Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

Four months since my last post...how pathetic!!!!  But that is how insane it is around here.  There are so many thoughts I have but so very little time to stop and jot them down.  But I LOVE to share pictures and I'm way behind in doing so, so here ya go:

 We absolutely enjoy our friends!  We had the Plummers & Kubiceks over back in April before the Kubiceks headed on another mission!

 I LOVE these two...they are the same age minus a day!

 Easter at my Sister's house...in age order!

 We visited Brett's sister Steph and her family in Chicago area.  (I have a ton of pics from this trip...enough to have a post all of its own, but ya know how it is)  Z and Miah are sooo sweet together.  Z just said tonight that she really misses Miah and wants to go to her house again real soon.  :(

 Z & E MADE corn toss with Daddy!  They each got to paint one.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

 Brett bought a motorcycle and we all enjoy taking a ride with him.  Here is Eli giving us a wave.

 Eli is playing Rookie baseball this year.  I know very little about sports, so I'm super happy Brett knows a lot and keeps Eli plugged in.

 Father's Day!  We gave him a photobook of the trip to Steph's (which also included the Zoo and Legoland).  And a few other little things...but its this moment I love.

 I took Eli on a date in June...he picked bowling...and we can see why!  He is good!

 He picked DQ sweet treat afterwards!

 My Dad visits.  We adore him!

 Z, E and Daddy do the fun run at the Oakland 5K and Z beat them all!  Go ZZ!!!!!  (Eli was sick, shhh don't tell Z).

 A nice family game of basketball was played during a small birthday celebration for me and my sister June 2.

 Yes, that is a Ducky Dynasty shirt!

 We had an awesome party at our house for the 4th!  Here we are waiting for the parade.  The babies were home napping...

 Here our babies are, acting as mechanics!

 Z & Jude (my friend Jenny's boy) are good pals.  She would love for me to arrange their marriage now!  lol.

 Here are all the kiddos that we at our celebration.  I love having a lot of kids around.  To me, its much easier than just a few.  They entertain each other.  Sure there are more messes, and they wear me out but I love them all and enjoy their presence.

 Kayya gets a ride but is NOT happy about that helmut!

 Z & Jude again.  Cuties.

 Daddy and Z at the parade.

Steve Plummer (my friend Amy's hubby) and Silas taking a break!

Burning and Pruning is Worth it All

Pruning & burning is painful...and I'm not talking about my children, although that is true too.  I truly believe God allows hardships into our life.  Look at Job's...that is the perfect example.  God is in the business of molding us into his image...and at whatever costs.  Sometimes those costs are expensive and painful in our human flesh, (physical/mental/emotional pains, cancer, death of a loved one, child, spouse or parent, divorce, addiction etc) but nothing compared to what he gave up for our eternity.  He keeps bringing me back to a place of solace...in him and him alone.  In my flesh this can be a lonely place, but in my spirit...this is EXACTLY where I want to it.  I want to rest in his presence, in his promises.  As he snips and burns away everything that is between me and him...I want to run back to him.  He is my Abba, my Father, my Rock, my Comforter, my Redeemer.  No one but HE can heal my hurts and make me new...white as snow.  Meredith Andrews is still (a week since hearing her in concert) blessing my socks off...so I will leave you with lyrics from two of her songs.  In your circle today, open the door and allow God to take your hand, allow him to begin the burning and pruning...He is "Worth it all."

Burn Away"

Only You, only You
All I need, let nothing stand
In between, make me Yours
Consuming fire

Only You, only You
All I need, let nothing stand
In between, make me Yours
Consuming fire

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
Take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You
Burn away

You are love, You are love
Blazing light, holy flame
Fierce and wild, have Your way
Consuming fire

Yes You are love, You are love
Blazing light, holy flame
Fierce and wild, have Your way
Consuming fire

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
Take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You

Make me holy, as You are holy
Refine me in your fire, oh God
Make me holy, as You are holy
In my life be glorified
[x2]

Burn away
Everything that breaks Your heart
Everything that is not love
Purify my every thought
And take away
Everything that comes between us
Everything that is untrue
Jesus make me more like You
Burn away
Burn away
Consuming fire
Burn away

"Worth It All"

All I am Lord here before You
Reaching out for more
You're the promise never failing
You are my reward,
Jesus, You are my reward

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all

There's no riches or earthly treasure
That will satisfy
Every longing is for You Jesus
Set this heart on fire
Oh, set this heart on fire

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all
You are worth it all

When I'm there in Your glorious presence
Every knee is bowed before You
Hear the sound of heaven singing
You are worth it all
All the saints cry holy holy
Angels singing worthy worthy
Forever I will shout Your praises
You are worth it all

When I'm there in Your glorious presence
Every knee is bowed before You
Hear the sound of heaven singing
You are worth it all
All the saints cry holy holy
Angels singing worthy worthy
Forever I will shout Your praises
You are worth it all
You are worth it all

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say

I let go of all I have just to have all of You
And no matter what the cost I will follow You
Jesus everything I've lost I have found in You
When I finally reach the end I'll say
You are worth it all
You are worth it all
You are worth it all
Jesus, You're worth it all

Psalms 62:1-2  "I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."

Big Families and opportunities

     Oh darn it...see I missed February!  Sigh.  The best of intentions...anyways moving along.  Its March already...we are so ready for Spring.  Actually as I type this Brett & the children are outside riding bikes, power wheels and playing football.  Its still chilly, too much for my "wish I lived in the South" veins.  Here comes S...super tired.  And now E...hungry...and I think I can keep a blog up...haha!
     Well, I was wanting to write about how much I LOVE being a Mom...how much I love the challenge of learning new things like cooking for a large family, organizing clothes & shoes, thrifty savings, behavior challenges, teenage craziness and encouraging others Mommas.  So, I'll just write about this morning.
     Z gave her up opportunity to crack the egg into the pancake batter to E!  Very impressed, she did it all on her own!  AND its her favorite thing to do!  I love her heart, her willingness to give and love.  I took the opportunity to talk about being last and putting others first and challenged E to find a chance to put Z first today.  Then at Breakfast, E read us devotionals...one was about serving, so we talked a bit about that, real life examples of how we serve.  The kids are smart and watch us carefully.  We pointed out that we can do little things to serve...like Mommy getting Daddy his coffee.  I know...this sounds so wonderful and it is, but I want Mommas to know...we don't plan this out in our home.  But I do GRAB the chances when they arise, I'm hot on it.  I would truly enjoy planning these learning moments, but my life is a bit chaotic for that....just me being transparent so be gentle with the judgments.
     Well, guess what?  They are ALL in the Kitchen now.  Time to go.  I'll leave you will a picture!

Ordinary Hero Trips

Ordinary Hero Trips

Celebrating January!

We are half way through Jan!  And today its FREEZING out there.  I got a massage this past weekend, I did realize how bad I needed it, and I'm sleeping much better now.  Which is great, because I even notice throughout the day that I had a good night's sleep.  Kids are back to school and Brett back to work...I miss them when they are gone.  If we ever win the lottery, Brett has to quit his job forever...I love him being around.  I'm on my second cup of coffee this morning.  I have fallen in love with International Delights Heath creamer...YUM!  And ofcourse caffiene and I have always been buds.

I have started once again to read through the Bible in a year...this time I have accountability, so I hope I can do it.  Every year I think...oh here I go again setting myself up for failure.  sigh.  I need to stay positive, even if it takes two years...it will be two years well spent.  I am enjoying it!  And I have even started to ponder things that I really didn't think about before when reading certain scriptures...like...when Rebecca got married off...her parents didn't know this far away man (Isaac) who sent a servant to find him a wife!  Can you imagine?  A servant showing up on your door step asking for your daughter to come right away and marry a man in a far away land?!  Sure they were given a dowry, but still...as a Momma, I would want to meet him!
And do you think Isaac was eager to go into the wilderness with his father ever again after he had been put on the alter with a wood stack on top of him?!  Uhhhh I think not!  I had always been so focused on Abraham's commitment to the Lord that I never really thought about it from Isaac's perspective!  I truly enjoy pondering these things and relating them to my life today.  This is probably one of my biggest New Year's resolutions.  Also things like...investing my time in the eternal things.  Things (rather people) that have long lasting impact and importance.  My children and some friends, and definitely myself and my husband.  God is slowly teaching me forgiveness through Celebrate Recovery and His Word ofcourse....and my kids and my husband!  There are so many things I would love to be committed to, but I want to be committed to what God wants me committed to, not what I want in my selfish flesh.  Oh boy thats tough.

Here are some photos...Enjoy!  These pics are not in order...
1. Eli celebrating 6!!!!
2. Eli being a big brother...he is so good at it!
3.  My baby Eli, I can't believe he is 6.  Bittersweet.
4. E and Z playing in the snow...this is a photo by Daddy!
5. Z and I made Valentines Decorations for our home...we really enjoy doing this together!  Fb has a picture of our finished project, the hearts hang over our kitchen table.
6. Chloe and Eli at his birthday party, I picked this pic b/c I LOVE his face.  I love that he can let go and be goofy!
7. Silas and Z
8. Sissy Kayya loving on baby K.  Eli told us this week that he picked Micayla as his Hero to write about at school.  We are so proud of her, she is a GREAT big sister!  And I know it meant a lot to Micayla too.

Happy New Year!

Wow...I have been LAZY!  I haven't posted in forever.  Ha!  No really I have been incredibly BUSY.  Trying to find our new normal since April, but honestly...I give up.  I don't believe there is such a thing.  Everytime I think I "find" it, I lose it.  I put up a couple new pictures...since we are no longer the Frey 5!  And a new pic of Brett and I...man I sure do love him.  He tolerates me so nicely.  Never complains and is such an awesome husband...always encouraging and supporting.  I truly couldn't ask for a more awesome family.  God has blessed us beyond measure.  2012 was a year we will never forget.  I'm going to try to post more often, I can't promise anything!  Grandma got the boys these awesome bean bags for Christmas...Ethiopian Colors!
HAPPY 2013!

The Freys.