3 years old.

Emma girl turned 3 yesterday. Sometimes its hard to believe, and sometimes I think she has been more 3 than 2 for a while. She is such a girl, just growing and learning more everyday! I was trying to think of some new things she is doing - talks all the time! She loves making up stories and having stories told to her. She can tell a really interesting story too, she's got her letters down and we are working on the numbers. The other day she successfully counted her crayons to 18 before going to "wamteem, emmateem, hallieteem" and continued on making up numbers with all her friends and laughing at herself. She is loving her dance class, she sings the songs all the time and is so focused during class. She has such a tender heart and has a hard time understanding when people tell her "no" or do not share, etc. We have had great teaching times working on her actions and not worrying about what other people do, but its what Emma does that matters. She has an amazing memory and I can't wait to really hone in on that with teaching Bible verses, its incredible the books that she will "read" perfectly from memory. She would wear a dress and play in the dirt everyday if we let her, and I love that! She still takes about a 2 hr+ nap everyday, she is like her mom- we need our beauty rest and apparently she wants a bison for a pet (you can tell we live in the country). She definitely knows what she wants and can understand so much around her, even adult conversations, that it can make parenting a constant fun challenge but we would not change her for anyone else! So good for me to write these things down before we forget what are little 3 year old is like, what a blessing she is!

And two pictures to show what a different a year can make:

2 years old

3 years old

Remembering His blessings

It is so hard to believe that it has been 6 months since we came to Deer Creek.

6 months ago we moved into here

and 6 months ago we learned about saying "Yes" to God, and "No" to many of our desires and longings. What a ride it has been! Sometimes it is unreal to me that we can be only 2 hours away from where we were yet life has changed dramatically. I will admit - more days than I would care to admit it have been hard and frustrating for me. I have spent many days not appreciating the place we have been given, but ready to have a house. But then when we take the time to step back and look at what God has done it is so so good.

What a provider! We have been given a safe place, rent free while we build our home. The ability to be here at camp has been so beneficial for Emma and I because we have gotten to know camp. This is our home, I can tell you where they keep the eggs, extra toilet paper, and Emma knows exactly where to get food to feed all the animals! It is such a blessing and so often I do not see it. As I was going back through a journal I found times when Matt and I prayed so specifically for this opportunity to be here - and here we are. God knew what He was doing - He still does!

Ps. 145.7 says "I will celebrate your abundance goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

I want to remember His goodness so that when I have a day that I am not thankful I can look back and remember. So that when I am complaining about a small place I can see His hand on it. So that I can look at other things that are more important. God is good - and we will live here longer - and are so grateful for it!

House Update

Well - the house is moving right along! We went by today to take time and walk around, take some pictures, and wrote on the studs of the walls. So fun building a house, already such special memories being made there!

Front of the house

Emma having fun

Back - love our porch!

Wrote the lyrics to one of our favorite songs, Invade all through out the house

Emma wanted to write her name and baby on the room across from hers :)

We wrote verses all around the house - love this!

Saturday hike

This past weekend Matt had the weekend off so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and get outside. Here are a few pics from our hike.

Another Year

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone so quickly. I would never have imagined our life to look so different in one year. 2011 definitely had its share of challenges, struggles, tears, loneliness and adjustments. I will admit that I am glad it is gone - but I am also grateful for what the year taught us as a family. Through unwelcome circumstances we grew closer as a family, we grew closer to our Mighty God, I saw His hand work through tough situations, I have learned that I must rely on Him to be my ALL - not just some. I have learned that we can live on little and we have seen Emma adjust far better than I could have imagined, and thrived through it all. And we have seen that God is faithful, even though most prayers have not been answered, He is still faithful. Today I can across this verse:

Ps. 40.3

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him."

May that ring true in our lives. I am thankful for a tough year. Thankful that we can come out on the other side and still say God is GOOD!!

Looking ahead at 2012 I know their will be struggles - but there are two things that, Lord willing, look very promising:

Baby Waller!!

A HOUSE!!!

Christmas 2011

We had a great long Christmas this year! Emma and I were at my parents house for about 2 weeks and Matt got to join for over a week as well! We were able to see his parents and grandparents, which was such a special treat, and spend a long time with my family.

Is. 9.6 - "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is give, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

This verse stood true so many Christmas' ago and rang true this Christmas as well. This year He orchestrated so many details for my whole family to be together. It was a cherished time of playing and laughing, quality long night talks, worshiping together, and being thankful. What a precious family He has granted me with - I could not be more grateful.