A Month of Days!

Whew! What a month of days! I have to say that I am so glad to see it sliding by. This was quite possibly one of my worst months ever...full of introspection and sadness and grief, moving and chaos and dirt, allergies turned into sinus infections, and to top it off... for most of the month I couldn't wear make-up (which I love) or my contacts (which I also love!) and Zane slept erratically!

I have definitely been living through a season of neediness and I'll tell you what! I am definitely ready to change seasons!

I am so glad that God always has his arm around us and is never surprised by anything, aren't you!?!

Countdown to Craziness!

It has been such a long time since I last posted...and so much continues to happen. It's so hard to get caught up on all of the little things I want to share...

1) First, the flu! Hat's off to Riley Hauf and Toni Crocker for all of the chemo that they have endured and continue to endure. I had the flu for approximately 24 hours and was ready to simply curl up into a ball and hibernate for the winter. (Carter, how do you spell Wuss? Woos? Whuss?) To feel like I had the flu for years on end is simply too much to comprehend. We'd sure appreciate your continued prayer for Riley (leukemia) and Toni (breast cancer) as they cope with cancer as a daily event.

2) Then, Colby and Ian had the flu. Not to be TOO gross (Uncle Rick, maybe this is a little too much!!) but Isaac still "brings up" the time last year where he remembers quite vividly (and speaks quite clearly about) throwing up a peanut butter sandwich. Again with the cancer thing... my heart (and stomach) go out to those of you (Jeanne and Don) who deal with cleaning up "stuff that you'd rather not have to" even if it does make it into a proper receptacle. Cleaning up the floor, beds, hair and jammies of vomit in the middle of the night is just not fun...even if it is only for 24 hours.

3) We've had school...

September 19, 2008
Ian is so proud to read to "Hip-o Gets a Pet" to Daddy, Isaac and Colby

4) soccer
5) absolutely beautiful allergen producing weather
6) ...and packing! Packing has been such a huge event for us and has certainly shown us how much we have and take for granted. Scott and I many times tell our boys that they have more toys and books than some small countries in Africa. How incredibly blessed we are to live in a country where material wealth is the norm!

September 14, 2008
Colby, getting "fed" with God's word under the kitchen table

Packing has been pretty confusing for Colby. He asks everyday "Are we gonna ta take (fill in the blank with anything from his cars character collection to the roof, to his bed, to the windows and walls, to the cereal in our pantry) to our new house?"

7) Jason and Jess brought their horses over last Sunday and let us ride around on them for a while. They are just beautiful and so much fun. What a treat! The boys just loved watching them bite apples in half and feeding them "horse cookies"! Oquirrh has been looking for little "nibblers" since they left!

September 14, 2008
Jason and Jess helping the boys ride their horses

September 14, 2008
Jason with Ian and Isaac

8) This last Sunday (yesterday), Isaac and his K-6 schoolmates sang for the first time during the Trinity Service. I just love the sound of children belting their hearts out to Jesus! Aahh...I could listen to it all day! The only bummer was that they sang from the back of the church up in the balcony, so we couldn't see their sweet little faces. Isaac loves music and choir and has been very excited that they get to sing with an organ.

September 21, 2008
Isaac and some of his schoolmates getting ready to sing.

As a sidenote to this singing event, I'd like to say that we had to be at the church at 7:50 am with all four boys and ourselves "pressed and dressed" (thanks to Mary Poppins... I owe her half of my vocabulary...spit spot!), plus the 30 minute drive...and we were one of the first ones there!

9) On another note...I'm soooo tired! I've actually had to call my mom several times over the last couple of weeks specifically to keep me awake (thanks, mom!). Here's how our conversations start..."Hi mom, it's me again. Hey, I don't have anything very interesting to say, but will you talk with me... I'm on my way into/out of town... I've taken my allergy medication (which doesn't seem to be entirely helping!) and Zane hasn't been sleeping...." Hopefully with his teeth about to pop through and his little body on the verge of crawling, he'll start sleeping blissfully and prolifically!

September 14, 2008
Zane, on the not needing much sleep schedule.

10) Last, but not least...Friday is the closing day for our house. So, somehow, we'll have everything all packed up and ready to move on Friday and Saturday! It's going to be a wild week!

Terrible Tunes, Wise Words

Ian, Isaac and Colby in front of our new house (in 21 days!)

The other day I was driving back from town and heard a couple of songs whose words really spoke to my heart (The music itself was terrible! I almost turned it off, it was really hurting my ears. It most certainly would have received the full wrath/disdain of all of my music professors in college! But a couple of the phrases hooked me! That's when you are humbled and remember that God uses broken pots, huh!!)...

You know, I have been flip-flopping between 1) feeling sorry for myself for having to move from this beautiful scenery we've enjoyed over the past 2 1/2 years 2) being excited about the new opportunities having an in-town house will allow and 3) worrying about if we are making all (or any!) of the right decisions.

These words really knocked my socks off (Ok, you're right! I didn't have any socks on! I think I was driving barefoot!) ... "Somehow my story is part of your plan....Here I am, Lord...Send me! Somehow my story is part of your plan?! Wow! That's pretty personal, isn't it! Frankly, I was floored! God does say that, though, doesn't he... For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future... (Do you remember Jeremiah? What a fascinating story of a faithful and obedient man with a tough message from God to deliver!)

Here is another thought from I think a different song... "Why do you worry about your life? Why don't you let go?" Is that ever a brick over the head from Matthew 6, or what?! I was so glad I had the whole drive to think about these two little snippets. I could almost hear God saying, "Have I EVER let you down?" You know, I thought and thought about that. Has God ever let me down? I've had "stuff" just like everyone has, but no, through it all, God has never, ever let me down. I have seen his hand working in amazing ways through my entire life and I have no doubt that he will continue to paint some sparkle and pizazz, some drab or dark places into this life of mine so that when it is all said and done, there will be this brilliant piece of artwork that is hilarious and deep and just exactly the right colors and fit for his all-encompassing puzzle of life!

And, since God has named all of the stars and knows when each sparrow falls and has counted the number of hairs on our heads, I'm pretty certain He can work all [housing and moving aspects of life] together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose in Christ Jesus!!

Wow! I can't help but get pretty excited about that! Come and visit us in Cheyenne!