Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Amelia was able to enjoy the holiday much more than last year and so did mommy and daddy! We started by celebrating in Virginia the weekend before Christmas and then headed to Georgia for 6 days where we managed to squeeze in visits with lots of family and friends plus Penelope's 1st birthday party! It was a whirlwind trip, but well worth it and as a bonus it snowed on Christmas for the first time in over 100 years!

Amelia at 16 months

I just read through my 14 month Amelia post and cannot belive how much she has changed in such a short time! For one, the crawling days are long behind us. She does not walk, but runs most places she wants to go! She is also verbalizing more and more. She can say mommy, daddy, apple, bath, bottle, cherrios, uh oh among other things. Those are by far the words we hear the most! ;) I am still amazed at her level of comprehension. I can communicate with her a good deal by asking questions and her responding with ah (yes) and a shake of the head. I love that I can ask her to go get her baby or another toy and she will do it. She still just loves her daddy and they have the best time playing ever evening and then during bath time. I love hearing them play as I clean up the kitchen each night. Nap time has really improved recently. After lunch I tell Amelia it is nap time and take her to her room where she will lay her head on my shoulder for a few minutes while I sing her a song and then lay her in her crib. She still cries some days, but most days she goes right to sleep or plays a little first.



Amelia has really made some progress with food as well. Some of her favorites are waffles, apples, carrots, vegetable soup and soy cheese. She does love to eat! I really enjoy this stage as she is so much more of a little person. I enjoy that we are able to communicate and play together.
These are fun days with my little girl!

The Fog is Lifting

The last 2 plus years have been hard. Now I know hard is relative to your circumstances, but I also know I have struggled much in this time. The reasons are various, but I am also learning alot the same. As I sat to write in my prayer journal today I realized I have had the same one for over 2 years with more than half the journal still empty. Not to say that I have not prayed, but the prayers have been short and desperate-mostly thrown at the sky in moments of distress. It has been a time of survival. Micah and I recently discussed our desire to LIVE in 2011. I have missed alot of life lately and I want to be purposeful in changing that. Over the last month I feel something stirring within me. I feel like God is opening my eyes to His word and truth in a new way. My (limited) understanding of Him and His ways are being transformed and I am encouraged. So much of my struggle (I think) has been grounded in incorrect expectations of God and how he would work in my life. I feel like God is giving me a new understanding of walking with him and the suffering that is inevitable. I have been listening to a series on YouTube by Francis Chan "Is Suffering Optional?" basically bringing to light what the bible says about the Christian life and suffering and it is resonating with me. I almost even hesitate to use the word "suffering" as I know my struggles have been so very small in comparison to others, but I cannot deny that these testings or trials (James 1:2-4) are being used in my life. I am seeing the importance of using this time to prepare and ground myself more for the challenges that are undoubtedly ahead. Not living in anxiety or worry about the future, but understanding the path I am called to. It seems strange that this acceptance of suffering has brought me more joy than concern! I pray that God will continue this work in my heart and mind.


1 Peter 1: 6-7
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.