Did you know...

So, I haven't posted in a long while. Josh is working late tonight, so I thought I would give it a go, to at least have more than one post a month.

The last two weeks have been pretty frustrating for me. It has been a while since I have felt like this. King David went thru it, so did Elijah...it is called Missionary Burn-out. But wait - you might say - You just stay home with the girls and take care of the house... While that is true, I am also tied to and one with a man (a really good looking one too!) who is working in the missionary world. Being as we are one, we both get hit with it. Kind of like Pollyanna - but I am not ready to go there yet.

Josh and I are reading thru 1st Samuel the last chapter. In this part of the book, David went to fight WITH the Philistines against Israel - but the other kings didn't trust him, so he was sent back home. When he gets there, everything is burned...and the families they left behind aren't there. David's men turn on him...but David (finally) turns TO God...and "encourages himself in the Lord."

So it is my turn.

Did you all know I have been to Bible school? God did that.
Did you know I lived in Texas? God told my Dad "It will be okay."
Did you know I lived in Louisiana? God did that.
Did you know I went to Israel TWICE? God did that - fulfilling an unspoken dream.
Did you know I married my best friend? God did that.
Did you know I have two BEAUTIFUL little girls? Yep, God did that too.
Did you know that Jesus died on the cross? God did that.
Did you know that Jesus loves me? God did that?
Did you know that before I was born, God knew me? God did that.
Did you know that God said we would have troubles...BUT He would still be with us?
Did you know that God said He would never leave us or forsake us?

You smellin' what I'm steppin' in?

So it is now your turn...If you need more food for thought - click on "Bring the Rain" and make sure you have your kleenex. Then check this out: http://withoutwax.tv/

4-4-3-4 and Other Mysteries of Life

My Shalom Girl
My Ruthie-Bear

I couldn't think up a good enough caption for these pictures. Something along the lines of coming down from a sugar-high...

So, about this "4-4-3-4" thing. Ruth has been learning to count. She has counting practice with Papa every day after lunch - they count M&M's! Of course, there is some eating going on, but that is to be expected, right? So, Ruth is CONSTANTLY walking around the house saying "4-4-3-4," I am sure she will get over it and move on beyond 4! She knows what "one" and "two" mean, and in there are two M&M's...she gets it.Sunday morning, Ruth woke up saying...Cookie! I had made cookies Saturday night after she went to bed, and somehow she knew. She has been saying a new word every day this week. Tuesday it was "honey" - as in Pooh's honey pot. She is also starting to say words that she often hears me use. I better start watching what I say!

Shalom is also blossoming. She is S-L-O-W-L-Y starting to eat food. However, there is a little glitch...she will only eat off of a spoon if SHE puts it into her mouth! Here we go again! However, I did meet the challenge head-on, and let her know that I would be the one feeding her, at least for a little while. She likes to eat sweet potato, carrots, and applesauce. She is moving up in the crawling world too - she now crawls around on her knees and elbows!

Mama and Papa are doing well. Work is coming along smoothly for Papa. He hasn't quite moved outdoors in his work as of yet, but he is working on maintenance/work vehicles. Last week, we planted a "sporadic" garden in our back yard. I say sporadic, because is certain spots, we have dug holes, and put pumpkin and acorn squash seeds in the ground. Can't wait to see them come up!

Check out some the the links to the left of my posts. You will find blogs of friends, my sister, and at least ONE very encouraging blog! Check out the CF Husband blog if you feel like being amazed at God...'cause GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

The Larson's

My Girls Make Me Happy

I looked up one day, and Ruth was hiding in her book cupboard reading books!

Shalom got jealous of Ruth's reading pics and wanted to show off too... Either that or Papa thought it was a great photo opportunity.

My beautiful girl in the morning light, I mean, shade

Content and happy. That is my Shalom-Girl!

So this is the month I have set aside to send out our family letter, so I won't have much of an update just now. If you check our blog, and don't know if you are on our mailing list, leave a message on here and I will email you (I may need an address {email and/or home}if I don't have one). Thanks!

Cars, books cuteness and accomplishments

Our wonderful Papa. He was working on taking down the full fuel tank of a van. Isn't he amazing?!?!

I looked up from making breakfast, and this is what I saw! Papa and I are reading the Little House on the Prairie series, and Ruth got ahold of the book. She is looking at the pictures at the top of the pages.

Just pure, sweet Shalom cuteness!

She is wearing her Papa's work cap

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a picture of Mama. No, it is not a belly shot - I am showing you all the skirt I made! Yes, Rebekah Lynn Larson pulled out her sewing machine wedding present, and made herself a skirt...almost completely without help! The only thing done for me was the button hole to put the ties thru!

Imitations and Iron Intake

Papa was relaxing after supper one night, and Ruth decided to imitate him.

She busted out with some serious belly laughs!

Can you tell this is an "Okay, Mama, take the picture already!" kind of picture?

I just thought she looked SO cute and "Little House on the Prairie-ish."

Each evening, when the weather is good, I take Ruth and Shalom to pick Papa up from work. One night, Joe - Josh's boss - gave Ruth two off brand (NOT Snap-On) wrenches. Shalom decided one morning she needed more Iron than I could give her, so she was munching on one of them.

The Larson's are well this month. Ruth and Shalom were playing the other day. Actually, Shalom was laying in her bouncey chair playing with a toy, and Ruth was leaning over talking to her. Shalom touched the toy to Ruth's head, and Ruth got all excited because her hair was clinging to her head. A little later, we were walking down the hall putting clothes away, and Ruth was rubbing her head making what I can only describe as a static sound. She was trying to make static in her hair again!

Josh is still down in the shop working on vehicles. Some nights when he comes home he has "Family time" where he plays with Ruth while I make supper, etc., other nights hw has a work night where he works around the house on little projects. Josh has made more room in my kitchen by finding us a new table, and taking out the "Entertainment center," that was actually our catch-all. He put in a new cabinet that takes up half the space and has more room, AND made room for our new heater! One of the guys who just moved down here brought with him a used Monitor heater. It will take less energy to run it, AND the fuel for it costs less than what we are currently paying! Josh is SO handy and wonderful to have around!

Papa - much to Mama's chagrin - is encouraging Shalom to crawl. He is trying to strengthen Shalom's back by putting her on her hands and knees as often as possible. She sccots around just fine on her tummy in a "Marine crawl." My babies are growing! Time for another!?!?!?! Just kidding, I think! ;)

Slave Labor and Fun with Papa

Ruth wiping the table for Mama in her apron from Grammy

"No, really, I am having fun! "

Making cookies with Papa...

Ruth and Papa made spelt sugar cookies on Sunday night. She had a lot of fun using her very own cut outs (a heart and a star) on the dough. By the way, spelt flour sugar cookies don't taste any different from white flour sugar cookies...

More of my girls...

Isn't Shalom just the cutest little redhead ever?!?!?

She is a Junior Mechanic at heart!

Josh went to a Snap-On presentation last night, and everyone got a hat. Since Josh doesn't wear hats, he gave it to Ruth...she HAD to wear it when we went to pick Jsoh up today...it was a big hit in the mechanic shop!