6-Month Photo Shoot

For those of you who haven’t seen these on Facebook, here are a few of Haley’s 6-month photos.

I think it’s funny what you don’t see in the pictures.  It was her naptime and she was super happy, so that was a miracle!  I also had to feed her right before the pictures, so she was spitting up and I had to wipe her chin and clothes several times.  She’s also not quite sitting up by herself yet for more than a few seconds, so I was sitting right beside her, catching her every time she fell over.  After I had Kiera, I never dreamed that I could have another girl as beautiful as her, but now I do! :)

Winter Beauty

I’m normally all about summer, but this winter, I have been seeing jaw-dropping beauty everywhere.  Here are some pictures that I took around our house.

Hoar frost

The snow that got dumped on us in the past 12 hours

The masterpiece God made out of our backyard

I Reached 1000!!

“I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.” Psalm 118:21

Over 2 years after starting this gift list, I have reached 1000 today!  I hope to count many many more thousands. :)

980. A gift at 11:30 a.m. – 3 healthy kids

981. A gift at 2:30 p.m. – a quiet house and time to read a blog

982. A gift at 6:30 p.m. – anticipating the arrival of my Mom and her friend

983. Muffin cups

984. The story of Cinderella – the last will be first

985. 2 smiling girls

986. Tongues that can taste and can bless

987. 3 gifts that are red: her sweater

988. Cinnamon hearts

989. Jesus’ blood shed for me

990. The way Haley tightly grips my thumb

991. Mike + Ikes

992. Kiera saying, “I love your voice, Mommy.”

993. This 3-1 in one shampoo/body wash/bubble bath bottle I found at the grocery store for $5 that is free of chemicals and safe for the kids

994. That we can lie down and sleep in peace for God makes us dwell in safety – Psalm 4:8

995. That the kids love eggs and they’re easy to make

996. The way Blake laughs during the dancing part in the Snoodles Veggie Tales movie

997. Her hair

998. Fancy, cool looking chocolates

999. Playing S’Quarrels with friends

1000. That love covers over a multitude of sins! – 1 Peter 4:8

Waiting For Answers

At the beginning of December, my eyes suddenly got bloodshot. I stopped wearing contact lenses, thinking that my eyes just needed a break for a couple of days. My eyes weren't clearing up and they felt uncomfortable, so then I thought, "Oh, I must have pink eye." I went and bought some Polysporin and it didn't clear them up. I figured I would look into natural products, so I went to the health food store and bought Colloidal Silver. I also started putting breast milk into my eye with an eye dropper. Neither of those worked, so then I went to the doctor and got prescription eye drops. That was right before Christmas and they didn't work. I couldn't see a doctor between Christmas and New Year's and during that time I started experiencing pain in my eyes, so early in January, I went back to the doctor. They said there was one last prescription eye drop I could try with a steroid in it, so I tried it. It did nothing. Around this time, the pain stopped, but turned into intermittant pressure behind my eyes. So, the next step was seeing my optometrist. I saw her and she said there was no surface damage on my eye and the pressure in my eyes measured normal, so she wanted me to try artificial tears and go back to the doctor to get checked for a sinus infection. The artificial tears did nothing and I went to the doctor and he said my sinuses were clear. At this point, I just really wanted to get referred to a specialist, so I called my optometrist and she said she had to see me again before referring me. So, that was my 5th appointment between doctors and my optometrist and she finally referred me yesterday! Praise the Lord! She said it could take 2-3 months to get in, so while they were calling right in front of me, I started praying it would be sooner. My appointment is in one month, so that is another answer to prayer!! I have had 2 reflexology treatments from my Mom's friend and that seems to make the pressure go away for a couple of days, but then it has returned. Chiropractor adjustments also seem to help for a couple of days, but again, it has come back. So, I don't know if it's just an eye problem or a nerve problem or just due to the stress of having 3 young kids and having to hold Haley a lot. I'm tired of wearing my glasses and would love to be able to wear my contact lenses again and for things to feel normal. We'll see what the specialist has to say and in the meantime, I will continue to pray for healing.
At Christmastime, I got prayer for my digestion problems and they totally went away...for a few weeks. At the beginning of January, I started getting random tingling in various parts of my body, which were freaking me out. I told God I would rather have stomach problems than tingling and after getting adjusted at the chiropractor and starting to exercise a bit, the tingling went away and then a week or 2 later, my digestion problems started again. It's under control as long as I stay on track with my eating. So, it's been an interesting and slightly frustrating start to the New Year for me. Before Christmas, God gave me the word He has for me this year. In 2010, it was thanks and in 2011 it was trust. This year's word is joy. I have come to realize that joy is not dependent on my circumstances being perfect. My joy is in Jesus and continuing to praise Him no matter what situation I'm in. It's something I'll be learning for the rest of my life. I was reminded on Sunday that Jesus is my life and if I have Jesus, I have all I need. That totally challenged me as I often don't live that way. There are many people and things I think I need. So, these are the things I am dealing with and thinking about.
I made it easier to comment on my blog now, in case you want to. You don't have to sign in anymore. I ran out of deep thoughts, so that's all for now!

Counting Gifts in the New Year

“The more I count these blessings, the more I realize that they really are not the product of my own efforts. They are truly gifts of grace from God above. It’s incredible to open my eyes to them week after week. And humbling. That I should be graced with such wonders? Me… whose heart is weak and black, yet covered with much mercy. How great is Your unfailing love, Lord God of all!” ~Sharaya Crossan

It’s been a while since I’ve done a thankful blog post.  I have a thankful journal that I have been recording gifts in, so I’m about 100 farther in there than I am on this blog.  That’s why there will be a jump in the numbers, although I’m not sure anyone would have caught that if I hadn’t said anything! :)

950. Haley giggling away in her high chair when Jared and I brought her along on our date at a restaurant last week-end

951. This fabric I found at my Grandma’s after she died and my Mom made it into a blanket for Haley

952. My reflexology session with my Mom’s new friend

953. Caramel apple cider…dessert in a cup!

954. Sparkly ornaments

955. That “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” – Revelation 4:8

956. Haley starting baby food 3 weeks ago

957. Cute sisters

958. The truck with the bright tail lights that we followed all the way home (about 45 minutes) in the fog at night

959. Jared unloading and reloading the dishwasher

960. Haley sitting in a high chair at a restaurant for the first time

961. That those who fear the Lord lack nothing and those who seek Him lack no good thing – Psalm 34:9 + 10

962. A gift that is sweet – lemon meringue pie

963. A gift that is sour – limes

964. I finally have a baby with darker eyes (and I love all the blue eyes in our house, too)!

958. The truck with the bright tail lights that we followed all the way home (about 45 minutes) in the fog at night

965. When Jared drives by while delivering pizza and beeps the horn

A Couple More

Our friend, Jermey, doing his Bollywood dance moves...makes me laugh every time!

This was Haley in November. Now I'm only 2 months behind on videos. :)