Uncertain Things....

In the past few weeks a lot of things have gone differently than we thought they would go. Life does that to you a good bit it seems. You have things mapped out, planned, and try to make the best decisions you can and then - there is a road block. For me, through all of this God is teaching me to totally depend on Him. I think many times in the past I get anxious, worried, talk to a lot of people about things I don't understand, think and think and think and don't give it to God until...I am at my wits end. The past 6 months or so, God has really been teaching me to depend on Him more and more. He is teaching me to go to his word and read it when I am confused, worried, etc. Not to wait and do it later, but to go to His word immediately. I have done this before as a Christian, but not as often as I need to. I am very dependent on people being there for me. Whether it be Nick, a family member, or a dear friend in times of need...when truly there are times in the past that I should have immediately gone to the Lord in prayer and also gone to His word. So, that is what I have truly been trying to do. To not get all wound up, to lay it at His feet, and let Him have it. To know that His ways are higher than mine and that He is in control. He has blessed us abundantly and helped our family through so many hard decisions, tough situations, etc. and I know that this time will be no different. Thank goodness for God's love and grace.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Moving On...

Hello Everyone!

Once again I have gotten behind on posting on my blog. I am really going to try and do better as I miss doing this and I miss reading everyone else's as well. When I write on my blog I also spend time catching up and reading other people's blogs.

Some of you know that we listed our house in January to sell. We listed the house so that we could mainly move closer to school for Sophie and in turn we would also be moving closer to work for Nick. Sophie attends a private Christian school that is very close to work for Nick. Last year we did a lot of driving, but it was so worth it as we just love where she goes to school. When we listed our current home we didn't mention it to many people as we thought it would take a long time to sell. It did take a few months as we just got an offer on it in June. We had been praying about it for months and we were trying not to stress to much about it not selling. Then God provided a great offer and we are now packing up and getting ready to move. We were in crunch time for a week and a half trying to find the right "new" for us. We have finally found a fabulous home that will only be 12 miles from Sophie's school. We are delighted and are so excited about our "new" home and the area we will be living it. We are going to be so close to lots of dear friends - of mine, Nick's (his college roomate), and Sophie's. We already have a fabulous babysitter (the daughter of Sophie's Kindergarten teacher :-) and we have already visited some wonderful churches in the area and we know that God has big plans for our little family in our new location. Even though we have only been in our current home for just under three years we have made many precious memories here. We celebrated Sophie's 4th and 5th birthday parties in the backyard of this house. We brought Luke home from the hospital to this house. We played slip-in-slide and many hours on the playset in the backyard. We have put our heart and soul in this house as it was quite a mess when we moved it. We have loved it and it has loved us back....so we are sad to move on, but know that this is truly the best thing for us. We are delighted at how God has provided and answered so many prayers for us. We can't wait to see what awaits us in our new town, neighborhood, and home. We also can't wait to get everything moved in and set up so we can have visitors! I'll post some photos of our new home soon...after we close on July 20th and it is all "official".

"Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

The first day of March brought snow to our house and the kids were thrilled! I must say that I was too. I was hoping that we would get snow this year and to our delight it came a little later than one might expect. The snow came down in big flakes and it was beautiful. My favorite part about it was seeing the kids as they looked out the window watching in amazement as the snow fell to the ground. As soon as enough gathered we headed outside. As you can tell by our photos...we don't get snow very often in these parts! My kids have on rain boots, a raincoat and an umbrella in the first few photos! That is how we do it here in GA when it snows :-) The snow was like a large slushy from the snow cone man...not very powdery and fluffy, but rather wet and sloshy. We'll take it any way we can get it though and were so excited to have enough to play in. The next day Sophie's school was canceled so we got to sleep in, which was so very nice. However, the snow was pretty much all gone by morning the next day. Oh well...it was fun while it lasted!

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

It's Me! I am here!

Well...my blog has been totally neglected and I would be surprised if anyone is still reading! I have just not had time and then lately I have forgotten all about it. So much has happened since December that I truly don't know where to begin. We are all doing well, but have been through quite a lot lately. Right now I must say that I am so blessed with sweet family and friends! I have posted a photo of Sophie and me from her Valentine's Party at school. It was so fun and I cherish these days when she is able to have fun parties at school and celebrate holidays! Nick's mom was able to come to the party as well so that made it extra special. I hope you all are doing well and I am going to try and update more often....

Many blessings to you and your families!

Merri

Psalm 36:5 "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

Merry Christmas

Well...it has been a long time since I posted! I promise to be back soon if I still have any readers?? We have been busy with Sophie's bday party, Thanksgiving, and all the fun Christmas activities that go on this time of year. I'll be back soon to update with photos and lots of thoughts. I hope that y'all will come back soon to read about it :-) Right now I am going to get back to wrapping presents and finishing up some handmade gifts....I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. May the birth of our Lord and Savior bless you in new and amazing ways this year.
Love,
Merri

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year with two kiddos who were totally into it! We traveled to Florida for the weekend to attend the UGA/FL football game with my family. I must say that Trick or Treating was muuuuch more fun than the game the next day. We did have a great weekend though and it was fun to Trick or Treat in a new location and with my family! My sister Sherri, who lives in Washington D.C. got to Trick or Treat with the kids for the first time and that was a huge blessing! She got little noses for all of the adults to wear. I was a fish, Nick a pig, Sherri a shark, and Dad a wolf (which Luke thought was UGA and called him that all night!). My mom got some fun glasses to wear. We got to go where we have our family vacations at the beach every summer with my family. It was neat to be there and see all the homes decorated for Fall/Halloween. We got some super duper candy too! Luke LOVED the candy and insisted on eating it with the wrapper on. I had to hang onto his treat bag so he wouldn't do that. Once he got a lollipop though he tore the wrapper off and went to town! He finished the thing off and was a huge sticky mess...but he loved it and that is what Halloween is all about. Sophie was so brave this year - not afraid to run up and ring the doorbell. My little kitty and puppy dog were so cute and I cherish this time when we get to Trick or Treat with them.

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

Bye Gook!

Oh I just love the way Luke talks. I love to hear him say words (and so does Sophie!). He is always repeating what we say and I love the way he pronounces words...it is just adorable to hear a 19 month old talk. He says "Burd" for Big Bird, "Beeear" for Bear, "airpane" for airplane, "Ermie" for Ernie (Bert and Ernie on Sesame St.), "tuck" for truck, "bunkin" for pumpkin. Any who...I could listen to him talk all day long and not grow weary of it. The other night we were at church and we were leaving the nursery. The ladies that keep him each Wednesday night said bye Luke and in return he said, "Bye Gook". That is the way he says his name "Gook". I laughed so hard! My sweet little Gook...who can resist?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14