dear blogging world....

Ok, so I am blogging tonight because I have a frustration, and I know I cannot be the only human in the world that is struggling with this, so I am here to vent a little pent up frustration and to make sure that if you ever feel like this you know you are not alone.
SO here is my issue: Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time in day? That you are constantly having to decide what is most important, so you can slack a little on the "non-important" stuff? Do you crash into bed thinking what did I actually do today that was really productive...I mean there was stuff accomplished that was super productive but it will all be there tomorrow. Do you ever feel like you are not pouring enough into a relationship because life is just keeping you so busy?
Well I answered yes to all the above. This hasn't been a consistent annoyance in my life til of late (like the last month). I feel a bit like a hamster running in a wheel and trying to keep up. I don't want to live life missing awesome day to day moments, but right now I am struggling with finding the balance.

Have you ever had one of those weeks planned out in your head and you know what you are going to be doing everyday and then the week comes and goes and looked nothing like what you had planned?? Well this is this how this week is turning out for me. All of the above to say that I know that what I am doing is important and I have just seem to hit a super busy phase of life right now.

If you have ever felt like this before please take into account several considerations:
-sleep (are you getting enough?)
-hormones (they are not a reason to sin...I have to tell myself this often)
-relationships (are you communicating with God and your support group of friends and family)
-time (how are you really spending it)
Well I don't know if this helped you, but as I lay my head on my pillow tonight, I will rest a little better because all of this did help me!!

choosing to say....

I was driving home tonight and this song came on my ipod and as it came on, I thought of several women in my life that are going through some tough things, women that are still choosing to trust God, to trust Him even if, in their eyes it doesn't make sense and in their hearts it is hard to accept. God has allowed me to pray with them, to hold their hand, to listen to their fears and frustrations and to love them...all of which they do for me too. So these lyrics are just a reminder to them...I love you ladies...and I am honored to walk beside you...


Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name


Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord


Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name


You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Good Times are Coming

Today we are headed out to Dallas, first we are dropping the girls off at my moms and we are headed out. Jon had a conference that I was able to get to go with him:) We are meeting some friends down there and all staying in a hotel (staying in hotels are one of my FAVORITE things to do, there is just something special about not having to make your bed;) anyways we are going to connect as a couple with NO kids and I am praying that this will be a relaxing and refreshing time! I won't be blogging til at least Thursday but I will come back with pics!! Have a great week everyone!! I know I will...

Working through something...

I was driving into town today and I heard something on the radio that made me stop and think, the guy was talking about how someone had treated him rude and how his first instinct was to be rude back, but he stopped and thought about and decided that killing her with kindness was better in the long run then actually letting her have what she deserved. This got me thinking about why are first instinct is often opposite of what the "right" thing is to do. Why is it important to treat people nice even when they don't deserve it, because I think it builds character and good character is important. Great character will help you stay strong in the midst of a choice that is hard to make...good character will help you to do what is right.
I have great friends and people in my life that push me to "betterness" and "love." When i am working through a problem and i would much rather bite back, to the person who doesn't deserve me to be nice to them, these people say, "Randi you are going to choose what is right because it is important." Often times when people have hurt us and we carry the hurt around it ends up only hurting us.
This blog post seems all over the place but it is just something I am working through. Any thoughts???

Isabelle's Personality

I love being able to stay home with my girls, and one of the best things about this choice is getting to capture some of the best moments on camera. Some of these pics are older but I love how between all of them it captures her personality:)

These two pics were actually from January, I randomly found them on my other camera I hadn't been using. Amanda bought us some matching aprons which was perfect for us because we cook together all the time! We pretend we are on a cooking show and she is quite the little helper, she can even crack eggs pretty good:)

This was a picture from one of her naps, she must have gotten down and moved the horse into bed with her, then tucked him in!

I was on the computer and she randomly came out wearing my gym stuff and said, "look mommy now I can get faster and stronger like you!"

Recently in my life....

Here are some recent pictures from our life here in Oklahoma! We have stayed pretty busy and I cannot believe that it is already September, where is the time going?? The days seem to drag by sometimes but somehow the months and years are flying by. I am really trying to learn to live and enjoy the moment I am in.

We have played A LOT of babies:)

Isabelle has gotten really good at drawing!! Here is her chalk flower:)

Mommy and Kimberlin

We have spent time with good friends!

This is Isabelle's "chinese princess" dress Jon got here when he was in China

Kimberlin is too little for hers

A lot of sister time!!

Isabelle borrowing mommy's hat

Daddy and Isabelle going fishing!!

Bowling with Jessica's Family

Our family got to go bowling with Jessica and her family! It was a fun night of gutter balls for me and relaxing:)) These were some of my worst games EVER.

Isabelle and Jess Bowling!

Jessica's brothers thought this was hilarious...

Cadence!!