{ Looking Back at 2010 }

As this year of 2010 draws to a close, I am thinking back over the months. Tim and I have spent the past couple of days looking back over this year and talking about what we would like to do in this coming year. We are marveling at the growth that has taken place in us as we've faced some very challenging times, along with truly amazing experiences. It is absolutely amazing to realize all that has happened in a year.


Naturally the biggest event of all is the birth of Oliver and our entrance into parenthood. We also celebrated our first year of marriage. We traveled, visited and extended hospitality to many, many friends; collected wood for this winter and next; and insulated our home.

I am so grateful for the friends I have made this year. It was about a year ago now that I was invited to join a local mom's group. They were doing a marriage study at the time, so even though I wasn't a mom then, I fit in as a newlywed. Now because of Oliver, I get to stay! (They tell me they would have let me stay regardless.) I have grown closer to the women at our church as well. I so appreciate their wisdom as mothers.

The first part of this year I was struggling so much with living in a new town and felt lonely. I have learned so much about myself and seen God's provision as both Tim and I looked for ways for me to get established. Not all of our efforts were successful, but I probably learned the most from them.

In the spring we started hosting our "High Street Teas" on Sunday afternoons. It was the right time for us and we diligently sought God's will in it and felt His blessing on it. We had a lot of enthusiastic response to the idea, but hardly any attendees. I was frustrated, as I saw it as an effort to "show myself friendly". After several attempts, I began to feel I had "failed". I had to realize that God is pleased with my effort, and it is His responsibility to grant success. It meant a lot to me that I was able to host the Christmas Tea for the mom's group this Christmas.

Along with my struggle to settle in socially, this year has also been marked with financial struggles, but God's wisdom has brought us through. In truly amazing ways, He has met our needs, and provided us with the resources to experience some truly wonderful places.


In May we went on a "babymoon" to Victoria, B.C. I can't do this trip justice by a paragraph-long description, so I will just say it was amazing! Tim took me to a wonderful French restaurant for our anniversary in September. We had eaten at a french restaurant in Victoria and we were equally pleased with both. We have found a new love in french cuisine, as evidenced by the fact that Tim gave me Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I can't wait to put it to use!



At the close of 2010, I think about all the praying we have done, the petitions for help, for guidance, for thanksgiving, and one principle has rung true throughout this year: asking for wisdom. This verse came to my mind this evening, as I was thinking about this year, and it is what I want most to carry into 2011:

If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally
and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

{ Making Merry }

On Saturday we hosted our annual Christmas Open House. We had a small crowd this year, but we enjoyed being able to visit well with all of our guests.

It was a nice to have several of our neighbors in.

They were all so excited to meet their new neighbor! He was passed around to all the ladies and seemed to enjoy it. See the message on his sleeper from his Auntie B? "On Auntie's Nice List".

{Just have to show another one}

{ Snowman cake brought by one of our guests }

{Long Winter's Nap with Daddy, taking a break from wrapping presents}

{I know, I know! Another picture with Mommy!}

We wish you a MERRY Chirstmas

{ 2011 }

The discovery of this line of calendars and paper products this morning is making my heart sing!
Now how can I possibly choose?

{A Change in Plans}

This weekend was one of changing plans and just going with the flow. It was one of those times when the best laid plans were completely turned upside down, but in the end became a blessing. Tim regularly prays, at the beginning of our day, that God will place our steps. I learned this weekend that too often I live, believing God will direct, but "of course" He will fit it in with the plans we have made for the day. Silly... and presumptuous, I know!

Saturday evening we had a birthday party to go to, but the rest of the day we were spending accomplishing tasks. Tim was going to cut wood. I was going to bake. Somewhere in the preparations, Tim threw out his back. Terribly. He could only limp in to lie on the couch, grimacing in pain.

He called our chiropractor and was able to make an appointment for late afternoon. Our plans quickly transitioned to going to my parent's house, 45 min. away to wait for the appointment and try to get some Christmas shopping done. By the time we made it to the car, however, Tim could barely walk. By the time we made it to my parent's house, shopping was no longer an option. It was quite heart-wrenching to see him in so much pain. All we could do was count the minutes until his appointment.

The blessing of this forced relaxation was that we were able to just visit with my parents uninterrupted. We've wanted to do this for a long time, but it seems like we're always in the middle of a big project or have limited time. It was nice just to sit and visit and let them have Oliver time.

After the adjustment, Tim was only a little improved and the doctor recommended not driving all the way home. He wanted to see him again Sunday afternoon. How thankful we are for a doctor who will see him in an emergency on the weekend! Of course, my parents were elated to have Oliver overnight... and us too!

The only problem was, we weren't prepared for an overnight stay, so while the guys went to Costco, my mom and I drove back home to gather what we needed to stay over. It was just getting dark and by the time we made it up the grade, snow was beginning to fall, with slush accumulating on the roads. We got home, ran around like crazy gathering everything up, fed Oliver, and got back on the road. How thankful I was to have my mom along for company and moral support, especially when we encountered fog on top of winter conditions.

Tim felt a little better by the time we arrived back, so we decided to take advantage of Grandma and Grandpa's generosity and went out on a little date. We visited a new little wine bar downtown and enjoyed some live jazz. Afterward, we walked through the Christmas lights at the park. When we arrived back, we found Grandma and Oliver snuggled up on the couch (he had slept the whole time) and my dad making breakfast for the next morning. He had also made dinner earlier!

Next morning, I visited my old church, my parent's church now, and was blessed to introduce Oliver to all my friends there. My dad, the proud grandpa, held his grandson up for the congregation to see during the service. So sweet!

After the second adjustment that afternoon, Tim felt a lot better, though he is not all the way there yet. It turned out to be a good weekend. We headed home yesterday afternoon to prepare for the dinner party we hosted last evening for the OCF (Officer Christian Fellowship) cadets (and a girlfriend) . We had a great time. It was a blessing to provide them a family-style Christmas dinner. It was encouraging to realize that in spite of the discouraging state of our country at times, God is still calling very high-caliber, committed Christians to service in our military. It gives me hope.

{ The Christmas hat on the right was the best one I've ever seen... it did a song and dance! }

{We even had MacDonalds employees show up to carol for us. I think they were a little
intimidated by the amount of people that filed onto our porch!}

Although it's not the best of circumstances, Tim is taking today off. We are all so happy to be spending a quiet day at home together.

In the past couple of days Oliver has really started smiling! He doesn't do it all the time, but there are those precious moments when I can look into his beautiful, big eyes and see him smile up at me. This morning we had a very sweet rock and sing time. Being his mommy is just so wonderful! Of course, there are incredibly challenging times, when I feel overwhelmed, but those good times make up for it.

{ Going out for a drive to see Christmas lights a few nights ago. This suits
makes Tim think of the bunny suit in "A Christmas Story" }



{ Speaking of "A Christmas Story"! This lamp sits in all it's glory in our parlor }

Fudge and bon bon making was a huge success. The fudge took me no more than 5 min. from start to finish. To think of all the years I've gone without it! And the bon bons, oh my! Delicious!

{Christmas at Our House}

The hustle and bustle of the season is fully upon us. I am so thankful for a few quiet moments to reflect on what I am thankful for as Christmas approaches.

I am thankful for Christmas cards mailed

Peppermint Mochas... they could become a habit

My baby in my arms who brings Christmas so near

A Christmas party with my husband and the opportunity to dress up

My parents who watched Oliver for the evening

{Wonderful friends}

{Our pastor and his wife, our host and hostess}

{Their lovely home}

Saturday morning we headed out to find our Christmas tree. It was the most amazingly beautiful day with clear blue skies and glistening snow. We sang Christmas songs and dreamed about all the years to come as we build traditions and memories with our children. At some point on the drive up, Tim and I were talking about family traditional treats. My family always made cookies: Thumbprint, Russian Teacakes, and Candy Canes. Tim's family had fudge and bon bons. I've always wanted to make fudge. I never have. In the next couple of days I am going to attempt to make both.