I couldn’t have chosen a better man

Our four year old had been working on learning to read. She’s not as enthusiastic about it as her sisters were, so we’re taking our time. She recently read the Bob Book Matt. She was so proud of herself, she couldn’t wait for her daddy to come home from work so she could show him how she read an entire book all by herself!

When her daddy came in the door, she was standing there (right there, at the door) with her book, ready to read it to him. I said to her “I think daddy would like to sit down to listen to you read” And maybe, you know, take off his soaking wet work clothes. Maybe hang up his jacket? At my words my little darlin’ plopped right down on the floor where she stood. And her daddy? He plopped down right beside her and listened to her read. Wet clothes and boots and jacket and all. Oh, my melting heart.

My 365 1/3/11-1/10/11

So, I’ve been uploading pictures to my 365 project and having them post to my facebook, but I thought I’d add them here, too. It’s been a little tough getting a picture everyday since we’ve all been sick, but overall I’m enjoying getting to know my new camera immensely!

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this: 
  

I will see the goodness of the LORD 
  

in the land of the living. 
    

Wait for the LORD;   
 

be strong

and take heart
  

and wait for the LORD.

My 365

In honor of my fabulous new camera I’ve decided to take part in the 365 project by taking a photo a day for one year. I’m not sure what this will look like here. I may post the picture every day. I may post seven once a week. Either way I think it’s going to be great fun! Stay tuned…

Goodbye 2010

Looking back over the past year, it makes me kind of sad how fast my girls have grown.

 Frankie 12/09 and 12/10 

 Katie 2/10 and 12/10    

Sam 2/10 and 12/10 

For the little girls, the changes are mostly physical. Over the span of a year they’ve lost their chubby little girl cheeks. They’ve both gotten much taller and slimmer. At almost seven, Katie is long and gangly and has made the jump to actual big kid. I have to look really close now to see any traces of my baby. It’s exhilarating and heart wrenching all at the same time to watch the transformation in the little girl that I’ve held so close to my heart all these years. I thank the Lord I have Frankie to give me the illusion of having a baby around for at least another year.  She’s still got the power to melt my heart by just looking at me with those big brown eyes. Such sweet girls I’ve been blessed with…

While her changes are mostly internal, Sam has grown tremendously over the past year as well. At the beginning of the year she was so self-conscious she’d hide every time I had a camera in my hand. Somewhere along the way, she gained confidence and became more self-assured. So much so that now when I get the camera out she’ll willingly smile at me. It’s so great to see that beautiful smile again! She’s also come a long way in her walk with the Lord. That’s a part of her story that’s hers to tell, but I will say that we’ve had a few moments this year where I was amazed at her testimonies. I praise God for the work He is doing in her heart. And I thank Him for the wisdom He had in giving me these amazing girls in His own time.

And our story wouldn’t be complete without showing the newest baby all grown up this year:

 Riley-the world’s naughtiest dog ever   

 

Here’s a look at some of my favorite moments of 2010:

Today as I reminisce over the past year I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with that time to be with the people I love most. Over the next year, Lord willing, I plan to dig deeper and get to know Him more. To continue to learn and to grow in my faith because if I’ve learned anything over the past year it’s that without Him everything else is meaningless. I plan to be a better wife. Slow to anger and quick to love. I plan to be the change I want to see in my family. To be a more patient, loving mother. I plan to focus more on what’s important, and stop wasting precious time on things that aren’t. I plan to look to the Lord for discernment in these things. Most of all I plan to live my life for God. To shine Christ’s love on others. To stand firm, and not shrink back.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are  saved.” 

Hebrews 10:35-38

Have a blessed 2011!