life

Quick update here since it's been over a month since i have posted anything...
Enoch is officially potty trained we are done with diapers...
In end of July/beginning of August we are planning a trip out to MN (with a stop in ND)...
Judah is officially done with school for the summer (Josiah unfortunately is not done until June 22nd)...
God is Good and I am excited for some areas of growth and refining in my walk that has been happening lately.
We've been getting connected to the peoples at the Wallingford Church plant we are attending now. Very happy and over all I am excited for what this summer holds for us and that is all for now!

Enoch

So I've finally "seriously" started potty training Enoch. Once i actually just started doing it, putting him in underwear and all that, it all started coming back the things i did with the other two to potty train them. Something weird and I don't quite understand ( but I do remember similar behavior with Josiah) is this irrational "fear" or resistance to pooping on the toilet. So he didn't go yesterday and i knew he needed to today so all day i've tried to get him to go on the toilet...(peeing we've got down it's just the #2 that's a big issue) and i needed to go to the grocery store so I figure he's done pretty well staying dry all day so he'll be fine for a quick trip to the store, well i am sure you can guess what happened! Right in the middle of or trip, he's in the back of the cart (mind you no pull-ups just underwear) he does it in his pants, and not just pee but he finally poops. Ughhhhh! Luckily, thankfully! We were in the front of the store and today i had gotten a parking spot also right in the front of the store so it was just a quick run out to the van to change him into a diaper and clean pants...yuck! I will be thankful when the potty training is over.

Grace's funeral

Today was Grace's Funeral. The service was very good, grief expressed but lots and lots of hope given! I am glad I went, we got there in time to view her body before the service started, but we didn't stay for the reception. (I wasn't quite feeling up to dealing with slightly grumpy children in a very large crowd with lots of others kids who are given free reign to run around wildly tempting my children to behave in similar manner thus causing even more grumpiness because i won't let them, all on my own.)

Update on Grace

Just a little update on Grace Janda for anywho is wondering...
given their options and after much praying the family has decided to take her home on hospice care. They decided against doing any more surgeries or Chemo Treatments but just to allow her to be at home surrounded by her family. She went home today, she can not speak anymore and only has the function of one arm and hand. Hopefully sometime this week the kids and I are going to go and visit her.
Still fervently praying for God to do a miracle and heal her. But also praying for the Lord's will and timing if His will be for Grace to go home with him. And pray for the family, Tony (dad), Candy (mom), Matthew (oldest brother), Laura, Ruth, Ann, and Beth (sisters).
I am reminded of the scripture that says he does not allow temptation above what we can bear but in everything gives us a way to bear up under it also of Job, and that this family is treasured and valued in God's sight...he saw fit to allow this to happen definitely not his desire to see Grace or the family in pain but he also knew that this is something they would be able to stand up under.

Grace Janda

The weather outside is gray and gloomy, its raining and cold, yet even in that there is beauty. I just watched as about 25 or more Blue Heron's flew over our apt. going from the Locks to their nesting grounds just a little ways behind our apt.

My heart is aching. On Wednesday 3/24 the Janda family found out that their youngest daughter, Grace, who just turned 5 in November, has a brain tumor. Since Wednesday she has gone from bad to worse and today. The Janda's were told Grace doesn't have long to live. A biopsy was scheduled for today but because she is in so much pain and her heart rate keeps dropping even as low as 53 bpm they are going to wait and see if she makes it to Wednesday 3/31 to do it. We are praying for God to heal her. Grace is one of the first friends Jaelle made at chruch when we moved out here to WA. and we quickly became friends with their family. Ruth the middle daugher (2 out of 5 girls plus 1 brother who is the oldest) is who we have become the closest with she has babysat our kids, played with us, hung out to have dinner with and Grace has often been along with Ruth playing with Josiah and Jaelle. She is so vibrant and cheerful we love her and grieve over the suffering she is going through right now.

Lord, Jesus please put your cool hand of comfort on Grace, help her to be brave and strong. Help her family to draw there strength from your arms and bring them comfort like no one else can. You watched as your one and only son died for us, you know and understand the pain that Tony and Candy are going through watching Grace struggle for her life. Give them the comfort you know they need. Thank you Father for hearing our prayers. AMEN!

'Tis a good Sunday!!

'Tis a good Sunday!
Judah has the whole week off of work and school.
So we decided to check out a new church today. We've had a hard time really getting plugged into City Calvary partially because of the distance and partially from lack of opportunities to fellowship. So a few months back we heard that the "Big" Calvary (also known as Wayne Taylor's church or Calvary Chapel Fellowship) was starting a service/church plant in Wallingford (which is a suburb of Seattle, also only about 15 minutes from us) at the time we were still trying to get plugged into City Calvary so we didn't look into it but today we went to it. And ahh it was like home ;-) So it's still in the beginning, not set in stone and in the processes of changing as it grow. They are meeting in a high school and everyone in leadership so far is coming in from Mountlake Terrace (where Calvary Fellowship is) so they have rotating worship teams that come down and right now Wayne Taylor drives down between services at Calvary Fellowship to teach at the service here and sometimes they will have other pastors come down at teach like this week it was Calvary Fellowship's youth pastor that came and taught.
Anyway, the kids really liked going to it Jaelle even asked if we could go back again plus they didn't miss going to the other church. We got some good fellowship in meeting new people and we even went out to lunch with a couple of people from the church.
It was good, good to have fellowship. :-)
So Judah and I both feel this is where we should be right now!
And I am excited to see what the Lord does with us here!
Although I do have a twinge in the back of my mind with what other people will think of us (regarding leaving City Calvary to go to the Wallingford church plant) but i know that is just fleshy feelings.

Well, my computer is about to die so that's all i shall write for now.

:-)

Today is a new day...the kids are all coughing, i am tired from staying up too late and Jaelle waking up numerous times last night (freaking out) because she was all congested and couldn't breath out of her nose and suck her thumb. Ugh...i didn't have much patience or compassion on her last night but hopefully today shall be better. I am have much cleaning to do so off i go!

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:1-2

Worship

Enter the Worship Circle is my reset button!

I go months and months without touching my guitar or have any moments where i tune everything out around me except the music, the words of praise and worship and Jesus' feet. Where i never walk around with a song of worship constantly on my tongue.

And then the dryness of my spirit sends me searching for fresh cold spring water.
Then I find it! And my spirit it is refreshed.

Many men will drink the rain, and turn to thank the clouds
Many men will hear You speak, but they will never turn around
Many men will pour their gold, and serve a thing that shines
Many men will read Your words, but they will never change their minds

But I will not forget You... are my God, my King
Witha a thankful heart I... bring my offering
And my sacrifice is... not what You can give
But what I alone can... give to You

A grateful heart I give, A thankful prayer I pray,
A wild dance I dance before you
A loud song I sing, A huge bell I ring,
A life of praise I live before You.

Well, I guess a blog is yet again a little over due :-)


It's been a good two weeks although it seems like it's been more like three or four. February has flown by.
Right after Valentine's Judah and I went up to a bed and breakfast near Leavenworth, WA. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing but it all fell together rather nicely with Nate and Marielle watching the kids and being able to go when Judah didn't have work or school. Leavenworth is in the Wenatchee National Forest. Beautiful area it was our first time there but it greatly reminded me of Ellensburg, WA (which if you ever drive 90 from the midwest to seattle you will drive through.) which for me made it seem like i'd been there before. It's a little Bavarian town. Mountains, rivers and forests and it was a perfectly cool but sunshiny day there still was a little bit of snow around and not to rub it in but it was the first snow we had seen or been in all winter! (and it was the spring leftover sludgy brown snow that has been trying to melt for a month) Seattle did not get any snow this winter (YES!!)

After that I've just been trying to get back into the swing of things, housework, kids (josiah had had that whole week of school off for president's day/midwinter break) and exercise. I had been doing well with exercise the two weeks before that but then i allowed our distruption of routine to be my excuse for laziness and it's taking me a whole week to get back into doing an hour everyday. :-P

It's getting very near that time of the month and about every other cycle, I get all emotional about my unpregnant state...and I am sure it's a combination of things like the reminder that i am not pregnant again because "it" is here and i haven't lost those last 20 lbs per (Judah and my agreement about when we would try for one more baby) and just being a little unbalanced hormonally. There seems to be one night we have the same discussion/argument about what we agreed on, which consists of me trying to get out of it or complaining about how hard it is to lose that weight or stick with exercising consistently enough for the weight to drop quickly and I never win the argument although Judah is very gracious and he almost compromised on our agreement but i didn't let him although i really really wanted him too. Ughh...it's annoying. I know I can do it but i really have to just suck it up, no more excuses, and quit stopping for weeks on end. So tonight will be day 4 of hour long workout. My goal this week is too do it for 7 days.

Last thing of note Judah let me go and color and cut (more like just a trim though) my hair. I was going to go blond all over but because of the previous dark brown in my hair, which was over a year ago. They didn't want to do it so offered to do a foil instead so it's not as light as i had wanted to go but it turned out really nice still. I like it a lot (you can kinda of see it in the picture at the top) and that's it for now i am getting sleepy.

Ah, another sunday home...

Well, today is almost over and yet i have much to do...we stayed home from church this morning. Judah came home feeling flu-ish and immediately went to bed. So i got up with the kids, intending on going to church but decided not to because Enoch was still coughing and i couldn't put him in class and Jaelle a little bit too so i would end up just sitting downstairs at church watching the service on a little tv with a crabby kid. So we watched CC Costa Mesa's service live online (i made the kids sit still next to me on the couch and watch it) it was neat seeing Chuck Smith live he did the responsive scripture reading and a few announcements then Brian Broderson did the message. The kids then watched a movie while i did some cleaning and made lunch. So that was our morning. We also went and did some shopping i had to go to the grocery store and i also wanted to get some stuff together for a house warming gift for our new friends that just moved into there house this week!

On a side note(for you Beth, :P), i've been watching some anime again (it's been a while) I found a super good deal on a complete set of Trigun

and just got it in the mail a few days ago and
I've been finishing up Saiunkoku Monogatari Season 2

they took it off the internet a few years ago and we never finished watching it and just the other day i found a site that has the complete season on it (at least i believe it is the whole season) so I've really been enjoying it! And the last show i've been trying to finish is The Last Exile.






























So that's all again for now!

Well, I intended to write on here sooner then this but as you can see i didn't. It seems like it's been a very busy three weeks. It hasn't been that busy for me but being mommy and wife as made it busy.

I've tried to get back into exercising more seriously trying something a little different this time, extra motivation! Rewards at the end of a successful week of exercise but only doing it for 7 days at a time I am aiming for doing a 50 minute hard workout for 7 days in a row, or 6 days if for one of them i do at least 20 minutes more on the eliptical or something like that. So far it's working...I did 6 days in a row but then got sick. I missed a day then did a day and now i've missed two days but plan on starting on a new 7 days tonight.

We've all been sick except for Judah so far, a very weird cold/flu this time around. First Josiah got it, then I got it, then Enoch and then Jaelle none of us at the same time which made it seem longer then it was.

Judah got Lasik on Thursday, which went very well and he has recovered from mostly already.

However with everything going on I've missed going to the women's bible study (which is only once every two weeks anyways) and going to lifegroup (our church's version of home fellowship)
so it seems aside from Judah and seeing a few of the moms of kids in Josiah's class when i pick him up in the afternoons i've been pretty isolated. I must say i do miss being connected a little more to a church body then we are now. Anyway, not complaining but that's been my life of late.

Til next time then!

silly paranoid house wife??

Well, I haven't blogged in a while life has been full! So tonight seems like a good night to start writing again. I feel silly yet would rather err on the side of caution then have something happen which i could have helped prevent.

So i was sitting in my living room watching a movie, the kids are all sleeping, the house is quiet and Judah is at work when i start getting this strong smell of smoke. So i jumped up thinking oh no maybe i left something on the stove or i had left some fake flowers touching one of those desk lamps in the kids bedroom maybe it got to hot and is smoking. But after a quick walk around the apartment i knew it wasn't coming from anywhere in here. I then called judah, called the manager (who didn't anwser) and then called the fire department. Then I called the manager again just to tell him that the fire department was sending some guys out to check it out.

Well, three firemen and the manager walked around my (partially cleaned) apartment. Saying it smelled like food, maybe it was coming from upstairs. I felt silly mostly cause by the time they got here it didn't smell that strong anymore and the haze was mostly gone so i felt like i called them for nothing.

Ah well, better safe then sorry and thankfully the kids slept through it all I love how sound sleepers they are!

Well goodnight for now!