Preparing for Thanksgiving

So for Micah's second birthday we bought him a toy dyson. For those of you that aren't familiar, it is the greatest vacuum cleaner in the world. Ryan and I bit the bullet last summer and purchased one. Since the buy, Micah has been fascinated with it, so we thought it appropriate to get him one of his own. So, once a week when I pull out the vacuum to clean, Micah does the same. Well today, I caught Micah in the act of cleaning and realized that he must watch me often because he is also talking on the phone. Now, it might look just like a plan old ear thermometer to you, but oh no, to Micah it is a cell phone.

So needless to say, I was very thankful for my little helper as we prepared our house together for our guests at tomorrow Thanksgiving dinner.

If you are a pastors wife, this is a must read. When Ryan and I were at the Desiring God Pastors conference this was one of the books that was given to us. This book has been such and encouragement as Ryan and I have started our ministry at Grace. It challenged me in my personal walk with Christ, but also taught me ways to pray for Ryan and the people of our church. I have always had a heart for the women of the church and this book showed me both the simple and the heart level areas where I can be used. What a blessing... I just thought I would pass it along.

Thanksgiving Dinner

I found this to be a wonderful encouragement and challenge as we begin to look towards that holiday season. If you have 25 minutes or so, take the time to listen! "Whom Shall We invite to Thanksgiving Dinner?" Sermon by John Piper

Holiday Anxiety

I love the holiday season! There just seems to be something about this time of year that makes everything feel just a little bit more special. However, since I have been married, I have had to learn how to share the holidays with not only my family, but also with Ryan's. It is our desire to be with everyone on those days, but time is short and we always feel a little rushed. So, I tend to place more anxiety on myself then needed to try and make everything and everyone fit. As my children grow older, I don't want them to see my anxiety about this time of year and in return lose some of the joy. So, like everything else in life, I've decided to make this a matter of prayer. I have begun to realize that the holiday season is a chance to spend time with family, but more importantly it is a chance to reflect on the Gospel and how God has continually blessed Ryan and I throughout our lives. Although I have started to have a new perspective on things, I still struggle with who should sit by who at our Thanksgiving dinner for nineteen.

Finally a Post

I was reminded the other night that I have been quite delinquent in my posting. In general I haven't been writing because I takes me so long to write something that before I know it, I have lost all of my "children free" time. So, for this post I am just going to put a few pictures.

Micah has done so well with Lydia, I couldn't ask for a better transition as far as he goes.

Ryan has really embraced that role of being a daddy to a little girl. I am so excited that he will be the first man to capture her heart. I know she will be all the better because of his role in her life.

Lydia, or Lydi as we often call her, is a wonderful blessing to our family. She has just started to smile and it absolutely cracks us up. No matter the frustrations in life, that smile makes everything better.

I just thought this was a neat picture of Micah at a local park! That boy loves to slide!