not paying attention

Okay...I just realized that I already posted a picture of my boys playing in the snow. It's under another post, but I didn't pay attention when I posted earlier.

I haven't been paying attention on a lot of things recently. I can't remember what day it is. I have no idea what is happening in church tomorrow in regards to my almost 4 year old. I am surprised every year when Eric tells me he has New Year's Eve day off from work. I am misplacing items. Of course when I do find the missing items, they are always where I put them and in a place where I won't forget. So I say when I put them there orginally.

Maybe my gray hairs are affecting my brain more than I thought. The grays always seem to bring more friends when my highlights fade. Why is that?

Maybe I need to take some vitamins. But I probably wouldn't pay attention to the instructions and I would misplace them anyway. Oh well.

Snow

Here are Jarod and Andrew playing in the first snow of the winter season. They both had a blast sliding down the slide into the snow. Who knew that the swing set could be used year round!

Christmas tree and pictures...

We tried to get some pictures of the boys for that "perfect" Christmas card picture. They turned out fine, but I had jmagined them so much better. I really don't like the Cars trash can in the background. I'm not sure why it is downstairs and not in Jarod's room. I guess this is just life in our house for now and I will look back at the pictures in a few years and laugh. I'm still not sure which one we will choose for the Christmas cards, though.

a first

Today was a first for me. I made cherry bread. Cherry bread is one of my favorite things to eat during the holidays. My mom always makes it and I look forward to it every year. Now, if you know me well, I do not like to bake. I don't even bake cookies. I find the whole process messy and it takes a long time. However, this year I decided to don my Betty Crocker apron and tackle making the bread. I thought the loaves would make nice presents to our neighbors who have been so kind with watching Jarod off and on. I also thought that I would deliver them to our neighbors on either side of us who we have little contact with.

So, I made four loaves today. One loaf broke as I tried to take it out of the pan. Lesson: Do not take bread out of loaf pans until completely cooled. We will keep that loaf for ourselves. I want to make at least 2 more loaves for the bus driver and assistant who take Andrew to school. And maybe have make some more to keep in the freezer. We'll see how adventurous I get this week. My back hurts from standing all afternoon, but I'm proud of my accomplishment. My first cherry bread. Maybe next year I'll try to make fudge. Probably not.

Oh, by the way... the bread tastes really good!

Brothers

Here are some pictures of Jarod and Andrew from the last couple of months. Enjoy!

Here's Andrew in his Buzz pjs.

The boys were so excited to get out in the snow this week. They had a blast going down the slide and falling in the snow.

This was over Thanksgiving weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Peterson's house.

Jarod wanted to be a the conductor from The Polar Express for Halloween. I thought the costume looked great - thanks to Grandma Hansen who made the vest.

freedom

I have heard the term "freedom in Christ" before but it's taken on a different meaning to me today. I have been trying to lose weight for some time now. I have recenty joined a free course on line called Setting the Captives Free/The Lord's Table. It's a scripture based study on how to be free from poor eating habits.

I was reading today from 2 Corinthians 3:16-19 and in verses 16 - 17 is says, "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." I have neve thought of that in terms of eating. If I turn to the Lord instead of food when I am tired, bored, stressed or just plain emotional, He will give me freedom from that desire to eat to fill that void that only the Lord can fill.

Does that make sense? I am still processing, but I think and pray that it's a start.

highly favored

Last night at MOPS I shared from a book called, The Journey of a Mother's Heart by Glenda Malmin. Here's what I shared:

Tonight we are in the kid's room where our children sleep and dream. It's where they play and grow. My kids rooms have changed over the years from a nursery to a somewhat smelly and messy big kids room.

Getting ready for my first baby was emotional for me. I was filled with joy, but scared to death and I really had no clue what I was doing or what was going to happen. I imagine that Mary felt the same way. She was engaged to Joseph getting ready for the wedding when she heard an angel say, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." What must Mary have been thinking? Maybe something like this:

Yes, sir? You have a message from the Lord for me? He says I'm highly favored?

Who, me? You're making me a little nervouse here. Yes, I know He's with me... He wants me to what? To have a baby! Well, the Lord knows I want to ... every young bride does. All in due time, of course.

I have to admit I'm a little concerned about my abilities. I'm not so sure I'll be a very good ... What? How could I possibly have a bab-? Well, yes, I know at times I can be inquisitive when I should be contemplative, but my mother always told me this mothering thing is a big deal to God. You know, it's a high calling as well as a privilege from the Father above.

How could I possibly...how could it be ...after all, I'm so young and inexperienced. highly favored, you say? I'll have to think about that one.

(pg. 17)

Did you feel like Mary? Did you feel unprepared for what lies ahead? Mary realized though that she was highly favored. We are also highly favored. Favored means: prefered above all others and treated or thought of with great kindness. Isn't that cool, that God chose Mary above every other woman be carry Jesus and tath he chose you above all other to carry your child? He favored you! Once I realized that I was favored by God for myu children - I knew that he would give me what I needed ot reaise my boys - just like God did for Mary.

one way that God helped Mary was in her cousin Elizabeth. Mary went to visit Elizabeth who also pregnant after being barren for years. Can you imagine that conversation when Mary arrived? There was probably a lot of hugging and crying and giggling. It says in Luke that when Elizabeth heard Marys' greeting, her baby leaped within her. Even the babies were excited. Elizabeth was an encouragement to MAry. She gave Mary blessings and Mary stayed with her for 3 months. Was there someone in your life that encouraged you as you began your journey of motherhood? I sure did.

One was my best friend Pamela. She and I were pregnant together; her with her second and I with my first. It was wonderful to tlak to her and seek her advice. She even drove me to the hospital days after her baby was born so I could get some help with nursing.

Another Elizabeth in my life was the nursering group at Lutheran. There was a group of women there that encouraged me while I nursed. I think I would have given up way too soon, if I had not have met them.

And finally, MOPS was an Elizabeth to me as well, especially with my second child. We want to encourage you in your jouney as moms. If you don't have an Elizabeth, in your life, I encourage you to ask God to bring you one. We all need encouragement!

After Mary visited with Elizabeth, she and Jsoeph made along journey to Bethlehem. What was that like to be very pregnant and have ot travel by donkey and walk such a long distance. It probably was not that much fun.

Then Mary gave birth. Jesus' nursery was nothing like ours. It was probably cold, dark, and damp. The manger was most likely filled with hay and smelled bad.

Tose first few days after birth are filled with joy and telling everyone you know about the birth. I had so many hopes and dreams for my children and I still do. I hope that they become responsible citizens, have family, do well in school and to know God. But MAry's hopes were different. Jesus was born to give us hope. He was born so we could have eternal life through faith in him.

Mary's journey of motherhood was not that different than yours and mine. She had emotions, hopes and dreams, morning sickness, labor pains and having to potty train. The only difference was that she gave birth to hope - a hope for you and me.

As you look in on your children tonight in their nusery or room, I hope that your dream for them is to also know the hope that Jesus can bring.