Storms, Rainbows, and Flowers

I hope you'll forgive me the coarseness of this post. My musings are very crude, and I doubt I'll be able to express this well, but I feel impressed to publish this, even in its unpolished form. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about life's storms. We all have them. While sitting in the middle of the downpour with the lashing of the figurative wind in our faces, we may often wonder, "Why?"

Fair question, right? Isn't easier to bear something if you know the purpose behind it?

The other day, my B, after giving some flowers their drink, said contentedly, "There, Mommy. Now they are happy."

This perfect little moment, in my opinion, this is the answer to the "why."

Granted, being buffeted by our storms of life is not fun. But it is essential in order to reach that state of "happy." Sometimes there is no other way to get that life-giving "rain" we need in our lives. Sometimes there is no other way to strengthen our roots, to build up our character, to make us stronger vessels. These life storms, like the real days and days of rain we experience this time of year, help us, like all the breathtaking flowers bursting from the ground following all those gray and soggy days, GROW.

This is not always an easy perspective to keep. A goal I've been working toward is, when I'm stuck in the middle of the something hard, to remember that it's for my betterment and good. I work with each new storm to turn my face into the rain, not away from it, because that is the direction of heaven, and heaven is trying to teach and bless me with and through the storm.

And, it's only then, when looking up, that we see those tender mercies, or (following the storm analogy) rainbows, those awe-filled occurrences we get to help us through the storms, those beautiful reminders of good things while we are waiting for the flowers and the happy to arrive.

I've never known a person who doesn't pause, struck by the appearance of a rainbow. There is a beautiful correlation between the appearance of a rainbow in a stormy sky and the tender mercies in our lives. I have never had a dark moment in my life where, if I paused to look, I couldn't find something bright and beautiful in the midst of the bleak. Like T randomly writing me a note telling me how much she loves me, or B running up and hugging me tight and giving me a kiss out of the blue. These moments bolster our souls, make us pause and be grateful, and make the dark clouds fade to the background, even if just for a moment.

I know with certainty as strong as I've ever had it the heaven is aware of us. God loves us, Christ was born, lived, suffered, and died for us. His entire recorded existence He was our champion and provider. We are not alone here. Each life is precious beyond measure, and each life is marked for happiness.

I'm working to learn to dance in my rain and delight in my rainbows a little more everyday. Because I don't know about you, but I want my "happy."

30

My sweet husband,

Today is your thirtieth birthday.

This milestone is an exciting one, and I'm so grateful I get to experience it with you. Your life hasn't been an easy one, and in spite of that, you willingly jump in where you feel you ought, following me often into the unknown, bringing along your delicious enthusiasm and energy. You have taught me so much about NOT standing outside the fire. It's so fitting that the idea you brought to me when you proposed is one that has followed us throughout our life together.

You are such a good daddy to our girls and husband to me. You are relied on so much by this little family; I don't think you could ever understand how much. Thank you for how you continue to push this family forward into good things.

I love you so much, sweetie.
Happy Birthday.

They Grow Up So Fast...

My oldest daughter is really into asserting her independence these days. It's so wonderful. Basically this consists of telling me I'm wrong about pretty much everything. Additionally, I get the big bonus of her deliberately disobeying because she doesn't like the rules. Case in point:

The other day, T woke up, and dressed herself in a way too-short skirt. I told her,

6:45 a.m.
"Honey, you aren't wearing that to school today. Go put on some pants."
7:00 a.m.
"T, it's wintertime. That skirt is too short. You aren't wearing it to school. Go change."
7:15 a.m.
"T! Pants!"
7:30 a.m.
"No, it's not okay if you wear it with leggings. Your leggings are too short. No, it's not okay if you wear it with tights. The tights don't make the skirt any longer. Go change."
7:45 a.m.
"T! Are you kidding me that you haven't changed yet? Your pants are downstairs in the laundry basket. Go get them on now!"
7:50 a.m.
I walk into the laundry room. T, at last, is wearing pants, but she's looking sheepish and clutching at her sides funny. I stop her as she tries to sneak past me and pull out the skirt that she was poorly concealing under her shirt. "So, what was the plan? To take your pants off once you get to school?"

She nods.

Seven, folks.

I may just have a meltdown.

Is anyone else COLD?!?

Wow! I know it's winter, and I know I'm an Idaho-born girl, but MAN! This cold snap....QQ!!! It's gotta break sometime, right? At our house, mornings and evenings look a lot like this:

I'm the short, squatty one in purple and pink. I hate to admit it, but going out to do chores right now is HARD! Poor goats, having to have my frigid fingers on their teats. :( I love that we have snow, and I do love the seasons, but thinking about going outside sometimes just flat-out makes me cringe. I know, I know, I'm opening this wide up for you all to call my pansy, but just in case anyone else is feeling this chill and trying to not cry about it for fear of the tears freezing to their face, I feel ya, and you are welcome to come over for hot chocolate any time.

Way Behind

Alright, folks, back to reality and finally finding time to blog. Yes! Wow, just got on and realized I still had an autumnal background. Can we say slacker?!? Where my head has been these past two months....whew! But, I'm hoping to get caught up a bit and move smoothly into this new year. Excited for what will come in 2010!

Sadie Update

I know. She's HUGE (comparatively speaking)! So cute, though, right?!?
Love her!

She Can Be Taught!

I did it! I learned how to embed! Yes! So, if there was something I promised a video for, and I was lame and couldn't make it work, it should be there now! Have so much fun!