An empty chair at the breakfast table.

On wednesday morning, the day after Pam had got home from Minnesota we went for Breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We all suddenly noticed that there was only one empty chair at the table, that normally our darling Stina would have filled. It was a teary moment. Here is a picture of the empty chair.

Christmas Photos!

It just occured to me that we haven't told you anything about our Christmas trip to England, so for now, I will show you some pictures!
Us in our golden Christmas crowns!


Esther opening a gift...

Grandma will be embarassed I posted this picture...

Esther in a poncho to keep dry at Bolton Abby

Eating Chinese in Manchester

Esther visiting with her Great Grandad John

Baby bean!

We had our 2nd visit to our lovely midwife , Kelsey this wednesday. We tried to hear the babies heart beat but coudln't find it which made us all very nervous. We went upstairs to have a look on the sonogram machine, and there was our tiny one, wiggling about with a lovely strong heartbeat!

Meet baby brown...

The Noble @ The Curtain Club

Put this date in your diary!!!! The Noble will be playing a Battle of the Bands at the Curtain Club in Dallas on February 17th. Please come out and support The Noble! Winners are chosen by the Loudest applause! So we need YOU! Tickets are available from us in advance, sooo just let us know if you need afew.

For those who do not yet know...

We are excitedly expecting our 2nd child in July!

A wonderful Christmas gift!

So as most of you know, the journey through seminary although filled with Joy, growth and laughter and most simply a wonderful time in our lives is also sometimes hard, add to that being a mother and housewife - the result ... a clean happy child and clean house, nice cooked meal but the wife, happy for a chance to shower, can't remember the last time she spent any money on herself and wearing frumpy clothes.. thats me by the way... again, I love my life, but Josh took the time to notice this - that I don't often get any time for myself or special things for me... and so he secrety saved up money to make a gift...

Quoted in his card to me he said, among other things I do not feel worthy of...

" I hope this gift will make you feel like more than a mommy and wife, but to feel like a woman, I want you to feel like the beautiful princess you are "

He wrote alot more, but I'll keep that to ourselves hehe. It made me cry reading it all.

Theres my little preface... so here is a picture story of my present...

First I had to trust him and sign a contract that I wasn't allowed to read!!!!



Heres the rest...




He very thoughtfully got me gift cards to Old Navy, The Gap, Toni and Guy and also to Target 'For little things like make up etc"

If anyone knows me, I love to shop... Now I get to go the mall, shop in stores I would never normally do and buy nice things!!!! I never buy things at the mall except for at the food court normally hehe

And now you get to see the contract I signed...


And just for fun... I got inspired when Wrapping Esther's gifts... so here they are..


I think that Josh is going to come on later and write his journey in all this!!!

Bella

We went to see this movie with our friends Emy and Dave Rondero's after they invited

Its always nice when...

You open the door to a man in a suit and bow tie holding a dozen red roses. Especially when that man is your husband and there is no special occasion, he was just heading home from work and decided he wanted to get me flowers to make me smile!

I love flowers, i really do! I wish I could have fresh flowers all over my house all the time!!

I love Meghan, Aaron and Jacob...

I answered a suprise knock on the door to hear 'Hello' sang in a three part harmony and then received the delicious gift of candied apples. mmmmmmmm....

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends that bring joy to my life!

I always wanted a pet lion cub...

Esther in her Fall Festival costume...

Pouty face...

With daddy...

RAWR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pumpkins and Picnics

Sorry not to have blogged for a while, we have been adjusting to a new sleep schedule and well as being very busy during the daytime!

Yesterday, Esther and I had a super time making our pumpkin. Well, at least I did! Esther was very disturbed by the 'inerds' and refused to touch it and pulled funny faces.


We went on a picnic later in the afternoon, we took caramel dip but the wasps attacked it as soon as we opened it so we just ate our apples and had some lemonade. Below is Esther shouting at a furry caterpillar...



Here is Esther with her 'collection'. She doesn't just have one item she likes to take places, she has to take ALL of them and carry them all at the same time or she gets very distressed!!!



Its so lovely taking Esther outside now, she just gets so excited about everything. She is enjoying seeing all the creatures, the trees, grass - just touching, seeing and hearing everything! I love to see her smile and her little face light up with joy, how can I not...

Esther covered in food.

We're going video blogging crazy... and she's so cute, we just know you like to see her as much as we do!

Free Money

Bank of America are doing an offer right now, that if I refer you to them and you open an account, you get $25 and so do I. Then when you do

Esther plays ping pong (we have sound!)

Esther says hi....

Books, Books, wonderful books...

I am reading 2 books at the moment, well, 3 if you count the most important one, the Bible which I do daily!

Anyway... I am reading 'Beautiful in Gods Eyes' by Elizabeth George. Its an exploration of the wisdom in Proverbs 31. Elizabeth talks about the being a woman who desires to honor God in all that she says and does and gives encouragement as we hand our lives to Christ to mold us into the women that He desires us to be.

I know I desire to be this woman, it is a long journey but it is a journey abundant with joy and blessings. The calling to be a wife and mother is the highest calling God gives a woman.

Proverbs 31: 10-31. 'The Virtuous Wife'

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.


Secondly, I am reading 'Unveiling Islam' by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner.

This is a look at Islam from the perspective of two former muslims who have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

I have only just starting reading both of these books, so far i am gaining alot from them, i highly reccomend them to you and promise to talk more about them as I read more!

The Noble @ Apostle Credo. Friday 28th September, 8pm.

Well actually, not all The Noble. Aaron and Meghan will be at a family reunion, Jacob has a choir performance... so it will be Josh and Dave doing an acoustic set. New material alert... be the first to hear one of Josh's new songs :-)

We'd love it if you could make it, to relax, drink coffee and catch up!

If you need more info... i think there is some at www.myspace.com/thenoblemusic

A highlight of my week!

This semester I am taking a class called 'Wife of the Equipping Minister' with Dr Dorothy Patterson, who is truly one of the most truly inspiring, Godly women you can ever meet. Her devotion to serving the Lord, her love for her husband and family and passion for people have made an imprint on me that will last forever.

God is using her in my life to do amazing things. To encourage and comfort me on this journey that we are on and also to convict me of areas in my life that need attention. From financial stewardship and housekeeping to being a Godly wife and mother and making the most of our quiet times with our Lord.

An extra highlight are our weekly talent presentations! I look forward to them all week! Every week, ladies in the class have to share a talent or gift. It is truly a joy to see what God is doing in the lives of my sisters in Christ and to enjoy and share their gifts.

From sign language, scrapbooking, piano, singing and cross stitch to using coupons,having great dates with your husband, freezer cooking... its such a fantastic learning experience.

I love seeing the joy on my sisters faces and they share what they love.

Josh loves seeing me after my class because he says i shine and he is so excited to see how God is working in my heart and the positive effects it is having on our family and home.

God is truly Good!!!

Awesome

I've had a nice suit and a pair of black pants that I have been holding onto for the past 3 years, hoping that they will fit one day, today, I finally fit back in them again! If they hadn't fit today, i probably would have given them away. Oh and before you give me a hard time... no i didn't have to breathe in!

Dandelions

I'm being very cliche by posting song lyrics. I was going down memory lane the other day listening to Five Iron Frenzy and was listening to Dandelions. A song that has never ceased to bring tears to my eyes everytime I listen. So read.... and if you have time look up the song and listen.


In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun,
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope,
reveling in tiny dreams,
filling up, his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,
while cradling his prize.
A flickering of yellow light,
within his mother's eyes.
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.

She sees love, where anyone else would see weeds.
all hope is found.
Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to you.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
you see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to you.

Babies in heaven

For those who read, but we don't get to talk much, I just wanted to let you know that we found out on friday night/tuesday morning that we have twins in heaven. PLease be praying for us, we've got a tough week ahead.

Pregnancy Brain sets in? Or am I just blonde?

Well, firstly - computer issues are sorted so... we are back online! :-)

Ok, so I have been so blonde this last week.

On saturday night, i got in the car, closed the door and my car seat started moving forward and I couldn't figure out why as I was slowly being crushed against the steering wheel!!

My CD case had slipped between the controls and the seat and were pressing on it!!

So then I tried to reverse out the driveway only to hit something, there was a trash can in the road. So I got out and moved it.

I started to drive away and the light for 'open door' was on, so I had to pull over and check all the doors. The dumb thing was... it was the only door I hadn't used when loading up!?!?!?

Finally, we went to blockbusters and the coomputer's were broken, so we left. I noticed Esther had something in her hands... she had grabbed a shrek donkey toy and i hadn't noticed so I walked right out with it! I took it back in and told them my daughter had stolen it, they didn't seem to mind and in fact handn't even noticed!

Now today, i just got home from the store. I had started off down the road, to realise....ok give me BAD parent award here... that I had just put Esther in her seat and not buckles her in, it was only a few yards but i still cried!

So we carried on driving and I realised my purse wasn't in my diaper bag it was in another bag from when Josh and I went on a date last night.

So i drove home to retrieve the purse. I got to walmart and did part of my shopping and Esther was hungry as always so I decided to pay for the banana's so she could eat one as we walked around.

Well, I opened my purse and my debit card wasn't in it! Then it hit me... on saturday I had used a totally different bag for when I went to see The Miracle Worker and when I got gas, I'd thrown my card in the bag and not put it in the purse.

So back went all the groceries and home went Esther and I. I'm TIRED! And... i have to go back to walmart this afternoon to re-shop!

Computer Issues...

We are currently having computer issues and can only get online at other locations, this is just a quick message to let you all know why I haven't replied to any emails in the last few days. I think this computer is nearing its death...

If anyone needs to talk to us, please give us a phone call. We are only able to take incoming international calls right now otherwise we'd call out, we also cannot call out long distance.

Hopefully we'll have things sorted soon!

Speak to y'all soon!!

Rosie

No!

So.... Esther has been able to tell us 'no' for a while. But now, she has added in very functionally to her vocabulary!!!!

Mommy:Time to go night night?
Esther 'No'

Mommy:Brush teeth?
Esther: No

Mommy: Time to change your diaper.
Esther: dyber?
Mommy: Yes, come here please
Esther: No

Esther: Yumyums???
Mommy:Strawberry?
Esther:No
Mommy: Banana?
Esther: No
etc etc

Mommy: Esther, show me what sounds a cat makes
Esther: No

A magical music video journey!

So, DC talk are the legends of Christian music, and I am sure we have all heard them at some point or other. Esther was sleeping a little longer today, so over my cup of tea I decided to do some searching for some DC Talk videos. I watched 'Jesus Freak'. I'd heard the song before, but watching the video is very poignant. Yes... in bits it's slightly cheesy but what can you expect from the 90's hehehe. Any way... its very powerful, and somewhat empowering and convicting at the same time.



I've watched several more... but I won't bore you with anymore for now!