Happy New Year!

2009, the year of refinement.

I look back over this past year, as I have done every New Years Eve before, and I am simply speechless.

Last year as I looked ahead, I could never have fathomed what was to come. I could never have imagined that a year could bring and take away so much. I could never imagine that a year could bring so much change. Be so life altering and so life shattering. That a year could be so amazing and so heart breaking. That a year, one simple year, could bring all that is has. Never. could. have. imagined.

So I sit here, shaken to my core, changed, refined, alive.
I am more alive spiritually and emotionally than I ever have been.

Although this year has taken so much away, it has instilled in me a faith so deep and a love so strong, I truly do not understand how I ever lived with out it. How I was even able to breathe with out it. How could I have lived not knowing the extent of the arms of Jesus?

I recently was made aware of a song by Hillsong called "Desert Song" (thanks Jess!!), and I love it.


"And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames"

refine: to free from impurities or unwanted material, to free from moral imperfection

Have you ever witnessed the refinement process? A substance is heated to the point it becomes something completely new and altered. It is a very harsh transformation.
However, the end result is magnificent.

Isn't it amazing that the Lord, the creator of the entire universe, loves us enough to refine us? That He desires nothing but for us to be pure and perfect? That He knows us so intimately that He can mold us and create in us a beauty we never though possible. Thank you Father for your refiners fire. Thank you for all the seasons, whether it be the desert, the fire, the battle, or the bounty. I will praise You through it all, for You are still God!!

So, I am thankful for a God who gives and takes away. A God who loves with a love we can not humanly understand. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of His perfect plan. That I may be refined to be more like Him. Thank you Lord for Your love, Your sacrifice, Your forgiveness, Your grace, and mostly Your fire....

2009, the year of refinement.....
I look forward to 2010 and all that it may have in store......

Picture recap...





















For the Lord has done GREAT things for us and we are filled with JOY! Amen!

Chistmas catch up

So before we get started "catching up" I want to let you all know that we are home and EJ is doing so much better. His fever is down and his nose is clearing. I am so relieved that we conquered yet another bug. I just pray we don't get another round of this for a long while. I need a break....
I have unfortunately finally caught the bug though, and it is miserable. I am so sad this is what my little ones have had for two weeks!!!
I love the holiday season but I hate the colds and illnesses that come along with it.

Okay, so without further ado....Christmas!

There was mistle toe

snow

some sick army men

snow

bows

snow

a certain snow man watching us

snow

more bows

half eaten cookies and carrots -HA I bet you thought I was going to say snow :)

new car seats

lots and LOTS of legos...

smiles

tons of presents -his expression cracks me up!

A very special visit from my baby brother. Man I love that kid!

Another very special visit by my baby sister

One of my favorite people. My Nana.

The boys dabbled in some construction

And I enjoyed some of the best food. Seriously.

We had a great Christmas. For starters it was the first white Christmas I have ever had. Ever! Christmas Eve we spent at my Aunties house and I got to see all my relatives. I love family. The single most important thing to me is Jesus, but family is a close second. I am so thankful and so wonderfully overwhelmed by the amazing family the Lord has given to me.
Christmas Day we stayed home and ate all of the food I made. I spent an entire day cooking and I loved eating it!! Well, I love eating anyways!
The kiddos opened presents and played with their new toys. We wiped sniffles and gave medicine. We even played in the snow some.
Austin played with his bb gun. Yes you read that right. A bb gun. "Santa" brought this but I was kept out of the loop for a good reason. Sigh.... Sometimes I think Christmas is just as much for the parents ;)
Speaking of the parents, I had made Adam some great presents and a picture collage of the boys. Austin bought me the most beautiful decorative wall cross. He picked it out all by himself and I love it! I told Ausitn he started my collection! I am so excited to now collect something meaningful.

Since then we have been hanging low trying to recover from the bug that has recked some serious havoc around here. Hoping now that everyone will be on the mend.

Oh and one more thing.

I am now sewing. Watch out fingers world! I will let you now how that goes!

Oh and my sweet nephew Bryce is doing fantastic. They got to hold him yesterday for the first time. I can't wait to meet him. Thank you so very much for your prayers. You all have no idea how much it means to me. How much you mean to me!
And since you all mean so much to me...
Watch out because I have a giveaway coming soon :)