Tana's first lost tooth!

It was so hard to get her to smile for me in a way that I could show off the new empty spot! Her two bottom middle teeth have been wiggly for a long time, but she just wasn't quite as bold as Carson when it comes to pulling teeth. Finally she let grandma pull it! (Phew, I hate doing that!)

Kitchen Helper

You might notice the piece of onion skin hanging off of his chin like a little goatee.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Winter Blues

So I came to the realization this week that I was really struggling....depression type stuff. There are many ways I have found to describe the way I feel. I feel like I'm in a valley. I feel like I'm in a deep, dark pit. I feel like I'm trudging through deep snow and getting nowhere. I also took inventory of the last several years and realized that this is not something new to me. But it is new that I am actually addressing it. I know that there are things that I can do to help me get through this tough time of year. As of now, I do not have a vacation to look forward to, but I am looking forward to the Ladies Retreat towards the end of February. I am also now intentionally scheduling lots of things where I am around other people. I can't let myself stay home without visitors more than one day in a row. I am almost scared to be alone because then sadness is quick to fill the void. I also got a "happy" light from Costco, so we'll see if that helps.

I believe that Satan uses my tendency towards depression and isolation to really get to me! Satan will do whatever he can to stop the work God is doing in and through me!

Although it's been happening for awhile now, I am still surprised every time God speaks to me so clearly. I am so thankful that He has not given up on me! Today he said "Turn to me and be saved." Isaiah 45:22. Oswald Chambers pointed out in his daily devotion, "The very thing we look for, we shall find if we concentrate on Him. We get preoccupied and sulky with God, while all the time He is saying-- 'Look up and be saved.' The difficulties and trials...all vanish when we look to God.
"Rouse yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter if there are a hundred and one things that press, resolutely exclude them all and look to Him. 'Look unto Me,' and salvation is, the moment you look."

Ollie's first gun lesson with Grandpa.

He Rules the Roost!

Ollie is now a pro stair climber and also has mastered coming back down, so the gate has been put away! Even though he is good at coming down, he still just likes to stand up there and yell for us to come get him much of the time. He thinks he's so cool standing up there watching us down below. It's like the Senior Balcony when I was at SoHi. :)

I love his face in this picture! When I still had the gate around, it would often get left open and if he noticed it he would take off up the stairs giggling and squealing, while looking back now and then to see if he would be caught. He is such a cute little monkey and I am saddened by the approach of his first birthday!

Today!

Today I kept busy all day. I started the day out with a positive outlook. We had Spa Day at MOPS and I scrubbed and rubbed the weary feet of many mothers of preschoolers. As I was serving in this manner I was able to talk with them one on one and pray for them. I really enjoyed serving these women in this manner. I was happy the entire time! And I ate a piece of the best dessert/fruit pizza thing I have ever tasted! (Inbetween foot clients.;)

Today

Today is just one of those days, which unfortunately I seem to be having a lot of lately. I am fighting the urge to crawl into bed and hide from this day. Or I could curl up in Hallie's bed and watch her play babies, that way I wouldn't feel like I was neglecting her. Why does this sadness befall me so easily? Lord, please lead me out of this valley once again.

Christmas Highlights

We have all been praying that our house would sell soon, so we intentionally enjoyed having Christmas here as if it were the last one in the first home we built. This was also the first year we got to enjoy having a fireplace! We woke to find Carson sleeping next to the tree that Santa had left. He shared that he had seen Santa and he said, "Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas!" and gave him a candy cane.

Santa tried to utilized the tall ceiling by leaving a very tall tree once again!

Ollie's first Christmas!

All in all, it was a very relaxed and fun Christmas without too much running around. We enjoyed spending time with both of our families as usual! And Santa delivered on the Wii, as Carson made sure it was on everyone's list. We have all enjoyed it as a family!

You were within me while I was outside of myself. I was searching for you in all the outward joys and beauties. And all I found was loneliness.

Gingerbread Houses!

Uncle Jesse actually made the gingerbread! So glad Aunt Katy and Uncle Jesse wanted to do this project with the kids!

Happy 3rd Birthday Hallie!

Better late than never, I suppose. This picture was taken on Dec. 19, the day Hallie turned 3. I feel bad for the girl because Christmas is such a big deal in this house. We actually talked about making a birthday cake, but I just forgot to do it. I'm such a horrible mom. I will contiue to do half-birthday celebrations in June as long as she will allow it. For now she seems happy. But someday she may not appreciate my inability to do everything I want to do for my kids.

 

What I love about Hallie right now:
- she has the best giggle ever
- her style
- her daring nature
- her ownership of her parents and grandparents
- her snuggly-ness
- her intelligence

A Girl After my own heart.

Here is Hallie taking over my office.