shaking the dust off

Well, here I am. It is good to be back.
While I have been away, much has happened and must is still left to do. It is a crazy blend of chaos right now but I wanted to stop by.

Our move has been delayed until the 31st so we were given some breathing room there. Also, a different living opportunity presented itself and if it it happens it will be great! If it doesn't, then we still have our original plan as backup!

We still have a ton of packing to do. I can not adequately explain my disdain for packing, but given light to the fact that those in Haiti would love to be in this situation, I am rejoicing for everything I have. I am infinitely grateful for the roof over head, the spaghetti on the stove, the cloth diapers on a little bum resting in my lap. I am so grateful for solid ground and I am grateful for this move.

Even though we are downsizing quite dramatically, I am blessed beyond measure. I have all my needs met. All our small day to day things, are luxuries to so many in the world. Every shower, every pot of boiling water, every meal. Every small item of clothing currently on the bedroom floor, everything is a blessing.

In light of so much suffering I feel so small and so inadequate. I can't go there although my heart is. I can't give large amounts of money that I don't have. But I can pray. We all can. I pray that somehow, someway God will bring glory from this. I just ache for them so deeply.

But God will bring glory!! Where there is pain, there will be comfort. Where there is suffering there will be peace. What is broken will be restored! I pray all these things!

So life has been heavy while I have been away. Busy, wonderful, but heavy.

Easton is doing very well. We finally have a diagnosis...kind of. His shwachman diamond test came back negative, leaving us with autoimmune neutropenia. He also has eczema, transient pancreatic insufficiency (although in remission right now thank God!!), and malnutrition caused hydrocephalus. All is manageable at this time! So I have an immune compromised child. He is in the "severe" category but we are holding strong. There is no treatment due to the fact that his marrow produces white blood cells, but his own immune system kills them off. It's tricky.

But spring will come and it will bring so much. One thing will be the end of flu season. Brighter days are coming. Can you feel it?

Easton is also crawling on his hands and knees only now. No more army crawl! He is cruising like a pro and can even make it up the stairs now. Walking is still a ways off but everyday he gets closer. His eating is amazing as he now has a ferocious appetite. He also has a ferocious temper! He is a passionate one!

Austin is doing great as well. He is getting so close to reading. So close! He has energy like a hurricane but is a great big brother.
We had a scare a few days ago though. Austin hit his head and had a seizure and then stopped breathing and was unconscious. As I ran up the stairs to Adam, I had him in my arms lifeless, and I have never known a feeling like that. Fear doesn't do it justice. However, after a ct and other tests he is fine! Parenting these two boys is going to get the best of me!

But really he is great and I love seeing life through his eyes. From legos to bugs, he amazes me!

I may be on and off for a while but I am sure you will understand. So much is happening and so much is changing. There is even a whisper of a job opportunity. More on that later....

Thank you friends for all your support and prayers. Thank you for everything!

looking to the future!!

Expect an update (finally!) sometime soon!!

most beautiful face

father and son

the park

backyard blues

nature

my boys

eggs in a basket

easton joseph

sparkler battle

past pictures!

So while Im being busy packing, cleaning, changing diapers, feeding, bathing, packing, cleaning.....
I decided to schedule some pictures to post in my absence. I have disabled comments though, so just sit back and enjoy!
So here are todays!

signing off

Alright! Well I will be taking a little break until the 15th as I need to focus on getting us packed and moved. I really really dislike moving and I need to just dive in and get it done.

We are doing great here, Ej is finally on the mend and even his horrible yeast rashes are clearing. I am praying the next month is infection free and this new transition will happen smoothly.

So, friends, I may check in on you from time to time over the next 10 days, but otherwise, I'll catch up afterwards!!!

ps. If anyone needs anything or has a prayer request, you will have to send me an email!

Much love,
Elle

the carpenter+ our winner!!

Carpentry. It is a lost art really.

Now a days you don't see too many dusty sweaty men pouring strength and attention into a chunk of wood. Seeing the possibilities, the potential. Grinding, scraping, carving, cutting, removing and sawing until, you see it. The beauty that He saw all along. Those carpenters are pretty creative after all. To see the beauty before hand.

To make something from nothing. Something prized and treasured. Something obviously worth value. Those carpenters, you see, are quite creative....

From a rough log they can make something so smooth and glorious. From something so unlikely, they can create a work of art.
Not surprising because, well, carpenters are rather creative....

Did you know Jesus was a carpenter? But oh, his work did not stop at logs. Oh no, He had his sights on something much more significant.

You.

He sees the potential, the possibilities. He sees the beauty. He sees what could be, what will be. He can look straight through you and see what others can not. From something so unlikely he can make a masterpiece. And often, He sees all this before even you do.

Do you think that we are the ones holding us back? We are the ones who can't imagine that a God as unimaginable as ours, could choose us to do His work?

Fear not. All we have to do is trust. Walk where He leads for He will guide us. He will transform us. Even if we can not imagine the result. Even when we can't see His plan. Especially when we can't see it. Have faith in the carpenter. After all, they are pretty creative you know.

Alright, are you ready for our winner?

Yay! Number 16, Tracey, you are my winner!!!!
So excited! Sent you out an email!!

Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Resolutions.....
Aren't they funny?
We all make them. We make our goals and plans. Create a whole itinerary for our new year.

How about we stop making resolutions for us, resolutions that we want, and start making some for the Lord? Strive to walk more in His way, and do more of what He desires for us. What then?

What if we surrender to our Lord and lay it all out for Him. What if our resolution is to die to ourselves and everyday choose, instead, to pick up the cross.

Did you catch that? Everyday.

My resolution this year is to stop being lazy and to serve. To be obedient to the Lord. I don't know what this will look like, as I often fly by the seat of my pants. But I am sure going to try. It is time to start taking up the cross. It is time to die to myself so that I may live in Him. It is time to stop making excuses. I am being called to act, and for once, I am.

You see, God knows it is not easy. That's why we fail year after year, day after day. I am always failing and I am so far from perfect that I am in awe even trying to comprehend that our God still loves me. That he has a plan for me and has indeed started a "good work" in not only me but each and every one of us. We are all part of His amazing plan. We are all called to be a part...and He knows it isn't easy.

"For I am sure that He who started this good work in you will carry it through until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6

That is why He will finish His good work in us. We can do nothing alone. Not breathe, not move. Nothing. And we also can not follow through with resolutions and plans all on our own. It is not by our strength that we prevail.
All we have to do is submit. Receive. And He will do the rest. Let ourselves become vessels for His love and compassion. Let our lives merely be arrows pointing to Him. If you give Him the reins, my friends, He will start a good work!!

I am constantly brought to my knees over and over again when I receive just a glimpse of His work. It is something that our human minds will never comprehend on this side of heaven.

So this year, I have made my resolution. Not for myself but for Him. I will strive everyday to chose the cross. Everyday I will work on being transparent in my life to allow Him to cover where I fail.

I made my resolution. Have you?

Gratitude and....a giveaway!!!!!

---------------contest over!! stay tuned for our winner!!--------------------------

So I thought I would start out 2010 with something fun! I am determined to make this year the best yet!
So here we go with a giveaway, since I am so thankful for all my dear sweet readers, your encouraging words, and your uplifting prayers. You have helped carry us through some very rough times and I am so very grateful!
I am also grateful for CSN for allowing me to do this great giveaway! Did you know they have over 200 stores so you can easily find anything you are looking for! From nursery furniture to decor to cooking utensils!! How great!!


These sweet little picture frames are adorable!!!! Would these not be precious in a little girls nursery!?


This cute toy from LeapFrog is great! Ages 6 months to 2 years! I love games that teach letters and I think you can never start to young!!


This little chopper is amazing! Think about the things you could do with this! From salsa, nuts, and baby food, this would be great to have!!

Alright, so how do you get a chance to win one of these fab gifts?? All you have to do is visit CSN and leave a comment telling me which site you would most likely shop at. Also let me know which of these three gifts you would like to have if you won!!

Also, in my last post, I shared with you all a song that was new to me that I love!! I can't believe I hadn't ever heard that song before! So, I bet there are countless amazing songs that I have never heard! So if you will, leave a separate comment sharing your favorite song with me! This way we all can find some great new songs and it will count as a second entry for the giveaway!!

I will leave this up until monday night, at which time I will randomly pick a winner!!

Thank you all so very much! God Bless!

(ps if you do not have a blog, no problem, just leave me your email so I can contact you!!)