Hungry?

We are Daniel Fasting again. Our church begins every new year this way. It has proven the last 2 years to be a time to live with purpose and intention in our lives. I'm excited as I have been in years past to live with a few weeks of expectancy and eagerness to hear new revelation. And would you believe that Monday morning, the first morning of the fast, began with reading

"But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

Well that is a good way to start a fast. I mean really. And although I have heard and read that verse countless times, as I was writing a summary of it, it was all new. I love it when that happens. And I confess I never really got this verse, I knew it meant we needed God's word in our daily life, but past that, I just didn't have much. Then Monday out came: We were not just created by God for our physical lives that is satisfied and sustained by food, but we were also created for a spiritual life that is not satisfied and sustained by physical food. So real life, a life that is all that it is meant to be, longs for more than physical bread but also for the bread of life, the word of God.

We also need the bread we eat in remembrance of the death of our Savior, a remembrance of His broken body.

And while I'm at it we also need the living water, the presence of Jesus, that satisfies our thirst of being known and understood.

And while I'm at it, it will be quite sweet to also stand alongside the water that flows from the throne of God and eat from the fruit that grows there where all our diseases will be healed.

So yes, I really need bread to live, but I also need the nourishment that comes from revelation of His words to live.

And many thanks to whichever child took this picture of me eating a hot dog for while standing, real nutritious, seems like I went upstairs to get PJs while I was eating it.

L's take

Speaking of their own take... L was trying to take a self-timer shot of she and Sally the other day. what can I say.

Here was the shot she wanted, I helped.

Ek's take on the whole thing

Ek played extensively with my ipod while awaiting her surgery. She took about 50 pictures of her room.

She was looking at them today and said she took them for H and L to see where she was, to see what her room looked like. "It wasn't really much of a room, she said." hahaha True, but mom and I decided it was much better than being on the floor with everyone from the surrounding counties flu germs all over our nurse. And speaking of mom, sweet mom, she spent quite a bit of time in hospital rooms this Christmas. But both really good outcomes. She's a great Mopsy.

All for EK's new and improved airway

The Monday after Christmas, I was looking forward to a week of fun, then we saw the ENT. He said he could take out Ek's tonsils and adenoids any Tuesday or Thursday we wanted. How bout this Thursday? sure. So all of the sudden we were straight from Christmas to pre-op. Ek was a-maz-zing. She was so peaceful and trusting. The absolute worst moment was having her preop blood drawn. I didn't prepare her well, or at all, because I wasn't sure what they would do. She was sitting there so brave and mouthed to me 'what are they doing?' not a happy moment. The day of surgery, she never once complained, whined or was scared.

I realize that she came a trusting, peaceful little person, I wish I could bottle that. The second worst moment was when she woke up, crying in pain. Thankfully after the pain medicine and a nap (breathing through her nose- wow), she was good from then on. She slept on a off and they woke up hungry. When we were discharged and on our way to the ice cream shop. I turned around to tell her what her choices were and turned her dry erase board to reveal a picture of the word "purple" and a huge dinosaur. That was a good one. We got her home and all snuggled into my bed with Julie and her nice little tray. I couldn't feed her enough and then she slept wonderfully, with me. She tried to move into my bed permanently but I through 2 nights were enough. I am so thankful that it was a non-event in our lives. She was peaceful, easy and cooperative. She is breathing better, sleeping better, he voice is a bit higher and she lost that loose tooth that anesthesia gave an extra bump to.

Christmas morning

Ahhhhh Christmas morning. J and I were up late getting ready. H was first in our bed and asked if Santa came. I was sorry to disappoint him, but I did. He wasn't disappointed for long. When L and Ek got up, we talked for a while, read scripture and prayed. I love that the kids were not anxious at all to get to their presents. L got a baby doll stroller and high chair and her pink motorcycle. H got lego people, an air hockey table and the Wii. Ek got Kit's bed, a lego house and a ballerina jewelry box. She was pretty easy to please since she said she had already gotten all she wanted for Christmas Eve since Grandma had given her the Julie doll. The kids could not believe we gave them a Wii. "Is it ours?? Do we get to keep it??," was Ek's response. Thankfully J had it already hooked up and ready to go. Because we did. For the rest of the day.

We really had a wonderful time being together, playing, laughing and encouraging.

We loved giving birthday balloons to Jesus and decorating birthday cupcakes too. Really cool this year to have traveled to meet MG. We felt a bit like wise men, but our traveling was a bit easier. But we seek to live lives with great expectation to see miracles and long to follow God's leading.

Precious time

How can words describe the joy of meeting MG? Ok, I'll try. We were so blessed to be in G'ville when sweet baby MG was to arrive. I could not wait to see the reaction of her brothers. I knew her mommy and daddy would be so smitten they wouldn't be able to stand it. I envision W being like his daddy, protective, kind and so loving. I have a feeling D will learn from W to be the same. They were cautiously excited. She came so beautiful and perfect. Perfect little features and so gorgeous. And so tiny. We could have stared at her for days. Its amazing how fragile and tiny we come.

I loved how when Ek held her, they all crowded around and she was the absolute center of attention. As well she should be. I love that, in this moment, Ek was as happy as could be, as she was any time she got to hold her, L and D are laughing at each other, as they like so much to do!, H's mouth is still a bit numb from his cavity fillings, and

Will popped in to make it a perfect picture of mom and dad's 3 grandboys and 3 grandgirls.

L didn't quite know what to think of her. She kinda cradled her hands and was very gentle. Although she wasn't sure, she knew this was a fragile thing.

It was just absolutely perfectly wonderful to be with her. I know she has changed a ton and I wish we could see her everyday.

Christmas programs

I love going to my kids schools, when they are there, of course. I love to see them sing so much. This Christmas they sang so wonderfully. L sang every word of every song, which I was very impressed with. She saw me, Grandma and Pappa right away, and waved with the sweetest little smile. She was the cutest shepherd I have every seen. Which I can say because at this age, Ek was a sheep and H was a cow. So proud of my sweet girl.

H was delightful as well. He is at the age of bell playing at TCS. He had a nice high note. I always love to listen closely until the sweet melody comes through, a name-that-song of sorts. He sang so sweetly too and sat so calmly. He did great. The rest of the elementary school comes and watches the Kindergarten program. Ek seemed to really enjoy seeing H's program. We didn't get to see her official program because she was at dress rehearsal for Nutcracker but her school wide chapel was wonderful.

A few more Nutcracker...

These blogs are just coming from looking through the pics, hence the randomness order of them, but hey that's appropriate for my life.

One of Mom's favorite memories of Ek from last year's Nutcracker was seeing her in the dressing room (while the rain was coming down and Dad was probably mopping), and there was absolute chaos (somewhat controlled) around her, people everywhere playing, dancing, coloring, eating and Ek was sitting in her chair with her Caboodle on her lap putting on countless layers of lip gloss. Here she is a year later, still at it. And yet, amazingly, keeps all her sparkles, glitter and gloss contained to dance performances. for now anyway.

I love being backstage just to hug on her. And smile at her. But my absolute favorite is seeing their faces from the side stage during the performances glowing in the bright lights. It is a most stunning sight. They go from excited, anxious, tired or unaware until they get on stage and they are looking at the crowd and smiling and confident and they literally glow.

Its awesome.

Ek was so so blessed this year to have the absolute gift of being cheered on my 2 of my favorite aunts. Seeing them and having them in my home was so wonderful. I guess I should thank Ek for getting them to Dublin!! So so glad they could come.

L's view of our exercising

These pictures make me laugh. L put on J's headband and I took her picture running, then, of course she wanted to take ours.

J and I try to keep our exercising separate from our time from our kids meaning we lose a lot of sleep to get it in. They are so kind, supportive and encouraging of it too. We hope that not only is it keeping us healthier for them, but also inspiring and teaching a healthy lifestyle. We are looking forward to this year of races, especially getting the kids to their first tri. And I wonder if L would like to run the St. Patrick's mile this year. She seems to like running from the look on her face here!

Our indoor tree that got us outside

I admit, I was not very emotionally attached to our Christmas tree this year. It may because I didn't do much to it. I wanted one so bad that L and I went to a local nursery, picked it out and had it delivered. that was fun. And really the only ornaments on it were what the kids put. We had about a 2:1 ratio of ornaments that made it to the tree and ornaments that tried and missed and hit the floor. Maybe that's why I did put any more ornaments on. When the kids got home from school on the last day before Christmas, they had made so many at school that they filled it up pretty well. That made it quite beautiful to me. I loved their joy over it. We also got this button that they could turn the lights on and off themselves. L was a big fan of that.

After Christmas, on J's last day off, and after J and H went to buy new boots, they took the tree through the woods and threw it in the creek. The creek is a bit sad right now, pretty low but to H it is awesome. Mom trimmed the briars back so we could get there easily and we do. H calls hanging out around the creek "hunting." J said we can call it that until JP kills his deer, then we may have to actually get him out a bit further. Yesterday they wanted to fish in the creek, but before I take 2 children with fishing poles and hooks, they are going to have to prove it. So we practiced casting yesterday in the yard. They wanted to go to the pond but the sun was almost set, so that is the plan for today except that its raining. We'll see. Next time we head to the creek, the camera will go too.

Wow what a morning.

While I was at the Nutcracker school performance, and L was at Mother's Morning out, H needed a gingerbread house decorating companion. J joyfully accepted the challenge. I think they enjoyed it, from the looks of the house, yes, enjoyed. J said they were the 2nd to last done. I could tell! I'd like to live here; its colorful, full decorated, has a delightful fire out front and even comes with a car. When they finished they got to go out and play football. J did not kick it over the fence, thank goodness, and it may have rivaled the fun they had eating endless amounts of candy. (I guess its appropriate that J also took H to the dentist 2 weeks later to have cavities filled!! hahaha) J said when he left even JP gave him a hug. Nothing like a Daddy at school morning. Way to go J.

Love it! Again!

It is still one of the absolute most fun things of the whole year. This year Ek was a mouse,

chopstick kid and sugar plum. The mouse was a very late pickup and fabulous fun. We were quite amazed at Ek's stage performance this year. She was so confident, so right on and so full of joy. You could tell she was loving every minute. Here and now, a month later, she just this morning she said she dreamt about Nutcracker last night. H piped in, "me too!!" And L pretends to be the Rat King about every day. Most aspire to be Clara, L wants to be the Rat King. haha Last week after surgery, as Ek was lying in recovery, Nutcracker is what she turned to on her Ipod. Its hard work, but proving to be something she loves.

And I know and pray and hope that all the Lord has for her in this will be developed. I can see great things developing in her!

And the winner is... love

Today at Bible study, we just caught up a minute by all telling our best moment of the Christmas break. Everyone, with sincerity (it seemed), said, in some way or another, how nice it was to be home with family. People are more important than things. Some got puppies. Some got diamonds. Yet PJs, playing and just good ole being together won out. It really was great.

Our Christmas morning self-timer shot

First poetry

Ek was learning about poetry in school, I love her couplet that she wrote for homework!!

"I went outside to play on my swing,

and I heard all the blue birds sing."

Not quite ready yet

This is a very odd picture of my adorable girl, but it suits the story. Last week, J and I were sitting on the couch about 10 minutes after putting the kids to bed. H and Ek were exhaused for some reason, can't remember why. They about fell asleep before their sweet heads hit the pillow. I could hear L stirring around a minute and before we knew it, she was standing beside us. She was disappointed, had her lip poked out a bit. She kinda mumbled, "I want you to play with me," to J. He looked at me puzzled. I said, "what you don't understand is Ek and H are already asleep and she doesn't have anyone to play with," to J. J fell out laughing. So did L. She knows she's funny. We let her stay up a few minutes and cuddle with us on the couch before sending her up to join the others for some sleep. The difference is when Ek was her age, she always came downstairs when we put her down at this age, we took her up to bed so many times. I can't remember exactly what H did, but I remember he went through the getting up stage. We just don't see much of L, we just hear her keeping the others up. Every child is born into a new family. We're glad L was born into ours.

Goal

Alright! Can I do it?? My goal~~ 365 posts for 2011. That doesn't rhyme. Can't think of anything that does. I think I will back track a bit though. And I want a picture for every post. So here is my excited face as taken by Ek while waiting for our ENT appointment last week. Or a really nice shot of my teeth. This could take us into 2 different directions of recalling the last month. But I'll stick with my purpose of this blog. To count every day as blessing. To recount with great Thanksgiving the work that the Lord has done. To remember all that the Lord has done. To give a gift to myself and my family, present and to come, of knowing what our daily life looks like. Oh I hope I can make 365!!!