First Snow

Even though it has snowed three times so far this winter, our first big snow storm arrived last night. The boys are always eager to shovel the porch, deck and sidewalks while I plow the driveway.

It's a lot of work for them but helps me quite a bit. They have fun too, though, especially when they pile enough snow up to build igloos and tunnels.

Of course, Belle, like most Labs, likes to play in the snow too.

J turns 9!

My oldest son, J, turned nine today! He had fun celebrating this weekend with some of his classmates and a neighbor at the Big Apple. Afterward, they ate pizza as well as cake and ice cream, played Wii and watched a movie at our house.

A New Year

As I sit here in a comfy chair, snug in a throw blanket with my laptop and a cup of hot tea with honey, close to midnight on New Year's Eve, I think back on 2010. For some, it was a year of gain, but, for others, it was a year of loss.

In thinking about the loss of my husband and best friend, my sons' father, leader of my marriage, parenting and home, provider of my family and, ultimately, my future, I hold close to my heart Isaiah 30:18 which is "Yes, the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion." This verse carries a lot of truth in my life, because, on this continuous road of unknowns, the Lord, out of his infinite love, so graciously and compassionately carries us through the trying times of our lives whether it's challenges in our relationship with our God, spouse, children, parents, in-laws, friends, stewardship of time and money, things that hold us in bondage to sin or even grief from loss.

While we're familiar with the challenges of this life, God is faithful to sustain and bless us along the way. So, regardless of what 2011 brings us, I trust His all-sufficient grace to carry us through it to find contentment and joy as we move forward in this journey on Earth.

Happy New Year, friends!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! God's gift is still the greatest which is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was born on this day many years ago. He came to Earth in the flesh of a baby, lived a sinless life for 33 years and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so we can have eternal life. God's great love for us through the gift of His only Son paved the way for us to be forgiven, reconciled and made righteous. What an incredible gift!

We enjoyed food, fellowship and fun with family and friends in Indiana today.

Christmas Cookies

 

We've been busy baking. We made the traditional Eloe cookies of chocolate towne, ginger, molasses sugar and sour cream sugar as well as oatmeal raisin and peanut butter. The boys' favorite kind, though, is roll-out sugar. They like to make cut-out cookies with cookie cutters and decorate them. It's been fun and the deep freeze is stocked!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm very excited to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my family and some of my in-laws.

According to the dictionary, thanksgiving in an act of giving thanks or an expression of gratitude especially to God. So aside from a day filled with family and food, I pray that hearts and homes are filled with thankfulness for His blessings.

Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5:18

A Getaway with Girlfriends

I had fun in Iowa this weekend catching up with longtime girlfriends. As a woman, we have a God-given longing for friendships with other women. For over 21 years, these women - who were once my high school classmates - have fulfilled this longing. These friendships, though we are all different, have been strong and rewarding even through our seasons of change. We know everything about each other and still love each other anyway. I'm very thankful for the blessing of these women in my life and the rare longevity of our friendship.

A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17

My 37th Birthday

Today was my 37th birthday. To celebrate, we went to Skeeter Barnes for supper. Afterward, we went home and enjoyed an ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery.