Thankful Thursday: Memories

I stumbled across this post the other day.  A group of photos I had originally intended for some witty, slightly sarcastic post about my children.  But I never published it. 

It has sat in my dashboard since last summer.  I thought about deleting it a million times, but never actually got around to it.  I am so thankful now that I never did.

I see our littlest princess, exploring the wonderous garden of dear family friends. 

I see our biggest princess, so willing to flash her beautiful smile.

Wasn't it just yesterday that we took this photo of her in that very spot?

The plants were as tiny as the child back then.  I still see her as a toddler.

 And now both flowers and child are growing like weeds. 

I am thankful for lazy afternoons.

And my three precious girls.

And the unexpected gift of precious memories wrapped up in a long-forgotten post.

Madi the Rock Star

I am so thankful for this crazy little nutball.

For her completely and totally original sense of fashion.

For her boundless energy.

For the way she snuggles and dozes off while we are reading bedtime stories.

For the way she is both little-sister-the-pest and big-sister-the-protector.

For her fearlessness.

For the joy she brings to my heart.

Madi Unplugged from Tiffany Bleger on Vimeo.

And for the way she keeps me humble by faking confusion for the video camera when she was totally rocking out not 30 seconds before. 

That's my girl.

Thankful Thursday: The Snow Edition

The past 36 hours have brought almost a foot of snow to our little neck of the woods, with another 6-12 inches predicted for tonight.  Snow is expected when you live in Colorado, but the first major storm always makes life, well, interesting.  With that in mind...

I am thankful for the snow

because God knew we needed the moisture.

I am thankful for the snow

because it makes even the weird tree at work look cool.

I am thankful for the snow

because, even though Jerome's car is old, and well-loved, it is a rock star on the roadways.

I am thankful for the snow

because it makes you slow down, stay at home, and snuggle with your babies.

I am thankful for the snow

and for my dad and his gigantic, monster plow truck.

I am thankful for the snow

and the way it slides so easily off the metal roof, and for snow shovels to clear the walks.  And for icicles.

I am thankful for the snow

that gives me a valid excuse to stay home for New Year's, instead of bundling up my children and dragging them downtown in negative degree temperatures after bedtime to watch our city drop a giant fake snowflake from the roof of a building (and pay $5 per person just to enter the warming tent.  Seriously, people?!?!). 

I am thankful for the snow, and the way it makes even a simple trip to the grocery store seem like an adventure (or an actual adventure, depending on how the other people are driving in the parking lot).

I am thankful for the snow, and the way it glistens like glitter in the glow of a porch light at night (have to be thankful for something when you've been shoveling for two hours).

I am thankful for the snow, and the ability to build snowmen and snow forts and snow angels with my girls tomorrow.

I am thankful for the snow blower Father Mike & his beautiful wife gave us before he passed away.  I will remember him with gratitude every time I fire it up. 

I am thankful for an extra day off tomorrow, so I can enjoy the snow.

Please remind me of this post in January when I am whining about the snow.

Thankful Thursday: Veteran's Day

Image Courtesy Google

Today is Veteran's Day.

The day we honor those who have fought bravely to protect our country's freedoms.

Men like my buddy M.  He served his country honorably, and now teaches people to protect themselves. 

Men like my dad, who didn't ask to fight, but did anyways because it was the honorable thing to do.  And has faced the memories every day since.

Men, like my friend T, who is currently d*ployed somewhere in the world, performing tasks you and I will never know about in conditions we would not wish on anyone. 

Men like Billy.  Billy was always the big brother of my friend Michelle.  Billy enlisted to serve his country.  Billy graduated from Blackhawk training in August, and was so excited to fly his first mission.  But, then they discovered cancer.  In his stomach.  And now Billy is in the fight of his life. 

To the men and women of our armed forces:

Thank you.  Thank you for choosing to fight for our country.  Thank you for willingly putting yourself in danger, to keep my family out of it.  Thank you for missing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, life, so that my family may enjoy ours without fear. 

Thank you.

Thankful

Ever since I started this blog, Thankful Thursdays have been a regular post.  It forces me to take the time to really look at my life and find those things to be grateful for.  It is so easy to get bogged down, overwhelmed.  Thankful Thursday gives me the opportunity to shift my focus from the negative to the One who makes it all possible.


This Thursday, I am so thankful for:

• the changing Colorado fall colors. 

• precious time for little cousins this weekend

• that God sent a dear friend to visit me at my office yesterday.  I know she had no idea I was having a very lonely morning (I had told no one).  And she showed up for a very random errand.  But, God and I know that He sent her because He knew how much I needed to see her and get a hug from her.

• for my husband's birthday, and a quiet, sweet celebration with his princesses.

• that God is speaking to my heart through His word daily about the journey He is taking me on. 

1 Peter 1:7 (MSG) 
Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

• that there will be victory in this journey!

• that I am safe in His arms!

Thankful Thursday: Lake Powell

I'm sorry, I know I'm beating this thing over the head.  Y'all are going to get really sick of hearing about this trip. 

But, I don't think I truly realized just how much this place means to me until this weekend.  And how much I love it.

From canyons that that twist and turn for miles,

to natural bridges that could only be formed by the hand of God,

to the expanse of blue sky that stretches forever,

everything about this place echos of the Creator. 

He has held this sliver of cliff up for as long as I can remember.

He makes plants grow on the side of a canyon wall.

He knew Tapestry Wall would someday be my favorite place to fish and water ski.

He knew that Warm Springs Canyon would hold a special place in my parents' hearts.

He knew that my favorite place to spend an afternoon rain storm would be at the very end of Warm Springs, where the rains pour down the cliff like a waterfall.

He knew I would smile every time I caught my first glimpse of the deep blue waters.

He knew how badly I needed this weekend to get away.  He knew the turmoil in my heart and mind.  He knew I needed the quiet.

So many times this weekend I could hear my Daddy whispering to me, "See?  I made that just for you.  Because I love you."  I was grateful we were riding the waves, so my tears could go unnoticed.  There was no way to stop the overflow of emotion.

My Daddy loves me enough that He thought of me, eons ago, when He was creating this canyon.  My Daddy loves me enough that He gave John Wesley Powell the adventurous spirit needed to discover this canyon.  My Daddy loves me enough that He created the technology and the engineering capabilities, and the minds to build the dam that created this lake.  He loves me enough that He put the desire to start boating into the hearts of my parents when I was only three.  My Daddy loves me enough to make my favorite childhood memories take place on this lake. My Daddy loves me enough to give our family the means and the time to be able to get away to my favorite place.

Do I think He did all this only for me?  That I was the sole reason for the creation of Lake Powell?  No way! 

But I know my Daddy was thinking of me that entire time, through the entire process.  I know He was thinking of this weekend, when I would once again crawl to my sanctuary, desperate for His touch. 

And I am so thankful.

Thankful Thursday ... A Gift of Love

Our sister-in-love Kristin is an amazing photographer.  A few months ago, while they were in town to introduce us to our beautiful new niece, Kristin gave us an amazing gift.

We have not had photos taken of the family, of our girls, since we were pregnant with Madison.  Far too long, I know. 

My girls will not be little forever. 

Someday they will be on their own, leading their own lives.

Someday, all I will have are memories of these years.

Of these moments in time.

But now, thanks to my amazing sister, I will not have to rely solely on my mind.

I will have these photos.

Thank you, my sister.  You have given this mama an irreplaceable gift.

Thankful Thursday... Overwhelmed

Disclaimer: Honestly, this post is more for me than anything.  I have so much in my mind that I just need to get out, to process.  It will probably be really long.  Feel free to click the little red x any time.



I don't even really know how to write this.  Usually, Thursdays are devoted to thankfulness, reminders of all we have in this world to be grateful for.  Today, my heart is overflowing to the point where I know I need to write, to get some of it out (my cheap therapy - welcome to the ride), but I don't even know where to start.


It has been an interesting past few years, to say the least.  Giving up a steady paycheck four years ago to pursue the gifting God has given my hubby has been a test of faith, to say the least.  Realizing that, in order to make ends meet while he built his business, I needed to go back to work was heart-wrenching. 

This last year has been really hard.  We have seen deal after deal fall through - financing during a recession just plain sucks.  He has lost clients & deals because he refuses to compromise.  We fell really far behind.  I never thought it would come to this.  There have been many evenings spent in tears, asking God if we were still on the right path, if we were still really following His will.  And, every time, the next day Jerome would have a new prospect, or a new listing.  God kept bringing people into our path that we knew would, someday, result in a sale.  And so we trusted. 



During all of this, God has been doing some major renovation to my heart.  I have been a perfectionist as long as I can remember.  I struggled and yearned for the affirmation of other people.  It is much easier to believe that God will heal, provide, and protect other people, not me.  I struggle to trust Him in even the little things, believing the lies that I am not worthy of this trust.  Fighting this battle in my heart and in my mind while putting on the mask I thought I had to wear was exhausting.  I could not let people see my struggles.  People turned to us, asked for our help.  We have been leaders in our church!  I shouldn't be still fighting this battle.  Shame and pride kept my heart locked up, held me captive to my fears.  If people only knew just how bad it was, in our home and in my heart, they would run.  We would overwhelm them.  Everyone else had their own struggles - we just needed to suck it up and deal.  We didn't want to be those people - the ones who suck the life out of others. 


But God and I have been having a lot of chats lately.  About my loneliness, about how I keep people at arm's length by refusing to open up to them.  About how the deep, intimate relationships I crave more than anything are hindered by my refusal to let them see my humanness, my imperfections.  About how I plead with Him to help us, to show me that He cares enough about me to answer my prayers, but wallow in unbelief that He will actually come through for me.


This week, I forced myself to open up to some dear friends.  To lay it all out.  Everything.  I puked on them (not literally). It was liberating to be able to say, "Do you really want to know exactly how I am doing?" - to be able to tell someone everything.  And I did.  And the love I felt afterwards was overwhelming.  These friends did not reject me, did not point out my faults, my sins.  They loved me.  They spoke words of encouragement that blessed me beyond anything. 


And then something incredible happened.  God prompted some people in our lives to bless us in a real, tangible way.  Sorry if that was a vague description, but I know they would want me to honor their privacy.  It was as if God was whispering in my ear, "See?  You asked Me for this.  Specifically.  And while you struggled to believe that I would do it, you still asked, holding onto that tiny bit of faith.  And I moved their hearts to show you just how much I love you."


That is why I am overwhelmed, because my heart is overflowing.  I have felt the freedom that comes with being truly real with someone.  I have seen the grace and love that comes with true friendship.  I have seen God move on my behalf.  This week has been overwhelming, and I am so thankful for it.


Thanks for letting me puke.  I need to go get some paper towels now.

Thankful Thursday

The house is quiet.  All the girls are asleep.  I am curled up on the couch, coffee in hand.  I have a rare weekday at home because Katrina is home from school, not feeling well. 

We snuggled all morning on the couch, watching cartoons and watching little sisters.  Both were entertaining. 

Yes, honey, I promise to have it cleaned up by the time you get home.

This week has challenged my attitude.  Two friend, both in their first trimester of pregnancy, have miscarried this week.  My heart hurts.  Now you understand why I wrote this post.  It has been a really hard week, but a really good week, all at the same time.  I have seen God comfort and heal hearts in ways I honestly did not think possible.  I have seen a family of choice rally around these couples to love and minister in any way possible.  It has been an encouraging week.

I am thankful that I get to be indoors today (the allergens & wind in the air today are horrendous).

I am thankful that beautiful reminders of spring are literally popping up all over our property.

I am thankful for Ga*orade.  So good for hurting tummies (and jealous little sisters).

I am thankful for the way this one makes me smile every day.

I am thankful for the beautiful bonds of sisterhood developing in our home.

It gives me hope during the cat fights!

I am thankful that this young man was found safe!  We received a frantic phone call from a friend in Atlanta Tuesday morning.  One of her coworkers is a cousin of Jason.   The family asked us, being in CO, to pass along the information about his disappearance to everyone we knew.  We forwarded the information to every CO agency in our company, put the information on FB, everything we could think of.  I spoke with the young mans older brother, Jon, Tuesday afternoon, because we were contacted by a paper in Fort Collins.  They wanted to get the information out, but didn't want to breach the family's privacy.  He was so worried, so scared.  You could tell he was dreading the worst.  Jason is hurting, and it sounds like there is healing that needs to happen, but he is alive.  He is ok.

God is good.  What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for:

peaceful moments with my girls

that God never stops teaching us new things

for new friends

and family relationships that can develop into friendships

Thankful Thursday: Precious Moments

Easter this year was bittersweet. For those of you who don't know, my grandma is not doing well. It seems like forever ago that we took this photo. It was Christmas morning, only 3 months. And yet so much has changed.

My grandma is simply amazing. She homesteaded with her husband to Monticello, UT, leaving everything she knew behind. She raised their children with a firm, but fun and fair hand. She helped her husband build a successful mining and ranching business. She was industrious, hard working, wise. But with an awesome sense of humor!






One year on April Fool's Day, she put cotton balls in the biscuits. Poor Grandpa fell for it, trying his best to eat Grandma's weird biscuits, not knowing that he had cotton hanging down his chin!


Since Christmas this year, her health has gone downhill. She is 95, and has lung & heart issues, but we didn't expect her to decline as fast as she has. We never know what kind of day it will be. Some days, like Sunday, she seems normal, herself. She talks to us, remembers what we are doing. Other days, it's like she isn't even there. There have been days that her caretakers (we have 24-hr live-in assistants for her) have a very difficult time waking her up. We also found out this week that her kidneys have begun to shut down.





Her body is simply done. And she is ready to go. Each time we have seen her lately, it is like she is trying to express to my kids how much she loves them, how proud she is of them. She is trying, in her way, to say goodbye. And it breaks my heart. I know Katrina will have precious memories of her Old Grandma, but I'm not so sure about Madi & Violet.




I have been in turmoil these past months. You see, after I accepted Christ, I tried to talk to her about it. But she was never willing to. I was able to talk to Grandpa before he died, when his mind was still there, for lack of a better phrase. That conversation reassured me that when my Poppa took his last earthly breaths, Jesus was waiting to greet him. But Grandma would never talk to me.





Jerome spent many nights holding me these past few weeks as I have sobbed, terrified. I had seen glimpses in the last year that perhaps, maybe, she had accepted Christ. But I honestly could not trust our conversations. Mentally, most of the time she is not there. So I never knew if it really was my grandma talking, or a delusion brought on by her illness.





Last Friday our church had a special worship service. It was amazing. Honestly, it felt so good to just be able to lay all of my burdens down and simply enjoy God's company. And that's what I was doing. I wasn't thinking about anything, wasn't worrying about anything. I was just being.


The worship team began to play this song. To hear it, make sure you mute the music at the bottom of the page first:










All of a sudden, God gave me a vision. He gave me a glimpse into Heaven. Please understand, I am not one to receive a vision on a regular basis. Maybe once or twice have I seen something in my mind that I have known was from Daddy. And this came so suddenly, from so far out in left field, that it could only be from Him.





I saw Heaven. I saw Jesus and my grandpa standing there, just talking. Grandpa had his thumbs hooked into the pockets of his jeans. And then they reached out for someone. It was my grandma. She had taken her last earthly breath, and was being welcomed by her husband and her Husband into eternity. It was so joyful, so peaceful. There the three of them stood, arm in arm, together. And then it was gone.





And then I heard my Daddy say to me, "Don't worry child. She is mine."





Needless to say, the rest of the evening was spent in tears, using the entire church stock of Kleenex. My Daddy cares enough about me to reassure me, to comfort me. When I hugged my grandma on Sunday night, it was peaceful, serene. I knew she was trying to say goodbye, but it was ok. I know when she takes her last breath here, with us, that she will be welcomed into eternity by the love of her life and the lover of her soul. And that is enough for me.





So you ask, what am I thankful for today? I am thankful for a grandma who taught me so much. Who loved me so much. I am thankful for a Savior who comforts and reassures. I am thankful for a life well-lived. I am thankful for a family that treasures every last moment with an amazing lady. And I am thankful for a promise.

Thankful Thursday

I promise, I will post an update on how Katrina is doing later. But, right now, I know I need to write this.


This week, I am thankful for -

• doctors who care, and are trying their hardest to figure out what is wrong with Katrina.
• the nurse at Mercy who had to draw Nina's blood for testing tonight. She was so patient, gentle, and kind with Katrina - it made the whole experience much easier.
• Nina's bravery. She is so tired of hurting, but is being so brave and strong.
• parents who understand when you have to leave work to be with a hurting kid.
• friends who pray for you (even at 3AM - JEN).
• friends whose bodies are being healed.
• the joy and peace that surround me, even though, in the natural, I would normally be freaking out.
• the Daddy Daughter Dance tomorrow night. I have such vivid, wonderful memories of my Daddy Daughter Dance with my daddy. I am so grateful our girls will have the opportunity to build those memories with their daddy.
• a month off from Children's Ministry at church. As much as I miss hugging each and every little person that comes to our church, I know God planned this month off for us because He knew we would need it.
• a teaching staff & nurse at Nina's school who are so patient and loving to Nina while she tries to go to school.
• all the work that God has been doing in my heart lately. It has not been pleasant at times, but it has been needed.

And joy comes in the morning!!!!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

This week, I'm thankful for...


... buttons that work on my computer. I cannot figure out for the life of me why my arrow buttons and quote/apostrophe key have gone on strike. But it makes me quite grateful for the others that work.


... spellchecker on my computer that fixes the apostrophe-less words I now write.


... coffee. Nuff said!


... snuggling with my girls.


... quiet time watching fun TV shows with my hubby after the girls go to bed.


... laughing at nothing and everything with good friends.


... a date tomorrow!


... jobs. That we have jobs. That we can pay our bills. That God provides creative financing. That He always comes through.


... antibiotics for a baby girl with a nasty ear infection.


... Tylenol for a big girl with a sinus headache.


... a first grade teacher who understands our daughter, who encourages her, who nurtures her, who forgives her for talking :), who shows her that extra love when she hurts.


... a wonderful nanny who loves my little girls like her own.


... two kitties who love us unconditionally, who know when we don't feel good and try to snuggle that much harder, who love our girls so much that they get stuck in their rooms at night, who make sure to tell us all the neighborhood gossip while we are getting ready in the morning.


... snow. Yeah, I know we've gotten more than our fair share this month, but I do really love snow.


... quilts made by my grandmother that keep my family warm.


... my grandmother just celebrated her 95th birthday.


... our cozy home.


... our wonderful life.

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for...

• antibiotics and pain meds. On Tuesday, Jerome took me to the Urgent Care because I had had a fever (103), vomiting, sore throat, and aches. Turns out, I had strep throat, an ear infection, and sever tonsillitis. My right tonsil was so bad it was actually abscessed. Did not know they could do that. They had to give me an IV bag of fluids and antibiotics while I was in the office. They also sent me home with more meds. I spent two days at home resting, and it is amazing how much better I feel.

• my kiddos. Spending the last two days at home sick could have been a joy or torture, depending on the attitude of my girls. And they have been angels. Our biggest disagreement was over who was going to sit on my lap. Tuesday morning, while we were watching a movie, Violet crawled onto the couch with me, snuggled against my chest, and fell asleep. We snuggled for about 1 1/2 hours. It was pure gold.

• my hubby. I know I brag on him a lot, but he has really stepped up to the plate this week. Fixing meals, taking care of the kids, loving on me, doing whatever needed to be done. I am so grateful God chose to give me a husband who is willing to serve.

• movies. How else do you entertain a 3 year old and a 2 year old for two days when the only time you can get off the couch is to throw up?

• my job flexibility. It is so wonderful to work for my parents. To have bosses who lovingly force you to go home when you are sick, who urge you to stay home until you feel totally better, who come to your house to watch your kids so your husband can drive you to Urgent Care.

• for two days of rest and visiting with my Daddy. Sometimes I think that I go and go, and the only time I slow down is when forced. I have spent a lot of time thinking about Gods dreams in my life, about transparency (another post), about a lot of things. Good things. God things. And I'm excited to see where they will lead.

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday...Alternately Titled Pbthhht On You Satan!

I should have known. I should have been prepared. But I wasn't. And here I am.


About a month ago, Jerome finally said yes to a friend of ours. This friend drives to Palomas, Mexico multiple times a year to minister to children in an orphanage there. Yes, this is the same Palomas where the mayor was murdered a few months ago by the drug lords. Yes, this is the same Palomas where the dentist was kidnapped just a few weeks ago. This friend has pestered Jerome every time, and every time we have had something going on that would not allow Jerome to go. Not this time.


Our amazing home group put together gift bags for four of the boys in this town. Two of the boys are 11, one is 8, and one is 6. When the director of the orphanage emailed us photos, I fell in love. You can't help it, they have the sweetest, smiliest faces.


There are two alternatives for the children in Palomas. Choice #1 is to live under the protection of the orphanage & school. Choice #2 is to be kidnapped by the drug lords who are attempting to literally take over this border town. They steal children, then force them to be drug mules or prostitutes. Words cannot express how my heart wrenched when I heard that.


Jerome is on his way, today, right now, as I type, to minister to these children. Multiple churches from mutiple states are converging on the tiny town .They are taking presents for each child in the orphanage, presents for some of the children who live in the town, and food for the orphanage to replenish their stock. They are going to have a "Christmas Dinner" (aka hot dogs) with the children tomorrow, and basically just play with the kids.


The Christmas presents they are taking don't seem like much by American standards - an outfit, new socks and underwear, a pair of shoes, school supplies, and a small toy. But, to these children, it means everything. They have no Christmas, other than what is supplied by the generosity of strangers.


So what, you may ask, should I have been prepared for? Weren't we prepared for this trip?


Physically, yes. Spiritually, no way!


I know how much Satan hates the orphan. How Satan hates when the orphan is loved and cared for. I know how much Satan hates Christians who listen to God's call, and obey. That Satan will do whatever he can to discourage God's people from following His will.


I should have expected it.


I should have expected the attack. But I didn't. I wasn't prepared.


This week has been a basket case in our house. Finances, health, emotions, plans, everything went haywire. And it took me until this morning, during a conversation with my amazingly wise and wonderful mom-in-love, to realize what was really going on.


What in the world does all this have to do with Thankful Thursday, you may ask? Yesterday, I spent all day trying to write something for Thankful Thursday. And I couldn't. You may or may not know, but I have struggled with depression on and off since middle school. Sometimes it's not even there. Sometimes it overwhelmes me. And the past two weeks have not been good. God promised me a while ago, through a prophetic word, that He was going to heal me of this. But it hasn't been instant. It's been a "crock pot" healing, as our pastor's wife likes to call it. And, at times, in the midst of my humanity, I allow Satan's whisper to enter my mind. To doubt that this healing is for me. To doubt that my Savior will take care of me.


But, that whisper, along with everything else that has happened this week, is just smoke and mirrors. A distraction from the truth, the reality.


And, today, I am so grateful for the ability to discern between the truth and the lies, to be able to stand on the truth, to again feel the cloud lifting.


The reality is that what Jerome is going to do this weekend in huge in God's kingdom. While it may not seem like much to us, it will have eternal echos. He just called me from the Wal-Mart in Demming, NM. That's a new one! Anyways, they are buying groceries, toiletries, and soccer balls for the kiddos. Then, in a few hours, they will be crossing the border.


Please be in prayer for them. Palomas is so close, yet a world away. And it would be so easy to listen to Satan's whispers, to allow myself to enter the realm of fear. But I can't, and I won't. I have little ones who need me to be strong for them. And I need to be strong for myself. Thankfully, our weekend is really busy, so it will be hard to have downtime just to think.


But, this is why, today, I am thankful to be able to say "Pbthhht on you Satan!"

Thankful Thursday... some special family

Blah - has it really been almost two weeks since my last post? I even took the laptop with us to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, with every intention of posting witty, clever posts every evening from the hotel after the wee monkeys were fast asleep.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

Instead, the children usually went to sleep around 9, I stayed up talking with my parents until about 10, then I read until about 10:30. Then I went to sleep. If you know me, you know that is a miracle in and of itself. But we were super busy during the days, so I ended up exhausted.

I promise, I will update all on the adventures of Blegers in Phoenix. Because, believe me, there were adventures. But, for today, I am so thankful for this little man.

Our little nephew Pax decided to move to Fort Collins this summer, and rudely took his mom & dad with him. We got to go visit them for Jerome's birthday, and we had a blast taking photos of the cousins. Violet & Pax are a month apart, and too funny when they are together.

See Mom, we're too cute to get into trouble.

I told you we could fool them, Pax.



And now, we will dump sand. Everywhere. Including our diapers.

But Violet, can't we chase the squirrels for just a minute?

And some stinky boy (Jerome) took a photo of blech me alongside my stunning, amazing, gorgeous sis-in-love. She is due with our beautiful niece Blythe this January, and Uncle Jay-Jay and I are counting down until we get to hold this beautiful bundle of joy in our arms.

Although I do find it entertaining that we are standing in exactly the same pose. Maybe it's a mom thing...





And another photo of my amazing nephew boy.

Isn't he darling?

Every now and then, Jerome will get a call from his brother Adam's cell. Except that it's not Adam. It's Pax. He has somehow figured out the combination of buttons to push to get Uncle Jay-Jay on the phone. I know, right? Smartest kid ever? But those phone calls melt his heart, and brighten his day.

I am so in love with this family, and so grateful that God allowed all of our paths to cross so that we could become family.