Norah Walks

Norah took her first steps alone today!  She's been cruising along furniture and such.  She's been pushing around her walk-behind toy.  But today we helped her balance and she was off!

Of course, she'll need lots more practice, but it cool to see still.

First you will see just her feet, then the whole shebang.  The last part isn't rotated properly...sorry about that!

Real Life Version of the UP house

Have you seen this?  Incredibly imaginative and so much fun!

A Glimpse

This one is really hard to explain, but I want to document it nonetheless.

Last night I was giving the kids a bath after they had been playing in the sandbox outside.  Praise the Lord for beautiful weather, by the way.  As they were standing in the tub, I became inexplicably overwhelmed at the sight of my two children.  Nothing extra special was happening.  I was just in awe of the work of the Creator.  He creates perfectly.  He creates with such care.  He allows me to be a part of the process.

All of a sudden, I became incredibly appreciative that God has allowed me to birth, love, teach, and witness these two lives.  And then came the realization that there will soon be a third little body using that very bathtub.

Blessed for a third time.  Challenged for a third time.  Sustained through a third pregnancy.  Lord willing, we will welcome a third child into this world in early October.

So, there you have it.  Several of you already know.  Several of you are hearing this for the first time.  I ask each of you to join us in praying for the growth, development, and overall health of this child I cannot even detect yet.  May God receive all the glory for his work in our lives.

Matt Baker...GUILTY

This week is HUGE for many people here in the Central Texas area. The murder trial of Matt Baker came to a close this week. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 65 years for murdering his wife, Kari Baker.

As if we're surprised.

If you're interested in reading the details, here are some links for you to peruse.

Matt Baker's 911 Call

Matt Baker's Arrest Affidavit

48 Hours Online Story

Matt Baker's Sentencing (Be prepared, I cannot watch the statements of friends and family following the sentencing without crying)

Good Point(s)

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.
5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.  And he peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  

Praise God that we can claim this verse!

I would ask that you would also claim this verse for us and pray it over us in the coming weeks.  As is the case every 4 years, Jadie's union contract is up with the company he works for.  As usual, the things that he hears through the grapevine are troublesome and could lead to worry if we are not guarding ourselves.  The contract is officially expired on April 5th, so be praying starting today!

In addition to praying for God's peace and guidance for our family during this time, we are also specifically praying for a quick, but fair resolution to any and all of the disagreements over healthcare coverage, home garaging of the work vehicles, etc.   Our family's most immediate concern is healthcare, as we are expecting the baby in August.

Thank you for listening and for any prayers on our behalf.

Cool Beans

Another encouraging story.  A Starbucks barista in Washington state is donating a kidney (KIDNEY!!!) to a customer.  A customer!!!  Read about it here.

Making a difference in someone else's life can be a simple thing...and other times a very complicated, life-risking thing.  Kudos to Sandie Andersen!  There are still some truly AMAZING people in our confused, depressing world today!

Did you notice my "punny" title?  Get it?  Like coffee beans.  Like a kidney is shaped like a bean.  HaHa!

Ain't No Reason

My sister sent this video to me a while back, but we were transitioning to a new computer and our old one wouldn't access the link she sent.  So I watched it for the first time this morning.  It really causes you to think a little deeper...deeper than--as he puts it--our comfortable routines.

I think you'll enjoy this one.