In Prayer

Our little friend Lilly Hultberg went to be with Jesus last week. This eight year old spunky sweet thing fought a long, difficult battle with leukemia. There were many ups and downs, many days of hope and many days of sorrow. We first met their family about 5 years ago. Lukkes and Merit were on the same basketball team. Heather, Lilly's mom, and I would visit at practice and games and run into each other at Grocery Outlet. Later we often saw each other on the baseball fields. We had the occasional visit at the water park. Heather is strong and beautiful. Easy to talk to and has a great sense of humor. One sunny, summer day Kyla, Heather and I relaxed on the lounge chairs there for hours. Heather told me all about Lilly being diagnosed with leukemia as an infant. She told me about their journey. We watched Lilly run and play - a healthy Lilly - thankful that God took this disease from her. But it came back. People prayed. Churches, Bible studies, friends, people sat in circles and prayed for this dear child. God's plan. It has me perplexed and sometimes disappointed, but it is good. It just doesn't feel good sometimes.

Last week Monday my friend Lisa Garcia lost her home in a fire. She and her three children lost their husband and father four years ago. Her kids have felt more sadness and tragedy than children should. - My opinion - And then to have their home burn down. Their memories of Casey! But I sat with Lisa at the Bookery in Ephrata Saturday morning and she trusts God through this. She knows God loves her. Lisa sees beauty in ashes. She has had this amazing ability to see the good through the pain. She weathers these storms with amazing grace. Several of us sat with Lisa Saturday morning. And I looked around the table and was in awe of  the beauty and comfort in prayerful friends. And I thanked God that I could be included in this group.

My sister Natasha. I pray 50 times a day for this girl and then she sends me a text about another road block in their journey and I commit to praying fifty more times. Their house is being packed. Movers will come today. They will once again get on a plane and start that journey back to San Diego. With a heavy pile of unknowns. She is strong and faithful! Her faith will see her through.


I am thankful that I have the opportunity to pray. I have the opportunity to pray, ENCOURAGE and try to make a difference. I might say some stupid things along the way. I may be insensitive. I am praying I am not. The Hultberg's, Garcia's and Natasha and family are on the top of the prayer list. And when it is quiet, I am reminded to pray for my sister in law Mindy too. Oren's nap time has become prayer time - 

so we keep going with heavy hearts, but thankful hearts. Merit, Willem, Hazel and Oren are learning and growing and laughing and being. I am so thankful. Merit went on a little group date last night to the movie theater. Watching this kid grow is so fun. Our house is bustling and busy and messy and FUN!

I got on Amazon yesterday and ordered some Christmas gifts. Fun to shop while lounging in yoga pants and visiting with my husband. I want to make a few gifts too.

We got our Christmas tree Saturday, pictures to come. It was a really good day. The tree is beautiful and perfectly imperfect. Oren was so amazed that we brought a tree indoors! And he loves the sparkly lights.

snow, chickens... Wednesday

Natasha made me this cute ornament last Christmas! 

We have a little tree up in our kitchen and a few throughout the house (small ones). This weekend we will go cut one! 

A friend gave us two ceramic chickens. Most of the time they sit on our hutch. Well, I moved those hens to make room for Christmas decor and Hazel has been pushing this chicken around in her stroller ever since!

I love the snow. We had a two hour late start today. It was so good to have a cozy morning with the kids!

Thanksgiving!

Cousins

Thanksgiving at Vic's was good. Delicious food, time together and A LOT of cousin fun!

Isabel is a talented girl!

These two. 

I have never thought they looked alike, but here they do a bit.

They are kind and fun!

Emily! Love this girls' strength, competitive nature and kindness.

Relaxing... 

I am grateful for

1) FAMILY

2) Merit's attitude

3) Willem's willingness to learn

4) Hazel's heart and sweet spirit

5) Oren's personality and the way he keeps me humble as a mom

6) My husband

7) Hope in Jesus

8) Being able to fill up my gas tank. I grew up watching many not be able to do this and when I was in college I certainly couldn't do this. Five dollars here, five dollars there. I can pull up to the pump and fill my car and that is a luxury.

9) FRIENDS

10) This Thanksgiving weekend and also Thanksgivings in the past...

 Pictures from previous Thanksgivings:

Isaiah 40:31 - Happy Chickens

I have some pretty happy chickens. They really like it here.

This verse has been so important this week. HOPE. It is a necessary thing.

Autumn Love

 Willem and a fire, with his dog - great moments

We are outside as much as possible on these pretty fall days.

Farm fresh. One of my favorite things in the day is collecting fresh eggs.

A Tuesday Evening Check in...

These chickens are therapy.  Photography and chicken farming are good for my soul. My sis Natasha needs your prayers. There are uncertainties and just big "life stuff" standing in the way of light hearted days. God is so much bigger than so much of this worry and uncertainty.

Prayerful friends are such a sweet blessing.

The Veteran's Day Assembly today at Longview was amazing! And Willem was selected to read a poem he wrote. Shannon took Oren. I was so glad! The assembly was a little longer than I anticipated and being able to give my full attention felt really good. Vance and I sat together and enjoyed it.

Merit is heading to Frontier for an Activity night he earned through collecting for jog a thon, a fundraiser for his school. I love having a 7th grader.

When your Christmas card photo shoot doesn't go exactly as planned...

Oren is so hot and cold. He is moody. He is opinionated. He is compassionate. He is darling. 

He is giving me gray hairs people. 

If he doesn't want to pose for a picture, he won't.

Sometimes a photo shoot doesn't go as planned. 

Sometimes LIFE doesn't go as planned. 

I feel like I learned 10 things today. It's amazing that I am 40 and I am still learning so much. Each day, each week, each month.

These kids are incredible. Mostly I mean that in a good way. Merit, Willem and Hazel were so patient today. Two year olds are unpredictable.

Sometimes beautiful memories are made in the simplest things and sometimes I can plan a whole carefully orchestrated day and it can unwind nothing like I planned.

People I know and love are hurting and every single day I get the opportunity to pray.

If I let my kids teach me things, they will. Every day.

Merit was supposed to get a tooth extracted tomorrow (a baby tooth that needs to come out ). It came out tonight after he worked and worked on it! He pointed out he saved me about 50 bucks. 

When I go for bike rides with Willem, he is honest and raw and speaks of everything that makes him happy and all that frustrates him. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes they are mine and sometimes they are his.

Hazel has been trying to teach me The Itsy Bitsy Spider in Spanish and I can't begin to sing it as beautifully as she does. But yesterday, she sang it to a little Mexican girl at Moses Lake's new Marshalls and I thought I might cry.

 Fast forward 10 years. I think I have a 7th grade cross country star in Oren. Look at that form!!

And when the going got tough, this girl busted out in dance moves.

Begging, pleading, "Oren, do you want to be on our Christmas picture??" 

There is very little reasoning with a two year old. 

My kids love each other more than I could every imagine. 

I have this too with my brothers and sisters and it is one of the most amazing gifts. 

Pray for our Veterans. Past and Present.

Pray for JOY because it can be found.

And if life gives you lemons... well, you know what to do.