Pondering Grace....

My Grace is sufficient for you....
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound....
Grace flows down and covers me...
Grace that is greater than all my sin...

Some thoughts about the "g" word. I have been reading a book Families where Grace is in Place, and it is really stirred my thoughts. I don't know if I have ever lived like this...What? Really? I mean really? I keep asking myself. I am not even half way into the book and I am nailed to the wall.
Andy and I have been asking ourselves what does this look like? The only answer right now that I can truly say is "more of Jesus, less of me." I must die to my expectations of others and respond in a way that only Christ in me would respond. Ugh....I have made some serious mistakes. I was ugly to the stamps.com guy, the swim lessons lady, my kids and I want them all to feel bad! That is not grace. That is love of self-idol-worship! I am learning but in no way do I have any real way to tell you except surround yourself in Jesus and last night our pastor preached to Philippians 4:8---whatever is pure, noble right...think on these things. If you don't know where to find them, start in the very word of God. You will probably stay. That is my goal. I am praying my eyes will be opened to grace.

Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.

Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."

-John Henry Jowett

Here is a quote that I found from a favorite blog of mine. I am again, reminded of how being thankful changes our atmosphere.
93. that when we seek You, we find You
94. you are my True North
95. your voice is quiet and so honest-thanks for speaking to my heart
96. Your old ways that never grow old
97. that you know it all before I tell you
98. for Andy and his hard work
99. the high standard you hold for me
100. by your grace I will meet this standard and it is life
101. that you open my eyes
102. that I made it to 100!
103. that my Christmas shopping is done!
104. this season is so much fun!
105. for a down day like today

Early Morning Gratitude

I am usually not a big fan of being on the computer during my quiet time because I get distracted, but I am trying to make some head way on my Gratitude and I always write it down in my journal, but it isn't transferring like I thought it would!
I have been reading a book by Stormie O'Martian on worship that has been such a blessing and a challenge to my soul. Today I read about God being our Provision and our Protection. I think I take these things for granted. Worship and Thanksgiving are such a big part of our relationship with the Lord because we are changed from our inward focus to an upward focus so here I go. It is Before 7am and I am already needing that upward focus today!
Thank you Sweet Father,
73. You are my Provider
74. You are my Protector
75. for all the times you have protected me and provided for me and I did not know
76. that you protect Andy when he is at work
77. that you provide for our family through EFW (Andy's work)
78. that you have blessed our family with more than enough
79. that we have been physically protected from harm
80. that every good and perfect gift comes from you (James 1:17)
81. Father, you want us to give so we can appreciate what has been given to us
82. for giving me 2 children
83. for giving me more than I could ever ask or imagine-God you are so good!
84. thank you for the Church at the Cross' presentation of the Journey to Bethlehem
85. for this sweet season that celebrates YOU
86. lights on houses
87. Christmas trees
88. stockings
89. Christmas movies
90. Chrstmas music
91. enjoying all these things
92. thank you for being born

Have a blessed day. Don't forget to Praise Him...it really changes things!

!

Cindy Lou Who!

The girls by the Christmas tree


This really isn't the only thing she wears!

It is December and the Hull's are celebrating. Our verse of the month is Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government will be on His shoulders and He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

We are directing our attention of who God promises to be to us and worshiping Jesus...the reason for the season. Oh, we are so enjoying the giggle and watching Rudolph and Santa on TV-EVERY DAY! We pray you are enjoying all the things this season has to offer.

Worship

I am reading a book on how worship changes everything...it lets us see the heart of God and helps us to focus on Him in everything we do. Thanksgiving is a part of worship...recognizing God and what He has done for us through Jesus. Worship with me!
57. "Mommy, I read Psalm 100 to Ivy!" thank you Father that your word penetrates even the little hearts of Emery and Ivy
58. Jesus, my redeemer.
59. When we seek you, we find you.
60. When we find you we are changed
61. When we are changed we want to please you, worship you and we live in unity
62. thank you for unity between Andy and me
63. thank you that you heal the sick
64. for Ivy's new teeth!
65. Maria
66. 33 years of life
67. knowing my true love for 10 years
68. The best 10 years of my life
69. our first date at Cozymel's
70. Wonderful counselor
71. Prince of Peace
72. Everlasting Father

Thanksgiving

41. for the life of Christ in me, continually repairing me
42. worship...the only way for me to focus on HIM
43. productive days
44. my water aerobics family
45. the great visit with Grandma and Grandpa Hull
46. Halloween candy...(it is a love hate relationship!)
47. Halloween candy being gone!
48. my Heavenly Daddy
49. hugs...instead of condemnation
50. new light fixtures!
51. my new aerobics shoes! (really makes a diff!)
52. for Ann cheering me on to finish this list all the way to 1000
53. the provision for being able to go to Michigan for Christmas
54. every day conveniences...like email
55. confidence that only comes from my identity in Christ
56. Psalm 100...thanksgiving

Fall Favorites

Emery and her "adopted sister"
Sullivan. We can't get enough of her!

Emery found Daddy's trombone...

Like mommy....


Emery and Uncle Steve...a favorite!

You are special to our family Uncle Steve!!!


Ivy loves to read....precious!


Here are some fun pics of the girls that I have taken recently. We have been having lots of fun at home because they have been sick with a persistent cough. The Lord has been so gracious during this time as it seems lots of people have had sickness. I do have my continual list of thanksgiving going on but I will add it another day when I haven't been uploading pics for an hour!

Season of Thanksgiving

The List continues as we enter this season of fall and Thanksgiving and the holidays I am feeling thankful...
26. For the gift of faith that comes when believing for the impossible
27.For struggles that make believing the impossible a necessity!
28.For marriage and the boundaries God desires for it
29. You change our lives when we seek your face
30. Encounters...
31. haircuts
32. girls that are willing to stand in line at a resale event and laugh about it!
33. for the wisdom and insight you give
34. your presence in our family
35. talks that reveal our hearts...our hopes
36. your higher ways
37. friends who are home on Mondays
38. playing outside
39. parks
40. 517 Allen Drive

Abundance

More gratitude...
8. my family
9. our parents marraiges: mine have been married for almost 40 years and Andy's parents have been married 50+ years! What a legacy!
10. sisters-our past and future
11. the rainy days of last week that caused me to stay home
12. pruning
13.Jesus, the Gardener
14. Girl's at "Getting Real" blessing my soul like a drink of water
15. for Adrianne
16. Christ-sisters
17. that you O God are most glorified in me when I am most satisified in you
18. Andy's job-God's provision
19. Gods' ABUNDANT provision!
20. 2 Healthy daughters ( I am declaring this by faith!)
21. for our Saturday picnic with Daddy
22. Mi Chula's (Emery)
23. pumpkins in our pumpkin jar (Emery and Ivy)
24. Andy got the miata work done
25. for Uncle Steve's really nice tools that made all the difference!

Reality

As I got into bed last night I told Andy about our gratitude commitment and he said "that is 30 things a day!" Oh my! We laughed and laughed as we thought about how realistic it was to do that. Although we could agree that it could be done! So, I am going to change my goal and maybe by Valentine's Day is a better finish line. I am up to the challenge!
I have already thought of several: (these are the obvious and we will just get them out of the way!)
1. Jesus...I could really elaborate on this one but He is what keeps me going!
2. Andy, my dear husband. He is a man who sees and savors Jesus and wants nothing more than to be like him. I love who I am when I am with him and I love who he makes me want to be!

3. Emery Suzanne, my first miracle and promise from God. You are truly a joy to my heart. Your life gives Glory to Him and you bring smiles on faces and I pray you do all of your days

5. Ivy Clare, my second miracle. Your life has changed our life and you add happiness to our family as your precious smile lights up the room. You are love and you keep lovin' on your Mama.

6. Miracles...I do believe

Okay...that is enough for today as I am overwhelmed and am having a hard time typing through the tears. I know being thankful is good, but if you wanna feel good and get in the presence of God start writiing it down and join the gratitude community (www.aholyexperience.com). Now I am going to have to go and worship Jesus to thank Him for this!

7. (from Emery)"I am thankful that Jack didn't run away in the rain. (he gets scared when it rains sometimes)

Gratitude

"Mommy, I am thankful for you! Mommy, I am thankful for noodles! I am thankful for Ivy! I am thankful!"
I have been reading a blog for some time now and the writer has a community of gratitude. I love that. I think Jesus looked for this in His community. He still does. He wants us to be thankful.
As I battle my wandering heart at time that searches for "the next thing," I see the need to look at what I have and give thanks! I ask Emery and Ivy daily what they are thankful for and many times it is silly 3-year old answers. A heart of gratitude is a great gift even if it is for the mundane.
So, I am joining the community of gratitude and the Hull's will be working on their multitude of thanks including 1000 things to be thankful for by Thanksgiving! In all things give thanks!

Our Ocean City vacation

This was our view from the condo

After our trip to Salisbury we headed to the Eastern shore of Maryland: Ocean City. We had a condo for the week. The condo looked right out onto the Atlantic Ocean. It just couldn't have been any better. Our highlights from the vacation included: playing in the sand, Emery getting a big sand shovel, (that is all she needed!), Mommy finding sea shells for the girls, digging for sand crabs (Ivy loved them...E not so much!), meeting sweet friends from Pittsburgh that we played with everyday: Ella, Gracie and Anna (they were such fun), Ivy and Daddy crashing in the waves, (Daddy got a black eye to show!), playing in the pool, eating seafood and just being together as a family.
We had a wonderful time. The girls are great little travelers and we learned so much about them. Emery tried to grasp the concept of being in Maryland and then being in Texas again. She was really glad to be home. The day after we got home she got up and said, "Mommy, thank you for bringing me back to my home!"

Leanne and Jeremy's wedding

Well, we went to Salisbury, MD for a wedding some dear friends of ours: Jeremy and Leanne. They are very special to the Hull family, and we consider them a part of our family. Leanne started out as a friend from our church and then we asked her to babysit. Very quickly, we considered her part of our family And of course, she loved Jeremy and so do we!
There was a question whether or not Emery would actually do well in her flower girl role and when it came to the "hour" she performed! She had a great time as the flower girl and we all had a great time at the beautiful wedding of our friends. Congratulations J&L. We had so much fun on your special day, and you are sincerely missed!

hafta share these cuties...

They are really as sweet as they look! Hallelujah....God gives better than we could ever ask or imagine!

More summer fun!

Well, it is official! Ivy is one! I can't believe it. It has been another year full of blessings! It has also almost been a year since I started this blog. I thought I would post a pic to compare all of the growth! We give all the glory to Jesus..He is our King and the one who has so graciously provided and blessed us with a beautiful home, family and friends!
Ivy is full of life! She is saying several words and signs the rest. She smiles at everyone and has never met a stranger. She is officially signed up for swim lessons, and has lots of fun in the pool already! We cannot imagine life with out her!
Emery is doing great. She is looking forward to being in a wedding on August 1. That will definitely be a highlight of her year! She gets to wear a beautiful dress and she is really warming up to the idea. We will definitely post some pictures of her in her flower girl dress! More to come!

yeah! I love my new slide!


watching Praise Baby...precious sisters


making our famous cookies

POOL TIME!

Just like Daddy...

Emery had everybody wearing "bowties" this morning

Ivy-10months

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Emery loves, loves birthdays!

As some of you know, Emery loves her daddy! What is greater than seeing them together! Emery loves dressing up. I think that this is pretty common among 3 year old girls. As many of you also know...Emery loves "boy" things. She used to tell me she was a boy and wanted to be a boy. It used to drive this lip gloss, hairspray lovin', can't get enough clothes in my closet girlie girl CRAZY! But, then one day Emery told me the reason she wants to be a boy is so she can be like Daddy. My heart melted, and I began repenting right away. Immediately, I thought, "How easy it will be to explain THE Father's love." We all want to be like our Heavenly Daddy. He wants to spend time and love on us just like Andy does with Emery. I pray every night that she would answer the call that God has on her life. I pray that she would treasure Jesus, just like she treasures Andy. When it does grate on this hair bow lovin' mama and when I wish she would just wear that stinkin' dress, the Lord whispers...she's got her Father's eyes! (I am ballin' thinking about it! God you KNOW!)
This morning she was singing..."O-sanna, o-sanna, o-sana, in the highest praise!" and I repeat, Hosanna in the highest!

summer is near...

Emery went for her first swim of the season on Mother's Day. Yes, our pool was freezing, but she did not care! She had a great time and has gone swimming with her friends! BRRRRR!
Ivy is enjoying the wonderful berries (and chocolate)that we have been getting at Costco. We had such a great time with her tonight enjoying the strawberries and chocolate for dessert. I think it was her first time to have chocolate like that! YUM!

God is Good

I know, I know, time flies. As we get older, time flies! EveryONE says this! It really is true. I want it to slow down. I want to enjoy each day. Each smile. Each book we read together. Every morning snuggle. All the sippy cups, spills, messy mouths to wipe, hair to brush. Naps...love those naps. Love the happy face I see when I get you up from your nap. Brushing teeth, changing diapers, more smiles and laughs. I never want to forget being the one who cares and who offers a kiss for a sweet little scratch. Oh! Those are such a big deal! We look at the moon together. We can't wait for Daddy to come home. We make cookies together, we eat lots of cookie dough. We laugh together, we worship Jesus together (that is SO sweet!) I am so thankful that we are family. God you are so good.

The Great Wolf

This was Emery on the way to her 2nd Great Wolf Lodge Experience. It was even more fun than the first because Ivy was with us. This mama forgot to take any more pics to document the fact that she was actually there. I guess we will just have to go again. Yes, the goggles are a serious accessory around our house. They are right up there with the beloved ball caps!

Easter 2009

Today we were sitting at McDonalds with some precious friends (yes we do take them to THAT place!) and our little friend was reciting his memory verses. He is a very articulate little guy and he and Emery have become great friends. I didn't say anything to Emery about the verses that we have been memorizing because it had been awhile since we had reviewed our current verse. We continued to eat our lunch and then Emery looked up and said, "Chang! (that is what she calls our friends mom)my verse is "He is not in the grave! He is alive!" It was a sweet moment for this mommy as I had reviewed our Easter season and thought to myself, "Did we tell her enough? Does she get it?" But it is not the fact that she just understands Easter. We celebrate Easter each day we live. The special music at our church had a line in the song about "death is conquered today" and in my mind I heard, "and today, and today...everyday!" We are to live victoriously because the Victor lives. Our children should see us walk in the victory that He freely gives because what He did on Easter. I pray that Emery and Ivy would walk victoriously in the Freedom that Jesus gives us and wants nothing more for us to have.

Birthday Party

Tonight we celebrated Emery's 3rd birthday. It was a great time! The party was at the Tree House at the Church at the Cross. There was an indoor playground where all the kids played. The highlight was a show by Professor Brainius where the children got to pop bubbles, wear balloon hats, and make slime! We were so blessed by all the families represented and are thankful for the role you have had in our lives!

Dress up

Emery loves watching her cousin and her sister dress up like pretty princesses. Her? She would rather be the rock star cowboy! We had fun today with Lily and Ivy dancing and praising in our dress up garb!

Another year older....

Emery's birthday is coming up and we are really seeing changes in her little life. We can't believe she is almost 3! Praise be to our Gracious Father and Giver of all good things. Our life is blessed in having both of our girls and we just are so thankful for their little lives.
As I think about the time I have had with her and with Ivy, I just stand amazed at what a privelage it is to take care of the Lord's children! They grow so fast!
Emery is fully potty trained, all day and night! She has jobs each morning and does them with a happy heart. She has several bible verses memorized and loves going to class. (we go to Saturday night church...is that still Sunday school?) She prays for her hurts and for everyone else. (Stone, she prays for you to get better so you guys can play!) She knows where venus is and looks for Orion's belt in the sky. Looking at the moon is a highlight of her day! Andy and Emery play catch with a ball when he gets home. She loves Ivy and takes care of her. Emery is still in swim lessons and is very excited to swim in our pool! She is a delight and we pray that she will love Jesus and answer His call on her life!
Ivy is growing too...she is officially crawling and pulling up! She loves to eat and is just so happy! She is peaceful and joyful just as I pray! Ivy has been bouncing to music (especially the "ABC's") and clapping which is so much fun! I just can't believe how big she is! Ivy is full of life and love and her eyes sparkle and I believe that she will be love to the people she meets.
Andy and I are great. We are ready to begin the next thing in our service to the Lord. We just recently finished all the classes at Gateway (our church)and are excited to see where the Lord will lead us. We want to hear, believe and obey all that He has for us!

Ivy...(for Aunt Julie)

Well, Ivy is 7 months old and just as precious as can be! She is so happy and shows it! (at 6mos a smile was hard to come by!) She has 2 teeth and can crawl! Her world (and ours) is really changing! She loves saying, "ga ga, and da, da" (Andy is so proud!) Although it looks like she has no hair, she has quite thick hair. It is just platinum blonde! We love our little boo. (that is her nickname)