Big project under way!

In 1.5 weeks is the yard sale.

My project, go through all the kids clothes and scale down.

In my attic. 40 boxes!!!

I had no idea there were that many! I'm hoping to get it down to 10 at the most. One girl, one boy for each age.

While I'm at it I'll do the 4 Christmas decoration boxes as well.

Step one. Today. Bring all the boxes from the attic. It took me, and my great little helpers, almost 45 minutes. Whew!

Here they are stacked in the living room. Insane!

Callie asked, "Mom, can you take the chain off my bike?" Me, "No Callie, I wouldn't know how to put it back on." .... "Oh, that chain." (The dog chain)

Meanwhile....William is taste testing dog treats. Me...gagging. That kid will eat anything. Did I mention that while we were working on Callie's garden he had a worm, and YES, HE DID. In his mouth. Flowers, sticks, blanket bits, boogers, you name it, he'll try it. Yuck. But I do love that kid.

It's that sad time of year again

When my boys cut their hair off.

The last two years Wm has wanted to grow his hair "long like Callie's" so he "can have piggies".

We get about this far

and then it gets to the point where it really is getting too long and we have to cut it. I wish he would opt for the cut I want, but alas, he wants his hair like Dad's.

I'm not a fan. But it is a quick easy cut with low maintenance. And they like it. And he's just so cute either way.

Exercising...

I've been doing some new exercising videos and the kids have been joining me. They will correct me if i'm not doing the moves just right. When I put my knees down on push ups I hear, "that's not what they're doing!". And they will walk around me saying things like 'that leg is straight, good' or 'yes, like that' just like the video guy does with the other exercisers. Callie will also stand behind me and pull my shirt down every time it starts to creep up...keeping me modest, thanks Darling.

Here is William doing his warrior stance.

And Callie stretching with her "Yoga Block" (toy building block). Jen, She does do some yoga. : )

And this is the heart rate monitor Callie put on me. Very helpful!

Tang...

This container is for sale on craigslist, with matching glasses!.....so tempting. This is all I drank growing up! I remember the container so well!!

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The real hope is not in something we think we can do, but in God, who is making something good out of it in some way we cannot see. (Merton)

Tonight the babies got to sleep in the bed while cal slept on the floor in her 'sleeping bag'.

The dentist. They both loved it and can't wait to go back.

Still love the sleep positions. That's her bear lying across her neck.

Wrestling

I need to put this somewhere, so here it is.

It has been a peaceful, calm, easy last 6-ish weeks. I felt settled. Loving it here. Settling here. After 4 years, it's about time to really do that.

Then, last week, I taught a lesson in my ladies group about when Jacob wrestled with God. As I planned it, I realized I hadn't really wrestled with God about much of anything lately. Life has been good. 1/2 hour before teaching the lesson, however, Jon got a call that would lead to much wrestling. The next morning, my other Bible study was on the same lesson. More wrestling. More words I listened to, wrote down, and am still absorbing, processing. Then a good talk with a dear friend with more words I needed to hear.

"We often step out of His will while trying to do His will"

"Do whatever God has told you....His way"

"Blessing comes with a high price of obedience"

Then this from a blog today...

"Moving hurts when the living has been done well. If there are tears and a ripping in our hearts then we have succeeded in really living and not gotten lost in the busyness of life. This move will leave an ache in every one of us and by that we know we have loved and been loved well."

Then there's my girls. Great phone conversation with one yesterday, she's so beautiful. Great evening with another one last night, so good to get to know her better, she's so amazing. Then a great fb message from another. The growth she has exhibited, the sensitivity she has to God's voice, she's so inspiring. How could I think of leaving these girls? What would I do without them?

Here, I am living. Here, I am involved. Here, I am being used. To encourage, to cheer others on, to love. Here, I am learning. Here, I am growing. Here, I am loved.

I think about where we might move. It could be beautiful, peaceful, nice. But it won't be here. Where my life is.

But if that call was the call. What can I say about it?

So torn!!

And also struggling with sadness for a dear friend and the pain in her life.

All weighing heavily on my mind. All causing wrestling.

Not to mention that Jon started back to work at Scotts this week, thus we are in the middle of another adjustment phase.

Gibbles chip factory!

Good morning and good night.

and then there were three

Callie wanted twins for Christmas and got them from Grandma and Grandpa Thielbar!! She was very excited!!

And when we got home, her twins became "Three Twins"! Here they are with the blanket she sewed for them.

She's such a good Mommy.

William wants to move...

Here.

I guess it could be relaxing.

Callie made dresses for her babies.