Fresh Air and Farm Animals

The semester before Mark and I got married, I lived here, on the hill where the wind blows HARD and where the tumbleweeds stick, like glue, to the fences.




I lived with Nancy, who is one of the hardest working women that I know. And she LOVES her sheep. And believing that "you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy" we wanted to share a bit of the farm with Wyatt on Sunday. We want him to love the outdoors, and animals, and hard work. So we went to visit the lambs.

And even Boone got a little action!

And it was wonderful!

Because fresh air and farm animals are good for ALL of us!

This is Cricket...seriously - isn't she the cutest thing?

The day was also filled with funny memories. When Mark would help me feed (when I lived here), the Llama did NOT like him. Apparently Llama still remembers Mark. It might be mutual.

Llama needs braces!

But we pray that Wyatt will love agriculture as we do, and that he learns to respect this industry. And we are committed to providing all we can, even now, in hopes that he will not learn to fear livestock and animals; that he learns to love the hard work and satisfaction of the industry. And we pray! And pray! And pray!

Oh for the fresh air and farm animals each day!

Because Laughter is the Best Medicine!

For my aunt Julie...

Being Specific

I have learned over this last week that being specific, I mean really specific is important. It is exhausting to be so specific - it requires a LOT of effort, preparation, patience. But it is important.

When I communicate to my husband, to my students, I have to be specific. I have been caught a few times lately in the middle of what I thought was very clear communication. Being more specific is helpful.

My daily devotion "Power of a Praying Parent" said that we need to SPECIFICALLY pray for our children, not just their well being and dreams, but to go to our knees and enter into battle with the Lord in each aspect of their life. Powerful.

I realized this week that I am often in global prayer for people and situations (our new president, for example). But I need to specifically pray for those little details for people (for wise decisions, for selection of a powerful cabinet, for the daughters of a president, for God's will, for the impacts of each decision) - those things that can really change a day, a meeting, an encounter...and knowing that being specific will require a much more diligent approach to prayer, I can enter into a much more powerful relationship with my God.

People I know well were hurt this week. People I know were frustrated this week. People I love were in a "funk" this week. People who I admire were "lost" this week. Me too. I pray for these specific relationships and situations. To be in them takes a fair bit of acknowledgement, but I am not alone. And neither are these friends.

So be specific...that is the goal as we get ready for another week. To pray for each situation I encounter, for each person that I encounter...to be specific. Can I pray for you today? Let me know how!

Dear Wyatt

I can't believe how you have grown! You are four months old now, and getting bigger each day. You have piercing blue eyes that seem to have so much expression in them. I swear you can stop me in my tracks by looking at me.

You are so big that you try to talk all the time. Sometimes it scares you (and your parents) with how loud you can voice your opinion! You are big enough to sit up with the help of your Bumbo seat while I make lunches. You are big enough to grab onto your toys and shake them around. You are big enough to watch Boone and Cy. You are so big that you are sucking your knuckles until they are red...and you will only take the bink when you are REALLY tired. Yesterday we cracked up to see that your ENTIRE hand - all of your fingers, were in your mouth...you are kind of a wet, drooly, mess at times - but you are so darn cute.

You are a good boy. You like people and knowing people are around you at all times. You like going to Miss Heathers at day care and you always watch the other kids and smile. I think you believe you are as big as they are. Recently you haven't been sleeping too well, but last night - PRAISE - you slept from 11 to 6:30 in the morning. It makes for much happier parents.

I marvel at how you are growing. I love just sitting and watching you. But the best part of my day is knowing that you aren't too big to take a nap on daddy's chest...and watching the peaceful image of the two of you. It makes me realize how richly blessed I am.

I am pretty sure you are the most kissed boy in the world. You are a true blessing. You are marked and made perfect is God's sight. Today I am so thankful he made me a mom. Today I am so thankful that He gave me you.

Grow big, sweet baby.

Love, Mom

Christmas and Do-Overs

Christmas...in Pictures.

Picking up the Tree with Mom Enns. Brrrr!

Wy says Merry Christmas!

Tree decorating day...Wy and I stayed in our PJ's all day!

Church Women's Ministry Dinner. I hosted a table on a very Cold and Snowy Night. Thank goodness for Marti coming so I didn't have to lone it at my table!

Wy's first plane trip!

Love the pics of the Coonrad boys...Sleepy and patiently waiting for present opening!

Ahhh! Napping!!!!

The Puzzle Crew.

The Whole Family (minus one brother and fam).

Love this!

Just a bit of snow to contend with.

Do you ever want a do-over? Yesterday we took down the Christmas Tree...which always makes me a bit meloncoly. I think it is because it is a very real sign that Christmas has come and gone, again. As I took down the ornaments I think back to when the season began...and all that we did in the busy holiday, and I wonder why I have so little recollection of all of it. Why didn't I soak it in? Why was I so busy that I failed to even sit and stare at the tree? Why couldn't I just enjoy? I think I want a do-over.

Now don't get me wrong, as I look at these pictures of our holiday, I loved the moments seeing family and friends. I loved sharing Wyatt with everyone, but did I really tap into it? I mean really appreciate the holiday? Granted, it took us 3 days and 13 hours of flying time to actually arrive in Seattle, but then the time should've been even more precious, and I fear that I just went through the motions. It makes me wonder, how can one truly appreciate time? How does one slow down enough to soak it all in?

I guess that is why I love the pictures so much. I get to enjoy it all over again. I get to see the wonder in the eyes of the kids...and appreciate the moments that we had with everyone. I get to be reminded of the endless blessings of family and friends. I am so grateful that we have these pictures. So I can remember the beauty of the season, and hold tight to it.

Anyhow, it is just such a real reminder to me that each day I have to make it a priority to realize what it takes to make me happy. And to enjoy the moments. As fleeting as they may be. And I pray for the ability to just stop and stare at the Christms Tree, although it is already down and put away, to remember that those moments are too few and far between. I want a do-over of the holiday. I want to do it again and just enjoy it, but instead I will choose today to focus and appreciate all that I have. So that I don't want a do-over of today.

Celebrating the All-West Career of Herald!

Meeting Emily Anne Bush.

Quality Time on Road Trips. Some things never change!

Cheers! Happy New Year from the Enns' Home!

Blessings to you today! May today be one to love over and over again!

HOME

"Trot, trot to Boston to buy a loaf of bread, HOME again, HOME again, jiggity-jig." I have been searching my brain for all sorts of limmericks now that I am a mom...this one is fitting for today.

In taking the initiative from Lindsay...I have picked my theme word for 2009. It is HOME. I think that this word more than any other has such feeling in it. HOME. HOME.

Yesterday was a three year anniversary of the day that Mark and I started doing HOME together. Of all things that I love about being married, I love that HOME has a different feeling now. I used to be a late-night worker - not wanting to be HOME because it was dark, and cold and a bit lonely. Now I can't wait to get HOME. I love returning HOME from the end of a trip, a vacation, or even just a day at work. HOME now is a place full of laughter, conversation, consistency, peace...and a whole lot of laundry.

I remember talking with Mark a while ago about Boone, our black lab. One of the reasons that he is so fun to have around is because he is so rewarding to come HOME to. He is excited, whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 days. The dog goes crazy...he runs around the house barking and looking to find a shoe to lure you into playing. You get the feeling like you are his all and all...like he can't wait another minute for you to get HOME.

And this is the atmosphere that I want to create...that expectant, can't wait, this is my all and all...HOME. And it is going to take some work. Because I have a lot of laundry. And I am not the most organized person in the world (or neighborhood block for that matter), and I have boxes upon boxes of things to organize from when I moved - 3.5 years ago. No kidding. I want the peace and serenity of a place that I can be proud of, a HOME that is put together so that I don't fret about all I am not getting done (again) when I go to bed at night. A place that the spirit of the Lord dwells, and laughter reigns, and love is shared in this family of ours. HOME.

I have two plaques in my house....one says:

"HOME - it is where your story begins."

and another that says:

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I pray for my ability to create this HOME environment. Will you also pray for it too? HOME - it is where it all begins and where we can just be ourselves. There is no better place than HOME. A HOME that loves and serves. This is my prayer.

Conversations with Dad...

It only seems to make sense to the two of them...but it is amazing how Wyatt has "discovered" his voice! Sorry for the quality of the camera...kinda crummy but this is still good!
Enjoy!