Little bird, little bird

With the Texas weather giving us hints toward springtime this week, we couldn't help but head outdoors for some sunshine and vitamin D.  Little birds chirping right outside the window early in the morning, reminded me that we had some leftover supplies for making bird feeders. This little "craft" is so easy to do with a bunch of kiddos and something even I have enough patience to do! Teaching them to knit... uh, not so much patience for that. Brett couldn't wait to get started when he found out what we were doing.



We ended up attracting a few more birds than we had bargained for.  Hello Chickens!







Rocky says "It's nice to share".


Or not... I laughed when I took this picture as that silly Guinea's head popped up just as I took it. It's like the hen is saying "Hey! She was taking my picture!". I think she is giving him the stink eye.



Pine cones and peanut butter - spread it on thick.






Roll it in birdseed. This combo is so good for the winter birds when there isn't much food to be found.



Your fingers will get plenty sticky.



And that's just fine with Brett who preferred to lick his clean. He seemed to really like the birdseed too...



All finished! Hoping some bright red ribbon will help attract the little birds and bring them to the house for us to watch.  Brett wants you to know that this is his bird feeder. Such a beautiful day!



Look what was waiting for them inside! Grandma arrived with lunch and fun Valentine's treats. I love that she does this for us once a week. It gives me a break from thinking about what to feed them for lunch and it gives her something to do - she loves it too I think.



This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Word Up!

Do you look for a word to help you in the New Year? I know January is almost over now, but I thought I would share my word for 2013 and how it came about. After talking with a friend who instead of making resolutions for the new year, prayed for a "word" and made that her word for the year, I decided to give it a try this year. I know I've read about others doing this before, and it had always intrigued me. Would God find a word for me too? So I prayed.... I prayed for guidance and I prayed among other things that should God have a word in mind for me, He would make it appear to me.

A few times I would think I would see a word coming to me - a word like "pray" or "love", but it didn't feel like it was THE word. Praying and loving are important to me, and both are things I want to do more of this year - so that is true. Then one day right after New Year's Day, I was siting on the couch with a book and I just closed my eyes for a minute. I prayed to God, "what is the word you want me to focus on this year Lord?". Then in the depths of my mind, I could see it emerge. MOTIVATE.

Not motivation, or motivating or motivator... just motivate.

Mo*ti*vate
A verb: meaning to provide someone with a motive for doing something. Or to stimulate someone's interest in or enthusiasm for doing something.

Now what does He want me to motivate? I have a few ideas and hopefully those will be seen played out soon. I like the word! I think it will be true to my nature to motivate, but I am going to trust in the Lord to show me where to do the work.

Happy 2013! Let's motivate!

~Lisa

My Girl

There is something about her, my Girl. The way she lights up a room with her bright eyed, wide mouth smiles and her lust for life. This little six year old whom I never thought I would have, is my sunshine.  She makes a great model and I couldn't stop clicking the camera when she went into her "ham it up" mode the other day. I always thought she would be my baby girl.... then came baby boy. God sure has other plans! I am learning to trust Him with ALL of it.

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11































Oh the many faces of Abbey... How I love this girl of mine.