It has been a full week around here. How has your week been? Family, Birthday Burger, and a Field Trip are just a few of my favorite things from this week. Read on to see what my other favorites are.

Your kids are watching you. They are taking their cues in life from you whether you want them to or not. That can be terrifying for me sometimes since I mess up time and time again. But, thankfully God’s grace is sufficient. The other day at the park I was surprised at how our oldest daughter responded.

It has been a full but fun week around here. How has yours been? Pedicures, MomCon and a Wax Warmer are just a few of my favorite things from this week. Read on to see what my other favorites are.

My family is very important to me. In 2011, my family grew. In addition to my children at home, I have about 50 more children on the other side of the world. I was part of a team who went over to visit our rescued orphans in Cambodia and Thailand. Since 2011, I have had the privilege to go back two more times.

Today, I am headed out on a Mission Trip to Asia so that means I will be taking a break from blogging. Going back is going to be so much fun!  Our church has an orphanage in Cambodia and one in Thailand. We are going over to visit our kids and encourage the Asia’s Hope staff.

If someone asked you "What's In Your Heart?" what would your response be? One of our main goals as parents is to help our kids hide God's word in their heart. One of the ways we foster this is by doing family devotions each evening. Jonathan or I will pick out a Bible story. After we read the story, we ask our kids to each share something they learned from the story. The responses vary from silly to serious. It depends on the story and the mood of our kids. I often wonder if our kids are really listening. Is the truth of God’s word sinking deep into their hearts? One morning on our beach vacation last month, God answered that question for me.

If someone asked you "What's In Your Heart?" what would your response be? One of our main goals as parents is to help our kids hide God's word in their heart. One of the ways we foster this is by doing family devotions each evening. Jonathan or I will pick out a Bible story. After we read the story, we ask our kids to each share something they learned from the story. The responses vary from silly to serious. It depends on the story and the mood of our kids. I often wonder if our kids are really listening. Is the truth of God’s word sinking deep into their hearts? One morning on our beach vacation last month, God answered that question for me.

Trust. When you hear that word, what comes to mind? For me, several things come to mind. This past summer, God used our time at the beach to teach me a little bit more about trust. The beach is one of my favorite places to be. My family also loves going there. Last month we were able to get away for several days and spend some time at the beach. The time away was fun and refreshing for us all. One particular morning at the beach, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about trusting God.

The other day my youngest Caleb pulled out the play doctor kit. He asked me to lay down so he could take my heartbeat. Before Caleb even took my heartbeat, he proclaimed “I think it is dead.” I tried not to burst out laughing but inside I was giggling. It made me wonder why he thought my heartbeat was dead.

My kids love to tell me about a book they are reading, a game they are playing or what happened at a friend’s house. My kids share all the details. All. The. Details. Sometimes, I have a hard time tracking the point of their stories. To be totally honest, sometimes I get weary of listening…