Wednesday, February 2 was a Snow Day for all of the schools in the area, so I decided to be a fun homeschool mom and gave my kids a snow day too. They had a lot of fun making tunnels and a fort in the snow with Daddy. We also had fun playing some games and reading inside.

Snow Ice Cream!!

We woke up to the most snow I think I've ever seen!! So, what to do with all that snow? Make some into snow ice cream! My boys had no desire to help make it, but my girls were ready to help! So, we started with a gallon of fresh, clean snow; mixed in a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of vanilla. Then, we stirred in 2 cups of milk. It was very good. The cold felt especially good on my sore throat!

Papa's Girl

I'm not sure how it started, but every time we are at my parents house, Snickerdoodle goes to find nail polish and asks Papa to paint her nails. Sometimes he does toes, other times fingers, and on really special days he does both. What an awesome grandpa, right?

My Karate Chopper is 9!!

Just over a week ago, Levi turned nine years old. He wanted a "Sports Birthday", so I made a baseball cake and a bat cake. I thought they turned out great, and tasted good too. We just had a small party, with family and the Foster family (who is pretty much family anyway!).

One of Karate Chopper's favorite gifts was the bb gun from Uncle Adam and Aunt Sephy (and Issy and Leo). He had a lot of fun shooting it at Papa and Nana's house over the weekend.

In some ways, it seems like just yesterday that I was walking the mall, trying to get labor going to give birth before the New Year. Obviously, that did not work! So much of the first months with 2 children is just a blur! I remember thinking that I would never be able to leave the house with 2 children. (Ha! Now it is such a treat to go somewhere with "only" 2!)

I am so thrilled with the boy Levi has become. He is kind and thoughtful of others. He has a real desire to read the Bible daily, and to learn from it. I am proud to be his mom. I look forward to the next 9 years of watching him grow into a young man.

Where did it go?

...the year, that is! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year (2010)!! So, where did 2010 go? And, why did it go by so fast?

I'm not really sure, but I know it has been a very difficult year for us. There have been days I feel I am just clinging to my Lord for all my joy and all my strength. I have been very surprised by the grieving process I've gone through after my miscarriage last Fall, and a second one in the Spring. Logically, I think, "Why am I so sad about losing someone I never even saw?" But, grieving is just not logical. There have been days that I have such a strong sense that someone is missing from my life. I think my Idaho midwife was exactly right when she told me that we, as American women, expect to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. So, we plan and imagine what our life will be like with that baby soon after we know there is a baby on the way. So, when I lost that life, I lost all my plans and dreams for the future. Wow! Did you hear all the "me, me, I" in that? See, the Lord had different plans for me, and His plans are never to harm me (even if it feels painful in the moment.) I can say with confidence that I would not trade any of the pain or loss I've experienced for the joy and renewed strength I've found in my Lord.

Another difficulty this year has been how little Steve has worked. He has worked for a total of 4 months in 2010. We have been amazed by God's provision and faithfulness in the midst of this tough time. It seems like every time we begin to wonder (worry a little?) about how our needs are going to be met, money shows up from somewhere! GOD IS SO GOOD!!

So, now, we are less than a week away from a New Year, and I am anxious to see how God will continue to help me to be more like Him in 2011. As I look to the year ahead, I do not know what it will hold for us. (Steve is still unemployed, but has a few job leads both in Wisconsin and out of state.) But, I know for certain that God is love. I know He sent His son. (that is why we just celebrated Christmas!) I know my sins are forgiven. I know that He is able to do more abundantly than we can ask or imagine. I know that I can continue to trust Him, even in the midst of loss.

For my husband, in the New Year, I pray he will continue to grow as spiritual leader for our family (something he is already amazing at!). I pray God will provide a job, yes. But, more than that I would love to know that, as my husband is working to provide for our family, that he also really enjoys what he does every day. Part of why I would like this is because I have been working my dream job for the past 10 1/2 years!!

For my children in the New Year, I pray they will also continue to be more like Christ. I pray that they will be best friends with one another. I pray that He will increase their faith. I pray that they will be armed for the battle with the armor of God (Ephesians), and that they will shine like stars in this dark world.

For my friends, there are so many specifics that I pray often. Friends who would love another baby, but God has not yet given; I pray they would be blessed this year with a baby. For friends who have lost a child recently, I pray for strength that only God can give through the grieving process. For friends who have sick children, I pray for healing. For friends who are lonely, I pray God would comfort. For friends far from God, I pray He would draw them near and that they would respond to His calling. For friends who homeschool, I pray for endurance, creativity and wisdom.

Begins November 29th! Are you ready to shop?

Thankful for tears!

I cry. When I see Hallmark commercial, I cry. That Folgers commercial where the son comes home for Christmas, gets me every year. I cry every time I watch Anne of Green Gables, Facing the Giants and Fireproof. Some worship songs always bring a tear to my eye, but this crying every time I am worshiping is pretty new to me. In the past year or so, I cry when singing in church, I often cry when singing in the car, and sometimes at home. Reading Scripture often makes me cry as well.
I think it started last October, just after my miscarriage. Sometimes the tears are tears of sadness because I do not have that baby to hold. Often, the tears come when singing about worshiping God forever, singing to Him in heaven. Heaven has somehow become more real to me, knowing that I already have children there. As King David said when his son died, "He will not come to me, but I shall go to him". That is so comforting to me to know that someday I will be in Heaven, worshiping my Lord and Savior forever, and I will be doing that alongside my children
I also feel like the tears have served to somehow heal me. Like, when I'm crying, the God of all comfort is comforting me, so that I can comfort others in trouble. This year has been a difficult one, not just for me but for many. It has been full of opportunities for me to comfort others with the same comfort that God continues to give me. As much as I wish that my friends and dear sisters in Christ did not have to suffer, I am thankful that my Heavenly Father has softened my heart, healed my soul and helped me to grow so that I am able to be a comfort.
And, I am strengthened, as if the joy of the Lord truly is my strength! Imagine that! In the midst of difficulties and sorrow, I find joy in the Lord and I am strengthened! He arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Oh! How good is our God!
So, with Thanksgiving just 3 days away, I am so thankful for tears. I am thankful for how God has healed me with tears. I am thankful for how He continues to strengthen me through tears. I am thankful for how I've grown because of tears. I am thankful for the tears that have led to joy!