Who are those good looking people?

I always post pictures of the kids so I thought I would show you what good looking parents they came from. I think we get better looking every year.

Two big events

This is a picture of Julia's first day back at school (parent's day out/pre-k) She loves going to school. She is doing great.

This is a picture of Harrison's black eye - a.k.a. ~ "owey-eye".
Doesn't he look dangerous! 

100 years of joy on a rocking chair

Harrison and my Papa.
Harrison loves him so much. Harrison would run over to papa and hug and kiss him. He crawled up into his lap to get his picture. I think this picture is the happiest I have seen my papa. 

Wanting more

Tonight I have been thinking about some things in life. Mostly good things, but also some things I don't quite understand. I don't understand why some families endure so much pain and others have never had a single bad thing happen. Yet, this particular family I am thinking of at the moment, has held strong to the fact that God is good. Despite horrible, horrible tragedies that have happened in the last year, God is good. He is Lord of their life and he is sovereign and he is good. Man, I want that kind of faith, that kind of passion that keeps driving me everyday. Sometimes it is easy to see and sometimes, it is so difficult. I know that it is normal. I am sure this family has had their days. But ultimately I want to never get to the point of despair. I want to be able to recognize God's goodness in every situation.
I also am feeling right now this longing for something more in my life. Not a job or stuff. But I desire for Paul and I a ministry. Something that we are doing together for God. I want us to be serving in some capacity. Something big. Not just kids ministry at church - although, I know that is a start. But I want something big, something life changing. I don't know what that is right now, but I am praying that God will move big in our life, and prepare us for what is coming.

We really do love each other

Julia and Harrison have their moments of fighting....lots of them, but deep down they really do love each other.
And arn't they so darn cute!

Child prodigy

Harrison is doing very well at his mandolin lessons. He will be performing on stage real soon.

Brokenness

I crashed today. I have allowed the enemy to deceive me into believing lies. I do not like the person I have allowed myself to become.
Through the butt-kicking of a good friend, I can see a little bit better right now that God is good, faithful and wants my complete heart. He doesn't just want it when I feel like it, he wants it all the time. He wants me to understand that the world is going to fail me, relationships are going to fail me, but he will NEVER fail me. He is always there and is the only source of life and comfort. I have to depend on him for comfort and strength not on other people.
This is so hard. It is easier to want the people around us to fill those needs. They are physically there and easier to reach to.
Lord help me to only look to you. I need you so bad right now. I have let myself so easily slip into depression and despair. You are my strength. You are my comforter, my healer, my deliverer, my father, my lover, my friend.
It is so easy to take our eyes off of him for even a minute and let ourselves be deceived.
I am thankful for God's mercy and love that he is willing to pull me out of the pit everytime I fall back into it.