On Our Way Home

It's Saturday morning and we're in Bartlesville, having spent the night here after leaving Midland yesterday around noon. We're really looking forward to making it home, but it may take slightly longer than usual. I guess Omaha and that whole region has seen quite a bit of snow and ice over the past week, and is even getting some light snow this morning.

However, I checked road conditions through the State Dept. of Roads for Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri and all looks fine for where we need to go. If you see this today, please pray for good travel and conditions and for our safety. :)

Another Size Update

I forgot to update everyone on Zac's size, which we found out after his doctor's visit this past Monday. This big boy here to the left is now 30 inches long and weighs in at a solid 20 lbs, 11 oz. I know that's not huge, necessarily, for other 10-month-olds, but considering where he began and how early he was, it's big enough for us!

Crawling Boy

Zac has been doing this little commando crawl thing for a bit now, but within the past few days has really started getting good at it. And, as he should, he often makes his dash for the electronics.

Christmas Vision

I was all set to share a picture of the stage at our church today, even took two pictures with my phone, but neither came out good at all. I'm so disappointed, because it's pretty remarkable. Hopefully Katy and I will remember to take her camera next week and we can get a better picture to share, but as a teaser, imagine Narnia with 4 big trees created from paper mache, I think. Also a bridge over a babbling brook, water and all, which a guitarist stood on while playing during a special of U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". The stage is pretty incredible, but so was the song.

At any rate, we just began a series on Christmas, of course, which focuses on being treasured and recognizing the true vision of Christmas. It got me to thinking, during service (you know, when I should have been fully concentrating on the message), of what I really treasure in my life. I'm thankful for the treasure of a God who loves me enough to let me vent when things aren't going how I want them to go, Who is patient with me and leads me with a firm hand in the direction He has for me, for us as a family. Even as I am struggling with our move to this place, this desert, I know that if my focus is entirely on God, everything around will become a non-factor in my level of happiness.

I also treasure Katy, who has brought me a level of peace and comfort I knew I was looking for, but thought I'd never have. I treasure my children very much; Claire, my beautiful 12-year-old who is so caring, so loving and so funny that I never tire of talking to her; and Zac, my handsome, hilarious little bundle of joy, constantly pushing the boundaries of fun with his cute little habits, like clapping his hands when he wakes up, even if he's actually unhappy.

I know both Katy and I can honestly say we treasure our families very much, with wonderful parents who have loved and led us down the right path and done a great job of teaching us how to be good for each other and good parents ourselves. And, despite the challenges siblings throw on you growing up, or even in adulthood, we both very much love them as well, and not even begrudgingly! :)

Thought you might enjoy two pics today, since I couldn't get a good one from church to make it three. This one of Claire is of some pictures they just had taken for Christmas at Olan Mills. I hope it's safe to put this up here, as I just wanted to share something current of Claire for all to see. :) Then this one of Zac was taken this morning when we got home from church. We've moved him into the bigger car seat when in Katy's car, and it turns out it's pretty good for sleeping as well! Take care, all.