Grateful Acres

 --- I had church tonight. :) Tomorrow I'm scheduled for nursery, and I had been complaining to God that I was bummed to be missing church. I've been feeling a little drained, like I'm pouring out more than what's getting poured in. I know lots of you identify... The boys are 2 and 3, and in what I call a "season of intense training". I don't use the terms, "terrible twos" and the like, because I don't see it that way. During this stage of development kids realize that there are options- they test boundaries, and retest them, and find more creative ways to try to get around them... but it's so important that we EMBRACE the training that is needed during this time, rather than just SURVIVE it. During age 2 and 3 we are laying the foundation for the rest of their childhood- outlining clearly, in black, mega-sharpie both what we expect of our children, and what kind of relationship we are willing to offer them. All that to say, I'v

Several people have mentioned to me that they would enjoy a compilation of what-to-do-with-my-kids-during-the-nine-rainy-months-of-Oregon activities :) ------ Kristy Ives said that she gets passes from the library for places like OMSI (I'm SO going to do this.). She said that the passes do need to be reserved ahead of time. Heidi Jensen said she's working on digging some ideas up (which I'm stoked about, because she's SO creative!). My mom was super great about this kind of thing with us kids. I remember tons of time at the table with her, and she's carrying on with my kids! Here's a few of the things we've been up to lately, and I hope that by posting this, y'all will think of some things that YOU do, and if you send them to me, I will edit this post and add them :) I could use a few fresh ideas! Race cars! I got this little ramp from Value Village recently, lysoled it thoroughly, and we've been enjoying it! Today we added a road out of

10 weeks, 6 days. Healthy fluid levels, 178 bpm heart rate, moving, kicking, wonderful. :)

Church was super great today. Several families brought fresh babies to introduce to everyone (and we got to visit a just-born baby in the hospital over the weekend!), AND we were told great news of a pregnancy that wasn't thought possible this week! Josh told the church (most already knew through FB...) about our current pregnancy (coming up on 10 weeks!), and we all corporately rejoiced at the flood of life and fertility that God has unleashed on our community! We certainly haven't forgotten about the losses we have sustained, and our hearts remember the ache of the little ones so many of us were asked to surrender. During one of the songs, the background behind the lyrics on the screen was a picture of a little girl praying. She looked 5-ish, had her hands folded and her eyes closed, and her brown hair surrounded her face. My heart went immediately to a certain little brown-haired girl growing up in the presence of her Creator. I remembered vividly the paradox of ache and pea