2010!!!

A New Year is here!!! Okay...... I am a little behind - it is actually six days into the new year.

Josiah's birthday was very nice. I can't believe we have three teenagers. Josiah had two friends stay over for his birthday; they had a great time sleeping outside in the hay barn, playing Risk and Carcossonne, watching movies, sword fighting, and just being boys.

Boy sleepovers are SO much different than girl's overnights!!

My son has such a gentle spirit - I value him more day-to-day. I am so grateful that God placed him in our family.

New Year's eve we spent with our friends Steve and Natalie playing Pictionary and visiting and eating WAY too many yummy treats. Natalie made such fabulous treats including crab stuffed mushrooms - YUMMY!!!! We had one bummer during the evening in that Duke got frightened with the fireworks and rifle fire and took off :( Fortunately, he returned to a little local bar down the road and they called us to get him. Tim and I didn't make it to midnight but really my sleep is more appealing to me right now than watching the clock turn over :)

New Years was a great quiet day. Windbiglers came out for supper and we watched an OLD Dean Jones movie called Snowball Express. I had fun childhood memories of watching that with my parents and siblings and had been looking for a copy of it for a while. It was fun to watch and I LOVE to hear my children laughing! I enjoyed it as much as I did when I was young. Dean Jones is classic :)

The past few days have been filled with lots of snow and cold which has been fun. There is about five inches of snow on the ground right now - maybe a little more and it is scheduled for 2 degrees today. I love to watch the falling snow and the remarkable beauty at the end of the storm when the sun is shining but it is a pale light and the world looks so pristine and flawless. The Lord is certainly amazing in His handiwork!!! The kids have been bombing down the hill on their sleds/saucers. It is fun to watch them sledding and snowball fighting. They are looking forward with GREAT anticipation to ski season. I think their first outing is in two weeks. By the time I get back to the hill I am sure that ALL my children will far excel my abilities. Bekah starts this year as well -- it will be fun to see her on skis.

We are keeping busy with our chores, school, and a New Year's reorganization. I took the tree down and the Christmas decorations -- that is always a little melancholy for me, I LOVE Christmas! It is good however to get things cleaned up and back in order. New semester schedules for the kids to reflect all the responsibilities/activities they need to work on are finished up. I am trying to get everything organized for taxes and I have several sewing projects I need to start working on. Lots to do but it is a good busy serving my family!!

I am back in pursuit of my waistline. I know it is recoverable; it is just a long road ahead. I did well over the Christmas and New Year holidays. I didn't lose anything but I am still where I was at the beginning of December which is great. Natalie, Josey and I are walking together four times a week. It is wonderful to have friends to walk with and it helps me to keep my walk on the schedule for the day :)

Koliah turns four months old next week -- where is the time going!?!?!? He is getting so big and is starting to be a fun little people ;) He is teething right now which is making him more grumpy than usual but it will pass and then he will be my little smiley again.

I am so excited for this New Year. God is good - ALL THE TIME!!! I am purposing to remember that in the coming months. God is good and He has all things in His hands. We are praying for His purpose and His blessings in this New Year. Pastor Mark spoke this week about looking at the new year in three perspectives -- to believe (strengthening our faith through the Word and through prayer) -- to belong -- (that we grow in our relationships not only in our church body and with the people God has put in our lives) and to become (growing in our relationship with Christ and becoming more like Him) What a great perspective -- goals that are eternal!!! Believe, Belong and Become -- you will be blessed!!!!

I will try to post some pictures in the next few days. Wishing you richest blessings and our heartfelt love in this New Year!!!