Levi turned three on October 26!

Please Be Patient, God isn't finished with me yet!

I had a bumper sticker on my first car that read "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet!". I thought it was cute and a basic statement of faith. A few years down the road, I was at NNU sitting in chapel when our chaplain preached a sermon about that very bumper sticker on my car. I admit, the reason I probably remember this so well is because it aroused a lot of emotion in me. I was hurt. I had thought it was cute and he was telling us how it was a wrong principle to live by. Now, I realize how right he was. (And yes, I have gotten over my silly bout of hurt.) You see, he was trying to tell me that I can't live my life waiting on God to make me a better person or do something great with me...especially if I am being difficult and stubborn. I have to constantly seek Him and his desire for me. I have to grow in my walk with Him. God isn't finished with me yet, but that day will not be until I enter eternity. It is not everyone around that needs to be patient, but rather myself. I need to be patient with myself as I allow God to mold me into who He wants me to be. When I look back at who I was in college, I am so thankful that God did not stop there. I was selfish and stagnant. I didn't know what it meant to truly walk and depend on Christ. I was proud. I thought I had it all figured out. I didn't understand why I needed to read God's Word each day. If I read my Bible, it was to cross it off my list of "Things good people do". I had the opportunity to hear God's Word shared with me on many accounts each week, yet chapel was often a time to catch up on reading or daydreaming. I am so thankful that God kept working on my heart. I definitely do not have it all figured out, but with God in the lead I do not need to worry, just follow. Lately I have felt very lonely. Yet, through it, God has reminded me that He is right there with me. He has me where He wants me to be. I wish I could go to chapel several times a week...a wonder what they would think if I showed up with 6 kids in tow?

Trying again

I have decided to get back into writing. Life has changed so much lately that I am not even sure where to begin. This past summer we were given the wonderful opportunity to move into a much larger home. We had been at our previous home for 11 years. With 6 children and hopes for more, it has been such a blessing to have so much more room! I love it here! This month my baby turns a year old. So hard to believe. He has bright red hair and big blue eyes. OH, he melts my heart. Garrett is becoming very 2ish...his favorite phrase is "I do it myself!" He has so quickly transformed from a toddler to a little boy. Hallie will be 4 soon, and boy has it been a joy! She is slowly coming out of her difficult stage and becoming a fun little girl! She is doing so well that I don't make her nap much anymore because it helps her to fall asleep faster at night. (She used to really struggle falling asleep...wouldn't lie still for a moment!) Makenna is 5 going on 13...or at least she thinks so. She wants to be big so bad. She and Hallie have recently started gymnastics and are loving it! Brenden and Katelyn are both growing up very quickly. They are a huge help to me. My oldest three are doing well in their schoolwork, and they all participate in quizzing at church. Josh is keeping busy at work and the church. He loves being a youth pastor, and we are both so thankful for our church family. Well, there is an update. Next time I will add pictures!

She is 3 now!

My 4th little one is now 3. She was my most difficult pregnancy, hardest delivery, and one of my greatest challenges as a parent...but I wouldn't trade her for anything! She is funny, smart, cuddly, sweet, and absolutely adorable. Hallie, I love you so much. I know that God has amazing plans for your life. You are a blessing!

Levi Mark Potter

On October 26th our 6th blessing was born. He was 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. He has red hair like his daddy. He is a good baby. He nursed great from the beginning. In the first few weeks he slept much better in the day than at night, but now he is doing better. He tends to be awake and a little fussing in the late evening, but I just rock him till he falls asleep...and I don't mind that a bit! During the day I sometimes have to wake him every 2 hours to eat, but at night he will usually wake after about 3 or 4 hours. It is hard to believe that he turned a month old yesterday. He fits right into our family. Our other children adore him and often want to hold him...especially Katelyn and Makenna. He is definitely a blessing from the Lord!

Behind...

I do not know why I have fallen behind in my blogging. I write many in my head but never seem to have the time to sit down and put them on the computer. I am sure there are many of us out there with that same excuse. :) We are finishing our 8th week of school this week. School is going well. I have changed a lot of things for Brenden, which has greatly improved his attitude. He is so smart, yet would rather play. He is an all hands-on boy. I have set up my own system of workboxes, yet the activities are in large ziplock bags to save space. Though this takes more time than tearing out the next worksheet, it is really better for him. It is also forcing me to get my creative juices flowing...and use those many games and activities that we all buy, but seem to collect dust in the closet because they are extra...and who has time for extra? It has been a really good fit for us. I have about 7 weeks left until I can hold my new bundle of joy. I am getting very excited, but have a lot that I would like to have done before he arrives. We are still trying to get out and walk each morning (with kids riding their bikes), but I am getting slower and it is now taking us about 45 minutes. The weather has been wonderful though. I will miss this time when it gets colder. It is a wonderful time to enjoy God's beauty and spend some time in prayer...not to mention talking to my constantly chattering 2 year old. Speaking of her, God gave me an interesting perspective today. She is so busy and wanting so badly to be big and independent. It is so easy for me to become discouraged by her constant need for intervention or correction. I had a thought today about her arrival. She was our first blessing after giving God complete control of our family size. She was also my hardest delivery. I thought to myself...after all I went through, you would think she would be my easiest, not my hardest. Then God intervened my thoughts...she is only 2 years old and you are already developing an attitude for her life. I was then reminded that I was a very difficult and strong willed 2 year old...just like her. It is just a small phase of her life. God has many great plans for her, and He can and will use her determination for His glory! It gave me a peace about her life and a new determination to not give up on my training. God will give me the strength and energy to continue guiding and raising her. Thank you Lord for that moment of realization...I needed it...even if it was in the bathroom at the Dr. office where she was sure she needed to potty in a cup as well! Oh, Hallie, I love you! (Don't worry, I distracted her with washing her hands!)

Where does the time go?

Ten years ago Josh and I took a step of faith and bought our first home. We had the privalege of building. It was a lot of fun to choose all the different accents. It is hard to believe that we have lived here this long. We bought this house coming from a itty bitty apartment. This house seemed huge at the time. We did not have enough stuff to fill it. Now...well, after almost 6 children later, we are overflowing it. Hopefully soon we can find a bigger place. This last weekend the air conditioner stopped working. It was a very hot couple of days. Even the butter on the counter melted. During that heat, I tried to do very little, but I spent a lot of time thinking. I realized that this was the first time our air conditioner had gone out...in 10 years! What a blessing! I also started to think about how well other things have held up. We replaced the lighter on the heater once, replaced the dishwasher, replaced the kitchen sink faucet, changed many light bulbs, and are working this summer to replace the weed barrier outside in the flower beds. I was pretty impressed how long things were lasting. This house has truly been a blessing from God. I am so thankful for all the years it has given us.