New Year

I love beginning a new year. Fresh calenders begging to be filled. Birthdays waiting to be planned. Vacations beckoning. The idea that growing, changing and living await me in the 365 days ahead.

This year, the thought of newness is even closer as our little son squirms and wiggles inside me...a mere three weeks from joining our family. I am so eager to see his sweet face, and also uneasy about the changes his arrival will bring. I am a bit nervous about scheduling, cooking, shopping, cleaning and parenting as I figure out how to juggle having four children ages 5 and under, but I also feel confident that things will work themselves out...if I just relax and don't try to be superwoman too soon!

The decade of my 20's brought college, love, marriage, home ownership, children and career changes. What will come in my 30's? I anticipate personal and spiritual growth, parenting challenges and successes, a thriving marriage and deep friendships. I hope we reach specific financial goals, travel to some new places and challenge ourselves to live even more generously. I really look forward to getting back into shape for good! : )

Welcome, 2011. Can't wait to see what you have for me.

Appearing soon on the Home Shopping Network...

Ash: My bottom kind of itches.

Me: Hmmmmm...

Ash: Do you know what I wish?

Me: What?

Ash: That there was such thing as a bottom scratcher.
But then, you'd have to stick it down your pants.
At least you could scratch your bottom any time you wanted to.

A Thanksgiving Psalm

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation

#9 My Children

They interrupt my plans daily, make giant messes as they explore their creative ideas, argue and fight with each other, complain when they don't like what I've cooked for dinner and generally turn my Type A control tendencies on their head. Which is exactly what I need!

Having 3-going-on-4 kids has taught me the most valuable lessons of my life...

That I'm NOT in control of anything except my attitude.

How wonderful it is to look over my children's heads as they wrestle around and catch Nick's eyes, sharing feelings in a moment that no one else can ever experience with us.

Understanding that the unconditional love that my father God has for me feels a lot like the fierce love I have for my children...only His love is stronger. This amazes me!

That although I'm making many mistakes while raising my kids, they are turning out ok. I'm so proud of the young men that are growing up in our house. I'll get back to you on how a certain young lady turns out... ; )

That the sweetest time of the day is when I tiptoe into their room at night and look down at their peaceful sleeping faces. They are beautiful and my heart fills with such love that it hurts.

I am so thankful for these lessons and the many other blessings that my three children have brought to my life. How rich these years have been!

#8 My Church

I smiled as I sat in church today.

Hundreds of people sang as one; age, race and status forgotten as we stood together to thank our God. I noticed a friend's beautiful 12 month old daughter dancing in delight to the music, a middle-aged couple smiling fondly at each other as they sang, and Colin listening to the worshipping people with his arms wrapped tightly around Nick's neck.

A good church feels like home. The people care for each other like family should, and truth and love are doled out together. It's a place to serve and to be served. A place to be challenged and a place to be healed.

I'm thankful that my family has found such a church...so thankful.

# 7 Beautiful Fall Days

I am so thankful for this weather!

It's been like one last taste of summer before winter comes blowing in and confines us indoors, and we are loving it. Nick was able to take the boys on a three hour biking adventure to several parks on Sunday, and yesterday afternoon we drove out to the Apple Blossom Farm playground...had the entire place to ourselves. It was nicer than the day we'd visited in September!

Balmy days, crunchy leaves and beautiful fall colors make me happy.
Thankful to have a few more beautiful days to make some more family memories!

#6 Nick

The most meaningful person in my life is my husband Nick.

We met when we were 20 and started hanging out together about a year later. We'd spend hours mountain biking, hiking or just talking...and then a wonderful friendship turned into something more. He was my first kiss, we shared dreams of travel and adventure, and we made each other laugh.

Married when we were 24 (while Nick was a full-time college student), moved 3 times, enjoyed vacations in the snow and in the sun, went through several job changes and will have had 4 children in about 5 years...whew! It is unbelievable to think about the many major life changes, joys and hardships that have been crammed into our 6 years of married life.

What is even more unbelievable to me is the fact that we are better friends and more in love than we were at the beginning. He is the dreamer to my practicality. The free spirit to my planning...the optimist to my reality. He challenges me to see the adventure in change, to enjoy the journey instead of just waiting to arrive at our destination. He helps me look for something good in everyone. He reminds me that everything will work out...and it does.

This final note is not a typical story of romance, but this weekend, I was extremely sick. As in, vomiting all over the bed. And the floor. And my hair. Sick. It was a blur, but through my groggy eyes, all I could see was Nick as he leaped out of bed (several times), cleaned up the floor, tossed the bedding in the washing machine, wiped my face and made me comfortable.

"In sickness and in health..."
That's love.