Getting Big!

Brand New World

Despite my camera's inability to take a good picture, there's no getting around the beauty of this pic. We've come a long way to get where we are today: dry wall!

She's been paying attention!

Today I asked Kip to dress in a "mommy outfit": meaning something that I would approve of being worn out of the house.  She cheerfully skipped off and came back dressed like this.  Jeans rolled up, flats and her only non-pink shirt.  I guess she thought I meant for her to dress like Mommy.  If so, she's pretty spot on!

DC Getaway

Thanks to Chris and Patti, we got away for a long weekend and some much-needed time together. It's strange to be away for Easter but we had a run early this morning, followed by a nice service at a local church and now we are at the game watching the Cardinals beat the Nats so it has been a really nice day. Looking forward to wrapping up the day with a nice family dinner back at home. 

All Ready!

Tiny Cookies

Scott scored a free Easy Bake Oven for Kip the other day.  We had our first batch of teeny, tiny cookies this morning.  She is having so much fun.  Such a sweet girl!

PartyTime!

The insulation is in and we have passed inspection. Time to start closing up the walls!  

We have gone from drab...

...to fab!

Well...it feels like it anyway. 

Here is a glimpse if things to come. We have put up a few of our wood walls already. 

Perhaps we are in the home stretch!

Looking for the Beautiful

I feel like these flowers capture the essence of our 2014 winter so far.  I bought them at Trader Joe's the other day while they were still closed up: the hope of beauty hidden, but possible.  So over the last couple days, they have struggled to open, made it about halfway and are now shriveling back up.

Depressing, I know.

That's how I've felt over the last couple months.  Just being honest, here.  We will get hopeful news from a contractor and then wait, and wait, and wait some more for something beautiful to happen.  And when it doesn't happen, it's like my hope shrivels up inside.

Last week, I realized I've come to the absolute end of my strength when it comes to waiting.

But, I had a great cry with Scott over it and then got some wonderful encouragement from friends.  A couple lines from a Sara Groves song keep going through my head:

"In the trial, in the trial

I learned to hold on

to the heart of God."

I'm so thankful that I can throw all my emotions "at God" in these times and He is solid and strong and His heart is good.  He brings deliverance when we put our hope in Him.

So...I am confident that this winter will end and Spring will arrive and we will be able to be honest when we are at the end of our own strength and will carry on in the Lord's.

And hiking in the sunshine helps, too.

New kit

Of course we will support whatever she chooses to play, but we are hoping that her desire to sleep in these is a sign of her future in futbol! 

Beauty in the Everyday

Snow

We have had a lot more snow this winter compared to last year. Keep it coming!