God's good gifts...showing up in a wedding

more pics on facebook

On January 2nd, one of my best friends was married. Jolene and I met in 9th grade when I moved to Wisconsin. We always laugh because we were going to the same church and each Sunday her mom would make her come talk to me because I was the “new girl”. She would ask me the same questions every time, and I would give the same answers. Finally we went on a youth activity together and had a sleepover and the rest is history. We were able to be friends throughout high school and college and have continued a close relationship even though we live thousands of miles away from each other. Jolene is one of those friends that whether you talk every week or have to catch up after months...it’s always the same. She has been a constant spiritual encouragement to me and an example of a single person who constantly seeks to have her satisfaction in Christ instead of living a discontented life wishing for something that is not part of God’s plan. I have prayed often for her to find a wonderful man because I am so happily married to Rob and wished for her to have the same joy. In April, she met Jesse Hiltz online....I know...it sounds a little scary...but it is amazing the means God uses to bring two people together. They totally hit it off and were engaged in October. Then I received a phone call....January 2nd...wow...I hadn’t planned on a trip to Canada that soon, but I was so excited that the Lord was leading them together and they would not have to wait through a long engagement. The wedding was incredible - so perfect - and Jolene was a beautiful bride! I was so thankful to meet Jesse and see all the wonderful things in person that Jolene had been telling me. He really treats her like a queen and I couldn’t be happier for them. I know he will lead her in her walk with God and am so thankful to see God answer this long-time prayer request. He is always good and would have been good if her never brought Jesse along. But how sweet to see Him rejoice over His children and give them such wonderful gifts to enjoy.

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

Christmas time is always a blast...here are a few reasons why...

Family!...Nana is loving being with her Brynnie

awesome food

of course...presents!! Rob surprised me with a Yamaha keyboard!!!

decor...I love free tree cuttings!

my recent flea market find

a real tree

my sweet baby girl

our first time picking a tree together

and cousins...lovin' life together

These times are so sweet, and I thank the Lord for making them possible and that I can enjoy all these things the most because I realize they are from His hand. His goodness amazes me all the time. I hope you have enjoyed the season and are looking forward to 2010!

Funsies

Puzzle Time

Aran...playing her violin

The gingerbread house tradition

Crazy Nelson

Ready to Eat

Olive

You know what this is :)

Philly Dilly...all worn out

Brynnie hangin' with Nelson

The Faces I Love

Ready for a run with mom and dad

Making a funny new little noise

Talking...a lot

Hanging out in a bumbo (thanks Jess for letting me use it!)

Chewing on her fingers (or anything she can get in her mouth)

Brynne is 5 months old this coming weekend! I can't believe it. I'm thankful for so many things at Thanksgiving. This year I get to add my sweet daughter to that list.

A Poem and Five Years

Recently, Rob and I decided to go through our “notes and cards to each other since we got together” boxes. It was so fun to read the things we were saying to each other a little over 5 years ago when we first decided we “liked” each other and to see how our relationship has grown and changed since then. Thanksgiving will mark the five-year anniversary since we got engaged...so I thought I would post a poem Rob put in a card to me our first Valentine’s Day together. I loved reading it again...

You Are Poetry

You come outside

To view the faint sunset

Light bewildered by trees

Shines through quietly

You glide your soft auburn hair

Perched behind your ear

And in this moment I feel at home

Beneath the interior

You are my humble abode,

Your company is soothing

Calming and reassuring

Inside, the wind chimes ring

You saunter and my heart sings

Bit by bit I begin to recognize

The enchanting glow in your subtle eyes

Hidden in all abstract paintings

It’s you, what all artists see

You are poetry.

These years have been beyond wonderful, and I wanted to end by saying to Rob - I love you and you mean the world to me. I loved this quote from This Momentary Marriage by John Piper (which I highly recommend): “Very soon the shadow will give way to Reality. The partial will pass into the Perfect. The foretaste will lead to the Banquet. The troubled path will end in Paradise. A hundred candle-lit evenings will come to their consummation in the marriage supper of the Lamb. And this momentary marriage will be swallowed up by Life. Christ will be all and in all. And the purpose of marriage will be complete.” He makes the point in the book that marriage is the picture of Christ and the church and the way He keeps His covenant with His bride the church, is the way we should keep our covenant in our marriage here on earth. So the “shadow” is our marriage now and we will experience life fully when we reach heaven. I love that picture. Thank you for sharing this role with me, Rob!

So Far in Oregon...

The sweetest boy ever...

A great lunch at Bread and Ocean on the Coast...

Graeme and Brynne meet...true love forever...

Enjoyin' life...

Fun times with my Brynnie...

Great food and chillin' times with my friend...


Beautiful fall sights...

I love it!

A Wonderful visit with Brynne's "Tata"

Rob's mom is a missionary in Uganda, East Africa and so we were overjoyed that she was able to come back for a visit and meet Brynnie. We call her "Tata" because that's the name for grandma in Africa. We had such a sweet time together. Above are pictures of her with her two sisters. We were able to meet up in Williamsburg at Pierce's Pitt Barbeque (which is awesome, btw).

We were able to take a trip out to the Oceanfront with Rob's mom before we left. They had their sand-sculpture contest, which I think is so incredible. We also ate at Waterman's - our favorite beach restaurant!

"Tata" lovin' on Brynne.

We are so thankful for a great visit and for such a wonderful mom that is willing to serve Christ where she has been called!

Are You Serious?

Okay - I hope I don't step on anybody's toes with this one - but check out this Halloween Candy I found at Walmart. It says "gummy candy foot with crunchy candy bones". Does this appeal to anyone? Especially with the blood spots, and I don't even want to know what that white part is. I think I'll just stick with good old chocolate or candy corn!

Brynne's first toy (and a Cade update)

We are so thankful - yesterday was Cade's best day in weeks. It turned out that she does have whooping cough, but is making some progress at recovery. We appreciate your prayers. Jennie has basically been quarantined in the hospital room with her - so it takes a lot of patience, but she has a great attitude!

The prize goes to Aunt Gayle for getting Brynne her first toy (that she took interest in) - we call it Spike - can you imagine why? She loves to suck or chew on its little antennae :)