Brownies that Save Puppies from Burning Buildings and the Linns finally watch Star Wars

Days in the Life...

Tuesday, Kate was her normal, happy self for the most part. She and I made pancakes for everyone else for breakfast and then the others did Cize while she napped and I had my Bible time and drank coffee.

Everyone is getting so good! 

Tell me she is not adorable. 

After her nap I tried to study, she stole my notes...

We thought "Why not try it?" 

Chloe, Ava, Kate, and I made a trip to the Ponder library early afternoon. 

While we were gone, Mom decided they should spontaneously meet the Peisers at Six Flags again. She, Chloe, and the littles headed out as soon as we got back and pretty quickly Christian left with Grandfather to try one last time to shoot a deer before the hunting season ended. 

If they didn't get one, Grandfather was going to take Christian out for dinner. They ate yummy burgers that night. 

Dad continued working, thankful for the quiet house, and Kate and I hung out until her dad came. 

Baby tips: 

-It's a good idea to start your young child or baby's meal with the least sweet food item you have for them to eat and work up to the sweetest. Apply this also with foods you know they like the best, save those for last and give them the thing they don't enjoy as much first or mix it with the item they do like. Don't nurture a picky-eater, motivate them to eat at least some of everything that you have prepared for them.

As soon as she left, I ran out the door to care for baby Sofia at the church again.

She was hungry when I received her so I got to give her a bottle! Then she was awake and slightly fussy the rest of the time.

During the 5 minutes she slept. 

The others had a blast at Six Flags. 

Aren't they gorgeous? 

Wednesday morning Ava and I babysat for the Bible study. Ava really is a great helper, especially with crying two year olds. I was so glad to have her with me.

The dreary weather, combined with not drinking coffee that morning (if you ask some people, who are under the misconception that I am addicted to caffeine..) gave me a headache for a majority of the afternoon and evening. I always forget that there is such a thing as "pain-killers" that are tremendously helpful for such situations.

Dad inspires me. He gets headaches frequently enough, but he always pushes through his workday, even as one who is self-employed and manages his own schedule.

In the evening, our "new" friend from church, who has a real name, Aron (pronounced "Aaron"), came over to do Cize with us. We figured we should feed him dinner, too.

We were all glad he was okay to be in the front as he and Gabe were equally entertaining to observe.

I finished pulling dinner together once we finished and Aron concocted his special brownies so they could be baking while we ate real food.

This is a picture of his brownies, just from a different night. 

(The photographer failed her duties that night.)

If you ask Gabe, the brownies were, "Out of this world." If you ask Mia, they were, "Awesomely, deliciously, scrumptious." And Mom says they are another one of those foods that "save puppies from burning buildings." 

A few of us were awake trapped in a chocolate coma until 2:30 am, but the brownies were so worth it. I just got up and did school and other things that needed to be done until I began to emerge from my stupor, so it worked out! 

Thursday was a normal school morning for everyone.

In the afternoon I dropped my car off for an oil change and Mom, Chloe, and Christian picked me up on their way to Speech and Debate.

Chloe and I were able to look at our feedback forms from our first tournament and see some things to fix in our duo. One of the moms helped us with that and now we just need to practice.

Mom took me back to get my car after the speech time and I headed home. Chloe and Christian stayed for debate.


Friday morning I left the house before hardly anyone else was moving.

A family in our church needed someone to go sit with their three daughters in their Classical Conversations class while they went to their last doctor's appointment before their new baby is born.

The littles were in CC last year and the year before, but I never got to sit in on their classes (I was in my own high school level class which was totally different), so I was excited to go watch.

Straight from there I left to have coffee with a friend and then rushed carefully home to turn right around and leave for a surprise birthday party.

I actually arrived home late (due to traffic) and so got in such a hurry to change into a dress and throw my hair up that I knocked a picture off the wall. *Mental note, five minutes is not very long*

Chloe, Christian, and I caught a ride with Aunt Cendei to the party for a girl in our church who was turning 19. Her sister had asked us to arrive early to help her finish setting up for the Jane Austin Era party.

The whole venture was highly successful. Emily was completely surprised and we all had a great time eating, watching her open gifts, playing games, and learning some couple and line dances.

Chloe and Christian were convinced they would NOT be dancing. Guess who loved it the most once she got into it? Chloe. And Christian also had a blast! Dancing was always something I thought would be fun, but never had the opportunity to learn. I was glad that my partner the second half of the night already knew how to dance, once he and I started dancing I finally got the hang of it.

The father of the birthday girl offered to take us home whenever we were ready to go. We ended up being the last to leave around 11:00 pm.


Saturday we slept in. A lot.

We all did the second Cize workout. Wow. That was just slightly more challenging than the first one. And by "slightly," I mean extremely. It was still super fun, though!

I took Ava to the library in the afternoon and once we were all ready for church, us older ones taught the littles the "Virginia Reel."

Dad stayed home not feeling great.

Church was a blessing. There are no words. No words.

She wanted a picture with the worship leader. 

Sunday morning Aron came over for brunch.

Then he beat me at "Rummikub"  That's okay, though, I beat him at "Speed" the last time he came for brunch.

Once our food had settled Aron took us five kids and one adult outside to teach us soccer. We warmed up and did a bunch of stretches and drills and then divided up to play a game.

Chloe, Christian, and I were a team, and Aron, Ava, and Gabe were a team. Mia hopped back and forth between both teams.

Aron is only slightly competitive. (Refer to above definition of the word "slightly" for actual meaning.) The game ended at 3 to 1, in favor of Aron and the littles. Ava scored two of their goals!

Christian is great at getting the ball, Chloe at passing it off, and I at defending. When I played basketball as a 10, 11, and 12 year old, I was always set to guard the biggest guy on the opposite team because my coach knew I was tiny and would annoy them. The same principle worked well in our game, although I hope I was not actually annoying.

Aron and Christian left after our game to go play Disc Golf in Denton.

From what I understand, Disc Golf is basically the same as regular golf, except that instead of a ball and clubs, you play with a smaller, heavier frisbee type disc, and the "holes" are special baskets. If any of that makes any sense...

The rest of us had rest time.

Dad was still not feeling great.

This is what he needs. 

Who's ready to leave for Maui? 

On his first ever game of Disc Golf, Christian ended with a better score than some of Aron's friends who have been trying to learn for a while! He didn't win the round or beat anyone he was playing with that day, but the report was that he did exceptionally well. And he had fun. 

Aron and Christian returned after dark slightly frozen and a tad bit muddy, just in time for dinner and Star Wars, A New Hope, Episode IV. 

By the end of the very very very long movie, half of us couldn't wait to watch all of them and the other half (which included me and Mom) were left wondering what in the world it was that we were supposed to have been so missing out on. Ava didn't even stay to watch the whole thing, she much preferred her book. 

I've Been Pondering...

When God calls you to something it takes courage to step out in obedience. And although obedience is simple, it's not always easy. 

If you continue to wait until you "have it all together," or "know all the answers," or are "pretty confident in your own abilities" you will never step out. And if you do feel that way, then you have lost sight of the fact that you need God. 

You are not to move when you know what you are doing, but when God directs you. And you are not to move when you think you've got it, because you need God. Nothing He has called you to has He called you to do on your own, in your own strength, using your own wisdom. 

First you must meet Jesus. He will fill you up. Then you are equipped to go out. You return then, over and over and over, day by day, moment by moment, to be refilled and resent. 

Nothing I do is because of me. It all has everything to do with Christ. And I have to constantly surrender to Him and listen for His leading and receive grace and courage from Him to step out in obedience, entering into the things He is calling me to. 

It's not easy, but it is simple.

That Moment When...

All the kids cry when the mommies leave. 

You don’t get any texts until you start babysitting. Then your phone explodes. 

Mother rearranges and can't remember where she put things. 

The turkey breast doesn't fit in the crockpot. 

The Herd: Quoted 

"Cashews and pop tarts?" -Me repeating what I thought I heard. 

"Hemp Hearts. When have we ever purchased pop tarts?" -Mom

“So the girls are still kids?” -Chloe 

“Yes.” -Me

“Gah! You have so far to go in that book.” -Chloe

“#slowreader” -Christian

“No, #busygirl.” -Mom 

"Hey my pony tail!" -Me finding the one I'd lost. 

"It was under the couch." -Ava 

"Something just flew out the window. It strongly resembled my school work." -Chloe 

"This is going to blow your mind." -Mom to me as I come downstairs.

"What? Is that like, the most advanced Cize dance?" -Me referring to the workout they were watching before we tried it. 

"Nope. This is number two." -Mom 

"We are almost halfway through winter! Wait, nooooo we aren't even a month in!" -Me 

"Well, the last time I saw him working at the library I'm pretty sure he hit on me so..." -Me to Mom

"Great. Are you posting that on the blog?" -Mia after saying something random.

“No.” -Me

“Are you going to post that I just asked if you were going to post that?” -Mia

“Yup!” -Me

“Oh great. Great. Great!” -Mia 

“But I don’t think I’m hilarious.” -Me 

“But I think you are." -Mom

"It takes an hour to enjoy a cup of coffee properly." -Me 

"Well apparently I only need ten minutes." -Chloe  

Goodbye 2015, Welcome 2016

It's almost that simple...but not quite. 

Days in the Life...

Thursday morning Mom and Chloe left for a coffee date to work on planning Chloe's school semester and doing some goal setting for her.

Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil were around in the afternoon.

In the evening they, along with Nana, Grandfather, and one other guest gathered at our house for dinner in honor of Christmas- wait- no- already did that... New Year's Eve.

With Uncle Phil around I always find it difficult to eat (without dying choking). That night our other guest was also a person with a great sense of humor. I was so grateful to survive the rest of 2015. Laughing is my favorite.

I think I lost my tan...you can call me Snow White. 

After eating dinner and cleaning it up together, we gathered in the living room to watch "What If..." It was really good, the target audience is not children, but the littles had no problem seeing it. 

When the movie ended we went around the room sharing our thoughts from 2015 and what we were excited about and praying about looking at 2016. Finally Grandfather prayed over us. The Enemy hates that we love each other and want and look forward to times like that where we are open with each other. Go ahead and make him angry too. You will be blessed in the process. 

The time was nearing 11:00 pm by the time we concluded our sharing time and several of us decided a second dinner would be good. The rest found the Christmas cookies. I know, with how many times we baked it's absolutely shocking that we would still have some. Totally. 

Then we watched, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," another family favorite and at least of couple of the group had yet to see it. 

And so 2015 ended and 2016 began and we told each other "happy new year" and "see you in the morning again when the sun is up." If we had not been all together, I doubt many of us would have actually made it to midnight without falling asleep. 

Friday morning the rest of the Christmas/winter decorations disappeared and the year-round ones were put in their place.

Uncle Phil and everyone except Christian and Mom did "Cize." It was fun! Especially with Uncle Phil's commentary. Doing it the second time around was easier and we were much less sore the 48 hours following as compared to the previous week. 

After much need showers and some lunch we all took family to see the little house we will be working on.

Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil ate dinner next door and then the kids watched a movie while Mom, Dad, and I went over for dessert and to visit. 

Our visit covered things from health, to raising children, to Godly influences, to our personal family favorite discussion (aside from Maui)- our next ski trip. 

The reason we love to talk about it is because we all know how unlikely it is to happen again (We went to Pagosa Springs to ski the year I was 9) and because Uncle Phil has never skied and never wants to and Mom is right there with him (although she has done it, she does not enjoy it). He comes up with all manner of reasons why not to go and what would (likely) happen if we did go and he did ski. 

Most of the adults in Mom's family really enjoy skiing, as does Dad. The littles have never done it. Christian would (probably) be a natural and therefore an expert after 30 minutes back on the slopes. Chloe is sometimes not very coordinated and would rather read a book. The one time I went skiing, I ended the day by falling at the top of the highest slope and having to ride in the emergency sled all the way down because they thought my leg was broken. 

This time the conversation got serious enough that Dad was "just for point of reference" looking up the price of lift tickets and rental equipment. They also got so far as "throwing out names" of people we know that own vacation houses up there. 

I think it would be fun! Obviously it's been a while since I was in the mountains and from pictures I've seen, it's gorgeous. I don't like the cold, at all, but I've had very limited opportunity to play in real snow. 

Skiing could be fun...maybe for a couple of hours. 

But the idea of sitting wrapped in a blanket by the fire, with the pile of books I've wanted to read for years a long while, and a mug of coffee, and a view of breathtaking, snow covered, mountains, yeah, that sounds really wonderful to me. Plus time with family in the evenings. A cherry on top would be getting to take Kate with me, however, I seriously doubt her family would be willing to part with her for so long. I really do look forward to having my own children one day, Lord willing. 

Saturday Chloe and I did baking for Sunday and most of the adults got massages next door. 

Praise report- I had almost no pain in my neck, back, and shoulders (aside from soreness from Cize) between that and my last massage a couple of weeks prior.

Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil had to head back to Dallas after lunch. *Tears* 

Mom and Dad were greeters at church and the service time has been moved from 6:30 to 6:00 so we left early. 

At home we had burgers before bed. 

Sunday morning we all were downstairs ready for the day and had eaten breakfast by 8:00 ish. So it was really 8:43. We all worked together to finish preparing the house and getting food ready for our open house/church gathering in honor of the New Year. 

By 10:00 on the dot we were all ready. Then we took a nap waiting for people to arrive. 

Over the course of the day we had 53 people through. Everyone visited and ate and the kids played outside and I got to meet the sweet little boy I'll be nannying in addition to his 2 year old sister whom I have watched several times before. 

Yup! Already in love. Definitely. 

I also learned a new game (Settlers of Catan).

And accidentally won twice even though I had no idea what I was doing.

We had a time of sharing as well.

The last people left close to 4:00ish and most everything was already done being cleaned up. At that point we crashed in the living room to talk about what Speech and Debate tournaments we want to do in the coming semester. 

Dinner was whatever we found and then we got ready for bed and watched "Do You Believe?" Wow. That movie was amazing. It was powerful. The littles found it intense (and so did I), but they could handle it (I screamed). I would watch it again, hands down, and recommend it for sure. 

Monday we all were moving by 8:00 trying to get back into a good schedule. Everyone gathered at 10:00 to do Cize together. 

Every time we have done it I have had issues with my hair falling out of it's ponytail. Today I french braided it, thinking that would surely solve my problems. Some time early on (I don't know when) my elastic went flying never to be found again and pretty soon my braid fell out completely. I give up. I'll just do it with my mane down from now on. Hopefully I wouldn't lose my balance again because of it. 

Everyone is getting better and better at the routine. It really is fun and doing it all together is awesome. We like to call ourselves "the fit family." 

In the afternoon a friend came over to do some sewing with us girls. 

Chloe is so close to getting her drivers license. She and Mom went out after dinner to get an hour in and now she just has 2 left (I believe). Ava is excited that Chloe will soon be able to take her to the library whenever she wants to go. (Because Chloe is always up for a trip to the library.) 

I've been Pondering...

Identity. We struggle with it. All of us, but especially as girls and women. This struggle began in the garden with Eve and the fall. She allowed the devil to speak lies into her life about how God viewed her and His plans for her. Now each of us shares in the battle over how we view ourselves, the worry of how others view us, and doubting God's love for us. We have forgotten that the only opinion that matters is God's and so we wrestle with doubt and fear and insecurity. 

This is an area I have experienced tremendous growth in this past year. But I was not consciously trying to become more confident. No, I was simply seeking God. The more I learned about Him, the more I began to see how He views me. And as I gained a clearer understanding of His love for me, the more sure I became of my identity in Him and therefore the more confident I became as a person. 

Please don't misunderstand me, I've not "made it", I still struggle sometimes. But those times that I do struggle I realize are the times I have allowed myself to turn away from truth and open the door to the lies of the enemy. 

Sometimes it can be hard to not want to put up a front, play a part, pretend you are someone you are not, someone you wish you were or that you think others would be more drawn to. But that is not being who God created you to be. And if you cannot be who you are, share your struggles, be open and real about what is going on in your life, then no one will be able to relate to you and you will miss the opportunity to be blessed by those who can come along side of you and encourage you and walk with you through your struggles. Not to mention, acting is hard and one day you will slip, your mask will fall off, and in the end the mess you hid will be revealed as worse than you imagined because you tried to deal with it all on your own. 

Be real. Be open. Be honest. Be comfortable with who you are knowing that you bring glory and honor to God as His masterpiece. Be confident that the work Christ has begun in you will continue until you go home. 

It's not easy, but He is faithful.

Welcome 2016, although I have no idea what you hold for me, I'm excited to see what the Lord has planned. 

Last year was so different from what I envisioned, but I grew in so many ways because of the unexpected. 

Completing Challenge III (with Classical Conversations), learning to make hard life decisions, having my first big summer job, being challenged on what I believe, resting in Maui, being flexible as Mom and Dad both navigated health challenges, balancing college work and nanny jobs, and sleeping what feels like all of December, summarizes some large things. 

But this year I also got my license, became an adult, grew in the areas of flexibility and patience, learned to embrace change and navigate transition, watched my church go through a rough time and come through closer as a body and even more aware of the hand of God, and strengthened old friendships and gained new ones. 

Many of "my plans" and for the year were not realized, but I am so glad! God's plan was SO MUCH BETTER! Certainly not easier, but I would not have changed one piece. 

So I'm thrilled to embrace a new year and look forward to the plans God has, the areas He wants me to grow, the experiences He has in store for me, the relationships He is forming, and whatever else He brings into my path, because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, whatever He has is for my good and for His glory.

That Moment When...

Dad tells someone else's child to finish their water thinking he is talking to Ava. 

Your hands are so small and the orange is so big that you can't get a good grip on it to get the zest off.


The Herd: Quoted 

"Real mayonnaise, wow, I can't believe I get real mayonnaise! I've never had that before!" -Mia getting truly excited as she reads the mayonnaise package at dinner.

"Dad, if we watch anther movie can we watch something that is actually interesting?" -Mia after we watched "What If..." (It was a little above her.) 

The Last Days...of 2015

Days in the Life...

Friday

Merry Christmas! I woke up and opened my window because it was 70 degrees outside. Cinnamon rolls, coffee, family time, new names, sweet gifts, I feel so unworthy of these and many more blessings. But God's grace is a gift and if I cannot receive grace and love, I cannot give it. 

The tree all ready Christmas Eve night.

Stockings stuffed.

The littles have been sleeping in until past 8:00 most mornings, but Christmas morning they were up early. Mom and Dad said no waking anyone else up until 7:30. They did pretty well, but as soon as the time came, they were loud and ready to get going. 

We gathered in the living room and opened stockings first. Then a couple of rounds of gifts couldn't wait. 

As is tradition, we had cinnamon rolls and eggs for breakfast, with hot chocolate or coffee depending on the age and preference of the consumer. 

The littles ate very quickly so that the rest of the gift opening could commence. 

Each of us got everyone a gift with our own money and wrapped and labeled them. This year Mom and Dad gave each of us one higher dollar gift that was something we really wanted, a pajama set, and basic toiletry items like Q-tips, razors, shampoo, etc. (Ava and up have to purchase their own clothing and personal care items.) 

I think I have some siblings who are

 qualified to work at Chick-fil-a and Starbucks...

Christian likes his beard hat made by Chloe.

If I didn't take a selfie 

neither of us "photographers" would have been in any pictures. 

They were a little bit excited. 

The aftermath

Wrapping paper pile

The gift exchanging lasted until after 10:30. Some lego sets got underway and Ava and I played some card games while Dad and Chloe used Mom's new espresso machine to make coffee for Mom. Then we began taking things to our rooms and cleaning up the living room. We have never done that so early in the day, but this year we had motivation! 

This is a new workout program the family got for Christmas.

None of us are dancers, but this is a dance workout! Mom said everyone had to do at least the first workout. So we cleaned up, put on workout clothes, and pushed all the furniture back. Some people were more excited than others who were not excited at all. 

It was so fun! The 30 minute beginner routine was easy enough for everyone to do and we all finished it. By the end, we were all dripping and out of breath. Mom and I were the most enthusiastic/skilled. 

Ready to go.

During the water break

Afterwards Mom and Dad decided to play around.

We finished with plenty of time to do indoor gymnastics which we are all really good at and get burgers out for lunch while watching music videos and cycling through the showers.

Once lunch and all of us sweaty people were cleaned up, Chloe and Christian escaped to go watch "Jurassic Park" and the rest of us watched the latest "Annie." 

The afternoon passed in a relaxed manner and after dinner we all watched "Ace Wonder." 

It was a special Christmas. 

Saturday everyone slept in again. And we were all.very.sore. Our tree was so crispy we decide to go ahead and take it down along with a majority of the other Christmasy decorations. With most everyone working together it didn't take too long.

Aside from that, the day was pretty laid back. Mom had a cold for several days and lost her voice completely so she stayed home from church. There was no pretty sunset to watch this time, just dark clouds and lots of rain.


Sunday was pretty normal for everyone else.

Dad took me to meet Aunt Lauren and Uncle Phil mid-afternoon. My gift from them for my 18th birthday was a piece of jewelry from James Avery so I went to spend some time with them and go pick that out.

Because I'd looked online and knew exactly what I wanted, we were in and out of the store in the mall in Dallas in 30 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself for making a quick decision... We got dinner at Chipotle and then went to their apartment to visit and watch a movie before bed.


Monday morning Mom met Aunt Lauren and I somewhere and Mom and I ran a few errands (like to get coffee for her and gas and such) before going home.

The rest of the day was quiet. Dad worked, Chloe and Christian did some school, Mom did planning and other organizing related to the new year, the littles played with their new things, I did some laundry and school and drawing.

In the evening I babysat for the small group and came home to the others watching "National Treasure Two" and "Fly Boys."


Tuesday = Kate day.

I missed her so much last week! She became a lot louder over Christmas. Not loud as in crying or screaming a lot, just talkative with her own happy or expressive noises. No one really got to sleep in when she arrived.

She took more steps for us this time, but when we tried to video her, she stopped.

The morning, aside from Kate, was pretty quiet and she took a great two hour nap!

Just after lunch several ladies and their daughters came to play and talk about a challenge they are going to be doing called "No Spend January." Essentially the idea is to not spend money on anything that is not necessary. So no eating out, spontaneous shopping trips, online shopping, buying food that you could do without, etc.

Kate took a second nap in the afternoon and got plenty of attention when she was up.

As is her habit, she wanted to be held the closer it got to dinner time and only by me. (Trust me, Ava and Mom try to hold her every time, but she always cries and reaches for me. Its a good thing I have absolutely no problem with that.)

Mom asked me to come up with a dinner plan and then asked me to make dinner. So Kate and I made spaghetti, muffins, roasted broccoli, and salad. The times I set her down to use two hands for things like draining the pasta and chopping the greens were the times she cried, other than that she was quite content to sit on my hip and watch me work.

Of course, right about the time everything was finished was when her Dad arrived. Mia begged him to let us keep Kate. She really wants a younger sibling.


Wednesday was Ava's 11th birthday. *Insert the moment when my heart freezes because I totally forgot to write a birthday post for her on Instagram and now I feel awful and leave to go do that immediately.*

Mom and Dad took her to Seven Mile Cafe for her birthday breakfast and then ran a few errands.

I had set up a time to go have coffee and catch up with a friend in the morning so that I would have to get up early-ish and hopefully work myself back into a more normal schedule. I was not so happy with myself when my alarm went off at 7:30 am. But I did get up and get out the door and our visit was very sweet. It was after I did all that that I realized that this weekend is going to completely mess me up again. Oh well!

The others stayed home and slept in and danced to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" soundtrack that Chloe got for Christmas.

We all left around 12:30 to go meet Aunt Lauren, Uncle Phil, and the Peisers at Six Flags in honor of Ava's birthday.

It was about 50 degrees, but the sun was out so it wasn't too too cold.

The kids (and Uncle Phil who is also a kid) had a blast riding everything they could. It was crowded, but not awful.

I have no idea why people mistake us for sisters... *Wink* 

We got dinner early and actually managed to get three tables inside. After eating Aunt Lauren, Mom, Chloe, and I headed home because it was getting cold and we were done.

At home Mom and I showered to get rid of the smoky smell from all the camp fires at the park and then the three of us watched a couple episodes of "Dr Quinn." Those finished about the time the others arrived home (10:00 pm).

After we left Mia rode The Shock Wave (some really big roller coaster that goes upside down twice that I would never even think about riding) with Uncle Phil. She loved it. I am so proud of her and it doesn't bother me one bit that she showed me up.

I've been Pondering...

As I spend the next week reviewing this year I know I shall continue to see ways the Lord has been at work in my life. 

One thing in particular that I have wrestled with and grown to embrace is change. 

It's an inevitable part of life and this year has been one brimming with transitions, growth, new independence, and lots and lots of change. 

Looking back I see how the Lord has been faithfully working in me to bring me to a place where I can embrace change and trust Him even when I don't understand. 

It has been a year of- 

Gaining Clarity

Move ahead?
No, that I dread.

So remain the same? 
Then I reach no gain.

 
You want to change? 
To say that is strange. 

Change is not to fear? 
I said not that, but it is near. 

Fear has been banished? 
It has not vanished. 

Do you trust? 
I know I must. 

Have you peace? 
It shall increase. 

Are you prepared? 
No. I'm scared. 

Have you no worry? 
The future is blurry. 

Do you have to understand? 
No, all things You have planned.

That moment when...

You give yourself whip-lash flipping your hair.

Mia calls "Pachelbel's Canon" by the Piano Guys, "Rockefeller's Canon."

The Herd: Quoted 

"What does the box say?" -Mom

"Made in China." -Mia 

"No the other side." -Mom 

"I always pick the wrong seat." -Me as wrapping paper flies over my head towards the pile behind me.

"It's a special talent." -Mom 

"That means I get to read it...next year." -Me 

"That's only a week and a half away." -Dad 

"Oh. Then in two years." -Me 

"It's from Aristotle." -Christian completely butchering "Aeropostale"

"Intense, science fiction, terror." -Christian reading the back of "Jurassic Park." 

"That is like triple threat Lydia-repelant." -Mom 

"No kidding." -Me

"Wait did she get an iPhone too?" -Christian as Ava opens a gift.

"No." -Ava 

"Christian's whole world almost turned upside down, he almost lost his religion there." -Mom laughing

"He lost that years ago, mother, now he has a relationship." -Me

"I was about to say!" -Christian  

"Here's where I bow out." -Dad

"When it starts smelling like coffee." -Mom 

"Composing is hard!" -Me wailing mellow dramatically to Mom.
"No!" -Mom responding in like manner.

"You need to wear a belt..." -Mom
"I don't have one." -Christian
"We just got you one!" -Me
"That is a dress belt." -Christian
"You are going to have a really hard time finding a dress to wear with it..." -Mom