I liked 2008!

I am all about looking forward, but what was so bad about last year? We have the obvious things, but I wouldn't want to be continually labeled as a grudge holder. I found the valleys of 2008 to be serious character building opportunities for Jake and I, and I think we are stronger through the chaos.
We welcomed our beautiful daughter Fiona Lynn in April, and even though we had a traumatic birth experience, we were reminded that we serve a Mighty God! He is faithful to answer our prayers and hold us in His hands. Not by our own strength, but through His might and His power we are brought safely through the hardships. Walking the halls of the NICU my heart cried in thankfulness that Fiona was a full term baby. The Lord was preparing me with perspective, for the months of colic that she had! The hours throughout the night were long and loud, but when I felt that I couldn't stand another shrill scream my conversations to the Father were still laced with Thanksgiving that she was in my arms.xJake and I learned that those "gut feelings" that we have, are the Holy Spirit using circumstances to tell us to flee quickly or not to approach a situation we "feel" to be unstable. Seeking alternatives to modern medicine, we left a pediatrician who was pressuring us to vaccinate Iain, and we also found that Fiona's colic could have just been a void of good stomach bacteria(that was stripped during the anti-biotics she received in the NICU). When we play detective each day with the babes who can not yet communicate we are always asking questions. After changing a diaper, "What did we feed him?" After barfing, "What did we feed him? Is he sick from food? Who were we hanging around? Were they sick?" After falling, "Did you trip on something? Be careful where you walk?" or "Move that thing to the basement! That's too dangerous!!"

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

My grandfather checked into the hospital, almost the same time that I went to the hospital when Fiona was born. He had been sick for many years, dealing with diabetes and heart disease. When Jake and I were preparing for our wedding, he kept saying, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." With each new milestone that Jake and I passed, so quickly during our first year of marriage, my Grandpa would get excited, but still say that phrase that became so regretful. He was so delighted to meet Iain and spend time with him. Grandpa loved hearing stories about Iain and called him, "my little buddy." I know he was excited to meet Fiona as well, but he never returned home from the hospital. His death was bittersweet because we all knew that he was very sick, but for those that are left behind the finality in those last breaths are excruciating. It was important for me to say something at his funeral because even though he wasn't there, and couldn't hear anything, I wanted to share with others his simple faith and a belief in a Savior who died for him. We never had those deep kinds of theological discussions, but through his simplicity, I learned that the God stuff doesn't have to be complicated.

And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The national economy was in the toilet in 2008, but we continue to be grateful for God's protection and guidance through the lean years. I love making bread for the family, and by eating in every night we are eating healthier and cheaper! We rarely watch the news, and if we don't know how much the DOW plunged, then we just don't know and we are OK with that! We have had our barf puddles and blown out diapers dripping everywhere, but we have had another year of good health for all of our family. I wouldn't trade a day of being a mom for any day in the workforce. A giggle from my daughter, a kiss from my son trumps the thrill of a sale any day. I will take every low that I may have with my children for the heights that they give my heart each day. Watching them explore their world and take delight in spotting the moon each night takes my breath away.