Happy Birthday Dad!

I (and my 4 sisters) are blessed to be the daughters of the best father in the world! He's always been my hero, but the older I get, the more I realize how his life has been a sacrifice of love for us. I haven't thanked him enough or told him I love him as much as I should, but if I could make up for years of not saying it enough I would!

In our family we always say, "I love you more than you love me.. got my hand up" (there is a whole game that goes with it, that is a bit silly and hard to explain, You'd have to be a part of the family to get it) Each time I tell my dad that I love him more than he loves me he just tells me I'm wrong and I could never understand how much he loves me. His life is testament that that is true.

When I wrote about him on Father's Dad I shared a couple of things I have learned about him through the years. This time I'm going to give you a short list of some of the things that come to mind when I think of him.

1. Love's scripture, and especially stories of old testament hero's of the faith.
2. Loves the outdoors, especially hunting.. although a fishing trip never put him in a bad mood
3. Loves his girls (He's got a lot of us!) but equally loves his son's, who will never be called "in-laws". They are now his children and thats all there is to it.
4. He loves when we dance and sing in the kitchen.
5.He's passed down his passions to us. (Now Kyle makes fun of me, because I only like things the "wood way, which is the right way")
6. He's a Patriot. (road trips often consisted of being asked who said famous patriotic sayings... "Give me liberty of give me death" -Patrick Henry)
7. He's sacrificial.
8. He loves adventure, and loves when we go on adventures! (I love memories of cliff jumping with him.)
9.  He's a great husband and example to Kyle and I.
10. He's a man's man. I think my dad has won every "my dad is cooler than your dad" battle I ever had.

Camping

I have been desperately trying to capture some fall in Southern California. I decided that camping was a must.... then the government shut down... then it opened... and we booked a site...then they canceled our site... then we found a new site!

Whew!

I didn't think it would happen.

We headed to big bear with some great friends and had a blast!!! (I stole all the pictures from the Maly's since they took the best pics)

packing up

The boys trying to start fire with flint and steel

First Night by the Fire

Kyle did it!

walking down to the lake

Kyle doing his favorite thing...

and his second favorite thing

The whole gang. The Woodsum's on the left and the Maly's on the right, and my big pregnant belly in the middle... I'm stretching the life out of my already kind of small fleece.

Provision

I have been looking and looking for a place for Kyle and I to move to once the baby comes. We love where we live, but it's teeny tiny and without another bedroom we just don't know how we would make it work.

The location of where we live is great for Kyle's work and for fellowship with the church, and for walks and getting outside with our little one, and the price is right... but it seemed that no matter what we were going to need to move. (although I had dreams about asking my landlord if we could turn the garage into a room.)

Last night our landlord was outside with her children decorating for halloween. She saw me and asked if there was something I wanted to talk to her about. (I had called her earlier that week) I took a deep breath,  and said, "Well, I have been trying to figure out what we are going to do about space once the baby comes." I was ready to ask about the garage when she said, "Don't stress, it's not good for the baby, besides our husbands work and stress enough, we need to be relaxing to come home to. You just figure out what you want and our husbands will turn the garage into a room."

She went on about how we just got settled and that we need to save money so that we can buy a house some day, and then she said that her husband James needs to work with his hands more, like Kyle, and that we can store all of Kyle's tools in their shed and any other space that we need they will give us for storage.

I walked inside and immediately thanked the Lord for His provision. He went so far above and beyond what I could have asked for. I tell myself all the time, "The Lord loves your family more than you do, He will provide." Then I recite Matthew 6:26 to myself. Sadly, I am often trying to convince myself of these truths instead of resting in them.

Spurgeon has a quote, that I pray one day reflects my life. "Earth has no words that can convey the holy calm of a soul learning on Jesus."

Hormonaly Homesick

Kyle has noticed that I have been missing home, and more specifically my Dad, more than he has ever seen in our years of dating and marriage.

I told my mom how much I was missing Dad, and the first thing she said was : "Oh honey, those are hormones."

I couldn't help but laugh. I am sure that hormones play a part. Perhaps even a bigger part than I realize. But I still hold that I am also truly  missing my Dad. I actually think that Kyle is somewhat to blame.

As we talk through our ideas of parenting and what we hope to do with our little one Kyle constantly asks me "How did your dad teach this, or do that?" In fact, I think that Kyle believes that every parenting question can be answered by knowing what my dad did.

So, as I get more emotional and as the baby is closer to arriving, I am constantly thinking of my dad and growing more and more thankful for him!

In Kyle's attempt to help with my homesickness he has been trying to do things that remind me of home. We've done a few "fall" activities, and spend as much time outside as possible. When we go on walks he has started to "train for hunting" by wearing a heavy pack. (Just like my dad) And he even volunteered to watch a holiday movie if I wanted. 

Some of our "Fall" activities

enjoying our evenings outside!

On another note, it is SO fun watching Kyle prepare to be a dad. It has been one of my favorite things in our marriage. Last night he felt the baby move for the first time. I wish I could have taken a picture of the look on his face, I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Last Friday Night... and Saturday and Sunday

Kyle and I drove up to LA last weekend, it was time to visit family and friends. We got to stay with my sweet friend Michelle who I haven't been able to see as much as I wish I could. She has the most adorable baby, and her and her husband are always so fun to see!

We caught up with Kyle's parents. It was nice to just be able to sit and talk. (and of course eat, mom makes fantastic food) It felt a lot like when Kyle and I were dating and would go over for Sunday afternoons.

We saw my oldest sisters family. That is always so fun! Andrew has grown SO much. I think he looks like a little marine, because his hair only grows on the top of his head, and it looks like the sides are shaved. David got to play football with Uncle Kyle, and Danny couldn't wait to wake him up from his nap so they could play!

We celebrated Deb's belated 25th birthday. We only had a "5" candle so she held up her signature peace sign as the 2.

We heard one of our close friends preach, and then had lunch with some of Kyle's "brothers".

It was a great weekend! We came home, and I was able to make dinner... very simple, but yummy, and I'm always happy when Kyle and I can just sit down and eat together. I also found our Halloween Costumes for this year! I'm excited!

The Doctrine of Sin and Repentance

I have joined a bible study at my church. It's called Women of the Word, and it has been such a blessing in my life. However, as you can imagine the study is a bit convicting!

To be completely honest, I feel like I have completely failed the past week and a half. I'm not sure if it's because I am more aware of my sin, and so I now see how I was already failing, OR, perhaps as I have prayed that the Lord would grow me and humble me, He is doing just that, and I am seeing where I am so weak. (It's probably both!)

Sometimes I feel like I live in a prison of fear or anxiety. My mind can catch on to an idea, and it takes everything in me to get it back on track. I have to stop, instantly be in the Word, and pray pray pray. Memorizing scripture is my biggest defense against myself. When my mind wanders I need truth!

I have seem victories in my battle with anxiety/fear, and yet it seems that once I "conquer" I just see how much deeper my sin really goes.

I am so thankful that the Lord is patient enough with me to show me my sin little by little instead of exposing me to all of it at once! I truly think I might die under the weight of it!

I find my refuge is in the fact that my battle is already won! I am a child of the One who holds the keys to death. I am an heir of the One who cried "It is finished!" and it is, It's finished. This is the truth I rest in most. I will NEVER conquer sin on my own strength. I will never be able to talk myself out of fear. I can only run to my Savior and rely on Him, for when I am weak, He is strong!

I also find refuge in repentance. A dear dear older lady in our church said something that is so true and stuck with me, "The more you repent, the more you have victory!" It's one of those simple truths that I knew, and needed to be reminded of. We aren't to go to the Lord once, but over and over. We need to remember our dependence on Him. I see the most victory when I stop, and repent.

Baby Boone

It is so fun to know that we are having a little boy! Kyle and I were able to sit together after our Dr. appointment and pray for him by name. I know my prayers didn't mean any more than they did before just because I know my babies name, but it was such a fun experience for Kyle and I. It's almost been like finding out we're pregnant all over again. There is so much excitement, and not so much morning sickness!

Kyle and I are already learning so many lessons, and I know that they will only keep on coming! This is all a complete joy and thrill!