On the Incarnation

David's cousin has a new CD out- On the Incarnation. It is incredible! I just was listening to it and wanted to share it w/ you.

Go to http://www.danielrenstrom.com/

It was #7 on itunes! Daniel's got an amazing gift, but the best thing is that he's the real deal. He truly walks a daily life of worship. He doesn't just sing it, but he walks it.

So check it out!

Christmas Gifts!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0vjuXzRaF8

I thought I would share this video. This is an awesome ministry. You will have to check out more about it at www.gfa.org You can support missionaries, children...there's something that we all can do to help spread the gospel and to encourage and love our spiritual brothers and sisters in Asia.

Thought someone may enjoy this song....here are the lyrics to the song that is playing when the blog opens.

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can lay every burden down
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross

Books

Here are some books that I have read lately. They are great books. Christ has been purging, convicting, changing, and blessing me so much. This has been an incredible last several months. I can't put anything He has done in words. I know He is doing some incredible things in the modern church to change us to truly walk more like Christ walked. If you haven't read these books, they are truly a blessing to my walk w/ our Saviour.

This book is incredible. You can get it free at www.gfa.org

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby

I went through the workbook. There is a book too.

I can't believe that I have never read it before, but God's timing is perfect.

Little Hud

I realized I hadn't posted any pics of Hudson...poor middle kid:-)....so I was looking through some vacation pics of this summer and found these that made me laugh....

I drove the entire time w/ one hand on the steering wheel and one on Hud. He didn't move or make a sound the entire time:-)
I cannot believe they actually let him ride:-) Or maybe you are thinking that you can't believe that I let him ride:-) We had fun:-)

Will he ever ride a go cart again?

Cubbies

John David's first time at Awana Cubbies! He's loving it!

Graham...

Graham's first try at cereal!
He's already four months old!

J's got some hair...

Before...

Iwas trying to find some pictures and I thought these were cute....He went to get his hair cut w/ mom a couple of weeks ago...

After....I laughed outloud when looking back at these. J is such a goof- I can rarely ever get an actual picture of him....it seems to always be something like this:-) A one armer is always a good pose!

His hair looks good...it grows so fast though- it looks like the first pictures already now!

We need Grandma!

It's about time, huh?!

It's been a while, I know! It's been a bit busy around the Gossett house, can you believe it?!
A friend of ours is wanting to get into photography and she asked if she could practice on the boys...I thought that was a great idea since I never seem to have an extra hand to actually take pics myself anymore! So thanks to Lindsay, here's some pictures to share w/ you guys...

Thanks Lindsay! You can continue to practice on us anytime!!:-)

One of God's best gifts...

I haven't blogged in such a long time..I was looking through some pics tonight to see what I could put up here....and I'll admit, I haven't taken many pics...but I did find a couple....this one was on the weekend of May 28 for our anniversary. David took me out for dessert at the Melting Pot and gave me tickets to the Keith Urban Concert that weekend! I was so excited! Remember that Graham was only a couple of weeks old, but we pulled it off w/ the help of Gigi and Pops and uncle Seth! Keith Urban sings one of our favorite love songs......It was a great anniversary! I really do think I'm the most blessed girl in the entire world. David is such a man after God's own heart. He's my bestfriend and a wonderful husband and father. I know that he is such a gift to me and the boys. Marriage has been one of the best gifts God has given me. I love you, David, and am so thankful for you.

The young guy in the pic is a guy from the youth at church we just happened to see at the same time we took the pic:-) Just in case you were wondering!

Speaking of marriage....

John and Melanie are engaged!! We are so thrilled for both of them.... I'm excited to get such an awesome sis-in-law too :-) The engagment was awesome! We all got to see it and be a part! It's been such a blessing to see how the Lord has brought them together and worked in their relationship! Marriage has been such a blessing to David and I...we're excited to see how the Lord will continue to work in and through them! We love you guys!!

Four day old Graham!

My mom yelled for me and said that Graham had rolled over...I thought that was a sweet "idea" but she must have pushed him over!! Then she yelled it again! I went in and watched him roll over- all by himself- for the third time! I knew no one would believe us so we got the camera....this is the fourth time he rolled over. When David got home we showed him the video- he still didn't hardly believe it! So he took him to our bed..he rolled over again....then he put him on the carpet...no fluffy bed or springs to help:-)....and he rolled over again!!

Our little Graham

Some more pictures of our newest little one!

The delivery went awesome! This was my favorite delivery so far! I got the epidural, but something didn't work as well as it did w/ the other two. It helped the pain w/ the contractions on my stomach, but once the baby started really pushing, the pain was a bit crazy! He was also face up which added pain as well. It was very different than the other two! At the time I didn't know what was going on, but it was definetely my favorite delvery experience.

Going home from the hospital!

Mom's helper!
Okay, so here's a close up of my poison ivy! This is the day before it got really bad! I was having to wear a big "patch" over this arm and the next day I had to wear another "patch" on my other arm b/c it got pretty bad as well. And then it came up on my leg too! I called the doctor and she gave me some medicine, so it's now looking better!! A good memory!

I love these pictures b/c I think we look a like! The other boys came out and my mom said they looked nothing like me. I was very excited that Graham looks like me. We'll see how long it lasts:-)

The last day before the birth!

Our last picture just the four us!

Graham Ward Gossett

We're thrilled to annouce that Graham is here! He weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long! It was such an awesome delivery! The Lord allowed me to feel a lot of the birth....it was a bit painful this time around, but it was such an amazing experience for me. We are all very thankful he is here w/ us! He was born Monday morning at 10:26 am! He's already been such a blessing!

There are tons of more pictures to come! My dad took so many it has been hard to choose which ones to put up:-)

Thanks for all the prayers! Our Lord is Good!

Grandma and Grandpa are here!!

Yah!! G'ma and G'pa are coming!! David always laughs abt. how excited I get the day before they arrive! They rushed in from church services on Sunday night! We all stayed up late to wait on them! The boys were so excited!! (and me...can you tell?!)

Grandma and Grandpa always bring the best surprises!!

One of our "daily" walks to try to get the labor going!

Rosie's didn't work! We have gone to Rosie's w/ each pregnancy as soon as my parents arrive....the next day delivering the baby! It just didn't work this time!

Since the walks and Spicy Mexican food didn't seem to be working, we got to work in the yard...First daddy put up a new mailbox so J could get the mail from the sidewalk...

then we pulled up some flowers and weeds...

And all we have to show for it is a bunch of Poison Ivy!!! Daddy and I have it pretty bad! That's always fun:-)

Walking yet again at David's softball games....

w/ no results:-) Just tired feet!

Happy Birthday, John David!

The party boys!

The wind was blowing so much that we had to be creative w/ the b-day candles:-)

Hudson was pushing my hand so the cupcake would go faster in his mouth....he inhaled it.

The big surprise!! "Monster Truck"

If you look closely you can see that Brogan has a finger in his nose and J has his tongue out! We were laughing thinking abt. when they will all be 16!!

This was their expressions as soon as J stepped on the pedal!

J gets abt. three weeks of b-day celebrations! We had a little "party" on his actual b-day w/ just the four of us...then we had his b-day party picnic...and then when my parents get here on Monday, the celebration will continue!

Kase, Kobe, Kali, Karli, and Kloe....John David kept asking if you guys could come to his party! We all missed having you guys! We love you and can't wait to see you soon!

You'll all be able to meet your new cousin next time I get to see you guys! yah!!!

Baseball!

We all enjoyed going to watch Seth play ball this weekend! His team had a great year and made it to the 2nd round of state play offs. We had a big day full of watching and cheering them on. We really enjoyed watching Seth play- he had such a great season! My boys are going to have lots of "coaches" when they get old enough to play:-)

Part of the fan club!

J's new thing is to take some pictures himself! He was very proud of this one!

Tired little boy!

Seth did so well- we are all very proud of him!

Thought I'd throw this in too- another one of John David's masterpieces!

36 weeks

Went to the dr. yesterday and here's the update: 3 cm, 80%, and +3!! He's coming soon!! I go again on May 1st and then on May 5. She would like to take the baby on the 6th to make sure I can get the epidural. Looks like Pops will have to share his b-day w/ baby Graham! My parents are planning ot be here on the 4th, so we are super excited to get this little guy here and in our arms! What a blessing!

Parachutes and hair!

Parachute army!
These are awesome little crafts to do! Easy and fun:-) We love them!

Hud got a hair cut!! I watched J get his hair cut and thought I could try it on Hudson...he looks handsome!

John David is THREE!!!

Here's just a collection of random pictures that I thought you may enjoy!

I remember for a time we would were this helmet, playing for hours! I would even wear it while I folded clothes, washed dishes....:-)

Kase and J!

This was one of his first kisses:-)

His first Alabama football weekend!

This was just days after he was born!

Seconds after birth!

Mommy and John David's first DATE!! We went to Bridge Street where I followed him around....there were a lot of entertainers that night out playing music and doing magic, etc...then we finished the night w/ french fries and burger at Red Robin! It was a great first date for us! This was back in October of 08...

He has been such a blessing to our family!!

We love you, John David!!

Easter!

North Carolina surprise!!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! We miss you both!!


Our own little Easter Musical!! I think I've had a headache for two days now!

Huntsville has been having some crazy weather here lately..a hail storm hit us the other day...we found some the size of golf balls!

Hudson wanted to go get the "balls" that God was given us:-)

Sunday Morning!

( several of you guys have asked how far along I am- I forgot to post that on the belly pics...this picture is 34th week...Dr. estimated the first or second week of May for delivery..it has snuck up on us so quickly!!)

Little Monkeys...

Dad putting Hudson to practice a bit early:-)

Hud's favorites right now are balls, cars, and dogs! Dogs have to be at the top of the list- we hear
abt. them daily...many times a day. Almost every morning at the breakfast table he sees people walking their dogs out the window...he loves to tell them hello and goodbye.

Workin' hard!

A Pretty Little...

BOY??!!

Hud's hair has gotten so long that it will go into a perfect little pony tail! David had a late softball game the other night and I played dress up :-) Can you tell I'm in a house full of boys?!

Now- that's our little boy! Much better!

Belly Time!

Finally....

These two picture aren't the best...you can barely see me, but you can notice a little belly. This was taken abt. two weeks back.

These next three pics were taken a week ago...belly is GROWING!!

This last picture was taken this past Sunday...when we walk in our church there is a big mirror down the hall that you have to walk toward...I realized that my belly had grown so much since I had last worn this outfit that you could see my big bellybutton right through my shirt! Nice little touch to any outfit, huh?! ha!

Fishers of Men

Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

I'm in the middle of reading this book right now- for the first time. I don't know what to say abt. it besides that it has been such a huge encouragement to me. We've been going through Adam Stanley's series GO FISH on Sunday nights. This book has seemed to go right along with it.

This is one my favorite books about family. It goes right along with becoming fishers of men as well. It talks about the huge crisis of the American Christian family- the crisis between belief and action. We got the book through Liberty a couple of years back and I've gone through it a couple of times now- always keeping it close...like Shepherding a Child's Heart and Raising Kid's for True Greatness it's been a great book for us to go back to often. I will probably share some things out of it soon.

Exploring!

We love to go exploring...and find cool bugs and treasures:-) It reminds me of when I was a kid too. That was one of my favorite things to do! I'm not sure if we looked for bugs though...that may be a boy thing:-)

Helping Hud!

"Watch me mom" is the phrase for the month....

Then a little swinging!
Surprise! I went inside for just a second...came back and this is what I saw! He said he had to go "potty"...well, he forgot his pants in the bushes:-)
I must say modesty is not his greatest strength! We need to work on that:-)

Dr. MOM...

J got a cut on his finger one morning and it wouldn't stop bleeding...we ran it under cold water (thus the wet PJ's) , did all sorts of things to stop the bleeding....finally after a while, Dr. Mom nursed him up with paper towels and duct tape....He thought that was pretty funny....but what do you do when all you have is band aids and those just don't work? I thought duct tape fixed everything:-)

He was very proud of his enormous bandage...and the cut was barely visible:-)...it just wouldn't stop bleeding!

Peek-a-boo

Where is J?
(okay- as I show you a picture of J and Hud's very full closet I feel the urge to tell you that this is winter clothes and spring/summer... I just unloaded the spring season in here:-) and left the winter until I know the cold weather is gone....thus the extremely full overload of clothes :-)...

Can you spot him?


There he is!!
What a nut....it was time to start getting ready for bedtime one night and he called for me from his room....and this is what I saw...I didn't know where he was until he popped his head out!

Happy Birthday David!

David got a grill!!

YuMMy!!

I really do think that this was the best meal we have ever eaten at this table!! It was perfectly delicious!! Chicken, filet mignon, colored peppers and onions, corn on cob...It was wonderful! I'm starting to think that the grill was a gift to me too- Now that I know he's such a grill master....he can take over a meal or two! By the way- we finished everything!! Yum!

Thumbs up dad!!

Alabama Snow!

All schools were closed, roads were closed off, we had no choice...look at ALL that snow!

Ha! Just kidding. This was actually on a Sunday- and there were lots of churches closed...but we still "fought" the weather and hit the road in time for church:-) Only in AL would we get so super excited about a flurry:-) You should have seen David the night before! They were calling for more than what we got -of course:-)- And as soon as his feet hit the floor in the morning, he went running to the bedroom window...with me following close behind:-)

This is my favorite spot...I love sitting here and looking out the window in the mornings...this Sunday morning was particularly beautiful! Our God has such creativity and beauty!

Thanks David for the pretty roses:-)

Pre Graham Goals...

Just a little booty...You may be wondering why this picture is a pre Graham goal..Well, let me explain...
The goal was pottytraining. It is now, I'd like to say, checked off the list! He is doing wonderful!!! He keeps the same underwear on now all day long- well, most days. The booty picture was taken several weeks back...This is what I saw for many many days....He was to take off underwear that had gotten wet and put them in the sink and then go put on dry underwear if he had an accident. Well, there were times he forgot the dry underwear part...It was amazing how many times I have seen this little bottom in the last month!

If you look close, here's the booty again. J had gotten "T" time for a reward for something..I walked out of the room, came back...and this is what I saw. He was probably 10 inches from the screen, totally naked. Nice, J!

Second Goal: Hudson in big boy bed in J's room...Well, as you can tell, the start was a bit crazy...Their room was totally clean and picked up before bedtime. This was the very first night. We started bedtime routine at 7:15...we had a surprise for Hudson, so it took a little while longer for his to open it and for us to play with it a bit...about 7:45, we left room. They didn't fuss much, but instead were interestingly quiet with a few laughs inbetween... we went in later and saw the above picture...no wonder they were quiet....Almost every toy in their closet was out, every book, every flashcard...it was a complete mess.

I freaked out when I saw this...I truly thought for a moment there was a roach. I remember thinking there was no way that a mess of toys and books could bring roaches in!! Then I quickly realized it was just a flashcard. whew!

Solution #1: tie closet doors together...no more toys

Solution #2: untighten the light bulbs...they can't turn the lights on now

The next morning we found them in the same bed! Now, they are doing awesome. It's still not perfected:-) but it's doing great! We found Hudson on the floor one morning too. But now he seems to enjoy his own big boy bed.

I had prayed and planned for this transition for a while and I'm so thankful it is working out so well. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. Since the transition started, David and I both noticed that Hudson has just seemed to grow up! He's going to be a big brother soon!!

Grace Giver

The Lord has been teaching me so much during this season of my life. A bit of a winter season…but the smell of fresh flowers are promised. Priscilla Shirer says it like this, “Often we see God’s glory best against the contrast of life’s dry seasons.” This makes me laugh a bit since we have been living with humidifiers and saline drops since Thanksgiving to try to add a bit of moisture! Moses, after 40 years as prince, encountered the “glory of God not in a lavish palace, but in a barren desert.” I love this. We know that the Lord blesses big events, church gatherings, awesome things done for His glory…the Lord has used these things in my life, of course. But, when His glory is revealed the most to me seems to be when I’m sitting in my quiet place, alone with Him. Just us. Looking into His face and fellowshipping with Him in the normal places of everyday life – it staggers me and leaves me speechless. The entrance of Thy Words giveth light- Ps. 119. One thing the Lord has been revealing to me lately is a little bit more about is His grace- I know some of what the Bible says about His grace- but lately He has been teaching me more about truly knowing his grace. I have so much to learn, to know…we always will- it’s unfathomable. But the taste of His Grace in my life is overwhelming. Astronomical. In high school, I had written a little note on my car’s dashboard that said “It’s not about me.” More than ever am I seeing that life is not about me. Mothering is not about me or about my kids. My marriage is not about David and I. My ministry is not about me. My house is not about me. What I do is not about me. My life is not about me. Nothing is. Isaiah 48:11 “ I will act for My own sake, indeed, My own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give my glory to another.” We watched Loiu Giglio’s Indescribable video in church on Sunday night- it, again, reinforced how HUGE God is and how small I am…all to lead us to His astronomical grace. Out of the same mouth that came the universe…comes a small still voice to my heart. When His glory is revealed, when His Words shines light…how can I, as small as I am, not respond? How can I not change my human plans for His divine plans…His plans for us, I think, are much grander than his plans for the universe…the magnitude of the miraculous creation of the world…to show a touch of His glory…can’t be more than what He wants for us. He sent His son for us. He died for us. He lives for us. Small us. Never will understand that. I was just thinking about the beauty of the Lord’s creation that was shown in that video….it’s crazy…the beauty of even just the pictures…and then to just think the thought that the same God that created and rules over that- all that beauty- when he looks at me...he sees more beauty…more beauty in me…with all the weaknesses, imperfections, ugliness of sin…when he looks at me, he sees more beauty than when His eyes scan all the wonders of the universe. All because of Jesus Christ. That takes me to my knees. I don’t understand it, but oh how I ‘m thankful! I’m involved in a precept class at our church and we have been talking about the attributes of God. This past week we hit specifically on His Sovereignty- our teacher told a story that reminded me of a conversation I had with John David the other day. He has a bit of an imagination…I guess like his mom…and night times lately have been “scary”…well, that’s what he says. I was explaining there wasn’t anything to be afraid of…Then I went on to say that Jesus watches over us and that there are angels everywhere. Then I made it more specific and said that Jesus and angels were right there in the room with us- and they would watch over us. Well, that didn’t go over too well…he was then terrified. He made a horrible face and shivered all over and said “Mom, I scared.” (of course then I went on to explain...) One of our dearest family friends with two little boys told me a story of her oldest boy- John David’s age. Blake also had said one night that he was scared…Shannon, the mom, also said the same thing that I had told J. Blake’s response was quite different. He said, “Mom, I see them. Look there they are!” Wow! What a difference! As my teacher was telling a similar story we all thought of the different ways people respond to Christ and His Sovereignty. The difference is that some know Who He is…What He is all about…truly know with their hearts and with their experiences and with all their trust- Standing Stones. Over Christmas I gave out a journal to my family and a couple of friends back in North Carolina. I had heard about this journal from a lady from my church back home and wanted to start one myself. It’s a “My God is….” Journal. I’m not sure all the in and outs of how it is suppose to work, but I started one…using my own little system…It’s been such an encouragement. My trust and love for Him has grown so much. I encourage you guys to start one. Pops (David’s dad who is also our pastor) has been doing a series about prayer. He encouraged us on Sunday to be able to- each week – to put a name of the Lord with what He has been revealing and teaching to us. And then praise and worship Him with that name. Once again, a reminder of how BIG He is and just how small I am…and how astronomical His love and grace. Just that he would choose to reveal anything to me leaves me in tears.

Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Hebrews 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

John David??!!

This made me laugh. I was looking back at some pictures and came across this one of John David at Hudson's age! I love that hair! They are two totally different little guys, that's for sure! Thinking back on how John David was at this age...and then how Hudson is...very different!
I wonder what #3 will be like!? What a blessing!

Love and Respect

Our church has recently offered a class based on this book. David and I were very excited to get into the study- David's Dad has used this DVD set for many premarriage counseling and he thought it was so good he wanted to open the study to more couples. I am very thankful the Lord laid this on his heart and he responded. I've been so excited to share this with you guys. David and I finished the class before the Holidays- and soon after I started reading the book. The class was such an encouragement to us that I wanted to spend more time studying. We took premarriage counseling, I took marriage courses in college, read many books, etc...and many of these books were helpful...Men are Like Waffles Women Like Spaghetti is a good one...but nothing compared with how the Lord has used this Love and Respect study in my life. Our small group was great and very fun, but when I got alone with the Lord- talking to Him, memorizing and meditating on verses...well, God's Word never returns void and if you seek with all your heart you will find. I feel so blessed and thankful that the Lord has used this book to open my eyes to new things. The wisdom I've gained from this study I know God will use- He already has in many ways.

I was showing a house to a client several months back and on the refrigerator was a magnet. It read, "Men are dumb, throw coconuts at them." Continuing to look around- there were many pictures of a young married couple. I am sure- or would at least hope- that this young wife doesn't take this magnet literally- but the mindset is everywhere. The world around us tries to convince us of many things. We know that in many ways the secular world view can creep inside the body of believers. God's word is such joy and freedom to me. Truth really does have the power to set us free- to be exactly who our Creator created us to be. I'm so thankful the Lord has sent His swiftly running Word into my heart. I am humbled and so grateful.

Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy you needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

1 Peter 3:6 Wives "do what is right and do not give way to fear."