Andrew, Ashley, Madeline, Paulina, Simeon, & Anna

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Guatemala & the homefront

We had a big event in our home the last week-ish. I left for 8 straight days. Since returning from Ethiopia with Simeon, and having Anna the next July, I haven't been away from my kiddos for more than 2 nights! Wow. And outside of leaving Madeline to go to Ethiopia I really hadn't left her for more than maybe 3 nights. So me leaving was big-time. Mostly more for me than anyone else :)! Anyway, here's the deal...

My Potter's House gals are seniors and we packed up with about 20 people and headed to Mama Carmen's farm in Guatemala for spring break. We had two purposes: help build a concrete drying area for the coffee beans and do activities with kids after school. It was such a full full week of working hard, laughing lots, attempting my never used Spanish, hugging sweet little Guatemalan girlies, and seeing God more for who He truly is.

I am so thankful I got to go with my girls group and experience it all with them. And on the homefront, as always, Andrew was incredible. I came home to happy children, a clean van, no laundry, and lots of joy at being all together again!

More to come on my God moments in Guatemala but for now, some pics!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

family photos...which to frame?

A quick little photo shoot one Sunday gave us these and I was shocked to find we had actually taken a picture in which everyone is looking and everyone that understands smiling on command is doing just that. And p.s. I love that Madeline & Simeon are holding hands. Happy.

This is probably more true to our personalities & daily life!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

baby...I mean, toddler dedication

Last Sunday we had Anna's baby dedication at church. Although she is 20 months. Oops. I felt a little badly that we'd waited so long but it turned out rather nice in my opinion. Over the weekend I spent some time just reflecting on my sweet surprise girly and praying for her life. She brings me so much joy and I am continually amazed at God and how His timing is perfect and His love and goodness so beautifully abound in my life. We picked this verse to pray for Anna before she was born.

"He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You."

Isaiah 26:3

Don't you just want to scoop her up and hug her sweet little cutie-pie self?! I certainly do!

I mean, seriously...she is one of my fav's for sure. And she truly is as cheery and happy as she looks!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

18

Cyrenthia,

Today you are 18. So so so much in life is unexpected and surprising. I think back to meeting you, you were 14. You were an unexpected and surprising blessing entering into my life. You've grown these years in beautifully deep ways. I am blessed to say I have watched you fall in love with your Savior. I have had the privilege of baptizing you, teaching you, praying for and with you, crying with you, being broken over sin with you, and loving you through a vast array of the unexpected and surprising.

Sweet Ren, you are dramatic and passionate. You are sincere and full. You are a beautiful daughter of the Most High God and He loves you beyond your comprehension! You are accepted, significant, and secure through the love of Christ.

You are 18 now and I pray for many more years of beautiful, unexpected, and surprising paths that are Christ-centered and God-glorifying!

Love you.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

random funnies...

This is what happens when you have a 4 year old little girly girl & a 3 year old little all-boy boy...

Me: (to Simeon) Are you a superhero?

Simeon: I'm Anne of Green Skywalker.

Me & Andrew: laughing hysterically.

Tonight, at Flying Burrito, we were THAT family. You know the ones. You've probably been the ones. Here was our scene.

Me & Andrew trying to order in the buffet style line. Anna playing with candy machines and eating skittles off the floor. Madeline changing the thermostat above our table. Andrew sitting Simeon down & telling him to wait patiently. Several seconds later & with us several big feet away we hear Madeline crying and turn to see Simeon holding her in a very tight head lock. Her arms were flailing. It was not pretty. It was loud and ugly though. Great fun. Andrew proceeded to rush over there to have Simeon yell, and I mean entire restaurant hear it kind of yell, NO DADDY! Probably not visiting Flying Burrito again anytime soon. Good news though kids eat free so Flying Burrito got great entertainment and made very little money off of us. :) Happy Wednesday, folks.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

ethiopia in my heart

I sat and shared with someone our story of Simeon today. It was sweet and fun. I don't normally tell the whole thing from the beginning. Everything about Simeon makes me smile and very happy so talking about him started my day off with lots of joy. Through talking I realized how perfectly God walked us through His path for us. I found myself saying over and over again that God's timing is perfect. We love looking back and seeing God provide over and over again and answer all our prayers. So thankful for our sweet little boy.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

what we do for lent at the brill household...

Last year we (attempted) followed this little plan with our kiddos. I think I may have learned the most from it all. I love the Jesus Storybook Bible. In general, we try to read through these 5 stories each week and we usually teach the kids a new hymn...this year we are teaching them I Know that my Redeemer Lives. Then, on top of the devos, we focus on a specific verse & a couple words/ideas we want to intentionally teach the kids. The verses go for two weeks and it all repeats during Easter week. Keep in mind, we have a 4, 3, and 1 year old so we keep things pretty short, sweet, and simple. Sometimes, when I feel my creative juices flowing, I will add in a craft or game of some sort. This week I was beginning to talk about Lent with the kids and had small hope they'd remember some from last year. Sadly, consumerism has won out it our house apparently and when asked what we remember and celebrate on Easter I heard one "Easter eggs!" and one "JESUS!" and it wasn't Jesus like He was the reason it was Jesus like He is the general answer to things in our house. On a better note, it is incredibly sweet and fun to watch our kids listen and learn and worship Jesus as we teach them the truths that we pray they will believe and find their redemption through one day.

Weekly Night Devos-Jesus Storybook Bible

1. Washed with Tears-Mark 14, Luke 7, John 12

2. The Servant King, Last Supper-Mark 14, John 13-14

3. A Dark Night in the Garden-Luke 22, Mark 14, John 18

4. The Sun Stops Shining, Crucifixion-Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

5. God’s Wonderful Surprise, Resurrection-Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20

Week of Sunday, February 19

Memory Verse: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

Words to Know: Light, Darkness

Ideas: Jesus is the light, hiding

Week of Sunday, February 26

Memory Verse: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

Words to Know: Sin, Holy

Ideas: Holy/sin (Clean vs. Dirty)

Week of Sunday, March 4

Memory Verse: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Words to Know: Remembrance, Repentance

Ideas: Last Supper

Week of Sunday, March 11

Memory Verse: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Words to Know: Crucifixion, Sacrifice

Ideas: Death, Suffering, Christ’s Sacrifice/Punishment

Week of Sunday, March 18

Memory Verse: “I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in me will live & not die.” John 11:25

Words to Know: Forgiveness, Resurrection

Idea: Crucifixion/Resurrection, Death/Life

Week of Sunday, March 25-Palm Sunday

Memory Verse: “I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in me will live and not die.” John 11:25

Words to Know: Salvation

Ideas: Salvation/Redemption, Savior/Rescuer

Thursday, March 29-Maundy Thursday