I'm back

After a three month break, and deliberating about switching hosts and/or blog name, I decided to stay the same for the moment. I didn't plan on being absent from writing for so long but it was one of many things that was dropped for a time. During my time away, all three girls had their birthdays, we celebrated Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day, and in the midst of all, we have pondered anew the grace of our Lord Jesus.

Ella is a delightful 4-year-old, growing tall and articulate. Lately we have been listening to many lengthy explanations, questions and speeches from her little mind. You can tell from her facial expression just how much spunk she has!

Charlotte is now 2 and our little lovebug. She constantly talks in complete sentences, keeping up as much as she can with her sisters. We celebrated her birthday with a "Jane" giraffe cake. Nana and Grampa were able to join us for the week of celebrating birthdays and Thanksgiving. She is now toilet-trained except for nights and some naps.

Madelyn turned 6 on New Year's Eve and we celebrated her birthday with a party at our church and a skating party later that week with her friends. She continues kindergarten at TCA combined with homeschooling. Within the last few months, she has lost four teeth, changing her appearance to one of a growing up girl!

Troy and I have been challenged recently in our parenting journey and we pray every day that our girls would learn the love of Christ through our example. I have just started a new class at our church concerning women in ministry. It is based on the book Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and I have thoroughly enjoyed the study thus far.

Lessons being learned::

how to be knit together with love : selfishness is universal, from the 2-year-old to the parents : we are influencing our children for eternity : book clubs are excellent times of intelligent conversation (thanks Emily!) : priorities must be made and everyone only has 24 hours in a day : to educate our children is a long term process and one that requires great diligence : the body of Christ is a beautiful gift : playing guitar is quite fun : the joy of the Lord is our strength