Another year older, and hopefully wiser

As I reflect on my birthday I think about some of the big changes that have come through this year.

In December we lost our precious girl, Jubilee Belle.  I miss her often and though I don't cry as often and it is easier to remember that she is with Jesus and doing better than I am, it's still difficult every once in a while. I see Zoe playing with her baby doll constantly and can't help but think, she should be playing with a real live baby instead. However, God saw fit that Jubilee join Him instead and we rest in that.

We've been able to use Jubilee's death as a witness many times in the last year.  Sometimes with family, sometimes with friends, and most often with the boys.  I've been able to talk to the boys about the importance of staying strong when they want to collapse and doing what they need to do even when it's hard sometimes.  I've stressed that the best way they can care for someone who is hurt back home is to work on getting their life in order while they are here. Ironically, my emotions have sometimes taught our youth to be empathetic.  They will often ask what is wrong if I'm on the verge of tears.  Not that I do it often but when I do it is good to see they are learning empathy.

It took a few months, but we found out in June that we are expecting again, and what a blessing that is!  I'm so looking forward to baby #3.  My biggest struggle is not to worry about the birth.  I'm trying to just trust that Jesus will provide the strength I need to trust Him despite my temptation to doubt.  Things are going well so far with this pregnancy for which I'm very thankful.  I can't wait to meet our little one this March!  It's hard to believe that I've been pregnant 3 times in 3 years.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity.

We moved yet again this year, another amazing opportunity!  We are working for a new Director who is a much better fit for us.  Instead of 8 boys, we now raise 10 and they are WAY more immature because they are the younger kids.  They want to do things with us though and that is a blessing.  Unfortunately the program is run so tightly that it's hard to do a lot of the fun things we would like to do with them.  We have to conduct three one-hour groups a week plus all of our normal stuff, it cuts out a lot of the time we would have for playing games and doing projects.

My husband had a "definitely-not-30-party".  I'm so blessed by having my husband.  He treats me so well and I'm very thankful he's willing to clean.  Haha it's probably my least favorite thing ever but I've been much better about it.  He's been very supportive through all of the rough times this year.  In fact, he's supported me in starting my own business.

I've been wanting to be a Compassionate Entrepreneur with Trades of Hope since Zoe was born.  We never had the funds to do so and so when an opportunity presented itself, I'm so glad we were able to say, "YES!"  The heart of this organization is what always kept it in my mind.  The fact that they are changing one of their taglines from "Shop. Host. Join" to "Join. Host. Shop" says a lot about the mission of TOH.  My trainer told me that we have many more groups coming to TOH saying that they have heard of how much TOH has helped others that they are hoping to sell their goods with TOH also.  Unfortunately, with less than 1,000 CE's nationwide, TOH has had to turn down some of these groups.  So I'm so thankful to be working with a company that wants to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

Those are the biggest changes we've experienced this year.  We pray that Jesus keeps working to keep our hearts turned toward Him and helping us to trust Him every step of the way.

I leave you with a cute video of our precious girl.  (Well, I suppose I should leave the "cute" adjective out, that's for you to decide.)

7 Months Old

Please someone tell me how time goes by so quickly & we're already past the half-way mark in Zoe's first year???

She is the most precious little girl.  She still loves her time outside & LOVES the grass.

OH is that grass that I see?

I shall go check it out. 

And then I need to rip it out so I can eat, I mean investigate it.

See mom, I wasn't REALLY going to eat it.

She has also been crawling a lot so nothing is safe.  The cords are her motivator it seems as they are her favorite to crawl to.  She also unrolled the TP when I was in the shower. Oh & knocked over the trash.  SIGH so of course instead of fixing it, I took a picture on my cell to send to dada. Then I fixed it.

Zoe still loves her food, although yesterday at lunch she fell asleep in her high chair too precious. And baths? Oh she just loves to splash around!

She is quite the photogenic little thing now also. And man, she has a killer smile!

hmmmm this is nice but it's not grass

Peekaboo

HAHA this is fun

Look at me

lambs are funny

k, mom. all done

And then afterwards we came back inside and she has started sticking her tongue out all cute like so precious.

Oh and she's working on those two bottom teeth.  What a busy girl!!!

So thankful to the Lord for my beautiful little blessing. 

A family photoshoot

Thanks to my mom-in-love we did 6 month family photos last Sunday. We had planned to go to the Wintergreen gorge for pictures but it rained too much.  It was POURING so we decide to take photos inside at PSB.  It turned out to be a fun afternoon. 

And at the end we got some nice weather.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

I'm so thankful lately for the Sabbaths that Aaron, Zoe & I have been enjoying the last few weeks.  We;ve been trying to use our Sundays to focus more on the Lord.  Jesus tells us to seek first His Kingdom & His righteousness.  That is what Aaron & I have been trying to do lately.  We've been listening to great sermons by Paul Washer (Recovering Biblical Womanhood, Do You Really Desire God?), RC Sproul, John Piper, John McArthur. 

We've watched Pilgram's Progress and a movie on Tyndale (translated the Bible into English & was burned at the stake for it) & Charles Spurgeon.  

We know that we are not saved by doing these things but because Christ saved us how could we not want to honor Him?

Hopefully in the future we will go out to handout tracts and engage people in conversation yet. 

6 Months WHAT??

Zoe Joy turned 6 months old on Saturday. I can't believe it!  She is incredibly precious, rolling over both ways, laughing a lot, working on her finer motor skills (she is AMAZING at pulling my hair: praying I go gray faster than I go bald =P), she is a great independent sitter but really doesn't like to be alone, she is working on crawling and can get herself on her knees and rocking instead of just baby push-ups (although she still does those), she loves the outdoors and her dada.

Can't tell which one I like better

She has started saying mama (sort of but I'm claiming it.) If she is asleep when dada gets home she wakes up at the sound of his voice.  So precious.  Shr's also been eating solid food for about 3 weeks now.  We DON'T like kiwi, Everything else has been acceptable.

Look at that wrinkled nose

Sometimes trying to crawl makes us mad.

LOL look at that face!

Happy half a year old birthday girl!!!

First Entry to Homemaker Olympics

My friend, Sally, is hosting a neat event called the Homemaker Olympics.  TODAY is the last day to enter the first category.  So be sure the check it out!

Homemaker Olympics

I've been wanting to do a project I saw on Pinterest with Zoe documenting her growth by taking her footprint every so often.  Well I missed the doing it when she was 4 months, but I decided I would do it at 6 months and one year.  

Here's what I did. 

Because it won't be completely done until Zoe is a year old.  Here is how it looks now.  It got messed up a bit because *someone* is super squirmy.  However as it dries I like it more & more.  It is not nearly opaque enough but I do like it.

Don't forget to get your entries in. 

5 Month Collages

Yay for turning 5 months old & for cute dresses

We had this outfit in 0-3 months & 6-9 Months so I had to do a then & now photo.

Significantly bigger snuggles now. 

This weekend we visited my family at their camper & Zoe had her first "bite" of watermelon.  She really just sucked some juice out.  And no, I haven't actually started her on baby food yet.  

5 Months

On June 28th, Zoe turned 5 months old!  Such a big beautiful girl!  Her grammie (quite the excellent photographer) took these pictures. (Later I'll post some that I took) :) Zoe has gotten sitting quite well, she laughs quite a bit, Does NOT care for the heat (although still quite an excellent baby), and loves to squeal (just ask everyone at church SIGH)  She really is the best baby though. And did I mention cute?

A huge Help

After my surgery, I wasn't allowed to lift Zoe for 2 weeks.  It was awful for me in my heart, because when she'd cry, I couldn't just fix it.  God has created mamas' hearts to want to fix their baby's cry. 

Although it was hard on me, it was so nice to have my family here to help.  My parents, sisters, nephews, my mom-in-love, a few friends and Aunt Sally helped a ton.  I'm so thankful  for their willingness to help during these times. 

Aunt Sally spent 5 days with us.  She became Aunt Sally Mattress because she'd allow Zoe to nap on her. :)

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

I often hear how cute Zoe is (Oh, and I totally make sure I tell her about 1 million times every day).  However, she is cute, but more than that she is Fearfully & Wonderfully Made.  God knit her together in my womb and He knows all the plans He has for her.

From those tiny fingers and toes that somehow are able to bend and work despite being so small, to the blood vessels in her eyelids (that to be honest kinda creep me out), to the dimple in her right cheek (just like me), to the random patch of hair on the back of her head, to the extra fold in her forearm, God had designed it all to work perfectly in this beautiful child.

From the giggle I get when I growl at her, to the way daddy can make her laugh by being a troll, to the snuggles I get when she's fighting sleep, to the wide eyed wonder that is so often visible, God is knitting together her personality in ways that are pleasing to Himself.  And somehow, He has called us to raise this wonderful little being.  I admit at times I'm terrified that I'll do a horrible job, but I know that what she learns will be not from our words but more from how we live.

What she learns about relationships between a man and wife, she will learn from her parents, so we will not shy away from showing affection in front of her.  What she will learn about loving her own children someday, she will learn from us and we want her to learn to be affectionate, compassionate, and yet firm when necessary.  We want her to learn to love the Lord with all her heart and to seek to preach the Gospel, so we need to be doing that as well.  If you ever need to be convicted and know some things that need to change in your life, have a child.  It has changed me for the better.  Now I am seeking even more Philippians 4:8.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. "

I pray that Aaron and I can raise her in a way that honors the Lord Jesus.

Oh and lately I've been very much desiring to pass out tracts.  She's totally going to be my ticket to doing so (just as soon as we decide which ones to purchase). Just look at that face!

Happy Father's Day (oh you know, just late)

It's been quite a while since I've blogged.  If you didn't know.  I was in the hospital for four days with pancreatitus and ended with having my gall bladder removed.  Thus the hiatus.  So over the next few days there is a lot of catching up to do. 

The Sunday of Father's Day, we had both of our father's over as well as it being Aaron's first Father's Day.  We had turkey burgers, homemade fries & Ice Cream Cake!!! YUM It was supposed to have this photo on it, but they couldn't do it.  

 So we had this one instead but I loved it even still!!!

After everyone left we spent some time outside, which was nice since I couldn't move around so well still.

Aaron & Zoe playing together are so awesome.  I love seeing my husband as Zoe's dad.  It's one of my favorite parts of the day is when Aaron gets home, & Zoe follows him around until he is ready to sit down & play with her.  Their play is so much fun!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies out there!

Oh and just to see a peak of how they play together:

(Sorry it's sideways)

4 Months Old

Dear Zoe, 

Don't you remember I told you you weren't allowed to grow up so fast?  How did you go and turn 4 months old on us already?  You are getting so big.  You giggle at us now, somewhat often.  It's the cutest thing we've ever heard.  You also learned how to roll over consistently one day before your four month birthday.  Man it's made diaper changing QUITE the challenge. Let's just hope you don't poop anymore =P. I'm kidding but after yesterday's diaper changing fiasco, I'm not sure I'm up for the challenge.  You are also getting quite good at holding up yourself on your tummy.  

You my darling, are so special to your father and I.  We just can't get enough of you.  Daddy loves when you snuggle up to him in the bed.  I love waking up in the morning and seeing your sweet sleepy smiles.  Although I'm starting to think it may be time to transition you to your crib soon.  You've been kicking me out of bed.  Move over mom, you say. You love to be outside and love your little yellow ducky lovey. 

Mommy has enjoyed having our rocking chair now and sitting in your room reading you the Scriptures every night.  What a blessing to sit and rock and read with you.  Our biggest dream for you is that you come to know the Lord Jesus. Anything else is secondary.  We love you Zoe Joy!

Long time no blog

So being a mom/homemaker has been more time consuming than I realized it would be.  Part of it is that I'm just learning how to do things more naturally.  I make our own granola cereal and granola bars now.  We eat WAY less processed food.  There are still some things we eat that are processed but it's significantly less.  I've also been trying my hand at making homemade cleaners as well.  And dishes, do they ever end? How about laundry? Didn't think so. 

In between all of the cleaning and caring for little Zoe, I have had the opportunity to take some pictures as well.  Here are a few from the last few weeks:

Snuggling up Dada

Trying to eat her ball

Watch this super funny short little clip of her:

Last time she wore this super cute little outfit.  And she's sitting in the chair my grandpa made for me. YAY for family heirlooms!

Super smiley :) Gosh I love her.