These boys are growing up so fast! Dominic had his preschool end-of-the-year program this past Tuesday, which was adorable. The next day he lost his first tooth! How is my BABY already old enough for all of this?!

Well, we started this week off with a bang.

Yesterday Adrian fell off the kitchen counter and onto his head. He immediately started showing symptoms of a head injury, so - after a consult with the pediatrician - we ended up calling 911. An ambulance ride and a day spent at Children's Hospital later, I am overwhelmingly happy to report that our baby is fine. He suffered a concussion, but that looks like it's the extent of his injuries. He is playing and happy today. God is good and was with Adrian yesterday in a very real sense. I am working through the inevitable "mommy guilt" and just treasuring my whole and healthy kids today!

"Content" is a very good way to be. I have noticed a pattern. The closer I draw to God (and vice versa, of course), the more content I become. And not just spiritually speaking. I'm talking content, satisfied, my cup runneth over in all aspects of life. I feel less frenzied with stay-at-home motherhood, I'm more patient with my children (and husband!), more thankful for things I would normally take for granted, and more focused. One of the chapters we recently studied in my small group was Psalm 23. Almost everyone is familiar with this passage of Scripture talking about the Lord being our Shepherd. However, I decided to dig deeper and research this amazing chapter. (I am currently reading A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 - highly recommended!) The bottom line is this: Sheep are stupid animals. They are inclined to go their own way and very much prone to peril. Christ is the GOOD Shepherd of His sheep. He knows their tendencies because He created them. In spite of stubborness, He loves and meticulously cares for them. God IS, and as long as He IS, His sheep will be cared for.

If you need a reminder of the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ, read Psalm 32. It is amazing! How remarkable that God does not hold our sin against us. As Christians, when we bring our sin before God and confess our wrongdoing and ask Him to forgive us, He does. That is it. There are no "ifs, and, or buts." There is no fine print. He seperates our sin from us "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12)

We are all humans. We are all destined to failure and bad decision making. We are born with a nature that is sinful. Despite all of that, God knows us whom He created and wants each of us to become His children. Because of His death and resurrection, eternal life and the freedom from the consequences of sin is made unbelievably accessible to ALL of us.

That news makes for a good day!

So, I nearly have a five-year-old... Crazy, no? And what an almost-five-year-old he is! Dominic is a fountain bubbling over with zeal for life - and garbage trucks! That boy loves him some garbage trucks. :) He is kind to others, good at sharing, loves school, and is a big help to his mommy. Besides garbage trucks (which take first, second, and third place), he loves jumping, the color green, playing with his friends, and cooking. He dives right into new social situations without hesitation. He wants to make Jesus happy and always prays "for Dominic." (He's a bit narcisstic - we're working on that. Hehe.) He is a sweet, happy joy to us.

Little Adrian is not so little. I decided to weigh him this morning and he came in at a whopping 29 pounds on our home scale! He's my little lovey. He hugs everyone and everything. This morning he was even "hugging" the baby on the bag of Huggies wipes! :)

What precious boys God has given us!

Even on the days when I am pulling out my hair with stay-at-home mom induced craziness, I am blessed beyond words. I have a husband who graciously provides for us so that I do not have to work, a warm home, enough food, and - most importantly - a God who has and will continue to love me despite all my shortcomings and who fills me with His presence and His peace!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.
- Jeremiah 29:11-14

2009 is upon us! A focus in my life this past year has been that I can accomplish nothing by my own power and that - in giving myself to God's purpose and plans - I will live the fullest life possible. God wants this abundant life for us and desires for us to rely on His power to sustain us. Although this "out of control" sensation can feel scary, it will actually set us free! God knows the plans that He has for us, and they are for good! We can embrace this promise in the new year. We can also be assured that we don't have to know where we are going and that God will lead us step by step as we place our lives in His care. He longs to meet us exactly where we are, with all our mistakes, shortcomings, fears, and failures. HE is our hope and our future!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

We are blessed and thankful for the birth of God's son, Jesus!