& then there was snow...

january ramblings.

It's going to be 60 degrees HERE today.

It's a plea ok? A plea cause I miss my iowa family, which happen to be frozen solid in another storm. I may have sunshine, but I do not have you.

I noticed when I drove home last night that I didn't have to think about where I was driving. It's been 7 months with confederate flagged neighbors.. and in a few more..??
I was taking Natalie home and she rolled down the window and talked to the deer. They didn't run, they didn't talk back either.

We have been taking a class called Perspectives.
It's too good of stuff really. I could start rambling about all the ways God is jacking with my heart, but it would be pages. I will tell you it has something to do with it being all about Him, and not me, His glory throughout the nations.

I miss my brother lots lately. Miss his smile, and hug, and just being here, walking in the room. I miss hanging tightly on the back of his motorcyle and skipping out together on family events. I can't help but long for and wonder what it will be like in the glory of the Lord.

I think I want to learn French. Or maybe Spanish or maybe french horn. Actually I've never had a desire in french horn. But I have French. Well French the language, not the horn.

I love my husband a lot lately. We've only had each other for a while now, and I think we are starting to get through the "i want to inflict pain on you" stage to "i think I like you & maybe God did know what He was doing... :)" He has grown so much in his walk with the Lord, he really amazes me.

and he has sacrificed many an hour of sleep to help me get to one more world on the new mario brothers. i love that game. it's like marriage and family counseling all wrapped up in one package.

Dang it's such a great promise that His kingdom will come. Somehow it makes these light and momentary troubles so much lighter.

& now I must feed the children breakfast.
Have a good Wednesday. :)

It's Happy Birthday Day!

Happy Birthday Heth! Beautiful Crazy Lady.. hope it's amazing!

Happy 9th Birthday Noah.

Can you say loaded? What more could a guy want? Yesterday Noah came home to this & a box full of sugar and change. Who mails a box full of change? Crack me up. Only crazy people.

Supplies to make more treasures... This would be the duffel bag of goodies.. a football, whip, yeah I really can't tell you what else.

You never cease to amaze me Noah. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Henri's Story

So we decided to get this little guy. We haven't had the best track record in pets lately.. so we did so with caution and hesitancy. (never a compulsive moment here..)
I like animals. I really do. They are nice. I can't wait til heaven to see what our Creator intended our relationship with them to really look like. I think it will be nice.
Ailah is (pet)rified of dogs. You would be too if your first was Gus. Enough said. But she liked him. She really liked him. All the kids did. And Josh really thought it was a good idea to bring him to bed with us.. really.

Henri's history: he was born into a mean pet shop. Ms. Craigslist rescued him. And from her into our family came a timid, sweet little pompoo.. (which just is a wrong name for a boy..) & within a few days we turned him into a scrappy, crazy, little guy. He fit right in..
But then.
He snuck out on an adventure.. silly open gate... and our little white puff ball was gone in residential suburban usa.

Stink.
Hours later.. we still didn't find him.
He was without tags.. microchipped but registered to the mean pet shop.
What then?

The kids spent the entire day handing out over 200 fliers. Picture this: five kids house to house in the snow with a wagon.. supported by their almost brother and sister.. lacking snow attire ((which we thought was safe to leave in exchange for presents in IA))

A boy with a duct tape fedora. Robby with Josh's boots on. Oli in the wagon with gloves on his feet.. the froggy rain boots didn't cut it. Mission lead by four little determined girls-to find Henri :)
We met people who prayed for Henri- and followed up by phone. We met our neighbors.
But at the end of the day, no Henri.
Dang.

I pulled out the worst possible scenario card and the poor poor pity me card. At times they started to trump Maja's FAITH card.

And first thing the next morning Henri came home. Found 5-6 blocks away..
Identified by a crumpled up flier delivered in determination and love.

Who knows where the little guy spent the night.. & im sure that he fought off at least an armadillo or two..
Dumb me. I have been disappointed by this fallen world so many times that sometimes life seems as hopeless as a lost white dog in a cold white winter. It takes my baby's faith to bring it around..

So often I walk in fear having no idea what the scenario will be. But do I trust Him that gives and takes away? Dark and hopeless.. but the Rescuer has come & is coming again.
Ya I know.. it's all about a little puppy. But ill go with Tina.. wisdom from "Up": life is lived in the little things.

And so Henri returns to our nutso family. Back to little sweaters. And chewing on polly pocket heads. And the adventure continues.

ps:

a New year.. a new Addition

im pregnant!!!
well.. no.. not really.
but it's kinda like a baby announcement.
introducing:
*henri*

he's pretty ferocious.