Oh how fast things can change...

It's kind of a bitter sweet thing... change. It's crazy too how fast things can change. Just this week, the baby (almost 13 mo) of our family decided to take her first steps! I cannot believe it. And although she hasn't "taken off" yet, I don't think it will be long... even more I hope it's not long before she decides it's the way to go. She is so strong willed so no form of encouragement will sway her from her lightening speed crawl until she decides it's time. How can she be walking... it feels like the baby stage is coming to a close. I will soon have to take the bottle away and then it seems like she will officially be a toddler. I honestly can't say I long for the baby stages but when they are over, it's still brings a sadness with the joy.

Also, this week, Hannah and Bekah (2 1/2 years old) decided it may be ok to use the potty. Yesterday in fact was a big break through; they decided they liked underwear! I thought at the beginning of the week it was a fluke, but as of last evening, I think it's worth working on. I would love to have 2 less children in diapers for many reasons. But this too would end a season and make them seem more like preschoolers. These are all things I'm proud of and thankful for but wondering too how this next stage will feel.
Jack too is growing up so much. As we all count, say the ABC's, learn letters and numbers I'm amazed and overwhelmed by the amount of things children learn in such a short period of time.
So things are changing fast but I hope all for the good...

She's back!

In Jack's words..."our Emily" is back. We are so blessed to have Emily (my husband's cousin) here again this summer. She lives with my in-laws along with her brother who is helping on the farm. She comes to our house twice a week to take care of the kids, help with chores and bring extra joy into our lives. She is so fun to have around. I feel like I will get to know her better and just enjoy her presence this summer as last summer Julia's was a newborn and I was consumed with her care.

We have already had some adventures... we went to our local county park yesterday and played, did some swinging and swimming but I forgot towels, lifejacket, etc. It was still fun especially for our first real summer day. It was high humidity and 90 degree temps so we played in water all day and cooked outside plus tried to stay hydrated.

They are a tough crowd but they had fun. We didn't get pics of the sprinkler or appliance moving for cleaning (long story with laughter) but they were great too. I plan to repaint my entry so we started with removing some uppercase living letters from the wall and Emily transferred them to a mirror so I can still use them in the redecorating process... this will be separate post.
Anyway... we are so glad to have Emily with us again this summer. I hope to document her stay better this time around.
Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July weekend! Enjoy.

It's time to detox!

I've been wanting to do a detox diet for a while. I remember once,about 10 year ago, a friend of mine at work did a detox diet and my interest was sparked. Now this many years and four children later, I felt the need to explore my options. I have felt, well, like I could die. I do not say this lightly. I truly, most days, did not feel good at all. I was tired from the moment I woke up until my head hit the pillow at night. I had no energy at all somedays and caring almost took too much out of me. I feel like I and those around me suffered. Now it seemed like I would have a few "good days" with bursts of energy when I would get some things done but those were getting farther and farther apart.

So I went to my chiropractor. Now this was a HUGE step for me. The Nutritional Response Testing that he does seemed like a hoax to me. But when all my labs were back and his guess to what was wrong and treatment was presented to me, I could not deny it's accuracy and validity. Long story short... low iron, low vit d, thyroid disfunction, low vit b and possible gluten intolerance. Other than the gluten intolerance, none of this surprised me (and I plan to expand this subject in a separate post). I cried when he said he thought he could help me! Many doctors have told me for year that there is nothing wrong! (and I always knew there was)

So fast forward... I accepted treatment. Some of these things have been life long and the rest were only adding to my overall poor health. I was ready. So on June 1st, 2011 I began a new journey. My first plan of action was the Standard Process Purification Program.
Let me just say, it was hard but so worth it. I think I would like to make it a once a year thing if we can handle the cost. So this was a three week program which toward the end of a found out that I was highly gluten intolerant... but I feel better. I'm not even sure what a 100% improvement looks like but I'm definitely a percentage closer! I hope to continue with this program which I will expand on later but my hope is that through documentation of this journey and other happenings in our lives, I will help someone.

God is my Portion

God is my Portion

Interestingly enough the verse this blog post is based on is the verse that keeps saturating my mind lately... I don't think it's by chance. It's the verse I want as my life verse, for at least this season of my life. It is the verse that I want to base this blog on.

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" Lamentations 3:21-24

Believe me, I need new mercies every morning! Praise the Lord that my Savior can provide that. I don't know where this blog will take me or anyone else but hopefully it can provide encouragement to me and others and most of all bring glory to God! I will end there for now as a 7 month old squirms on my lap, but I hope to return again more regularly with our life and my daily challenges, adventures and daily happenings of a family seeking to do the will of the Lord.

Goal... to make this a song in my children's hearts!

By the grace of God and a will to surrender.

Valley.

Why is it when I feel like I'm in a valley, I forget to look up to the mountains.  I love mountains but I've never thought about climbing them.  I'm in a valley right now and need to remember how beautiful the mountains are and how peaceful a valley can be.  This has been such a crazy summer and the fall as proven to be even more interesting.  

Julia is four months old now and I cannot believe how much she has grown and changed.  She's rolling over, making her baby sounds, playing in the exersaucer and being the happiest baby ever-one of the beautiful mountains that surround me.  My peaceful valley with her is that one year ago, I found out I was pregnant with her.  That was more than shocking to say the least but my life wouldn't 

be complete without her.

Jack is becoming a boy right before my eyes.  He is not my baby anymore... it's not just me and him.  I miss those days with sweet regret that I did not enjoy them more.  He's my first born and that is something special. He challenges me in good and bad ways (definitely a valley some days and not peaceful for the most part and there is something there that I need to make peace with) but he is such a good boy.  I love watching him with Julia-explaining everything to their just like Grandpa Clarence does for him-he loves her so much.  And reciting Bible verses and telling me he's ready to ask Jesus into his heart!  What a special day that was-another of the beautiful mountains around me- belief through the eyes of a child.

Hannah, Hannah, Hannah.  Well, she is my "why do you have to remind me of myself" child.  She is dramatic..  I think it could be channeled in the right ways but I haven't figured that out yet.  She love clothes and all things in excess but you have to love her spirit.  Listening to her sing "Jesus Loves Me" is wonderful and she will keep everyone on their toes.  She is a great part of my life landscape.

Bekah- she is a trooper.  She and I definitely fell into a valley 3 weeks ago when I fell down the stairs with her and she broke her leg.  She did fuss right away but after that she has barely voiced a complaint.  She has made do with the circumstances put before her.  And she likes to make me laugh... especially when I don't want to... this makes her dad laugh all the more.  She has a strong spirit.

So I'm sitting here in the mist of this valley where harvest was long, Bekah broke her leg, Ava didn't get pregnant, all four children have had or do have hand, foot and mouth and there are other challenges too but realizing God is with us in the valleys and surrounds us with beautiful mountains that we can choose to enjoy.  And that is what I need to do...  Jay is done with harvest and I get to enjoy having him around again.  Bekah's leg is healing and should get her cast off on Wednesday.  Hannah and Bekah are seemingly better and I have family around to help with all challenges and I don't have to do it alone.  I have a great Bible study going that I am learning so much from and I'm not going to let the evil one steal my joy.  "This is the day that the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it."  O how I want that to be the song in my heart.  

So that's it.  It probably makes no sense to anyone but I wanted to write.  Let me know about your mountains and valleys.

The pictures are from last weekend's fun... the kids don't look at the camera anymore so this is what we call family pictures... it's who we are.  Good night all.

Feeling like a true fall weekend.

This is Julia on Labor Day weekend.  We had so much fun in Fargo.  We stopped off for a visit at the RMCC first to see the girls I used to work with & show off Julia.  We were able to stay at my friend Alesha's house which was such a blessing.  The kids had room to run and play.  We had a yard, playground and our own rooms; it made the weekend so much more enjoyable.  My brother and sister-in-law stayed at a hotel so we also had access to a pool.  With good food, shopping, playing outdoors, family and friends; it was a good time had by all.  FYI:  miniature golf + 4 kids 3 and younger = hazards (we had fun anyway!).

Then this past weekend was filled with family togetherness and fun.  Jay, Jack and I were able to get away to Grand Forks Friday afternoon.  Saturday we went to the Newfest parade, took naps and then returned to Newfest for the Woodpicks concert where the kids got to play and dance on the street to the music with friends from church.  It was nice time together and with friends.  Sunday we tried out Sunday school and I think it will work.  The girls do so well in the nursery and Jack is familiar with the other kids from children's church.  We got more naps in and then Jay and Jack went on the their first coyote hunt and were successful; Jack was so excited.  It feels so good to be enjoy time together as a family of six!