2010-A Year to Remember

2010-A year most people are thankful to see come to an end, a year many people found themselves struggling with discouragement, doubt, fear, uncertainty, and a list of other unpleasant emotions. This last year has been a struggle, for us as well as so many, but through the struggle it has been amazing to watch the hand of the Lord move in our family!  This year we have gone months without work, we have seen our refrigerator bare, our tank empty, our car in disrepair, and a leg broken requiring surgery with no health insurance.  So, you may be wondering, where does God come into play?  Well, when our refrigerator was bare we had friends who brought food, took us out to dinner, invited us over for dinner, brought dinner to us, let us shop in their freezers, and took us to the grocery store.  I'm pretty sure there were a few yummy drinks at the coffee shop in there too!  When our tank was empty we had friends fill it, stuff money in pockets, and offer rides.  When our car was in disrepair we had friends offer to fix it, pay for repairs, and then two months later a Tahoe given to us by our grandfather, giving us two vehicles!  When the hospital bills started rolling in, they were almost instantly covered!  When Seth was unable to move, God provided work that could be done, solely on his computer.  And when there wasn't work?  Checks came in the mail, or from our church family.  Dollar bills appeared in our purses and pockets.  Gift cards to grocery stores slipped out of notes.  When we hadn't even a dollar to our name we were blessed with a trip to Hawaii, all expenses paid, which for 10 days allowed us to savor the goodness of the Lord and forget our struggles for a time.

Throughout this year I have watched God's mercy and grace being poured on our family and time and time again I have asked the Lord, "Why are you so good to us?"  The generosity of our friends and family has been remarkable and very humbling.  We are so undeserving.  We have watched as the Lord has carried us through this year and has brought us into a New Year full of promise, hope, and excitement for what He has in store for us.  We serve an awesome God and it is with gratitude in my heart that I say, Thank you, Papa, for 2010.  Thank you for showing us so clearly your goodness, your love, and your care.  Thank you, that in 2010 your promises rang true, "I will never leave you, or forsake you".

Happy New Year Everyone!  May you encounter the Bigness of the Lord this year in an awesome way!!

Christmas Togetherness 2010

 Our Christmas Highlights.  Now remember, we had the flu and so our days were spent resting in the comfort of our family's homes.  Not a lot of activities, but a lot of togetherness, and great gifts to boot!

 Band Beauties!  Kylia received a pink Fender electric guitar from her Auntie and Justin.  Zoie received a snare drum and cymbal.  Adalie is learning to play the piano and so we are now a complete band!  Be looking for the band "AKZ Girls" in the coming years.  They just need a little time to practice. :)

Tradition! Christmas morning isn't complete without yummy cinnamon rolls in the shape of a tree!

 You may be wondering why all the safety gear while roller skating?  Does this sports court look familiar?  About 6 months ago, this is the exact spot daddy broke his leg.  These skates were given by Auntie and Justin who were present at the time of the leg break and didn't want to repeat the incident.  I.E. we have helmet, wrist pads, elbow pads, and knee pads.  We couldn't find human safety bubbles, so these had to do. :) 

 Kylia had been asking for an American Girl, Just Like Me Doll the entire year.  Do you think she received it?  Way to go Grandma Sherri!  You put a look of utter amazement on my daughters face.

 Sherri's Restaurant on Christmas Eve, Eve.  Spending time with the ones we love, when everyone else is asleep and we still want to play.

 Seth's Christmas Gift?  A special date for the two of us. 

 

 Loving on our Aunt Kayla and Uncle Ben.  So glad we were able to spend a few days together.

This Christmas Kylia experienced the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time.  Dressing in our Christmas best, we had a girl's night out complete with Grandma, two Auntie's, Adalie, and me. 

We are so blessed to have a wonderful family to share Christmas with! 

Don't Kill Me!!

My husband has always considered himself to be somewhat like Superman.  Invincible!  Immortal!  Basically amazing.  We all had to agree. :)  But on July 11th of this year, he realized something different.  He broke his leg in a major way, requiring surgery and many months of recovery.  We spent an entire month in Portland (where the accident happened) visiting the doctor and hospital numerous times.  Upon our return home, realizing he was no longer invincible Seth increased his life insurance policy to an amount that would take care of his family should anything worse ever happen. 

Since then he has been asking me silly questions or making queer statements, most of which come across like this, "You're not going to kill me are you?" 

All I can say to that is, "Nope, you silly man."

(I'd rather have you than all the money in the world.)

Blessings amidst the Yuckies

 Warning:  The language below may not be suitable for queezy tummies.

This Christmas brought with it many surprises.  One of those surprises came in the form of the flu.  That's right, our family came down with the flu on Christmas Eve!  Adalie came first, then Zoie on Christmas Day, and tag, Kylia was it the day after.  The flu is never fun, and as a mommy, it hard to see your babies hurting.  But amidst it all, I have to admit that I was blessed.  Each of my children lost their cookies (I apologize for any visual imagery this may bring),  Adalie and Zoie a number of times and Kylia in one explosive burst.  Every time, let me say it again, EVERY TIME they made it to the bathroom.  Once Adalie stated, "Mommy, it's time."  We made it to the bathroom in the nick of time.  Again, Zoie was playing while laying down, and Seth and I heard a noise, the lovely noise you hear when someone is about to lose their cookies.  As we ran out to her, we saw her hand over her mouth and fear in her eyes.  We rushed her to the bathroom and again no messes!  There was no clean-up, except for jammies needing to be laundered!!  If you are a mom, you understand the enormous blessing in this. 

Then came my girls sweet words.  Checking on them while they were resting, Adalie and Kylia stated at different times, "Mommy, you're so kind and gentle."  As my girls were feeling weak, missing out on Christmas festivities, unable to eat any of the Christmas goodies, they are telling me that I am kind and gentle.  They melted my heart.  When asked if they were doing okay, and if there was anything I could do to make them happy, they all responded, "Mommy, I am happy!" 

So yes, we had the flu on Christmas day, but the Lord allowed me to see His hand caring for me and my girlies amidst the yuckies.

The Best Gift Ever!!

Another surprise this Christmas came in the form of a very precious gift.  For the month of December, unbeknown to me, Seth and the girls were preparing a musical number to perform for me on Christmas day.  Adalie was to play the piano, while all three girls sang this song. . .

We Three Daughters  

(to the tune of We Three Kings)

by Seth, Adalie, Kylia, and Zoie Himes

We three daughters of my mommy

She teaches us to be so lovely

School and sewing, music and dancing

we are her daughters three.

Oh, Oh, mama-mia you're so fine

mama-mia you are mine

Sports and drama, riding lamas?

Thank you mom for being divine!

When the performance came to an end there were tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. 

Giving Thanks

Our Thanksgiving day weekend was spent in Oregon.  It was filled with joy and good memories and many reasons to give thanks. 

 Thankful for parents that love and care for us, who desire to spend time with us, and love to have us near.

Sleighbells Christmas Shop

 Thankful for good memories, hot cocoa and candy canes, a daddy's love for his girls, and Christmas surprises.

 Thankful for togetherness, snacky food, games around the fire, and Christmas movies.

 Thankful for my man whose heart is to bless, blisters that heal, a yard to take care, and God's beautiful creation.

 Thankful for music and the joy of listening to our daughter.

Glockenspiel Restaurant

 Thankful for traditions, cheese fondue, and little German towns.

Zoolights, Thanksgiving weekend

Thankful for crisp winter evenings, beautiful lights all aglow, holding hands as we walk, singing songs, and silly nicknames.

But most of all, we are thankful to the Lord for blessing us with a family to cherish.

Good Words

As a stay at home mom, who sometimes wonders, "Is any of this important?", the dishes, laundry, toilets, vacuuming, etc. etc. etc.  My husband helped me realize, with just four little words, that it is appreciated, and it is important.  The four words he spoke, not to anyone, but just because, were, "I love my home!"  Those four words make it all worth it!  They make me realize that sometimes the seemingly unimportant can make all the difference in turning a house into a home.  In creating a place we want to gather instead of avoid.  Those are good words.  "I love my home!"