Holy Spirit and small things

I've mentioned before about how this past year has rocked me and brought me closer to God!

This is just another example of how much God cares about every detail of our lives!! I have been listening and therefore hearing from God more and more lately.

Yesterday... Oh man yesterday.  It was a normal trip to the grocery store, trying to juggle 3 kids and of course my friend calls me when we get there.  Any sane person would have called her back but I so enjoy talking to my friends and knew chances are I would forget if I ignored her call. So I'm on the phone, in the grocery store with 3 kids under 5. Crazy. My daughter accidentally hit a gentleman with her basket and he gives this disgusted look, my girls are going in two different ways as I'm trying to wrangle them. Typical trip. 

Until I got to the spice aisle. I picked up some garlic I knew we needed. I heard thyme, so of course I look and find the thyme but didn't grab it. I don't use it and rarely see it in a recipe I want to use. I hear thyme in my head again but dismiss it. 

Fast forward to today. I'm making some fish and find this awesome new recipe to try.  One of the ingredients is, you guessed it, thyme.  Now it didn't hit me right away. It wasn't until I was rummaging through my spice cabinet that I realized I don't have any. And then it hit me. I froze for a few seconds recalling how I had heard to buy it at the store the night before.  The night before when I had no idea what I would be doing today. But God knew, and He told his a Holy Spirit to tell me.  But I ignored it. 

WHAT? God cares about me having the right ingredients for a recipe. Crazy. I know. And if I hadn't experienced it, and other similar moments, I would agree with you. But I know it's true. And if he knows the hair count on my head why wouldn't he care about me having what I need on a daily basis. 

God you are so good, and you care so deeply. Help me to care as much as you for those you've put in my life! I praise your Holy name! Amen! 

Recipe for those interested: http://mobile.eatingwell.com/recipes/creamy_fish_chowder.html

Angels and kids!

First of all... I'm back!!

I'm so glad to be up and blogging here again! Life has certainly been exciting the past few years and I'm now a mom of 3... But more on life later. 

God says to tell all nations of his glory in Psalms 96:2-3 and so what better way then through the Internet?

My oldest daughter is now 4 and sees angels. The last year has really been a growing year for my whole family, and I have been rocked by Gods goodness multiple times in the past year alone!! Last week We walked out of church and Ruth said look Mom there's an angel!! She was staring up in the sky in awe and I couldn't help but want to see it too!

As we drove home she kept telling me more and I was so amazed because I hadn't had this experience myself!

I always pray for protection when we drive and God just confirmed that he sends his angels with us that night.  I'm so thankful!!

Have you seen an angel? Id love to hear about it!!

Chickens!

Ruth was so excited that we got her 27 baby chicks from our county fair!! Everyday we go out and look at them at least once!!

We also got some bigger pullets so that we could get eggs right away!! (a racoon took care of our previous chickens) I just love having fresh eggs!!  This morning Fritz went out to get eggs and I cracked one open and it was a double yoker!!

My new favorites

Each day I have a list of chores that I try to get done... dishes, laundry, feed everyone, and get Ruthie to nap... but each day I also have great moments that I look forward to... I wanted to share those great moments because these are the ones that I know I will remember :)!

One of these moments is when Ruth decides to read by herself, she climbs into her chair with her book of choice... too cute!

Another new favorite of mine is when Amiya is awake and smiling!  She is starting to be awake more and more each day and will follow my voice.. I love it!

Last is when Ruth shows off her vocabulary and pulls out a book to tell us all the objects she knows!  It's so fun because each day she says a new word.

 :) love

Ruth loves summer!

This summer we have been very busy! Ruth was in her Uncle Andy's wedding!  She was the ring bearer and looked sooo cute in her dress and pearls that her Aunt Dana got for her!

We have been swimming a lot at Uncle Andy and Aunt Dana's house!  Ruth loves the pool and can swim on her own with only the help of a life jacket that Opa bought her!

Ruth did her first watercolor painting today!  Actually she did more than one, and when I tried to switch out the paper the first time it was met with a lot of tears and crying.  I really hope the paint doesn't stain her skin...

Time to play catch up!

So if anyone is wondering why its been so long... I had a baby!  Amiya Raine Phanor was born on 6/12/12 and was 8 lbs 11 oz and 20 in long!!  Needless to say life got a little busy!!

We are all doing well and Ruth has adjusted super fast!  She loves her new baby sister and gives her hugs and kisses all day long.  She has turned into my 'little mommy' and always wants to help me with Amiya, somtimes she's just way too helpful....

Apple girl!

Ruth is officially a toddler and she reminds me of this every day! No longer can I cut up her apple for her because she is getting independent and wants to eat it on her own!

I had to get a baby gate for the kitchen because she has figured out the cabinet locks and wants to help me cook. She has eight teeth now! Where did my baby go?

The Lord has truly blessed us with this little girl! I am excited to meet her little sister and to see how Ruth will adjust to a baby in the house. I continue to pray for both of them and for Fritz and I to be the best parents we can be, especially in a world that is full of temptation and sin.

Snow!

This winter has been so mild I was pleasantly surprised to have snow today! It started out as rain so I figured it would all just melt away... but I was wrong!

Catching snow on her tongue!

Ruth enjoyed this trip out in the snow more than her first. She could actually walk this time, which I am sure helped, and she really wanted to go see the cows, her favorite animal so far. Her favorite word happens to be moo (sounds more like boo) and every morning we have to check to see if the cows are outside getting a drink.

Ruth's first fingerpainting

Ruth Before we painted

Painting her own creation

The cards we are going to send out

We tried to finger paint for the first time! Ruth wanted to hand me to paint more than anything, but it was still fun! I used the opportunity to make thank you cards to send out as well! Of course I kept with the Very Hungry Caterpillar theme :)

Today I realized that my child is very neat. I noticed this before with food, but I figured that her love of food caused her not to be so messy, however today I fully expected paint in the hair and all over... which didn't happen, instead she was asking me to clean her hands when she decided she had enough painting. I am sure this comes from her fathers side!

Thanks to these bloggers for their ideas (which I found on pinterest!!)

Homemade finger paint: Easie Peasie

Very Hungry Caterpillar Card idea: Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Ruth turns 1!!

r


Today Ruth turned 1 year old! It has been an exciting day! We had some family and friends over to help us celebrate! I used pinterest to find some really fun ideas for her party. My Mom made a super cute bib for her special day! We used The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle book as our theme. Ruth loves eating and loves reading so it seemed very fitting!

I really enjoyed making her caterpillar cupcake cake and apple cake! She had fun eating it :). I also tried a new recipe from pinterest for baked brocolli, it was good! I also made my own fondant for the caterpillar head! Here are the links to the blogs that I used to make these fun foods:
Brocolli - http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html
Apple Cake
caterpillar cupcake cake
homemade fondant

Walking, walking, walking!

Here is a shot of Ruth walking! Her balance is getting better every day and she is getting more independent! She has started leaving me and going and playing in her room or walking up and down the hall.

Ruth has continued to bless us every day with her giggles and chatter. Her new favorite thing to do has been reading books, we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle at least 5 times a day! I love it, she'll bring me her books and we sit together and read. Ruth loves turning the pages and feeling the holes in what the hungry caterpillar has eaten. I couldn't imagine anything better!

Everyone told me my life would change, and they were right, being a mom is the best and my life has changed for the better!

Ruth at 11 months

I've been so busy enjoying Ruth that I haven't updated here in awhile!!

We have been doing very well. Ruth is now walking and talking!! I still call her my baby but she is acting so much like a toddler these days!! She has two teeth and has two more coming in on top! She can say Dada, Mama, up, uh-oh, baby, and more that I still haven't been able to decipher :)

She is still eating everything!! Her favorite are the grabber pouches, any brand, any combination of fruit and veggies, she barely comes up to breathe before its gone! Mom and I were laughing the other day at an article that talked about average amount for a baby her age... Ruth would scream if I gave her only 6 Tablespoons per meal!

We also are expecting another BABY!! My official due date is June 5, 2012! Ruth will be a big sister and we are soo excited! God has blessed us so much already we cannot wait to add to our family :)

Babbling Ruth

So it has been awhile since I have last updated everyone! Ruth now has two teeth, is crawling, and pushing herself up on everything! Oh and babbling, all the time, everywhere, to everyone! It's adorable, so here is a video for you all to enjoy too!

Too Cute!

Happy Friday!

Perfect Day!

Ruth had to go in today to get checked out because she hasn't grown in length very much. Needless to say she's perfect! She weighs 18 lbs 4 oz and is fine!

The weather today was also wonderful!! This is a shot right outside our basement door, absolutely beautiful!

Daddy got the camera

Fritz got ahold of my camera and this was one of the results! I should also add that Ruth is wearing my sunglasses too, if it wasn't obvious enough =)

Ruth loves it when Dad comes home from work, she just can't take her eyes off him, it's as if she knows that she doesn't have as much time with him so she has to soak it up while she can. During the week we don't get to see Fritz much because he works so much and sleeps most of the time he is home! Good thing he only has to work 4 ten hour days a week!

kitchen help

Ruth is only days away from being 6 months old now and she loves attention. I love to give her that attention she needs, but sometimes I need to actually get stuff done, like making dinner! The best thing I have done to my kitchen is to put her exersaucer in it! Sometimes it's a little inconvenient because of its size, but it is so worth it! Ruth can play and play and because I'm in the same room as her we both can keep our eyes on each other!

Joy

It is no secret that Ruth has given Fritz & I tremendous joy and filled a spot in our lives we didn't know was empty! What is really amazing is to see the joy that she brings to others. Even random strangers enjoy watching her smile and talking to her to see her face light up! Friends and family now can't wait to see her as she grows and are often disappointed when I don't bring her along wherever I go.

We live with my grandma Irene now, and she is up in her years and her mind isn't always 'there' but she always has a smile for Ruth and enjoys talking to her. Even when Grandma is having a bad day, Ruth can always make her smile and cheer her up. I am so glad that Ruth is around to keep Grandma's spirits up. If you had asked me a year ago where I would be and what I would be doing, living with my Grandma would not have even crossed my mind, but God knows what He is doing and there is a reason we are here.

Moving backwards

Ruth was really enjoying her tummy time today. She learned how to push herself backwards and starting going in circles around the carpet. She was very proud of herself and was smiling the whole time. She is conked out at the moment, her hair all frizzy out of control, but just as cute as ever. It's amazing the love that parents have for their children, how different and powerful it is!

Vaccines

Ruth got her second round of vaccinations today. The first time was really tough for both of us, this time wasn't quite as bad. It's hard to know what's best, because there are so many differing opinions about things like vaccinations. I always wanted to be a mother, but I never realized I would be so unprepared to make so many decisions affecting my little one's future. She is so precious I don't want to make bad ones! Thank God for guiding Fritz and I through all of this!