Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

The below 2 posts are related-it might make more sense if you read the second post and then watch the video. I just got so excited about being able to post a video right off of YouTube-I got ahead of myself-Enjoy! Love J

Sanctus Real - Lead Me (Slideshow With Lyrics)

I am about to get Real-Sanctus Real that is!

I have been thinking for a very long time about writing this post-plus I keep hearing my sister-in-laws words over and over in my head-"Thank Heavens for Little Boys is getting a little old". Thanks for the little nudge J-I needed it and I hope you are rocking it in pheasant country!!!

No really-she is right-I have my little list of blogs saved on my Google Chrome browser that I check often-and by often-I mean 2 times a day! :) And I get a little "irked" when I don't get to find out what is going on in every one's life-with a day to day account-I mean don't they know that I am vested in their lives and I need some reading material when it is "mommy time"? And then I thought-Jami-you are being a little hypocritical-why do you expect these mothers who so graciously share their parenting tips, decorating tips, cooking tips (ok so I don't partake so much in the cooking ones), and spiritual insight-to take time out of their busy schedule to write some great inspiring blog post just for you? Who do you think you are? How long has it been since you posted anything-don't you think that people are wondering what is going on with your family? I suppose that I really didn't think that too many people read this blog-until J said something at Thanksgiving-and it made me feel good that she said something-cause that means she does care! So-I hear by promise to write a little more often, post a few more pics of the Gibbs boys, and share more of my random thoughts with you guys! And if things don't always make sense-trust me the things I write usually sound much funnier in my head! HA!

Getting back to the title of this post-I have something I have been wanting to share for a long time-I just have not taken the time to do it. There is a song by a Christian group, Sanctus Real called, "Lead Me". I absolutely love this song-not particularly b/c of the way it sounds-but b/c of what it says. I have never heard a song that brought me to tears because it so truly resonated down in my soul like this one!!! I have also never heard a song that I thought truly laid out how I feel about Jeff, as my husband and as the father of our children. Jeff and I have not always put God first in our lives and in our marriage; but for the last 2 1/2 years we have truly tried. I don't think that I can even explain how it happened other than when your husband is truly seeking and following God; his true heart becomes visible. There is no more security that I need other than this; when it comes to a husband and father. I always knew as a little girl that I wanted a husband that was Godly and someone that would make me feel as secure as my own dad did-and now I can say with TRUE CONVICTION that I not only have that in Jeff-I CHERISH it daily-no every second. Don't get me wrong-we still are 2 different people and have times where we differ greatly-but with God at the center and not just Jami or Jeff at the center-marriage is more than I ever dreamed it would be! And it is only going to get better. I really don't know that I can even convey in words what God has done in us, through us, and to us-but I know I want more! When I heard this song-I knew that I had a husband that asked God daily for help-help to lead his family the way he should-and that filled me up with such sweet emotion for my husband I almost could not contain it! I love him so much and I am so blessed he is mine-Thank you God!

I have posted a video from YouTube in the post above this one and it contains the song and lyrics for Lead Me -May it bless you like it has me!


Friday, August 6, 2010

Thank Heavens for Little Boys


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy





Wow-I cannot hardly imagine that it is already August! It has been a while since I have written so I thought I would put in a few things from the last few months!

Jeff and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary at the end of May. A sweet friend (thanks K) so graciously invited us to stay at her beach location and the date just happened to fall on our actual anniversary date. We stayed a total of 4 days and we loved every minute. The beautiful picture above was right out the back door every night! Jeff and I would take our chairs, go out to the beach right before dusk and enjoy this lovely sunset. It was so relaxing-and this time was so needed for both of us! We thoroughly enjoyed our time together-talking, laughing, fishing, laying on the beach, and eating. I was so very blessed to have this time with my husband that I am not sure I can convey with words how special it was.

I also cant convey how blessed that I am to have such a wonderful husband. I don't know that I really believe in the whole "sole mate" theory-but I definitely know that God had a plan for my life-and it is a good plan-and Jeff was/is definitely supposed to be part of that plan. There have certainly been hard times in our marriage (whose doesn't have them) but I am really thankful for the man Jeff is. He is a loving husband and shows me each day how much I mean to him. He is a loving father-and the boys adore him. I really don't know if I can express my gratitude, love, respect, admiration, and blessings for him, but I will try every day to get rid of the "stuff" that keeps me from showing these true feelings. He is the man that I always knew I wanted when I was a little girl. I thank the Lord for him!!!!

MiMi and Big Dad came to visit and brought Lane and Luke-they absolutely loved the beach! They had a blast and were so tired they fell asleep in the car on the way home.














Other than the beach trip-life around here has been pretty easy going-Big Dad, MiMi, and Jeff have moved into an office, which is a good thing! They are enjoying having a place to work-things are on the move! The boys and I hang out during the day-I am trying to enjoy each and every minute because some day I will look back and think about these days with bittersweet memories. Sometimes I feel like our situation is hard-but then I look around and see how things really are-I am so blessed-I have a loving husband, healthy/happy children, family around, a roof over my head, and plenty of food to eat. I am so thankful for my blessings-life is good!




Saturday, April 3, 2010

God is so Good!

Wow-I really don't know where to start-I am almost speechless. It hit me today that tomorrow is Easter Sunday and yesterday was Good Friday. Jeff and I really don't do Santa, the Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy with the kids and I didn't have anything prepared in the way of Easter Egg baskets filled with candy and toys. We just never really talked about these fictional characters with our kids and it has never been a big deal. For us personally, this is the best decision as it allows the real reason for each season to be taught and celebrated.

When it hit me that Sunday is Easter, I thought to myself-how am I going to convey the importance, seriousness, gratefulness, thankfulness, grace, love, and sacrifice of Easter to the boys. How do you describe all that Jesus has done for us- to a three and four year old. Jeff and I want to show our boys how important it is to walk with God everyday. When the thought crossed my mind about the closeness of Easter-I stopped and prayed that the Holy Spirit lead and guide me. I prayed that he make an available opportunity so perfect that I would just know what to say and do. Did he ever answer my prayers!

I have recently witnessed the benefit of a nightly quiet and prayer time with my children and I have vowed to try my hardest to make sure it happens every night. Well, tonight was no exception-even though I was tired and ready for some relaxing mommy time-I did it. About a year ago a sweet woman gave my boys a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written book called "How Miss Ladybug Lost Her Spots." (author by Lara York) I value this book so much that I will not let them look at it without sitting right next to me-to avoid any pages being torn out. The book describes what Jesus did for us-but it is woven into the storytelling so perfectly that children are able to understand-in that little innocent way that children understand biblical truths.





The boys were listening quite intently and following along while I read-and there it was. As Miss Ladybug asked questions about Jesus' powerful, pure, and true love; the little girl who was witnessing to her said, "I will tell you all Jesus did, he wants us all to be free, he came to this earth to live and die for you and me." She went on to describe Good Friday and Easter with illustrations of Jesus' empty tomb!! I knew immediately God had answered my prayer-I was filled with joy and emotion that I could hardly read without tears. The boys knew that something was different about the words I was speaking. This passage was the perfect opening to discuss Easter and what it meant. Again I will say God is so Good-and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide when we ask and open ourselves to it. May we all remember Jesus' sacrifice tomorrow-praise him and thank him-for it was LOVE that he so freely gave.