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!

#90

From the Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges on reconciliation...

"Happily for us, however, our reconciliation to God is permanent and eternal. Because Christ accomplished it for us, there is no possibility it can ever be undone. Though we continue, even as believers, to do those things that in themselves deserve God's displeasure, we can never revert to a state of divine alienation. For the sake of Christ, God will always accept us. And even when God deems it necessary to discipline us for persistent disobedience, He always does so out of love to restore us to the way of obedience (see Hebrews 12:4-11)...He not only saves us from sin's guilt and consequent alienation, He also delivers us from sin's reign and continues to work to progressively free us from sin's activity in our lives. However, in the midst of God's work and our struggle with indwelling sin, we must always keep in mind that our status of favor and friendship with God is always, and ever will be, based on the objective work of Christ for us as our representative and substitute. We have been forever reconciled to God through the death of His Son."

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