Day at the Park

Well ... supposedly Spring is here ... though I challenge that thought. It has been a strangely cold year this year up in the Pacific Northwest. Not rainy or as wet as I remember years past, but definitely a lot colder. By now, at least the trees would be in full bloom, early daffodils would be springing up, and all the other spring flowers would be ready to jump. Not so much this time around. Sure - the grass is green... but WE LIVE IN THE EVERGREEN STATE! The grass is almost always green - and is only NOT green in the middle of summer.

Well, my camellia tree/bush is blooming, so I guess we have that.

In spite of the cold temperatures (and chilling winds), we were able to get out and enjoy some sunshine. We took the kids on an outing to the little local park. We all had a great time, and playing in the cold weather really wore them out! (added bonus!)

Josie is 9 1/2 months old now. She is only just beginning to even TRY and move around. She doesn't quite crawl... or even scoot for that matter. It actually looks more like she's doing a butterfly stroke across our wood floors to get from one place to another. Can you imagine what great shape we all would be in if that was how we transported ourselves?! Thank goodness for legs - and walking!

Anyway, hopefully, I will be able to post some great springtime pictures of Western Washington for you all soon... let's all hope ... SOON!

Packing....

Well, we're doing it! Jeremy and I have felt very strongly that the Lord has asked us to sell our house.

We had toyed with many different ideas on HOW to do this ... mostly so that we could sit here comfortably and allow God to attempt to carry us someplace (which we know He could if He desired). It didn't take long for us to both feel completely convicted about this "trust" we were exhibiting. We realized, obedience is ALL OR NOTHING --- and at the end of the day, we were doing the "nothing." So, we decided to change - and go for "ALL!" God kept bring to my mind Abraham and Sarah (in Genesis 12) - as He told them to pack up their tents, gather their possessions, flocks, etc. and leave the land they had grown comfortable in (and prospered in!). Surely, that was not an easy task!! (... I have grown a special respect and kinship of sorts with the Biblical Sarah this year!!)

This house (and Washington, for that matter) feels that way to me. And, I don't think God could have blessed Abraham (or used him!) as He did if Abraham had tried to work out a "contingency plan." We have no idea where we will end up -- when -- or how. But we do know that the Lord has asked us to shed this home, and trust Him. (And, it's not very easy to do)

(by the way, for those of you who know me... you know how hard it was for me to throw out the really cool cast iron sink -- I had no less than a million ideas of what to do with it, but we simply can't hang on to my projects!)


(my packing buddies)

The house is being listed today! ... and there's A LOT of work to get done.

(here are some finished pictures)



I'll post the listing link when we get it!!

I've been PUNK'D!

Well, this has been a wild time for Jeremy and me.

Have you ever wondered if God sits up in heaven with the saints of past and His angels ... smiling as they watch His will unfold in our lives? And - corporately - they laugh and take great joy at our (very simple) mortal reactions to the surprises, ironies of life and other unknowns that send us spinning??

I do. And, honestly, one day (when it's not so much me), I really look forward to cheering as I see His will continue to unfold throughout eternity!


ANYWAY:


Jeremy underwent a vasectomy at the very beginning of Feb. (TMI, I know) We feel very confident and at peace that these three kids are what He has gifted us with here on earth. That - coupled with the years of trying to conceive, doctors telling us we have unexplained infertility, and finally difficult pregnancies - confirm our choice in this matter.

A few days after Jeremy's procedure, This is what happened:

Too little - too late? UH-- YAH! But I DO know that the Lord LOVES to shake me up now and again. No doubt, He's wanting my attention --

So, friends and family, we are (apparently) expecting Evarts Baby #4 around Oct. 10 (ish), 2009.

2009 is a year full of unknowns ... and a complete Faith Walk for us... on many, many fronts. Please pray for health, peace, PATIENCE, and obedience as we absolutely have to draw our strength from Him!!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord (Jehovah) determines his steps." (!)

Proverbs 16:9

Yet One More Way to Mess Up a Kid

Jeremy giving Ellie fashion advise. Poor thing ...