Not so High--But Still Dry!

This evening at around 4:30, Tadd was able to make it home. He opened the door and found a dry house. Even the laundry room--the lowest point in the house, was not wet. Glory to God on High! We do not know why He chose to spare our home--and it is not our place to ask. But the sense of guilt is there none-the-less as we see neighbor after neighbor move out. When will they be back? We don't know. Fixing all the flooded homes takes time. It's not fun to live in a ghost town. The high school behind our home did get wet. It was the only one of the district schools to get water inside. Three schools were fully surrounded, but this was the only one to get wet. They will work as fast as they can to dry it out and have it school-ready.
Again, we thank and praise the Lord. We know that all of the prayers offered by you--our loved ones, were heard. We surely felt them. We will feel them for the rest of our lives. Someday we will joyfully explain to Ezra and Caroline how the waters stopped rising at the exact moment dozens were on their knees all around the Northwest--and beyond. We serve a powerful God! Thank you also for all the lovely references we were emailed and face booked. We enjoyed each and every one.
Below are two pictures taken by our friend Andy who was in the neighborhood taking pictures for his employer. These photos are one street south of our house. The large white building at the end of the block is the high school. I expect the school district website to add photos later and if they do I will put those up as well.
Again--thank you all!

P.S. The realtor DID bring his client by at some point after I left the house with the kids. Tadd found his card in the house to prove he had been there. We shall see what comes of it.

Praising in the Rain

These are the words to a song that has had a lot of meaning in our life the past few days. It is written by the Christan group Mercy Me and is titled "Jesus Bring the rain".


"I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You
with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds
that may loom above because
you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny
so tell me whats a little rain

[1st Chorus]

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

[2nd Chorus 2x]

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy"

We are currently evacuated from our home and staying at my mom and dad's. Yesterday morning around 10 AM the phone call came to "evacuate immediately." We knew it was coming--we just thought it would be later in the day. The most interesting twist on all this--our house was supposed to have a second showing to a very interested buyer at noon that very day. We know the Lord Almighty is in control and we cannot worry. How very hard it was for me running around getting my house ready to show (the realtor said, "We're coming as long as the roads are driveable.") and also packing up to evacuate. We had to run up the hill to Ezra's dentist appointment, so we packed up the car, jumped in and drove away. I've never seen the river rise so fast. I've never watched it by daylight. I've never before felt the emotion hit me quite like it did yesterday when I saw my neighbor's home once again invaded by muddy swirling waters. I've never before seen 30 foot uprooted trees hurtling downstream. I've never before with my own eyes witnessed people running in and out of their homes with belongings packing a moving truck while waters already lapped at their door. I've never cried and prayed while driving out of town.
After Ezra's appointment, morbid curiosity drove me down the hill to see if the road was yet closed. It wasn't. I drove home, ran inside for the camera I had forgotten. I did not grab the cord in my haste--so no pictures, folks. This time I wasn't so emotional, but it was still unbelievable. I left the second time at about 11:45. The news reported roads closed around noon. Praise the Lord my curiosity didn't keep us in town for the duration. As I drove away I felt as though I was abandoning our home. Silly, it's just a piece of wood, so to speak. The most important things in our life were safe with me in the car, buckled into their seats, blissfully unaware (somewhat--Ezra kind of gets it).
Our next door neighbors are home and we call frequently. She says she doesn't think the water is IN our home, but it's close. We won't know until Tadd goes back to look tonight--if the roads are open. She sounds discouraged and says she thinks it's the worst she's seen. Last night she measured 31 inches of water in her basement. The river crested last night and is receding slowly today.
Thank you all for your prayers. We don't know what we'll find tonight. But we pray that we will have the grace to PRAISE no matter what we find. The trying of our faith is more precious than gold--this we read--now we may know.

Christmas Dinner and Gifts

Our two spoiled little darlings were quite excited to wake up Christmas morning and tear into gifts. Having just celebrated a birthday only a week prior, Ezra was an expert at ripping off paper. In fact, he started early with the ripping when he snuck into mommy and daddy's room the night before to open some gifts...some his, some not. Here is Caroline with a pot and pan set from Grandpa and Grandma Idaho.
And here is my current favorite picture of Ezra. "It's a grader!" He's been asking for a grader for the past year. Grandpa and Grandma Idaho came through big time!

Caroline's contribution to cooking the meal.

Grandma brought a delicious stuffing casserole and came to the rescue with wonderful gravy.

Daddy and Ezra waiting "patiently" at the table. The table was sadly lacking. With most of our extra things in storage there was no way to make the table pretty or fancy. I was quite sad thinking of all my beautiful china and serving pieces, the table cloths and cloth napkins that would have added that "just so" touch. Especially since we are so rarely home for Christmas. Thankfully, Christmas is not about having things "just so". We are thankful for food to eat, family to share it with and a warm house to enjoy it in. And above all else, for the Baby who came to earth from Heavenly glory to one day shed his precious blood to wash away our sins and make us as white as the lovely snow that fell all week.

Some of the fare.

And the drinks. Here's another opportunity to sing the praises of Trader Joe's. I do love their sparkling lemonade and what better time to enjoy some than Christmas dinner! We easily polished off the bottle. Ezra and Grandma Idaho helped me out.

And this is what we looked like after the turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, layer salad, creamed corn and rolls were devoured. Rather than enjoy pecan pie right off, we opted to run to our beds for nap time. All but Grandpa, that is, who stayed awake to kindly pick the turkey bones clean.

And now going back in time to when we first woke up. These are the stockings made from paper and sewed up by Ezra and I. I hole punched around the paper and then Ezra and I used yarn to lace them up like lacing cards. It was sure fun! This can also be done with felt, although hole punching felt is a lot harder (but still possible).

Beginning the process of becoming beyond spoiled.

Ezra's new street sweeper.

Caroline opening the huge gift from mommy and daddy...a kitchen set!

This took Grandpa and Daddy most of the morning to put together.

I promise that she is happy with the present--just not with the camera :) Ezra loves the kitchen set just as much as Caroline does. The pot and pan set that Grandpa and Grandma got her goes perfectly with the kitchen.

And after a long day of eating and playing they raced off to bed. Ready, set...go!

Grampa and Gramma Hiiii-do

Grandpa and Grandma Idaho arrived Tuesday evening to spend a few days with us. They had first planned to spend a night in Walla Walla on the way here, but with a new storm hot on their heels, they pushed through and made the drive all in one day. And boy were they glad they had when it started snowing hard that night and the next morning. Excitement levels were quite high while two little bodies wriggled on the chair by the window watching for a van with Idaho plates to pull up to our house. When they did arrive, Grandpa backed the van up to re-parallel park and Caroline burst into tears thinking they were leaving as soon as they arrived. But--they stayed! And they brought gifts. A construction tool set and hard hat for Ezra's birthday. And a darling jumper sewn by Grandma for Caroline with a matching hat she crocheted. What fun.

Even more than the presents, Ezra and Caroline are enjoying Grandpa and Grandma Hi-do themselves. Grandparents always have time to cuddle, read books, play and listen to stories told by Ezra. We're so glad that they're here!

A Marathon Post of Snow Play

I have been trying to post for the past 3 (I refuse to type out the number "three" in defiance to my days as an English major at the UW. I reserve the right to break lots of rules and have diaper brains now that I'm just a plain old SAHM!)days, to no avail. My Internet has been mad at me. Today it's finally working and this post is looooong. Sorry! First, a weather appropriate craft. And then some fun in the snow. This craft celebrates the evergreens our state is so famous for. We call it "Trees in Snow".

First off, if your children are old enough--this is a great lesson on symmetry. You can talk about what symmetry is and show them the "line of symmetry". Fold a paper in half and draw the shape of half of a pine tree. Remind them the importance of never cutting on the folded side of the paper. Then, cut out, unfold--and voila, you have a tree. You can either cut out one tree on a piece of card stock and then trace it multiple times on green paper and have the kids cut out their own trees. Or, if you are working on the symmetry aspect of this project, skip the tracing step and have each kid draw and cut out their own tree.

Then, glue your tree (or trees) to blue paper.

Then the painting begins!

This is a fun way to paint. Just cut up a kitchen sponge into small pieces. Dip in white paint, and you have your snow! This is a great lesson on texture. Caroline really seemed to get it (right).

Ezra decided that texture is for the birds! My tree is having a white out blizzard just like we are!

This is Caroline's snowy tree scene--my mother eyes thought it quite cute, sorry it's sideways. Of course, because this was one project I planned to save for a scrap book, Miss Kine got into it that night and ripped them all to pieces. Oh well, we'll just have to do it again. The kids won't mind in the least.

The final products.

The next door neighbor's granddaughter, C, is so kind to our children. She comes over and asks them to play outside often. She even brings out baskets of her childhood toys and plays in the grass for hours with Ezra in the summer. On this particular day, the grass was not visible. But she did have a snow fight with Ezra, made snow angels with him, pulled both kids on the sled and carried Caroline all over the yard. Caroline just lay on her back in the sled like a princess demanding to be pulled all around. Can C have some extra credit for all this hard work, Miss Acton? Please????

After a long day of playing in the snow and making crafts in the house, we need a drink of milk in a cozy chair while daddy tells Ezra "Once upon a time when you were a little boy" stories before bed.

Ezra has also finally felt the attraction of hot cocoa when he comes in from the cold. I wondered when this day would arrive! Guess he had to turn 3 before he fell for hot drinks.

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!

And now I must run away to my bed, my grandpa and grandma Idaho just arrived and I need lots of energy to play with them! They barely beat the storm to our house, praise the Lord for safe travels for them! Merry Christmas to you all. Ezra and I will be back soon to show you our presents : )

He's Fweeeee!

Three years ago today, a precious young man entered our lives. We were so excited to meet him. And today we are so excited to know him. I don't generally love pictures of myself, but the above photo is my favorite all time of myself : ) The absolute joy I remember feeling in that moment was incredible.

Here's our boy turning one--still a redhead.

And turning two.

And now...today. A brand new 3 year old opening his presents. A doctor kit and a motorcycle and four wheeler. Wow!

I wanna go outside and play too, guys! (She didn't enjoy the cold for nearly as long as Ezra did).

Getting all dressed up for the fun outside.

His favorite birthday gift of all was having daddy stay at home today and play in the snow with him. He's been praying for snow for the past few days and he got the answer he wanted today!

Enjoying a "cup of dirt" with some candles in it after dinner tonight. We had a quiet celebration with just the four of us. Grandpa Tractor and Grandma Harbor will come over for cake whenever the roads are safe.

We love this boy so much it hurts. And boy has he made the past three years fun. Thank you Lord for putting him in our lives. May we honor You as we raise him to Your glory. Thank you dear friends and family for all of the phone calls and messages he received today for his birthday. He is blessed to have each and every one of you in his life. And his precious little three year old heart holds all of you close!