Frederick

Moving. It is so easy to get lost in the unpacking of boxes, putting up of blinds and attacking the jungle out back. We have arrived at a most beautiful time of year, however, and the littles in our life help keep us focused. The boxes will wait, but the children won't. And so, we headed out for a walk last monday morning, found a new favorite library and fed some ducks. The unpacking re-commenced during nap-time :)

Everything without complaining

We've been working on attitude a lot around here. The girls are officially adjusting, and it's not looking pretty :) We've been dealing with a lot of tears, tantrums and complaining. After repeating Philipians 2:14 about 17 times yesterday (I'm a little slow), it finally hit me. The verse is just as much for me as it is for them. I may not complain audibly, but how do I show in my attitude that I am discontent with what God's given me? When I get frustrated with the girls for their disobedience, I'm not disciplining without complaining. I'm not rejoicing in these children that God has given me, thankful for the little voices that are speaking back to me, tenderly training them in truth. And I am thankful. Three healthy little girls that love to sing, love to praise, love each other. I pray that I might train and discipline them without complaining or arguing, so that I may become blameless and pure, a child of God. This is what He has called me to. Let me rejoice and be glad in it!

ps. A good, applicable article here: Grace on the fly...

http://www.feminagirls.com/2011/04/06/grace-on-the-fly/#more-2860

My view from here

Standing at my kitchen sink, there is the most beautiful ornamental cherry tree that is in full bloom. God is good with these little gifts of beauty.

From standi

Home

We're home. Through some sickness, delayed closings and unexpected complications we are now mortgage holders! We are loving the house, the 80 degree weather, the wonderful welcoming people. More to come later, I've got to unpack some boxes :)

Sunny days

We took a break yesterday to enjoy the sun, sandbox, and the ducks who have returned to the pond. The ducks get braver every year, and yesterday morning the male duck was waiting on the deck for some food. This afternoon, we did comply :) (no, we were not the ones to start feeding them - the condo's across the street have a pond and a waterfall and lots of food... we were just giving them incentive to stay :)

I love these little girls! And they love each other very, very much. They sat watching the ducks and chatting for 15 minutes, until I grabbed the camera.

They also take such good care of Jessie. Jessie had a pediatrician appointment yesterday, so I made arrangements to drop the girls off at a friends. When they found out, they started to cry, "But Jessie wants us... Jessie NEEDS us! She's gonna get poked, and who will sing to her?" Very sweet, so yes, I took them, and yes, they sang to her. I am so blessed!

Boxes

This has sort of been our life for the past few days and weeks. Tapes and labels, sharpies and boxes. Thankfully, the girls have been wonderful about seeing their stuff packed away, reminding me to label it, and make sure that it says 'girls room' on it :) They have been in charge of a few boxes too, scribbling lots of notes all over it! I don't want to forget this time, these days of transitioning, closing down. It's so easy to just focus on the boxes, the setting up of all sorts of things. But I don't want to forget this time either. This is time for the now, time for the past. Next week we'll work on the future, but for now, these are precious days, times of remembering with thanksgiving, days of praise for God's provision. 5 1/2 years of life. 3 babies born. 96 chickens. Almost sent back to Canada x3 (or so I thought :) Times of exile waiting for green cards. Missing home and family. Learning where my Home is. Gaining more aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews than I ever thought possible. Miles and miles driven. Many people welcomed and waved off. An NCLEX written. A marriage started and built. Friends made. God has been good. God is still good. Praise God.

oh dear

This little one is so like me in so many ways. Well, on the plus side, our sandbox has a cover and is off the ground :)