Ringing in the new year

..... and we're back!

What a month January was. Sickness ran through the house all month long, from person to person; illness to illness. Phew, that's over with. Not to mention the INCREDIBLE week Jared and I took to get away, be alone, recharge our batteries, and get organized while on vacation. It was a busy month. Here are a few of the pictures I took.

Ringing in the new year playing Power Grid, our newest board game.

Our Christmas puzzle finally finished thanks to the many co-worker contributors that joined us for Jared's graduation party

Quick, fuzzie selfie before we hit the road to the resort for the week! Wahoo!

My diva likes jewelry, so we got her clip-on earrings. She wanted all 4 of them on at a time. Oh, dear. It starts.

A little home redecorating. What do you think?

When I got L dressed in this Laura Ashley dress for church, Jared commented "she looks like a 90-year-old woman." Hmm. Well, at least she still plays with shoes like a little girl. 

I didn't get a good shot of it, but it was funny to watch L savoring this pizza and reach out to be fed by this near stranger, while her brother looked longing on. He totally photo-bombed the moment. :) 

My princess dressed like royalty in her favorite blanky.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Three Wise Women

This little treasure hangs in the bathroom at my midwives' office. (No, I'm not expecting. Let's just get that doubt out of the way...) I took a picture because I love it and I hate it. How's that for ambivalent?
On the one hand I appreciate that it's clever, cutesy, humorous, and perfect for this season. It highlights women's gifts. Many women in my life have been one of these wise women - bringing service, order, help, and peace. And how prefect that it's in the office of my wonderful midwives who arrived on time and assisted in bringing my beautiful babies into the world.

However, I hear such arrogance in these words. If women had been there to do what men ended up doing, it would have been better all around. There is already a rivalry in so many hearts between men and women, why must we use the beautiful birth story of the Prince of Peace to subtly cultivate strife? I for one am at fault for comparing the way men and women do things; I don't need anyone else to stir the pot. Yes, there are many things women do well, arguably even better than men. But men do many tasks better than I could also!

Men and women are different and approach problems differently. I'm learning from my Jared (and hopefully he's learning from me) that we can both solve a problem, even if we go about it differently. And there's nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of a united marriage. When a man's gifts unite with a woman's gifts, we are ONE, WHOLE, and together possess all the good gifts of Christ.

Coming back to Christ's birth, three "wise" men were sent to welcome the child and they brought gifts. According to this short explanation, the gifts were both practical to the family and deeply symbolic to the child's role as Savior. Who's to say the chain of events with these three men did not happen exactly as it was meant to occur? I love the details, symbols, and humble circumstances surrounding my Lord's birth. Why, with this derisive plaque, cast a shadow on it, suggest it could have been better if men were not the ones trusted to care for things?

Chances are I'm being too analytic; a kill-joy. I often am. I thank my dad for that. He used to point out the false doctrine and misleading teachings in Disney movies when we were kids. A bit much? Maybe, but I'm grateful to be able to look deeper and think for myself what is being taught - overt or subtle.

I digress. Very tangential of me. My apology.

I thank God for the birth of His son, the records of the people who knew the details first-hand, and for the believing magi, shepherds, heaven and nature who knew the significance of this tiny baby. I would rather arrive to worship Him two years late than never at all. I would rather be grateful for the three wise men then discredit their contribution. And I would rather celebrate the differences between men and women then show that my way would have been better. Because there is no better way than God's way. And this is how He brought His Son into the world. Can't argue with that, if you ask me.

answered prayers

A lengthy cold illness hit our household several weeks ago and I was in the drenches with it. It was a wretched day when my kids were recovering and I just wanted to stay in bed all day. Jared has been beyond busy this semester (a post for another day) so he was gone most of the day, into the evening. That morning over breakfast, I broke down crying and prayed with my kids watching me unravel and ask for help today. Any help. Please.

Fast forward several hours. Dinner is approaching and I can barely feed myself, but I had to figure out how to feed us all. I got up from the chair I hadn't left in a long while, and stood in place to contemplate dinner options. Before I even made it to the fridge, my phone rang. It was Rabiza, my warm and friendly neighbor. She and I talk when we see each other outside, the occasional in-home chat, and when we have business to discuss. But not that often. She just called to see how I was doing and to tell me she was bringing dinner over! WHAT?!? 

"How did you know?" I asked. 

"Know what?

I explained our sickness, my absent husband, my prayer that morning and her amazing answer to it! I cried. Again. It was so touching to have such a good woman answer my prayer to a Good Father and especially with such GOOD food!

Rabiza is Afghany, Muslim, and makes incredible food. That evening we enjoyed "rice with ram," noodle and turnip soup, and fresh warm bread. Oh, thank you Lord and thank you Rabiza. 

It struck as miraculous and motivational that a middle aged, actively Muslim woman is so in tune to the Holy Spirit. She was responding to the Lord's prompting to help me. This is the second time, actually, she has been the direct answer to a very specific prayer of mine. This woman is the real deal. She loves God and follows her understanding of him. In fact, as she left my house her phone alarm went off to remind her it was prayer time. Admiration. 

So, if she can be lead to being a quick and reliable instrument in the Lord's hands, why can't I? Me, who has been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost? 

This incident truly touched me and reminded me how involved and watchful our Father is over ALL of His children. 

Thanksgiving in Philly

I didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving day. Yikes. But these are all the pictures from around Thanksgiving time. :) 

We've been doing lots of home improvement around here. I'm so glad to have TWO handy men in the house!

I helped a bit the week my parents moved into their new home! This was my favorite view of the day: my dad and grandpa watching the movers from the living room window. My grandpa spent a LOT of time there that day.

L's helping unpack

the plaque outside the chapel (where we had a huge Thanksgiving gathering) designating the flagpole dedicated to my grandma, who passed away of cancer before I was born. This was so precious. 

party at grma's playground. 

the veteran's memorial at my mom's neighborhood park. 

this one is for my siblings. Aunt Linda said now Grpa can't claim he's never been framed.

craft corner at my house this morning

Fall fun

Our Joy School group, oh how I love them. This was our Halloween parade, after which they performed Five Little Witches. Joy School is the best. Such a joy.... :) 

Joy school giggles

Joy school creations: a warm fuzzy and a turkey, whose marshmallow and raisins feathers have been eaten

Halloween night 

Fall family photo "shoot": 

fake smiles all around

I cannot get over my kids' faces. I laugh every time! Not to mention I love my man's dimples. Mmmm.... :)