Life is like a jar of NUTELLA

the moment I saw this picture of my youngest grandson, Marshall...I KNEW!!!  this picture is priceless......

I couldn't wait to write a blog about it and to also get it on Pinterest....one of my friends suggested an advertisement for Nutella....all of the above are correct answers.....

But here is what I saw....

verses like------- child like faith.........out of the mouths of babes......a little child will lead them........so here goes,

This little child is most definitely showing us something about how to live life......stick that whole hand of yours right smack dab into the middle of that jar and OPEN WIDE!!!!!!  get that whole fist full of yummy chocolate goodness right into your mouth...and get some all over your face and hands and jar and table and anything else within a half mile of your life..

I think Marshall has the right idea...just DIG IN!!!!!!!

don't be timid and don't hold back.....GET YOU SOME!!!!!!!!  that is...LIFE!  live it to the fullest possible...

We only get to do this one time..it is not a dress rehearsal..it is the real thing..there is no saving up to use in the next life....we get a certain amount (as in this jar of Nutella)...and we need to use it ALL!!!  right down to the bottom of the jar....we don't need to get to the end of this life and have half a jar left because we were so scared to live that we saved half of it......it is ours to live..no one can do it for us......

this jar of Nutella was a Christmas gift to Marshall's parents from me....but as you can see, that did not deter him...He saw something good and went for it!!  the whole jar.....kinda like us and God..when we see something that is His, we can go for it....If we have trusted Him, then He is our Daddy...and no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly......

Well, Marshall shows us what that looks like......

So, take your hand.....open that jar of Nutella aka your life......and stick your entire hand in there and bring a fist full of yummy goodness to your mouth....and do NOT be careful about what it spills over onto....just be concerned with tasting and seeing that it is good....and letting others smile or laugh out loud because of the joy surrounding you....

Like this little child, I plan on making 2012 a year where I jump in there with both feet..no holding back....when I see something good in My Father's House, I plan to go for it!!!!!!!  do you want to join me?  what a wonderful world that would be if we all tried to spend our lives emptying our jars of Nutella.....

thank you to Betsy Sinclair for this awesome picture...and to Marshall for the freedom he lives in because his parents get it!!


thank you for stopping by today.....this year is gonna be a good one..I can just feel it....can you?

Focusing rightly

Jesus   ....Emmanuel

I am going to turn my focus for the rest of the week onto the reason we even have Christmas....the real story behind all of the commercialism and money spending....Jesus.......

He came as a baby..and grew into a MAN...and gave His life so that we might live forever...if we turn to HIM and trust HIM to take our life and turn it into something beautiful..........
I did that many years ago....33 to be exact..I have never been sorry..He is LOVER of my soul....my everything....

There is good fruit from a life of living to please God...here are just a few fruits that I am so absolutely thankful for.....I never knew love like this before...unconditional..and to think that God loves me and you even more perfectly than we love our children and grandchildren.....

JOY unspeakable

PEACE that passes understanding

unconditional LOVE

Yes, these are a few of my favorite things..........

a Saviour named Jesus....

and three little boys named Will, Mac, and Marshall...He did indeed give me beauty for ashes..no matter how bad we mess it all up, He can redeem it..I am living proof of that...

Merry Christmas week to all of you...I hope to see you again soon...

My cup runs over.....

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;

I am so thankful for the blessing of grandchildren...these little lives..this daughter and son in law that pour their lives into making these little boys into great men..

I am thankful that they have developed a love of learning already at their young age..and their love of books and reading make this grandmother happy......I stressed the importance of reading at a very young age with my own children and they are amazing readers....and lovers of learning.....now, it brings me great joy to see the next generation embracing this too..  we recently spent the morning at our local library where we have a really good children's librarian and a good story hour....I only got a few pictures but I think you can see how much they were enjoying it.  I am proud of Betsy for making the effort to get them reading and loving books at an early age.....it will help them go far in this life....

eating breakfast to start the day..Marshall

children's section at library

Mac got a book as soon as we got there

Mac and Marshall

Will..thoroughly entertained

intent...

listening

here is who had their attention

It was a fun morning and I am thankful that I get to share in some of the day to day things that my grandsons do.....after all, it's the little things that mean the most......Thank you Betsy for making the huge effort to come and spend the night with us...we love every minute of your visits...

thank you for stopping by this morning......come again soon....

Grandsons

What a joy are my 3 grandsons....they are so different but yet so much alike...They all came to spend the night this week and I was able to capture a little of their personalities with these pictures.....I hope you enjoy this picture....
they are such a delight......

Betsy does a wonderful job of helping them develop their individual temperaments.......truly raising them up in the way they should go....I am sure Mike has a lot to do with this too...they are good parents..these boys are amazing...watch out world!!!  they are going to CHANGE you!!!

thank you for sharing your time with us today.......

Happy FALL!!!!!   so glad to see you once again......I will really enjoy you this year.  I promise....

Happy first birthday Marshall

One year ago today this sweet baby came into our lives.  He has been such a joy each and every time I have been with him...He is happy and content to just be alive... a very low maintenance boy.....his little face will melt your heart.....I love you Marshall and thank you for all that you are..an amazing little boy...

my name is Marshall

I spread joy

I love dogs

birthday presents

bibs for Marshall

special request bib..  :-)

Being a grandmother is more rewarding than I ever thought was possible....these little boys have stolen my heart...they are each so different and yet so alike...they are my heritage...I did not know I could love like this...

Happy Birthday baby Marshall...you won't be a baby much longer....I love you with my whole heart...

thank you for sharing in these birthday wishes for Marshall..it's a grand time to be alive....