Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

If you were to walk through my home you would see signs displayed in various rooms. I love that my children post signs that express their creative nature. Often Greg and I will receive a sealed envelope with a note carfully placed inside. Or we may even receive a delivery by one child that has been passed off to us by the other child.

This morning I was feeling on edge, annoyed with things, and tired. I let these feelings get the best of me when I barked at Caleb and Hannah about a messy table. I expressed inappropriately my displeasure with them for making such a mess, especially after I spent time the night before cleaning up a previous mess that they had created.

I shrugged this off and went about my chores, I hadn't even noticed that the house and my children had become strangely quit for fear of upsetting me again. As I sorted through stacks of paper on the counter Hannah nudged my arm. I turned to her, she delivered one of those notes I spoke of.

I gulped as I opened the note, I had a feeling it wouldn't be one of the cute ones I was used to getting. I was right. Caleb had Hannah deliver a letter of apology. My shoulders sank and I felt convicted once again by my wise son. "Why was he apologizing to me?" I asked myself when I was the one who should be writing the note to him. Oh how humbling it is to sit before my two young children and then ask them for their forgiveness. Easily they both said yes and we hugged one another and made amends. It's uplifting and joyful to let go of anger and allow forgiveness to fall in it's place.

Dear God,

Thank you for my creative natured children. Thank you for the messes they leave all over the house. Thank you for the 'signs' you leave that are glowing with a neon lights. Lord, thank you for my big piece of humble pie this morning. And thank you for granting me and my children the ability to forgive, truly forgive. Lord, will you forgive me for falling short again? I dislike myself when I speak to strongly to my children. Father, help me to remember your grace, help me to pass this grace onto my children.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Missed More Now Then Ever

I've been thinking about my very best friend a lot lately.

There are 3 framed pictures above me stove in my kitchen, one of Jill and her family, one of Laura and her family, and this one of Joy's family with my family. This picture was taken a few weeks before the Eisner's move to Guatemala. I look at Joy and her family each time I'm at the stove preparing food, often I look up and smile remembering that afternoon. Sometimes I look up and just about cry, and other times I do cry and make sure that no one sees me doing so.

For some reason I miss Joy and her family now more then ever. Maybe it's because I have a 6 year old daughter who desperately wants to hug her "bestest friend". Or you know, it could be, that Joy has been gone for 6 months now. Hmmm... Before Joy moved I would see her probably 2 times a week if not more. Although Skype is amazing, it's not always easy to get us all to sit down for a chat. It almost seems easier to call Joy and talk with her on the phone. None the less I miss seeing her, I miss talking with her, I miss hugging her, and I miss watching our children play together.

This past Sunday Greg and I spent the whole day with our good friends Jon and Laura, we stayed late and played Scategories and laughed a lot, we had so much fun. This reminded me of the late nights at Joy's house playing Settlers of Catan while our children fell asleep in the other room. They were late nights that I will never regret and ache for today.

I long to be near Joy, I pray for a future reunion, I want my best friend back.

Dear God,

First I'd like to thank you for Joy, for bringing us together in 2005, and for creating such a connection between us. God, I miss her terribly and at times become sad, very sad. I want nothing more then to fly to Guatemala with my family and be reunited again. I want nothing more then to wrap my arms around her. God, I miss Ken and the girls too. I know that you know all the things of my heart, and if it be in your will to make these things happen you know how happy I'd be. Thank you for the ability to still talk with Joy and see her. I'm grateful for the technology of today. God, don't let me forget the friend I have in Joy, don't let me forget the bond you have made. Please in some way let her know how much I care for her, let her know how much I love her.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Snow and Syrup Make a Sweet Treat to Eat

There's a TON of snow out there... So why not eat it!

I slightly remember doing this once as a small child. I thought it would thrill the children to eat fresh fallen snow with yummy pure maple syrup drizzled all over it, and I was right.

Caleb and Hannah spent a good portion of the later afternoon outside in the new snow, while Isaiah and I spent time resting on the couch. Isaiah has been sick since 5:00pm yesterday and it was a super long night with him so I've been pretty tired today. Thank the Lord though that he's feeling better now and keeping food and drink in his belly now.


When the big kids came in they naturally wanted a snack. I didn't tell them what their snack would be, instead I asked them to sit and wait! They watched me as I gathered the things I needed. They began to make guesses to what they thought the snack would be. Caleb flipped when he saw me open up the dinning room window and then scoop clean snow into a small bowl. "What?" "Are we really going to eat snow for a snack?" he questioned. All three kiddos waited patiently with anticipation as I drizzled each snow filled bowl with a generous amount of pure maple syrup. It was a fun sweet treat, even Greg and I enjoyed a bowl of snow and syrup!

Dear God, Thank you for these fun times of discovery... Thank you for the new snow that is super fun!Lord, I love the way my children become excited about the small things that we do as a family. I pray tonight that You will continue to allow our family to have fun together!

In Jesus' name, Amen

Family Friends!

Jon and Laura are wonderful friends. I've become very close to Laura over the last year. I enjoy our time together immensely and I enjoy being with her family. Our families truly complement one another. Greg and Jon have found commonalities and taken a great liking to each other. It's fun to watch them behave like young boys, something they both do all too well together! Greg and Jon always seem to have a good time whether it is during a game of Wii, shooting off a few rounds, pulling down a deck, loading a trailer with fire wood, or an afternoon in Boston. I think they just like hanging together no matter what the task or activity.

Caleb, Hannah, and Isaiah really like playing with Tanner. They especially like spending time at Tanner's house. Caleb is like a big brother to Tanner, it's nice to see that Tanner looks up to him. Hannah likes to play with Tanner too, she says he's fun. She also loves baby Case a lot. Isaiah likes Tanner so much that he invited him to his costume party this year. I like how Isaiah looks up to Tanner; I also like how Isaiah plays so nicely with Case. I love it that my kiddos love Jon and Laura and their boys.

This past Monday Greg and I had the privilege of caring for Tanner and Case. It was a blessing for me to have baby Case in my home. I know that it was fun for my children to have a playmate over for the evening. And I believe Tanner had just as much fun. It took Case a little bit to warm up to me. I've held onto him for Laura at church on occasion, but only for a short amount of time. Case had never been with me for a long amount of time before. If ever he were to cry when holding him, I'd always been able to hand him off to his mommy. Case did well considering and before I knew it he was so comfortable with me that he wouldn’t let me put him down, I didn't mind though, I loved every moment. It was comforting to have a baby in my home again and even more comforting to cradle Case to sleep as he drank his bottle. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed snuggling with a seven month old infant.

I love spending time with Laura; we have both agreed that our time spent together just hasn't been as much as we'd like it to be. Laura's a great listener; she's a loving wife, a caring mother, and a faithful friend. She's very thoughtful and understanding. Laura and I have found that we have more in common then we had originally thought. We both love cooking for our children and our husbands. We are both extremely family oriented and love large family gatherings. We both love Jesus and have a longing desire to follow His will for our life, our middle children are girls, and we both love to give to others through time, money and gifts. Laura's fun and easy to talk to. She the kind of gal you can spend hours with. And that's just what I like to do, spend hours with her; chatting and laughing. I look forward to a steadily growing friendship with Laura that will last for years. I look forward to many more outings and gatherings with her and her family.

Dear God,
Thank you for Laura and her family. I so enjoy all of them and I enjoy the time we have had as close friends. God, thank you for allowing our husbands to get along. Thank you that you have given them a new friendship in one another. I love Laura, and I love her family. I anticipate our next gathering. God, I am grateful for the bond that we all have. I'm grateful for new friends, laughter, and hospitality. Lord, please allow our families to grow closer as the years pass!

In Jesus' name, Amen

Jessica

My children just adore their Auntie Jessica. In fact when Jessica and I are together my children would rather go to her with their concerns rather than come to me. I could take this one of two ways; become jealous or be truly thankful. I choose to be thankful!

I'm very thankful that my kiddos love Jessica with all their heart. I'm thankful that she equally loves them in return. Jessica is special, she has a natural ability to become the "Pied Piper" when in a room full of small children. She has a knack with my children and they have a built in admiration for her.

When Caleb was born, Jessica was 14 years old, but on occasion when Dienne wasn't available I'd call on Jessica when I needed a sitter. Jessica quickly proved to be a wonderful caretaker and a super loving aunt. I've called on Jessica ever since. When Hannah was born I had no question that Jessica could handle Caleb at home for 3 days. As Hannah grew older my relationship with Jessica grew stronger, I began to see a loving, caring, responsible, and mature young woman. Jessica continues to live up to these qualities with an added few. When Greg and I bought my childhood home Jessica lived with us. It was then that I realized how much I loved her and how much she and I had in common. Jessica and I became fast friends, we'd talk a lot, watch movies together, spend evenings out, or stay in and play games with Greg and JT. Jessica would help out around the house, she'd help with meals, she'd even care for the children with out me asking. When I became pregnant with Isaiah Jessica stepped it up a notch and helped me a lot during my first trimester, she knew I wasn't feeling well and jumped right in if she saw there was a need. There were times I thought she had done too much and times I thought I'd asked her for too much. But Jessica would never complain, she would keep on keeping on and surprise me along the way. When the morning came for Isaiah to come into this world I wanted nothing more then my baby sister at my side with Greg and my mom. Greg and I dropped Caleb and Hannah off at Dienne's house and planned to meet my mother and Jessica at the hospital. Well, Isaiah being the strong willed child that he is wasn't waiting for anyone. Jessica missed his birth by minutes. It didn't seem to matter that Jessica didn't witness Isaiah's birth, from the moment she met him he pulled at her heart strings. The two of them have a special connection, an unbreakable closeness.

Jessica moved out almost a year ago. It took me a long time to get used to not having her here with us. I miss her terribly, sometimes I wish she would move back in. Just like the children I look forward to Saturday's. It's then that we get to see Jessica and spend time with her. Jessica has been a blessing to my family. Jessica will forever hold her own special spot in my heart and in the hearts of my children.

I LOVE YOU BABY SISTER!

Dear God,

You have blessed me and my family with the gift of Jessica. I am grateful for all that Jessica does for me and my kiddos. God, Caleb, Hannah, and Isaiah love Jessica so much and I love that they ask for her on Monday when Saturday is still many days away. God, I love the special connection between Jessica and Isaiah. I love the relationship that I have with her, I look forward to seeing her life begin and I look forward to the day that she can share her family with me. You have given me the perfect gift in my baby sister. I am thankful for the wonderful, understand, compassionate, and especially giving friend you have given me in Jessica!

In Jesus' name, Amen

Mommy & Monster Time!

Tuesday night is AWANA clubs night, that means that Greg, Caleb, & Hannah travel to DBC while Isaiah and I stay home and have our "mommy & monster time" together. Sometimes we read, sometimes we watch movies, other times we play, and other times we simply chat. Oh can my little monster chat too. It's funny really, Isaiah is a different creature when he isn't with his big bubba and big sissy. I've noticed that he likes to discuss things and think about things and really try and understand things when he is on his own. It's almost like he doesn't have his translators with him, so he has to figure it all out for himself. I know that he likes this one-on-one connection. I love our conversations, I love the many, many, many questions too!

I jokingly call Isaiah my "little monster", and if you know Isaiah you can only imagine what I mean by that. Let's just say that Isaiah is my "mischief maker", he's my "energy maker", and most certainly my "here comes trouble" maker! Honestly though Isaiah melts my heart. he is so endearing and very thoughtful. Isaiah is charming and super funny. Isaiah is a BIG bundle of love and affection!

Tonight we had fun eating candy, watching a movie, and goofing around with my camera. Isaiah loves taking pictures, in fact I have a whole album of pictures Isaiah took on Christmas day! His photography technique is very cute and his photo's make me smile. He lights up when he views his pictures and oh my is he proud of his collection. Most times I can't set the digital on play back fast enough.

I like Tuesday nights with my little monster, we have good times and good talks too. I think he enjoys our time together just as much as I do. I only pray that this lasts for a little while. Besides, before I know it Isaiah will be old enough to join AWANA clubs with his siblings.

Dear God,

I just want to thank you for this special "mommy & monster" time I am able to have with Isaiah. He is such a joy and such a blessing! I enjoy him so much, he is the sweetest, funniest, loudest, silliest, most impossible little boy I know, and I love him all the more because of it. God, thank you for allowing me to take care of Isaiah, and more importantly thank you for allowing me to fall in love with my special boy. Isaiah is amazing and clever and outspoken and awfully adorable. I just melt when he hugs up on me and gives me kisses all over my face. God, I even thank you for the difficult times with Isaiah. I ask that we're able to continue this steady growth in our relationship. I ask that you allow us to continue having this cute giggly fun together. Please allow me to show him daily that he is my special boy and that he is loved by his mommy so much. God, tonight I had fun with him and tonight I grew closer to him. Thank you so much for my precious little monster!

In Jesus' name, Amen

Ringing in the New Year with a Fresh Start & More Snow!

Caleb, Hannah, and Isaiah had fun outside in the new fresh snow today. I feel good about this winter, I'm looking forward to snowball fights, sledding, and maybe even some snowmobiling. I'm also looking forward to my fresh start. I love all this white stuff, though I know some of you may think I'm crazy. There's just something about a cold snowy day outside with the promise of a hot cup of coffee and a roaring fire waiting for me inside. I do look forward to more snow. I love the delight on my kiddos faces when they wake to new fallen snow. I find myself smiling when I hear "look at all the snow outside mommy!"

What a year we have had! If you received Greg's Christmas letter then you read about how busy we were last year. This year will be just as busy but we plan to fill our days with more of the "stuff" we know God wants from us. I'm not proud of everything I did in the last year, and I'm not proud of what I didn't do that I know God was asking me to do this last year. My only comfort is knowing that God's mercies are new every morning. It is only because of His grace and mercy that I can ask Him to forgive me at all.

During a home group study the question was asked, "what gift will you give Jesus this Christmas?" Well, fairly quickly it came to me that I would invite Jesus into each and every new day. I'd pray in the morning before my head left the pillow, asking God to direct my day. I'd allowing Him to spend the day with me. I'd also pray to Him through out the day, and I would involve Him in all my daily activities. Sadly I've already failed in handing over this gift to Him. I've started most days on my own, I haven't been asking Him to spend the day with me at all. And I definitely haven't been praying during my day asking for His guidance. I haven't allowed God to be involved in my day and I'm upset with myself because of it.

But again Jesus tells me that God's mercies are new every morning, and today, the 2nd of January I gave my day to God. He revealed to me my short comings and I was able to confess all of them to Him which in turn allowed me to have a peaceful, restful, and wonderful day with my family. I prayed to Him today and He answered my prayers I have been emptied of my guilt. I won't lie it's not going to be easy to remember to invite God into my heart and home each day. But with a note card posted on my night stand that reads, "Carrie, invite God into your heart and home today and spend the day with Him!" how can I go wrong... right!

What does your fresh start look like for this coming year? Will it be as white as the new fallen snow outside?

Dear God,

Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for being patient with me. God, I ask that you show me when I've done wrong, I ask that you remind me when I have forgotten you! Thank you for this winter season, and thank you for the snow. God, I also ask that each day be filled with your love and comfort. Father, I love you and I never want to hurt you by disobeying you. Again Father, I am amazed by the overflowing forgiveness that you give me each and every day.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen