How God is working in our lives in LOVE

Because I believe in God and His sovereignty, I believe that everything happens for a reason, even the bad things...but it can still be tempting to fall into the bad pattern of doubt and worry. That is why it is nice when some little thing happens just at the right time to encourage and uplift one's spirits. 

The past couple months have been a little bit of a struggle for me. The reason is because once Kira turned one, I started getting questions of "are you going to have another baby?" more and more. Since I try to be upfront, I would answer yes but inside me there was a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I started feeling more and more pressure to be pregnant. I wanted to be pregnant now. I guess this may sound funny to some of you reading this but this issue really became all-consuming in my life. I am writing this down as a testimony to God's gracious and compassionate hand in my life. I started turning to Him more in prayer and began really seeking Him more fervently. I needed answers. I prayed for patience and wisdom. I also prayed that He would reveal His plan to me in HIS time. It is amazing what happened. I started to feel PEACE finally about this issue.  

I don't know what the future holds, but I know I need not worry. God is in control. What can man do to me? Thank you God for your loving hand on my life. I am truly blessed.

Christmas, part deux

I have one more party to report about and then things will quiet down for a little...maybe? Sunday after Christmas, we were supposed to meet at my sister Amy's for my side our family Christmas party. Unfortunately, we got a pretty big snow storm that started on Sunday and continued into Monday morning so we decided to push back our get-together until the next day. Last year when we got a big snow, we took Kira out in the Ergo and hiked all around campus. This year was different in that it was the first year she got to experience it for real because she is now walking. She was pretty much in awe the whole time, just watching the snow come down and walking around in it.

Then the next day, we braved the roads to take a drive out to Amy's. We were worried we wouldn't make it because my car was sputtering but we got there alright...more on my car in a minute...(sorry, I snapped this picture and both Naomi and Kira were looking away from the camera! Oopes!)
Fun opening presents! We stayed 3 hours and then Kira started melting down so we decided to leave. She cried almost the whole way home. It didn't matter what we did...we tried giving her food, we tried playing music, we tried giving her books, nothing seemed to work for very long...she just didn't want to be in her car seat. :-( When we were about 20 minutes from home, she finally fell asleep! Whew! I hope she grows out of this not liking her car seat soon, but I don't hold out much hope...she has been like from the day she was born!
Another candid shot. I do wish I had taken more pictures. Hmmmm, guess I will try harder next time!

Update on my car:

Got a call from our mechanic and it turns out it is a relatively minor repair of approx $300 so that was a great relief because both T and I thought this might be the end for my car. But it seems there is still life left in it so we will keep it for a while longer! Yay!

Christmas!!!

Christmas time has finally come and once again lots of running to and fro...

This year, Kira was old enough to appreciate additional "stimulation" so on Tuesday, I, along with "momma d" took her on the train into Philly to see the Macy's light show, Dicken's village and the comcast show! She enjoyed everything and didn't fall asleep that night until late, she was so excited!

Wednesday was the church staff party. Even though I have been on staff since 2002, I have only attended for the last 2 years. We have lunch together and then do a pollyanna where everyone takes turns opening their present. Our church is getting so big, there was close to 25 staff at the party!

This year, we went with Tom's Dad and family to get a real Christmas tree. It was a nice experience, because it was one of those tree farms where you get to walk out and pick your tree and then they send someone to cut it down for you...although I would have happily cut it down myself to get to use a chainsaw again!

Christmas with Tom's Dad's family............................

Tom and his Grandmom wearing her Christmas present!

Kira got a wetsuit for Christmas....Daddy is VERY excited about this! Lol!

Kira always wants to see pictures whenever I pull out the camera!

Kira and Aunt Sammi

Christmas morning tradition at Tom's mom's house, tom and his sister's looking for the Christmas pickle! Julie found it this year...that is her facing the camera!

Kira getting a Christmas ornament, this girl sure got a lot of presents this year! Yikes!

Kira and Tom's sister, Aunt "Kiss"

All the grandkids on Tom's mom's side. From left, "Jojo," Keeley, Bobby, LJ, Katie, Kira, Joey, Shawna and Frankie.

Tom's cousins Kelly and John playing with Kira, she is miss popular at this party because she is the first great-grandchild.

Rolling around on the floor...

We still have two more party to go to (my family), will post on that a little later!

Thanksgiving

I realize I have not blogged since early November and so much has happened, I will have to make a few posts to catch you all up on everything! So we'll start with thanksgiving...

I always look forward to thanksgiving, because it means that there will lots of parties and catching up with family. And even though I am an admitted introvert, I love going out to parties and socializing! This thanksgiving we had a party every day for four days straight...

Thanksgiving day we always celebrate with Tom's Dad and extended family. The next day (black friday) was spent with my Mom and Dad, sisters and all the grandkids! Then saturday, was another party for another side of the family. Finally, the fourth party was celebrated with Tom's Mom's side at a restaurant. It was very fun but it took a toll on Kira this year. She came down with a fever on Friday afternoon and I had to keep her home all day on Saturday so Tom went to the Saturday party without me.

She loves to play with Naomi, whom she calls "Ni-Na" when she sees a picture of her! :-) They were having fun playing with Dad's exercise ball!

All worn out! Poor thing!

Friday was such a nice night hanging out with my dear sisters and extended family. The reason for the get-together? Gmom and Gpop's 60th wedding anniversary! So we all schlepped the 7 grandkids to mom and dad's where the babysitter was waiting. The kids had a nice time, and although I complained initially about having to leave Kira behind, I think she had a good time hanging out with the kids and she absolutely loved petting Christy and Christian's little yorkie Lilly.

Sigh. Wish they all lived closer and we could hang out more often but I am thankful that we had a great night together none-the-less!