Christmas 2010

I just realized that I haven’t blogged about our Christmas yet and tomorrow is New Year’s, so I’m quickly going to do that now.  We had 3 family gatherings on the 18th and 19th.  Jared made it to all 3, but I only went to 2 (the ones on my side of the family).  Here’s Blake in one of his preppy outfits.

Kiera enjoyed playing chess!

This is the only picture I got of the 2 of them together all dressed up.  It’s definitely realistic!

On the 24th, we went to a Christmas Eve service at Jared’s Mom’s church with her and her boyfriend.  Then, we came back to our house and had supper.  They got Kiera a Mr. Potato Head tent, which she was excited about.

The 25th we went to Jared’s Dad + Stepmom’s house all day.  We started off with a pancake breakfast, then reading the Bible, gifts, games, supper, and more games.

Jared got a coffee grinder and coffee beans which he had really been wanting!

I got a multiple frame picture frame (if that makes sense), a couple of Arbonne cosmetic products, a book by Karen Kingsbury, Josh Groban’s Christmas c.d., and other things I can’t think of right now.

Kiera got a keyboard which the kids both enjoyed banging playing.

Some extreme cuteness

Kiera got some clip-on hair extensions

TJ + Amanda led us in some Christmas carols

On the 26th, we spent the day at my parents’ house.  Blake got a drum.

He actually opened up some gifts with some help.

I got some more Arbonne cosmetics, 2 books that I wanted, and some other things that I also can’t think of right now.  We had a very good Christmas and we’re very blessed to have our families close by! 

Up + Down

I don't have much to say right now, except that my digestion issues have taken a turn for the worse. That's quite discouraging for me, especially since I still don't have a family doctor and have tried everything that I can think of, diet-wise. I'm planning to call a naturopath doctor tomorrow to see how quickly I can get in. I would like to get tests done so that hopefully I can either figure out what's wrong or start eliminating things. Tonight, I'm going to focus on things that make me smile, so here are a couple of videos!

…And a Little Child Will Lead Them

This past Sunday, in church, we prayed for all the sick people.  Kiera was sitting with someone else.  Her and that person knelt down to pray.  Kiera just knelt quietly and listened to the other person pray.  Once that person was done praying, Kiera took her finger and specifically placed it on their heart.  They said to Kiera, “You hear Him, don’t you?”  Kiera said, “Yes.”  I found out a couple of days later that on Sunday night, they slept without heartburn for the first time in a very long time!  WOW!  I know that wasn’t just a random thing.  I know my daughter and she doesn’t do things like that normally.  I am blown away the way God is already using Kiera in the lives of those around her! 

Yesterday, she prayed for my stomach to feel better (my digestion issues) and then right away asked, “Mommy, are you feeling all better?”  Oh to have her faith that just expects God to answer!  As an adult, I know it’s often not instant and in some cases, not the way we would want at all, but I so often pray with doubts and Kiera is reminding me to just trust God to do something!  It’s definitely an ongoing theme for me right now: faith like a child.  A lot of the time, I think I’m teaching Kiera so much, but lately, she has been teaching me without even knowing it. 

I wish you all a wonderful, joyful Christmas as you celebrate Jesus’ birth and all that he has done for us!  Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  I pray you experience GREAT JOY this Christmas! :D

Battling the Blues

This morning, I’ve been discouraged over continuing health battles.  I’ve had digestion issues for almost 2 months now and Blake has had a cold for over 3 weeks.  I might take him to the doctor today since he’s quite congested and isn’t improving.  I need to find a family doctor for myself as well, but would prefer to just be miraculously healed instead!  I decided I need to count my blessings and change my perspective, so here they are:

541. That Jared fixed the humidifier on our furnace

542. Daddy-son time

543. Dessert that Jared brought home from the potluck he had at work

544. Funny hats

545. Clean floors (even if it’s only for a few hours)

546. When Blake raises his hands after I say, “Praise Jesus!”

547. All the different Christmas lights

548. Having “help” unloading the dishwasher

549. Cupboards that always have food in them

550. Winter clothes to bundle up with on cold days

551. French toast that I made on our anniversary

552. Christmas dresses

553. That Kiera has been more gentle with Blake lately

554. Discovering a new author who I really like

Jesus Loves Me

This past week-end, I immensely enjoyed Christmas family gatherings, one on Saturday and one yesterday. On Saturday, it was my Mom's side. We had a time of sharing prayer requests and things we are thankful for. I said, "I'm thankful that Kiera asked Jesus into her heart 2 weeks ago!" My Mom asked me to share the story, so I did, and as per usual, I got emotional sharing it. After I told the story, my Dad asked my cousin for his acoustic guitar and Kiera asked him to play "Jesus Loves Me." Kiera sung it several times times and danced in the middle of the circle while I just sat there and cried and cried, along with a few of my relatives. I was just so overwhelmed by God's love and that He has saved Kiera. Seeing her become "born again" rivaled in excitement with seeing her being born for the first time. Watching her sing + dance with abandonment, not caring what anyone else thought, just spoke to me deeply about having faith like a child. It's a song I've sung hundreds of times and a message I've heard possibly thousands of times, but the fact that Jesus loves me when I've done nothing to deserve it just moved me to tears in combination with everything else. I'm just so thankful that after 24 years of walking with Jesus, that message doesn't get old and I still need to be reminded of it. It was one of those times that I just want to ponder in my heart and not forget about. What a precious gift!

5-Year Anniversary

5 years ago, on a cold, blustery winter day, I married the man who asked my parents for permission to court me with the intention of marriage, then waited for me for 6 months while I went to England, and then made me his wife less than 9 months later.

Today, I look back

and see how tremendously blessed we’ve been to have walked together through the last 5 years.

They’ve been 5 amazing years and each one just keeps getting better!  I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together! 

Shake It, Baby!