Monday, December 1, 2008

The "Twos", whatever they are!


Bethany turned two overnight! This sounds like an obvious statement to make, but it has blown me away all the changes that have taken place in her! Our culture knows this time as the "Terrible Twos". Even the sixth grader I was talking to a few weeks ago was lamenting the "terrible twos" and how they are as unavoidable as a child turning two years of age. I laugh at that sort of talk and give my little spiel about how this is an amazing time of children growing up, testing, discovering and finding their boundaries. And I really do believe that! Bethany has been giving me ample opportunity though to practice my theory and see if I really do think these "twos" are as terrific as I say they are!

Two days after she turned this infamous number she started saying things that she never had, ( and I might add, never will if she's smart, which she is!) said before. Things like, "Leave my hat alone!" to her mother and " You're not the boss!" to her father. These are the testing times, not for her so much, but for me. Will I be consistent enough to train my daughters to be obedient and respectful to their parents and those around them? I fail so often! But God is so gracious!!



I have also in the last few days been overwhelmed at how faithful God is! When we are obedient in training our children how He wills, His blessing are amazing! Lydia and Bethany have become as close as twins seemingly over night! They have always loved each other, but their relationship has been full of squabbles and selfishness. Lately though, they are inseparable, even walking up the stairs holding hands! Hugging, kissing and playing all the day long! I am so blessed to see God working them together. She also has completely abandoned the thought of trying to rule over her parents, although I'm sure the temptation will present itself again!

I really love "the twos" and I don't think they're terrible! It is so amazing to see this person emerge out of this little baby that I used to have, and it is such an awesome privilege and responsibility to be the one that is to train her! I am growing slightly weary of the "whys" though!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Birthday Party Fun!

Last saturday we had our birthday party with my side of the family. We are so blessed at this time to have all of the great-grandparents still alive. It is so wonderful to have them share in the celebrations! Bethany was of course showered with presents!






Saying 'Thank you"


Havilah shares in the fun!











Nothing better than "Dirt Cake" for a two year old. Especially this one!


"More please?"




Monday, November 24, 2008

God's AMAZING plans!


I am so excited this morning as I got to see pictures of this beautiful baby girl that was born this last week. I don't even know her name yet!
In 2001 the King family ( my in-laws) agreed to let a young man from Germany come and stay with them for two weeks while the exchange student coordinator tried to find another home for him to move to. After a bit of time they realized that they would like to have him stay with them for the entire school year. After just a few months, Klaus got saved. Not just " repeat a prayer to make others happy" saved, but deep down repentant, saved by grace, surrendered to Christ saved! He went home that June but his faith stayed with him. It has been so amazing to hear how God has been working in and through him as he lives out his faith among friends and family that don't believe the same as him. Last summer he got married to a beautiful Russian girl named Nelly who also loves the Lord with her whole heart. And now God has blessed them with a beautiful daughter who they will raise to love the Lord and be mighty in His kingdom. I am over whelmed at the Lord's great plans that He is capable of bringing about and also how great an impact we can have on some one's life if we are faithful in loving them and showing them God's love.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Bethany!

Today is Bethany's second birthday! For weeks now she has been telling everyone that her birthday was coming and that she would be two. We had a special day today with just our family. Tomorow will be the party with my side of the family. I'm not looking forward to having to explain to her that her birthday is actually over!

As I write this now I'm thinking back to two years ago. Right at this time ( 7:50 p.m.) I was very discouraged! I had labored for 13+ hours, labor was very hard and after a forty-nine hour labor with Lydia I was ready for a VERY long night! Very soon though I would be checked and told that I was at 9 1/2 cm. and could push whenever I wanted! She was born at 8:30 p.m., 8lbs 2oz, 20 in. long, very blue and VERY bald! But she was so beautiful! I thought it was a miracle! From the very begininng she was so different from Lydia and it is a joy every day of her life to watch her grow and develop her unique personality into exactly who God created her to be! I was reminded last night as I watched "How Great is Our God" by Louie Giglio ( Must see!) that at the moment of conception her 3,000,000,000 character DNA code was written out, telling exactly who she would be! It was just a reminder to me of the amazing plans and purposes God has for my children's lives.













































First of all, yes, she did have big eyes when she was a baby! And yes, her hair is finally starting to grow!!!













Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My little cutie!

Sorry! Nothing too exciting to share these days, but I couldn't resist putting up some more of my little sweetie! She is so much fun!!!

















Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Feeling toasty warm!

So our huge dilemma this Fall/Winter was our need for a wood stove. Finances have been pretty tight and we couldn't imagine paying our amazingly expensive furnace to pump heat out of our paper thin windows all winter long again this year! But we also didn't see where the $3,000+ was going to come from for the stove, pipe and other materials needed to get a wood stove in. But once again God proved that He is not subject to our circumstances and placed a stove right in front of us for $400! We also got a really good deal on some of our pipe and some financial blessings from some very unexpected sources! Every day I am so blessed to crawl up beside a crackling fire and I thank God for His amazing provisions!


Cutting into our dining room

My husband is amazing! He knows how to do EVERYTHING!!!

How our whole house looks during construction!


A constant audience ( Wow! I didn't even notice the hair until I posted this one!)














Praise the Lord!!!
( There will be a wood trim at the top of the tile and as a base board! We also will repaint it eventually!)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Havilah at six months





Our little "Havi" is now six months old. As well as being the ever sweet as a pea, cute as bug, she has also added at times, mad as a hornet, lively as a hotwire, funny as a joker and chatty as a jaybird! Sometimes I'm rather tired and feel a slight flutter of animosity toward this child that is waking me up for the fourth time this night, but by the time I get to her, nothing can keep my insides from bursting with a smile at seeing her sweet face!

How will Bethany look with hair?


Saturday, November 1, 2008

Tagged!

Sorry! I wasn't online for awhile so I didn't realize I had been tagged! This is my first time too!

I am ... so thankful, more than I can say!

I want ... to not feel sick anymore!

I have... several hours ALONE! How weird!

I wish... could be the best wife and mom ever!

I know... My God is everything He says He is!

I hate... the returning sin in my life.

I fear... my God.

I hear... mostly silence ( again how weird!) with an occasional fire crackling.

I crave... nothing. Anything I think of makes me want to throw up!

I search... for wisdom.

I always... am amazed at the wonderful man I have.

I usually... will order the same thing and every restaurant.

I am not... afraid of the future.

I miss... Romania.

I love... my God. My man. My girls. So many more I could never write them all!

I never... drive while my husband's in the car.

I rarely... go swimming.

I cry... often enough!

I lose... my shoes a ridiculous amount!

I am confused... by the way many people think!

I should... go take a nap!

I worry... in disobedience.

I dream... of being with Christ.

I tag... Bethany.

I rarely...

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Taking a break!




Well, the time has come for me to take a break from the little things that are cluttering up my life and focus more on what I know that God has called me to do. Please pray for me during this time, that I will draw closer to Him and that I will love and serve my family with all my heart! I will miss hearing from you, but I'll be back in November. Blessings!

Monday, October 6, 2008

One Year!



Last Saturday we celebrated our first year in our "new" house! I still can't believe that we are living here! It really is a very long story as to how God opened amazing doors that looked like they were slammed shut. If you want to hear it all, I'll tell you some other time! But here we are, in the town I have lived since I was one, two minutes from my parents, eight minutes from his! As you can see, there is much to be done, but slowly we're getting things done! Living here is such an amazing blessing! Don't worry, we will paint next summer!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Loving my Ergo!!!

I got my new Ergo in the mail last week and I am already madly in love with it! It's not really working for Havilah very well right now as she really doesn't like the constraint of the infant insert and yet her legs just aren't quite big enough to straddle me comfortably. But Bethany LOVES it. The other day I had her in there for hours! I washed dishes, did laundry, washed windows etc.. She finally fell asleep so I easily slid her out and onto her bed. SO EASY!!! The best part is, nothing, not my back, shoulders, hips, hurt even a bit, and she is almost two! I am so thankful for this amazing blessing! Oh, and by the way, I am not suddenly young and slim. That is my sister Anna!

Fireproof


Just wanted to write a quick note saying how much we enjoyed going to watch the new movie "Fireproof". We went out on a date last night and were able to watch it in Salem. It was not the most professional movie we've ever watched, but what it had to say was very powerful! I'd say it would be good for any marriage! If you get a chance, take the time to watch it!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

More good news from Lydia!


Lydia rushed into the kitchen about ten minutes ago bursting to tell me something exciting! This was her story: "Mom! I have good news! I went to a casserole ( castle) and I met a prince and he said, " I want to marry you" and I said, " Hmm, your beautiful. I want to marry you too." so we got married in our casserole and now we spend together. Isn't that good news?