Merry christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! A little early...these are from our Christmas card but I was just thinking about posting the pics for fun. I am basically ready and just enjoying the snow and lack of school to do. I hope you are ready and enjoying this season of joy and peace as well. We are thankful for our three healthy children and a roof over our heads that is cozy. We are thankful for our baby that is kicking and seemingly very active! Praise the Lord for new life...for all of us.

Oswald speaks once again...

Today in My Utmost for His Highest is brilliant. Let me just relay some for you to think about...ponder...meditate...decipher for yourself.

"Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. Individuality shoves others aside, separating and isolating people. We see it as the primary characteristic of a child, and rightly so. When we confuse individuality with the spiritual life, we remain isolated. This shell of individuality is God's created natural covering designed to protect the spiritual life. But or individuality must be yielded to God so that our spiritual life may be brought forth into fellowship with Him. Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself, but individuality corrupts that human nature for its own purposes.
The characteristics of individuality are independence and self-will. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality. If you say, 'I can't believe,' it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can never believe. But our spirit cannot help believing."

An update!

Many, many things have been happening around here in the last few months. All of which are unbelievably exciting...Well maybe not but here are some. We have been learning to do school and work from home. It is strange to have all the people who live here actually here all the day long. It is both good and bad for Casey. He is learning to adjust to having distractions now and then; even when he doesn't want them. He is also learning to seize opportunities to have time with any one of us. The other day while Daisy was doing some schoolwork and Jack was doing something Lucy just went downstairs and climbed under his table and played with something. Just being with her Daddy. Jack went downstairs and asked Casey to put Christmas music on the computer for him to listen to. So, while Casey painted Jack laid on the steps and listened to Christmas music and asked what each song was called-unless it was Jingle Bells-he knows that one. Casey loved it. We are appreciating those moments that wouldn't happen if we didn't have our kids at home and he didn't work here.
On the art side of life Casey has sold 4 paintings at the restaurant where his work is currently hanging. He got a couple of specialty pet stores to hang some painitings and we are hoping for something to come of that. He had the courage to go into one of his favorite stores that carries really great art and ask about getting his stuff there. The gal looked at his stuff and said she loved it and wanted to carry it! Only problem is she isn't sure that she will be able to work out lease problems for Riverfront Park. So, you can pray for that. He has gotten several Christmas commissions. Which is really good. Portraits, which he loves to do. They are small but everything counts, ya know.
We have already done a gingerbread house, put up decorations (except a tree), and made cookies. We are doing pretty good for it being the beginning of December. We just celebrated Casey's 36th birthday. And are looking forward to my brother coming in the next couple of weeks. I have done very little Christmas shopping but am seriously considering doing a large portion online this year. We'll see what happens.
I am feeling more and more pregnant each week that passes, although I am not sure this is a good thing considering I am only 16 weeks. I have a lot more of this to go. However, I am keeping my sights set on January as I will be having an ultrasound then and always feel better after that. Plus, then we will know what we are having! I think I am beginning to really embrace this baby. I have been having trouble just not letting the anxiety get to me, but thanks to three very timely and back to back pep talks from people I love and trust very much I am embracing the joy! Can't wait to see what this little person turns out to be. I have been so blessed and challenged and grown by the other three that God alone knows what this baby will bring me.

Like this one for instance who just keeps revealing to me that I have a very deep connection with my mother. It is otherworldly and I didn't see that coming. I am finding a new way to love my mom and be loved by her through this precious little face. I was afraid to have a daughter of my own and now I am so humbly grateful that someone else is in charge of choosing what babies we have.

These two are always changing it seems and growing. I love this picture because it looks like they are digging a grave and they kinda did. Daisy was laying in it without it being 6 feet deep and without being covered with dirt. She was covered in leaves instead. Daisy is a reading machine and I love it! She is so content to just sit and read for hours. I love that about her. It is good for her to give her mouth a break! I am constantly amazed at what she knows and we are finally getting somewhere when it comes to remembering and thinking through consequences. Jack is my little hurricane. Rolling through the house with a wave of destruction behind him. Yet, he has this tender and soft heart. He has been learning so much already this year and has just totally taken off with writing and counting and math. It is great to see. He loves to sit down and do schoolwork with Daisy...I'm sure glad someone does.
Sorry this was so long...I didn't mean it that way!