A Year of Joys and Sorrows

Well it is almost 2009 and I really don't know where this year has gone. It has been a wonderful year with many changes that were both good and bad. I have been visiting many blogs tonight and looking into other people's lives. As I write this post I am reminded of a blog I read tonight and the writer asked what will you remember about this last year. I am sure most of you all know by now that we welcomed our first son into our family this year so I will have to say that is the event of 2008 that will be forever etched in my memory bank. It is a day I don't ever want to forget.
Other memories I have of this past year seem to be sad one's. For some reason we dealt with death a lot this year. My husband lost both of his grandparent's within a 6 month period. We rejoice for them as they are sitting with their Lord but we also miss them. I still remember sitting at the cemetery for Grandma's funeral. After everything was done and we were all leaving my mother- in -law looked at me and said, "Susan I am so glad you are hear to show us that a new life is coming to join our family." We at that moment both looked at my very round belly and I believe we both felt the peace and love of God. It is a moment I will never forget. The other memory that sticks out in my head is at Grandpa's funeral just a few months later the family all gathered around. I looked at everyone and saw things in a different light this time. Now I was holding my son and couldn't help but tear up as I watched my father -in-law and his mother stand arm in arm. I saw a glimpse of me and Levi some day. A mother, still after all those years comforting her son in a time of need. It was bitter sweet moment that I will never forget. And of course I have the many memories of our children laughing and crying and just being kids. God is so great to our family. It has been a great year and I look forward to this next year. I wonder what road God will lead us down in 2009!!!

The Aprons

Here is our little Levi!

I did it and I can't believe it. I had this wild idea last week that for Christmas I wanted to make my girls reversible aprons. To many of you who know how to sew you think this is really no big deal. Well for me it is huge this is my first sewing project ever. Well I did it I made six aprons in one week and I finished them before midnight on Christmas Eve. The girls loved them and were so excited. Some of the girls wore them all day today. The neat thing about this project is I really enjoyed making each apron. I did something special for each girl and I think I will continue sewing. It is relaxing and gives me a little hobby of my own.

Away in a Manger/Victory in Jesus

I thought I would share a little song that our 2 year old has started singing. We have been singing Christmas carols lately and she has one that she loves to sing. Away in A Manger this is her pick every time we ask her what she wants to sing.

Well this is how she sings it

Away in a Manger

My saviour forever

The Little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.

O.k. now that middle line goes to one of her favorite hymns that we sing, Victory in Jesus. We all laugh every time she does this and she gets so mad because she believes this is how the song goes. Well one day she will get it right, but then again she does have it right.

When God Speaks

When God speaks to us it is in many different ways. Sometimes it is through a message, or a song, or a persons circumstances, and sometimes it is very quiet and you really struggle to hear what He is telling you. I think that is because we are so busy he needs to tell us in many different ways. Well today he spoke to me about five different times about the same issue. The last time he shared this with me I finally heard it and got it. I am so thankful for such a patient and understanding God. I wonder if He is up there saying to Himself is she ever going to get it, or does He just smile and say, "Now she understands." It doesn't really matter what He says I just am so thankful that I have Him in my life to talk to me and help me through these trying times.

Our Sewing Experience

Well our sewing experience went well the other day. I have not had a chance to take a picture yet of the final product but it turned out to be really cute. I learned a lot from this dear woman and I have a few projects that I will be sewing for the girls for Christmas. I am going to be busy since we only have a week and a half. I am looking forward to doing more projects with the sewing machine. I will try to post pictures of the vest later today.

Sewing

I am so excited because there is this sweet lady in town who is teaching me how to sew. YEAH!!!! She is coming over this afternoon to help me make a vest for Levi. I have material leftover from last year when I had dresses and skirts made for all of us and now Levi will have a matching vest for Christmas. I will let you all know how it went and post some pictures of my first project. Wish me luck.

Future Mother of America

Yesterday afternoon we were all eating lunch and I had called for Creighton to come into the kitchen. I turned around and this is what I saw. My little 6 year old holding her brother in momma's sling and Levi was as happy as can be. You can see that he was sound asleep in sissy's arms. My first thought that came to my head was what a great little mother she will be someday. Thought I would share this little glimpse of our life with everyone. Let's all encourage our future mothers of America and lift all of our daughters up in prayer and encouragement when we see these moments.