Seasons

Seasons of life. You embrace them, go through them, and then let them fade away not to forget them but to remember something new awaits and its time to begin this new season!
So many of our friends have some amazing adventures and life changing seasons that are calling them. Some of them have already gone, some or leaving soon, and so many are having their 1st or 2nd babies. Its been an interesting past couple months to say the least! And as our own family, steps out in faith to embrace this new journey, this new season of life, it's been comforting to see how God has used so many people close to our hearts to do the same. These seasons of life definitely grow you as your emotions are tossed back and forth making you rely more than ever on God and while doing so its making your heart stronger.
I just read an incredible book and one whole chapter was on friendship and being a "pastor's wife" ( I'll blog on that sometime, how difficult friendship is in the ministry) but one of the quotes that spoke wonders to my heart was this...

"Every place you go will hold friendships that will outlast your stay- if you let them. Instead of pining over good-byes, embrace the joy of hellos. I never stop being amazed at the different types of people God blesses me through during different stages of my life." ~ Lisa McKay

So to all my friends out there having to say good-bye, I pray that your hellos will be sweet and some amazing friendships cross your path on these new seasons of life.
Much love to you and your entire family. Your names are written on a piece of paper in my bible for prayer.
My family too will embrace a new season soon and I can't wait to share my heart and journey with you.

Happy Father's Day!!

Ryan- to the love of my life, who is an amazing father to our 3 girls! Your love, leadership, and fun spirit transforms our home! Your life richly blesses ours...
Happy Father's Day! :)


(The Surprise of your life pic!)


(The Karate-Move Pic!)


(The "I love my dad" pic!)

The Iphone Club!!!

Yep, its official, the iPhone 3GS has been ordered! Apparently, the 3GS is selling like hot cakes since they marked them down to $99 to help launch the new 4G iPhone so my hubby reserved me one, ordered it, and it will be delivered next week! :) Yea, I am so excited!!! Ha, I think my husband did it more for him than me so I'll stay off of his. :) I really wanted it for multiple reasons, but I do travel without him and I love how this phone has a GPS built into it...bonus. Plus, I just can take quick pictures and video of the girls. I can't wait!

So, here is a HUGE shout out of thanks to my hubby for raising our cell phone bill so we could add another iPhone to the family plan. You the Man!!! :D LOL

Fork in the Road!!!

Life...its predictable sometimes and then very unpredictable other times!

I've never really had to struggle through this long or seek, and wait on an answer from God than I am right now! Seriously, a journey has brought us to the "Fork in the Road" and both could be the right answer! Prayer, seeking, mentoring from others and encouragement, and more seeking, and more this and more that has my stomach in knots! I've decided to channel all this unknown excitement with working out to Jillian Michaels (from Biggest Loser) to help and she's doing her job alright. I feel like a million dollars after conquering one her work-outs!!! ;)
OK, back to the "fork in the road," its funny because both of these roads will be rewarding, exciting, blessed by God its just trying to figure out for sure, 100% which one is the road on this next leg of our journey of life!?

So, as you think of me, our family, please, please pray for us! I just know it will be one of those life stories that God will transform not only me but our entire family as we take risks for His Kingdom!

Getting Much Needed Help

I decided to finally put my words into action and on poster board! I think one of my constant overwhelmed feelings I get as a mom of 3 girls is the day in and day out chores that greet me each day. Since Addie and Avery are now in school and have expectations given for them each day there, I thought yep, they could conquer some expectations at home. So, I made a daily chore poster board that hangs in Addie's room where they can each read what they are expected to do each morning and each night. It has been AMAZING!! The girls were excited to have "assigned chores" and with a reward system in place, it gets them very motivated. :) Each morning the girls have chores that are age appropriate and they have to complete them by noon. Then the night chores have to be done directly after bath time in order to put there star on their chart. For example, Addie chore's are as follows...
(Morning)
Make Bed
Get Dressed
Brush Teeth
Due Her Hair
(Night)
Pick up toys/room
Feed Obi-Wan (our dog)
Help with Bath Time

Avery's are little more modified but you get the gist! It has made our summer routine start off quite nicely without me constantly riding them about getting things done. They know if its not done, no sticker! So many stickers equal trips to snow cones, starbucks, movies, and shopping, etc.
Wow, after implementing this, I didn't even have to remind Addie and Avery and Annalise it only takes telling her once. This has helped me tremendously lighten the load and help the girls realize that this house is a team work effort and not just run by mom and mom alone. I would hate for them to become teenagers and realize they have never taken any ownership in household chores and everything is handed to them on a silver platter!
So there ya go....Chore duty at the Prater household is great! :)
My goal...the girl's would still have enough steam to enforce this into the school year! Only time will tell.....

Something Big....

Something Big is happening this week! I can't reveal all the ins and outs of it but I am very excited. And as some things are starting to come together for our family, I continue to focus on some scripture that speaks right to my heart! May I continue to know these, meditate on them, own them, and live them out. Here are a few....

"May the God of all hope, give you all the joy and peace as you trust in Him."
~Romans 15:13

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
~Psalm 37:4

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks him."
~Lamentations 3:25

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future."
~Jeremiah 29:11

End of School Fun!!

Yep, its official, I have a 3rd grader and 1st grader and a little, crazy blonde Pre-Ker!! Wow, life is going by so fast and I'm trying to soak up these fun times with my 3 girls. I can only imagine as I start to work again how quickly the time will go!
Here are some fun pictures of Addie's 2nd grade Laua and Avery's Kindergarten graduation. Fun memories from an incredible year.
We have all been blessed by this school year! :)






(This is Mrs.Munoz, Avery's teacher who I adore (i could do a blog on her alone)! She has been a wonderful, loving, fun person who poured so much of herself into Avery. I am grateful for her contagious smile and laughter and now I call her my friend!)

Happy Birthday to Chan Man!!!

11 years ago, my sister gave birth to my nephew at 31 weeks! He was a tiny, skinny, little tyke who became a miracle right before our eyes. Chandler Breece Higgins became a little fighter boy who has grown up to be this incredible sensitive, caring, funny boy who we adore! He is my nephew and I am proud of his character and his love for life and for some fun. So here's to you Chandler...Happy 11th Birthday guy! I can't wait to see you grow and become a man and take on some amazing adventures. :)
We love you!!!