ALEX IS TANGLED IN FUN

MISS ALEXA GRACE IS FIVE!!!

She opened some presents before her party...

TANGLED PARTY

'the tower'

Rapunzel's Hair

Brooklyn helped cut out each star and pennant

paper lanterns

Mr. Riggs....lookin' good!

Birthday Girl with her cakes

Making Pascal

Avery giving Brooklyn a 'Flynn Ryder'

(blowing pascal's "tongue" in someones ear)

THEY KEEP GETTING BIGGER

Just getting back from the latest round of doctor visits for Riggs, Alex and I slipped Brooklyn's ears in there too.

Riggs got his 15 month check up at 14 months to make sure his ears are good for flying.

He has lost weight....weighing in at 31 lbs 12oz, 100% and is 32.5 inches being 95%.

Alex got her 5 year physical and blood check.

She is 49 lbs, 95% and 44 3/4 inches, also 95%.

At what age do I stop announcing the girls weight??? :)

10 YEARS AGO

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US

10 years ago, I married a very loving, patient, funny, generous man!

He is my best friend and I love him more every day...

~ our conversation this morning ~

As we were waking up, Scott says "Happy Anniversary! You have been married to this old lug for 10 years. And, I have been married...." Not liking the way this was heading, I stopped him and said, "don't you call me an old lug."

He continues without a moment of hesitation, "...and I have been married to this old-ER lug for 10 years."

...but, he really is lucky I keep him around!

NO PAUSE BUTTON

I have made several attempts to get back on this blog and share what we have been up to around these parts but something kept holding me back. It was quite the transition for me after my mom left post-surgery number 3...which was the same day Scott and I attended a funeral for his friend, Kris. I don't know how to explain it other than I had to keep everything to myself or I felt like there would be a great un-doing of my emotional state and I might never stop crying.

Life is a tricky thing. There is not a 'pause button' to stop everything from still happening. So, we kept on trucking through our life with all the adventures...only I held onto all of it instead of sharing. Out of necessity.

There seems to have been enough distance now and although there are moments that cause me to pause and reflect, I'm not looking for the pause button on life. So, if anyone is still checking this thing....Welcome Back to Yoder Years!

WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

DARE TO 'COME AWAKE'

HOPE IN THE HURT

I've been sitting here staring at this computer for longer than I care to admit. I'm at a loss for words. My heart is just so heavy.

Scott's friend, Kris Walters died last night after a car hit him head on as he was riding his motorcycle in Parkersburg. He was only 30, 30!, with a wife and two very little kids.

Horrible things happen every day. I know this...I do. GC is still dealing with the terrible heartache from the death of another great guy who left behind his wife and young kids less than a year ago. It is all just horrible. Overwhelmingly horrible. I can feel myself wanting to curl up with my husband and kids and just stay locked inside where all the horrible can't get to us. But, I realize that trying to hide from even the possibility of bad things will not give me or my family the peace I desire for us in this world.

True peace can only come from knowing and believing God is in control. That is where we can find hope while living in this suffering world...in Him. "And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:7

Following is a passage from Choosing to See written by Mary Beth Chapman (wife of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman) about her journey of struggle and hope after the death of her daughter, Maria.

"...I am sorry for anyone reading this who is suffering...loss and suffering are hard and very unpredictable. I still trust in the One who gave us Maria, but I am also a person who trusts while doubting at the same time. I am just being honest. I pray to God that He would build my trust and that my doubting would turn to rejoicing in time."

I love her honesty..."trust while doubting at the same time". I think its OK to doubt...to question...to seek understanding in the hard times. But it is absolutely critical to TRUST the entire time questions are swirling. You must hold tight to the truth that God is working all things for the good (Romans 8:28). And, it must be remembered that God works in "all things". Evil is prevalent in our fallen world. God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill His purpose. The likelihood is that we will not understand the hurt that happens in this world. But God wants to give us hope and peace in Him!

"but, those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

MY TWO FAVORITE GUYS