Light in the Darkness

We had our tires slashed this week. This event intended for evil was a great challenge to our week. It forced me to rearrange my schedule Tuesday morning so Nathan could make the school run. I lost Tuesday afternoon when Nathan found out that it was actually two tires flat instead of one. I added more hours to my day on Wednesday when I had to deliver two tires to be fixed at the shop, and my husband and I had the afternoon ruined when we found out that they were flat due to vandalism. Thursday then got blown up when we had to spend half of it going in to get the tires they ordered for replacement and pay $400 for them (Merry Christmas, Discount Tire).

In the midst of it, though, didn't come the anger I anticipated. I was mildly frustrated that my schedule kept changing, but the thing that overwhelmingly stuck out this week was peace. Peace in the midst of violence, in the midst of chaos...peace in the storm.

I realized that this was a great opportunity to watch God's hand at work. So, I sat back and watched. I watched as the right people crossed the right path to open up opportunity to report it to the police (for it wasn't as "isolated" an incident as they let on earlier in the week). Then, out of nowhere, came provision. A neighbor, whom I had never met before, came out to talk to Nathan while he cleaned out cars this morning. She had heard of our plight and was so angered that she chose to spread light into the darkness. She wrote my husband, a perfect stranger of a neighbor, a check for $100 to aid in the replacement cost. When Nathan insisted that she need not, she told him that someone at Christmas time and children should not have to suffer at the hands of vandals.

It reminded me of two things. First, we NEVER know where God's blessings will come from next. Even when we think we have God figured out, we are reminded never to count Him out...never take our eyes off the sky waiting for Him to move in our situation or in our lives. Second, we NEVER know how much God can use us in a situation to shower blessing into someone else's dark circumstance.

Thank you to our neighbor, to this stranger who blessed us so. Thanks be to our Heavenly Father, who supplies for our every need in His perfect timing and brings light to the dark world we live in.

All in the Family

Here are the best of the best. We had such a great shoot that it was hard to pare it down. Thanks to Jessica and Lil' Bits Photography out of Parker, CO for such amazing pictures! We did it all at once- Elliot's 6 months, Naomi's 4 yr, and an updated family picture. Enjoy them and a glimpse of a beautiful Colorado fall!

Naomi's Barnyard Birthday Cake

I'd like to send a special thank you shout out to Betty Crocker for this great recipe. You can check it out on this website: Barn Cake with Cupcakes.

My Unexpected Blessing

We had day one of our garage sale today. The kids love garage sale day. They set up a stand with donuts, water bottles, and lemonade for 50 cents. Jonathan is learning how to give correct change, and the big kids have to work together to pour out the lemonade. It is a fun way to earn a little extra money.

Well, after the day got on, Nathan had to leave me to tend to the garage sale and three kids on my own. The best way to cope was putting them all down to naptime. I was surviving the last thirty minutes of the sale, when this beautiful Hispanic woman and her three kids piled out of their minivan.

She was very pregnant and looking very tired. As we visited, she told me that she is seven months along and uncomfortable. The kids mingled through the "treasures" while we continued our conversation over the clothing piles. She told me that she has c-sections, so she has to stay in her maturnity clothes a long time. Being a mom of three kids, my heart just melted and went out to this sweet woman and the struggle ahead for her in bringing this fourth child into the world. Years of long days showed in the wrinkles of her face. I could tell even a few minutes of quiet over the clutter of my house gave her a little relief.

She was especially interested in the maternity clothes. After several minutes of visiting, mom-to-mom, she sheepishly asked me how much I was asking for the clothes. I told her to take every one she could find in her size...free of charge. I just could not bring myself to take any money and just hoped that they would give her a few extra miles and bring unexpected options for the long months ahead. I knew this had to be the first thing she had done all day for herself, and I was so blessed to play even a small part in it.

As she loaded her kids and drove away, tears welled in my eyes. I realized that, in the process of trying to be a small blessing to someone else, the real blessing of the day was in MY heart rather than hers. I tearfully tried to pull my sobbing self together, being "strong" for the other strangers driving by the dwindling minutes of my garage sale. The more I tried to pull it together, the more I felt like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally, over-emotional at the drop of a tissue. I am so grateful to pass along an unexpected blessing and was surprised to receive a huge unexpected blessing to my heart.

Praying a special blessing to the stranger who needed a little and gave a lot!

I Live For...Little Moments...Like That

There are really too many little moments in life that I wish I could frame. I wish that I could take a snapshot and quilt them all together. Then I could relay the stories to friends, or I could snuggle up under the memories on the dark and cloudy days of a cold tomorrow. They are so fleeting, too quick to catch on camera. I fear that the picture would miss the essence that makes them so beloved. Instead, I will write them to share with you all. Sit down with a warm cup and enjoy!

Naomi this week has really taken to sharing the world around her with Elliot. As Jonathan goes to school, she relishes the time she does not have to share toys...and her little brother. Earlier this week, she was telling Elliot some of the things we do with our hands. She ended the time saying, "And, you take your hands like this (lifting his hands over his head), and this is how we praise the Lord, this is how we praise the Lord!" In sing-song fashion, she wrote a song on the spot, like we've done a hundred times before, all to teach Elliot how something simple like raising our hands glorifies God. *precious*

A few months ago, Nathan and I ran across some Bibles on sale at a store closing. We held onto them for a "special" occasion. Last night, our children's AWANA program started at church for the year. We sat down as a family after school and relayed stories of our day. I told the kids that we had to get ready for AWANA, and I had a surprise to mark the special occasion. I presented them with their Bibles, especially proud to give them their first edition of the actual Bible (not just the Bible story books they had until now). Jonathan reacted, saying, "OH MOM!!! It's so great! I just can't believe it! I love it so much! *pause* Thank you so much!" You would have thought it was treasured gold, food for the hungry, or water for a thirsty soul. The thing is this: the Scripture says it is all three. Nathan's highlight for the evening was driving the kids home after AWANA and listening to Jonathan learn how to read out loud by reading John 3:16. *precious*

You just cannot snap a picture of these precious moments. But, we write them on our hearts. We share them as our heritage and pass them along through the years. I live for little moments like that!

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalms 119:28 NIV

Every Journey Begins With a Single Step

Jonathan's first day of school. :)

Pride In My Ride

This one goes out to all my peeps who have pride in their ride! Probably my favorite viral video ever! Enjoy!

Building Blocks of Marriage

Andrew Peterson's "Dancing in the Mine Fields"

I am loving this video that was released from one of my old favorite artists ahead of the release of his new album. I think it is all too unfortunate that, while we are surrounded by so much that seeks to destroy marriage in our society, there is such a lack of glimmers of material to build up and celebrate the success of the most rewarding job one takes on in life. So, I am celebrating an oasis amongst the desert. I hope that this brings hope and a little water to quench your thirst in a dry and weary land. I could not be more grateful for my best friend for life. I love you!

The Great Toy Takeover

What are some of your favorite tips for finding the balance between having enough toys to play with and escaping the hoarding monster or the bedroom toy takeover?

Your $'s at Work....or Mom and Dad's

Thought that I would post a picture here of my marketing degree at work (Mom, I didn't want you thinking that my college education was going to waste). Elliot's announcements, after much effort and learning of a new program, are finally finished. I am working on getting them printed and sent out this week. The design and pictures are both done by yours truly. Enjoy!

A Little Catch Up

Here are a few pics of the new baby. Hope you enjoy. Sorry that it's taken so long, but, as the pictures suggest, we've been a little busy. :)

Cat's Out of the Bag

Here is proof of my secret undercover year-long project. Enjoy.

Fun Alternatives

There is a great website that is a great alternative to some of the kids games websites and has some shows on it that are great quality shows that teach science concepts, Bible stories, verses, and books, and sports tips, etc. in very Biblical ways. It is by the creators of Veggie Tales. Part of the website is free, and the rest is $4.99/mo. for the subscription. Try it out! (Thanks for the tip, Amanda!)

www.jellytelly.com

Free Days in Denver

For all of you who are looking for a great deal, here is an entire list of the free days in Denver for the museums, botanic gardens, and the zoo in Denver. Enjoy!