Blogging

Oh dear blog, I know I've all but abandoned you.  I love blogging.  Some days.  Mostly, I love the results of blogging, cataloging our days.  Organizing our life happenings in a fashion for reflection.  But lately, I nearly collapse into our recliner or sprawl on our couch at the end of the day and just can't muster the energy to add one-more-thing to my to do list. 

Our holidays were full of sweetness, generosity, and warmth.  As well as tornadic weather, stormy skies, whining, tantrums, and sickness.  My personality is such that I'm immediately drawn to focus on the worst.  I see the worst and mull it over.  This is one of the reasons blogging is so important for me.  I remember to record the beauty.  To focus on the positive.  I can't just push away the negative, nor should I completely, but I need to learn not to let it overwhelm me.  Do what I can to change it, then dwell on it no longer. 

I can not begin to describe all I learn about myself watching my daughter.  We've all heard it before, our children are little mirrors of us.  This couldn't be truer in the case of my daughter.  As I speak words of truth into her life I'm learning I so often speak them to myself.  Then, I must humbly admit to her that I'm still learning these same truths and ask her if she'll join me on this journey. 

It's hard watching your child struggle with the things you struggle with daily.  It's hard not to fear what her future will hold.  It's hard not being able to fix it and make it easier for her.  Praise God for mercy, grace--Christ.  Oh how we need Christ.

The days I am hardest on my children I nearly always look back and realize its the day I'm most in need of God's grace for my own flaws, and then I immediately recognize how little of this same grace I extended to my little ones.  Humbling.  Convicting.  Overwhelming--if not for grace.  Grace to forgive myself.  Grace to start over again tomorrow.  Or even that night as I sneak into my children's room and tearfully apologize to my sweet sleepers, begging forgiveness, promising to try a little harder tomorrow to love more sacrifically and extend more grace.

Grace.  My children are amazing pictures of forgiveness and grace.  They never cease to forgive me.  To love me immediately following yet another one of my impatient outbursts.  Their hugs and I love yous come even following some of my worst moments.  I have never in life experienced anything as challenging as raising children.  Nor anything quite as rewarding.

So blog, if you miss me, know I'll return...eventually.  If I'm absent it's because I'm giving every last ounce of energy to motherhood.  A decision I know I'll never regret. 

What's On Your Phone?

Micah on a rainy day:




Anniversary orchids from my sweetheart!

Ivory's figures that if mismatched socks are fashionable then mismatched shoes must be, too.

Korban, Micah, + Mommy simply *adore* this throw quilt my sister Sherri surprised us with.  It matches my room + new pillow perfectly.  LOVE it.

Baby Korban is growing too big too fast!

Baby steps with daddy.

We we enjoyed beach trip with Nina + family.  Micah is just so in love with Michael.  It's precious.

Writing with daddy.  Micah loves counting + learning.

Bath tub boys!

Date with Pa. This girl has her Pa wrapped.

Ivory took some pictures to send to her Uncle Matt.  Herself +

Blue blankie.

Porch driving.  Love when they use their imagination on their own.

Lynne + Tim--how we miss them!

Ivory wanted to send a flower to Jeena.  When she was told the flower wouldn't last throught the mail she she wanted to take a picture to send to her.  Such a cutie.

Ivory's refashioned look...scarf turned sash + headband turned belt.

Daddy + Micah

Subway date with Pa.  Micah wanted to make sure McQueen + his friend enjoyed some pizza + cheetos.

Mommy + sweet sleeping baby.

Korban grows cuter daily.

Nina sent us pictures of Michael growing bigger eating cheerios + drinking from a big boy cup!
 
Ivory requested that her hair be fixed in little braids + bows all over.  She was extremely happy with the results.

Micah man -- love that little smile.

Rainy day goodbye to Uncle Matt.

Rain dance!

Love our little family.

Micah wanted this locust to ride on his tractor.

Korban enjoying McQueen + balls.

Korban enjoying the touchpad peek-a-boo game.

Micahel + Nina sending us love!


Ivory doing an impersonation of the British agent on Cars 2:

What's On Your Phone?

We got this picture from our friend Lynne.  Timothy has the entire set of Cars.  Micah would feel like he's in heaven.

From Christina's phone.  Sweet, happy Michael.

Micah went potty three times in one week.  We bought big boy underwear and will eventually take more steps toward potty training.  Eventually.

Ivory + Micah were so proud of themsleves when they came walking into the 5th wheel living room in Grandma + Pa's shoes.

Walking in Grandma + Pa's shoes.  Big shoes to fill.
 

We have a new son these days.  Here he is enjoying the Xbox Kinect dance central.

Ivory loves giving her baby brother a bottle.
 
A friend bought this modcloth dress + posted it on facebook.  Can I say love at first sight?  Dreaming up a way to sew a knock off.

I had a meeting to plan the a friend's baby shower.  During my meeting Jason took the kids walking around the marina.  Brave man.

I returned to find them all happy.  Yes, I married Super Dad.

The day at the marina + around town wore our little girl out.

That night we snuck away for a beach sunset date.

Not the greatest picture, but oh well--real life.

We watched two pelican, I like to think they're mates, feeding + flying at sunset. 
Then we went to one of our senior's graduation parties.  We laughed + danced with our teens.  Most of all we enjoyed spending time together.

Outside play one morning

Timothy playing tug-a-war with the dogs on the farm.  Excited to see him soon!

Michael excited to be coming to visit us in Florida! 
Busy with a variety of crafty projects.