Creation...

Happy Birthday Josiah

August 2nd, 2010

On this day, twelve years ago… Amongst the rushing of doctors and nurses and specialist with scalpels and lots of machines, my first born son came into the world. I can’t really say that it was a happy moment. At 3o weeks and weighing only 3 pounds his first hours would be filled with needles and wires and strangers with bright lights. I awoke from surgery to balloons and cards and congratulations all around but kept thinking to myself “What is wrong with these people? Why are they celebrating? This is the worst day of my life!” It was indeed a difficult day… as were the next 32 days while my boy lived in a plastic box. But truly, God’s grace was sufficient for us and his mercies were new every morning. And then one beautiful Hawaiian morning in September, my little peanut came home. He was still only 4 pounds and needed to be on a monitor that woke us up with its annoying false alarms more often than a new born already does. But he was home and I couldn’t have been more delighted to have my life gloriously interrupted by his every need!
Twelve years have passed since those long uncertain days. The tiny little boy is growing into a young man who loves his family, has a tender heart for all God’s creatures and is striving to be a follower of the Most High God. His life has not been without a few set back and trials but we are so proud of who he is and the destiny he is reaching to attain.
Not a day goes by that we are not thankful that God breathed his breath of life into a tiny soul and brought Josiah David into the world and into our hearts… Our lives were forever and wonderfully changed on that day!

I Blinked

I remember the long days of mothering babies and toddlers and preschoolers...In the midst of the diapers and dinners, some wise woman would tell me "don't blink, these years will be over before you know it."

But somewhere along the way...

I blinked!

But as I open my eyes, I find that I quite enjoy the view!

What a delightful gift my sweet Siri is to me!

4 years

This week we celebrate the 4 year anniversary of our arrival in Elk River, Minnesota. Did I say "Celebrate"?... Why yes, I did!

Four years ago, we had a lot of ideas about what our new life here would look like.

We had a lot of plans.

We had a lot of dreams.

But The LORD says:

I know the plans I have for you...Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

He also says:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8

We are finding that the treasures God has for us in this adventure are not the ones we thought we would find but they are the priceless gifts of the heart... treasure that the world cannot take away... Eternal gifts from our Father!

Blessed is the man who trust in the LORD, and who's hope is in the LORD, For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out it's roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But it's leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding it's fruit.

Jeremiah 17:26

Our prayer is that in every season of this life, we would walk in faith and bear good fruit. We want to thank our dear friends and family for being part of that journey as well as part of our treasure.

Independence Day 2010

Movies, Fireworks, Ice Cream & Family...

We had a fun, and not so quiet evening at home, just our little family...

Along with our un-invited guest... the 42 bazillion Mosquitoes!

But, none the less... a bright smokey fun time was had by all!

Mommy, of course had the camera ready and had a great time capturing the moments of the evening.

Jonah, would do his Flag-Fire dance every time we would light the fuse. He was hysterical to watch and inspired us all to be a little crazy!

After the outside fun, we made beds in the family room and stayed up into the wee hours watching movies and eating Ice Cream! We are so blessed with the freedom we have in this great Nation.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Men of Hope

And Josiah walked in all the ways of his Father David...

2 Kings 22:2

Summer

The long days of summer are here with her sweet scents and bright colors....

I love the beautiful blossoms that show up at the back door in the hands of smiling children...

While I may not love all the critters that show up in the back yard, I love that my kids want to explore and learn about them, even if Mama jumps and screams and we all giggle about it later...

I love the occasional bright and tasty berry that we rescue from the previously mentioned critters... Even if we have to split it 3 ways, the moment of that fresh, juicy bite is so sweet!

Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

I am giving thanks on this Summer day for all the goodness that God has provided!

Held

I am amazed at the way God loves us...
The way he faithfully reminds me of his love.

The other day, our Jonah fell off his bike and skinned his knee. It wasn't too bad, but he was quite distraught over it. He wept for a long time... big soppy tears that seemed too much for a little scrape. He wept the way my heart sometimes does... over little things that shouldn't matter so much.

For a long time, I just sat and held him. I don't mind this small sacrifice of motherhood. I know that I can't always take away the pain or fix the little things in his life... But I my arms long to hold him through the scrapes.

And when my heart weeps... over the little scrapes of this life as well as the things that are too big for me to control or even to understand... He runs to me. He wraps his arms around me. He doesn't always fix it, or take away the pain but he never leaves me to cry alone. Every time I hold my little boy... I am reminded how I am held and how my Father doesn't mind my tears and my questioning thoughts. He promised to never leave me... and he never has. What an amazing gift of love he offers to my scraped up heart.

Mother's Day

With the extra leverage I had this morning... It being Mother's Day and all... I talked the family into posing for a few photos before Church. Here is what we got...

I am so blessed to be in the midst of such beautiful people.

My sweet Jonah loves to bestow kisses on his mommy... such a gift!

I don't think I could ever get enough butterfly kisses... and he is willing to dish out dozens a day!

Art

snap shots

Just thought I would share these fun pictures of the kids that I snapped this afternoon.Josiah and Siri are still best of friends and it blesses me to see them enjoy each other so much.Our little girl is not so little but still has that girlish giggle that brings us all lots of joy!
There are so many sides to Josiah....
Just captured one I thought you would all enjoy!

Our Sweet, beautiful, complex Jonah-Boy! He keeps us on our toes and counting our blessing and seeking God each and every day!

We are in love with the beautiful children God has given us...

We pray the same for all of you!

December Fun