Favorite Quotes

Instagram...I love it! 

Not only do I love the beautiful filters but I absolutely am smitten with the quotes I come across. 

My mood can instantly be brighter when I come across a quote that speaks to my heart.

So I started taking a photo of them. This way I can remember them and share with you :).

(By the way you can follow me on Instagram @ jamierossie)

Follow @biblelockscreens

Amen to this! God does have a plan for our lives and it will turn out right in His precious timing. I constantly remind myself of this.

Follow @christianrepost

Fear is such a tough emotion. In life there is so much to be fearful for. Every single day we are faced with the potential to let fear ruin our day. But I remind myself that my faith must be stronger and BIGGER than it. 

Follow @jessseinfeld

This is truth. If I let my mind race...it can go all sorts of places...good and bad. Trusting in my God is key.

Follow @jessaseewald

Christ has forgiven us of every single one of our sins when we ask Him to. He died on the cross for our sins. So how can we not forgive? 

Follow @annaduggar

I absolutely believe this! One of the most beautiful blessings came to my family unplanned and I thank God every single day.

Follow @frederickjohngs

Follow @_lovejesus

A complete refocus is happening when we are able to do this. I can remember specifically one Sunday in Church when I was singing. I completely gave Christ my worries + struggles and I felt complete tears of joy come down my cheeks. An amazing feeling!

Follow @christianaccounts

Oh so true. We are bigger than our thought patterns and are able to control them.

Follow @lysaterkeurst

Spending time digging into His word and spending the time with Him allows His divine blessings to flow onto us. I want to become less and Him more.

Enjoy! Happy Monday!

Jamie 

First time Skating...

This photo was from weeks ago but we sure had a blast building our snowman family! :) 

We started with just enough for the kids but then decided to build our entire family. 

LOVE. 

 Such a blast! 

  The snow was the perfect texture for molding those round, lumpy balls of snow. 

Now the snow is pretty bare on our yard. Our snowmen are still somewhat there. 

A really fun memory doing this one Saturday and I'm grateful I took photos to always remember it. 

The next day my hubby really REALLY wanted to get those boys some hockey skates and teach 

them how to skate. 

So, to the skating rink we went. 

The boys look like like they could be models for Bauer hockey equipment, huh? :) 

So serious...and handsome!

Troy did so good. 

Austin was really getting the hang out of it. He has an amazing coach beside him ;).

All by himself. I was so proud of him. #practicemakesperfect

I had a pair on, too. It was such a beautiful day for it. 

Fun times in the winter.

Jamie :)

Take the time

My sweet children.

Oh how I love them so much! Some days I miss them as babies. I really do. And I do remember saying I couldn't wait for them to get older. And now my oldest is 6 and youngest boy is almost 4 and my sweet girl is 18 months. Oh...where did the time go. Tears flood my eyes as I think about the years and how fast they've gone by already.

Moms, if you're reading this, please take my advice and slow down and enjoy every single minute with those sweet littles. Don't be in such a rush. If you feel the need to rush from here to there, cut something out. Days don't need to be so jam packed that you don't know where the day went. Because one day your oldest will be 6 years old and you will be wondering where the time went.

Take time to have them nap on you instead of in the crib. Take time to watch their every move and every facial expression. Take the time to cuddle them and read lots of books. Take the time to be completely present. Take time to tickle and listen to them giggle over and over. Take time to chase them around the house and play peek a boo. Take the time to watch them happily play in the bath for much longer than necessary. Take time to play with them outside. Take time to tell them how special they are. Don't rush the day away.

Tonight we were watching past videos of just 2 years ago and my have they changed. In just 2 short years. Moms, take lots and lots of videos as well. They are really special to watch.

My kid's ages are so sweet right now, too. And I will cherish every.single.minute of their precious lives. I love being their Mom.

Lovingly,

Jamie

Being happy in the now

Have you ever said these things to yourself...

I will be so happy when _____

or 

When ____ I will be so happy

???

Source: HERE

Source HERE

I know I have many many times. Too many times.

Almost 4 years ago I got a new job as a part-time RN at a hospital and Billy got a new job after being out of work for a couple months. Austin was almost 3 years old and Troy was about 8 weeks old. I told myself "I'm going to be so happy when I buy a really nice new car." I wanted more room for my little ones and I was still driving my little '96 Saturn from High School. So car shopping we went on a Saturday... in the rain! We should have postponed our shopping day and taken the rain as a sign. Anyways, we went to 3 different car dealerships looking and looking. We finally decided on an almost new SUV that was a lot of money. We signed the paperwork and drove off in our new car. 

Over the course of the weekend I felt so sick and unsettled about purchasing that vehicle. And I realized that having a new car was not making me any more happy nor did I love everything about it. The Monday after purchasing it I prayed and prayed about it. And on Tuesday I called the dealership and told them I wanted to return it and didn't like it as much as I thought. I'll save the long story and just tell you that I was able to return it. And we purchased a used & much less expensive SUV repairable that my Dad helped us find.
#TRUTH: I was just as happy in that car. The newer car didn't make me any more happy. Actually, was just as happy in my old car from High School.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 

-Philippians 4:11

I'm going to take you back to a couple of years ago. I would tell my hubby several times: "I'm going to be so happy when you finish our basement! We need more space." We live in a split level and I wanted our basement done so bad for when our second son was born. Well, that basement took a long time. And it finally got mostly finished in March of 2013. Troy was turning 2 years old. Billy did the majority of the work himself. Bless his sweet self. My hubby is such a hard worker. Did that finished basement make me so much more happier? For a period of time I was happier. But that wore off and I was onto the next thing. "I'm going to be so happy when we sell this house and get a bigger house."
#TRUTH: A bigger house is not going to make me any more happy. Actually, the finished basement didn't make me any more happy. I could've learned to make the upstairs work and been thankful.

"Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

-Luke 12:15

I believe God wants us to be happy right where we are right this minute. And the truth is that there is nothing in this world that is going to make us any happier. I have come to the point in my life (finally) to know that there is nothing that I can buy for myself that will make me any more happier. And I have learned to praise God right as everything is at this very minute.

 My happiness comes from the Lord. My joy comes from the Lord. 

God is the only one and the only way. 

"Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. "

-John 14:6

Jamie :)

Plans change...

I love a plan and routine for the most part.
But life happens and plans don't work some of the time. 

And that's okay. I've come to embrace the change and go along with it. So many unexpected things can pop up that hinder the plan. And I believe, it is good to remember that possibility.

This past week my sweet kiddos have been sick. Coughs, fevers, runny noses... so sad. If your kids aren't feeling good, Mama doesn't feel good either. My heart is with them. As I posted yesterday, I wanted to do something really fun for the kids before Christmas break was over. I wanted to take them to Skyzone (indoor trampolines) or to an indoor water park. It was a bummer but I relearned something I already knew.

 That kids are happy to just be at home. No exciting place will replace the joy + contentment they feel from spending time with each other and their parents. We stayed at home practically all week.

...Reading books, watching movies, playing toy cars, board games, coloring, learning Bible stories, writing out thank you notes, doing projects, talking, laughing, loving on each other

Spending time together and resting up. And we had a great time together.

Jamie :)

Christmas Break 2014

Today it was back to school for Austin. We had such a great time over Christmas break. I was very grateful that I got to be home with them! It was kinda hard and sad to get back into the routine again this morning. But Austin was ready. Troy was still not feeling 100%. 

Over Christmas break the kids had some fun bonding time.  And that sure makes this Mommy's heart happy. I found the boys on my bed like this reading a book...love it!

Be still my heart! :)

We went to see Santa in Duluth before going to see Bentleyville. They were so cute with him! Austin was very serious with him. And he told me (while laughing of course) that Troy told Santa he wanted a bow and gun. Haha! Just like his big brother. 

At the mall, Troy happy as can be by the candy dispensers and his sweet Nanny!

We've never been to the Bentleyville tour of lights before and we were missing out BIG time. 

This place was absolutely beautiful! This kind kind man Nathan Bentley puts it on every year (with much help of course).  It started as him decorating his house which grew and grew and then he changed it to be a walk through tour of lights. Read all about it HERE. There were gorgeous lights, Santa, Mrs. Clause, a free cookie and cocoa house & popcorn stand and also a free marshmallow stand for roasting marshmallows over the bonfires. It was one of the best memories I have over Christmas break with my kids and parents.

This was the best photo I could get of the men. A little blurry but I'll take it :). 

We made & decorated sugar cookie cut outs. One of my favorite family traditions.

We spent Christmas with lots of wonderful family. It was perfect...playing games, eating, loving on each other, laughing and more eating. 

And listen, the week after Christmas I wanted to do something really fun for Austin. But the sickness hit the kids and I. Troy being the sickest of all with fevers and coughing. So, we ended up staying home almost all week. And it was great to rest up. Austin spent a day with my parents for some fun. And Saturday we were feeling better so I took the boys out on a "Mommy + sons date" to Culver's (their choice). It was one of the best times with them! They didn't really want a photo but I managed to get this one :). And Sunday we got to go ice fishing. Perfect ending to Christmas break.

Hope you had a fantastic Christmas with family + friends.

God Bless,

Jamie :)

True friends

I am so grateful for my girlfriends! 

I have met some amazing new friends and have kept some of my amazing old friends. And I have learned so much from them all. 


Source


Source

The Bible talks about characteristics of good friends in the Bible:

Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
-I want to have wise friends

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
-I want to love my girlfriends as sisters and them to love me as a sister, too. 

Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
-I want a mutually sweet friendship.

 Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,  or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

-I want an even tempered friend who is slow to become angry.

I've been making a list of all the reasons my friends are my true friends. Some are more serious than others. If you have some of these qualities in a friend, you've found a gem of a friend :). 

1.) They encourage you to be a better person.

2.) They like your Instagram photos even if they aren't that great.

3.) They'll call you to see if you are ok because they haven't heard from you for awhile.

4.) They send you cards in the mail.

5.) They take a day off on their work weekend to get together because it is your weekend off.

6.) They tell you they'll be praying for you.

7.) They love you no matter what.

8.) They love your kids like their very own.

9.) They feel your pain when you are hurting.

10.) They grow in their relationship with God along with you.

11.)They love you even though you get flushed from drinking a half glass of wine.

12.) They call you because they've been thinking of you.

13.) They invite you over for coffee.

14.) They don't get upset if you have to cancel plans.

15.) They don't care if you aren't wearing make up and are in your pj's.

16.) They, too, get excited when reading a powerful Bible passage.

18.) They encourage you to be more of a loving, grateful, respectful and supportive wife.

19.) They send you funny texts. 

20.) They give you good advise.

21.) They aren't judgemental.

22.) They help watch out for your kiddos if you are at the beach or somewhere.

23.) They love their families and your family.

24.) They will tell you if you are in the wrong.

25.) They will tell you about a sale.

26.) They pray aloud for you.

27.) They will give you a gift just because.

28.) Their number 1 priority is to live a Godly life.

29.) They tell you funny stories.

30.) Even if you haven't talked in awhile, you haven't missed a beat.

31.) They invite you over for a play date and make lunch out of the goodness of their heart.

32.) They give you great book recommendations.

33.) They enjoy worshipping God together.

34.) They are so grateful for your friendship and tell you.

35.) If something good is going on for you, they are genuinely happy for you,

Friends are the best! I'm praying this encourages you/

Jamie :)