The Best Days

Friday, February 12, 2010

This is one of those moments that I just don't ever want to end.
A Friday at noon. The snow is falling. Daddy's get's off work early. We pile in the living room around the fire finishing up school, reading and enjoying each other. All you hear is the sound of pages turning and Daddy's voice reading. Thank you Lord Jesus for days like this!

Breadmaking 101

So last year I started on a homemade bread making adventure. I've been trying out different recipes all last year searching for the perfect sandwich recipe! I've had several friends give me tips, live tutorials and still I would come home and fail. So this year, we began praying the Lord would help Mommy figure out the bread! Every time I would talk about my bread failures, someone would mention an old friend Wendy Mckormick. SO, Mommy sent her an email asking her for some bread-making tips. She sent me many tips, I tried them and still... FAILED. SO, gracious Mrs. Wendy loaded up her 3 precious children and came over for a hands on demo with all my ingredients and kitchen tools. She showed me all her tips and walked me through step by step how to get the best results. Wow! My bread turned out like this:

Momma is doing the happy dance!! Daddy ate a sandwich with the sandwich loaf today!!Each child has gobbled up more bread than ever!! I have a new confidence and learned so much! Oh the possibilities now!! Thanks Jesus for hearing my cries for help and sending Wendy's hands to help me!

Monday, January 25, 2010

"When Jesus crashes in, out comes something beautiful"

So, a few years back Pastor Rodney wrote this song: When Jesus crashes in, out comes something beautiful. Seems like I remember Pastor Brandon having something to do with this song too. I really cant remember, but this song was written and we have come to love it as a church body.

Today at church pastor Rodney sang this song. I began to explain to her that Pastor Rodney had written this song, kind of like she likes to make up songs and write them. She began listening and asked what it means for Jesus to crash into your soul.
At the same time she began asking this great question, her little brother began a crying jealous fit for Mommy. I took Cade, and Chesney went to her Daddy.She began asking him to answer her questions. During worship they began discussing what it means for Jesus to crash into your soul. She told Keith that she wanted to do that, to ask Jesus to live in her heart. So, while all were singing, they bowed their heads and Keith lead her through a prayer of salvation. Our little girl asked Jesus into her heart, right in the middle of worship! She came and told me, then went to her big brother and told him. She walked over to him, hugged and him and whispered, " I asked Jesus into my heart, Britton." Britton say's, "You asked Jesus into your heart? right now?" "Yes, I did." Then you see Britton eyes light up.He leaned over and whispered in her ear, " I have been praying that you would do that. I prayed that during our fast." She looked at him with great surprise and they hugged again. Keith and Chesney went up to tell the church about the mornings events. Pastor Brandon had preached about salvation, and had prayed during prayer time that someone would get saved today.

This month our church had been participating in a 21 day fast. Britton and Chesney had been fasting one dessert a day and praying for a few specific things. I had secretly asked Britton to pray for Chesney's salvation and for her to grow closer to Jesus this year. Keith and I had been praying this as well over the past several months. Chesney had been asking many questions lately and her heart really began changing about a month ago. This Sunday was the day of feasting and the fast was over. It amazes me that this morning she made this decision. Only God could orchestrate such an event. It spoke volumes to my son's heart that the Lord had heard his prayers for his sister. I will never forget the look on his face when he realized that the Lord had answered his prayers.

When Pastor Rodney and Melinda told Claire(Chesney's side kick)that Chesney had decided to follow Jesus, Claire said, " Yeah, so now we are both Krystal's".(or christian).
So, yes our little girl is a Krystal :D It was such a wonderful day. Such joy fills my soul. I am overwhelmed with His love for us!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Fur Real?

Mommy's struggling to find time to post lately. But, I can't let this moment slip away. Chesney received a "fur real" kitty cat for Christmas. She sat in Santa's lap and told him that all she wanted was a robot like kitty cat that wasn't real, but looked and acted real She told Santa it was made of plastic and metal. Santa said, "Oh yes my dear, I know exactly what kitty you are talking about!"

On Christmas morning the fur real kitty was sitting on the couch. She ran right up to it and didn't let it out of her hands for the next 7 days!! No other present mattered. No other toy was touched for several days. Keith and I have never seen a child enjoy one toy to such an extent. She decided to name the kitty Felicity. We recently went on a field trip and saw a play about a cat named Felicity. She remembered the name and came up with it all on her own!! Felicity is so real, its kind of freaky. She bathes her self, roles over on to her back, purrs and meows when you walk by her.... Why we needed such a toy when Chesney has a real cat that does all those same things, is beyond me. However, Chesney's in love. She told me the house was even now. 3 Boys and 3 girls!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Cade turns 2!

My baby is 2! I can hardly believe it. Last week we celebrated Cades birthday with family and a few friends at the fine family entertainment establishment: Chucky Cheese! It was a very thrown together party for our sweet little boy. Cade enjoyed his party in a way that no other child has ever before. It's hard to even explain it. He loved it all: the games, the mouse, the family, friends, presents, pizza, and cake. He enjoyed every bit of it. He said, "yeah" and "wow" and "OOOH" as he opened each gift and ate each bite. He thanked everyone for each present. It was beautiful. Again, like no other party we've had. Then again, Cade is like no other. He was given to us simply to bring joy to our lives. His constant smiles, giggles and "yeah's and wow's", make my Mommy heart melt. I praise the Lord for you my little man! Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mom's memories...AKA: Gram

Since Mom died we started a new tradition in the Best home of placing an additional tree with all of her ornaments on them. Mom left me 40+ Christmas boxes to sort through and decide what to do with. I couldn't keep it all, so I culled it down to about 10 boxes. (I know alot of christmas stuff!) My Mom's favorite time of the year was Christmas. She baked, and baked, and baked, and decorated, decorated, decorated, and stayed extra busy making memories at Christmas. She loved to buy ornaments. I never understood this passion of hers. However, I am so thankful for it now. Mom had ornaments that represented everything that she loved. So, when we put up her tree, our kids are learning all about her. In fact Britton believes that he remembers her. He was just turning 3 when she died. I know he does not remember her, but I love that we have kept her memory alive in such a way that he believes that he knew her. I know our yearly christmas tree decorating helps my kids to know who she was and what she was like. I never knew or understood why she bought all the car, football, barbie, and doll house ornaments. Now I know. She was buying them for her future grandkids! They love these ornaments the most and she knew that when she was buying them. Oh, such a wonderful woman. I am so thankful to have had her for 30 years!!
Some of my favorite ornaments on her tree:

The Harley ( for her favorite child, the son IN LAW)