The Howard Family

Friday, April 19, 2013

Easter Recap!!

We are so blessed in that all of our family lives pretty much within an hour or two of us. We love that we can spend holidays with family but att times it can get chaotic trying to make sure we get to see everyone. This Easter we were able to see almost all sides of the family and the kids got SO much candy (and other goodies). They got to do about 3 or 4 Easter egg hunts and enjoy lots of great food and fellowship with cousins and grandparents. On Friday night we headed to Richmond and spent the night with my parents (Mimi and Papa). Saturday the kids got their first Easter basket from Mimi and Papa and then we headed to Grandma (Sonny's mom) and Grandad's house to celebrate with them. We spent Saturday night back at my parents and then Sunday morning we headed to my Grandma's (kids' Great Grandma Dibler). After lunch we headed to Wharton to spend the rest of the day with B-dad (Sonny's dad), Sonny's Grandma ("Great-Grandma with the chickens") and all of that side. All of our family time was great. Here are some pictures that say it all...

Easter at Mimi and Papa's (my parents)...

Mimi helping Zoee with eggs...

Easter with Grandma (Sonny's mom) and Grandad...

(mouth was full of candy most of the day =) )

Grandma with her baby girl!

Grandad with Asher...

Easter at Great Grandma Diblers (my Grandma)...

My Grandma with her newest great grandson, Russ...

My handsome brother and my handsome hubby!

Easter with B-dad (Sonny's Dad) and "Great-Grandma with the Chickens"

Zoee holding a lizard that Daddy caught...

Cousins with the lizard...

Isn't this the most precious picture! Great-Grandma Howard with Zo-bear!

Here is the best picture I could get of the Howard kiddos =) Happy Resurrection Day 2013! We are so thankful for the death, burial and resurrection of our powerful Lord!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Praying 1 Samuel for Asher...

As I said in the previous post, I have been trying to pray more Scripture for my family and friends. Asher is such a wonderful little man. He loves to please others and is simply a joy. My prayer for him is not as detailed as Zoee's... lately I have been praying 1 Samuel for him.

My prayer for Asher from 1 Samuel 1-3... that he would...

~continue to grow in favor with both the Lord and men

~that he would be bold in the Lord and speak truth even when it is difficult

~that he would know the Lord and hear the Lord speak to him

~that he would be used to lead others to the Lord

I am so thankful for this little man who brings our family so much joy and laughter. His kind and loving spirit is already so refreshing to be around.

Praying Esther for Zoee...

In the past couple of months the Lord has really been working on me to spend more time praying His Word for people. His Word is powerful and spoke creation into existence.

"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

~Hebrews 4:12

It has been one of the most encouraging things for my prayer life and my walk with the Lord to start actually praying Scripture for people. It helps me to remember His Word more throughout the day and it helps me to spend more time praying for my friends and family. When we were on our little trip to the Texas hill country I was reading through the book of Esther. Almost instantly I started praying for my little Zoee as I was reading about Esther. It was so refreshing for my faith to be looking intently into the Scriptures while also praying for my daughter. Zoee is such a joy but she does have a little bit of a "stubborn" personality which can leave me quite amazed at times! I love her passionate and loving spirit and pray the Lord will use us to help channel her spirit in a godly direction. Here are the things I was praying for her (and that I am continuing to pray for her and for the daughters of my friends) as I read through Esther ...

I pray that Zoee will...

~be bold when led by the Lord to do difficult things

~obedient to authority

~seek wise council

~be beautiful inside as well as outside (I think she is pretty stinkin' cute =) )

~gain favor with others based on her good character and reflection of the Lord in her life

~be patient

~seek God earnestly and diligently

~lead others in peace, truth, and worship of God

I am thankful for the Word of God that gives us great examples of those who have gone before us and lived faithful and God-glorifying lives that we can aspire to. I am thankful for my little lady who continues to keep me seeking Jesus and who strengthens my prayer life without even knowing it yet =).

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Leakey Retreat...

Our family was able to take a little retreat with some of our best friends this past week. We went to the Texas Hillcountry, to my former bosses retreat home in Leakey. It was absolutely wonderful to just get away and be refreshed. Our cell phones did not get service and we did not even bring our computer. It was so nice just to spend time as a family and get to catch up with Lindsay and Landon. They brought their 4 month old, Hannah, and she was an absolute joy. She is such an easy going baby. At first Zoee got a little jealous when I would hold Hannah but after a while she loved to be a big helper and give Hannah her paci and make her smile. Overall the kids slept well and were full of joy. They loved going exploring and throwing rocks in the pond. We had great food and sweet fellowship. We tried to go to Garner State park to take the kids on kayaks or paddle boats, but the boat rental place was not open. The kids still had a blast at Garner looking at the rapids and climbing on the rocks. It was a great opportunity for me to continue "letting go." I was so tempted to be fearful and stifle their adventurous spirits but I held my tongue and everything turned out great. I am so thankful for Steve and Susan (the owners of the home in Leakey) for letting us get some nice time away.

Sonny spent some time hitting golf balls and the kids loved chasing the balls once he was finished...

The kids loved going exploring!

Landon brought a hammock and it was a hit! The kids (and the men) loved it...

Zoee loved getting all her gear on so she could be ready for loud noises!

We loved getting to spend time with our life-long friends! We have known Landon and Linds since the beginning of highschool and they were our maid of honor and best man in our wedding. We love time with them- they refresh us so much!