March is here..updates!

Ivy is "icing" her cupcake-it was our family night "activity" (don't try it)

Emery iced her cupcakes and overturned a couple on the floor...fun for her (not so much for this mama who had to clean!)

Cutie Cowgirls-there is always an adventure on Rosecliff Terrace

Well, since I haven't been very good at posting here is a big FAT one! My laptop computer is about to retire (as soon as I get everything I need off of it) and I am having to use a desk top-OH NO! It is just not as convenient I must say and so hopefully (amongst all the other changes) we will be getting a new, portable computer!

Anyway, I will post some really cute pics of my cuties and then stay tuned....another cutie is on his way! (note the BLUE blog)

Emery-she is 4 1/2 and almost 5. She is into cowboy boots and dress up-not princess though! She loves safari dress up, police officer dress up and we have been most places in her cape! Oh yes. She has quite the imagination and is a true delight. We are watching her grow right in front of us! She loves her Pre-K class at Sonshine Academy and will be attending Kindergarten there next year. I had to bite my lip at the Kinder informational meeting because I was holding back the tears! She is ready as she is starting to read and has 2 LOOSE TEETH! (We try not to wiggle them because Andy and I are still in denial!) Emery also is showing maturity by trying to be polite to strangers and come out of her box when people speak with her. She reminds us when, "she was not shy!" She also enjoys riding her new bike to the park and the duck pond. She is our girl of adventure!
Emery and Ivy are great friends and play so well together. They recently got bunk beds for their room so that has been a great thing as well. She is a great big sister and an immense help! She is anticipating the arrival of Owen!

Ivy-2 1/2 and a joy! She is hillarious and so much fun. Her name means love and we just are always hearing her tell us that she loves us. She says it all the time and it is one of the sweetest things! She is an amazing swimmer and enjoys swim lessons with her friend, Kara. I can't wait to see her swim in our pool this summer! She is often found in her Rapunzel dress and loves to ask Andy if she is pretty! She is a true princess in every way. When I do her hair there is always a request for a bow and usually her outfit shines with her Cinderella shoes! Anything sparkly is IVY!
I am not sure if she knows what is about to hit with the coming of a new baby, but her tenderness will be appreciated and I know she will rise to the occasion and be a big help!

Owen is due in 26 days and I am finally feeling ready! We got a crib last Sunday (Andy broke ours in our move and we finally decided to declare it a loss) and so that has kicked in my nesting instincts! Owen's room is mostly ready. I didn't realize it would take me months and numerous trips to Good Will and friends houses to get rid of all the pink I own! Wow! I will post a pick of the nursery once it is finished.

I have read several books since the beginning of the year and the one I am enjoying now is One Thousand Gifts. Read it. It will change your life. It is a book on gratitude and how it changes your life. So, my focus is on thanksgiving as I enter this new season. Wanting to see miracles? Thanksgiving. Wanting to not fear? Thanksgiving. Wanting to know Jesus? Thanksgiving. Joy? Thanks. It is so true and so I continue to read and continue to give thanks to my Savior. I am so blessed.

Enjoy the pics...they are just a glimpse of what we truly experience-the joy in our house!

Old news....

My life since July(since I last posted)
1. My computer is on the skitz. (can't really say it is fixed since I took it on a scrapbooking weekend and still haven't been able to scrapbook anything on it!)
2. My communication has been marginal since my computer has been on the skitz...however, I am getting very familiar with (and hate to admit that I like) my mac!
3. My picture taking has been extremely lame since I am not easily downloading and all the other great things that go with that!
4. I watch a lot more fox news these days since I am not on the internet!
5. We are having a boy!
6. His name will be Owen Jackson (after Stonewall)....aka Mighty Owen believing he will be a Mighty Man of God
7. I have had some complications in my pregancy and have been on restriction but we are believing everything will resolve. (our doctor has already seen improvement and is hopeful)
8.I absolutely love my husband, Andy! He is with our girls this weekend as I am away on a all girls retreat! He worked so hard to help me get my computer back!
9. Emery is doing great in Pre-K. Her teachers say she is a "take charge" kinda girl! We are really seeing her heart respond to the Holy Spirit's lead.
10. Ivy is such a delight. She is so joyful. Today she told me that she, "loved me more than hot chocolate!" (that was on the phone before she kissed it!)
11. Even in this challenging season of my pregnancy I am so blessed in the faithfulness and the sweetness of our King.

God is Faithful

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."
Psalm 115:1

I stumbled on this verse early in the summer as I found it in my bible because the name "Emery" was written by it. The word "glory" was given to me for her, and then I kept reading about love which was the word for Ivy and then I came to faithful and I knew that was for the other longing I had in my heart. "NO! I don't want to go there Lord! I have already believed and believed and it is exhausting in every way." I continued to complain, "What if I get let down?"
June 18 came and we were at a graduation party for a friend and Andy and I enjoyed speaking to a guy named Ron. He was scratchin' us where we were itchin' as we talked about the kingdom of God and loving people. He continued to bless us and pray for us like he had known us forever. asked us about more children. I quickly told him our story and he encouraged us by praying for us that we would have another! We got in the car and I looked at Andy and said, "I don't know if I wanna receive that word!" We both chuckled and went on our way.
Andy took a trip to Israel through work and I had lots of plans while he was gone. About the 3rd day he was gone, I was really struggling and even asked Andy to pray for me as I wasn't sure what was wrong! I ended up taking a pregnancy test to confirm how crazy I was and it was positive! Nine years of marraige and never a positive pregnancy test. I called Andy immediately as it was 6am Israeli time and told him. I have been in shock ever since. God is faithful. Baby Hull is due late March.
Saturday night we sang the song by Christi Nockels, Healing is in your Hand, and I just balled. God has been doing a healing work in my life this entire year. I have found myself on my knees in repentance more than ever. It is only His grace. I have seen relationships restored and I pray that Jesus is in my life more than ever. I believe that God is our healer and He wants us to live completely healed lives. This baby is just a piece of how much the Healer loves me and my family. God is faithful. This baby is living proof. So the Hull's say, "Not to us, O Lord, but to your NAME be all the glory because of your love and faithfulness! Amen, and amen

Washington DC

Andy was assigned a trip to Washington DC through work, so the girls and I decided to tag along. It was a great trip. We stayed one block off the mall and so we did a lot of walking and the girls rode in the stroller. They were such troopers. The weather was beautiful until the heat hit on the last day, but for Texans it was hardly "heat!"
Some highlights of our trip were visiting the Smithsonian Museums, a planetarium show, rides on the metro and the carousel. We had several pretzels from the street vendors. Emery loved pressing the elevator buttons in the hotel! We visited the National Aquarium. (this was a major let down for Mommy...I didn't think it was good at ALL!) We saw a Parade at the Marine Barracks and Emery stirred up the courage to shake hands with some "brave men." We enjoyed the fresh fruit from the Eastern Market. (that is the only place we had fresh food the whole week!) We went up to the 550th story of the Washington "Momument" (as Emery would say). It was a wonderful visit. We are glad to be home.

American Girl Lunch

One of the things I enjoy most is reading to my girls. I truly believe that the love of reading is a gift. Although, I don't know if I have this gift, but Andy does and I want it! I see the benefits and we are working on loving reading together!
Emery and I read one of the series from the American Girl books: Felicity. It is a fiction series with history throughout. I wasn't sure if she would enjoy it, but she did. Once I realized she was enjoying it we made a deal that when we read all of the books in the series (6 total), that we would visit the American Girl store in Dallas! Wow! That was a great time. We had lunch and enjoyed visiting with all the different dolls. I highly recommend the books and the visit to the store!

Happenings at 2801 Rosecliff

Well, we have been at our new house for almost 3 months. We have successfully unloaded most of our stuff, got new counter tops throughout the house and we have transplanted several plants in our yard, planted a garden, and I am working on taking down wall paper in the girls bathroom. We are in a new season! It has been a really fun adventure! We only have thanks in our hearts for the good gifts of our Father.
As you can see in the slide show we have lots of new friends at our house...critters. I would hardly call them friends!

Gratitude

Here I am again as I am pointed back to my message of Gratitude. I was listening to a sermon this morning as part of my time with Jesus, and the pastor talked about the Holy Spirit as a person. He referred to I Thes. 5:18-19 "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. And do not quench the Spirit." (I didn't include the verses before and after. I just wanted to include the "jist of what I am speaking to)
When I edify my Father with thankfulness I am entering into the presence of the Holy Spirit with the right attitude. I am welcoming Him to come along side of me and to work in me. The Holy Spirit's purpose is to glorify Jesus. Jesus, my Father wants nothing more for me to be thankful. I think that I often do not acknowledge the Spirit as a person. He deserves my respect and I want nothing more for His guidance during my day. So, back to my ongoing list of gratitude I go as I desire more of the presence of God in my life!
100.I am thankful for the revelation of who the Holy Spirit is!
101. for the presence of God the Spirit brings
102. for the guidance and wisdom the Holy Spirit gives
103. for our new house and provision
104. for healing Emery of her stomach bug
105. kids that sleep late...more time with Jesus!
106. a kind husband
107. sweet, sweet friendships
108. the delight I have in my children
109. our church
110. you have given me your Word as a guide
111. that you speak to my heart and know it
112. your loving ways
113. that you draw me close to you
114. you won't ever leave me
115. that you sent your Holy Spirit so I could know you better
116. that your Holy Spirit is MY Holy Spirit!
117. that you desire for me to live set apart
118. that your blood is the only way for me to live set apart
119. Emery and Ivy have met some sweet girls down the street....YAY!
120. the absolute waterfall of blessings you pour out on my family
I want to live my life to the Glory of God!
If you wanna listen to some great sermons....(I mean really great!)
www.antiochcc.net
I listened to the Holy spirit one this morning, but he is going through a series called Rock Solid that will rock your world and bless you at the same time.
Erin