so busy like Martha was.

I know God has really spoken to me today. I feel peace. I feel joy. I feel completely blessed. And He is giving me strength for the journey!

My PREcious little gifts...

These swimsuits are from their Gogo (grandma) and Papa over in Africa! The girls couldn't wait to try them on!

            
                   Every good and pefect gift is from above,
                   and comes down from the Father of lights.
                                       James 1:17

                 I am so thankful for the gifts God has given me.

How fun to be FIVE!

Emmalee couldn't wait for her birthday to arrive. She waited for days for it to come and when it did she had so much fun! Emmalee can't believe that she is five and that her feet and hands and head are bigger because she is five!  Oh how fun to  be five and to anticipate the arrival of her birthday.

As for me, I can't believe my first baby is this old already. It is bittersweet. My baby isn't a baby anymore, she is a little girl growing up.

What a sweet, precious, funny, outgoing little girl you are Emmalee Grace. We are thankful God brought you into this world and know He has awesome plans for you. You have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. And those that know you feel the same way. You send sunshine to our days and happiness to each new day.

June 3, 2003 you were born into this world and we were so proud of our first baby girl!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY!

I remember the day you were born as if it were yesterday. We couldn't wait to meet you! Ever since then you have blessed our lives so much with your sweet tender heart.

Your middle name Grace is a reminder of God's awesome Grace in our lives when I was pregnant with you and when you came into this world. So when we look at you our precious girl we are reminded of God's amazing grace in our lives. What a perfect middle name for you and what an awesome reminder to us all.

I can't help but have tears in my eyes as I think of these years we have spent with you. These are happy tears! You are such a beautiful little girl!

Emmalee couldn't wait for her cousins to get here for her My Little Pony birthday party!!! I don't think they could wait either!!

What a fun party we had and what excitement for our 5 year old daughter! Every one had a wonderful time celebrating YOU Emmalee!

We love you with all of our hearts!
Happy 5th Birthday to our precious little girl!

Our special little two year old...

We cannot believe that two years ago we were blessed with another baby girl. We had been praying that God would give us a healthy baby. God truly did and we are so thankful for your life and how you have blessed us each and every day.

ISABELLE HOPE MCDANIEL
Born May 18, 2006
at 9:41 am
Weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces

Labor and delivery was quick but intense. I just could not wait to get through the hard part of labor and finally meet my baby girl.

I got through each contraction with the help of your daddy. He was amazing! And the nurses were fabulous! It only took 5 minutes of pushing time when we were finally able to meet you!

Your sister helped give you your very first bath! It was such a special time that daddy and I will never forget. Your big sister Emmalee was so excited to meet you!



We couldn't wait to take you home with us!!!

Our beautiful Isabelle Hope...

You have always been our very active baby. From the time you were born you were smiling. It was amazing to see! You rolled all over the place at 2 months and crawled at 6 months. You continue to be our active, adventurous little girl always climbing or trying new things even when it makes mommy a bit nervous.

Here is a picture of you smiling at 2 1/2 weeks....

Mommy and her little darling....

You are growing up so quickly. You have added so much laughter and happiness into our lives. You are a precious girl!

Yummy cake....

We all love you Isabelle!!  You are a treasure to us and we thank God for your life!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!!

We would like you to meet our new family member...

Janaya Lily Kline was born to Tiffany and Isaiah Kline on Saturday, May 3rd at 12:06 pm.

Janaya weighed 9 pounds 2 ounces and she was 22 inches long! She is a gorgeous, healthy and has the most kissable chubby cheeks you will ever see!!

Tiffany did awesome except she is exhausted from it all. She started labor pains Thursday night. Once they got to the hospital it was pretty intense. But mommy is doing better now and can't believe her little girl has arrived!

And of course I have to put a picture up of me holding beautiful Janaya Lily!

Tiffany will update soon and fill you in on everything! But for now we just wanted you to see our beautiful girl! We are truly blessed to have this new little bundle in our family! God is so good, wouldn't you say so too?