These precious eyes….

…reason 6,492 why we love this little one so much.

The views from this ridge, that is.

Look what God did!

I just had to bundle up to go out and shoot some photos.

Even though it was only nine degrees.

I always feel like I am closer to God somehow in the quiet out there.

Been spending a lot of time reflecting on a sermon we listened to.

Did you know that 1 Chronicles starts out with a list of names?

Yah, I tend to skip over reading them too.

There are over 500 names listed, where God tells us almost nothing.

And then we get to 1 Chronicles 4:9.

Jabez.

Jabez stood apart, as more honorable than his brethren.

Why? Simply because he PRAYED.

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

I am here to tell you it works. Spending time with God works!

Just do it. Everyday. Just do it.

We are still praying and believing that our fingerprints have been accepted and our clearance is on its way in the mail! Please keep praying with us!

Been a tough day…..so I thought recording some blessings would be a good idea!

Late night games in a warm bed – I still didn’t win!

Bookshelves full of books and kiddos who love books.

Babysitting the grand pup. She loves to guard the farm!

A thumb. Make that two thumbs. Never has mattered which one.

The big red stoneware pot hard at work again.

Painting a snowy scene in the woods.

Pj’s that don’t have feet. Cause wearing boots is a 24 hour a day job.

The joy of filling these kiddos with nourishing delicious food!

Collecting things that Tate will need. While we wait, it helps me to do something for our little man.

The library. Makes teaching fun and free.

Treats in a mug. Just because.

The fire. Let me rephrase that. The working fire.

Second hand stores. Cause a certain sweet pea is busting out of the size 3T.

Ahh, those blessings! Still super easy to find!

I need to see my Mom soon, though. Soon.

And I miss my Dad.

Been a tough day, but it was still FULL of blessings.

This past week has brought a new normal.

We are on the other side of constant doctor appointments, surgery, hospital trips, healing, the holidays…..and we are learning how to cope with loss – which has not been easy.

Our days are full here at home though, and have a rhythm to them again that allows us to know what to expect next.

Which means school is moving along!

With a turn of my chair I go from the study of government, to multiplying with decimals, to learning about cranberry bogs, to playing with glue….

….and I am loving every single second!

We “rowed” the book Cranberry Thanksgiving – it is the cutest book! A little late for Thanksgiving, I know, but there were tons of ideas on line when I planned this back around Thanksgiving time.

Science is always fun when you mix acids and bases.

We also made silhouettes because one page in the book is done this way!

Now we are reading Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, so we made some bird seed doughnuts to hang in the trees outside.

During our Bible time, we have been listening to some powerful sermons! Love when the kiddos tell Blake all about them in the evenings!

Since Blake and I had to leave in the middle of the night for Milwaukee, some super sweet newlyweds and their dog spent the night here!

And then enjoyed some morning cuddles.

Jie Jie did a craft with Eliza and Lane while I was away…

During our Friday house cleaning, we knocked out another winter cleaning project! The boys’ room. Ok, then. Note to self: go upstairs and check on things more often…

Addie and I also have been looking for new food ideas. We made some grain-free pancakes with quinoa flour. Quinoa has a very distinct flavor, but everyone gave them a thumbs up!

They made a great photo opportunity too!

It seems in just the last two weeks this little one’s language has EXPLODED!!

It makes us laugh all day long!

Because she says things like : “No problem.” “Just a second!” “I’m Liza. It’s me!” “Sure!” and when we don’t understand what she is saying, she will say “Show you. Show you!”

She is also working hard at counting to ten.

I would say our new normal is way too much fun!! So many blessings!!