It's hard to believe another year has almost come and gone. So much has happened in our lives this past year - the two most important things being that both Lily and Maggie accepted Christ into their lives. And even though some people may think that's sweet and great, what they don't know is the amount of prayer that went into them both making that decision. I remember my mom telling me last year that her mom prayed for the salvation of not only her grandchildren, but her great-grandchildren. Before they were even thought of. I didn't get to meet that grandmother - she died of breast cancer even before my parents were married. But I know she would be proud. And I cannot wait to have the privilege of meeting that awesome woman when I arrive in heaven. But not only did she pray, so did my parents and so did Marc and I. Before they were even born. And from the time I held them for the first time in my arms. So, all three of my girls have accepted Christ. Now we're praying for Cole. That he would accept Him at a young age. But not only that - that he would have the desire and passion to want to obey and serve his Creator. I know it'll be a few years before he will understand - so I'll continue to pray.
We also had another awesome "miracle" in our home this year. The birth of our very first son! I've always had good pregnancies - great pregnancies, actually. And this one, after the first few months, continued on in the same way. No, I didn't have morning sickness. But there were a few times that I thought I was going to lose this baby. I won't go into details but I do remember one day specifically begging God that if He was going to take Cole, to please do it soon. I remember crying but having such a peace knowing that Cole would be with Him. For those of you who don't know...Marc and I had a really hard time conceiving Cole. With the girls, I could just think the word "pregnant" and I was. But with Cole, it was a completely different story. After 15 months of trying, I finally broke and just had a conversation with God. I laid it all in His very capable hands. I was done trying. Didn't want to try anymore. And if He wanted me to have another child, He would make it happen. Three weeks later I told Marc that I was expecting! I learned much in that time. Had some great conversations with God while we were trying for our fourth child. And it all came down to me just saying, "I can't do it anymore. I give it all to You". We were shocked when we found out that we were having a boy. We don't know anything about boys. What do you do with them? But now I can't imagine not having this beautiful little man as a part of our family. He's perfect in every way. And I am so thankful that God allowed Marc and I to have the honor of taking care of him.
School has been very busy for me this year. Seems like I'm always going somewhere, learning new music, recording more things...but I'm enjoying it. Tired...but enjoying it. I have some great kids this year. And I'm getting to know them all better. Some of them go to the same church as I do, so it makes it easy to bring up Pastor's message during class time. The last few weeks have been unusually busy for me. I've had around 10 concerts in the last 3 weeks. That's a lot! A lot of playing the same music over and over...a lot of being away from home in the evenings(Marc had to take care of them during that time from dinner time usually to bed time and after - thanks babe!!!)...a lot of being away during the day and having to have Marc's mom come and watch the kids for me ( I really do appreciate it, Sandy!!!). And now that it's over, I am really glad it's done! =) I love working with the music teacher (Mrs. G). She's a lot of fun and has so much energy. But she allows me to be a mom...to say "I can't come in today - my kid is sick"...or "I just can't come in today"...and she's o.k. with it. I am thankful for this job that just dropped into my lap.
Homeschooling as also gone well this year. Emma's in second grade and just doing wonderfully. She LOVES to read. I don't know of too many second graders that read the kinds of books she does, but she loves it and I'm happy with that. She's quite busy...has about 7 subjects that she does a day. It usually takes her about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. It's not too bad. Lily is doing well. She started kindergarten in the fall and loves school, too. She's learning how to write her letters better and also her numbers. She LOVES math - can't get enough of it. She's also learning how to read and doing beautifully with it. There are times when we're reading together and she sounds out a word and then laughs because it's funny. She cracks me up! Maggie is doing some pre-k things. She's recognizing letters and numbers and has projects to do with them every week. She's also learning how to write.
Marc and I celebrated 9 years of marriage in August. The time really did go by fast (at least I think it did...Marc may think otherwise=) ). We are continuing to get to know one another. Not on a surface level, but much deeper. God knew what He was doing when He brought Marc into my life. I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else. Marc is a great husband, daddy and provider and he has allowed me to stay home with my children. I couldn't ask for more.
Very recently my grandmother passed away. She did not have a relationship with Jesus. But I was able to share my faith with her. She was not an easy woman to get to know. In fact, she was quite the opposite. She pushed away some of her children and their spouses and most of her grandchildren. A very stubborn woman and set in her ways. I would like to think that there was a reason God gave her my father to take care of. My father who LOVES Christ, adores his wife, loves his children...why would He give that kind of man to a woman who refused to believe? I don't know. But quite a few years ago I decided that I needed to have some kind of relationship with my grandmother. So, while I was in college, I wrote her a letter telling her how much I loved her and also shared my faith with her. I waited for what seemed like forever before calling her and asking her what she thought. And she very politely told me that it was very sweet of me for being concerned for her, but she was just going to continue on in her own way. Earlier I stated that she was a very stubborn woman. Well, so am I. I inherited that trait from her - you can just ask my parents! =) So, no matter what she did or said, I was going to love her. I was afraid that she would be alone and just didn't want that. So, in my mind, I did it for her. Because she needed it. Little did I realize - years later - that I needed it. I called her every year on her birthday and after she answered the phone and I told her it was me, she said "I've been looking forward to your phone call. I knew you would never forget.". And I never did. The phone calls just started out for her birthday, but then it went on to other random days in the year and holidays, too. It was always hard to know where you stood with grandma - whether she liked you or not. But I know she loved me. She told me...on many different occasions. And grandma never said anything that she didn't mean. So, as I can't rejoice in the fact that she is in heaven (unless she made a last minute decision), I can rejoice that she gave birth to one of the most important men in my life who taught me about Christ and His love.
To end this lengthy post, here are a few pictures of my children all decked out in their Christmas outfits. But before I sign off, I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
