A Sign of His Goodness

Several years ago I read a verse in Psalms that I tucked into my heart to pray when I'm feeling discouraged or just need to see God in the details. Psalm 86:17 says, "Show me a sign of Your goodness; my enemies will see and be put to shame because You, Lord, have helped and comforted me."

Show me a sign of Your goodness. 

A simple prayer with a lot of power. I believe God's fingerprints are all over a believers life. I also believe He wants us to pray Scripture back to Him.

This weekend was the Hope Mommies winter retreat. I hope you were able to go if you are a Hope Mom! It's truly an amazing time. I thought about all of my sweet friends there often the past few days. I wasn't planning to go this year because I thought we would have a baby girl. When that didn't happen it still didn't feel quite right, but I know I'll go again. ; )

A sign of God's goodness came when two friends released balloons in Reese's honor since I couldn't be there.

So special. It meant a lot when they sent me these pictures!

Look, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27

Ice Skating & Snow

Hello, February! 

This weekend I took the boys to an ice skating party. This was our 5th birthday party this month!

Sweet boys

This was definitely an experience (like roller skating). These two cuties hung on my arms making me laugh. I'm proud of them for trying so many new things.

It snowed around 6 inches yesterday so this meant no school and making snowmen today! Jason was more excited than the boys.

This picture makes me laugh because it's classic Colson. Just happy to hang out. He's never in a rush.

Zach made his own little snowman, too. ; )

I'm so thankful for Jason and our boys. Even though winter isn't my favorite time of year, these not-so-normal days have been blessings in disguise!

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

A New Week

It's Monday! I started writing this post Friday and here I am. Our life is pretty low key right now so there's no excuse. ; )

1. Zach started back playing tennis. We took a few months off so he's happy to be back! It's fun watching your kids succeed at something they love isn't it?

2. Both boys have decided they want to play spring soccer. Bring it.

3. I'm thinking about the Team Reese t-shirt for the Race to Remember in June. Pink!

4. I'm so thankful for the sunshine. If it has to be cold then at least it's sunny!

5. The boys went to a skating party this weekend. It started off badly. I honestly didn't know how I was going to make it with both boys hanging on me and falling every second.

We snagged a few of these awesome pvc pipe "skaters" and never looked back! They had so much fun.

6. We are starting to plan summer vacations, camps and trips. I love having things to look forward to!

The boys are growing up way too quickly, and I'm so blessed to be their mom!

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Psalm 96:6

Homemade Bread Recipe

A few of ya'll have asked about my homemade bread recipe. It's actually my mom's, and I'm happy to share!

2 c. milk
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. Crisco
2 pkg. yeast into 1/4 c. lukewarm water

Heat enough to melt shortening. Pour into crock and add 2 cups cold water. When lukewarm, pour in yeast mixture and add enough flour (around 6 cups) to make batter. Let rise (45 to 60 minutes).

Add to first mixture:

5 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Combine and add a little flour (1/2 cup). Stir well and add enough flour (1 to 2 cups) to make stiff dough. Put a couple of large mixing spoonfuls in each greased pan. Let rise (approx. 25 minutes). 

Brush with melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn down to 300 and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes 3 to 4 loaves.

Let me know if you have any questions!

...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:11

What a Week

Hello! We've been sick at our house this past week. Both Jason and Zach got the flu and I had bronchitis. I've decided I'll never reach an age where I don't want my mom. Ha!

Thankfully Colson stayed healthy and we all are feeling MUCH better!

Homemade bread was really the only thing that sounded good to me. I made six loaves! Ha. I did give a few away. ; )
We kept Zach home for two days, had one ice/snow day, and a late start day, so it was a short school week for him.

Everything is a competition between these two.

Back at school and healthy!

Zach is going to give swim team a try this week so I took the boys a few days to swim just for fun. They loved it!

We celebrated last night at one of our new favorite restaurants Herman's. It's been around forever but we've just started going this past year. SO good!

Send me Your light and Your faithful care, let them lead me...

Psalm 43:3

Snowed In Sunday

It's a snowy winter Sunday. All my decorations are put away so it's time to post the rest of my Christmas pics! Or at least some the highlights.

Jason and I went to the Christmas Eve service with Mandy and Bo while my mom stayed home with the kids. Zach went to his first service when he was five weeks old! This year the kids just wanted to play since they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

Zach being silly eating some powdered donuts.

 Santa brought Colson a Ziggle. He loves it! He's getting so big.

 After breakfast Christmas morning some of us went for a little hike since it was such a nice day (and since we had been eating so much!). 

 We didn't know how long Zach and Abby would make it but they hiked all the way to the top of Pinnacle Mountain. Very impressive!

We continued celebrating Christmas day night and the day after with Jason's side of the family. 

 One of Zach's favorite gifts is his roboraptor. It's a little too lifelike for me! Ha.

My college roomy Rebekah was spending Christmas with her hubby's family and dropped in to say hi. Such a treat! She is due with a little baby in a few months.

My dad retired officially December 31st but his last day of work was a few days after Christmas. My mom made cinnamon rolls, and we took them to the hospital. SO proud of him!

The next day my dad ran his 45th marathon! We met him at a few stops to cheer him on. ; )

Almost to the finish line!

We had a wonderful needed week away celebrating Christmas. I especially loved all of our time with family and friends. We didn't rush around as much this year either. So nice!

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

2014

A new year before us! I love a fresh start, don't you? A new beginning. Thank you thank you for your sweet messages. Your words stay with me and I think about them throughout the day. I'm blown away at how specifically the Lord has asked some of you to pray for us over the past few months. I feel every prayer.

Tomorrow is the day Christmas is all coming down in the Rowe house. My tree is still up. With the lights on. ; ) Zach starts back to school Friday, so life is settling back into a schedule.

I'm still looking through my Christmas pics, but here are a few of my faves...

 A visit to see the capital lights

 A little Christmas Eve smoochin'

 Silliness with cousins

A little Griswold fun

Grandparents are magnets for their grandkids!

I believe in a great God and I'm believing great things for this year. I hope you are too.

You crown the year with Your goodness and richness overflows wherever You are.

Psalm 65:11