A Couple of Random Thoughts. . .

1.  So, my middle born and I just had a kiss war.  He is the more touchy of my boys, so often we give lots of kisses.  It's really sweet.  Today at naptime I kissed him goodnight, he proceeded to give me like 25 really fast kisses on my cheek.  As expected, I did the same to him.  Then, we did it again, but at the same time.  We laughed afterwards, and he looked up at me, as precious as ever and said, "It was a kiss war!"  hahahaha.

(and yes, we did get another snow.  Samuel likes making really big balls out of snow!)

 2.  At church this morning we talked about money- what it is, what we do with it, what the Lord says about it and I was so challenged and moved.  I was struck by the amazingly unique position the Lord has put us in and with gratitude, was able to look at our own finances and receive the Lord's heart for our family.  I don't know how to even say it well, but the pastor preached out of 2 Corinthinians 9:6-15.  It's kind of a typical giving passage, but we were looking at how specifically, in verse 11 it says, "your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."  And I am hit with the basic reality. . . . Everyone always asks us, "How do you support raise??  I could never do that. . . ."  And this is it.  The basic reality is that once we get over the fact that money is not ours, then we come to realize that giving and receiving of money brings glory to God.  There are times when I get it stuck in my head that something I am doing is causing all of this to happen and then the Lord,  ever so kindly, reminds  me I have nothing to do with it.  Amazingly, our bills will get paid, when I knew there wasn't enough money there, and I  give "thanksgiving to God."  We receive a check in the mail for John to travel to all kinds of places, and I give "thanksgiving to God."  We raise an absurd amount of money to save the life of a little girl, and I "give thanksgiving to God."  We give to others, out of love and obedience to a heavenly Father, and they "give thanksgiving to God."  We position our lives in such a way, that the generosity and the humility of the gospel come together- often.  I'm not saying it's all easy, or even exciting, but it is where we are and it is where we will stay until the Lord says otherwise.  We are filled daily with "thanksgiving to God."


3.  The other amazing thing?  At the end of that same passage, he says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  Thanks be to God for sending a savior to die on a cross that we might live.  Thanks for a Spirit that reigns in us, that we might grow in mercy and grace, as we await His return.  Praise be to God that we can travel to unseen parts of the world and share this gospel.  Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead- and if you know him and love him, you will live forever with him.  What Daddy Chief is doing right now is unbelievable- the truth that he is sharing, the gospel, is forever changing the people who encounter it.  He is love gone forth, from this place, that the WORD may go forth.  I am profoundly humbled that we can ride this life together- unified in marriage, united with others who long to be obedient to a loving father, submitted to a worthy God, forgiven by His Son, and filled with His spirit.

Can you tell?? I'm pretty grateful for today. 

Seriously. Is it possible??

Okay, so many of you have heard me say what a good baby the littlest chief is.  I guess we had all our misery and fighting on the front end of this one.  I digress.  Anyway, I had always heard that people had babies as good as she is, but secretly I thought they might be lying, because I had known nothing of the sort until now. 
Seriously, she sleeps, she eats, she smiles, she laughs, and now. . . .

SHE TEETHES!  And all with little more than a whimper.  Really, we are having a pretty good time around here.

New developments. . . .

Okay, so It has been a while since we have had an update, so I thought I would start with the youngest.  Baby chief is doing exceptionally well.  As you can see, she thoroughly enjoys her morning oatmeal with fruit and has the cheeks to prove it!  (she stores some away for later. . . . not really, but it looks like it!)  Also, we have just learned how to use the Moby Wrap as a bigger baby.  She was not all that thrilled facing in and missing all the action that her brothers so graciously provide.  Seriously, if I had a picture for it I would show you the joy that comes from this little girl when her brothers and daddy are around.  It's priceless.

And then there are her brothers.  The second in command has decided that there are two things in life definitely worth living for. . .sledding and hot chocolate.  And fortunately, they go together!  He flies down our front lawn with incredible speed, and walks back up to do it over and over again! Amazing

The biggest chief?  Well he has been LOVING basketball.  We have practice once a week, and a game once a week, and seriously.  You can't imagine how much fun he is having until you see the endless smile he has just running up and down the court!


What I am working through these days, is simply that.  We are here for such a short season, and we have been given so much.  I am longing (in the middle of this dreadful, snow/blizzard filled winter) to sit in contentment.  To appreciate what I have been given, and to love well.  Love the Lord well, and love those he puts in my path.

"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "Matthew 22:37-39


"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8 

What we're doing this afternoon. . . .

More snow. . . . another 6-9 inches.

Loving our new Christmas toy!  Thank you Braswells!

Mmmmmm. . . . .

Life at my house.

So, when it's really cold outside, you are 3 and 6, have lots of energy, and are fairly bored 

(and aren't allowed to watch a movie again) what do you do???

You play soccer INSIDE!

And then you play basketball in your bedroom.  Welcome to my world friends.  

Anyone else have any other ideas????

Fun times on Saturdays!

So, the biggest little person in our tribe plays basketball.  And let me tell you. . . .he is having a blast! 

(We might be too!)

Celebrating at a team shot made!

Snacks and cheering, of course.  :)

Getting ready to take the shot. . . .

CELEBRATION!!!

Half-time meeting with the coach.  (How we love our coaches!!!)

I think it's going to be a fun season.  :)

Just so you know. . . . we are still here, AND. . .

. . . . look how big we are getting!  

Someday I'll figure out something to blog about. . . but

until then, look how big we are getting!

On a different note. . . .

I've decided to try a new tradition this year.  At church this past week, I was praying that the Lord would show my heart this week, which of our traditions are precious to him and which ones he might could do without.  ;)  It was about that time that a new thought came into my head.  I have often told my kids the stories of their births.  I think as a new event, every Christmas eve we are going to tell how Jesus brought them into the world.  It is VERY obvious, with all three of my children, that the Lord chose- not only the day of their birth, but also the means and the testimony of healing that came with it.  It is an amazing story, and I want them to know it well.  There is also a really good birth story that we read through every year, sometimes forgetting how incredible it is.  So, we'll end the evening with the reading of Jesus' birth story.  I don't know how it will work out, but I'm pretty excited to try it out.


Anybody else have any good recommendations about what to do to celebrate Christmas the right way?

The Christmas Tree-

So, my apologies.  It's been a while since I've blogged.  It appears that there is much going on, and blogging isn't stress relieving- as I so long for it to be.  Oh well. . . another post for another time.

We have had a growing tradition of having our friend take some photos while we are decorating the tree.  It's been such an amazing blessing that I thought I would share some with you as well. 

I love this one.  Everybody needs some daddy love.

Everyone must have hot chocolate breaks while decorating the tree.  It's hard work!

Can you see that sweet face behind the tree?

Oh my, we are SOOO happy.

Samuel got to put the angel on top of the tree this year.  He did a great job.

Merry Christmas everyone!  May we strive to see the first coming as a sign and a reminder of the hope offered in the second coming.  Can't wait!

Christmas Begins in our house.

So, today was the day.  The second-in-command asked ALL DAY long, when is daddy chief going into the attic to get down the Christmas boxes???  When Mommy????????

As one can imagine, it was a long day for both of us, but there was a lot of post-Thanksgiving, week-long trip crap lying in my living room and I can't really begin the next major pulling out of new crap until the existing crap has found it's way back home.  (Was that over-using of the word crap?  Can you tell how I feel about it all?)  Anyway, side note.

We eventually found ourselves at dinner time, eating frozen pizza and broccoli, since I didn't get to the grocery store either today.  (another bunny trail, sorry.)  By this time, it was getting close to bath time, daddy chief was leaving to go to a meeting, and we hadn't gotten any Christmas down.  Drama ensued, and wanting to be a parent who is trustworthy, we got a few boxes down before heading to bed.  This was tonight's project.  It involved lights, always fun.  Beads on string, or a train, to a three-year old.  And red, green, and silver ornaments.  AND stockings!  You can't see them here, but they were placed in the appropriate places.  :)

Here's the completed project.

Here's the close-up.  If you are extra observant, you can see my greasy head.  Please disregard.

Anyway, all that to say, it wasn't particularly calm and peaceful, but it was well worth it.  Then, when it was time to go to bed, no one wanted to.  The second in command was sure he wasn't dirty and that he didn't need to get in the shower.  And the first born, through tears, was convinced that he wasn't tired.  Hmmm. . . .

We were finally all clean and brushed and we sat down to read one of my favorite Christmas books, which also came out of the boxes.  "Humphrey's First Christmas" is an absolute delight.  Humphrey the camel learns how sacrifice and obedience from a heart of love are central to Christ and his first coming.  I know, my kids may not get all that, but still, I came out of their bedroom reminded why I love them so, and why my Father in Heaven loves me so.

Then I came out to the living room where I sat looking at my twinkling lights and proceeded to read Isaiah 24.  (not that I was doing my entire BSF study the night before group, but that's a different blog for a different day)  Sorry, another bunny trail!  Anyway, I was dumbfounded again at the word of the Lord over my heart tonight.  Very simply put, he came- in real form and flesh, lived and died, and is coming back.  And when he returns he brings the great and terrible day of the Lord.  It will be amazing, but it will be terrifying and I am learning to look for his beauty in the midst of his judgement, his light in the midst of darkness, his joy in the midst of suffering, and his love in the midst of sacrifice.  I pray to see it better this Christmas.
 
Isaiah 24:14-16  They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the LORD's majesty.  Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.  From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One."