Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A Special Prayer...

So, two weeks ago Emma told me, "Mommy, I am ready to pray and ask God for a baby sister."
So she sat in my lap and said,

"Dear God, I would really like a baby sister, and I would like for her name to be Joy. I just wanted to ask you if I could have that. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

About a week ago, Ben and I discovered that we are expecting another heavenly gift, which I affectionately call Baby Blessing for the time being. God is so gracious, so amazing. We have reminded Emma that only God knows what is best for our family...and He may think that a boy is what is best for us this time. But it is most certainly okay to pray for a sister.

Interestingly enough, my Bible Study this week was about two women who were not supposed to be having babies at their current stage in life: Elizabeth and Mary (Elizabeth because she was "well advanced in years", and Mary because she was a virgin, betrothed). This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture, and as I read it again this week, my heart burned within me, amazed at God's precious words:

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation...He has filled the hungry with good things... Luke 1:46-50,53a

May I be faithful to meet all things God so graciously gives the way Mary did:
"Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."

Friday, February 22, 2008

Disneyland in the Rain...


After my mom's conference in Anaheim, Ben and the kids met me and stayed a night at the hotel so that we could take them to Disneyland the following morning (we had free tickets!!). So, we made it through the night in a hotel (first time for all five of us in a hotel), and pulled back the curtains to find it was pouring rain. We went to breakfast and told the kids that we might not get to go to Disneyland after all. They took the news very well. Grandpa Ron, Grandma Connie, and Aunt Katie were already on their way to meet us and join us at Disneyland. So when they arrived, we discussed what other options we might have. The kids wanted to go swimming (we had taken them the night before and they had a blast). But we got to thinking...if we would go swimming in the rain, why wouldn't we just go to Disneyland in the rain?? So, what an adventure we had! SO much fun, so great to have family with us, and it only rained a couple of hours.

Big Boy



Here is my big guy missing his front tooth.

Monday, February 11, 2008

8 Years...

Today is our 8 year anniversary...Ben is at work, and I am here thinking of some very happy memories of our eight years being married. Here are some for you:
1. Right after getting married, we lived in an apartment in Ventura. It was great!
2. I was working full time, and in the last semester of college at night. I had lost my motivation for attending classes at times, so Ben would drive me down, and either wait for me in the library, or come to class with me. Then, we would go to Applebee's for a Fudge Nut Fantasy dessert (they don't make it anymore).
3. We cried and prayed together about whether or not I should quit my job at the Continentals. I did quit. Then I went back to working at the Bryant St. Gym in Ojai, where I worked a total of five or so years.
4. We spend a lot of time trying to find a church when we lived in Ventura, and were never really successful.
5. We decided at some point that it would be really smart of us to save everything I made at work, so that we had practice living on one income. After we had Emma, all that money we saved up was gone. =)
6. We did get to take a trip to Tahiti before having any of the kids. It was so fun...we tried new food, snorkeled every day, and pet sting rays.
7. On our first anniversary, I made a treasure hunt for Ben, and he had to follow all the clues I made for him.
8. For our five year anniversary we went to Pismo...Ben got me a ring, and I got him a wetsuit.
9. Last year we took Noah with us and ate at Joe's Crab shack in Ventura. We both got sick.
10. This year, for this anniversary, I am more amazed, more in love, and more excited about my husband than ever. When I was sick this past week, he took all THREE kids to Trader Joe's with NO GROCERY LIST, or help as far as what to get for dinners. He came home and filled our cupboards with food, and even took an extra day off before going back to work, just to make sure I would be feeling better. Over these years he has worked so very hard to support us and provide for us, and most of the time he has worked two jobs. He left the job that he loved in the mountains, because it was not the best for our family. He has loved us well and I am blessed. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, for this marvelous gift, this man whom I am privileged to call my husband.

Missing a Tooth...

Well, in the midst of my being sick, Caleb fell on his scooter. His tooth was barely hanging on, the root having cut throught he gum. It looked a little...gnarly (for lack of a better word). So, we let him take his pirate sword and patch to the ER. After waiting a long time, the doctor came in and told us that basically, the tooth just had to come out. So, we let Caleb pick some ice cream, and then Ben told him that he had to get the tooth out in order to be able to eat the ice cream. So, he got it out. So, my three year old is missing his front tooth. So sad...He is still adorable though, and has handled it with bravery and courage.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

I got tagged...

Six Random Things About Me:
The rules are: 1) link the person who tagged you (SarahGrace) 2) post the rules on your blog 3) Share six non-important things, etc 4) tag six random people 5) let each random person know they have been tagged...

So here goes:
1. I have not really had time to blog lately. What is the world coming to??

2. I am terrible, really lousy, at being sick. I was reminded of this by a recent flu episode. I either just continue on as if I am not sick, or I am completely bed ridden. Or both.

3. I require things of myself that I would NEVER require of someone else. And probably drive myself crazy because of it. =)

4. I cried watching Pollyanna yesterday.

5. I make up songs often, when I am changing Noah, or we're in the bathtub, or cleaning up.

6. It seems that every time I go out to eat, which is NOT that often, I order a salad. Some kind of salad. But that is what really, really makes me happy...is a great salad. (This past time, I was at a Conference for Homeschooling Mom's...more to come on that, and we went to Mimi's cafe, and I had a salad with candied pecans, apples, blue cheese in a vinaigrette. So good)

I am pretty sure that everyone I know has already been tagged???? How about if everyone who reads this, just responds with five things about them in the comments...wouldn't that be fun??