Benefits of 2

They can entertain each other:)

Line 'Em Up

Gus is fascinated with lining up things. As I go around the house, I often stumble over (literally!) random objects, all lined up and, usually, all facing in the same direction:)

Choo Choo Lunch

Thanks, Oma!!

WOW.

"Father, I'm so delighted that You are both loving and sovereign, and that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose. So I thank You for....each problem or hindrance, for each thing that triggers in me anxiety or anger or pain. And I thank You in advance for each disappointment, each demanding duty, each pressure, each interruption that may arise in the coming hours and days.

In spite of what I think or feel when I get my eyes off You, I choose not to resist my trials as intruders, but to welcome them as friends....

I rejoice that You plan to enrich and beautify me through each problem, each conflict, each struggle...that through them You expose my weaknesses and needs, my hidden sins, my self-centeredness...Thank You that You use trials to humble me and perfect my faith and produce in me the quality of endurance...that they prepare the soil of my heart for the fresh new growth in godliness that You and I both long to see in me....

I'm grateful that You look beyond my superficial desire for a troublefree life; instead, You fulfil my deep-down desire to glorify You, enjoy Your warm fellowship, and become more like Your Son."

~31 Days of Praise, Day 18, Ruth Myers

Testing, testing...1, 2, 3

Well, I've finally admitted defeat in the quest to determine what Kip is allergic to/can't digest. I've cut out all the major (and some minor) allergens for over 8 weeks and it's not making any difference. Her symptoms come and go randomly, just like Gus' did. It's been mentally and emotionally exhausting, not to mention expensive. So I've decided to go on a rotation diet instead. The idea is to rotate your diet so that you only eat certain things every 4 days. I've decided to try and spread it out even more at first (every 8 days) so that if she is allergic to something, she won't be exposed to it as often.

This is taking a lot of planning ahead of time, but it has been SO wonderful to be able to eat "forbidden" foods again, sparingly:) And so far (this is day 4), I haven't noticed any change for the worse in Kip's symptoms.

We'll keep plugging away and trusting in the Great Physician.

"I'm melting....melting!!!"

Every day Gus walks by our snowman and says, "Frosty is still here!" Well, not for long, buddy.

Snow Day