Nice and Tidy or a Big huge mess?

When I am having a hard time ..................
I picture myself relaxing on the Beach in Pismo! My favorite place to be!

A hard week! Last week we had sickness in our house. For J it was 7 days of a high fever! He was waking up at night, and during the day while he was awake he was pretty out of sorts, and very cranky! It was like I had a different child. Because of this I was one tired exhausted mommy. I felt drained from my head to my toes at most every moment of the day. My days were spent taking temperatures, giving Motrin, giving cool baths, and lots of snuggling. My house became a huge mess, and the orderly house I try to run went out the door. I spent the whole next week playing catch up! I felt like I was so behind. It reminded me of how important it is to stay on top of daily things!

As I was reflecting with God this morning...I was thinking about this! I was thinking about how Gods love is unconditional and no matter if our relationship with him is neat and tidy or a big huge mess, he still loves us! He loves us no matter! All the time! I am so glad that he gives Grace! I know I am not worthy of it, but I do need it most days! With this said...I also know that when my relationship with him is messy Satan has much a much easier time getting my attention. My mind starts to doubt myself, my identity, my ability to be a good wife and mom. Satan does a great job of putting lies into my head. It is when my relationship with God is neat and tidy, I am confident in who I am. I take pride in that fact that he created me exactly how I am for a reason and a purpose. I am positive that he has me in this place and time for a reason.

Even if my house falls behind and becomes a big huge mess, I do not want to allow my relationship with God to do the same. He Loves me unconditionally, and on my Priority List my he is number one!

Beach Day with the Grable Family

Corona Del mar! It was a fun relaxing day at the beach. All the kiddos played very nicely, and they all kept themselves busy. They loved it! It was so nice to be at the Beach with the Grables! I am pretty sure it was the first time we were all able to get together! Usually most times Joshua and Jeff s schedules are opposite, but Jeff is off for the summer. I look forward to many more summer time hang outs! Next time with more sun block. I think we all got a bit too much color!

Fun in the sand!

Jeff and Tanner

Tanner- The water is this way!

Fun Mud!

These two are too cute!

J on the boogie board

She loves the sand!

Griffin- he's building something good!

Cadyn on the boogie board

Fun in the water!

J got pretty brave!

My cute boy!

Hi Cadyn

Sweet Jadyn she is sitting up!

Peaceful Day at the Arboretum

A while back I had the opportunity to go to the Arboretum with our friends the Grable family. It was my first time there, and it was such a nice day. Joshua was unable to go because he was working, but we had said we would make sure to go with him.

So a few weeks ago we went on a Sunday after church! It is so nice to be able to live so close to such a cool place. We spent a few hours there, we walked all around. The kids fed birds, ducks, peacocks, turtles, fish and Geese. J was so happy! He loves being out doors! He gets so excited about sticks, rocks, fish, water....really anything that involves nature. And Janna loved it also. Although she got a little too close for my comfort with the geese. She is one brave little girl!

We also took this opportunity to take pictures of the kids. We recently got a new camera, and Daddy is becoming the master photographer. We have a desire to no longer take studio pictures but to take pictures outdoors! Below are some of the shots Daddy got.

Hard to see but there were lots of turtles!

My Favorite- Jadyn my sweet Sunshine

Joshua(4) and Jadyn( 6 months)

Jadyn Elizabeth

Janna Rose (22 months) - It is very hard to take get good ones of her, she does not sit still long, and most times refuses to look at the camera but I was happy with this one!

We picked oranges in the orchard they were oh so yummy!

At the top of the waterfall

Jadyn...she may be crawling soon ..I don't mind if she takes her sweet time.

Our Kiddos sure have lots of Love for each other!

Daddys turn for kisses!

Looking at the fish

Peacock crossing!
What a beautiful peaceful day!

Going, Going, Going

Our kids are always Going, Going, Going...never a dull moment at the Taflinger house!

Jadyn in the Exersaucer

She Love to bounce in it.

Janna making sure her snacks are with her on her bike.

J on his big boy Bike..He is getting so good on it.

Look at him go!

Hmm where is she taking the ball? she is my little relocater...she takes things and makes new homes for them all the time.

Lord of all Creation

Lately Joshua Wayne has asked me to sing Church songs before bed. At first I was not sure what he meant, and then he started to sing God of wonders (Lyrics below). He says not little boy songs Mommy Church songs! So we now sing God of wonders and some other great ones every night before bed.

Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2x)
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2x)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3x)
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (6x)
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call your name by night
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

I love this song and I am so glad my little Guy does too! He also really loves being out doors enjoying Gods creation. He expresses himself well ... while we are hiking he makes comments like "Wow this is beautiful", or " I love hiking, and climbing", He talks about how God made everything and it was Good! I love my little guy!

Last week we spent some time hiking in Dalton Canyon. So much Fun!

Jadyn and Mommy enjoying the hike.

J wanted to wear his Gloves to climb.

Daddy and Janna

J climbed this rock on his own. He is getting so big!

Daddy :)

Janna enjoying the outdoors!

Silly J

Jadyn was exhausted!

So many Blessings

I am not a morning person, and actually I am not a night owl either. It is so interesting when I hear people talk about the two! I am not really sure where I fall. I struggle to get out of bed every single morning and I am ready for bed pretty early in the evening, and if we watch TV or a movie I will most likely fall asleep....

I have realized that I am also cranky in the morning especially when the kids are up earlier than expected. I have also realized that if I get up earlier then them, and spend time with my creator I am in a much better mood. Starting your day out right is so important, I am a whole different person, and much more joyful to be around.

I am a very happy person, I have so many blessings. I am so thankful to God for the life that he has given me. I love being a wife, and a Mom. I have so much Joy in my heart. I need to make sure little things like waking up too early don't take that Joy.

So many blessings!

Joshua Wayne- So Lovable

Janna Rose - Always goofy but so sweet!

Jadyn Elizabeth- Brightens my day always - this makes me laugh so much.

Us enjoying our favorite team- Go Dodgers!

6 years ago I married my Best Friend

Wedding Day! June 5th, 2004
(Sorry Blurry the picture had to be scanned)

Today is our 6th Anniversary! 6 Years ago I married my best friend, and 6 years ago I made the best decision I have ever made! No I did not make it on my own. God had it all planned out. As the years go by I am continually reminded of God's perfect plan. When Joshua and I were hanging out at the beginning of the dating process, I said there is no way I am dating anyone!..I had just started at the college I had dreamed about going to, I did not want some relationship to mess up my grades. I did not want to just get hurt again by another guy. I even remember saying to God, I know he has all the qualities I would want in a marriage, but its not good timing. It was then, early on in our dating that God said "Julie trust me, and trust him". As a Christian I try my hardest to daily surrender to my Savior! I am so glad that I listened that day. I gave him a chance and here we're celebrating 6 years of an amazing marriage! Joshua and I both give the credit to God, and we feel so amazingly blessed to have each other. Thank you Joshua for being the man of my dreams, and having all of the qualities I required in a husband, and thank you God for allowing our crazy paths to cross, and for asking us to trust you! In the past 6 years we have made so many memories together, and I look forward to the many more to come! I love you with all my heart Babe!

Honeymoon- Dunn's River Falls Jamaica!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Jadyn!

Jadyn Elizabeth Taflinger

Can you believe it she is already 6 months old! She is such a Joy. She is my little sunshine, she makes anything you are doing brighter! If some one were to ask me to describe her in one word I would say Smiley! She is always smiling! Jadyn is now able to turn over, she is my little roly poley. She will role all over the living room if we let her. She is also eating solids now. She loves to eat! So far she eats rice cereal, and we are beginning to introduce vegetables. She is starting to sit up with very little support. She loves to play! She holds toys and passes them from hand to hand. The other day in the bath she was holding a squishy ball with one hand and had a great grip. I joked that she might be a water polo player like me! Already able to grip the ball and move it around. Another exciting thing about her being 6 months is we can put sunblock on her and she can go in the pool!

Here are her stats from our visit with Dr. Hsu : Height 26 inches, Weight 14lbs 13 ounces

Beautiful Blue Eyes!

Yummy rice cereal, Mommy forgot a bib!

All clean!

First time in the Bike Trailer!

She loves her Uncle Joey!

So precious!

Not too sure about the Peas!

Hmm really not sure!

Yummy!

First time in the Pool!

She Loves it!