I know not why...

I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He has made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day.

My mom mentioned this song not too long ago, and I'm going to try to memorize all of the verses... I write that so that I really do buckle down and do it! This song is so full of such beautiful truth... As far as being a Christian goes, it's all His doing. He works in us, convicting us of sin. He works faith in us. He keeps that faith. If it were up to us, we'd never be able to do what is required! In all of life with all of its worries, I need to constantly remind myself of that. In His grace is the only place to truly find rest!

(mondays)

I love and look forward to the weekends... My husband is home from work, we get lots of time with the family, and we're all ready for a break in the regular routine. Lets face it, Mondays can be a bummer. Hubby's back at work, and well... I suppose that's about it. What can I say... we like having him around! However, there are a whole lot of good things about Mondays so I'm going to think about them instead.

My husband has a job that he loves-
God provides and I am able to stay home with our kids ~ we are so blessed!

I usually don't have too much going on-
Therefore, the kids get back on schedule.

My sister doesn't have to work on Monday-
Which means that I usually get to see her and my sweet niece before 9am and enjoy a good, STRONG cup of coffee with her:)

I'm refreshed and ready to tackle the house again-
I pretty much take the weekends off of any major cleaning since my hubby's home.

The kids often play happily for longer periods of time than usual-
They're so busy over the weekend they're happy to see their toys again!

And I'm thankful that I could go to church again-
What a great way to start the week!

Prayers...

In this Thanksgiving season, I have SO very many things to be thankful for... Jesus Christ, my family, friends, a warm home, life in a free country where I'm free to worship God, plenty of food, good health, and I could go on and on and on...

Right now, I think of the health our family enjoys. I just ran across a blog asking for prayers for the child in Monica Zylstra's womb. Baby Esther Jade is full of fluid and the doctors say it's unlikely that she'll make it outside of her mother's womb. They say she will most likely have congestive heart failure. BUT, our God is BIG. While they face the reality of the diagnosis of their precious little girl, they also hope in the Lord and pray for a miracle. Please join me in praying for her and her parents. And for Cash Parriera and Jensen Anderson... that they would also be miraculously healed from their cancer. That God would surround the families of these children with a peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray that they would know HIS love and strength in their trials.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

Hunting Camp

Every October, we spend a week with my mom's side of the family at hunting camp. We look forward to it as a great camping trip and if there are deer in camp, well, that's a bonus. Aside from the births of our two kiddos, I've NEVER seen my husband more excited than he was this past week. He got his first buck... a nice 3x3. I probably sound like a strange sort of wife right now, but it was actually quite endearing to see all the guys in this hunting camp help with packing the deer out, skinning it, and what not. They're SO excited for whoever got the deer, they all pitch right in and join in on the process... and it really is quite the process! I have to say that it's about the nicest bunch of campers. Camping neighbor, Brian, who isn't even in the family bunch graciously pulled our truck all the way home ---at least five hours--- because we had transmission troubles. Anyway, we enjoyed a great week of camping, riding horse, and lots of dutch oven cooking. On top of that, we're thankful for some good meat for the freezer this year!

a new creative outlet!

Teresa and I and our need for a creative outlet started putting together headbands, clips, and hats (NO, we are not so talented as to crochet them!) We're having SUCH a great time embellishing all of this stuff. And thanks to my dear friend, Jenn (Sweet Bliss Photography is where to find her), we have some great pictures! Not only of our little girls, but of our stuff! We'll see where it all goes, but we're having great fun in the meantime. There's something to be said about having something completed that STAYS looking pretty. While I'm thankful to be able to do daily chores and don't mind folding laundry, washing dishes, and vacuuming/sweeping my floors, they surely don't stay that way! Anyway, here are the pics that show what we've been up to!:)

This girl can fish!

On Saturday afternoon, "E" took Kyla to a local pond to do some fishing. Little Miss LOVES to fish. What blows me away is how incredibly patient she is. The fishing doesn't have to be hoppin' for her to be quite happy. She will sit with a fishing pole in hand for hours... literally! Maybe if I caught something this big once in a while, I'd be more patient too!:)

family...

When God tell us to "think about such things" as in Philippians 4:8, and when I'm tempted to worry myself sick about something or another... I try to pray prayers of thanksgiving. (This is advice from my mom. Believe me, when I'm worrying, I'm not thinking of anything but the matter at hand... my mom is not only wise, she's selfless... and I'm trying to take her advice!)

One of the things I am MOST thankful for is my family. While I'm incredibly grateful for them, I'm also very blessed to have wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. I love my dear, intermediate family who I'm so comfortable with... the ones I can laugh with, joke with, and be completely relaxed with. But God blesses us with brothers and sisters in Him, and what a blessing and encouragement that is as well! I'm so thankful to have brothers and sisters in the Lord that are very much a part of my "family".

There is a particular couple who "E" and I have been so blessed by. We consistently enjoy wonderful fellowship, fabulous food, and lots of laughs together. Our kids absolutely love them, and they have embraced our kids. The love and kindness that they have shown is overwhelming and something to be most thankful for. It's truly something that is pure and lovely, something I should not only dwell on more often, but spend more time thanking my Heavenly Father for!

I love this picture of Little Miss and the Little Farmer in the back of E's pickup... they are obviously so happy to be there!
I have to say that when the Little Farmer was born, I didn't know how the two would interact with nearly four years between them. My worries were in vain... these two absolutely love each other and watching them just being together is so much fun! These are the smiles we see so often when they are goofing around in their rooms, teasing each other in the car, and playing in the sandbox. Maybe one of these days I'll do a post on the high-pitched, eardrum-shattering screams from the little one when they're not getting along--- or maybe not! I think we'll just enjoy this for now.

Love

When Little Miss turned 3 years old, we bought her something we hoped would be a special gift she would enjoy for a long time... and has Carly ever been special to our little girl! Carly goes with us to church. She comes with us to the grocery store and to our friends' houses. I think she's been on nearly every camping trip we've been on since her arrival. As you can see below, Carly even gets her picture take while doing various activities.:)

Little Miss has had the same outfits for Carly for almost two years! I love that in spite of the fact that this doll now looks like she's low on oxygen and has stuck her hair into a light socket, she is this girl's favorite. She plays with her during her rest time, and gives me all kinds of updates throughout the day as to what Carly's doing, who her friends and cousins are, what makes her laugh, her likes/dislikes, etc... This doll is LOVED. (I can't help but think that Little Miss is going to be a wonderful and much more natural mother than her own is!) Our daughter doesn't notice or care that she's no longer the most beautiful doll. She's been given other dolls since Carly, but Carly remains her favorite. I love that about kids.

Little Miss and her little brother don't ever care what WE as parents look like, what we wear, or what our "status" is in life. They love us, and we love them. That kind love is a special part of being a family. Our Heavenly Father's love for us is incomparably more amazing. Our kids forgive us for our many shortfalls (and we forgive them as well), but our Heavenly Father forgives us all day every day for sinning against Him, both intentionally and unintentionally. Not only that, in spite of our lack of trust in Him, He promises us that "along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light beffore them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16) Now THAT is unconditional love! We're called to obey Him perfectly, and we so often doubt. We try to take life into our own hands, forgetting that God always perfectly and faithfully keeps His beautiful promises. That offends the God who gave His own Son for our very souls! And yet, when we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive us. That is amazing given the fact that we are often so faithLESS! Psalm 103 says that "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him." I was only going to quote verse 11, but how could I leave out verses 10 and 12-13?! His promises are so clear and stated so often. I am ashamed at the way I often don't trust as I should. Praise HIM for HIS faithfulness and for HIS goodness to us... we truly have an awesome Father whose love, I pray, I begin to fathom!

Boys 'n Dirt

So I'm relatively new to this idea of a very mobile and independent little boy, but am constantly amazed at the irrestible attraction he has to DIRT. And mud. And sand. Even dogfood. All of the previously mentioned items are good for (in his mind, anyway) his nutrition, wardrobe, and overall happiness. Today, my hard-working husband took the time to build a sand box for the Little Farmer and Little Miss. He told me that after he'd filled it with sand, our son lowered his lips directly down onto the sand just to give it a taste/texture test.

See? Red licorice mixed with all of the dirt that was on his hands makes for a tasty sweet/savory kind of treat. And if he sees me coming after him when he's into something he shouldn't be, he digs faster and more furiously, stuffing as much as he can into his mouth. (This is referring to the dogfood in particular...YUCK!)

"You talkin' about me, Momma?"

I was always kind of proud of Little Miss for being a girl who could still get down and get dirty outside. Our sweet little boy has taken filthy to a whole new level. He doesn't think that he's lovin' and livin' the great outdoors until he's plastered in it. Literally, sporting it from head to toe! I just love this little man!:)

Haney Meadows!

Last week, we made the trek to our very favorite place to go camping... Haney Meadows! I have been going there with my family since I was about 7 years old, and with my hubby for the past 8 or 9 years. It is so refreshing to get away from it all! Everything is so perfectly landscaped. Purple lupines spring up around huge, gray boulders. Bright yellow daisies and Indian Paintbrushes brush the sides of the hills. We ride our horses to what feels like the top of the world and gaze at the mountain ranges across this beautiful state. I couldn't help but think of the words of "How Great Thou Art".

O Lord my God

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made

I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul
My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul

My Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art

How GREAT Thou art!

Every time we're up there, my hubby and I say, "How could there NOT be a God who designed this all so perfectly?"

We are fortunate enough to have parents who will still go camping with us, and we had such a wonderful time with them! I'm so thankful that they love being a part of our kids' lives... and that our little ones are so close to them. They were so kind as to even watch Little Miss and the Little Farmer so that all of us could ride a bunch!

Little Miss celebrated her 5th

birthday, learned how to ride her bike (on a hill full of ruts)

without training wheels, and even rode her little horse, Boo, all by herself! And as always, she did a wonderful job helping us take care of her little brother.




The Little Farmer has NEVER been dirtier, or happier, for that matter! He was covered in dust from head to toe each and every day. He got up at 5 every morning, not wanting to miss a thing. That's male bonding time, ya know. Dad and Papa would light the fire, head down to the meadow looking for elk, cut up firewood, etc...

I'm blown away at how quickly a week can pass by... and am already looking forward to revisiting this beautiful place next summer, Lord willing. I savor memories we have made there over the years and am always thankful for the new ones!

The Best Thing About Where We Live...

The very best thing about living where we do is that we live about a block away from my dear friend, my SISTER! Teesee (Little Miss gave her that name when learning how to talk) is always within walking distance of a morning cup of coffee, a walk with the kids, or just a quick chat. I cannot imagine life without her in it, especially as we have our own families. She is a wonderful wife and mom, and I'm so thankful that she is such a special part of our kids' lives. Her Li'l M is just two weeks older than the Little Farmer. I love watching them interact and cannot believe how much her sweet girl resembles her... especially in personality!

Not only is Teesee one of the most generous people I have ever met, she is loyal. No, I mean she is LOYAL! She knows what I'm thinking, how to encourage and cheer me up, and when to tell me to just get over something. I never have to pretend or hold back around her... those kinds of friends are few and far between. She is a beautiful Christian, strong in her convictions, and always so caring. There is such a special bond between sisters, and I could not have hand-picked a better one. I am truly thankful to God for the blessing she is to us!

The Weekend!

Last Friday night, Little Miss was priviledged to be a part of my cousin's wedding, and we were priviledged to watch her in her first-ever wedding appearance! She and her fellow flower girl could did a wonderful job and the wedding was absolutely beautiful!

Bright and squirrely on Saturday morning, we left for a family

vacation/reunion on the other side of the mountains... what a great and much-needed relaxing time it was! I have to say that the Little Farmer is NEVER happier than when he's outside... especially camping.

To him, it means being outside - all day - every day - with his dad, who is also his favorite person in the whole entire world! I just love the Little Farmer's huge, mouth-wide-open smiles and his great big, expressive eyes. He says little more than a grunt here and there, but his expressions speak for themselves!

We had a busy but FUN weekend... can't wait to go again soon!

Where We Live

My hubby and I are absolute country people at heart. We love camping, farming, horses, cows, goats, the mountains, and even the smells that go with a dairy farm. We have a 1978 Wilderness camp trailer... and it's parked outside our front yard in this quaint little town. (I should clarify that the trailer doesn't reside there year-round... just before camping trips!) Yes, we are country bumpkins right down to the core.

We loved growing up on farms. We appreciate the hard work ethic that lifestyle taught us... and we see how much Little Miss and the Little Farmer love it out at my mom and dad's farm. It can be easy to focus on those things and become discontent, wanting that for our family now. And while we would love to move back out to the country someday, God calls us to be content wherever we are.

We have so much to be thankful for right here and right now. First of all, we have two beautiful and healthy children, a warm house, plenty of food, and a great neighborhood. We have families and friends who love us... and we love them! Neighbors just down the street have blessed us with their friendship. In addition to all this, having a small house and teeny little yard frees us up to do other things. It's cozy as well... kids that come over are usually comfortable right away. (Probably because they can see or at least hear their parents from any room in our house!) People are quicker to stop by and say "hi" when you are in town. I LOVE that, being as I was a barista back in the day. I got to talk to people all day long at the coffee shop. Now I am home with my little ones... one of them still naps twice a day. As there are days when it's hard to even leave the house, I appreciate company more than ever! I enjoy the best of both worlds: I'm home with my sweet little munchkins and I am blessed to have people who will come and drink coffee with me!

God tells us "Do not love the world or anything in the world... The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John16a & 17. Chuck Swindoll says that "the enjoyment of God's gifts should be accompanied by an attitude of thankfulness and joy, returning glory to God for His graces." And we are so BLESSED!

No matter what street we live on, what our house looks like, how many acres we own... these places are not our homes. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21. Is that verse ever humbling! I'm always so convicted when I read God's word. And I am grateful that we can be confident of this: "that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6. We truly have all we need in such abundance when we have Christ Jesus. I'm so very thankful that when we pray for contentment, He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them. Once again, I'm preaching to myself. I don't always grasp these things and have to pray constantly that what my head knows sinks deep down into my heart. Praise God for HIS faithfulness!

Think About Such Things!

"Finally brothers; whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Philippians 4:8

This verse is such a great one to have memorized! One of the reasons I started this blog was to write about these things. It's my tendency to worry - about anything and everything. And if I have no logical thing to worry about, you can bet I'll concoct one! With so many people we know and love being affected by cancer, disease, loss of loved ones, it can be hard not to get down and let the worrying begin. What if they don't get better? What if something happens to my family? But does God want us to dwell on nothing but sorrow and pain and what could happen? Nope. He tells us to dwell on the list above... to see His goodness, even in the midst of trials! Philippians 4:8 follows these words: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I think of Parriera family; little Cash was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and God's grace has allowed them to see His kindness, goodness, and love for them in the midst of what has to be the most agonizing trial! The strength God has given to them absolutely blows me away! (A Cash of Hope is the name of the blog if you haven't checked it out... it's amazing. And please pray for this sweet baby boy and his family.)

Now on a much smaller scale, it's the verse I go to when Little Miss can't sleep. She tippy-toes over to my bed, tells me about her bad dream, and we pray, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) Then we try to think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy... And there truly are SO MANY things!

I try to remember this verse... in the big things... in the little things. In some ways I feel as though I shouldn't even write this post being as I so lack the trust I know God desires. I have such a long ways to go in truly grasping God's sovereignty and His love and care us... that not a hair can fall from our heads without the will of our Heavenly Father. What a concept! I thank Him for his patience with me. And pray that He would increase in my life and that there would be less of my sinful, worrisome self. That He would help me to simply trust Him, reflect on His faithfulness and to think about such things as in this great verse!

Happy Birthday to my Hard Workin' Man!

Today we celebrated my husband (and best friend)'s birthday. It dawned on me tonight after we came home from dinner that we have known each other for nearly 10 1/2 years... WOW, how time flies! Before we had Little Miss and the Little Farmer, we used to go out to eat quite a bit. Needless to say, now it's a real treat! It's amazing how much both he and I have changed over the years. We would actually prefer staying home most of the time now. I simply enjoy his company and being with our two kiddos. I'm so thankful that he is my kids' father... he loves them and they love him so much! They are so blessed, as I was, to have a dad who valued having a mom at home with them. Even when I don't feel like I've accomplished anything in a day, he's encourages me by telling me he's thankful that I took care of our two little ones. He puts up with me and all of my many quirks and worrying about everything. He loves the Lord, and cares so much for each and every one of us. I thank God for Him. Happy Birthday to my Hard Workin' Man! And thanks for paving the way into your thirties before I get there! :)

My Little Helper...

Accompanied by my two of my favorite girls (my mom and 4-year-old daughter, Little Miss), I went on a rare trip to the mall. I am not a huge fan of the mall... all the crowds, the display windows that remind me of how out of style I am these days... Don't get me wrong, I love a great new outfit, but the hunt can be gruelling! Well, I'm going to be getting some serious shopping help from Little Miss in just a few short years. In response to a jacket I thought was cute: "Mom, that just looks weird." In response to a *bRIgHt* orange and pink shirt (found by herself, of course): "Mom, THIS is stylish!" I thought to myself, "Already???" I can't imagine life without this sweet girl, though. She can make me laugh more than almost anyone else... even on a rough day! And I'm treasuring these days when she still wants to hold my hand when we walk out of the store. I thank God for her each day and pray that I can be half the mom to her as mine was and IS to me!