family

I was looking though old pictures tonight and just had to post this video.   I'm so thankful for this bunch of people God has allowed me to share this life with.  They sharpen me and make me laugh.  I know more about Christ because I know them.  I love you Jason, Jonas, Ella, Kate, Isaac, Mom, Dad, Mark, Anne, Titus, Ezra, Simeon, Levi, Mark, Amy, Ian, Emmaline, Justin, Stephanie, and Max!

two years ago today...

two years ago today
     ...emergency surgery was preformed on Jason to start the process of removing infection that was taking over his body and was in the blood stream.  This type of infection kills over 80% of the people who get it when sepsis is already present at the time of hospitalization.  The doctor told me that night that if Jason were 20 years older he would be dead.  His age was the only thing he had going for him at the moment.  The doctor said that there was really no explanation for the infection and that it was just "bad luck".  Through God's grace I replied that although we didn't know why this was happening we did know who was allowing it to happen and that we had complete confidence in Him.

two years ago today

     ... I dared to imagine life without my husband.  I knew it was wrong.  I knew to think truth, but the doubts and fears were very real for 2 weeks as his life was touch and go.  I still have moments of fear and doubt about the uncertain future, especially since we know that God is moving us to the Philippines.  It is a very real fear of mine that God calls some to a life of trials to produce patience and enduring faith as a testimony of God's goodness for His glory.  I realize that since we experienced one trial doesn't mean we are exempt from any more.  While it's certainly a reality to me that life can change in an instant I know that God is unchanging and His grace will always be present.  

I haven't shared this photo with anyone yet.  For a long time I couldn't look at it.  I took this the first day in the hospital because Jason and I were relieved that he was there and had surgery and had some pain relief.  We didn't know here that this infection was still present and spreading and the next few weeks would be a fight for Jason's life and would be the most trying time of our lives.  

two years ago today

     ...we were allowed by our loving Father to experience a trial that in every way at every time caused us to glory in God.  He was real and working and powerful.  It was amazing.  We would never choose to experience a trial, but even now are thankful for it.


     Anytime God handpicks you to walk through a trial to help display His glory is a high calling.  I'm reminded when I reminisce about the past two years that God is bigger than me and my life and my trial, but may choose to use me for His glory in a way I'd never imagine or choose.  I'm comforted with the hope of eternity today as I parent my children, as I relate to my neighbor, and as I adjust to divine interruptions in my schedule.  The hope of eternity strengthens my faith not only in mundane tasks but also in great trial.  Every day is a gift from our Father and what He wills is our calling.


If you're interested you can read last year's post here.

Christmas activities

grandpa entertaining the little two with his movies and music:

 decorating the gingerbread house with grandma:

grandma ended up "decorating" their mouths!

 enjoying our beautiful creation:

 Isaac's first look at our gingerbread house when he woke up from his nap:

 This is our annual draft:

We have an overload of stuffed animals.  Does anyone else out there tend to accumulate these like we do?  The kids LOVE their animals and play with them and sleep with them and take them everywhere. Some of them are very special and others aren't so much.  Before Christmas it's necessary to purge and make room for more so this is our way of going through the animal friends.  We place all of the animals on the couch and Jason leads the draft.  The kids choose one at a time in an organized fashion which animals are their favorites and we let them keep a certain amount and then the left-overs disappear. ;)

 We played lots of games: 

(Amy's thrilled that I have my camera out )

holiday baking:

(Isaac "helping" me with his choo-choo)

 Some for giving, some for eating:

tea

A few weeks ago, Isaac asked me for tea.  He doesn't speak very much or very clearly, well, compared to kate the great.  So, I was trying to understand what this new word "t" could mean.  Isaac could tell that I was not getting it even though he kept saying "t", "t", "t" over and over to me.  Finally he brought me over to the counter where he sees us getting our hot drinks and said again, "TEA" and pointed just like this.  I always have my iphone in my pocket so I whip it out and snatch pictures like this often.  I love it for that.  This really isn't anything momentous, just a fun little moment in Isaac's life that I caught.  Isn't life thousands of these little moments.  It's impossible to capture them and to document them all, but hopefully catching a few will help me remember someday.  And of course, we did stop and sit down and enjoy some hot tea together.  :)

 my boy asking for tea

more checkers

 and this time,  playing with Kate.  She understands the game, but was hilarious and really not into winning.  We had fun.  She had my undivided attention and that's what mattered. 

Christmas

There are 13 of us in the house this Christmas.  It's cozy.  We are loving it.  Jason's parents and sister are here.  There is nothing better than family and I'm so thankful they can be here this Christmas.  We could NOT believe the piles of presents that kept accumulating under our tree.  We are really blessed, but keep in mind- 13 people!

BEST. GIFT. EVER.  = baby Emmaline

 We had to have a little photo shoot with our baby doll tonight since it's her first Christmas.

Aunt Elizabeth is staying in the girls room and they are loving their "sleepovers" and Ella's bed on the floor.  (Kate always sleeps on that little crib mattress and then shoves it under the big bed during the day.)

 best friends

Today at 4:50 (of course, minutes before hardware stores shut down for the holidays) we noticed a huge water leak in our basement.  Yep, the water heater busted.  That means 13 people are down to one toilet, no shower or tub, 1 bathroom sink, and 1 kitchen sink.  2 weeks ago our dishwasher broke (It's just because we went 4 years using it without a water softner).  So, I'm now doing dishes by heating water on the stove!  Fun Christmas memories are happening all around.  Tonight Jason and I posted the following on facebook.  At least we have our sense of humor and each other which of course is all that really matters.  We are blessed and no matter what curve comes down the road we have abundant grace for each moment.  We are joyfully celebrating our Savior this Christmas season!

by Jason:

Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a drop of hot water
Yet the carpets were doused.

The water heater tank
had been cracked with such care
By rust and by age
Well beyond repair

And mamma in her kerchief,
and I in my cap
No showers for us,
Well, we're just going to stink tomorrow I guess.

my response:

Twas weeks ago, dear 
that our dishwasher broke
the replacement was me
and that's really no joke.

I thought I might get one
from old St Nick
but now I'm afraid
that we'll get a new water heater instead and until then I'll have to keep boiling pots of water on the stove just to wash my dishes by hand but I'm not complaining because at least I have running water and don't have to chop wood and haul pails of water from the creek out back

a good game of checkers

I'm enjoying Christmas break.  The kids have two weeks off.  We have had a bout of several weeks of sickness at our house.  The stomach flu has seemed to make it's way slowly but surely through each member of the family.  It hasn't been brutal, but it's annoying that it's taken weeks to leave us.  We have enjoyed a lot of at home relaxing time because of it though.  It's been good to say "no" to filling our time with all kinds of other obligations and to take time to do what's important.  We've played lots of games, colored lots of pictures, made lots of crafts, and read lots of books.  I rarely find time/ make time to sit down and play board games.  It's just so much concentrated time.  When I do it it's so rewarding though.  The pictures below were snapped with my iphone during a very long game of checkers with Ella where she truly almost beat me!

wish lists

I wish I could say that this post was about all of the great charitable giving my kids and I are involved in this holiday season, but it's not.  It's rather about the selfishness being alive and well over here.  It's a quite opposite post from this one.  My kids recently wrote their annual wish lists to their grandparents and here they are.  I wanted to remember them.

 Jonas' list was divided into categories and it included things like "Cars 2- must have !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", not only very specific lego sets, but the words "a lot of other legos too", "no clothes please !!!!!!!!!!!!!", under the weapons category (yes, a whole category) he wants "a real flame thrower", under the video games category he lists specifics but requests "a lot of other ones too", and last but not least :) "pizzas, real food"

 Ella asks for a toy horse, a toy castle with a princess, paints, cupcake stickers, any kind of books, Barbie dresses, a pretty nightgown, and a puzzle.

 Kate wants an American Girl doll magazine, a Barbie coloring book, a Barbie cell phone, Peter Pan DVD, play clothes for Bitty Baby, play clothes for Kit, a toaster, a microwave, and a coffee maker.

 Isaac's lists included the things he likes.  They are loud, have wheels, and go fast.  just. like. isaac.