cabin fever & a little bit of despair

so last week was a pretty rough week in the barker household (hence the lack of blogging). lots of arguing between the boys. they were bored. mommy felt off & exhausted. we didn't see daddy much. it snowed & then the temps dropped to like 5 degrees so we didn't go ANYWHERE (well we left the house twice)! the days felt like the lasted forever & I was missing my guy. I was getting time in the Word & I was getting almost enough sleep, but I was so discouraged over the lack of joy in our home. I knew the Lord was near, I knew He hadn't forsaken me. the weight of my sin was heavy & I felt like my times in the Word weren't helping me change my perspective. it was a heavy, thick, exhausting week. at church on Sunday my soul was so encouraged by a word Gary Ricucci gave… He reminded us that when we were lost & had the greatest need & unaware, He met us & saved us. so too when we are in our sin & quite aware of it, will that same One come to us & meet us & work in us. He will not give up on us. He who died that I would have life will move me forward in my sanctification. He knows my need & He will complete the work that He started in me. 

don't despair friends. He is at work in us. our story is not over. we are not perfected. when we were yet sinners He died for us. & He comes to His children in our overwhelmed/sinful/despairing state & works. 

"and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

al

capturing them : week 2

jude- when he wants me to listen to something he says, "mommy, hear this."

sammy- "mommy, daddy is our best superhero."

amos- this little boy enjoys being noisy so much that even when he doesn't have something to say I'll catch him just walking around saying, "mommy. mommy. mommy." 

al

capturing them : week 1

jude- I ask him at least once a day how he's so big & he says, "because I like to."

sammy- "mommy, I like you & I really like my toys."

amos- this little boy has some moves! when he hears music & he thinks no one is watching he can break it down. 

al

a camping trip video

our camping adventure happened last summer & i've been wanting to do this since then… here it is FINALLY! so grateful for this trip we got to take up the east coast together! we're planning on going back this summer! enjoy!

al

a harvest festival

(our backyard, louisville, ky. october 2013)

we had a small harvest festival way back in october with the families that are in the sovereign grace pastor's college. we are so grateful to be going through this crazy season with these sweet people! we played some games, did come crafts, ate some food, roasted marshmallows & bobbed for apples. fun was had. :)

al

feeling more like myself

(december 2013. franklin, tn.)

so for the past 1 1/2-2 years i have not felt like myself. i've been exhausted, moody & in general not "me". i've never been an angry person, but goodness the way i've been feeling has brought out the sin of anger in me. i've been so impatient & short with my boys, having no grace for their sin. my sin towards them has grieved my heart & i know has grieved the Lord's. everyday i felt awful physically & i would act out of the way i was feeling. the Lord would bring conviction to my heart & i would ask the boys to forgive me. all that to say… i am so so grateful that by God's grace i found an amazing holistic practitioner & found out i have adrenal fatigue, which is caused by chronic stress (i think it's because of all the trials our family has been through that finally caught up with me)! so i've been taking a ton of herbal supplements, trying to get more sleep, eating well & staying away from as much stress as possible (which is quite laughable when your husband is in seminary & you are raising 3 boys;)). praise the Lord i'm feeling normal! i'm not exhausted! i feel happier & less stressed! God is so faithful! i know He had purposes in those physical trials, but i rejoice that they look like they're coming to an end! i'm sure my boys are happy to have "their mommy" back. ;) God is so good! He sustains! just wanted to share this bit of happy news! 2014 is going to be a great year & i won't be too tired to enjoy it!!!

al

happy new year!

hi sweet friends & followers! goodness me it's been 3 months since i posted last. not ok in my book, because i love love blogging! so life giving & good for my soul & mind & therefore good for my family. :) so if i did "new years resolutions" this would be it… to blog more (& read the huge stack of books that's been piling up in my room). but seriously, i hate that i haven't been able to write out what's going on in our little family & in my heart & share some photos. life has gotten super crazy with mike being in the pastor's college, jude starting school, burdees, our adoption, photography, etc etc etc. i know it's only going to get busier, but i would like to make blogging a priority! so here's to that, by God's grace! may i manage my time well so that i can do things that are life giving! hope your new year is happy!

al