Saturday, March 29, 2008

Looking Back

Owen and I had a rare day to ourselves as the kids were at their cousins.
We took a beautiful walk today and were talking about what God has been teaching us the last few years. I honestly didn't feel like I had learned a whole lot. But on reflection we realized how I have really grown in my calling and purpose as a stay at home mom. I really struggled with it at first because I didn't understand the sacrifice demanded nor the ins and outs of raising godly children. I think I felt very overwhelmed with no one to walk me through or prepare me for motherhood.
I praise God that He has opened my eyes to see the GREAT purpose in being a wife and a mother to our children. Sometimes I am very overwhelmed by the grandness of it but thankful that it is a day by day leaning on the Spirit for wisdom and often sanity!!!
Being a mother has changed me and helped me to recoginize the need in those around me, not just my children.
I feel like my numbness as a Christian is wearing off as I become more aware of my own fraility before Christ. I have great confidence in Christ and His TRUTH but He doesn't always require my confidence in Him but rather the ability for me to recognize my daily weakness in who I am. That I can not go through a day without Him as my strength and shield. To be obedient to His nudge to "be Christ" to a child or another parent.
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Monday, March 24, 2008

Sledding with Friends

We went over to Sam and Julia's house today for some sledding fun before all of the snow melted away. We had a great time even though we got pretty soaked.

Joseph had a blast going down with Sam. Ginny loved having everyone go down as a big train.



We even made a snowman. But he quickly turned into a pile of snow when he toppled over. Have to work on the engineering side of snowman making :)






We really enjoyed being outside with the sun and warmer temps.

Happy Easter!

We did something new this year. I had a lot of large paper so I decided to make some crosses and an empty tomb and place them in the window.



Jospeh blessed our hearts when we saw him sitting and reading at the foot of the cross.




Ginny did a great job helping me to cut everything out.

It has also been fun to share with friends. We prayed that those who would be able to see it from the outside would also be blessed.

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We spent Saturday with cousins!



New Easter dresses with matching doll dresses to boot!

Egg coloring and projects galore! Everyone got in on the fun!!

Monday, February 18, 2008

February 2008, 18th

Wow! It has truly been too long since I have posted. Hopefully now that we have most of our computer and internet complictions taken care of I will be more consistent than i have been.


Joseph just celebrated his THIRD birthday on the 15th. He is becoming quite the little man. Most of the time ALL boy but every once in a while there is a sweetness to him as he cares for his little sister and makes sure she is safe (instead of trying to sit on her!). He is speaking more clearly and has quite the repetoire for vehicle sounds. He loves to "read" books to himself and to Ginny as well as to sing songs that make no sense whatsoever!!!
TOday we enjoyed a visit from my brother who lives in Chicago. It was GREAT to have some really good conversations about life, work, families/kids, and church. Plus it had the added bonus of keeping me sane this morning. My mind is a little preoccupied by the fact that we are expecting baby #4 in October.
I am really excited for another baby, as I love babies, but overwhelmed by all of the changes that means for what we thought was a 3-child summer and year. Praise God for the peace that He has given me about this.
Lord, thank you for the joy of children and the wonder they help us to recover as we see the world through their eyes.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Merry Christmas!

First let me say I haven't blogged for QUITE awhile. Not that I don't have anything to share but having dial-up doesn't help! I figured I had better get at least one more in before the new year begins.

We enjoyed spending lots of time with family in Iowa and Wisconsin. It is so good to be together. Being together though sure isn't like it used to be. Seems that growing up and change go hand in hand. I do enjoy having our children around and their excitement at being able to spend time with everyone.

The kids had fun opening gifts.
We even made it out to cross-country ski with my brother and his wife. This is when I also realized that I was more out of shape than I thought! Josh and Jess both run, as does Owen, so I was a little out of my league. But it was beautiful and so wonderful to feel alive!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!




Monday, October 1, 2007

October

In October we enjoyed rides at the Mall of America. It was fun to see them in the process of remodeling everything.

We were able to see my younger brother Matt's football games and sit in the stands with my brother Nathan and my Mom.

Ginny hosted a Tea Party at Grandma's house in WI and Aunt Pat was even able to come for "Tea by the Sea".

We tried to get out to the parks as much as we could before the cold and snow came.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Last Summer of 3 Pushes

Well, Bible study began again today! I am excited to dig into Beth Moore's study of "Breaking Free" this Fall. I am anticipating what God will teach me through it. Although I am a bit more reluctant to do this study than any other one. I am guessing this means that I really need to do this one.

We also went to the park this afternoon!! The kids are finally at the point where they seem to be done with afternoon naps. This means we actually have time to go to the park before dinner which is great. I am thankful that Moriah likes to swing so much.



As I snapped this picture I realized this is the last summer that I will 'have' to push all 3 on swings as Ginny will be able to really pump herself on the swing next summer. Kinda exciting and kinda sad. My baby is growing up. I know that Ginny will still want a "princess underdog" and Joseph will want a "duck underdog" but once she figures out how she can get higher than an underdog by herself my help will not be wanted.....

Ginny pushing "Snow White"

Lord, guard my babies as they grow and mature into young women and a man. That they will be sensative to your Spirit and strong in their resolve to follow you.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Last Swim of the Summer

Happy Labor Day!

We decided to stay on extra day in WI to enjoy the sunshine and the lake.
Joseph absolutely loves the water. Although, he would much rather eat if he gets the chance.
Ginny likes to be BY the water but not really in it--especially if we are at the lake.
She does like to water the sand though!

Moriah is just cute!!

We enjoyed a nice and quick lunch and then returned to Grandma's for naps and a quick dinner before heading home. What a great, relaxing day!

Sunday, September 2, 2007

New Homes

We went to Wisconsin to help my parents finish moving into their new home.

They are so thankful to be 'at home' after all of the crazy house renovation, selling, searching, apt living and final move over the last 9 months!

Anyways, the only pictures I have of the weekend are of the kids even though my brother and cousin and their wives and my aunt and uncle were around. Oh well!


Ginny and Joseph have new homes too! They can't wait to go back to Grandma's house to decorate them and play in them again.



Moriah found her sweet spot and played continually the longest I have ever seen her.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

I came in to get Moriah this morning and she was sitting in bed like

this and holding her blanket. She was just waiting for me and cooing.







Then she was mad because I tried to take too many pictures!!

Oh well! She is just too much fun sometimes :)

Friday, August 10, 2007

Girls Weekend

We went to WI this weekend as all of the males, minus Joseph, are had a Guys Weekend.
We went to a few garage sales and spent a wonderful afternoon at the beach!

Ginny loved sitting in the big floaty and Joseph had a blast driving his big sister crazy. He would get wet sand in his cup and pour it onto the floaty or onto Ginny if he was crafty enough! He thought this was GREAT!



The Girls: Moriah, Mom, and Aunt K., Ginny, and myself.



Moriah hung out with her toes in the water and ate snacks. I love this picture of her.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

I-35 Bridge and Prayer

There is a prayer meeting tomorrow evening (see info below) here in Mpls. to pray for and about the bridge collapse and what God's greater desire is.

Please join us in prayer tomorrow night if you live in the area. Please see the information below that was forwarded to me in an email.
Here is their website as well: http://www.usgapn-mn.org/

"be alert and keep on praying"

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HENNEPIN COUNTY INTERCESSORS
Everyone is invited to a time of worship and prayer for Hennepin County on August 8th at 7 PM, which will be held at Iglesia De Dios Monte Sinai Church.

Iglesia De Dioa Monte Sinai Church located at 2917 15th Ave S. Minneapolis, 55407. It is 1/2 block off of Lake Street and 15th Ave S. It is interesting to note that this building was the first church of the Jesus People Church in Mpls.

We are inviting everyone from the area to join us as we come together and pray for Hennepin County. Please invite other prayers/intercessors and worshippers to join us for this time. We are also asking you to join us in fasting and prayer prior to this August 8 meeting.

If you have any questions please contact:
Karen Kruger at USGAPN_karen@calltothewall.org or Tom Gibson at Hafire@aol.com.
God bless you,
Tom Gibson
Worship Coordinator, USGAPN-MN



Looking Ahead...

September 13-15, 2007
The Head of the Year at the Head of the River - Annual USGAPN-MN Statewide Gathering of Intercessors

Light the Highways - I35 Highways of Holiness

Oct. 26-27: Duluth Kick-Off event being held at the same time as a Kick-off in Nuevo Loredo, Texas

Oct. 28-Dec.1: I35 Highway of Holiness - 35 days of prayer and fasting along Highway I35

Watch for more information in the coming months.

What a Weekend!

Well, we had a fun weekend in Chicago/IN. Our plans were altered a little when we printed out our Cubs' tickets and realized they were for the Sunday game and not the Saturday game.

Friday we dropped Ginny in Eau Claire with my mom, drove to Cambridge and left Moriah with Owen's parents.

Saturday we drove to my brother's place in Chicago. Owen stayed there while I drove to Russiaville, IN for a first ever Maddawg reunion.

Sunday I returned to Chicago with Caroline. I dropped here off at an L station to get to the airport as I was running late on picking up Owen and Joseph to head to the Cubs game.






I had a lot of fun catching up with old friends. I can tell we are getting older as at least half of us didn't run. We talked a lot. Finished off a puzzle. Had s'mores and a campfire. Ate some wonderful food. Thanks again to Amber for all of the planning and the use of her sister's home.



Praise God for the ways in which He is working through our lives. We are looking forward to getting together again next year.

The Cubs lost to the Mets 8 to 3. We did get to see Tom Glavine's 300th win though! Josh and Amy Hawkins also joined us from TN. It was great to catch up with them as it has been way too long since we'd seen them last. Joseph experienced his first Cubs game. I think his favorite part was the popcorn! He stayed awake for the whole thing and was up until about 11.30 until he fell asleep in the car. We even stopped for some food and he didn't wake up.



Thursday, August 2, 2007

Slipper Ball

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of Slipper Ball!
My kids are either really bored or quite creative. Ginny describes it this way:
"You take a slipper in one hand and a football in the other and see how far it goes!"



I am not real sure how you score or what the point of the game is other than out right laughter!!

God is GOOD!

WOW!
We just found out last night that Owen's medical bills will be able to go through COBRA!
He was able to apply through his former employer and we are within all of the time limits.
I knew God would take care of the bills but I never dreamed it would be like this. He does usually amaze us, doesn't He!! God is faithful.

Owen has even started back running 20 -30 minutes a day this week. He is thankful to be running again although it is easy to get paranoid easily. So we just take one day at a time.

Saints, thank you for all of your prayers and for standing with us.

A friend asked how I was doing recently and I said "In crisis, you usually hear people say they can barely keep there head above water. I felt like I was walking on water, spiritually, because of the faith of the saints." So thank you!