to be like the father...

This was too good to not write down .... God gave this thought to Eric and I tonight

Where it reads "hardship," insert whatever it is that is relevant to you!

"Hardship" is like the prodigal son - we are like the father to him -

In that story, the father -- while his son was still far away and WITHOUT knowing his TRUE intentions/heart/plan - ran to greet him - welcomed him, loved him, killed the fatted calf for him

for all he knew - the son wanted to rob him, beg for more money, use him, etc - he didn't care - The father just showed him unconditional love.

We need to be the father for "hardship" - we don't know what God's plan is, or what "hardship's" plan is - all we know and all responsible for is to be the "father" in action towards him

For all we know, this is GOD giving US a second chance to be Christ and a witness to "hardship" - maybe it was US who messed up and weren't the Godly witness to "hardship" that we should have been - maybe "hardship's" heart isn't in the right spiritual place and God is being gracious to US to give us a second chance...

Isn't it amazing what God can and WILL do!

For Jill & Kendra

So recently I was "gotten after" for my lack of posting ability...

although my last post was only one month before someone else i know :) lol

so here goes another one!

I should say I have all intentions of posting our Christmas Newsletter on here in the near, near future....and maybe sending out an email to all of you who gave up hope in this ghost of a blog!

Recently, I was to the doctor to review my medication...he wanted to know how things were going...I think anxiety and stress were the two best descriptive words I had for him... With a lot going on the last 4 months, I am tired!

We finished up soccer in November...and as much as I LOVE my coach! and love the guys and Ky LOVES the game, the ball, the flags, the field, his boys, etc...i was ready for it to be over.

But then it also meant really starting to be dedicated to my school work again :( But now the semester is over too and Christmas can COME ON!

I am going to finish this post with pictures and then write more in our newsletter...but wanted to write at least something to hold you over :)

Thankful for good family times last night, seeing a lot of my cousins, and all the babies we now have! blessed my kids can enjoy Christmas with my grandparents still - that Ky loves his "grandmudder, and granddaddy" and that they have so many cousins to play with and enjoy!

so pictures to follow and look for more posts this season! I hope I can say, I promise??

First Snow bear day!

K's headbands! I LOVE having a girl!!

Silly face games!

Saba!

Cousin "Als-alen"

See Greg & Rae!

Sharing Ky's Chocolate Chip cookie...Oopies!!

LOVE!!

Thomas!!!!

Twins! Kaide & Cousin Rylie!

common morning sight at our house!

a boy and his dog

Ky loves to "help" his sister

we LOVE Uncle Greg and Aunt Rae!

...first foods...

5+ Step Program to Reinvent Self

Lately I have found myself challenged by the desire to take a step back and rediscover what it means to be "crystal"...to revisit who I think I am and to perhaps reinvent "self"...

some changes are physical, some emotional, some environmental, and a whole lot are about how I am going to do things, who & how I will allow myself to be affected by and so forth....

much of this may seem incomplete and make no sense to anyone but myself ... but that is the beauty of getting to write my own thoughts down! whether you agree with them or not :)

1. haircut! freeing ... not too young, not to mommy like...make me feel sexy but still about to throw back that ponytail!
2. WHITE, WHITE, WHITE! the inconvenient color of childhood, but oh so worth it!! white curtains to brighten up and lighten up my life...white sheets soon to come...the risk of kiddo colors --- oh so worth every fab moment!
3. citrus press...challenging my cooking habits...more fresh, more local in effort to encourage spending more fun times with Ky and K at the farmer's market, etc...
4. simply live and live simply
5. live intentionally???
6. eliminate negativity.......
7. don't worry about what people think, be honest with self
8. i have the right to choose how much effort i am willing to put into my relationships...
9. it doesn't matter who you are, or if you are even related in some way - if you aren't willing to put effort into me...then i am not willing to drag myself through disappointment and frustration over you....
10. i want to focus on meaningful relationships...to truly invest
11. hold ky a little longer...he is getting too big
12. simplify

and the learning will go on....

reflections

the kids are all sleeping and i should be too...or cleaning the kitchen...or doing homework...or...or...or....

I feel like that is the theme of my existence right now - sometimes I feel guilty for just sitting, but there is a place for just "being" I argue with myself....

I did finally finish the laundry I started 2 days ago, but there is still 3 loads to fold from 5 days ago...sigh.

but tomorrow E & I are FINALLY going on a date!! we have an entire day planned out for ourselves! I can not wait!!

I am loving being a momma ... ok so most days and times :)

Ky is sooooo thoughtful - he has his 2 year old moments for sure, but i can't get over his "yes, sir", "thank you momma", "may i ... please?", "DADDY HOME!", "heeeeyyyyy Taide!", "Taide laughing", etc...

he is incredibly bright and talented...love him!!

Kaide is smilely, sweet and just down right kissable! I love her giggles and grins and her sweet little self...the way she LIGHTS up when she sees us or how she gives us "the look" that says, pick me up, please?

anyhow ... just a few thoughts...

a few pics

a good cup of "coffee"

things totally worth it...

seems there are so few things in life you can look back on and find were totally worth your time and investment...at least I find that to be true...

things that seemed so important at the time, later seem so insignificant...

so here's my "worth it" list

• every day, moment, fight, love, like, cheesiness, memory, laugh and more with eric
• pregnancy & labor (without it I wouldn't have my beautiful babies)
• white curtains
• soft sheets!
• a good pair of comfy jeans
• morning star "griller crumbles"
• my waterless cookware
• my magic bullet!
• scrapbook investments
• good photography!
• a bouquet of gerbera daisies...love!!
• a good salad
• tupperware
• the movie "why did i get married"
• gDiapers
• good underwear...yup i said it
• Ky's Adidas soccer outfit :)
• hammock
• Revelation Song (PC&D)
• zoloft
• one good mattress
• muslin blankets
• kitchen aid mixer
• pampered chef stoneware
• "Praise You in this Storm"

sure more could be added...but these are things I am thankful for today!

Sooooo.....

If anyone out there still reads this! YIKES! Here are some pics of our BABY GIRL!!

Kaide Eileen Blosser

Born: March 12, 2010

7 lbs, 9 oz -- 19 in

She is an amazing baby and we are all in love!