Gratitude

Heart of Gratitude:

"Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done."

Take a moment and right down the TOP five things you are thankful for.

#1 God's Salvation: 

I'm thankful that Christ died for me and offered me his gift of salvation from my sins. Now that I'm saved, I've got a home in Heaven! :D

#2 My parents & siblings: 

I have the best family. I'm so grateful for EVERYTHING they have done for me. Words simply cannot express all the gratitude I have for my parents and for my siblings! I love you all BUNCHES!

#3 My husband: 

He is my rock. He is my best friend. His love for me strengthens me and encourages me to continue. I love you, Drew! always & forever

#4 My daughters: 

God has blessed me with three beautiful daughters. I cherish them and love them. I'm so thankful for the joy of being their mom. <3

#5 My friends: 

Thank you... for being you. For loving me. For caring for me. For praying for me. For lifting me up and encouraging me. :D YOU are awesome!

Update:

From last Thursday til today, it has been a challenge. I had lots of emotional ups and downs. 

I'm thankful that on Monday, my mother-in-law babysat the girls so I could get an afternoon of "wandering". I drove along the coast, listened to Christmas carols, and simply relaxed. It was wonderful. I was also able to get some beautiful pictures of the ocean. 

Tomorrow until Sunday, my husband is off. We are having a busy schedule. Pray that everything goes smoothly. :)

Tomorrow we are visiting my sister-in-law who lives two hours away. Pray for safety and easy traveling for the entire Lee clan. THANKS!

Saturday, we plan to get the Christmas tree and decorate our little home. So excited! (I love Christmas!!)

Praises:

Thank you for your prayers for Alena and the potty training! She has been doing so well with it!!!! :D

With your prayers, God has given me a better understanding on how to get Alena to eat more varieties of food! It has been awesome to watch her progress.

Esther is growing and looking super adorable. :D

Prayer:

Please pray for Kenni who is now teething and cranky (at night).

Pray for our busy weekend. For safe travels and wonderful adventures. :D Pray for smooth transitions and fun times! :) And that we get LOTS of awesome pictures.

Growing and Learning

Today:

I can't believe today is Esther's due date. It's funny because my other daughters both were born right around theirs.... and yet, little Esty came TWO months earlier. And yet, I am thrilled that she did!

Esther is now two months old and is doing well. She fits into her newborn clothes. She sleeps well and nursing often.

Alena & Kenni:

Alena is potty training. She has gone a couple times on her "Elmo" chair and even on the big potty. Next step is to tell me when she needs to go. :) 

Alena is a quick learner. She has been study her books and is learning new words all the time! She loves to help, is polite and obedient. 

Kenni is also growing and getting chunky. She has learned how to say please and "all done". She is helping to pick up her toys and throw trash away. :D

The girls have been playing outside everyday. I know fresh air is good and I'm excited that they get some everyday! :)

Praise:

I finished that HUGE stack of laundry Friday night!! Yahoo. Feels good to be back to a load of laundry a day. :)

Yesterday, my husband got some much needed rest! He has been sick for the past week and really needed to sleep and rest. :) Then later, we went out for dinner and God provided us with some extra money for a delicious meal too!!! :) :) :)

God has been providing for all our needs and even above it! We are so thankful for all the gifts that He has given us. How blessed we are!!

Prayer:

I really need to continue to have a daily time in God's Word, the Bible. Pray that I will have that time. :)

Pray that we'll get all the side projects done by the end of the year. (We have a photography, videography, and graphics designing company called BlueCamStudios.)

Raising Godly Daughters

Looking Ahead:

I am thankful that God gave Andy and I three beautiful daughters to raise, but I also know I am responsible and am a steward with caring for them and raising them to be godly women for Him. I realized that the choices I make today will affect them and shape them.

Here are FIVE top goals (prayers) I have for my daughters:

* Personal relationship with Christ (at a young age)

* To be active daily Bible readers and prayer warriors

* To become godly women, wives, and mothers

* Serve faithfully in their church

* Close relationship with each other (siblings and lifelong friends)

* Active soul-winners for Christ

These things I have commited to do myself. (Phil. 3:17)  I have seen that each of these goals has made a difference in my life. I have peace. (Psalm 119:165) I have strength. (Psalm 27:1) I have courage. (2 Tim. 1:7)

What are your top goals for your children? :D Are you applying them to yourself and the life you are living?

Want this?

You too can have these things. You too can see God do wonderful works in your life.

First though, you need to realize you are a sinner and you have made mistakes. Second, you need to see that Jesus saved you by dying on the cross and now, is alive in Heaven. Third, you need to accept Him into your heart and receive Him as your Saviour. I did that. It was the best thing I ever did! I have freedom from my sin and I have a home in Heaven. :D

Praises:

Guess what? I am almost done with that huge pile of laundry. Please keep praying it will get done.

Prayers:

Alena is learning to potty-train. Pray for wisdom and discernment. I know it takes time and I'm patient.

Alena is also a picky eater. Pray that I can help her to expand her taste buds. :D

Continue to pray for Andy and I to connect and have a strengthened relationship.

Pray for Andy. He is a good man and gives of himself so much. Pray that God will continue to bless him at work and through his abilities.

Motherhood

MOTHERHOOD:

This will be my third year of being a stay-at-home mom. I still have a hard time believing that I have three children, too. This post is kinda a "thank you" to any mother who is trying to raise her kids and maintain her household!

I never truly realized all the "hats" that a mother wears until just recently.

You have the basics: a cook, a housemaid, a taxi driver, a babysitter. Even with just these, a mother is very busy every single hour of everyday.

But she's also a planner. Every meal is planned in advance, groceries and food are calculated and numbered. She knows everything she has in her freezer, frig, and pantries. She comes up with delicious meals for her family. Every day.

She washes every dish. She does laundry every single day. She vacuums and dust. She keeps her house clean.

That's just the basics.

She's a teacher to her children. Every day, she trains them to care for themselves. Teaching them to pick up their toys. Helping them to play well with others. Sharing with them new words and phrases. Even good manners. :D

She changes diapers, gives them baths, takes them to a park, plays with them... and laughs with them. 

She prays for them daily. She loves them.

I know there are SO MANY mores hats... but these are a few that stick out.

I also realized that a mother doesn't get time off. She's a mother always.

So to every mother out there: 

Thank you for doing all that you do and have done for your children. You are making a difference in their life and are doing your best to raise them to be great and godly adults! :D 

To those who still are raising them, don't give up! Take a break, relax, and get back to being the best mom you can be for your kids!

Praises:

Thank you for your prayers! 

Alena's body is healing and she is doing well. Esther and Kenni are doing well too.

God also gave me lots of rest this weekend. Apparently I really needed it. So thanks!

Yesterday, Andy and I went out for dinner on a date. He had no idea that I asked you all to pray for that... and suggested we go out. See, God does hear your prayers. Don't stop praying for others and for us. :D

Prayer:

This week, I have LOTS of laundry to do. Pray that it will get done. :D

Pray that our camera will be repair. We use it for our side-business for family photography.

Surprised!

Originally I had used my blog to keep family and friends informed of Esther's progress and getting her home. But yesterday, I was told that I had a large following here on my blog. So...... I shall continue to blog. :D

THANKS:

First off, THANK YOU! Your prayers have been making a difference. I wish you could see how much it has helped my family and me. It has been a great transition for everyone. 

*I have never seen my house so clean... and remain so every day! It's kinda weird, but I know it's because someone prays for me.*

Esther:

Esther is doing really well. She is gaining weight steadily and is almost out of her preemie clothes! Wow. She is nursing well. Pray I'll continue to keep a steady schedule. She sleeps well and doesn't bother her sisters at night.

Alena and Kenni LOVE their little sister. Alena holds her all the time and is super gentle with her. Kenni lights up every time she sees baby Esther and wants to play with her!

SURPRISE:

My sister lives in Texas with her husband and works as a teacher in their church. They are newly wed (aaww)... which made me wonder when I would see them next.... They surprised me LATE last night and showed up on our doorstep!!! She got her first picture with baby Esther. Today we spent the afternoon... Lidiya, Jared, the girls, and I at the park by our place. I'm just so THRILLED that they are here. :D

Prayers:

Alena:

Alena has not been feeling well. She has a rash on her body that is going away, but we think she might be getting her 2nd year molars. PLEASE pray for sleep and rest for all of us. Pray for complete healing for Alena and that her molars will come through with LESS pain and quickly. :)

Bible Reading:

This is my second year of reading through my Bible! I completed it for the first time last year and am excited to be on track to complete it again this year! (I have been saved since I was seven and this has been a great desire of my heart...) Please pray that I will get time everyday to read. I normally do it during the girls nap times at 2 o'clock.

Marriage:

Having three under 2 makes quality time with hubby to be difficult. Please pray that we will develop a routine on staying close even with little ones around us. Please pray that we'll get date nights. (FYI: Our anniversary is December 5th.)

Recap:

Your prayers do make a difference in our family and my life. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for them! I will keep you informed and give updates on a weekly (even twice a week) basis. Again, THANKS!