The Angels are Rejoicing!

Sierra got saved today!!!

Let me start with a little background...For months, Sierra has been very sensitive to the story of Jesus' death on the cross. When she prays, she will often tell him that she is sorry that he had to die. She has also really come to grasp the concept of a heart that is "dirty" with sin versus a "clean" heart that has been forgiven. A few weeks ago (by means of an AWANA lesson) she came to understand what a savior is and how all of this fits together. She loves to carry around her little pink New Testament and can often be found re-teaching her Bible lessons and verses to Ally in the playroom. She loves going to her new Sunday school class and to AWANA on Wednesday evenings.

Last night, she got in trouble for lying to Marc. After scolding her, he explained that she needed to ask for forgiveness when she has done something wrong and that then her heart could be clean again. I think that's what really got her thinking.

This morning, we went to the Christian book store with my mom, Grandma Phyllis. Ally asked me to read a book to her while mom shopped for greeting cards and Sierra perused the trinkets. I was reading "My Friend Jesus" to Ally at the little table in the back of the kid's corner. Sierra started eavesdropping and when I got to the page about Jesus dying on the cross, she pointed to the people standing around the cross and asked, "Were their hearts clean or dirty?" I explained that some of them were dirty because of their sin and because they didn't believe in Jesus. She said, "I want to have a clean heart." I explained that she needed to pray and ask Jesus to forgive her if she truly did believe that he died on the cross for her. She said, "I want to do that now...but I want Grandma." My heart raced....could this really be it?!?!? Surely not, she's only four years old. She quickly found Grandma Phyllis in the card aisle and told her what she wanted to do. Grandma followed her back to the little table in the kid's corner and all four of us sat together and prayed. Sierra didn't wait for any help. She closed her eyes and said something like this: "Dear Jesus, I want to have a clean heart. I believe in you Jesus. Amen." Simple. Honest. Beautiful. There really was nothing more that we could add.

My mom bought that book for Sierra and wrote a nice letter to her inside the front cover today. Sierra doesn't understand why so many adults are excited about her prayer - but someday she will understand. Isn't the Gospel wonderful?!? Simple enough for a small child and deep enough for the most mature believer. As parents, Marc and I realize that we have a huge responsibility to guide her in the years ahead. Please rejoice with us and pray that we will continue to train both of our daughters well.

Now, our prayer for Sierra's life is:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

While the cat's away...the mice will play!

It was a great treat for me to be able to attend a ladies' retreat up at Camp Pinewood this weekend. I shared a cabin with my mom, sister and niece. (How cool is that?!) The food was great; the weather perfect. Our speaker reminded us that it is impossible to live the Christian life on our own strength. "In Him (God) we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28" I was convicted again of my need to surrender to the Lord on a daily basis. It was just an all-around encouraging time of being together, praying, singing, and hearing testimonies of God's work in people's lives.

Meanwhile...back in Meridian...Marc was in charge of the girls for a little over 24 hours. And what a 24 hours it was! In that time, they went to Boondocks (TWICE!), out for pizza and ice cream, and watched "Space Chimps" at the Reel theater in Nampa. Needless to say, the girls didn't have any time to miss their mommy.

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Clarification on the last post: Yes! We're really expecting another baby ... it's not just Sierra's wishful thinking. I'm only 6 weeks along, so it is still very early. The anticipated due date is somewhere at the end of May. Please pray with us for a safe pregnancy. WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!

Family Portrait by Sierra (Age 4)

Mommy....Sierra....Ally....Daddy

(But hey! What's that in mommy's tummy?!)

Bushwhackin' and Hot Springin'

We welcomed the fall season with a beautiful day in the mountains. My Grandma Cook came to Idaho for a visit this last week, so Marc took the day off from school on Monday so that we could all go up to the cabin together. It was perfect! The sky was overcast, but not rainy. The shrubs and aspens were beginning to change color. And the smell of pine was thick! As usual, we crammed a lot into the short time that we were there. It was a wonderful way to spend time together as a family.

Four generations!

Sisters on the swing set that Grandpa built.


Sierra is always picking any berry that she can find.

I love this one!

Sierra, Ally and I went on a crazy hike. We bushwhacked all over the place and ended up climbing boulders just to get back to the road. I was really afraid, but couldn't let on to the girls. All the while, Sierra wore Grandma's pearls and carried her pink treasure box. On the trail back to the cabin Ally said, "Beautiful day, right Mom?"

Baking sugar cookies in Grandma's kitchen!

The girls LOVED the hot springs just up the road from the cabin on the middle fork of the Payette River.

Future Rocks Stars

We had a fun day with the Berggren kids at our house on Saturday. With heavy rain coming down most of the day, we had to get creative indoors. An all-out jam session broke out in the evening. Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Mouser we had plenty of instuments for everyone! Marc and I enjoyed these future stars:

I Can Sew!

Last Saturday, my friend Kelly co-hosted a Sewing Bee for several girls my age. (We're still "girls" right?! Women just doesn't sound right. Anyway...) The whole afternoon was terrific! Everyone brought delicious appetizers to share and there were cute door prizes for each of us. There were three projects to choose from, complete with illustrated directions and a plethora of materials to chose from. I chose to make the small table runner...the least threatening of the three projects. Mind you, I was banned from my mom's sewing machine as a young girl because I always jammed it up. (At least, that's the way I remember it.) I didn't even know how to "thread a bobbin" until last week. Susie came with me and we had a hilarious time trying to figure things out. I was quite proud of my accomplishment that afternoon and now am excited to try something else!

Then and Now

What a difference three years makes.

August 2005

September 2008

"Annie Big Eyes"

Savannah Jane has developed a new nickname among our side of the family. It is "Annie-Big-Eyes." She is such an inquisitive little girl. She loves to watch everything that is going on around her and always opens her eyes very wide as if to see better. Sierra and Ally just can't keep their hands off of her...literally!

Annie-Big-Eyes gazes at the camera.

Sierra and Ally were more interested in their cousin than the animals at the zoo.

Does this girl look like her Daddy or what!?!?!

Since when is it okay to...

• use your hands to mash green beans into a messy pulp and then wave your arms in the air?
• cut pictures out of my magazine before I have a chance to read it?
• run away from me after a bath and hide behind the curtains in the nudey?
• call Mommy "Princess Poop"?
• lick the top of the salt and pepper shakers?
• draw on your arms and legs with markers?
• pour the whole contents of the peanut jar on the carpet?

Ahhhh, yes! Life with little girls continues....

Life With Little Girls

Some days the demands of potty-training, laundry, sticky floors, endless bickering and interrupted sleep get the best of me. Other days, I just have to laugh and take a minute to write down the funny things that were done or said. Here are a few:

1. I finally got around to hanging some pictures on the walls of our house last week. After months of staring at blank walls, I could tell that Sierra was concerned. I asked her what was wrong. She gave me her honest answer, "Mom, you're just junkin' up the house."
2. Sierra often approaches the dinner table with skepticism. When she saw that I had made chicken and broccoli divan she immediately turned up her nose. Ally, on the other hand, perked up as soon as she smelled the curry. Pointing to the little green things on her plate, Ally said, "What 'dis, Mom?" "It's broccoli," I replied. With a sweet smile on her face she said, "MMMM...tank you, Mommy, for da brocci." How many 2 year olds do you know that are grateful for broccoli?!
3. Both Sierra and Ally like to make silly faces at each other to see who can make the other one laugh the hardest. After several minutes of side-splitting laughter, Sierra said, "That was so funny that it made me heart go all the way up to my head." I know the feeling!
4. Before the girls fall asleep at night, I usually pray, tell them a story and sing a few songs. A couple of nights ago Ally sat up in bed and said, "Here you go, Mommy." I thought that maybe I had forgotten to take out her hair clip or maybe she was going to give me a big kiss. Instead, she handed me a slimy booger that she had just picked out of her nose. ICK!

So maybe that's not all that funny to you...but it's what makes staying home with two little girls SOOOO VERY WORTH IT to me. I love being with them from the minute they wake up with their horrible dragon-breath in the morning until they can barely keep their eyes open for the last bedtime story.

Potty Training 101.


Ally gives herself a thumbs-up for the tower they built.

Art in the Park

Still a princess.

Pray for Reese

I just read a sad update from some of our college friends in California. Last October, Todd and Ashley Kostjuk welcomed their third child into the world - sweet Reese Renee. They knew ahead of time that her life would be difficult and full of physical trials. She has spent every day of her life in the hospital and has undergone several difficult surgeries and procedures. Todd and Ashley have maintained an incredible testimony through all of this. A few weeks ago they were receiving training and hopeful that they would be able to bring Reese home. Sadly, things have taken a turn for the worse in the last couple of days. Reese is battling an infection that is threatening to take her life. You can read more about it here. Please pray for Reese's comfort and for divine wisdom and strength for the family as they make difficult decisions in the coming days. I'm sure that Todd and Ashley would appreciate knowing that they have your support in prayer.

The Amazin' Grace Race!

The youth group at our church runs a mock version of the Amazing Race on several consecutive Wednesday nights at the end of each summer. Last night was the grand finale. Over the course of the last three weeks, the Jr. High girls' team and I have come in last or second-to-last place each time...BUT WE'VE HAD FUN!!! The staff does a fantastic job of putting together the clues and challenges. Just to give you an idea, we've had to: wash a car, eat a watermelon, balance atop giant spools, blow up balloons, melt ice, complete a picture scavenger hunt, shop at Albertsons, build a fort, toss frisbees into a small target, locate historic buildings, etc. Each evening ended with a testimony and/or devotional about God's amazing grace. (Get the play on words?!)

Even though we may not have been at the top of the pack, the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot about each other. For example: These girls can rock out! Emily L. likes to go first and read the directions later. Quinn knows a lot of the back roads around town and where all the drug-busts happen. Gabi and Kierstin can ham it up in front of the camera. And Emily D. and I DON'T LIKE TO RUN!!! Thanks for all the laughs, ladies.

The girls are ready to puke after running around with tummies full of pizza and warm black cherry soda:

A team snap-shot at the base of the Meridian water tower:
A bunch of posers at the post office:

Art in the Park

If you live in the Boise area and you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, we suggest going over to Julia Davis Park for Art in the Park. The girls love the kid's craft tent and it's fun to walk around and see the different vendors. Plus, it's FREE! That is, if you don't plan to eat any delicious mini-donuts or take home a knick-knack or two. Addmission to the art museum is also free all weekend.

Hither, Thither and Yon

This Labor Day weekend felt like our last big summer hurrah! The cooler weather certainly reminded us that fall is just around the corner. We packed in all sorts of fun activities and made the most of every minute together.

Friday evening we joined several friends from MFBC at the Hawks' Stadium in Boise for a tailgate party, baseball game and fireworks show. We got to sit next to Pastor Randy... that's Grandpa to us. Ally was terrified of the "chicken" (Hawk mascot) and the noisy fireworks, but it was a good time just the same. I got such a kick out of watching Sierra belt out "Take me out to the ballgame..." at the top of her lungs.

On Saturday we took the girls over to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch and then did a little shopping at Tuesday Morning. Here is Ally modeling some good buys: $4.75 swimsuit for Sierra and $9.99 rain boots for Ally...plus the free Hawks helmet from the day before. Silly girl wore this outfit all afternoon.

After church on Sunday morning we drove up to Garden Valley. Chuck and Missy were already at the cabin and Mom and Dad joined us after the evening service at church. We took several nice walks, rode the motorcycle, had a bonfire, threw pine cones, picked and planted ferns, played games, ate meals outside, and had an all-around perfect time. (Except for the fact that the Becks weren't there.)