10 Fun Weekend Memories...

10. Playing Don't Spill the Beans and Don't Break the Ice with the girls Friday night.

9. Watching Robinhood with my man after the girls went to bed.

8. Sleeping in on Saturday morning.

7. Having the Snyders come over and play and visit all day on Saturday.

6. Going through magazines and getting organized Saturday night.

5. Having everything ready for Sunday morning before Sunday morning.

4. Goodnight kisses from tired little girls.

3. Reading for extended amounts of time.

2. Going to church on this morning and being encouraged by Truth and being able to worship with friends.

1. Having lunch with friends after church.

oh, and a couple more...

Being able to go the gym and run a mile in 7 min. 15 sec., making dinner with the girls, putting clean sheets on my bed, and watching Little House on the Prairie with the girls before tucking them in for the evening! =)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me...

1. Tuesday I was reading Joni Eareckson Tada's book "The God I Love" and her family was singing "Rock of Ages". Throughout the day I was singing the first verse over and over again to myself. At rest time Reagan heard me and came in the room so excited! She's been reading these wonderful little books, and the story she read that same morning had "Rock of Ages" in it! I love when God gives those special opportunities to be able to share with my girls about who He is and to see how He is softening especially Reagan's heart towards Himself!

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
   Let me hide myself in Thee;
   Let the water and the blood,
   From Thy wounded side which flowed,
   Be of sin the double cure,
   Save from wrath and make me pure.
2. Not the labor of my hands
   Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
   Could my zeal no respite know,
   Could my tears forever flow,
   All for sin could not atone;
   Thou must save, and Thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
   Simply to Thy cross I cling;
   Naked, come to Thee for dress;
   Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
   Foul, I to the fountain fly;
   Wash me, Savior, or I die.
4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
   When my eyes shall close in death,
   When I rise to worlds unknown,
   And behold Thee on Thy throne,
   Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
   Let me hide myself in Thee.

Snowed In!

Friday. 3 PM. I entered our normally very mellow, calm Publix and was almost run over by elderly people in the produce department. "What is going on?" I asked the manager working nearby. He said it was because of the big storm that was coming on Sunday. Well, Little House on the Prairie had not informed me of an upcoming storm, and since that is all I had watched that day, I had no idea what was going on!

Saturday we went to Lowes and it was crazy, too. They had sold out of salt and generators and other items that may come in handy should you be stuck at home (or wanting to get out of your home!). Steve and I didn't think much of it. I thought I might should find some candles in case our power went out for a little while.

We had a super time on Sunday with a family from our church! They ended up staying for lunch and dinner and left around 8. At 9, Steve and I retreated to our room to watch a movie. We came down at 11 and it was quite eerie! Outside was white and light! I've never seen anything like it! It was beautiful! Before breakfast on Monday we dressed the girls in multiple layers and went out to play in the snow! We made snow cones, snow balls, attempted a snow man, looked for animal tracks, played on the swing, made a sled out of a box and went down our little hills, etc.! They had so much fun!! (And so did I!)

Day 2 of the snow, not so much fun. A thin layer of ice surrounded our house and it was colder than the day before. But, I did enjoy not being able to go anywhere. To be undistracted and able to just be home!

Yesterday we tried to leave, but we couldn't make it out of our long, icy driveway. I made it to the front gate and then had to back all the way up to the house! More Little House on the Prairie awaited us when we got back in!!

Today I was beginning to go a little stir crazy. How in the world do people live in this for months on end?!?! I made it out in Steve's car and went to the store.

It's been so fun to experience snow and watching our girls playing and having such a good time. It's been fun experiencing different seasons since we moved up here, too! But I do have to say, there is still a lot of Florida heat running through my veins!! I'm going to try to not wish winter away, but spring time will be joyfully welcomed around here!

Junior.

We have a new member of our family. He is growing on me. See, I only had a fish when I was younger and I killed it by feeding it to much. It always looked hungry to me.

I can't believe it, but I'm actually the one who recommended we get the girls a pet for Christmas. We started out surprising them and telling them they were getting two hamsters. After an informative conversation with the man at the pet store, I came home and talked to Steve and we reconsidered thinking a tiny little hamster may not make it very long in our home with a 2, 4 and 6 year old! So, we went with the more lovable, less rat-like looking rodent - a guinea pig. Of course, in my naive thinking I believed he would be the girls' responsibility and that Steve would take care of the rest. But I just can't stand all the poo. So, I've already cleaned his cage out a couple of times and it's not so bad. (And I'm not slamming my husband, I'm sure if I asked him he would take care of business, but I know he's busy and it just doesn't bug the rest of them like it does me!) And, a week into it, I actually touched the little guy. Yesterday I found myself alone in the girls' room on the floor talking to him! Reagan has really enjoyed him and has been holding him and feeding him and Sydney enjoys him, but not to the extent her older sister does. Jordyn likes to just sit and watch him and yell out his name! So, we'll see how this whole pet thing goes! I'm thinking our next pet will be an outdoor one, though!

Oh, and why "Junior"? I told the girls to agree on a girl and boy name so when I came home from the pet store they would have a name for their new little gift! When I told them he's a boy, they told me his name and I about rolled on the floor. They said "Since he's a boy, we want to name him Steve Jr. and call him 'Junior'!! I guess Steve isn't quite as outnumbered now!!

A couple of things we've learned about guinea pigs...

They don't need hay 3 times a day. One small handful is sufficient. You have to clean out the cage a lot less often.

Same with treats. They only need a small amounts...not a carrot, a handful of parsley and an orange slice. Has the same affect as lots of hay.

They are playful and squeal like little piggies when they are happy!

They are sweet with little girls who give them some lovin' and attention!

Cuteness is...

I am one blessed Mommy. I do not deserve these girls. I do not deserve all the hugs and kisses and giggles and adorable drawings. The "I love yous". The dances in the kitchen. The jumps on the trampoline. Reading books and answering questions. Snuggling and watching Little House on the Prairie. Oh, the list could go on and on. I do not deserve all this goodness, but I wouldn't trade it for anything and I thank God everyday for these little blessings. Even on the hard days I thank Him. Those days I think I love them even more, because I'm driven even more towards my Savior. I'm overwhelmingly surrounded by cuteness...everyday! =)

...and a partridge in a pear tree! =)

Whew, December is over. We are already 3 days into 2011. We had a great Christmas with family and friends. I better put down a quick re-cap of the month!

December 17: We had our family Christmas Eve dinner and opened our p.j.s from Steve and he read the Christmas story.

December 18: We celebrated Christmas together. The girls had a blast and we had fun playing with their new toys. It was a relaxing day...until I had to pack for Orlando!! =) The girls opened their big gift from us which was going to be 2 hamsters (now we are going for one guinea pig - a little more durable!).

December 19: Reagan was in the little Christmas choir at church. They sang Hope Came Down and Go Tell it on the Mountain. She was so cute =). After church we had a potluck and then jumped in the van to head to Orlando!!!

In Orlando we stayed at Mama's. (By the way, she is one of the most gracious servants I know. I hope I am as selfless as she is one day.) We were able to hang out with her and Mom and Dad and Amy and Kaleb and Sissy and Mark and the twins and Emma! We also were able to have dinner with Jenn and David one night and the Traugotts! It was so good to visit Metro, too! We spent Christmas Eve-Eve at Mom and Dad's and then Christmas Eve at Mark and Sissy's. The week was full! We were able to help Mom and Dad pack and reminisce about many fond memories that were made in that home. The night before we left we also were able to go out for a yummy steak dinner with Mama!

Last week was full of playing, going to the gym, unpacking, and trying to resume "normal" life! Steve and I have been able to look back over the last year and see God's faithfulness, provision, and sustaining grace. We have been looking forward and talking about our hopes for this next year. My common answer right now is "Lord willing". We make plans, but I am thankful that it is the LORD who ordains our steps and nothing comes to us without first passing through His loving hands. I'm grateful that I don't know what this next year holds, but I know who is in control of each of my days and He never changes!