God is so faithful

Okay, so many of you know that I am officially a stay at home mommy now, but some of you do not know how long I have wanted this. When Cody and I first got married he and I were both in school and we did fine, but when we had Noah, and I graduated from college we knew that my job would pay more than any job that he could get at that time, so i went to work full time when Noah was about 6 1/2 months old. This was SO hard for me and I cannot tell you how many times I cried and cried because of it. I felt so guilty for not staying home and not only that, but I wanted to be home. So, eventually when I realized I would not be able to stay at home and kind of "let it go" with Cody I became very hard hearted because of it. I had to "pretend" like I wanted to work, even though I didn't but had to. This creates all kinds of turmoil inside. So, I prayed for 2 years that God would allo me to stay at home and to make a long story (2 years worth) short, I am now staying at home with my boys. God is very faithful to provide. I need to look back at this in 6 or 7 months when we are REALLY broke and remember that I wanted this more than a lot of clothes, jewelery (which I love), a new house, etc...
My relationship with God, my husband, and my beautiful children is more vibrant, real, and exciting. If you have been praying about something and haven't seen God work, don't give up. God will provide. It might not be in the way you want (like us living in a small apartment), but he will provide. The one thing I wish I would have changed is my level of Faith through it all. I had many times when I would get upset with God and with my husband, and other people because I couldn't stay home. I should have just believed that God would allow what he wants me to do come to pass (which is so biblical.).
What if Noah had given up and said that God would never stop the rain(we have felt like that lately, so we think)? What if Simeon or Anna would have given up. They waited their WHOLE lives to see their savior and only got to see him as a baby. The faith of these is so great, I cannot fathom it. I love that song (it's older) "I want a faith like that". It's not impossible for us to have that kind of faith, but it is a choice, God will not force it. In the end, the end the rewards will be great.
Have a Blessed Day!
Jamie

Catching Up

Okay, so it's been a long time and I have a lot of catching up to do. So here are a few of the Easter Pictures and everything else from that "general time frame"


Pop and Eli









Noah and Bear having breakfast. I love this picture! It truly breaks my heart!






Trey and Noah at Petit Jean
Every picture we took of Noah that day, that "cheese" smile is the one we got!




Noah and Elijah on the Night before Easter in their matching "pjs". So adorable and rotten!







Makena is Eli's "babysitter". She loves to help and she can really, honestly hold babies very well. She'll make a great mom some day!













The Mungers
Carlie was not a happy camper in this picture, I wonder how those teen years will be Beth!

Pop and Trey were playing football and Noah, he was playing in the "mud" in the hole in our yard.

I love this picture in Sepia toned! It shows Carlie's adorable face and Noah enjoying Carlie playing with him!

Here is my beautiful Elijah. He is so sweet, and growing up too fast on me!!! I cannot believe he will be 7 months old soon. That means more than half of his first year is over.

I love this baby so much!!!! I cannot imagine my life without his beautiful personality. God has truly blessed me.

Birthday Party!!

Okay, so this is the Birthday boy, learning how to open gifts. Believe it or not, he did not know what to do. I cannot believe he is two years old. God is so good and has blessed us with wonderful boys! I cannot wait to see Who Noah turns out to be years from now.

This is how it was set up. Noah was in heaven with all of the bwoons. yes, I spelled it right, according to Noah's dictionary anyway.

These were just a few of the kids there....they had a wonderfl time. I don't think Noah knew or understood what was going on. He is such a big boy now!

Pictures of his adorable cake, and set up that Nanny decorated...she is so crafty!

Noah had his birthday party Saturday at Bethel...wow,I cannot believe he is 2 years old! It just seems like yesterday he was born.

This is him when he was about 4 months old. It's truly amazing how much he & Eli look alike. I'm putting pictures up for his birthday tomorrow!

Flu...be gone

Two boys in hats....Noah's is a little small, but he likes to be just like daddy! What a wonderful life!

Noah loves every tuesday night when the Teens come over for Bible Study because it's like he has new friends! This is him rolling his tractor over Kayla's back....

My two cuties!

Okay, here's the story, Eli is a little spoiled and likes to be constantly walked, bounced, etc. Well, my back was hurting and Cody was tired of walking him so we decided to put a blanket and pillow and see if he liked it...well, you see how it worked out :) Sometimes, you'll do whatever it takes.

Well, here it is one day before valentine's day and we don't even care, yep, I said it! We DON'T CARE! We have had a tough week around our house. I am so thankful for my parents for helping out with the boys this week when they did. It all started last Wednesday early in the morning when Noah had a "viral" infection the pediatric doctor in Conway called it, then Early Sunday morning I got the "viral" aka "flu" and couldn't move, bend, cough, or wiggle my pinky toe. Then, Eli had gone to my parent's house to keep him away from the "flu" and he caught it. It has been Horrible watching my 2 beautiful, precious children get so sick.
It honestly reminds me of how God must feel when we get sick. The only difference being of course that he can change it and we can't. If you haven't watched Fireproof yet, I encourage you to get it and watch it. Not only does it remind you of how to treat your spouse, but for me, It really hits home that I can only love God...because he "first loved me". It was him that chose me, and I did not, have not, and do not always choose him. Sometimes I treat him like a date rather than a mate. Most of the time I have "flings" with him but am not really "courting him". There are so many other analogies, but I'll save them for another date. (ha). God is so good to us. A really great verse I read this week while I was sick in bed is "Humble yourselves before God's MiGHTY HAND that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Thank God, he is so powerful, and he has more power than Satan, but many times we put him in a box to bring out when we "need" something. Cody has this quote on the church sign right now, "God wants full custody, not just weekend visits."

Boys

Nanny, here's your picture...or in the words of Noah...Hee-ah. He is a very happy little boy! Today was my day off...It was lots of fun. We went to Russellville to Stoby's and he got to see Trains. Eli enjoyed getting out today as well. I think it did us all some good.

Noah at Stoby's today. He enjoyed it so much because it was a train. THere was also a model train at the top of the wall...if you look closely you can see it. Also, he got to make it whistle. He absolutely adored that part of it..."choo choo" THat's his favorite thing to say now. He has also decided he wants trains for his 2nd Birthday party coming up in February...I can't believe he's that old already.

Cody looking like he was pulling his hair out. He is such a good dad to our boys. I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Cody and our adorable toddler duck. He was all smiles for this one...we'll for all of them!

Noah kept telling Cody to "sit" up Hee-ah. They are so cute together...they just both happened to be wearing Green. It turned out really adorable.

My two adorable baby boys. Cody and I walked into the living room this morning and there they were. Noah pulled his chair up to Eli's Bumbo. He is such a good big brother.

My Boys

Cody and Noah getting ready for church. I love these boys so much. THese are Noah's new Robeez Tredz. He likes them because they are soft! Cody likes them because we'll have 2 boys that can wear them!

Eli during tummy time. He really hates it unless you get down there with him!

This is noah mowing the carpet in his rain boots aunt becky got him. I can't wait to show him this in a few years :)

Hey, I am trying to blog more. We had a fun week this week. I was off work Monday because I was feeling bad and then I went to work Tuesday and Wednesday, but was off on THursday for the holiday. Cody's parents came up on Wednesday to keep the kids while Cody and I did the lock in for the kids at church. It was fun. We had a great time visiting with Cody's parents. My parents came up on Friday and visited. Noah absolutely loved being able to see them all within a short period of time. I started on call this thursday and will be on till next thursday, but thank the Lord it is for Conway County and Not POPE county. (It's way too busy!) Here are some recent pictures of the boys.

Merry Christmas 08

What a busy time it has been. We hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas...

Here are just a few of the pictures we took over Christmas this year.

Noah all excited about his kitchen set

Eli in his new bumbo!

Noah and Daisy...how cute!

Austin, Eli, and Makena at Nanny's party

Eli Smiling in his new outfit! Banana Bandit...how cute!

Noah riding his new toy!

Noah waiting patiently

Nanny holding Eli

Me and Eli and Jill and Hadlee..baby's 1st Christmas!

Aunt Beth and Eli

Merry Christmas! WE have been so busy...I haven't had much time to write. I started back to work on Dec. 1st and it has been very hectic at the church with programs and parties....lots of them.