New Years Interview 2012

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Dan:  I'm too blessed to pick one. :)  Starting Classical Conversations (homeschool) with the kids and our (Dan + Sarah's) trip to Boston.  

Sarah:  First year of homeschool.  Becoming more intentional in my role as a mother and wife...and all that entails...getting to REALLY know our children and discipling them.  The trip to Boston was such a treat for our marriage.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Dan: Dealing with Aunt Pat's diagnosis. (ALS)  

Sarah: First year of homeschool.  Adjusting my perspectives on education....my compulsory teacher training and experience makes this extra challenging!  Also, this season of the Lord "pruning" my character in so many ways is painful....but such a true blessing.  I am grateful and pray that the fruit God will eventually produce in my heart would be lasting and nourishing to those around me.  

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?  

Dan:  We have learned a more Biblical perspective of money.  Becoming more disciplined in this area to begin to (significantly) reduce our debt.

Sarah:  Getting pregnant with Lydia Kate!

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?  Fist year paying self-employment tax (as full-time ordained clergy) YIKES!

5. Pick three words to describe 2012.

Dan: Consistent.  Blessed.  Calm.  

Sarah:  Intentional.  Pruning.  Peaceful.  

7. What were the best books you read this year?

Dan:  I didn't read any books this year.

Sarah: (still reading) Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

Dan: Sarah and our kids.

Sarah: Dan and our children. Also, deepening my friendships with Jill S., Rebecca Y. + Sarah P. 

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

Dan:  I think more like an "adult" now.  From every perspective.  I feel like I have a better perspective on what matters---and what is just drivel.  There's so much drivel in these world.  I don't perform for people like I used to...even people I respect.  

Sarah:  I feel like I've changed in so many ways.  I'm becoming steadier...not so shaken by every little external change or experience.  I still struggle with fear in some ways, but the Holy Spirit has filled me with peace, as I learn to trust God and lean into him more in my day to day life.  

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

Dan:  I have no emotions.  ;)  Emotional growth for me would be experiencing emotions.  I think I'm becoming more compassionate.  

Sarah:  Some areas I am working on:  No more martyring.  Measuring/expressing my expectations clearly.  Setting boundaries emotionally, realizing that I am not responsible for the happiness/contentment of others.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?  

Dan:  I've realized that it's ALL the Lord.  I trust God.  God is sovereign.  My only challenge is to see what God is doing and see how I'm a part of it.  I don't have to create it.  

Sarah:  I'm learning to really rest in God's presence.  No more striving.  No more performing.  I don't have the energy for all of that.  It's life + energy draining.  Jesus came to give life ...truly I'm learning that his yolk is easy and his burden is light.  With God's help I'm shedding the burdens and weights in life, Jesus is strong enough to carry those.  I want to live in light of the joy and hope that comes with salvation in Christ!  Time spent in the Word and enjoying God's presence in all areas of my life will be my priority in 2013.    

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

Dan: I shrunk!  (256-218)

Sarah:  Growing a baby.  :)

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

Dan:  I enjoy conversating with people more.  

Sarah:  I am learning to be present and really working on being a better listener....which means being quieter.  Significant, lasting relationships are built on trust and "leaning in" to another person (friend or family) no matter what life brings....

15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Dan:  Preaching.  (at work)  A finished project.  (at home) 

Sarah: Learning more about who God has created our children to be.  Seeing some fruit from training the kids to contribute to household responsibilities.  Their help is such a blessing as our family grows!

16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Dan:  Striking a balance of engagement.  (at work)  Being present.  Even when things need to be "done".   (home)

Sarah:  Feeling (often) that I am at the end of myself.  Self-sacrifice.  It is a joy and a challenge all at the same time.  

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Dan: Tetris.   

Sarah:  Time reading articles/blogs.  I've pared down "what" I read to (mostly) enriching, challenging, encouraging material...but I still sense that I need to be more intentional about "when" I do these things.  For instance, not reading a blog while Graham is working on his math lesson.  Using my time wisely is a goal for 2013.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?  

Dan:  Spending it with family.

Sarah:  Engaging and discipling our children and investing in our marriage.  

19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

Dan:  Just listen to your wife.  

Sarah:  Be intentional.  Trust God.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2012 for you.

Dan:

Sarah:  

Blessings + favorites

This morning, I caught a glimpse of this:

and it took my breath away.  

How many moments, like Mary, mother of Jesus, have I treasured up all these things and pondered them in my heart?  (Luke 2:19)  More than I can count!  It's one of the many things I love about recording our memories here on this blog.  These memories are a treasure, a gift from the Lord.  

I'm not raising the "savior" but raising a child is hard, holy, precious work.  The other night, Dan said, while watching the kids, "I'm trying my best to engrain this moment into my memory."  I smiled and laughed!  I couldn't have said it better!  I feel that way hourly, it seems.  Even in the hard moments of mothering, it seems that God ,in his rich mercy, provides perspective and grace.  I know that these precious moments with our children are just a blink in time...in the span of their lives.  What a privilege to witness the making of these future man and women. 

That candle is one of my favorites!  It is some type of fresh pine scent from Mrs. Meyers brand.  I burn it from morning till night.

I think Trader Joe's makes the YUMMIEST semi-sweet chocolate chips!  I've been enjoying them   all by their yummy little selves, but I can't wait to load up some homemade cookie mix with these bad boys and some pecans, too!

My favorite Pandora station "George Winston (holiday)" plays all. day. long. in our living room.

I discovered "kits" this week at our public library.  Each day, for the first thirty minutes of quiet time, Graham reads his chapter book (currently reading "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever") I lay down with Camille for the first part of her nap, and I've needed something "independent" for Reecie-our beginning reader.  I was looking for the old school tapes with books at the library, but these are even better! She LOVES following along with the books on cd and it makes her feel so big to have her cd walkman and headphones on.

We have been working on memorizing Exodus 20 with a song and hand motions this semester in Classical Conversations.  I put the self-timer on my camera to work so that I can remember these precious moments with our children!  I didn't notice at the time, but the way Reecie is helping Camille with her motions makes my heart just ache with love for them!

I feel like this Christmas/advent season, I am moving slower, enjoying the ordinary, savoring these moments more than I ever have before.  I'm just so grateful for God's grace and the opportunity to set a comfortable pace.  No rushing, no hustle and bustle, no unrealistic expectations on myself or on the kids.  For me, this has been one of the greatest blessings in our home school journey so far.  Pacing ourselves.  Being intentional.  Not feeling the constant external pressure to be, do, and fulfill obligations.  I am a happier, more content person, and I think it is making a difference in the way that I nurture and love our children.  So thankful for these people God has entrusted to Dan and I!

sweet

The girls and I got a hankering for cupcakes tonight...and so we made 'em!  We're working on taking turns with the spoon in the kitchen.  Everyone wants to stir.  ;)

Here's "C-licious" after her nap, buck nekkid, chowing down on a  cupcake.  I love her warm snugs and sweaty baby head smell when she wakes up...can't get enough of my Millie girl!

She was so tickled with the way her voice sounds when she has her mouth stuffed full of cupcake.

One of our favorite traditions is the Christmas book basket.  So cool to watch the kids pour over these books, some familiar and some new to us this year.

Look at this little sweetie!  Eighteen weeks now.  

Feeling good.  Feeling sleepy.  Feeling HUNGRY!  Feeling some growing pains (round ligament).  Feeling little bumps and flutters.  Feeling so, so, so thankful.

{first} trimming the fresh tree

This is the first year we've bought a fresh tree in our ten years of marriage.  I never had one growing up because we had a house of allergic people.  I LOVE the way it smells, the beautiful imperfection of the branches and we had so much fun picking a tree out together.

Dan empathizing with our cute tree-it has a lean. :)

Tree decorating always includes donuts and hot chocolate...Reecie always reminds us!  

Millie hugs and kisses her favorite ornaments.

My parents gave this one of Santa in a pink convertible to me on my 16th birthday Christmas...Hannah Reece thinks this one is hysterical.

Dan throurougly enjoying ;) the task of separating, checking and sorting lights.

Everyone with their "favorite" ornaments

Millie throwing a raspberry in there for comedic relief...she loves to make us laugh!

The first ornament on our tree -- J for Jesus.  He's the reason for all of this!

It took three kiddos to help me let go of my perfectionistic ways....it was awesome to watch the kids put the ornaments on themselves this year.  Graham helped us hang ornaments on the high branches...he's getting so tall! It's my favorite tree EVER!  As Camille says, "it's so boodaful!!"

Home Brothers

Johnathon and Graham go WAY back.  I first met their family when I was pregnant with Graham and Johnathon was a new baby!

Johnathon, Oliver, Graham + Aiden at Trunk or Treat

Johnathon celebrated his 10th birthday last week and Graham will be 9 next month.  Though completely different in personality, these boys are so awesome together.  Jill and I laugh that it's like watching two little old men interact, and it's been this way since they were little!  They almost anticipate each other's next idea or thought because they know each other so well.  Now they call each other "home brother" and love talking about how they will design their bachelor mansion with a bowling alley, giant pools, movie theaters.  Their plan is to play all day long in their bachelor pad leaving no time for anything else.  Like a job. :)  So funny.  Today, I snapped a pic of Graham's birthday sentiments for his home brother:

A few from the point 'n shoot + baby update

Crazy boy snagged my camera. That's his fierce face.  I think we are at Panera?  

Dan and I with Krista from International Justice Mission.  She is going to be the field director for IJM's Cambodian office.  A TRUE hero in my eyes!

 Millie Grace singing her heart out...probably "Wheels on the Bus" or "Jingle Bells".  Gosh that girl makes my heart melt.

 And now hand motions.  :)

 And this one's from today.  The kids got candy canes at Community Bible Study today and Millie LOVED hers, except she did not love the sticky film left on her hands after she practically inhaled the thing.

Baby chose NOT to let us sneak a peek at the 16 week ultrasound....so content to be snuggled up in the fetal position with feet strategically placed.  :)  Funny enough, we had planned a gender reveal party with grandparents, aunts + uncles and cousins that night.  We've got another appt. scheduled for the 17th...hoping to find out this time!  More importantly than gender, baby looks very healthy, and I'm so thankful.

As of this week, I am 18 weeks along.  Here's a little picture of what baby might look like:

Boy or Girl?

Dear baby,

Today is the day!  We will find out if you are a boy or a girl.  I think you are a girl...but maybe it's because those are my most recent memories from our last two babies?  Daddy is sure you are a boy.  Graham has pleaded with you since you were 4 weeks old "PULEEEZE grow a p*nis!!!  Bubby will be SO happy if you are a brother!"  Ha ha.  Hannah Reece has waffled between boy or girl and I think she'll be happy with either one.  She's excited to share diaper duty with me this time.  :)  Camille is SURE you are a girl.  Every time we are at Target, she veers off to the baby section to look at all things pink for her "baby sistah".  Whatever gender you are....we are thankful!  You are a reward and a blessing from God!

I can't wait to see your precious growing body wiggling all around at today's ultrasound.  I am up super early (5:30) thinking about you.  Mornings and nights are the times I think about you the most.  These are quiet(er) times in the house and my mind and heart are still amazed that God has given us you.  You are our fourth child and I think it's so cool that as soon as you come into the world FIVE people will be ready to overwhelm you with love and care.  Not to mention all of your Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who love you, too!  When we are together or at church, your nine-year-old cousin Logan embraces me with the sweetest (and gentlest) hug and says "I can't WAIT to see our baby!!!"  And then he reminds me exactly how many days until we find out if you are a boy or a girl.  So precious.

I've felt your "flutters" of movement several times in the last week or so.  Tonight though,  I felt a quick "bump".  I knew it was you.  I love you little one!  You already make momma smile.  xoxoxo

This is what you look like  today, at 16 weeks..

Thanksgiving All Year Long

This week's Bible verse at Oedy Academy:

"Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect."  Ephesians 5:4 (the message)

May thanksgiving be our primary language all the time!   I'm pretty sure my little accountability partners will now "encourage" me and each other when it's not.

fall wall + today

Oh, how I love these people I live with!  I am so thankful that they put up with my tired, moody, hungry-for-the-most-random-stuff-and-need-it-right-now pregnant self.   Look at these girls.  I'm trying to teach modesty here, but mercy, they are so blissfully happy when I let them jump on the trampoline topless.  :)  Sweet sisters.  They are starting to play together more.  Playing is not straight-forward as it is for boys, that is for sure.  Boys play, disagree, walk-away, and move on.  I'm encouraging the use of words, compromise and lots and lots of patience with these precious daughters. I love to see them play together!

This is one awesome man.  He cooks, he cleans, he takes all three kids on multiple errands and he grooms the dog.   He AMAZES me-I adore you Dan. 

Reecie and I did a little rearranging on our picture wall.  I took the mason candle jars down from the hooks on the second shelf and tied a little jute to the end hooks.  Added some clothes pins and we chose some current and past seasonal artwork from my little Picasso's and voila!  It feels like fall now.  :)  I love pulling out the kids old artwork and using them as decor on this wall with each season.  The second one from the right is something Graham made in Kindergarten, it says:  " I go to pupkin  I luv pupkins."  That was after we went to the most awesome pumpkin patch while living in Charlotte.  

Reecie surprised  G + C this afternoon with a scavenger hunt.  She asked me to get the Easter baskets down and made a "list" of items:  pumpkin, clothespin, little ball and a string.  She is so creative!  Graham found two of the items and Reecie "found" the rest.  ;)

a little "catch-up"

So much to share!  I have still been down with all-day sickness, even now at almost thirteen weeks, I have several hours of the day (mostly late afternoon) where I just feel like I could get sick at any moment, although I never actually do.  BUT-even then, with three children, life must go ON.  I am so grateful for friends, family and Dan-my-man to pick up the slack.  Mom took the kids to Classical Conversations for two weeks in a row when I was at my worst, and last week Millie had Strep and the rest had some sort of upper respiratory virus. Even though the rest of our crew was down and feeling yuck, last weekend I had more energy and less nausea than I have had in months.  So what did I do with that energy?  Why, clean out everyone's closets of course!  It felt so good to purge and sort.  Although, I only organize for necessity these days (instead of as a hobby)  :)   it is such great therapy!  Truly, I slept better that night after organized closets than I have in MONTHS.

Anyway, this will be a week of catch-up posts.  My goal is to start posting at least 3-4 days each week, now that I can look at the computer screen for more than five minutes at a time.  So here we go!  

Dan was scheduled to take a vacation week from work this week and we had a fun road trip planned to Atlanta, Georgia.  As I mentioned before, sickness invaded our house for about two weeks straight, so we decided to nix the trip.  SO grateful we did, it would have been the longest drive ever with 3 hacking people in the car!  Poor things.  I called mom last Sunday and learned that their beach house was renter-free this week.  On Thursday morning, we packed up the truck and made the 40 minute drive to the beach. The beach with kids is no small affair.  Because it's a beach HOUSE we pack food, paper goods, clothing, beach toys, books, technology, and the kitchen sink.  Just kidding.  :)  Sort of.  It's a lot of work get packed up, but we were so glad we did!

Times Square waiting to meet the Goeder's who are were in town for vacation

she's sweet on her big bubba  :)

at Nana and Papa's

Reecie says the rule is to "take one, leave one!"

de-sanding our feet before we go inside

on the trolley to breakfast

"Where's Millie?"

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everyone got some souvenir loot:  Graham-turtle necklace, Reecie-dolphin, Millie-manatee and a pinwheel (best $2 we've ever spent!!)

G and Daddy dug  a hot tub-complete with stairs!  

one thing the kids love best about the beach house?  Cable TV!  Disney channel all day long...

taking in another beautiful sunrise with the best man i know!

snuggles at sunrise with our earliest riser