Moving

I have honestly done my very best not to complain - primarily online. I see those that complain on Facebook or through blogs as just not using their time and online voice appropriately. But, I have allowed myself this today - I am jumping on the "complain through my blog" bandwagon!! You see, moving is HARD! I have two small children, I am 4 months pregnant, and moving is H-A-R-D!!! I have been blessed with an amazing husband who has taken on most of the moving load plus who has been the brunt of my moody moments and moving in with my Mom and sister has helped in that they have been HUGE supports, although they also have at times been the receivers of "the moods of Rhonda". And, on our actual moving day my dear Mother-in-law was on hand to take our kids for the whole day so we could actually get work done without little people under foot...but all of this said - MOVING IS HARD!!! And tiring. And frustrating. AND overwhelming. And I have felt a few times that I might be at the very end of my tether...about ready to SNAP!! It is only by the absolute mercy of my Father that, in His kindness, He has seen fit to give me what I need when I need it; to offer me compassion even when I don't offer it to others; to see me in those dark moody moments and remind me of my salvation that was brought about by the darkest of moments on the cross of Christ. And so my complaining of how hard moving is is really a reminder of how big and sovereign and endless is the love of Christ.
And, for those that are tired of my moods or ranting, here are some before pictures of our new house! The after pictures will come...after! :)

The 1st shot is from the dining room looking into the living room. The 2nd is the office. The 3rd is looking from the dining room into the foyer and up the stairs.


The 2 views of the living room. The 1st shot is look towards the front of the house; the 2nd is toward the back.



The views of the kitchen. The top two are looking at the back door; the bottom is looking from the back door into the kitchen.

Annabelle's room is/will be the one on the left (it is no longer that color) and Caden's room is the one on the right (it did stay blue).


This will be the baby's nursery/play room for the kids.


Our master bedroom and the view out our big bay window
(the water you see is a wading pool that has been filled by rain. It is only one of two soft-bottom pools in the city - so I have been told).


This is the 700 square foot loft that is currently being renovated into 2 bedrooms and a 4 piece bathroom for my Mom and Jasmine. When it's all done, it will be GORGEOUS!!


So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

- 2 Corinthians 5:9

Catch Up...and A Great Mother's Day

Seeing as I haven't blogged in a while, I have a few things to catch you up on!

We recently had our very first (and the first ever) Leadership Retreat at Cedarwood with our Leadership team for the summer. It was a great time of focus, bonding, and planning. We spent three days going over our Staff Training Schedule, planning for some program and skills items and praying over characteristics we want to model and encourage in our staff. We also had the honor of hearing our dear friend Willy Martens challenge us on living and exemplifying integrity as leaders. It was a great time together!

We had the fabulous opportunity to go as a family to my 12th week of pregnancy Doctors appointment. I was checked and given a clean bill of health. And, we had a beautiful moment of hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It always blows my mind to hear a heart of a little person growing inside me, but it was even more awaking to see it through the eyes of Caden and Annabelle. I don't think Annabelle totally understood what was happening, but Caden sure did. He lovingly commented that the noise of the "woosh woosh woosh" of the little heart sounded like a dog. That's through the eyes and ears of a 3 year old.

I have now reached my 13th (almost 14th) week of pregnancy and am feeling much better! I still get tired quickly, especially if we have a busy day, but at least I don't feel as sick and blah-ish anymore. As I have reflected back to my first two pregnancies and have considered the difference in this one, I am convinced that God shows the personality of these little people even through pregnancy. Now, before you think I am crazy, consider why. With Caden, I felt great. Large, but great. It was a very easy pregnancy with minor morning sickness for about a week. And, even then, he was so laid back that at times I had to give him a shove to get him to kick. When I think back to my pregnancy with Annabelle, I see how the intensity of my emotions and hormones and the rate at which she kicked and moved were examples of the little Princess we now have in her. She knows what she wants and goes after it with gusto. I have been told by my Mom that she reminds her much of a little redhead from years ago :). That all being said, I now consider, not the gender of this new little person, but rather the character of this little person. I am throwing it out there that I think we may have either a very strong and passionate boy or a calm and even girl. Sounds crazy maybe, but we shall see!!

And to finish off today, I must tell you about my fabulous Mother's Day! The day started off with my beautiful kids giving me a fabulous card that they (and Brennan of course) had made. Both Annabelle and Caden had colored and cut and "written" little messages to me. Even Baby #3 had drawn me a beautiful little flower!! Then, we had a great church morning where we shared in the dedication of parents and babes and were reminded by our Lead Pastor, Al, that the family is the first place to disciple. I love our church and how I walk away with something every service!! Then, as we were leaving church, Caden gave me a card that he had made for me in Sunday School. The teachers had asked him questions and then wrote down his answers. These are too great to not share (Caden's answers are in bold):

My mom's name is RHONDA
She makes the best SOUP
(I love this because I almost never make him soup)
My mom loves GOIN' THE BEACH
(I am assuming these are his words exactly. And he is right...I do!!)
I love my mom because GOES APPLEBEES
(Again, his words exactly. Now, you have to understand, when we ask Caden what we should have for lunch or dinner, his answer is either McDonald's, Subway, or Applebees. I guess he loves me most because of Applebees :) )

And then later on, we went out for a great Thai dinner with my family. It was a great day. The best part, even after all this, came after dinner when we were in the van. Brennan and I had decided to stop for Gelati and so we had to quickly get out some cash. I ran into 7-11 and when I returned, Brennan said "Caden, sing that song for Mommy." Caden then began to sing Jesus Loves Me all by himself. He knows the WHOLE song. When we asked him if he sang the song that morning, he said no. My son is BRILLIANT! I have sung that song and I know that they sing it in Kid's Church so I know he has heard it but suddenly he decided to sing it on his own! It was by far, the best Mother's Day present!!

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

It is not from us that our children will receive their Heirloom. Only God can
give himself to those who receive the inheritance. But we can praise the Lord that he
allows us be part of his plan for bringing his children to himself, that he uses us to
reveal to our children the beauty of our Heirloom—God.

May the ceremonies of our homes be true ceremony—
from him,
because of him,
pointing toward him,
honoring him,
thanking him.
Amen.

Noel Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, pg 105

PS Check out my WONDERFUL WORDS section for more of our favorite quotes!!