Happy New Year

It's a new year.  And since I can never resist the urge to make a list, the girls and I decided to complete our third annual New Year's goal setting sheets. You can find them at the links below.

Printables from thirtyhandmadedays.com:

Kids: http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/newyearsresolutionkids2013.pdf

Adults: http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/newyearsresolutionadult2014.pdf

It's so fun to look back at last year's sheets and see how far we've come. And it's easy to see what areas still need improvement.  

My one word this year will be BREATHE. 

This word has a dual meaning for me: inhaling and exhaling.  I need to start focusing on my "in breath": my family, my friends, things that bring me joy, and start letting go of my "out breath": stress, busyness, addiction to technology, sharp words, and apathy.  

What will your word be this year?

26 Acts

The tragedy at Newtown was one year ago today.  Our country remains fractured around gun issues.  The families of the precious children lost that day are fractured, too.  So much hurt multiplied because one person's hurt turned to violence.

But we can multiply good, too.  Love is stronger than hate.  And it can start with me and my family.  

The Krosts will be completing 26 acts of kindness in the next two weeks until Christmas.  This time we are dividing the acts among our family members--the girls will each complete 4 acts of their choosing, Todd and I will complete the remaining 18.  

I've been so focused on shopping-wrapping-card addressing-elf moving-baking-decorating this month that I fear I've lost the Christmas spirit.  I'm taking this opportunity to fill my heart (and schedule) with something else, making room for Jesus.  

Here's what's on our list:

Maddie will complete:

1. Make Rainbow Loom bracelets and give away randomly

2. Make cards for nursing home residents 

3. Donate toys to local charity

4. Bake cookies and pass out to members of our congregation

Ava will complete:

5. Make holiday ornaments and give away randomly

6. Make cards for nursing home residents 

7. Donate toys to local charity

8. Leave quarters on gumball machines 

Todd will complete:

9. Donate items to a local food pantry 

10. Bring coffee/donuts to the construction workers across the street

11. Invite Ava's classmate, who's parents both work, on a play date

12. Go caroling to shut in members on the congregation 

13. Clean off a stranger's snowy car

14. Bring a treat to the lady at the post office

15. Send an encouraging note to a seminary student

16. Hide encouraging notes in books at the seminary library

17. Donate old towels to our local animal shelter

Christina will complete:

18. Buy a candy bar for the cashier @ Walmart

19. Hide kind notes in library books

20. Pay for a coffee for the person behind me at the coffee shop

21. Bring goodies to the fire station

22. Write encouraging notes to women at local domestic violence shelter

23. Send cards to service men/women

24. Let someone go ahead of me in the checkout line

25. Send an encouraging note to the girls' teachers and support staff

26. Leave treats for our garbage collectors

We will include these tags with our acts of kindness.  Who knows?  Maybe others will be inspired to join us in completing random acts of kindness.  Will you?

http://www.milkandcookiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/12/26-Acts.pdf

Tags taken from www.milkandcookiesblog.com

Adventures of Eleanor the Elf 2013

Our Elf on the Shelf is back!  Click on the link below to see what she's been up to:

https://picasaweb.google.com/110279107458208786515/AdventuresOfEleanor2013

Welcome back, Eleanor!  And feel free to stay as long as you'd like-- my kids never wake up for school as enthusiastically as they do in December, because they immediately start looking for you.  This plan backfires on weekends, but it's worth it.  

I choose thankful

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." 
-Meister Eckhart

Watch this:



Video from Worship House Media

I realize I'm still a touch hormonal, but this video nearly broke me.  While sitting in church.  Yes folks, I ugly cried in public.  While holding my baby.  Nice mental picture, no?

It really gets to the heart of what Thanksgiving is about: Thankfulness is a state of mind.  It sometimes takes effort to be thankful, especially when we're traveling through the valleys.  But thankfulness is a choice.  

We have become so busy, so consumed by our needs and wants and the responsibilities of jobs and family that we let the opportunities for gratitude pass us by.  

So the next time you see a sunset, or hear your child laugh, or share a meal with loved ones, or feel the heat kick on in your home, bow your head and whisper a prayer of thanks.  Don't be afraid if you're brought to tears, even ugly ones in public.  We are surrounded by blessings, all we really need to do is look.

Have a thankful holiday, friends.  

Three

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV)

Harper Jane Krost arrived at 9:02 on November 6, 2013 weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 in. long. 

She is perfect.  She is calm and snuggly.  She looks right at you when you talk to her.  She understands the difference between night and day and behaves accordingly.  She tolerates her sisters' (and dog's) affections.  She does not make a peep when riding in the car. Which is good, because we're in the car a lot.  

The girls are doing so well.  Maddie transitioned into the role of biggest sister overnight.  She gets up for school by herself and helps her younger sister get started on breakfast.  She wants to hold Harper and is very quick to help mom change and dress her.

Ava has been feeling some feelings about not knowing how to be a big sister. She's been pushing boundaries and is seeking attention, even negative.  Call it "middle child syndrome."  But with extra snuggles and consistent discipline she's back on track.  She loves helping push the stroller and sitting next to Harper's seat in the car so she can keep an eye on her while mom or dad drives.

I am healing well from my c-section. It's hard to be still and rest when there's so much to do to keep our new family of 5 running smoothly.  My mom (aka Nana Judy) came to stay for the last 9 days and allowed me to focus on establishing a good breastfeeding relationship with baby Harper. Next week will be a real test as Todd will be back to school and I'll be on my own with all three girls for 48 hours.

We are so blessed to have three beautiful and healthy daughters. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you also for your calls, cards, and kind words.