we're still here

Well, that was a long blogging break.  I hadn't intended to take a break, but it's just what happens sometimes. But we're still here.  And all is well.

 

Here's a little recap of what's been going on:

 

 

We've had some beautiful January weather.  I am still holding out for some beautiful winter weather, but I like the beautiful spring-like weather too.  Especially when all 3 of these kiddos can get out and get some fresh air.

 

 
I don't think I've really done an update on Gavin since he was a year old.  Man, that's already been 2 months ago.  But I'll do one soon.

But for now, I'll just tell you that this kid loves to be outside.  He will escape if any door is left open.   If Dave goes to the garage for fire wood and leaves the door open, Gavin will race as fast as he can to escape out the door.  So you can only guess what a struggle it is to get him inside.

 

 

The kids weren't home today, and it was my day to tackle a big to-do list with no interruptions, but a dumb cold and sinus stuff interrupted it all.  I slept the day away and when I woke up, I still felt like I hadn't slept at all. It's always a big bummer when mom is sick.  And as much as it stinks to feel that way, in some weird way, sometimes it feels nice to have an excuse to not have to get anything done.

Not that I would choose to be sick for that reason. Surely someone else gets what I'm sayin. :-)

 

 

 

 Ha, in my mind I had a lot more to tell you than what I'm coming up with.  I guess that goes to show we really haven't had much going on here lately.  Which I am thankful for.

 



 

I'm really sad that Parenthood is over.  That is the best show ever.  And I love that Dave loves it just as much as I do. Tuesday nights, on the couch with my man, watching our show, were the best nights.  It definitely was getting hard to handle.  I couldn't make it through a single episode without crying...not just tearing up, but usually actual tears falling. 

But American Idol is back.  And I know that is maybe soooo not the cool thing anymore.  But we love it.  Hollywood week is my favorite (which is next week! yay!). 

 





No one ever warns you that the hard life questions from kids start so soon. Like...

why does God want me to go through this?

if something is bad, and people pray for God to make it better, will he change it?

why did Daddy not sign up to be in the army? did he just want to be with his family?

Sometimes I don't even know where the questions comes from.

It's definitely another reminder that as parents we need to know God's character and His truths as solidly as we can, to be able to guide our children through this hard hard life.

 





 

I'm reading Real Moms...Real Jesus by Jill Savage, with my morning bible study group.  I will be completely honest and say that for the first few weeks I skipped my chapters and just went to group and listened. (that's being super honest when I know that some of the gals in my group will read this :-). But lately I've had a big wake up call in some areas of my life and I have been desperate for the Lord to show me his will and direction.  It just amazes me beyond words that he so readily and easily answers when I call. Even when I know that I have been so prideful and unfaithful to Him. 

 

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

Isaiah 58:9

 

Not only has He given me so much direction and peace through his Word, he also convicted me about skipping out on chapters of that book.  It was like He knew better than me, that maybe the book was hitting some exact issues of my life that I was looking for direction in. So I went back and caught completely up.  And even got a bit ahead.  And guess what?  It has hit the nail on soooo many things that I've been struggling with personally.  Go figure.  God knew just what I needed.  His Word will always be the single most important way to know his ways and his truths, but I know that he uses godly authors to speak his truths also. And I'm super thankful for any way that he uses to show me his purpose and direction for my life.

Even when it's a little hard to swallow.

 

 

I had all intentions of starting a Valentine's countdown for the kids, using the same frame and clips we used for our advent calendar.  But it looks like I may be a few days late, as I don't have much prepared yet.  We may just have to play catch up right away.  I'm thinking that each day they will read something that we love about each of them, along with a bible verse about God's love. 

But seriously, how can it be February 1 already?



 

 

And here's a series of pictures that has a funny story.

The kids were playing on the other side of this fence, in our very overgrown, dead garden.

Gavin hung out on this side for the longest time trying to figure out how to get in.  He wants desperately to be where his brother and sister are all the time.

 

 

The kids would come in and out a few times, and close the door fast enough that he couldn't get into where they were.  Not that they were being mean, but none of us thought it was a good idea for him to be playing there.

But he finally got in when Taylor wasn't quick enough.

But was quickly escorted back out and wasn't happy about it at all.  It's just so rough being the baby.
 

 

Well, that's all I have. Nothing too exciting.  Check back soon for some Gavin stories.