Million Billion Trillion

Okay, so in my last post or two or three, I have tried to convince all my "blog friends" that I haven't forgotten that I have a blog. Well, I pretty much have. Or, in all honestly, it has fallen down the priority list for the time being. Us Wards are super busy . . . in a good way, but still, BUSY! We have all been through the flu and colds. Jojo is getting over strep throat. Karl and I attended the Youth Ski Retreat out church goes to. I am now on a worship team at church. I quit one job, started another (although I think I mentioned that in my last post), and am taking a leave of absence from our farm job next month! The kids are all in the midst of practices for the AWANA games that are coming up very quickly, in fact the day after that all happens, we leave to North Carolina and Tennessee for a few days. That trip will entail fun, seeing family and friends, and even business - as a friend is having a Pampered Chef party that week! We are all excited about that trip. But if you don't mind, I'm going to chat at you about how amazing my life is, in spite of all the chaos!

I am so blessed! I know the Savior of the world! Jesus Christ! He never fails to reveal himself to me, when I need it the most. The ski retreat was designed to be an amazing time for the kids, but it was also an amazing time for me! I was reminded how God has cared for me, all of my life. How He loves me as a daughter. How He desires to know my heart, and for me to know His heart. I was also reminded, that no matter how long I have been a Christian, there will be a room in my heart that needs renovation - the kind that requires a master carpenter. I happen to know the best carpenter around! He loves me more than I will ever comprehend, and when we are in the demolition phase, I can trust that He will rebuild me stronger, for His glory! How great is that?!?!?!?

Then, there's my Karl . . . can I just say - he's perfect! He's perfect for me. I love him (seriously) more than I ever imagined was possible. I pray fervently, that my Katy will meet someone as great as her Daddy. Who loves the Lord, and serves Him. He spoils me with his love. It's not grandiose gifts that make me know he loves me. It's how he looks at me from across the room. Or how he listens as intently as our children do, when I read aloud to the kids. It's that he stays up all hours of the night so that I won't have to stop writing my blogpost to go to bed! It's that he reads God's Word every day. It's that he serves our country despite all it's flaws and failings. It's that he wants our children to know God personally - and that while Daddy loves them more than just about anything - he loves God more. It's that he makes me a priority, even over our kids. (Controversial to some people maybe, but I think it is a living demonstration of Christ's love for His bride, the Church.) I could go one for pages and pages, but I'll spare you all of that. I just love my man!

Then, there's our kiddos!

Katy, my dear sweet daughter. She is scarily growing faster than I can buy new clothes! :) She is turning into quite the little lady, and while we are starting to hear a bit of attitude every now and again from her, she is the best daughter I could ever have asked for. When we were all sick, I was literally in bed for 3 days straight! Karl had to work, so who managed the house and the boys, and even most of the cooking??? That's right! My Katy bug! She is such a joy. I thank God for her daily!

Hunter, my hunter-man. He is growing like a weed as well! He is becoming a fine goose hunter, and that is all good. You see, after deer season, he was beginning to think we named him wrong! No way! We knew what we were doing! He got 6 geese in two outings! He beat all the old veterans of the sport that were with them that day too! Hunter, if you don't know him well enough to know, has the sweetest heart. He cares when someone is hurting, and his heart breaks for people in a way, that I have only seen in adults. He is a friend to the friendless (literally), and stands up for the defenseless. I love him for that! He really wants to invent something really spectacular, but doesn't have any ideas yet, so stay tuned for posts about his inventions!

Andrew . . . well, Andrew is in a stage . . . Hunter was there a couple of years ago, and we are glad to know it isn't so much a personality trait, as a stage. He likes to be involved in every conversation, and he usually thinks he knows it all, and he is right! :) It is a frustrating, but often times very comical stage. I amthough, hoping he will take this and run with it. A man who firmly believes in something, is a force to be reckoned with. It is my sincere prayer, that God will use this to Andrew's benefit, but moreso, to further God's kingdom! Andrew has a willing heart, and I believe that God has big plans for him! I love my Drewly!

Well, then there's Jojo. He is a goof ball! He says the funniest things, at the funniest times! Sure to be the class clown. He is trying to figure out whether he is a leader . . . or a follower. I get the privilege of being one of his homeschool group teachers, and watching him work through that is absolutely hilarious! He has started into the phase of trying to lie to Mommy and Daddy. It's not working out so well. Which is great if you ask me! He recently tried to lie about a candy or cookie or something, and when I asked him "Josiah, are you lying to Mommy?" He just lost it! Crying so hard . . . he knew he had done something wrong, and that he had hurt me. His heart was repentant right away, and I loved every minute of it! He is asking a lot of questions about Jesus, and having Jesus in his heart. I pray constantly for his salvation. I trust he will know Christ as his personal Savior.

Okay, so I have rattled on and on about my wonderful blessings . . . there are so many more . . . it would take a million billion trillion blog posts to list them, and I am sure if I tried that, I would miss a million billion trillion more! So, for now, know that if you are reading this, you would certainly show up in one or more of those million billion trillion posts.