Praise Him for a stocked kitchen.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  Psalm 34:8

During our "lock-in" today, we made a new craft.  This was a group project:

I cut the middle out of a paper plate.  Then I helped the girls draw hearts on black, red, pink, and purple card stock.  After they cut them all out, I stapled the bigger ones around the plate.  Then Emerson helped me glue the smaller hearts onto the bigger ones.  I tied a piece of ribbon at the top and voila!  We now have a nice Valentine wreath!  We chose to hang it inside since it would most likely fall apart in about an hour outside in this weather.

Later, we used the privilege of our free time, to make a new recipe for lunch.  Everyone here likes to bake, so I found a recipe online for Ham and Cheese Scones (http://recipes.slides.kaboose.com/305-20-quick-easy-lunch-recipes).  The kids enjoyed helping me make these.  It was a perfect choice for us because I had all of the ingredients on hand.

When the scones were ready, we enjoyed them with a yummy apple treat...apple slices that the kids used toothpicks to dip in honey, and then rice crispies.  I got this idea online too.  It was a big hit!

Nothing else of much excitement has been going on since yesterday other than what anyone would expect with four small children (and me) going stir crazy.  Now for tomorrow....

Praise Him for ideas. Give me more Lord!

The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.  Job 37:10

Let's see...what has been happening since my long ago last post?  Snow, snow, snow, ice, no school, snow, ice, ice, and lots more of no school.  As I type this, we are holed up inside yet again.  Just so glad my husband decided to work from home.  He was dressed and ready to go, but it just didn't happen, and for that I am grateful.  Also a praise is that everyone is healthy!  (Well, except me...I have some throat thing going on and I'm thinking it might be strep, but that's OK.  I can handle me being sick a lot better than the kids being sick.)

This morning we made a Valentine craft while Owen had his little morning catnap.  Thought I'd share:

Using a cookie sheet as our work service, I had the kids sprinkle red, purple, and white crayon shavings onto a heart shaped piece of wax paper.  Then we used another heart on top.  I put a paper towel over that and used a medium hot iron to press down and melt the crayon.  Then they wrote their names on them in permanent marker.  I tied them on ribbons and taped them over our kitchen windows.  Whenever we have sun again, it should be pretty shining through the colorful hearts.  The kids had fun and it took minimal, supplies, effort, and time. 

I'm sure we will be stuck in the house again a lot this week, so I will have to think of some more crafts.  If I come up with anything good, I'll share them later.  Stay warm everyone!

Praise Him for healing.

Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you...  Exodus 23:25

This has been a very looooooong week.  After Brian had to work last Saturday, he started back to class on Monday.  The snow days on Tuesday and Wednesday would have been great, except for the other challenges that appeared this week. Owen started teething (four teeth trying to come in on top).  After that, he started getting sick, then really sick.  I took him to the doctor and he tested positive for RSV.  He's on 3 meds that should help to prevent his bronchiolitis from getting worse, but there's really not anything we can do for the actual virus.  I was told he could run a fever for four days.  This is day two of the fever and it has been about an average of 102 with us alternating the ibuprofen and Tylenol every three hours.  The doctor also said that he would probably have symptoms (cough, congestion, etc.) for two or maybe even three weeks.  He will not be contagious that whole time, just up until 24 hours after the fever ends.  I'm praying fervently that with religious hand washing and hand sanitizer, I can keep the other children from getting sick.  From the information the pediatrician gave me, it looks like they will probably be ok since they are over two and have probably already been exposed to it.

I've enjoyed having Brian home tonight.  Owen fell asleep on him before dinner.

It was really sweet until he woke up and threw up all over both of them.  He's in bed now, but I get the feeling that we will not be sleeping any more tonight than we did last night, which wasn't much. Unfortunately Brian has to work this entire 3-day weekend too, so I will continue to fly solo.  He's had to work quite a few Saturdays this past couple of months, but that's actually not usually a part of his job.  There has been a bunch of bank merger testing, etc. that has to be done on the weekend.  He may even have to travel in Feb. for this, but I'm praying not.

My blog is titled "Praise Him for..." for a reason, and so, although it has been a terrifically challenging week, I am happy to share the many things for which I will praise the Lord:

1. No one else has gotten sick.
2. Owen's oxygen percentage has not gotten so low that he would have to be hospitalized.
3. The rest of Brian's school semester, though challenging, will seem like "cake" after this past week!
4. As we have been stuck in the house a LOT this week, I have saved money on gas.
5. I have really been enjoying my quiet time with the Lord this week.
6. My nurse mom and PA sister have helped this week to put my mind at ease, provide advice, and willingly listen to my concerns for Owen.
7. Friends have helped me by transporting Sydney from school and both girls to church activities this week so that I wasn't forced to take Owen out as much.
8. My friend, Mary, and I were able to meet this week to discuss plans for the new women's ministry we are privileged to lead.  I can't wait to see what God is going to do!
9. I will thank God in advance for healing Owen from his illness, and praise Him that it is not something more serious.

Praise Him for the season.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2:10-12
 
Okay, so I haven't posted in a while, and on top of that, I'm going to be extra lazy and post a copy of my Christmas letter.  I'm sure most of my family and geographically distant friends have already received their copy, but for those that live nearby and didn't get one, it may be something mildly entertaining to read.  Hopefully after the holidays I will find time to get back into a more regular posting routine, but until then...praying you all have a merry Christmas!!!

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Dearest Family and Friends,

    This has been an exciting year of change and growth for our family.  We marvel at God’s provision and are grateful for His sovereignty.  We pray that you have also enjoyed evidence of these things in your own lives this past year.

January:

• Sydney began her first season of cheerleading through Upward Cheerleading at our church.
• Friends celebrated the approaching birth of our newest addition by throwing Erin a beautiful baby shower.
• Sydney, Avery, and Emerson enjoyed the Sibling Class at the hospital to prepare for the coming of our new baby.

February:

• Erin was scheduled to be induced on Feb. 22.
• Owen Nathaniel decided to arrive early on Feb. 19 at a healthy 8 lb. 1 oz.  He appeared after only a few hours from Erin’s water breaking sporting a “barely there” white head of hair and winning the award for the largest baby feet in our family.
• Mimi arrived in St. Louis shortly after Owen took his first breath.  She stayed for a little over a week and was, of course, a tremendous help.
• Owen became our “Glo-worm on steroids” as we endured 2 difficult weeks of severe jaundice and treatment on a Bili TX machine until it was finally decided that his condition was due to breast milk jaundice.  After switching to formula (a difficult transition for Erin) he improved rapidly.

March:

• Avery turned four years old on March 8!  We celebrated with an Abby Cadabby birthday party in a spacious room at our church.  
• We enjoyed Sydney’s first grade musical at school, The Little Red Hen, in which she played a cow.
• Brian’s Aunt Barb came to visit for a week and a half.  She was great entertainment for the kids and had wonderful crafty ideas to share throughout her visit.
• Erin returned to her part-time tutoring job on Tuesday/Thursday afternoons.
• Papa came to visit for almost a week and enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren, especially his newest one that we like to call “mini-Papa”.

April:

• Granny came to visit for the Easter weekend in which we squeezed in lots of fun, including the traditional “Slumber Party” for her and the granddaughters in the basement where they watched  a movie, had manicures, ate lots of treats, and stayed up late.
• We celebrated Easter at our church and then enjoyed an indoor picnic (due to the wind).  We held our annual family Easter egg hunt while Owen observed from the comfort of his bouncy seat.
• Uncle Mathew, Aunt Jennifer, and Elias came to visit for a week.  We did lots of St. Louis “stuff” and enjoyed watching the cousins play together.
• Aunt Lindsay came to visit for a long weekend so she could love on her nieces and nephews before her time in Basic Training.

May:

• On May 9, Owen was dedicated at our church.
• We enjoyed Avery’s preschool Spring program.
• Sydney and Avery participated in the Children’s Choir Musical at church.
• Sydney completed first grade.
• Aunt Kendall and Uncle Justin came to visit for almost a week.  We enjoyed spending time with them and introducing Justin to St. Louis.

June:

• Sydney participated in the optional four-week, Monday to Thursday, Summer School program in our school district.  She enjoyed her classes including a music class, American Girl class, Reading with Computer Games, Math Games class, and Around the World geography/culture class.
• Uncle Matt and Granny came for a summer visit.  Granny’s new IPad was a hit with the whole family.

July:

• We traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia to visit with Mimi, Papa, Uncle Chris, Caleb, and Alyssa.  We had a blast celebrating a combined birthday party for all the upcoming birthdays, shopping, playing in the river, blowing bubbles, hiking to a waterfall, visiting the Atlanta Aquarium, and pigging out at the Varsity.
• We visited Uncle Terry and Aunt Barb in Atlanta and enjoyed the lake beach, roasting marshmallows in their yard, visiting an enormous indoor sandbox, shopping, and making homemade ice cream.
• Erin had her gallbladder removed…not the most fun of the summer, but necessary.
• We stayed a long weekend at Lake Wappapello in a small cabin.  We enjoyed the lake beach, nature center, hiking, park playgrounds, and just the six of us spending time together.

August:

• Emerson had his third birthday on Aug. 14!  We celebrated with a party at the Little Gym.
• Sydney started second grade.
• Erin had a birthday on Aug. 22.
• Sydney turned seven years old on Aug. 26!  We celebrated with a sundae party at Mary’s Sweet Shoppe in Kimmswick where her guests enjoyed making their own sundaes and participating in a chocolate candy making class.
• Sydney and Avery began their soccer season.
• Brian began his first semester in part-time law school at night, three nights a week, at St. Louis University.

September:

• Avery started Monday/Wednesday/Friday preschool at New Hope Preschool in Mrs. Lauber’s class.
• Owen had tubes put in his ears to help alleviate his many, many ear infections…we’re four for four in this area!
• Sydney, Avery, and Emerson started taking swimming lessons at the YMCA.
• Sydney began piano lessons at our church.

October:

• We visited Stuckmeyer’s Farm with friends to pick some pumpkins.
• Erin helped out at Sydney, Avery, and Emerson’s school Fall Parties.
• Brian had a birthday on Oct. 26.
• We enjoyed the fall festival at Sydney’s school and the Trunk or Treat at church.  We had a Toy Story 3 cast this year:  Sydney was Jessie, Avery was Barbie in her blue exercise outfit, Emerson was Buzz Lightyear, and Owen was one of the squeaky toy green aliens.
• Grandpa came for a short weekend visit…it was fast but still so nice to see him!
• Sydney and Avery began a 7-week session of gymnastics at the YMCA.

November:

• Erin visited Lindsay and her family in Charlotte for a long weekend.  We enjoyed shopping, the Southern Christmas Show, a Girls’ Night Out, and catching up with each other.
• Mr. Dean attended Emerson’s  Grandparents/Special Person Day at preschool.
• We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Dean and Mary McCullough and 2 of their 3 children.  We had fun playing Banana Grams, coloring turkeys from hand tracings, learning Mr. Dean‘s crayon magic trick, and of course, eating!

December: 

• We had a Happy Birthday Jesus party with neighborhood friends.
• We had a fun weekend visit with our friend, Jennifer, from Charlotte.
• We attended Emerson and Avery’s preschool Christmas program.  
• Sydney and Avery participated in their Children’s Choir Christmas program at church entitled Operation Christmas Child.
• Brian took his finals and we look forward to a month of no classes!
• We anticipate a fun weekend with Grandpa on Dec. 10 to Dec. 13.
• Erin will be traveling to Florida from Dec. 17 to Dec. 20 to attend Kendall’s graduation from PA school.  
• Mimi and Papa will travel back with Erin to St. Louis to spend Christmas vacation with us!  We have plans to attend our church Christmas Eve service, go to Santa’s Magical Kingdom, go to a movie, shop, and play, play, play!

Throughout the year:

   We enjoyed  parks, play dates, Grant’s Farm, the Science Center, Bible Studies, AWANA, choir, soccer, swimming, our new playground (a birthday gift for all four children from their parents and both sets of grandparents) and lots more!

    We pray you are well and that you can see God at work in your lives (both the wonderful and the difficult times).  Know that you are loved and thought of this Christmas season!

 God Bless!

Praise Him for His blessings.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.          Psalm 23:6

Oh my word...I ate too much!!!  Why do I do this to myself every year?  I should have at least remembered to wear my stretchy pants.  We had a great Thanksgiving that we were blessed to share at a friend's house.  I hope you all enjoyed the holiday as much as I did!

Things for which I am thankful for this year (the big and the small):

1. My Savior!!!
2. My husband, children, family, and friends.
3. My husband's job.
4. My house.
5. My church.
6. Owen's first Thanksgiving!
7. Brian is almost done with his first semester of law school...I won't think about how many he has left....
8. Everyone in my house sleeps through the night.  Most of the time.
9. Owen only has to be on formula for 3 more months.
10. 3 of the 4 children can play without constant supervision.
11. I can fit in my clothes again.
12. My brother and his wife are expecting twins!!!
13. My car is still working.
14. Sydney is doing well in school this year, and she has a wonderful teacher.
15. Despite his ability to push the limits at home, Emerson is a stellar student at preschool.
16. My parents are coming for Christmas!
17. My children can still make me laugh, even at the end of a very hard day.
18. I can still make my children laugh, even at the end of a very hard day.
19. After more than 12 years of marriage, my husband is still my best friend.
20. God is good!

Praise Him for a fun visit!

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.  1 Chronicles 16:27

I got back from my trip Monday night, but it has taken me a while to have a chance to get on here.  I wanted to post some pics from my visit, although I will warn that I forgot my camera (typical of me), so most of them are from my phone therefore, not the best quality.  Some of them were shared from friends' cameras so those will be better.

I got in around 9:00 and waited just a little bit for Lindsay since my arrival coincided with drop-off time for my niece and nephew at school.  After she picked me up, we went to Panera (for my St. Louis friends...Bread Co.) and had breakfast.
 

Lindsay and me at Panera (self portrait)...I'm on the right. :)

Then we went to Concord Mills Mall.  This is the mall I frequented the most when I lived in Charlotte, as it was an enormous indoor outlet mall and only 10 minutes from my house.  It was kind of weird shopping without at least one or two little people in tow.  Whenever I would try anything on, I would think my usual, "Hurry, hurry, hurry," but, then I would remind myself that I didn't need to hurry...no one was fussing at me impatiently or making all too candid comments about my body.  After the mall, we ate at a Mexican restaurant right by the mall, called Charanda's.  Lindsay had actually never been there before, but Brian and I ate there often.  It was YUM!  Then we headed to Lindsay's house where I took a tiny little nap before it was time to go get Caleb and Alyssa from school.  It was so good to see them.  That night we ate a nice dinner together and then after the kids went to bed, Lindsay, Chris, and I watched a movie together.  Then I went to bed and slept REALLY good. I even got to sleep until 8:30 the next morning!

On Saturday morning, Chris made pancakes for breakfast.  Then Lindsay and I went for a 3 mile walk.  The weather was perfect and the company was great.  Of course, we talked the whole time so it only seemed like a half-mile walk.  Then I played Mouse Trap with Alyssa (she won).  Lindsay and I got cleaned up and ready to go to the Southern Christmas Show.  It was so cool that this just happened to be going on while I visited.  I used to go every year when I lived in Charlotte, although I think I did miss it the last year I was there.  We were there from about 1:00 until almost 5:00 and we still didn't see everything.

Lindsay and me at the Christmas show...I'm on the left.

Then we headed to Olive Garden for a Girls' Night.  It was so nice to see everyone and catch up.  We laughed a LOT.

 

 Lindsay, Mandy, and her son, Dylan

 Lindsay, Dylan (what a cheese ball!), Mandy, and Melanie

 Amy, Jennifer, and me

Melanie and me

I can't tell you what we were laughing about.

Lindsay and me...I'm on the right.

Amy and me

Mandy, Dylan, and me

(from the left)  Amy, Jennifer, me, Lindsay, Dylan, Mandy, and Melanie

When Lindsay and I got home, we stayed up too late talking, but it was worth it.

On Sunday we went to church.  It was very surreal being at my old church.  A lot has changed:  our old Sunday School class has dissolved, the pastor is different, the music minister is different....  It was very nice to see lots of old church friends, and in some ways it seemed like I hadn't even been gone, but the changes were there, and I wasn't at church with Brian and the kids.  It was weird being a "visitor" at a church I had attended for over ten years.  After church we ate Zaxby's (YUM!) then talked and took a nap.  Then I went to choir practice with Lindsay.  That proved to be similar to church...eerily the same but different.  That night we stayed up late talking again.
 

 Caleb, Alyssa, and me before bedtime

 

On Monday after we took the kids to school (which was very emotional for me), we went to Starbucks's and met my friend Amy so that she could introduce us to her new adopted baby girl from China, Mia Grace.  It was so nice to see her.  Lindsay hadn't had a chance to meet her yet either as she had been gone all summer for Basic Training.

Lindsay and Mia Grace

 

Mia Grace and me

After that, we mailed a box of Christmas presents to St. Louis since they wouldn't fit in my bag.  Then we ran some other errands.  We ate lunch at Kabuto's which was delicious as always.   All too quickly, it was time for me to be at the airport.  I was proud of Lindsay and myself for holding it together when we said good-bye.

I had an awesome time, but it was also really good for me to see that, as much as I miss my Charlotte life, I don't "belong" there anymore.  I know I will still struggle with "homesickness" from time to time, but now I am even more certain that I am where I am supposed to be.  Now if I can just convince Chris and Lindsay to move here....

Praise Him for His sovereignty.

Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.  2 Samuel 7:29

I can't believe it's finally almost here!  My trip to Charlotte is day after tomorrow!!! I leave very early on Friday morning.  I'll have to be up at 3 am to get ready and drive to the airport in time to park far away (cheaper parking) and then ride the shuttle.  Have you ever been so excited about something that when you thought about it, it made you feel like you could cry?  That's how excited I am.  I haven't been back to Charlotte since we moved here 2 years ago.  It seems weird to think we have lived here for that long since I still sometimes feel like I belong in Charlotte.  Don't get me wrong...I really like it here, and more importantly, I KNOW this is where God wants us to be.

Things I love about St. Louis (Arnold):

• The cold winters/snow.  Those of you that know me well will find this hard to believe, but it really is true!
• The variety of family friendly things to do (ie. great parks, museums, etc.).
• My church!  First Baptist Arnold is probably the most important part of my life here.  I am so grateful for their leadership and mission-mindedness (is that a word?).  I also love being a part of the choir and my Sunday School class.  The children's department is also top-notch, and they offer so much for my kids.
• Everything is so close!  I could literally get to anywhere I need to be in less than 10 minutes (most places less than 5 minutes) except for the mall and my pediatrician's office which is a little bit further, but totally worth the drive.
• The generous, caring, unselfish people that I have met.  I appreciate so much the friendships that I have made here.
• Brian's job.  He is so much happier in his job here and his boss is MUCH better.  We have also gotten to see a lot more of him these last 2 years...of course, that part has changed since he started law school, but we're adjusting!
• My house/neighborhood.

Things I miss about Charlotte:

• My sister and her family...thus the main purpose of my trip to Charlotte!
• My friends.  I did not take for granted the blessing of the beautiful, close-knit relationships that Brian and I shared with our friends in Charlotte, and I don't know if I'll ever get over having to leave that.  These people have been through everything with us...job issues, infertility, the loss of our 3 precious babies that await us in heaven, the joy of welcoming 3 of our 4 children into the world, sick/hospitalized children, my own health problems/surgeries, some memorable vacations, and so much more.
• My church and choir (but as mentioned previously, FBCA has more than made up for this).
• My pediatrician.  I have a really good pediatrician here but no one can compare to our doctor in Charlotte.
• My babysitter.  Megann loved my children like they were her own family...she still does, even Owen, whom she's never actually met!  I wish I were rich so I could fly her here!
• My job at Grace Academy.  This job was absolutely a gift from God.  I was able to teach part-time while my children stayed in the teacher's childcare room for FREE.  It was only 8-12 hours a week (depending on the year).  We were done by noon and did not work on Fridays.  Most of all, I worked with and for Christian people that were more like family to me than co-workers.
• The geography, and I mean this in more ways than one:  I loved being 3 hours or less away from the beach and the mountains.  I also loved being a day's drive from my family in Florida and my husband's in Pennsylvania.  It was still far away from them, but nothing compared to now.

My prediction is that after my trip I will feel two ways:  1. sad that I have to say "good-bye" again, some of the most painful words I know, and 2. happy to be coming home to my family and my new life here in Arnold, Missouri.  I know God has a purpose for me here.  After two years, I'm still not quite sure what that is, but I am grateful for that purpose nonetheless!  I know that He is sovereign, and though His ways are not my own, and sometimes I may not understand them, they are best!