Our family asks and thanks you for your prayers as we mourn the loss of our grandson, son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend Luke Alan, who went home to Jesus on Thursday night at the age of 4. 
Just hours before, he told his dad the story of Jesus' life and that someday we will all go to Heaven and be happy.
May we all have the faith of a child, as Jesus himself told us we must have.

Today I have added "Held" by Natalie Grant. 

This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from life and you survive.  This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell--we'd be held.

SNOW!

Usually my kids are tired of snow by this point in the winter (and so am I), but since it first made its arrival last week, the snow has been a new source of entertainment.

The boys now get off the bus and immediately hit the snow pile with their sleds. 

And they aren't just sledding.  Oh, no.  They are SNOWBOARDING!

New Tunes

One of my new favorite songs is "Brighter Than The Sun" by Colbie Caillat (#69 on the playlist). 
It makes everything--even making the bed and changing a diaper--more fun.
Try it and I think you'll agree!
Another one that has been around awhile, but I've recently rediscovered, is "This" by Darius Rucker (#76).  This is probably because of the beginning and the reference to getting up with a newborn at night. :o)
My new thought for each day is "It won't be like this for long."  Whether we're going through good or bad times, whether my children are at a stage that is mostly fun or mostly frustrating, this statement is always true. 
We have to enjoy or endure because it will all change soon enough!

Dad's Story

As promised, here is some good stuff from last week.  Nathan wrote a book!  He worked very hard on it for two nights after school.  He drew all of the pictures and told me what to write.

 This is the front cover,

 and this is a sample page.

Maybe he can illustrate my book someday!

Weird Week

Last week was kind of weird.  It started off alright as we returned from a fun weekend in Minnesota at Carter and Lily's house.  Then it was downhill from there.  There was a dentist appointment, missed coffee opportunity because of after effects of the dentist appointment, a sick husband who was not allowed within 6 feet of the baby for several days, nasty weather, cancelled religious ed, cradle cap, baby acne/dry skin, more nasty weather, cancelled Sunday mass, a missed chocolate party--Yes!  A CHOCOLATE party-- and after all that, I didn't even have a bottle of wine in the house! 

Do you know what all this means?
I haven't been off this farm since last TUESDAY.  I may escape today . . . maybe.
Surprisingly, I am doing pretty well despite it all.  Some good things happened, too.  More on that later. 
It's time to feed Rachel and she thinks she is a little more important than a blog post! :o)