Top Ten "Worthy to Repeat"

Seems this week, I have heard so many neat words spoken, either from others, from my study in the Scriptures, and some that yes, may have even slipped out of my mouth. I have learned something from all of them....maybe a lot, maybe a little, but each has had it moment to shine in my thought life. I hope only to remember what I heard, seek to understand how I can apply it to my life, and then do so! Maybe you will have the same experience, and if not, well, that's okay too. Enjoy!

10. If you claim it, ACT LIKE IT! (For goodness sakes, at least try! -- outward, intentional acts of stupidity that clearly are a smack in the face for what you say you stand for, just really aggravates me! - sorry to rant!)
9. Your attitude toward God's Word (the Bible) greatly reflects your attitude towards God.
8. "Love God with all your heart" (Scripture recited by my little Wesley - melt my heart!)
7. We can not amputate our history from our destiny in Christ. (It is part of who we are and Christ wants to use it to make us into our best for his glory - my desire!)
6. The things we don't plan for may turn out to be the biggest blessings! (hummm.......)
5. It's COLD! (Yes, it is....I have seemed to thank the Lord a bit more lately for a warm home, warm food, warm clothes...He provides it all!)
4. Mamma! Mamma! Mamma! Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Mamma? Why? (Just a reminder that my Wesley is growing and learning so much. What a responsibility I have.)
3. If we are seeking him, we can't help but collide with his will! (again...my desire)
2. I DID IT! (Wesley is potty training...enough said!)
1. I love you. (I just love to hear my husband say it!)

Merry Christmas 2009!

Let it snow!

Well, let's just say it SNOWED. It was 10 inches of beautiful white snow. Kinda slowed us down a bit, but that is not always a bad thing. Posted a few pictures of our adventures.



Our new house, under snow!



Sawyer, Ella and Wes playing Gramma Kate's piano while we were snowed in.

Family Ties

We had a wonderful time at the 1st Annual Carlton Family reunion this past Saturday. It has been over 15 years since I saw most of this part of my family. It was kind of strange in a way. As we took pictures with cousins, I couldn't help but be so excited that I was able to connect with a new part of my family. What a blessing to share stories, laugh together and find out all that you have in common. Too bad we get so settled into our little worlds that we don't take more time to get to know our extended families. I am thankful for the new familyships that I have made! :) I pray they know how thankful I am for them! PS. This is where Sawyer "Carlton" came from.

My sweet family!




Third cousins (okay, brothers...but, if the other littles ones would have been able to make it, they would fit in here!)



The second cousins



The first cousins


My grandmother Jane Hester, her sister-in-law, Joyce, and her sisters, Anne and Betty. (The Matriarchs)

Holiday fun with friends!

Last night we got to attend the annual Stoltzfus Christmas Party. It is so much fun. Just a simple time to get together and eat, chat and enjoy each other. Elliot and I decided to let the boys hang out with their grandparents so we could have some true "adult time". It was so nice to visit all the guest and really catch up with friends whose lives are just as busy as ours. Thanks to Robin, a wonderful hostess, and dear friend! The food was so yummy! I look forward to next year!

The Birthday Boy!

Sawyer is turning ONE!

I can't believe it! Sawyer is going to be ONE....already! (on the 12th) He is such a delight to our family. He is walking all over the place, laughing, yelling (he is VERY LOUD) and making sure no one misses him. However, he does not have a tooth in his head. It has not for a second, however, slowed down the eating process. He out-eats Wes by a long shot! He is such a cutie and LOVES his big brother...no matter how much Wes beats up on him. The time has flown by so quickly, and I must say it has been a rather eventful year. And to top it all off, we moved over Halloween weekend. WoW! What an ordeal that was. But, we love our new place that offers more land for the boys to play on, deer sightings almost daily, a view that is such a display of God's majesty, much more. There are still boxes to be unpacked, and closets to be organized. It will get done, in time. Papa Dewey and Gramma Kate (aka, Elliot's parents) have arrived back in NC and are preparing the Little Red House (our previous home) their dwelling. We are excited to have them back in NC after 7 years of ministry in VT. I think I will take a few days this month to just reflect on the many blessings the Lord has given me. My husband, my boys, my home, my family, my job, my health and most importantly the gift of salvation and hope that comes from a life with Him. Happy Birthday Sawyer. We love you so much and are so blessed to have you as our son!