Happy (Late) Valentine's Day!

The morning started as usual, I woke up feeling really groggy, scooped the boy up as he lay in his crib cooing to himself, brewed a cup of coffee. I had rather a late start that morning, and at around 11:00, I picked up my phone and discovered I had 6 messages! All of them were from Scott. They all said to go look in various places around the house, and excitedly, I began my hunt. Every spot had a small slip of paper, tied together with a tiny, artificial rose. Each paper had a handwritten note. Every hour, he texted me and I found a new note. That by itself made my whole day, but there was even more to come.

We had a date planned that evening, and Scott said to dress nicely for it, so when Micah was napping, I got ready and enjoyed it. I even did my hair, and it turned out rather nice! I also made Scott a small gift - peanut butter cups.

Scott got home, hurriedly dressed (he made RESERVATIONS! Fancy, right?) and we were off! After dropping Micah off at a friend's house, Scott took me to a restaurant called Lavelle's. We had gone here for our first anniversary, the food is wonderful, and the atmosphere is really nice.  There was a little candle on our table, the lights were low, and my love was even wearing a tie! Very romantic.
After we had dined, (I feeling very sophisticated), Scott pulled out a small, red box. My heart jumped a little. I almost felt as though I was being proposed to all over again! Inside was a delicate, thin, white gold chain. I looked at him quizically. He explained that there was going to be a jewel on it, but it wasn't ready yet. It is being custom made, out of Alaskan quartz! He said the stone is really beautiful and clear, he couldn't wait to give it to me. I was floored. Notes, a dinner, AND special jewelry? This was definitely the most romantic evening I have ever had.

I have the most wonderful husband, and I am SO very grateful for him.

Start your engines! Er...dogs.

A couple weekends ago, we went to go see the Yukon Quest start off. It was chilly, around -13. We only saw the first few teams off, because I stupidly thought that since there was sunshine, it MUST be warm, so I didn't wear nearly enough cold weather gear. Plus, Micah didn't like being in that cold, despite being tucked warmly against Daddy and wrapped with plenty of layers. Still, it was a lot of fun!

The board marking all the teams...

People milling around in the cold,waiting for the race to begin!

 

 And they're off!

Half a Year Already!

Micah is 6 months old as of today, and 17 pounds, 27" long. Rolling over both ways and starting to scootch around backwards and hitch himself up onto his knees - for a few seconds anyway. :)

It's been an amazing 6 months, my darling little boy!

"Unplanned"

I must write because I am feeling rather emotionally exhausted, but I want to share this before I go to sleep.

The other day, I took Micah out to town because the sun was shining, and I decided we just needed to get out of the house. It was a beautiful day. I went to Barnes and Noble, and while browsing through the books, I came across one that caught my eye. The title of the book was "Unplanned," by Abby Johnson. This woman became a director for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, TX. She worked there for 8 years, and then abruptly left and joined the Coalition for Life. I bought the book. I couldn't find it at the library and I figured it was definitely something I wouldn't mind spending money on.

Today, Micah somehow slept for almost four hours, and I read the entire book during that time. I am completely shaken up. It's definitely an amazing story, one that shows how God worked through this woman's life and changed her heart, and He is certainly glorified through it. But the stories she tells in there...there were a few times where I ended up sobbing almost uncontrollably as I read. I've always known abortion is bad. But now that I have a baby of my own...I just couldn't BEAR to think of the things she was describing that went on in that clinic. My heart absolutely broke for the babies and the women who carried them - but carry them no longer. I'm about to tear up all over again just thinking about it.

I want to do something. I don't know what yet. But I want to do SOMETHING. I looked at the pregnancy center out here that our church supports to see if I could volunteer, but it doesn't look like this particular one is looking for volunteers right now. But that isn't the only thing I am allowed to do I know. So I'm going to keep looking. I think perhaps I may have just discovered a ministry in which to get involved.

Wow

I have been wrestling lately with the gospel. Again. Mainly these questions keep popping into my head, "Does God REALLY see Christ when He looks at me? Am I really covered? Don't I have to do something? Where in  the Bible does it say that God is happy with me all the time because He is looking at Jesus and not me?" And round and round it goes. I mainly just struggle with the "doing" part. And then I opened my Bible today. And the answer was staring me RIGHT in the face. Incredible.

Romans 4:4-8
"Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same things when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

             "Blessed are they
                   whose transgressions are forgiven,
                   whose sins are covered.
              Blessed is the man
                   whose sin the Lord will never count
                           against him."


Oh my goodness. More and more I see just how amazing all of this is.

And now I have to run. So much on my to do list today. I will try to post more pictures soon.

Lights and fans - and a quiet little boy?

I'm laughing quietly to myself right now. Micah has a cold right now, and is really fussy. Bedtime is soon, but it can't come soon enough to a very tired mom and dad. Anyway, the little guy wouldn't stop, and was just getting louder, when Scott set him gently down on the living room floor, went over to the light switch, and turned the fan on. Micah instantly stopped and watched. He's now perfectly quiet, just watching the fan and staring at the light. Good one, dad.