...

Just a pic of my friend's cute kiddos at the airport.  

So far my first attempt at winter sowing is going pretty good.  So, I thought I'd try starting some more seeds indoors.  Chad and Ethan built a table for me under the house to set my seed trays on and it has a light hanger on top.   I'm so excited to try it out.   Today we planted some peppers, tomatoes and some more broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.  It's so much cheaper to start from seed and I love that I can buy non-gmo,heirloom seeds.   It's been fun to do as a family.

This picture just makes me happy.   We were at the airport waiting for a 12 year old boy to finally have his dream of having a family fulfilled.   There was so much beauty...seeing God's handiwork on the outside and his love for his children on the inside. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day we started out with some gluten free pancakes...my attempt at heart-shaped...and turkey bacon.  Both of these were big treats because they are so expensive that we don't get them much anymore.  SO,I was so happy to see how excited the kids were.

Luke has been practicing being patient and flexible by having time set aside just to help Moses with something like a puzzle, blocks, lincoln logs, etc.  Luke usually can't handle this because he wants things perfect and he can't handle people messing up his stuff or interrupting what he's doing.  It's been so sweet to see how these two have bonded through this time and how it's really helping Luke.  

Ethan made some gluten free shortbread cookies!

I made some pretty healthy "fudge".  The only ingredients were peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, and cocoa!  It was so good!

Then, we headed to Cub Scouts.   The Tigers got to take a tour of a bank.  It was way more fun than I expected it to be.  The kids each got a dollar and a piggy bank.  They learned tons of cool facts about what is actually on a dollar bill.

I planned to go home and make Chad's favorite dinner, but, we didn't get out of scouts until way late after dealing with some issues...so...we grabbed some chick fil a and called it a night!

Lost in Translation

After almost a year, we still have everyday language barriers.   A question will be asked and you'll get a far off answer, or someone is told to do something and they do the opposite, etc.  Most of the time it's good for a much needed laugh.

Once someone told Christy she was adorable and she got mad and said, "I am not!".   

Well, at least every other day she asks how long until her birthday and tells us what she wants for her birthday.   Today she said it again and I did not feel like counting so I said, "Christy....your birthday is not for a long, long time, ok?".  She immediately starts jumping up and down and yelling that her birthday is "not for a long time"!   Poor thing.  WHen I cleared it up that I actually meant it will be a long time before her birthday, she was really disappointed.  

JOY?

Joy is something that I struggle with.  It's something I'm praying about and seeking God for.  I don't understand why it's a struggle for me.  I wonder if ...maybe...sometimes I just compare myself to others who have a different personality and think that there must be something wrong with me.  I don't know. I do know that lately my days seem to be slipping by too quickly.  There are moments I'm missing because my mind and heart are fixed on things that are ultimately unimportant.  Maybe joy isn't the FEELING I'm waiting for?  I look around me and I really am so thankful.  I don't deserve what I've been given.  Though I  mess up, really bad, most (every) days...I am so aware of the amazing grace being freely given to me.  There are days I feel lonely or unloved....but, then feel His arms around me.   I am uncertain about so many things in my life right now...but, I know who holds my future.   So, maybe I don't struggle with joy?  Maybe that is joy.