SNOW!

OK -- all you midwest and westerners can laugh hysterically but we finally got snow! Three inches or more which is now getting a topcoat of sleet, freezing rain and ice; but oh, it was so blissful to be outside in the snow today. The county schools were already off for a teacher work day but rest assured that they'll face at least a delay tomorrow...no one around here knows how to drive in this stuff!!

Any excuse to play with our backhoe, dumptruck and tractor with the bucket...helping daddy clear the driveway.

Other fun and random pictures from our past week:

Marcail fingerpainting for the first time. When she gives into her laughter, it's with reckless abandon.

Andrew and daddy share a laugh before the dolphin show at the Baltimore Aquarium.

Our house may be a three ring circus for the next few days. A friend's two year old is staying with us while she heads to the hospital to deliver his baby brother. A new baby...how very exciting. We're so anxious to meet this new little member of our small group! And so I celebrate with one friend and grieve with another very dear friend who is at this moment in the hospital. Jill, a dear friend from eons ago, lost her sweet daughter at a little over 30 weeks. In those moments of sheer frustration with my own children, I am reminded how very blessed I am. Won't you join me in praying for Jill as she mourns and Christy as she rejoices. I am so thankful that both of these dear friends rest in the hands of our precious Savior.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

A Magic Act

Want to see five dozen cookies disappear in less than 20 minutes?

Put them in front of five teenage boys who are gearing up for a "small group Bible Study" involving play station 2. It's a good thing I had to taste test one of them before they went to the boys, otherwise I would have been sorely disappointed.

As I write, Andrew and Marc are busy making me a meal with their new kitchen set (a Christmas gift)...I believe I will soon be dining on a mixture of oatmeal, rice, oregano, basil, rosemary and sage. Certainly sounds delicious, don't you think?


Happy Thursday to you!

On becoming homeowners...

A new home, monthly mortgage payments and all of a sudden, date night is spent at Lowes or the Home Depot. Today, the kids stayed with a babysitter and we got to peruse the aisles of our local hardware stores without worry of someone climbing in and out of kitchen cupboards, trying to swing from plumbing fixtures or begging for a red gatorade from the cooler. Why is it, though, that every one item we purchased seems to translate into five more hours of work in the house?

With every coat of paint, every little project we accomplish around the house, we feel a bit better. We see progress...we're enjoying the changes from the inside out. It's kind of like Christ's love for us...changing us from the inside out. Let me ruminate on that thought a bit more...somewhere in my sleep deprived brain there's a metaphor about a fresh coat of paint (I think!).

More house pics for you to enjoy:

Andrew prepares to help daddy put new locks on the door.

Happy Birthday Marcail

How is it that a year can pass by so quickly? That a mom can blink and you've gone from an innocent little five pound baby to a sassy, independent, determined little girl who wants to play with everything her brother has? Why is it that the days can seem so long but a year passes by so quickly? Why is it that your beautiful little smile, a simple chuckle or your sweet little voice saying "Mommy" can melt my heart even as I struggle to keep my eyes open after another sleepless night with you?

Happy Birthday dear sweet Marcail. You have enriched our lives in so many ways. We love you.

Roses from daddy for my first birthday!

A tractor from Andrew...of course!

Ahhh sweet birthday cake...