These Days

One of Millie’s favorite things to do right now is to look at old pictures.  When I say favorite I mean she asks me no less than 10 times a day if we can look at old pics on the computer.   We usually just pull up the blog and randomly look at different pics and if she does not see enough of herself she asks for more pics of herself!  Honestly I really struggle with blogging lately.  I just feel like I have nothing to share or nobody cares or whatever.  So, Millie’s obsession with looking at old pics has made me realize why I blog.  Through looking at the pictures and quickly reading through some of the stories I am so thankful that I have blogged.  I look at the girls and I read the stories and I am reminded of what seems so long ago and so much that I have forgotten from those days.  The days were long.  I was homeschooling, I had 2 babies plus 2 more, A was gone or studying all the time, and there were times when I just thought I couldn’t do it another minute and I am reminded of how much has changed and I reflect on these days.  I will be completely honest, the end of 2011 and particularly the beginning of 2012 have not been a great time for me at all.  I look back at the blog and I am reminded of my days back then and I see the contrast to these days.  It is just Mill and I for most of the day, these days are very different for her because she has never been alone, adjusting to full time ministry is still difficult (I am sure I will be adjusting over and over and over), I do not have the relationships with friends I had during that time (and probably never will) and that can be very lonely, and although I have plenty to do I am not busy in the same way as I was then.  All of this to say life has changed so much in so many ways over the past years.  I know, it is life.  Life changes.  I do not mean to say that life is just terrible these days it is just simply a reflection of the stages of life and how we can look back at times that seemed so difficult and see the blessings and I am reminded that one day I will be able to look at this stage which doesn’t seem so great right now and be able to understand a little more clearly.  I may be only making sense to me!  But, looking back and the blog with my precious Millie has reminded me of the importance of recording these thoughts and being able to look back at them one day and Praise Him!  Speaking of praising Him, the timing of what we have been studying in Experiencing God is straight from HIM!  I just sat and cried this morning as I studied about the adjustments and the cost of those adjustments to follow Him.  Thank you Lord for being Lord and giving me your word! (Maybe more on that later)

Here are just a few of the pics Mill and I view regularly!  Loved these days (thankful I can say that NOW!)

Speaking of these days:

Ell is still very busy with Meat Judging.  They are doing really well and she is having a great time!  Of course she still loves to travel.  Although, I think it is begin to wear her out!

Sallie made the A/B Honor Roll this past 6 weeks for the first time ever!  I know this may not be an accomplishment for some parents or kids but we were beside ourselves with excitement!  She always has a C in Math which she takes with her Special Ed teacher and she is tough on her (as she should be).  Not only did she not have a C but she pulled it up to a high A!!!  She is doing so well in school and therapy right now!  We are all amazed!  Also, during Awana last week she got up during closing in front of the whole group and did her memory verse in sign.  If I could have bottled up that moment…  Priceless!

Lizzie had all E’s and one S on her report card this time.  She has done well all year but each six weeks some of her S’s have been replaced with E’s and this 6 weeks she had only one S left.  She has also really taken off in Awana lately.  Next week she will finish her first book and move into extra credit for the rest of the yr!

Millie wins the Award for Sweetest 4 yr old on the planet!  She has a great personality and is a little sponge right now.  Talk about memorizing scripture-she can do it!!! 

We are SO READY for Spring Break next week!  I think we all need a little break from the norm!