Nothing makes me feel how fast time passes like a birthday. Especially since lately I have felt it, even without birthdays to remind me. Today our little Elijah turned three. It seems like we were just getting the news of his birth, and checking the e-mail constantly to see if there were new pictures. Mom went out to California to be with Jason and Rachel, and I was at home with the boys while dad worked, and I made the dinners...ask dad, I'm sure he remembers. That was the week of the never ending macaroni and cheese. He really liked it- the first time he had it. But when you triple an already large sized recipe, it sticks around awhile. ;) I did make other things as well, but none were seemingly bottomless like that macaroni and cheese. -lol I remember we were so happy to have mom come home and bring us a video of our new nephew, and a first hand report after being with him. I could hardly fathom that my big brother had become a father. Then five months later on a November evening, a vehicle pulled into our driveway, and we got to meet the new guy in the family at last. I will never forget the awe of holding him for the first time. A couple of weeks later he left, and I went with him. Rachel needed someone to take care of Elijah while she finished her time in the Marine Corp. and the Lord worked it out for that someone to be me. I had the privilege of watching him grow over the next six months, and I was able to make so many memories of just simple everyday things. Things like...singing to him every morning as he ate breakfast, holding his little hand, watching cars drive by while sitting on our balcony, walking to the mailboxes, giving him baths, feeding him baby food, and then watching him eat his first solid foods (pancakes at IHOP!), celebrating his first Christmas with him, playing with toys, playing at the playground, taking walks, and just holding him. It is hard for me to grasp that those days are over, that is why I'm beyond grateful that I got to be a part of them. And now I get to watch him continue to grow in the new season he has entered...being three is so much fun, and is such a time of learning and growing. We have had fun being here and celebrating his birthday with him!

 So, Happy Birthday to Elijah! I thank God for him, and pray that he learns to love Him more each day!

And, now we are heading home...just in time so that we all still know who we are. -lol I have found one of the interesting things about having your not so much older than you brother have a child, is that when you all get together, you end up calling your mother "grandma", your big brother "daddy", and then your little brother calls you "Aunt Sarah", and your nephew calls you "Sis." Go figure. Then you go someplace and the workers think your 5 year old little brother is your sister-in-law's son, and she just says, "Oh no! That's my brother-in-law!" =)

Hear Your people saying yes,
Hear Your people saying yes to You.
Yes to anything you ask,
Yes to anything we´re called to do.

Hear your people say amen,
Hear Your people say amen to You.
Let Your kingdom come on earth,
Let it be just like we prayed to You.

Yes and amen to everything that´s in Your heart,
Yes and amen to everything that You have planned.
We live to see Your will be done,
And see Your perfect kingdom come on earth, on the earth.

Yes and amen, we´re taking up our cross for You,
Give us the strength to take these dreams and follow through.
We live to see Your will be done,
And see Your perfect kingdom come on earth, on the earth.

All the promises are yes,
All the promises are yes in You.
Every good and perfect gift,
Every blessing that we have was You.

 -Matt Redman

Teach me to do Your will,

for you are my God;

May Your good Spirit

Lead me on level ground.

Psalm 143:10

I say, "Yes and Amen."

So, we are home from our 3 1/2 weeks in beautiful (sunny!) Texas. We stepped off the plane last night, and I knew we were home. Talk about cold. I haven't really felt warm all day. Last night I slept with three heavy blankets, fleece pants, and a hooded sweatshirt. If some of you were here (yep, you guys!) would know why I'm  addicted to jackets, and layering my clothes! -lol Sorry that there wasn't any snow to make a snowman for you though, Siobhan!!!

  Now, I am sitting here wondering where I want to begin in sharing with you about our "get away." And, as my title states, I'm thinking I'm going to take the easy way out...and leave you with this little bit of nothing, and the post below it (that one sums all that is in my heart right now! But, I will add that I am SO grateful that the Lord directed our steps, and planned our trip. He protected us, blessed us, refreshed us, and I cannot thank Him enough. We had such a blast spending time together, and with others!)

But beyond that, as far as a more detailed description, I don't know where to begin...

 I haven't had any shaved ice in a couple of days, so maybe my mind isn't functioning. -lol

 Or maybe it is possibly frozen- the climate change may have done that. But, it could be worse. Zachary built us a great fire in the fireplace, so we're enjoying that!

 Or tired, I went to sleep at 2:30am and got up at 8:00. But, I'm not really tired. Just not thinking too fast. -lol

 Maybe I miss Texas. :) Maybe we all do. Aidan (my little cousin) came over this morning and hung out with us. He and Uriah played that they were flying on an airplane to Canyon Lake all morning. And, they found that I can make a pretty mean pretend sno-cone. Not too crunchy, not too smooth so that melts super fast. ;) Aidan was a little lost, but Uriah directed him as to what might be a good flavor for him- banana. That made me laugh. Might not be my kind of flavor, but Aidan seemed to enjoy it! ;)

 So, more later! And more pictures as soon as I get to Jason and Rachel's. Hold me to that, okay. Bug me until I post them. :)

 I'm off now (for real!) to get some more blankets out of the hall closet...