Laughing at Mommy

Ben took this video of me a while ago and I just came across it....I love it. I don't want to forget how much fun I have with these precious kiddos!

Music House

There is not a day that our home isn't filled with music. Of course Aaron and I love to sing and play our guitars. We have both often wondered what each of the kids would find as their own musical outlet. So far it looks to us like Abby Sue is our violinist. She started lessons this year and loves it to say the least. She has quickly learned notes, songs, and loves to practice. Ben has loved the piano for a long time and we noticed his ear for notes when he figured out songs on the keyboard. We decided that we needed to get a piano & found a perfect little spinet in a town nearby on craig's list. It is coming to tomorrow! So, Ben and mommy can't wait to get their fingers on it. Ben starts lessons in December. We have noticed that Zibby is more than likely our most naturally gifted child when it comes to all things musical. She sings like a little songbird, dances like an angel, and has a true interest in piano, guitar, and violin. Maybe we can be like the Von Trapp Family one day! I feel so blessed to have all this music in our home. It's what I always dreamed of.

p.s.

found this photo of Abby Sue...this was when she was almost 2 and we lived in Florida!

handmade christmas

http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/

I love the 12 Days of Handmade Christmas ideas...gotta try our hand at some of these this year!

Marathon #2

Marathons are kinda like giving birth....you forget a lot of the hard parts and then the memory of how you felt when you finished calls you back. At least it does for me. I have always loved and hated agony and victory all wrapped in one moment. I found my outlet....it's the marathon.

When I finished the race last year in Eugene I felt like Jesus wasn't just waiting for me at the finish line...He was with me throughout the course.

While I trained I had to face a lot of mental and even spiritual issues. His loving Spirit healed and strengthened me.

I didn't know if I would ever run one again, I just wanted to finish.

This time around I know that He will use the training and the race in the same way. He will reveal His love to me and speak to my heart in new ways.

Of course He doesn't need a marathon to meet all of us....but I guess for me He does.

So I'll keep running until He says I'm finished.

It's kind of a goal to qualify for Boston this time.

"all things though Christ....."

run...repeat...run...repeat.

http://www.vermontcitymarathon.org/page.php?pid=13&pname=marathon_course_maps

the hard parts

I've cried the most these days over my daughter. Our precious Abigail is so unique and gifted, but with all of the personality she has been given comes a lot of hard lessons too. She is guided mostly by her emotions, she is not self-contious in public places...(she truly dances like no one is watching.) But the problem is that there are people watching and judging, no matter how wrong they may be, they are making assumptions about my darling daughter. I can see it in the other girls faces and the way they whisper. It's hard to watch. And it's also hard to explain to her. There are times when I just want to bring her home and never let her out in to the big, wide, mean, world....but then I remember Who made her, Who she belongs to, and the wonderful plan He has for her life. I just pray that I can always be supportive, wise, and encouraging to her. I don't want her to be like everyone else...but the truth is, we all want our kids to fit in...no matter how wrong that concept is. We want them to be understood, loved, and respected. For the most part she's just a wonder to everyone she meets. And she is wonderful to me.

October

The Trick or Treat Fairy.
Counting candy of course!
I love this one.
I always let the kids draw the faces then I do the cutting out...I love Zibby's smiley faced one.
This one is holding a light saber...guess who's it is?
I like how they looked when we lit them up.
Zibby is a fairy underneath her coat...it was freezing!
Ben's amazing pillowcase, ready to be filled with treats.
Abby Sue's awesome pillowcase.
She loved getting all gooey.
Pumpkin carving.
It took forever to glue all this tissue paper on her old wings...but she did great!
Karaoke at Lucy's birthday party.
Bouncing with friends!
Dressed up for Lucy's party...Ben made up his character...Mr. Orange M...which he told us stands or an Orange Musketeer....he is so funny!