crazy days

UFFDA! That's what I say these days. A bunch of stuff is hitting us all at once, and it's been a stressful week. Last week was so great. We've made some decisions and a schedule to help our family connect and learn together, and then this week happened. It all fell apart. But we will recover!

One big stress factor is taxes. Yes, everyone has to deal with this, but owning a company and some of the changes we've made this year make it all doubly time consuming. Robb's been stressed to the limit!

Another contributor to our busy week is a shipment of 1000 T-shirts that have to be folded and packaged and sent out. This wouldn't be a big stress if nothing else was going on.

Our business is doing great after some "restructuring." That's the not-so-nice-word for having to let our dear friends and employees go. The most difficult thing about owning your own business, I think, is having people depend on you and then letting them down. Thankfully, one of our employees has found a new job, and the other provided a supplemental income for her family. As a result of these changes, I've been taking on the responsibility of data entry. At the moment that requires about 7 -10 hours a week. That time will probably improve as my typing improves!

So you can see a bit why I say UFFDA! Add all the above to my normal duties of playing teacher, mom, housecleaner, wife, friend to many, cook, and child referee, maybe you can understand my state of mind.

Sunset on Snow

It's FREEZING!

The snow is gorgeous, though, and as the sun rises and sets, a pink halo forms on the horizon, and reflects on the white fields, causing them to join the pink parade.

Christmas 2008 Picture

Mitchell 9.5

Megan 7.75

Madison 4.99

The Town That Forgot About Christmas

Our church put on a Christmas program yesterday adapted from the book "The Town That Forgot About Christmas." Mitchell and Megan were carolers and Mitchell had a short duet. Everyone did a great job and we are proud!

This group picture was taken during practice with only a few of the props, but you get the general idea. Mitchell is standing on the right edge of the group on the left with his hand on his hip and Megan is on the far right wearing a red shirt and white scarf. (I dusted off my sewing machine and sewed her outfit as she had nothing in her closet that could pass for 1940's English era!) My dad took more pictures, so I may add a couple later.

Piano

Mitchell and Megan started piano this year, so of course, that meant we were looking for a piano! I watched craigslist for a couple of months, and nothing ever panned out. Finally, I found a piano listed as free and emailed for more information, called Robb to get ready to go pick it up, and then nothing. No email back. No answers to my questions.

"Well, Lord," I said, "That is not the piano you have for us."

Mid-afternoon, Robb called and asked if I had heard anything from the seller on craigslist. At my negative answer, Robb said, "Well, he is a really nice man, and we are going to pick it up tonight!"

Then I still had my doubts. It was free, after all. Maybe it was a piece of junk. I didn't even remember that verse about God giving good gifts; The one where he says something like, "If my children need bread will I give them a stone?" Of course not!

So we picked up our piano, got it home, let it warm up. Guess what? It not only goes well in my living room, and has no chipped keys, but it's in tune!

Still.

We still laugh.
We still trust.
We still love.
We still hope.

Be Still.

And Know.

That I Am GOD.

Thanksgiving Photos

It was a quiet Thanksgiving in Waconia, where the fire was warm,

the games were fun, and the house was filled with music.

Enjoying the fire

Playing Spoons- Kids loved it!I had to have Robb take a picture of me, since I'm always behind the camera!

Girls play uke. (Madison dressed herself...can you tell?)

Everyone looking at pictures on Facebook

of the Mexican village where Laura is going to do her practicum.

Is it done yet?

Longing for nothing else

We've been hearing about a recession for a long time, and either I've been in denial, or it took a while to filter down to us. As this current financial crisis has begun to effect our family and those near us, the words of Sovereign Grace's album Come Weary Saints has been a balm in an uncertain atmosphere.

As Long as You are Glorified

Shall I take from your hand your blessings,
Yet not welcome anything?
Shall I thank you for days of sunshine
Yet grumble of days of rain
Shall I love you in times of plenty,
Then leave you in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap the harvest?
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else

as long as you are glorified.

Are you good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are you King only when I’m carefree
and God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night.

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else
as long as you are glorified

So quiet my restless heart.
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart.
In you……

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else
as long as you are glorified.

Little tidbit

While cleaning out files on my overwhelmed computer, I ran across this document, evidently my attempt at journaling funny things the kids say. It was written in April 2008 and too cute not to share with you all, even if it is months later.

Madison, standing at sink with a pen held under a stream of water.

Me: “Madison, what are you doing? “

“I’m getting more ink”

“But that’s not ink, it’s water.”

“Oh.” Pause. Then how do you fill the pen up again?”

“You don’t. You buy a new one.”

“Like this?”

“Yes.”

Pause. Look at pen dripping with water. “Good grief.”

Farm Felines

So, we finally caved, actually Robb finally caved, and let us get a couple of cats to "mouse" around the farm. The kids are loving having pets and take every opportunity to dash outside for a school break. The kitties are adjusting well to their new home and at least Nadia seems to enjoy being carried, manhandled, chased, propped up on tree branches, pulled off, fought over etc!

Madison and Nadia (previously named Naughty)


Pooh Bear, a bit more cautious, though friendly if we stand still