Christmas update

These pictures are all off my iPhone, cuz I've lost my camera somewhere in our house remodel. So sorry ahead of time about the quality.

We're still enjoying Christmas break- we both have one this year. It's been a few years since neither of us had to work between Christmas and New Years, and this year we got to start vacation 2 days BEFORE Christmas even got here! -Thanks to the snow storm that barreled through the midwest Christmas Eve and Christmas. Just wanted to update real fast...

We went to DesMoines and my (Reed side) family gathered at Bridget and Zach's house. There was Wii, eating, chatting, Christmas eve services, snow, and a lovely Christmas morning together.

^- Charlie got the complete Beatles box set for Christmas. (he picked and bought that gift months ago, but to his credit didn't open it until Christmas morning!)

Then we ventured through the wilderness (that is Iowa corn fields in the dead of winter) during an ice/blowing snow storm on Christmas afternoon.

We made it safe and sound to Waterloo, and joined the rest of the family (Johnson side) for a cozy evening of gifts, games and dinner.

Elliott and Emma loved their rocking chairs from Grandma and Grandpa!

Charlie was stoked about getting the WHOLE set of miniature NFL team helmets.

Today we got to spend some time with Nana and Grandpa again. This is a very specail four generation picture.

It's been a very relaxing holiday with the we-us'ez.

Now on to skiing.

GO _________! (my favorite football team!)

Charlie and I got to go on a date to the once every four years match-up between Bengals (Charlie's favorite team) and the Vikings (My/our, also favorite team). I for one was a little torn about who to cheer for, but Charlie found what his true colors were- Orange and black. Although he still cheers for the vikings in any other game. we had seats in row 10 and Charlie's right foot and my left foot were on the 50 yard line! SWEET!

And I caught a football! :-) (after Charlie tipped it my way).

Skol ____ (vikings?)!!!

Pictures from Thanksgiving in AZ

If anyone is interested I posted an album to facebook. Check them out here.

It was a great time.

project water repair (update)

Well, I thought it'd be nice to finally post another update since the things happing this week are exciting and fun- you can actually see it start to come together!

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM:

(new vanity roughed in, tile on floor, tile on shower walls)

DOWNSTAIRS BATH:

(new lights in, tile on floor, tile in shower, vanity roughed in)

BUT- for a few more days we'll be living in our organized (?) chaos. I don't think we'll miss this at all...

As I type our new CARPET is being installed- today marks the end of our 40 days of sub flooring. Yippee!

I think we'll be nearly done on Friday! (I'll post again when there's interesting anything)

God with me

This has been a hard week for me emotionally. I feel blind-sided by the tears and grief. The day after thanksgiving was Bennett's due date, November 27. So, Thanksgiving day and the day after, came and went - we were in AZ. It was a great time together, filled with relaxing and family. The thought of the special day crossed our minds but didn't really evoke any emotions or feelings then.

Wednesday, the day after we got back, I opened the mail to find a large anesthesia bill - just now being sent from the birth June 30! That felt really inconsiderate to me, sending the bill so late and the week of my baby's due date at that! Painful.

The day after Thanksgiving last year we found out we were pregnant with our first baby, Ruttigar. (Who died January 11, 09) That loss, although somewhat easier than the second, crossed my mind.

I'm not sure how to say this (with GREAT fear of it being taken the wrong way) but there's other factors that have made this season hard (but joyful!!!). Several of my most precious, dearest friends and little sister are more than half way through their pregnancies. These babies have been longed for and we've prayed for their lives, for years in some cases. So to say I'm happy about it- THRILLED and elated even - would be an understatement. Really.

But I must admit that now, more than when they were in their first trimesters, it's tougher to see them. (I mean, I love to see their just popping, darling bellies); but it's hard too. I wouldn't call what I feel jealousy, or bitterness, etc. Just sorrow I think. (Girls- you know who you are! I need you in my life and I need to see you and be with you- PLEASE don't stay away because of this; I want to be happy and celebrate with you)!!!

We do want a baby. It's something you could pray about. But for whatever reason God has not given us that privilege yet (well, living outside the womb anyway). (And Charlie would say- If you think about it from a big perspective- it really hasn't been that long). BUT- it feels like eternity to me. Each day I want/ache for a baby more. And to have yet another negative PG test this week just SUCKS!

I'm trying my very best to stay balanced, focused, stable, and hopeful. But it's not been easy for me this week. I want God to be enough. I want to stand on his promises.

At small group last night we sang Christmas songs. Joe printed out the word to the carols I would always sing by heart. For the first time I really read what one of the stanza's was saying. It hit me perfectly, and describes my hearts prayer in this tearful, tough season.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

God with me.

this makes me laugh

I think it's my favorite "short" -go big blue bird dude! For the Birds

I'm thankful for... songs and emotion

We sang (and sing often) this in church this week. This summer I wasn't surprised at the emotion this song evoked from me. 

But this time I wasn't expecting it and it caught me off guard. It's not a bad thing, and I don't feel "bad" about it- just surprised. 

This song brings me to tears and resonates with my heart- it expresses my desire (at the very least). I'm glad God's still working in me.

  Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful  Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name

  Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name

  Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name

  Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering  Though there's pain in the offering  Blessed be Your name

  You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out  I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say
  Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name 

I'm thankful for... House progress!

Sometimes I wonder why things happen. Sometimes it makes me wonder and think about God in ways I haven't before. Perhaps that'll be some post some time. I haven't wrapped my head around it all yet.

In any case, for whatever reason (or lack thereof) our house flooded 10.29, was gutted (see this post), dried, and since Monday the 16th has been getting a facelift - all caused from the little water tube on the back of the toilet. -but is all getting fixed compliments of our insurer! Praise the Lord. In the end it will be amazingly better than before. It's just that right now is a little rough (for the past 3.5 weeks!) But I see the light at the end- maybe 2 weeks! YAY!

We've been...

Picking out tile floors and showers for two bathrooms.

Picking out carpet for every last inch of floor on both floors.

Watching walls get rebuilt and mudded (may I just say I'm fascinated by that goop- I could watch them do that for hours! hehehehe).

We've lived through gross drywall-dust air and floors, all surfaces have turned white- so much for dusting this month! (our contractor has been amazing at keeping living quarters tidy and projects moving along though; as well as inspirational and helpful as we choose everything from tiles-to paint to carpet and wood! Thank you South Face, Inc! errrr..... Alex and Andrea hugs!)

Speaking of living quarters...

This is how we roll...

And we've tore out old, out-dated, cupboards (as I type at this moment our new vanity's are being picked up! YAY!)

While the carpet and trim are out (or are being replaced) I've painted a few of the closets I had conveniently skipped the first time I painted when we moved in... this also provided an opportunity to sort and goodwill a bunch of stuff. That's always a good thing.

And I'm super thankful I get to spend the afternoon cleaning then packing for vacation to Phoenix for Thanksgiving~ where we'll get to spend time with our cousins and relax in the warm desert air. Ahhhhh. A welcomed activity.

I'm thankful for... My Sisters & Brothers!

Each of these individuals add their own unique, needed, precious, and special dimension to Charlie's and my own life. Without just one of them we wouldn't be who we are today, they add love, laughter, depth, conviction, spontaneity and spark to our lives! God has bless us with them!!!

Anna:

A woman who know what she thinks!

She's a great one to look to if you're looking for

an honest answer woven with light-heartedness and love and energy.

Cally:

This young lady is tender-hearted,

thought-provoking and is up for adventure and craftiness!

(us "big girls" call them "the little girls"- who are not all that little anymore)

Zach & Bridget:

Zach is strong man with a soft heart; he's a people lover and will give the shirt off his back to help others (us!) out and make them feel comfortable. Bird is full of life (quite literally-little nephew due next spring!) and knows how to make us laugh; she always looks at the bright side and is willing to be vulnerable and open. Together they're dynamic!

(e)Liz(abeth) & Michael:

Liz is strong, creative, and bubbly; she never shrinks back from monumentally difficult things. She is so caring and thoughtful. Michael is an amazingly steady, level-headed man. He is great at giving perspective and always thinks before he talks (and always has a gentle tone!) Together they impact the lives of everyone around them.

Andrew:

This guy always has others needs before his own, and deeply cares for his friends' (and our!) well-being - physically and spiritually! He's a great movie quoter and wilderness camper. He can talk about theology, sport statistics, family, remodeling, love, news, and craziness with ease, enthusiasm, intelligence beyond his years.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

I'm thankful for... My Parents 2!

Mom & Dad J:

Mom is such a calm, level-headed, humble woman. She is gracious and always shows great respect for her husband, she embraces her role as a Godly wife. Dad is a jovial guy; he always has a smile, a kind word filled with truth, and is witty (if you're fast enough to catch on).

Together they willingly and joyfully serve their family and their church family (often from behind the scenes); what a great example they are to us!

(I'm also REALLY grateful for the fabulous man they raised, who I get to enjoy!)

(this is a picture of them enjoying a spot of tea on one of their recent adventure to London)

We love you both very much!

I'm thankful for... My Parents

My Dad:

My Mom:

My Mom and Dad are amazing. I love them so much! The above pictures are testaments to their servants hearts for those around them. This particular weekend they brought gear all the way up from Iowa to help us with some yard work. My mom always looks for ways to love us through gifts or acts of service, and my dad shows us love by spending time and being patient. (both show love MANY other ways, but this is what stood out to me this trip).

I've learned so much from my God-fearing parents, who are committed to each other (and their family) through thick and thin, who always put others before themselves, who are down-to-earth and always up for anything.

I love each of you!

age

Ten days ago Charlie and I got to go to Waterloo to celebrate my years as a human. (not that I've had years being anything else...) I guess I should say to celebrate my birthday. Let me break it down for you:
(Amanda)You have been living for 29 years, 0 months, and10 days.
Your age in months - 348 months
Your age in weeks - 1514 weeks
Your age in days - 10602 days
Your age in hours - 254448 hours
Your age in minutes - 15266880 minutes
Your age in seconds - 916012800 seconds
You've seen 8 leap years.
We also enjoyed dressing up to go get CANDY CANDY CANDY with our little nieces and nephew!

dehydrate

Main Entry: de·hy·drate
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)dē-ˈhī-ˌdrāt\
Function: verb, transitive verb
1 a : to remove bound water or hydrogen and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion in which they form water b : to remove water from. (our house!!!)

Soooo, I had a little surprise waiting for me upon my arrival home Thursday afternoon. I tell ya- I wasn't gone for no more than four hours and our house began to turn into a swimming pool! Yes, that's right, the little flexible tube that connects the toilet tank to the wall (pipe) sprang a leak in the valve sprayed about 4 feet constantly for a good long while. Enough to flood that upstairs bathroom, the hallway outside it and just into the rooms connecting to the hallway. Then as it continued to spray it filled the ceiling in the bathroom, hallway, and family room below on the lower level. And didn't stop there- it filled the walls, the floor to standing water and finally down in to the basement level and into the drain in the floor. Completely ruining our new paint work, all our carpeting, vanity(s), sub flooring, trim, doors, and baseboards.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we've been gutted. We get to do a $50,000.00 + unwanted remodel. :-) BUT we're thankful that 1. it was not sewage water! YAY! 2. it happened BEFORE we went out of town for the weekend (could you imagine what it would've been like if we were gone and found it after 3 whole days!!?!?! YIKES). God was good to us. Our insurance will foot the bill. We'll be staying in a hotel (thank you state farm!) until they at least finish the upstairs portion and get that carpeted.

Here are a few pictures of our fun. If ya think of it, just pray that we could get things repaired really quickly, so this project doesn't drag on for weeks and weeks (like what usually happens with builders). We'd really like to have it wrapped up within a month. (is that crazy?)