Happy Valentine's Day To Ben

Trust me, I have not earn'd your dear rebuke,
I love, as you would have me, God the most;
Would lose not Him, but you, must one be lost,
Nor with Lot's wife cast back a faithless look
Unready to forego what I forsook;
This say I, having counted up the cost,
This, though I be the feeblest of God's host,
The sorriest sheep Christ shepherds with His crook.
Yet while I love my God the most, I deem
That I can never love you overmuch;
I love Him more, so let me love you too;
Yea, as I apprehend it, love is such
I cannot love you if I love not Him,
I cannot love Him if I love not you.
- Christina Rosetti

Year in Review 2008

Wow, what a year it has been. The video sums up the biggest and most important part of the new year which is the birth of Judah and the amazing support and love of our families through every twist and turn. I look back and seem to barely recall a life before Judah, his birth ushered in a new era of life for us, but at the same time it often seems like He was always here with us.

It's been a year of ups and downs as well, but more importantly I think its been a year that has spoken of the love of our families for us and the faithfulness of God. From the uncertainty at Judah's birth to my position being "reduced" in October, we've made it; learning and growing along the way. Judah is healthy and growing (faster then I could imagine), taking his very first steps the day after Christmas at 8 months old. We've also made it through the brief time of unemployment with a job offer that I am truly excited about.

So, it's been a busy year filled with our child, home improvements, jobs, hopes, adventures, and trials. I wouldn't change a thing. God has been good to us.

With that, I leave you with a list of all the Letters to Judah Rachel wrote this year:
2 Months
3 Months
4 Months
5 Months
6 Months

Oh, and when we found out Judah was a rebel.



Happy New Year everyone!

A glimpse into Ben

How well do I know my other half? This was fun. Ben, hope you enjoy this!

1. He’s sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen?
If it's Saturday morning and he's holding Judah, you can bet Spectacular Spiderman is on. We watch tons of things together on Netflix - The Office, CSI, Heroes, etc.

2. You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Balsamic vinaigrette.

3. What is one food he doesn’t like?
Celery. In any form or in anything.

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?
Maybe Guinness. Could be lots of things though.

5. Where did he go to high school?
Owasso High School.

6. What size shoe does he wear?
Big Ben with the Big Feet wears a size 16 in tennis shoes and most recently bought a 13 in dress shoes.

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Comic books, wine bottles, movie posters and whatever TV series is our current obsession. Right now he really wants the Stargate series on DVD.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Not a huge sandwich guy, really not sure here. Anything with lots of crunchy veggies and flavor.

9. What would the Husband eat every day if he could?
Breakfast foods - eggs and fried potatoes.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Grapenuts

11. What would he never wear?
Workout pants tucked into your socks, Pop Pop style (my dad). Probably a sweater vest also, if I have any say in it.

12. What is his favorite sports team?
I dunno, the Vikings maybe?

13. Who is his best friend?
Me, of course. He has several close guy friends.

14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do?
Leave the back door open when I'm carrying in groceries.

15. How many states has he lived in?
Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

16. What is his heritage?
Italian and Spanish (i.e. tall, dark and handsome)

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind?
German chocolate

18. Did he play sports in high school?
He was recruited for wrestling and football, but didn't play either

19. What could he spend hours doing?
Playing video games, baking bread

Favorite Movie Scenes: Part III

That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown



Given a year where there is much turmoil, real, imaginary or exaggerated, it's a good thing to remember what Christmas is all about. It's a good time of year to be thankful for the many blessing in our lives instead of the things we don't have or can't afford. I think we'll all be happier in the end if we do.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

A Carrot? Come on!

I didn't believe Ben when he said this guy was playing a carrot. See for yourself and be amazed.