Packing...

I have had a long week of packing boxes.  It is hard to put all memories into boxes and realize that we have had many "lasts" this week.  Right now I am having breakfast with my girls for the last time at our table in this house.  But with that being said, we are on the verge of many many firsts too.  So on one hand I am very sad and sentimental but in the same breath I am very excited for what God has ahead for us.

The picture below is when you come downstairs to find your 4, 3, and 1 year old having snack.  Adie started it all with the dump of the cheerios box.

My brave Gracie got 4 shots on Tuesday for her check up...She didn't cry at all - not even a whimper!  For her bravery, we all went to the Butterfly House for one last time.


This is what happens when your one year old finds the sharpie marker on top of the dresser.  I am so thankful she did not marker the carpet.  She did manage to get the suitcase and all the diapers in the bag but nothing on the floor!  Praise the Lord!

Well, I am off to meet my mom half way to Sauk Centre because she is going to watch the girls while I finish packing and move on Saturday, Lord willing.  I know they will have a lot more fun with Nana and Papa than they will with Mommy and Daddy this weekend.  Please be praying for smooth transition for us this week and that the Lord will provide for all of our needs and that I don't let fear creep into my life.

Joel and Michaela's Wedding

Joel and Michaela were married on Saturday.  It was the most beautiful day for a wedding.  We were so excited to be able to be apart of it.  Grace and Lydia were the flower girls.  They had the "bestest day ever...and it was really long."  G & L had been practicing the Chicken dance for months and were roaring and ready to go for the dance later that night.  

Chris and Grace
Lydia taking a break to enjoy the swings.
Something was really funny.
Leah was a flower girl at my wedding...six years changes a little girl.

Fun Day

Grace got a "new" pair of skis.  If you know me well, you know that I LOVE to garage sale and this was an awesome deal.  She is excited to hit the slopes this winter.  Now I need to find a pair for Lydia.

Baby Julia....We went to Mitchell to see Carl's cousin Ruth who had a baby on Friday.  Julia was just a little tyke coming in at 5 1/2 lbs.  The girls just love to hold her.  Even Adie thought that she was really cool.  Adie wanted to be right next to Julia at all times.  It is hard to believe that Grace was Adie's age when Lydia was born.  I am really thankful that I didn't know any different.  (and I had two amazing sleepers - it is not hard to have two kids 14 months apart if they both sleep well:)


This is Adie's "CHEESE" pose - where did her eyes go?

Feet washing

A couple of years ago our girls started this tradition where they would want to wash our feet.  We weren't trying to be super spiritual about it, they just loved to scrub our feet.  There is something amazing when three little girls want to serve you.  It reminds me of the night when Adie was born.  I had a super long day and Carl was working late.  After baths, I laid on the hallway floor and just told Grace and Lydia how tired mommy was that evening.  Grace stood up and ran to the bathroom and got the bottle of lotion and started rubbing my feet.  Pretty soon my whole belly, arms, legs and back had lotion all over.  Four little hands serving their mommy... I think it was one of the most memorable back rubs.  

Dawson McAllister

My heart is heavy today for a girl somewhere out in South Carolina.  My husband is a Hope Coach for the Dawson McAllister Live.   He goes in on Sunday nights to listen, encourage and speak truth to teenagers across the country who call in to the radio station.  When he comes home and tells me the stories that I can't even make up in my wildest nightmares, I lay awake praying for these broken children.  I wish I could take them all in and give them safe secure place to be wrapped in God's love.  Drugs, sex, abortions, homosexuality, abuse, abandonment and the list can go on and on.  In the same breath, there is so much encouragement that I receive from listening to the stories where kids surrender over their whole lives to the One who can take all of their burdens.  If you live near a call center, I would encourage you to train and become a Hope Coach.  The time yields eternal rewards.  When we move,  Carl will be taking calsl from home and I want to train so that I can take calls too.  www.dmlive.com 

Someday it is my heart's desire to adopt a couple of children from Africa.  I know that the Lord has put this desire into  my heart long before I ever had children of my own.  I don't know God's timing but there are babies out there that belong into our family.  Someday I am going to have a huge dining room table and it will be full of kids.  God is the only one who knows how each one will come into our family.  Until then...let the adventure begin!

Be praying for Kim who needs the power of Jesus to become drug free and free of abusive relationships.

Adie Lynn's first steps

I can't believe that I actually caught her taking more than one step in a row!

Here it is!

Gavin Thomas Ostendorf

BJ and Lynnette had Gavin Thomas very late last night.  He weighed 3 lb 8 oz and 15 1/2 inches long.  He went into surgery at 3 am and was finished by 6 am.  They were able to put all of his intestines back in with just the one surgery.  Praise God!  Now all he has to do is grow and get strong so he can come home.  Please pray for a speedy recovery for Lynnette and the little guy and that BJ would get some sleep!  I am sure that my 4 brothers are very excited to have a nephew.  They didn't know what to do when I had three girls in a row.  They just wanted to buy trucks and barn yard animals...not dolls and princess stuff!

Thank you for all of your prayers!

My poison ivy is looking and feeling much better - I still have a long way to go to have a clear face again but I am not at the point at wanting to rip my skin off - so that is very good!  We are getting back into the routine of doing school and playing and trying to keep the house clean for that "showing" that could happen at any minute!

I think it is time to go and do a craft with my girly girls!

Not hives...posion ivy

I figured out yesterday that I don' t have hives but posion ivy instead.  It is all across one side of my face and into my eyes, and on my one arm and hand.  Please pray that this would heal quickly.  I am very thankful to be at my parent's right now so I am getting help with the girls because right now I shouldn't be holding Adie.

Thanks for praying...

Angel