It Will Be Okay . . .

Lately, I pull up my blog and I can't think of a single thing to post.


I've been quiet lately.


There is one thing that I would like to say today . . .


I. AM. GRATEFUL.


I have so much to be grateful for.


Sometimes we ask, "How could God allow that to happen?"


I think about it this way . . .

Sometimes my children fall and scrape their knee. They are crying out in the worst pain that they have felt. As their Mother, I know that in a moment, I will wipe their tears, wash their wounds, give them a bandaid, and they will be on their way. It is not that I am not sympathetic to their pain, it is just that I have a greater perspective.

I think that this is the way our Heavenly Father looks at us sometimes. We are overcome with sorrow but He knows, He will wipe our tears, we will learn our lessons, we will become greater people, and our reward will be in Heaven. He sees the big picture. Even in death, the ultimate sorrow for us on earth, He sees the big picture. He knows that one day we will look back and be healed from all wounds. What we think is an injustice will be made right in the end.

HAVE. FAITH. IN. HIM.

TRUST. IN. HIM.



IT. WILL. BE. OKAY.

My Friend

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and Audrey. This was from a couple of years ago. She sure is growing up!! I love you Audrey! Here's to future memories as best Friends!

The Spectacle

Do you run a daycare??

No . . . these are all OUR children!!!

This is one of my Closest Friends LeeAnna. I LOVE This picture because although I look frazzled (and I was) LeeAnna is laughing (as she always is). She has such energy for life. Even with a chronic illness she always sees the glass half full and talks me into seeing it that way too:)


Here she is leading our train of eight children through the Houston Zoo!! Yes, we are crazy!
Thank you for being you!!

If,

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you:
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same:
If you bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about you loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you:
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

When I read this poem I hear the voice of my sweet Mother-in-Law in my ear. She read this aloud to me several years ago and I have never forgotten it. Coming from her, this poem speaks volumes! She has been through so much but has managed to do the things spoken of in this poem. She is such a selfless person, so loving and kind. I appreciate her so much!


I could say SO MUCH about this poem!!!! But I will let it speak for itself! AMAZING!!!!

Baby Tom Girl (Boy)

As it turns out, Claire LOVES to be outside and get dirty! The other two girls would not have attempted such things as crawling with bare knees on concrete, eating sandwiches off the floor, sifting through potting soil, eating potting soil, getting soaked with the water hose, etc.

And here is my big ONE YEAR OLD now!!

Pure Joy!

HE just may have something to do with it . . .

Spring has Sprung in Houston

It is Spring break at the Carter house and we are out enjoying the beautiful weather! Running through the Sprinklers is one of the true joys of childhoood.

Look at these faces!

CAUTION!!! . . . Sacrilege

Rachel, "Mom, look what Adam did to Daddy's Jesus trophy . . . "

Fun at the Ranch

This picture made me laugh. Rachel is in full pout!
I just love this picture of Adam.
They had so much fun running up and down the drive with their bubbles.

I really love this picture.

It speaks to me.

I have been lost in thought lately.

I once wrote in my journal that my mind was quiet and my heart was full.

A quiet mind . . .

a full heart.

Happiness.

(This is the road leading up to my Mother-in-laws house)