Baby Brynna

I love babies. I could just hold them and stare at them and love on them all day. They amaze me. So of course, I love that my college sorority sister, Amanda, is a new mom and that baby Brynna only lives 15 minutes away. We went and visited this past weekend and had a little photo shoot. Congratulations Abe and Amanda! You both are already so great with her and she really is "just perfect." Amanda has always wanted a house full of children (7, I think it is) and I hope she gets just that *smile. What a blessing Brynna is.

Multitude Monday

#101...My Kari Jobe station on Pandora Radio.

#102...A nice long, busy, productive weekend with spare time for a nap.

#103...Friday night sushi.

#104...Visiting baby Brynna and all her sweetness (pictures soon!)

#105...Stillness.

#106...Picture texts of Weston from my sister. They make my day!

#107...Praying for endurance, patience, and joyful thanksgiving (Colossians 1:11-12)

#108...The aroma of homemade bread.

#109...Sore muscles after a new routine.

#110...Sweet dreams.

I believe You're my healer.

I believe You are all I need.

I believe.

I believe You're my portion.

I believe You're more than enough for me.

Jesus, You're all I need...

"Healer" by Kari Jobe

10 Random Things I Did This Week

** I have had several people ask me for clarification on #9. It involved crying children, lots of big carts in small aisles, long check-out lines, a husband who wanted me to read the ingredients on all yogurt labels to avoid artificial sweeteners, cell phones that didn't work, a sister who wasn't available to clarify the ingredients on the recipe that I had to make for the next day, did I mention lots of children and carts? And this was all at approximately 4 pm when I still had to put all Christmas decorations away, clean the entire house before hosting small group the following day and make aforementioned recipe that I didn't have clarification on. I literally fell into Tom's arms crying upon arriving home. Wow! I sound pretty pathetic. But I promise I will be able to handle 4 kids, a house, work and still being a good wife all while maintaining my normal exercise routine someday. Ha. My sister-in-law Nikki is laughing right now. *smile.
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I love lists and I love getting things done so why not put those two things together? *smile.

1. I have lifted twice and gone to Body Flow class once, twice if you count tonight. For once I won't be hard pressed to meet my 8 times a month gym goal (in order to get my work discount.)

2. I found a fun new blog. (Also gave me idea for this post.)

3. I learned a little about lard and raw whole milk. However, Tom said we couldn't start buying it at $6-$7 a gallon. Having a grocery budget is lame.

4. Tom and I have made three meals together. It's a big improvement over the 0 or 1 pattern we had going for awhile.

5. I looked at photographer's websites and envied their infant photography skills. I spent time dreaming about expensive cameras, lenses and equipment........

6. I enjoyed every moment of sitting on the couch and watching my weekly shows. I'm a tv junkie but I still get other things done so it's fine. Except for a few unfinished projects that my husband so gently reminds me about, but that's ok.

7. I did my physical therapy exercises for my back!! My goal is 3 times a week. It's Thursday and I've only done them once but I still have three days to go...

8. I went to New York & Company only because my sister told me about the fabulous sale they were having - buy one red line item, get TWO FREE. Uh.....is that not amazing? Too bad I didn't really care for any of the red line items. I may or may not have bought my seventh vest though. It was cheap. I had a goal to not buy any new clothes until March but it was only $13 and it was green and it was my size and it screams my name and I "wear vests all the time" (Tom loves that line) and I just couldn't walk away. Sigh. It's not really clothes though...more like outerwear so I am pretending that I'm still on track. Right? Right. Thank you for agreeing.

9. I went to Trader Joes. I didn't think it was possible to miss a grocery store but I had missed TJ's. With all the holiday baking and cooking we had been doing, I needed more things at our regular grocery store because TJ's doesn't carry some things. However, after coming home in tears a couple weeks ago, I decided I am done with regular grocery stores. At least on Saturday afternoons. Trader Joes doesn't stress me out. In fact, it calms me. Ok, not really but at least it doesn't make me cry. And they started carrying our toothpaste again! I was so happy.

10. I prayed for Gabriel. He's still in the NICU but Kara said he's doing great and they hope to bring him home in a week or so.

Multitude Monday

#91...Baby Brynna and baby Gabriel - both arrived on 1/15/10!

#92...Loving and generous parents.

#93...Two hour phone conversations with Liz.

#94...A nap after being up past 2:30. So worth it though.

#95...Having more than enough.

#96...Hope for the future.

#97...A Bible that teaches me.

#98...Coming home to a clean kitchen, freshly washed towels and a made bed.

#99...Mint.com to help us with money management.

#100...Today.

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. Epictetus quotes

Forever Friends

Sometimes I think I am the luckiest girl alive to have the friends and family that I do. Each one of my girlfriends, either from childhood or college or beyond, bring something special and unique to my life, and I am thankful for and appreciative of different things about each one of them. For the last several years, my Charles City girlfriends and I have made it a priority to get together around Christmas for some seriously fun girl time. Take last year for example - I'm not sure Lion's Field sledding hill had seen the likes of us since we were 13. The hill was much steeper than I remember and I think I only went down twice, but seeing Kara in a one-piece snow suit made the hour outside totally worth it.

And this year was no different. Well, it was different because Kara wasn't able to come. And with good reason - she had her first baby on Friday after a very quick 4 hour labor. We are so proud of her and thought of her and baby Gabriel Keith the entire evening. But aside from babies being born and missing one of us, it was still some seriously fun girl time. We visit each one of our homes in progressive dinner type fashion and I love catching up and visiting with the parents almost as much as I do seeing the girls.

Bruce, the dog, was making us all laugh so hard (or was it Amanda making us all laugh so hard?) that my abs hurt. I love laughing like that.All of the food was delicious! We were treated to coconut shrimp, cheese and crackers, pumpkin soup, salad and bread, rice and chicken with dried beef and almond vanilla custard with fruit all over the course of 5 hours. We were stuffed, but everything was fabulous and I enjoyed every last bit *smile.Old yearbooks instigated about 2 hours of conversation. We hit our wall at about 2:15 am.I love these girls. I've known Laura (2nd from left) the longest. We were in preschool together. And then Amanda (3rd from left) who I met and instantly became best friends with at about age 10. Kara and Libby followed shortly after when the Catholic kids moved to the Middle School for 7th grade. One of my favorite pictures of us is on High School graduation day in 2001. Life has had it's ups and downs for each of us, but I think we'd all say we've been immensely blessed since the day this was taken...Yes, for sure I would say immensely blessed...

This is my wish for you: comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your hearts, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, and love to complete your life.

- Unknown.

Haiti

As I sit and enjoy American Idol and Project Runway,

people are worried about their loved ones and friends.

As I reheat leftovers for dinner and have options for dessert,

people are going on day 2 and 3 with no food or water.

As I talk and laugh with my husband,

people with untreated injuries are crying out in pain and agony.

As I roll out of my warm bed of flannel and down,

people are still trapped under a layer of steel and concrete.

As I take a hot shower and get ready for the day,

people are wandering the streets sifting through dead bodies.

As I await the arrival of a friend's new baby,

mothers and fathers are holding their dying children.

Wearing a new sweater, enjoying my organic oatmeal,

having a roof over my head.

While others have only the clothes on their backs and

no place to call home.

Scared. Hurt. Devastated.

Hope. Heal. Restore.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galations 6:2
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My heart is heavy for Ben and his wife and family, and I am incredibly sad for thousands of others who are in the same situation. Life without those closest to you is something I don't want to experience. I feel helpless in times like these...when all I can really do is offer prayers on their behalf. So I will do just that.

Photo from huffingtonpost.com

Multitude Monday

#81...The sound of the door opening when the hubby gets home.

#82...Good talks.

#83...Fellowship with family and friends.

#84...Relaxing after a crazy busy day.

#85...Getting things done together.

#86...The peace that follows a good cry.

#87...Being overwhelmed with God's goodness and grace.

#88...Not being good at Banagrams, but still having fun.

#89...A full tank of gas and I didn't even have to get out of the car.

#90...New habits.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

New Years

We rang the new year in with Wil, Andrea, Mike and Tana. After eating way too much from the broad array of appetizers and catching up on life, we whipped out the Dominoes and spent the rest of the night trying to combine all of our Dominoes expertise to actually correctly play the game. I don't think we succeeded, but we still had fun *smile. I love going over to Wil and Andrea's and not just because they both crack me up or because they have two very squeezable children - they have a dog. (And a cat, but they can't find her at the moment.) I love me some cute dog time. Is Gogi not beautiful? I don't think Wil would like me calling his dog beautiful but she is. And she has a great personality too. I would take her if they ever don't want her and if they could make her not shed. Totally easy!See, she's a big lap dog.
First kiss of 2010...for most of us.Good times! Good friends.
2009 was definitely a year I will never forget. It held some of the best (Hawaii with the hubby. A new nephew!) and worst (the death of a friend) moments and days of my life. Despite the ups and downs, God is faithful and I know that trials produce perseverance. And those who persevere under trials are blessed (James 1:12.) I look back over last year with many emotions and onward with great expectations and renewed energy. Tom and I have a long list of (realistic) goals for us individually as well as for us as a couple, and I am excited to see what God has in store. Whatever comes our way, I know we will make it out stronger on the other side. Eventually.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13

It's Sinclair Birthday Week!

In addition to being a new year, the first week in January is exciting in our family for four other reasons. We celebrate four birthdays all in a matter of six days.
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Jacob - or Jabits, as he calls himself - turned two on January 1st. Tom and I babysat him a couple weeks ago and decided that he's grown and changed a LOT in recent months. He's at such a fun stage - saying words more clearly, wanting to do just about everything on his own, telling you what he'd like to do and not do. I could just squeeze him all day. Jacob has brought so much joy to our family and is one of my best buds. Although...while babysitting he wanted Tom over me so maybe the feeling isn't mutual *smile. I love living only 20 minutes from him! Happy (late) Birthday, Jacob! We love you!

My sister-in-law, Nikki, celebrated the big 3-2 on the 3rd. I look up to Nikki a lot - she's full of great advice and sensible opinions. I've always admired her style (she's very "J.Crew") and love it when she gives me things she no longer wants/uses. Speaking of her giving things away - she loves organization and keeping her life simple. That is also something I greatly appreciate about her. Nikki is funny (see "senior pic" below), driven (she went back to school to pursue something she'd always had an interest in), and incredibly strong (she made it through an entire year while my brother was overseas.) Nikki is genuine, giving and hardworking. She's also a great mom and has put all of her heart and soul into raising Jacob, which she's doing a fabulous job at! Happy (late) Birthday, Nik! I am so glad you're in our family.And then there's Noah who turns 9 today! How he went from being the 5 month old I used to nanny after I graduated from high school to being 9 is beyond me. Noah is so smart and also very sweet (most of the time *smile.) He loves his cousins and while he probably wouldn't admit it, even his little brother, Hayden. Noah takes after his dad and loves the lake and fishing. He's tried lots of sports but currently finds Taekwondo to be his favorite. He enjoys his video games (just like Uncle Tom) and is really good about taking his picture with me, however that did take a few years. I don't blame him though. Happy Birthday, Noah! You're my favorite 9 year old!

And last but certainly not least, Happy 33rd Birthday to my brother Scott on the 6th! He is one of the coolest people I know. He dreams big and pursues his goals. He doesn't settle for mediocre. He has a wide variety of interests - starting his own business, buying and selling gold (well until he didn't lock his truck and his weight was stolen) and making his own pottery. He's taught me a lot in my years (some just by way of "don't do what Scott did" *smile) and helped me through some tough times with his sound advice. He has big time drive yet an easy going personality. Scott is always making us laugh - no wonder his son is so funny. And speaking of his son, he's an awesome dad! I've loved seeing him with Jacob and watching their family grow. I had always wanted to do a sprint triathlon after seeing him do them in high school, so I finally got up the nerve to complete my first one in August 2008. Then this past August we actually did one together - it was awesome! My big brother rocks. Happy (early) Birthday, Scotty! I love all of you!

Multitude Monday

#71...Leftover Christmas sugar cookies.

#72...Yearly goals to focus on.

#73...The slopes of Welch Village and seeing good friends.

#74...Two hours to just sit and catch up on Hoarders.

#75...Bringing in the new year with new friends and a mean game of Dominoes.

#76...A hot cup of tea.

#77...A host of exciting events happening in 2010.

#78...A husband who lets me practice my barbershop skills - his hair looks fab!

#79...Recognizing my sinful nature.

#80...The forgiveness of those sins.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you... Psalm 55:22

A Year in Pictures

January...

February...March...April...May...June...July...August...

September...

October...

November...

December...

It's been quite the year!