Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

We had our first big snow here in Chicago on Monday. It was fun to show Adilaiah the snow. She was a great sport but I think she would have had more fun if she could move in her snow gear. We made snow angels and even threw a few snow balls.

Time with family... Thanksgiving

Together we were able to reflect on how richly God has blessed us as a family. We have had a lot of changes in our family over the last year. It was great to hear how God has brought and is bringing many of us through the same challenges. We have hope for the future and grateful hearts for what has been.

So the guys...

The guys spent the afternoon playing golf, soaking up some Tennessee sunshine. Brad even caught a few moments of shut-eye despite the noise and busyness in the house.

cookies, cookies and more cookies

Turtle Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Russian Tea Cakes, Puppy

Chow, Chocolate Chex Mix, hours in the kitchen, lots of laughs and a few caffeinated drinks... all while the guys, well lets just say they had a party all of their own.

Lefsa fun.

Grandma, you would be so proud. We had a few ooftas to sample along the way, but in the end we had a nice treat as we passed on your Norwegian tradition. Yummy, yummy! Adilaiah & Katie even loved it. Welcome to the family girls!

On a more personal note...

I have begun to reread the book "The Allure of Hope" by Jan Meyers and feel there are two quotes with which my hearts resonsates during this season of waiting.

"Hope is far more waiting for something in a hot, sticky mess than it is a peaceful, orderly affair."

"Hope uncovers the heart so that it is exposed to the harsh winds of high-desert beauty. Sheltering the heart (refusing to hope) keeps the harsh winds from penetrating but also precludes the chiseled beauty that harsh winds can craft in the hardest of volcanic stone."

My heart longs to hope in the midst of so much uncertainty. It is out of this that my heart aches and rejoices.

Halloween

Adilaiah was not feeling well the week of Halloween so we didn't get to go trick or treating. We put her outfit on her long enough to take pictures and as you can see she wasn't too happy with that either. Earlier in the day she was so tired that she fell asleep in her high chair during lunch. (Amazing since the ONLY place she will sleep is her crib. )