The Heart of Worship

"...and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven."

(2 Chron. 30:27)

Lord...you take my breath away.

Saturday Night

Saturday night, our precious friends, The Terry's, took us to the Rangers game....all you can eat, might I add!! We had so much fun! I wish I could say that the kids were totally into the game, but that would be a lie! They watched it here and there, but mainly decided that when the little red, blue and green dot raced around the field, that they would officially attend a Rangers game any day:):) We also had a little bonus during our game....THIRD DAY!! They played a pre-show, and during the game they showed up right above our stands to take pictures with a few selected fans:) Let me just take this moment to say that I have, in fact, met Third Day. Some friends and I were standing in line at Whataburger, and we turn around to see Third Day in line right behind us! We tried to play it off cool, but we failed miserably:)

So, back to the game, we tried to snap some shots, but I am not the greatest photographer! Let me just throw in a side note here and say that my husband and "all you can eat" go hand in hand! I have never seen him eat so much junk in my life! I almost threw-up just watching him:) Thank you, Joe and Melissa, for such a sweet gift! We love you guys!

Third Day

Easter

Here are a few pictures from our mini Easter egg hunt:) We just hid them in the backyard and turned them loose! Thank you Nana/Pops and Grammie/Gramps for making the eggs a financial investment instead of just a cavity investment:) They will appreciate it someday:):) Praise our Risen King and the precious gift the Spirit is to us every second of the day!

Bryce was trying to be a chicken:)

Filling up our piggy's!

Sabby

Just wanted to tell our sweet friend, Sabby, thank you for being so stinkin' incredible!!! She not only introduced me to the wonderful world of sushi, but she continues to bless me with a beautiful friendship off 13 years...and growing! Thank you, Sab, for ALL the Starbucks runs and long hours of c.d. burning:) Thanks for loving my kiddos and showing them the love of Christ! We love you!

Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It...wait...what???

We've had a couple of crazy days...we went from 70 degrees to 32 degrees pretty stinkin' quick! We were driving home in the icy mess today, and I just mentioned to the kids that I really had to concentrate on the road because it was "slushy." Mayce quickly piped up, in great excitement I might add, and asked "is it cherry or coke?" Yes, folks, that means one too many visits to the Target Icee machine! She literally asked me if she could lick the road!! Never a dull moment.... be blessed!

Tuesday....

Today!

Well, we ran out of daylight, so this is Faceless Snowman, and his trusty sidekick, Blob Boy.

Baby Sew Trendy...I think I love you!!

Monty's cousin, Jessica, is one talented woman that I just have to brag on today:) She started a company called Baby Sew Trendy and her creations are absolutely precious!! She originally started with just baby items, but she has now ventured into the toddler world, and I am thrilled!!! She was so sweet to make Mayce and Bryce these awesome shirts and I just wanted to say a huge "THANK YOU!"

I also threw in a few new pics of the kids:) They are getting so big...and hilarious! Enjoy!

Courtesy of Baby Sew Trendy:)

Bryce and daddy's lincoln log creation

Mayce's contribution to baking:):)

I'll give it to her, the girl can accessorize!

Seriously???

Ok, if you know me at all, you know that I absolutely adore my husband with all my heart! But, seriously, it's like "you were almost there....just one more itsy bitsy step." I laughed so hard when I saw this failed attempt at the toilet paper replenishing that I had to take a picture:) Monty is the greatest man I know, and he helps me in the home more times than I can count...but this was just too hilarious! At least the roll made it near the holder this time, and not just sitting on the floor:) Probably the funniest part of this entire scenario, was when Mayce (the 3 year old) came in to go potty, noticed the "manly mishap," and promptly whipped the old roll off and replaced the new one in a matter of seconds!! She then asked me..."Mom, why did you not finish with the toilet paper?" Ahhh, she's been taught well:):) I love you Monty...thanks for the laugh!!

5 AM

5 am. That's right...5 am in the morning seems to be the work out time of choice for the Durham household these days. I find it mildly insane, but unbelievably invigorating as well. I concluded the "insane" part after the first day of strain, when I woke up and could hardly lift myself back off of the toilet! The next day, I knew I had to re-work the sore spots to help them feel better. Re-work the sore spots....how crazy is that concept? About as crazy as the way I often doubt the Lord, get angry about a certain situation and drag myself through more hurt than He ever intended. Do growing pains hurt? Obviously, or they would not be called "pains." But what makes the difference between a "growing pain" and a "self inflicted" pain is my choice of praise or pity in the midst of trial. Sure, it hurt to re-work my muscles, but I submitted my body to it, knowing the end result is greatly desired. (Two kids...I need the end result:) I was reading this morning in 1 Chron. 12 where it talks about King Rehoboam's rebellious choices and the fast approaching attack that the Lord was allowing Egypt to carry out on Judah. Now, the king had not listened to the Lord, as his father Solomon had, and his people were not pleased with him...neither was God. So the Lord was going to allow Egypt to rip into Judah until....."so the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves, and they said, 'The Lord is righteous.' Now when the Lord saw they had humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came saying 'They have humbled themselves, therefore I will NOT destroy them, but will grant them some deliverance." (12:6-7) Now, granted, the king had created this situation with his rebellion, but the end result is what makes me stand in awe of our mighty and gracious God.......my sincere, heartfelt praise will always reach His heart and move Him to action on my part. Absolutely amazing! After such a long reign of disobedience, the king suddenly had a heart change, and the Lord delivered him when he "deserved" to be attacked. Whether it be turning from my own rebellion, or enduring His process of maturing, my praise bonds me with the heart of our Creator and assures me, no matter what, that His plan WILL prevail! No greater peace will I ever find. Just something to think about.

"May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Ps. 19:14)

Cavity Free!

Mayce had her first dentist appointment this last Monday, and she did unbelievable! They called her name, she hopped out of the chair, told me bye, and pranced her little bottom through the door like she had done it a hundred times! Then, from my waiting room chair, I could hear her chatting with the assistant the entire stroll to her destination room:) I, then, heard her telling the hygienist and dentist all about how we brush our teeth at home, what she had for breakfast, that she loved the way their toothpaste tasted and that she liked the Wiggles that were on the t.v.! I was rolling and I am pretty sure she was keeping them entertained! She is the funniest kid.....who never meets a stranger! Needless to say, we were SO proud of her:) After about 45 minutes, Mayce came running out cavity free and lovin' the dentist! PRAISE THE LORD!

Exhausted...but worth every minute!

Let me just begin by saying I am so sorry for the 16 million pictures I have posted on this particular blog! Christmas was literally a 13 day event, so I figured this amount of pictures was pretty mild:) We had such a wonderful time seeing all of our family and greatly enjoyed their company. We started out with our own Christmas here at home, then went to Kress (Monty's side) for a few days, then Abilene (my side) through new year. My camera desire had pretty much dissipated by the time we reached Abilene, sorry about that mom:) So, since there are no pictures from Abilene, I will just say thank you to Mom, Dad, Shane, Terra, Garrett, Nanny, Sue and Amy for spending Christmas with us in Abilene! We had such a good time with all of our family! We love you all so much and want to thank you for being such a blessing to us!

Christmas at home:)

Bryce with his new tool set

This is their new obsession:)

Bryce just had to wear these glasses that his Grammy had on a doll:)

Mayce and Meme

Her sweet Great Grandaddy

VERY patiently waiting as the daddy's unloaded all the presents from the cars:)

"Chill out" Christmas shirts from Grammy and Gramps

Their Daddy...Their Hero

She LOVES her Uncle Benny

They can't get enough of their daddy!

This is their new cousin Luke. He has such a pure heart for the Lord and the kids just ate him up!

Meme and Grandaddy

Nanny and Pawpaw

Opening gifts at Monty's Nanny and Pawpaw's house

Sadly, my only picture from Abilene....I think it explains itself....we were EXHAUSTED!

Christmas...a little early:)

We let the kids open one present a piece, a little early, and they were so pumped! I can't imagine how HYPER Christmas will be this year:) Two toddlers, LOTS of family and TONS of presents...I already need a nap! I joke about the craziness, but I must say, I am so looking forward to this Christmas with the kids. Monty and I have really been trying to teach them the precious reason for this holiday and their grasp of Jesus' birth has been fantastic! They genuinely know this is His birthday and that THEY are their own gift to Him:) What a wonderful concept! So, praise Him for this season and for the gift of His Son and His Spirit! May you be glorified, Lord, in all we do...even if we will need a nap after it all!