Illness update

I took Autumn to see the doctor today. She's fine, just a little congested, which is what has been causing the coughing. He said her lungs and ears are clear and that was my main concern. He gave me some tips on how to help her to feel better, so we're using Vapo Rub, giving her watered-down formula for 24 hours, propping up her mattress a bit, and suctioning her nose/mouth when she has too much mucus. I will take her back if she gets worse, but the doctor said he thinks she will be much better by Wednesday or Thursday....and really, I could already tell a difference between yesterday and today, so I agree.

Colds and coughs make for a rough time...

What a day! Emma has had a cold for two weeks...no fever so she's fine, but she has been so cranky. Autumn ended up getting a little cold and cough too by the end of the week, so it's been a double-wammy weekend. I stayed home with them and Karl took the older ones to church this morning. Emma's very whiny and needy. Combine that with her new-found I'm-two-and-I-want-what-I-want-exactly-when-I-want-it attitude and you get quite an experience. And, she won't even be two until Tuesday! Don't worry, I'm laughing so I won't cry.

Everyone but Logan is in bed now, and he's heading there soon, so we will be able to relax a bit with a movie, a snack, and some time together. We definitely need it.

Missing the beauty of New York

A friend who lives in the town we were in while we lived in New York was talking about the daffodils in her yard that are starting to 'sprout' up. This comment reminded me of the tulips that are so prevalent there in the spring, and made me miss our time in New York. The brisk weather, the beautiful flowers and the intoxicating scent of them, the new lambs in the fields and their shorn mamas, sugaring (which we never got to experience!), the return of the geese.....aaahhhhh, good times. I also miss the beautiful winter scenery...the white snow on bare branches, the way the snow falls so fast, the accumulation of it on the ground, throwing snowballs, sledding. Just got me thinking, and missing......

New things

Something new to read about.

When I see it from the other side, I'm sure I'll understand...

Do you ever tell yourself that? When things happen that you can't find an explanation for, that have no rhyme or reason, don't you wonder why? I do, and then I think, well it will all be clear in heaven. And then I think....why can't it be clear now?! He has His reasons...he IS God after all. So many times in my life I have been able to look back and see His hand...and even in the midst of things sometimes I can see His hand, His work. But many times, I don't.....I can't. He doesn't always tell us all the steps. He will reveal one thing, and expect obedience. That's it. "Trust me.", Jesus says.

That. is. so. hard.

It's something I constantly revisit. It can get messy....because I am the one who makes a mess of it. I rant and I rave. I have tantrums. I am not thankful.....so ungrateful. But then, I remember. I am given memories of all the times He has carried me, that He has guided my way even when I didn't ask Him to or even want Him to. He has a better plan...than I can even imagine. Who am I to think that I can make any kind of plan that could even touch His?! So, I am trying to surrender, to give up myself, to lay down my life. It's tough, it's messy, I drag my family through the muck with me when I wouldn't have to. But, I think that's where we begin to grow....He is almighty, He is all-knowing........and it won't even matter, my understanding, when I get there. My challenge is to learn to hold things lightly in this life, and to give thanks for everything, even the hard stuff, because He sees the big picture, even when I don't.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:27

Hoping for a re-connection with family....

I have an aunt and uncle on my dad's side whom I have not had contact with in several years. They've been in many different places in the country. Last time they left no forwarding address, no phone number, no way to find them. There were words spoken that hurt feelings, made them angry, and so we have things....unsaid. It hurts my heart. I would like to speak with them again, know them, visit. I keep hoping that they will call my parents...I think my uncle did one time but he left no number still, didn't say where they are. Things have happened, I don't even know if they are aware, and my heart still aches for them, for that missing link in our family.

She helped plan my wedding, she watched me dream over dresses, she made my prom gowns along with my mom, she made a quilt for my 3rd-born that he still sleeps with at the age of 7.

He helped build my parents' home, they went on some trips together, it was the way family should be. I miss them, and I think my parents do too even though they don't talk about it.

I have been praying that they will forgive, that they will find their way somehow back to us....a letter, a message, a phone call. If I could I would write a letter...to explain, to ask for forgiveness for my part, just to tell them that I want them in our lives. Will you pray with me that we can have reconciliation?

Our days of late, in picture...

More of what we're doing

Details about our days....

What's on my mind....

Wow, a week has flown by! Sorry. I really have been thinking of blogging...never made it past that. Trying to get and stay on a decent schooling schedule has been taking up my time I guess.

Autumn had her 4-month check-up last week. She weighed 14 pounds and was 26 inches long. The doctor said she looks great and "You're doing a great job with her." ;) We started her on rice cereal, just a teeny bit once a day, on Friday. She does okay with it but is far from gobbling it down....in time, I'm sure.

I called my mama yesterday. I usually do on Tuesdays. When my dad answered the phone I could hear people talking in the background. They had invited some of my aunts and uncles over for the noon meal. Hearing them all visiting made me miss my parents and extended family......made me wish we lived close enough to visit at least weekly. I am glad that they can all get together regularly...it's wonderful....just makes me a bit envious. (okay, A LOT envious!) And I just don't get all that good country cookin' around here!

Boys' group

Last night was the boys' bible study again. I have to say, we were a little concerned beforehand. During the couple of weeks leading up to our visit to Alabama, the boys had been getting more and more rowdy. I had a feeling it was due to going outside to play football before the study started and they weren't able to settle down after that. So, we did not allow them to go out last night until after the study. They were disappointed and tried to talk Karl into allowing it, but we stuck to our guns. We actually talked with them for a few minutes and once they got started things went much better. Several of the boys responded to the questions, they were reading passages of scripture, and they were listening to one another and the leader. It was a relief....but even more it was such a blessing to see them do what we knew they could. I am thankful for each boy and the commitment that they each have made, along with their parents who drive them, to be here every week. We are prayerful about next week and are looking forward to having them in our home again.

Shining as light in the darkness.....

Logan comes into the living room this morning and says, "Wow, I never knew the Bible could reflect so much light."

This is what he had seen.....

It was rather funny, because of course he knows that the Bible, God's Word, is light. Funny that God had that message for us this morning....shining His light on His Message.

God-breathed....

I came across another verse last night, on this post. I had never seen it before. (that seems to be the running theme with me lately, right? so much I don't know.)

“He breathed the word, and all the stars were born” (Psalm 33:6 NLT).

I love the way the author of the blog emphasizes it....God breathes stars. Wow.

I've always known and understood that He breathed and does breathe everything into existence. But do we really understand? His omnipotence? His almighty power? Think about it.

all He has to do is breathe.....

A beautiful verse I had to share....

I stumbled across this verse in one of the posts on this blog . I'd never read it before.....

Today is recorded in the heavens and its pains are written with the wet of tears of God who “hurts with the hurt of my people.”~Jeremiah 8:21

And another.

You have recorded my troubles.
You have kept a list of my tears.
Aren’t they in your records?~Psalm 56:8

A discussion of One Thousand Gifts...

Here is a link to an online discussion of the book I recommended in my last post. The author herself is taking part. You may find it interesting, enlightening, encouraging, life-changing.....get involved, buy the book and get in on the discussion.