Fathers Day w/ Johns Dad Ken

Tonight we went to spent the evening with Johns Dad Ken for Fathers day. We had such a great time! Mama of coarse made a great meal, then we headed to the back yard to watch the kids swim. After that we headed in for some karaoke...yes karaoke. Johns parents bought a karaoke machine and we all had a blast singing (or in my case watching others sing). I have video to post as soon as I learn how to. It is a MUST SEE!

In this picture John is paying back his Dad for past chest pokes when he was a boy. Theses two were like little kids today...wrestling, singing and poking each other. Good times! Good times!

Of Coarse Our kids had to get in on the action. It was 3 against 1. No Fair!

Bath time may soon be extinct at my house

Last night we had the privilege of having some friends over for dinner. After they left, I cleaned my kitchen, made lunch for my Hubby and went to get ready for bed...so I thought. I went to brush my teeth, only to find that my bathroom was a mess from Trenton's bath. Jacob "helped" me out by bathing Trenton earlier that day. Now normally this scene would send me into my CraZy MaMa fit, but not this time. As I sat there and sighed the Lord so graciously drew my attention to the bathtub. As I looked down I saw this little action figure hanging from the tub spout. The sight of that made me laugh out loud. I could see that my baby boy enjoyed his bath time. I was no longer overwhelmed with the fact that I still had some more cleaning to do before bed, I was happy to clean up after him (this time). I realized then that my two oldest now take showers, and are pretty independent. Bath time may soon be extinct at my house. I just wished that I took more time to watch each of them enjoy playing in the bath, instead of worrying about how clean my bathroom or house was. Time is short, why do I waste so much of it fretting over my house or other unimportant things.

Lord, help me live my life like a child, where I enjoy the simple pleasures in life...like bath time :) Help me to see things threw your eyes (as you see them) and enjoy these special days as my children grow. Amen!

Zoe's Dedication

This past Sunday our Niece Zoe Grace was dedicated to the Lord at Bethel Christian Center. Zoe is a gift from the Lord, given to Johns little Sister Sara and her Hubby Frank. Zoe also has a Big Sister - Serenity (who absolutely adores her). Zoe is such a sweet baby and has brought so much joy to our family already. I look forward to seeing her grow. Please pray with us that she will one day turn her eyes to Jesus and make Him Lord of her life. May that be sooner than later. Amen!

Being a servant of God

Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.
On Being a Servant of God by Warren Wiersbe

Give me a Heart of Praise, Please!

Isn't it funny how sometimes we can do something with such a joyful heart, but then a few weeks down the road we are murmuring and complaining about that same chore we enjoyed a few weeks earlier? Well that has happened to me (again) this week. I recently was blessed with a washing machine. The place we live in only has a hook up and power for a Washer, not a dryer. So that left me with two options for drying...Laundromat  or clothes line. I chose the laundromat... until I realized (after my 1st two loads of laundry) that I had a lot of wet clothes lying around in baskets. How was I going to get 4-5 baskets of wet clothes into a car with my three kids. Not gonna work! So I opted for a clothes line. It's cheaper and good for the environment, right? Well, at first I love it. I even took pictures to blog about how much I loved it, but then the fun wore off and it became just another chore.

Now you know it doesn't just stop here. No, the Lord wouldn't allow that. Yesterday as I did my laundry I happened to get a call from my Sister Nina. As we were talking I must have grumbled or sighed while I was putting my wet clothes on the line. She laughed and said something like ~ "not as fun as it used to be?" When she said that I realized that at one point this was fun to me, but now I have lost my joy. After I hung up from that call the Lord gave me a Scripture about joy. I realized then that my prospective had changed, and this had become a chore instead of a blessing like it was at 1st. I was so convicted of my attitude so I repented and began to praise the Lord that my family had clothes to wash, and money to buy laundry soap. What a change it was to my heart. My complaining heart became a heart of Joy and praise. What an awesome God we serve! He doesn't just leave us in a pit of self pity and grumbling. He shows us a way out and gives us Joy! So I pray today that I can look to Him and praise Him as I clean my house, teach my children, make dinner, and even as I hang my laundry. May those things not be chores today, tomorrow or ever, but instead be a time of Praise and Thanksgiving!

*Philippians 2:14 -Do everything without complaining

*Psalm 71:23 - My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You;And my soul, which You have redeemed.

*Psalm 98:4 - Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day John and I took our Kiddos to the Lake. Don't ask me where...cause I really don't know. All I know is we had a great time! We packed up the ice chest, fishing poles and chairs and headed for the hills. First we stopped at some camp ground by a lake and had lunch. Then we headed for the river. The boys had so much fun fishing with Daddy. Daddy on the other hand was untangling fishing wire and making sure the boys didn't fish hook one another... or him. I think he still had a good time though. Madi had a good ol' time getting her feet wet and throwing rocks in the river. While I captured it all threw the lens of my camera. It was a wonderful Memorial Day. God is so good!

I love my Crazy Family!

For Nina - Part 2/ Our Parents Fav. Mugs

A few blogs ago, I posted a picture of my fav. mug. I also explained about my Sisters challenge she posted on her blog. That blog it got me and Mom talking about the famous mug Nina STOLE! from our dear sweet Mother. Anyway, it made me think... our parents should have a post about their fav. mug too. Since they don't have a blog (well, our Mom has one but she doesn't remember how to get on it...so....) I figured I would help them out and do one for them. So here it goes - Mom has 4 favorites (well 5 if you count the 1 Nina STOLE! Hehe!). Mom doesn't like them for who gave them to her, or what they symbolize. She likes these four because of the lip on the mug... Yes the lip.

She even holds on to this cracked one... cause it has a good lip. I don't think I have ever held a mug to my mouth and said - wow this mug has a great lip. But hey what ever floats her boat!

Now on To Dad/Howard. He has two favorites. On his left hand he holds his favorite Monday-Friday mug. On his right hand he holds his favorite weekend mug. He likes his weekly mug because...well, look at it - It rocks (Scripture + Fishing + Coffee = priceless mug!) He likes his Saturday mug because it is bigger. He drinks more coffee on the weekends. So there you have it. Don't you feel your life is more complete now? I do!

PB&J

This is Trenton making his 1st PB&J sandwich all by himself. He took it very seriously.


And yes that is Jacob in the
back-
ground with a knife.
Oh My Dude.... where's that kids mother?











He even got to draw the T on his bag. This was a big day at the Lanier Home.

I know...we need to get out more.

For Nina

My Sister Nina has this challenge on her blog to find your favorite mug and post why it's your favorite mug. Well... her favorite mug post was awesome cause she totally "STOLE" our Moms mug she rocked when we little. Every time I see that mug it makes me smile. Well it used to, now I turn green...with envy. Na, I'm just kidding. I'm so over that (wink). Nina I'm glad you enjoy it. May it always bring you hot drinks and warm smiles.

Anyway, on to the challenge. This is my favorite mug. To be honest, I don't remember where I got it or who gave it me. But I love it because of what it says "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound". That is one of my favorite songs, so that is why I love this mug.

So now I challenge my friends to take a picture of your favorite mug and tell us why it is special to you.

My Baby Girl is 9.....

.....so lets party!!!!!!
Watch out for this group!

The park sprinklers came on so some of the kids got to run and play in the water. They had a blast while getting soaking wet. Good times!

This is My Cousin Lisa and her daughter Savanah (whom Madi adores).

Uncle David & Auntie Angela

Goffy Girls!

Brothers (not by an earthly birth) - John & David

Aren't they cute?

Madi and her Friend Baily

Cass, Uncle Jason, Aunti Sara & Great Aunti Di - to Madi
Daddy praying for his baby girl.

Yes, that would be a hot pink ipod. Wait....I don't even have one of those! What's up with that?
*More pictures to come!