10 years

There's been a lot of discussion about the last decade, which is the first decade of the 21st century--you know, the century when the world was suppose to come to a crashing halt. Well, nothing has stopped around here--we're busier than ever!

I've taken some time to reminisce just a bit, especially when I realized that 10 years ago I was just beginning to dip my foot into the swirling sea of parenting as my oldest daughter was born. A year after I tested those waters, I was thrown into the sea, with no swimming no-how or lifejacket of salvation, as my twins were born. By the grace of God, I survived!

And now, 10 years later, we're thriving! Life is good. All those girls of mine now have become exceptional big sisters to their little brother and I've spent the last 10 years learning to be the best mom I can be. And I've also learned how to sew, crochet, quill paper, decorate a cake and take decent pictures. I've also mustered enough know-how to create a meal that my entire finicky family will eat.

10 years ago I was a houseparent at a children's home. Now I parent a house full of my own children.

10 years ago I could only fingerspell my name. Now I know enough ASL to carry on a conversation with my many Deaf friends and my girls are picking it up as a second language.

10 years ago there were no blogs, iPhones, Facebook walls or tweets. Google was still a noun--now we google whatever we need to know. 10 years ago life was just a tad simplier, don't you think?

And during a certain point in the last decade, my husband lost his job due to cutbacks, we had no friends in a new town and had no idea what to do with two children that never slept and cried 24/7. The only place to go was straight to God Himself--and He proved himself faithful. He provided the finances we needed to put food on the table. He blessed us with life-long friends. And He endowed us with great patience and stamina to raise our "tiny-whineys." Not only did He surprise us with a baby boy that allows a-not-so-frazzled-me to finally experience the joys of raising a toddler, He also continues to meet our needs on a daily basis. He has truly filled our cup to overflowing with family and friends.

So I guess if one word describes this past decade, it would be BLESSED. I'm more blessed than I deserve. And I'm blessed to see what the next decade holds.

P.S. Also during the next ten years I'd like to get a full family picture--with the kids, me and Matthew! :D (The picture above was taken during our vacation to Washington DC this fall because I purposed to have one with my young'ns. Now as I'm organize my bazillion pictures, I realize that not a single shot includes all of us, since one of us is always holding the camera--or holding the 2-year-old away from it.) We really need to work on that...