Favorite things
Surprise, surprise...pink is still our favorite color around here. I'm loving this bright pink hat on little Adelyn.
Peekaboo!
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Paint!
A few days ago, my mom passed on some info. to be about a new paint out. Between this and my recent visit to my absolute favorite store, The Old Luckett's Store, my mind has been spinning with all the things I want to paint and refinish.
I'm so excited to try this paint out...have not yet. I'm stacking my projects for the day when I've got a little more sleep and energy and time...maybe spring?? :). Ask my husband, I have all I can do to keep up with all the laundry, housework, cooking, baby feeding sessions and diaper changes. Nonetheless, I'm excited to try it out and I thought I would pass it on to my refinishing loving buddies out there. Ok, so what is this paint I'm talking about? In poolesville, where my mom lives, there is a cute little shop owned by ladies who have my dream job. Well, actually I do have my dream job...that is, being a wife and mom! But one day I would love to do this. They refinish furniture to sell and have a combo of fun, shabby chic, cozy country with a few vintage pieces/decor mixed in. Recently my mom was there and the owner was telling her about this new paint out. You don't need to SAND, PRIME OR ANYTHING!!! You just slap this stuff on and apparently, presto you're done! I'll believe it once I try it. I looked into the paint a little online and there seems to be endless possibilities with it...different finishes you can create. So, in case you are working on a project or dreaming one up, perhaps try this: 
Caromal Colours by Country Living Paint. There is a good write up here about it. And a great project here done with it...I love this mantel!
Happy painting!
The mind of a toddler
I am constantly amazed at what goes on in my little toddler's mind, by the things she says. On the way to pick up Mckenna from school today, Selah and I had the following conversation:
Selah: Mom, I don't like the snow anymore?
Me: I like the snow!
Selah: Why mom?
Me: Because it's so beautiful.
Selah: Well, I don't like it... Mom, you can brush your eyebrows.
I just laughed out loud!
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A popsicle
Just the recipe for a sore little throat...
A little over a week ago, the girls both got a virus that left them with an awful sore throat. Selah got hit the worst with it, and for about 2 days she stayed in her jammies and ate popsicles at the table. She would announce to anyone who would listen, "I got Mckenna's snickness."
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Frustration
Dave sent me the following email, containing a quote that he had read, while he was away on a business trip this week. He mentioned that this is something he needed to remember. Well, I need to remember it too, but sadly all too often I forget. While a more biblical definition could probably be assigned to the emotion "frustration," I think it's so good nonetheless.
" 'There is no "future" in 'frustration'.
...the word future isn't found in the word frustration...neither is a future in sight--in our vision, in our mind--when we are frustrated. It demonstrates a lack of eternal focus.
I remember shortly after Alivia died, how I was less inclined to be frustrated because I was so aware of the eternal inconsequence of the things I often get frustrated over."
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...the word future isn't found in the word frustration...neither is a future in sight--in our vision, in our mind--when we are frustrated. It demonstrates a lack of eternal focus.
I remember shortly after Alivia died, how I was less inclined to be frustrated because I was so aware of the eternal inconsequence of the things I often get frustrated over."
Thank heaven
We regularly give lots of thanks around here for little girls...especially this one lately. What a gift she continues to be to us!
The best Valentine's Day gift
This year it came in the form of a smile. For the very first time, Adelyn smiled yesterday...a big grin from ear to ear. My heart just about melted at the sight. Today we took a little video of her...
Adelyn Smiles from Heather Castro on Vimeo.
Read more...Blizzard 2010
The Plunneckes left us this past Thursday, after having been here for almost a whole week. After the initial dump of snow they decided to ride out the next one with us. So glad they did!
Not more than an hour after they left, I missed them already! The house was way too quiet with 5 less kids. We had such a blast and made a lot of memories that I'm hoping our oldest kids will not forget. In the day after they left I put together this little clip, highlighting our week together. I told Kelly maybe we can make this a tradition. Although, I think Mark might have something to say about that. I think he has had enough snow-shoveling, wood-hauling at the Castros for a very long time :).
Here it is:
Blizzard 2010 from Heather Castro on Vimeo.
Read more...Please pray...
We just got word this morning that friends of ours, Jordan and Tali Kauflin, have entered into a very difficult trial. Their son, Jack, has been diagnosed with leukemia. Please join us in praying for them, for sustaining grace and supernatural strength to walk through this trial.
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of race, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16
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Roses
As I mentioned earlier, Dave was gone all last week on a business trip. All I can say is that I was so grateful to have him home. We so missed him. I lost count how many times Selah would call our from her bed, through the tears, "When is daddy coming home?" She did not feel well at all and just wanted her daddy. Precious and heart-breaking.
Anyway, when he arrived home, he got tons of hugs and lovin' from his girlies. And for his wife, he brought a beautiful bouquet of these. I am loving them! And with all this cold and snow, I am enjoying the color that they have brought to my table, as well as the reminder that spring will be here soon.
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SNOW, SNOW, SNOW...and more SNOW!
We have had quite the adventure over here at our house for the past number of days. All I can say is we are making quite the memory with 8 kids and 6 adults, under one roof. We did not have internet until sometime yesterday. It's been constant action here and I have not had a spare moment to go through all the pictures and video I have taken, not to mention write an update of all this craziness and fun. Mark just figured out the issue I was having in getting my old photo software on this new computer. I look forward to using it as I go through the pictures we have taken over the last number of days....but who knows when that will be!
In the meantime, my sister wrote something up here and you can read what it's been like for us during this storm. All I can say is we are going from getting one meal to clean up, to feeding the babies, then to bundling up the kiddos, to unbundling and warming them up and then to doing it all over again! It's been a fun memory that I'm sure we'll be looking back on and laughing at for some time.
Empty containers
"We have many cares - our children, our business, our homes. Frequently, we do not bring these cares to God, feeling that they are too little to mention to Him. This is absurd! Have nothing else to do with such a sinful silence. Tell it all to Jesus. The Lord tells you to cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). Tell Him! Why carry your sin, your need, and your care? Why not have greater desires and broader expectations? After all, Jesus says, 'According to your faith let it be to you' (Matt. 9;29).
There are times when the angel of mercy flies around the homes of God's people and brings an abundance of precious blessings. Sometimes while we sleep, the angel of mercy hovers on soft wings, but there is no empty container in which to pour the blessing. Later the angel visits another home, where in their prayers the residents set out a number of empty containers. The angel fills the containers from the supply of overflowing mercy, and when the petitioners awake they find an abundance supply of rich grace.
Some have feeble wishes, small desires, and slender prayers, or hardly any prayer at all. 'You do not have because you do not ask' (James 4:2). Others have large desires, earnest prayers, great faith, and large expectations. God gives according to your faith." - Spurgeon
This was a good read for me this morning. This week Dave is away on a business trip, Selah has come down with a fever and baby has been doing what newborns do best - waking up lots to eat! I love holding and cuddling her, but it is exhausting when it's in the middle of the night :). All that to say it's been an exhausting and very demanding week. As I read this Spurgeon quote, I realized how much I run from one thing to the next, often without praying and petitioning the Lord for help. He wants to hear me, he desires to help and wants me to lift up in prayer, even the most mundane of requests. He cares about the housework I have to do and wants to give me strength to do it, he cares about my lack of sleep and desires to give me rest of soul and mind and body, he cares about our house that I am seeking to keep warm (with our wood stove) and will provide the help to load wood, he cares about my little one who is sick right now and desires to give me the grace to care for her. How often I forget this. I want to be one who has set out lots of empty containers for the Lord to fill with grace. I want Him to be glorified through me and my dependance on Him, as evidenced through many prayers being lifted up.
I was convicted this morning of how quickly I ran to the medicine cabinet last night to get tylenol for Selah and didn't even take a moment to pray for her. I want to rely more and be humbled by the fact that I need the Lord for EVERYTHING.
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