Monday, December 29, 2008

Baby Fun





This little guy has been fighting quite the cold.  Many nights up and many hours praying for his health.  He's better now but there were moments when we wondered...






Fun Family...Fun Times!

We waited for the snow to melt and then it started raining and was supposed to rain for the next week or so.  Sunday afternoon was looking up so thought we would give taking a few photos a try.  I had a blast walking around with these people and hearing the conversations... the family dynamics are great and their love for each other and the Lord is very evident.  Thanks guys, I hope you enjoy them, if not I'd love to go out again.








Friday, December 12, 2008

Perfect Evening!!




WE had the most relaxing, put together, fun, and exciting evening the other night.  Nate came home from work not feeling too exhausted (seems like since the baby the evenings are us just being tired and making it through until the kids go to bed...).  Anyways, dinner was ready and I had spent the day making the house cleanER than usual, picked up, kids bathed, school accomplished that day, drawers organized, fire in the fireplace, and when Nate walked in the door it was 'quiet' (as possible with all of us wanting to talk at the same time)...  Things were peaceful.  

We then started a new game during dinner that has a two fold purpose.  One is to help us with our manners, and the other is to keep the noise and appearance of chaos down a bit.  IT WORKED LIKE A MIRACLE.  The children loved it, ate all their dinner, all had great attitudes and nothing got spilled.  

We started with three rules on the white board and we will add one each week.  Each one of us receives 5 pennies.  If you break one of the 'rules'/manners then the one that sees it happen gets one of your pennies.  However, they have to have their mouth empty to say anything and they are required to ask you sweetly, "Nate, I saw you chewing with your mouth open, may I Please have a penny?".

Nate and I picked the ones that 'bothered' us the 
most and we are working our way around Emily Posts 'book' of manners.  

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After dinner we cleaned up.  Because of the fun 'game' that Nate has started with them in the evenings they 'fight' over who gets to do the dishes and such.  It's just great.  Nate and I sat on the couch while the kids did the dishes cleaned and wiped the table, and started the dishwasher.  
We also have a tradition that my parents did with us all growing up and we are now passing along to our children and that is ADVENT.  They get to light the candles, blow them out, sing songs about the coming of Christ, and learn the meanings and scriptures of each candle and what it represents...  

It was then time for bed.  Nate and the TraeMan fell asleep on the couch and I made some coffee to make it smell fun in the house (we don't drink it:).   I grabbed a few shots of the boys and set up a Christmas movie then fell asleep by candle light with Christmas music.  
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I say all this not to just tell you about the Perfect Evening for our family.  I share this with you because all this could have been done and the PEACE would not have been there had Nate and I not been in fellowship with each other.  This last year we have learned some amazing things about communication.  A little more about listening, not just listening, but truly hearing what the other person has to say and caring about them and making that known to them....  

We have been inspired by many older couples that one is never too old to learn, to be a learner.  I hope we never stop growing, learning, loving...

When you first get married you think you know what love is, what love feels like.  When in all actuality we have not even touched the tip of the iceberg of love...True LOVE.  After 8 years of knowing someone, living every day (or most days:) with someone....  Lets just say we have married our best friend, both Nate and I feel that way and are so grateful to God...  however we know we are still learning to love each other daily.
Well, I lost my thought so I'll end now by saying We sure pray you ALL have a great holiday season, going over the reason for this time of year, this holiday, CHRISTmas...

Robyn

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Dizziness and Delight

This is what you get when the kids are moving, the camera is moving, you are moving and all trying to take a photo, and all is happening at the same speed as Darbi's face which is in focus, is sharp...   It sure makes me dizzy to look at and it's fun at the same time.



While out and about I felt like praising the Lord for His provision, His love, and His greatness.  Nate and I have been listening to a series of sermons by John Piper on 'the pleasures of God'.  Each one builds some on the other (and I'm listening to them out of order, oh well:).  The first one we listened too was about the pleasures of God in ALL that He does.  He delights in us, He delights in me.....  in me?  Yes, 
(Amazingly, I asked the kids to hold hands and show me what they thought it looked like to PRAISE GOD.  The above photo is what they came up with.  How precious...)

This sermon #1 we listened too just before the baby was born.  You know the thoughts that creep in that say, 'you are going to have to wait an extra 2 or more weeks for labor.  You're going to take forever to have this baby when it does happen.  And after all that there is going to be something wrong...'  However fleeting...  those thoughts are still there at times.  

God saw fit to show me of His delight in us, His creation out of the abundance of His fullness and complete fellowship with the Trinity.  

1.  The baby was 2 weeks early
2.  He was a boy (even though we knew that already)
3.  The labor was relaxing (for labor anyways)
4.  He was on the smaller side (under 7 lbs.)
5.  He was very healthy
6  He sleeps well and has his nights and days figured out at day one.
7.  My recovery went smooth and pretty quickly

And many more things that God has done for us just to show us (our family, Nate and I) how much He loves us and not only that, but how much He Delights in us.  He gave us sooooo many of the desires of our hearts, things I didn't even pray about or verbalize to anyone.  God knew and wanted to show me on a very practical (Robyn) level of His love for His people, His love for me, His love for family, His love....




Friday, December 5, 2008

Greetings


Yesterday afternoon was my first day 'out' since the baby was born.  My energy level has been down and frankly there has been enough to do inside the house that I haven't stepped out the doors much at all.  I/we have gone shopping (Costco) which was great fun.  We've been to a few peoples homes for different reasons...  But no playing outside with the kids, no blowing leaves, no jumping on the trampoline, no walks, NOthing outside here on the property at all.  

So, we threw on some scarves, bundled the baby up (as it was maybe 40 degrees outside) and we went for a quick walk, saw a few of the neighbors and just plain had fun looking at the dead salamander, tiny birds that don't fly south for the winter...

Then Nate took me (and Trae) on a date to do a little Christmas shopping, have a quiet dinner of nachos and a calazone, grab a coffee on the way home, then watch a movie too late into the night...  It was such a relaxing time AND we accomplished many things on our list for Christmas.  We just enjoyed each other and Trae was nice a quiet the entire time so we felt 'alone'.  

Because of the baby arriving and me not being up to doing a lot this holiday season yet, we have been at a slow pace.  I guess it's kept us focused on what is important this Christmas...  Christ.


Below is a traditional photo we get when Mom tries to take 6 kids out and make them all look at the camera, they aren't even required to smile, just LOOK AT THE CAMERA without moving.  So, here's to all of you, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!