Cleaning House

This evening after dinner, I grabbed a paper towel because I needed to clean up a few drops of milk. I went to throw the paper towel away, and Miriam reached out because she wanted it. So, I gave it to her. What she did after that surprised both of us... she walked around the living room and kitchen and began "cleaning" everything. She cleaned the bench at the table, the living room chair, the walls, her truck, the floor, the fridge.... everything. It was so precious. She did it for at least 20 minutes! So, here is one minute of it when she was scrubbing her truck.

Christmas Decorating

Last weekend, we decided to put up our Christmas tree. Yes, it is still November. And yes, it is before Thanksgiving. However, we decided that since we will be out of town the next two weekends, we should put it up now. Okay, so I decided that. It's all right -Matt when right along with it! Anyway, I just wanted to come home from Thanksgiving at my parents' house to my Christmas decorations up and ready. So, out came the tree.

Putting up the tree this year was a bit more of a challenge than it has been in the past. Miriam was so fascinated by what was going on. She especially loved the lights... and even tried to plug them in when they weren't on because she knew that would light them up again (no worries... our outlets are covered and we were watching). Anyway, after finally getting the tree assembled and putting the lights on, we decided we needed to re-do the lights. To a toddler, lights on a Christmas tree automatically mean they should be pulled off to look at more closely. In other words, this resulted in our lights starting about 2 feet up on the tree. She still tries to yank at them every now and then, but it's a little more difficult. I decorated the tree yesterday during her nap... also making sure everything was about 2 feet up. So, our tree looks a little goofy this year because the bottom part is empty, but we still like it :) Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year, so why not enjoy it for a little longer?

Dance, dance, dance!

Miriam loves to dance... anytime there is music... and anywhere! Here she was dancing to some Christmas music (yes, I know it's before Thanksgiving), but it made me laugh. Plus, she also says her version of "please" in it. Enjoy!

Piggy Bank

Miriam got this piggy bank for her birthday but has just now figured out how to get the coins in the very little slot! She has fun playing with it. Sorry for the random last few seconds at the end :)

Anniversary!

Today Matt and I celebrate our 2nd anniversary... and what a wonderful two years it has been! We are thankful for God's continuous blessings and provisions as we continue to grow as a couple.

The Solid Rock

Just after 10:00 last night, I was lying in bed and listening to the election results on the radio. When the news broke that our President Elect was named, I felt like my heart stopped for a minute. I sat silently and a wave of fear swept over me. I had been preparing for that moment for a long time, but part of me still hoped and prayed it wouldn’t happen. But, come January 20^th, our country will have a new president… and it wasn’t the one I voted for. I didn’t vote for him for many reasons, especially because I feel like the right to life will be compromised. I spent many months fearing what direction America would go if our current President Elect was elected, and praying that God would have mercy on us.

However, this morning, I woke up with a sense of peace that I hadn’t felt before. It’s not a peace because I support what our new president stands for, but because our God is completely sovereign. He knew long before 10:00 last night who would govern our country pending the results of this long election. I cannot live in fear of our president and what could happen, but I need to live in fear of our God. Proverbs 2:1-5 says:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

Even though circumstances may change in our country, I still need to fear the Lord and Him only. I can rest that He is in control and pray that God will give our new president wisdom and direction as he leads America. As believers, we cannot stop praying. I pray that through this, God will bring revival to our nation. Let us continue to rest in His sovereignty.

An old hymn kept playing through my head this morning as I thought of our country and what we may face. It reminded me that our hope is in Christ alone, not in any person…

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before His throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand –all other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

One Handed

Built in with our other maternal instincts, I believe moms have the natural ability to do everything with one hand. I've begun to realize ever since Miriam was born. After awhile, I suddenly began cooking, cleaning, picking up toys, carrying a purse and diaper bag all with just one hand (and Miriam in the other, of course). Usually I'm reminded of this whenever Matt comes with somewhere and I can't figure out how I normally juggled everything without him. I guess I did it somehow. I think it hit me again this morning as I was cooking breakfast. I decided to make pancakes and eggs and, of course, Miriam wanted to see every step of the action. First, it started with pouring the pancakes on the griddle and flipping them one-handed. Then, I scrambled eggs one-handed. Then, I managed to set the table, get Miriam's plate ready, and carry all the food over with my solitary hand. Granted, I had to switch sides every now and then, but she was basically attached to me this entire time.

Our one-handedness.... one of many of those maternal instincts I'm thankful I learned I have.