The 2013 Report

This journey around the sun--this trip we've called 2013--is almost over.  A new one waits on the horizon, brimming with hope and possibilities.  But I can hardly say goodbye to a year without doing a reflective look-back post, now can I?  :)

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How the Blog Looked in 2013

I always ask myself which blog look is my favorite of the year, and I'm never quite sure how to answer myself.  :)  This year, I was particularly fond of March and September, but that's not to say that I didn't like the others.  It's really too tough to choose a favorite!  :)

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What Books I Read in 2013

January
1. Musings of a Mother - Doris Coffin Aldrich - this was given to my mother, during her early years of child-raising, by her mother, and was a great encouragement to her...as it was to me  :)
2. Stronger than Pain - Arlene Kauffman & Lori Yoder - lent to me by my next-door neighbor, this book tells the real-life story of a conservative Mennonite woman who dealt with often unidentified physical problems for years, enduring excruciating pain and endless frustrations along the way, but learning to rely on God's strength for each day
3. Date Night in a Minivan - Lorilee Craker - her writing style is light-hearted and easy to read, but contains some great principles - the absolute best part of this book for me was in the chapter called "When Your Ovaries Twitch at the Sight of Footie PJs" - at the very end of the chapter, Lorilee is talking about a woman coming to the realization that she's not going to have any more babies; and she writes this: "Watch and see how God fills up the empty spaces.  He wants you and your husband to love each other well more than he wants you to have another baby.  He will always fill you up in just the way you need." -I've often wondered how I will be able to handle the season of not having another baby because, to be honest, the thought of that has filled my heart with grief; but these words reminded me that God will fill my empty spaces.  (And yes, a mom of five kids, even if her hands are full, can have empty spaces!)

February
4. Heaven Comes Closer - R. J. Headings - another book that my neighbor lent to me - just like in the book she lent me during the previous month, the main character in this story dies (this time it was a mom of four kids who was only in her 30s when she got breast cancer and passed away) - I wondered why she kept loaning me these books; did she think I was going to die because of my thyroid issues (which she herself has, too)?  ;-) - the most meaningful quote from this one came from a conversation between the dying woman Kay and her best friend; when the friend expressed sorrow about Kay's suffering, Kay answered (even though she was short of breath and was very close to the end of her life), "I'm not...suffering... Heaven...is coming...closer and closer...as I get...sicker and sicker."  What a wonderful attitude to have as death draws near.
5. Bringing Up Girls - Dr. James Dobson - I have a huge amount of respect for Dr. Dobson and have learned tons from him through the years; but I have to admit (I feel so disloyal saying this) that I was a little disappointed in this book - why? because although he did an outstanding job of laying out the challenges that face the girls of this generation (including a wealth of information from other sources), I didn't feel like he did an equal job of presenting solutions - maybe I was just hoping for something more practical in terms of "this is what you need to do to raise a daughter well" - I'm still glad I read it though  :)

March
6. Roar of the Heavens - Stefan Bechtel - fascinating account of Hurricane Camille, which happened before I was born but which was especially gripping for me because part of the tragedy unfolded in Nelson County, Virginia, which is a couple of counties away from me but is still close enough to feel sort of like home - this was lent to us by one of Jeff's customers; his dad, incidentally, was one of the Mennonites who responded right away and headed to Nelson County to help out with the disaster relief
7. Secrets of Wisdom from Mother's Heart - Joe Aldrich - this includes portions from the first book I read this year; but in addition to the words of Doris, her son Joe includes some devotional thoughts as well, which I appreciated
8. All She Ever Wanted - Lynn Austin - this was the first fiction book I read this year, but it was a little more meaty than some fiction is - it was a vivid portrayal of how family backgrounds (even if unknown) can affect current and future generations - it made me grateful all over again for the line of faithful, God-loving, family-focused women that I've descended from
9. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer - during one of our date nights, we happened to be in the Goodwill store (I guess that's the kind of date night you enjoy when you've been married a decade and a half!), and Jeff picked up this book; but I was the one who started reading it when we got home - the story gripped me and saddened me, and frankly I don't understand the kind of drive that would lead Chris McCandless to do what he did - but maybe that's because I'm a woman and value security and companionship more than risk and solitude!
10. And the Angels Were Silent - Max Lucado - since this is all about the final week of Jesus before His death and resurrection, it was wonderful preparation for Easter
11. Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer - I've never felt an urge to climb Mt. Everest - after reading this book, I still don't; but maybe I understand a tiny bit about people who do

April
12. Loving the Little Years - Rachel Jankovic - I really loved this book because it was short and easy to read ;-), but also because the word pictures she used were so good at capturing a piece of motherhood or a new strategy for dealing with a particular parenting issue - this is one I'd like to read every so often, just to be freshly inspired again

* At this point, I stopped writing these little blurbs about what I had read and simply jotted down titles and authors.

May
13. Learning to Speak Alzheimer's - Joanne Koenig Coste
14. A Love Like No Other - compiled by Elisa Morgan
15. Logged On and Tuned Out - Vicki Courtney
16. Leah - James Shott
17. Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery
18. Anne of Avonlea - L. M. Montgomery
19. Anne of the Island - L. M. Montgomery
20. Amish Values for Your Family - Suzanne Woods Fisher - I will mention here that I really liked this book; much of the principles were already familiar to me either through my own upbringing or my Old Order Mennonite neighbors' example, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it - and there's even one funny story in there that makes me roll with laughter every time I read it  :)

June
21. Anne of Windy Poplars - L. M. Montgomery
22. Anne's House of Dreams - L. M. Montgomery
23. Anne of Ingleside - L. M. Montgomery
24. The Shiloh Project - David Beaucage

July
25. Rainbow Valley - L.M. Montgomery
26. The Ishbane Conspiracy - Angela, Karina, & Randy Alcorn
27. A Day in the Life of America - Rick Smolan and David Cohen

August
28. Rilla of Ingleside - L.M. Montgomery
29. Unending Devotion - Jody Hedlund - this was a gift to me, and I opened it, expecting a light piece of Christian fiction - but its topic of human trafficking in long-ago Michigan was heavier than I expected, especially because that issue is--tragically--still alive and well today

September
30. Lion of Babylon - Davis Bunn - another gift that I wouldn't have read otherwise, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed the adventure and suspense of this
31. Love's Awakening - Laura Frantz - another gift!  this was the first Laura Frantz book that I'd ever read, and I liked it

October
32. Courting Morrow Little - Laura Frantz
33. The Wonderful World of Boys - Dr. James Dobson

November
34. Our Town - Thornton Wilder
35. My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease - Robert Davis
36. The Kite Rider - Geraldine McCaughrean - bought for a quarter at a thrift store - I didn't really like it because it made me mad!

December
Hmmm...I don't have a single book recorded for December; is it possible that I really didn't finish anything this month?  Well, I suppose it must be true.  Actually, I can think of a good reason for it.  On Thanksgiving, I started reading the Bible because one of my goals for 2014 is to read the entire Bible, and I knew I'd better get a head start or I might not make it.  :)  During December, I know there were times when I reached for the Bible to read when I might have otherwise reached for another book.  That's probably why I don't have anything to write down here.  But you know, I don't care!  Even if I don't read a single book in 2014, if I can read the whole Bible, that's the most important thing by far!  :)

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Which Posts Stand Out in My Memory

January
I Didn't Know I Was Marrying Old MacDonald
"Let's Just Get Past January 9th"
Filling the Shoes
February
There Was This Guy...
This Little Part of Your Leg
The Gymnastics Journey
March
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday {Portrait of a Snowy Day}
A Hierarchy, and an Accomplishment
Two Girls and a Blanket
April
On My Feet! {A Guest Post by Moriah}
Who Knew a Cake Smash Could Be So BEAUTIFUL?
Putting All That Energy to Good Use
May
The Lilacs of 2013
Not Taking This Mother's Day for Granted
The Violin Guys {Uncut Version}
June
16 Never-Before Published Wedding Photos
A Major Accomplishment for Our Girl!
Unspoken
July
I Have One Son
What Else Happened on the Fourth
The Birth Story of My Firstborn
August
We Drove Three Hours to Find a Place to Swim
The {Unofficial} End of Summer
The Fair! The Fair!
September
When My Kitchen Is an Absolute MESS
A Very Special Family Day {The Full Report}
Where Josiah Spent His Summer
October
Revising the "About" {A MUCH-Needed Update}
Even Superman Has to Sleep Sometime
When My Brothers Play with Me {A Guest Post by Moriah}
November
Let Me Tell You about My Mom
My Town
While I'm Safe and Warm at Home
December
Seven Times We've Climbed These Hills
Big Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

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Lastly for this end-of-the-year finale, the bits and pieces I jotted down on Facebook during this past month--and some from Jeff, too.  :)

December 1 - (Jeff posted this photo and caption) - We went and got a tree today ...had fun decorating it tonight!

December 4 - (Jeff used his phone to take this picture of Moriah getting her hair done--not cut, just put in pigtails--by Pam, one of the wonderful barbers at Jeff's shop.)

December 7 - The benefit of homeschooling that I'm most grateful for this evening is the second chance that I get to learn things!  Like everyone else, I have forgotten SO MUCH of what I used to know; but as I homeschool, I find myself learning right along with my boys. Some of the information is review, but some is brand new, and I'm thankful for both. For example, today we read a story about Margaret Haughery. "Margaret who?" I would have said yesterday, "Never heard of her!" Well, I won't rehash all that we learned about her today, but I will say that she was an incredible lady who, having experienced loss after loss after loss, reached out from her pain and made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. What an inspiration!

December 7 - Note to candy manufacturers: I might be more inclined to actually eat (and consequently, buy) candy canes if I could actually get the wrapper off. In one piece. In less than five minutes. Without making ALL of my fingers a sticky mess in the process and without using up all the patience I had on reserve. Could you work on that please?  :)

December 9 - Today was the second time I took Moriah to the Health Department for shots, and I would have to say that it was a more typical experience than the first time I went. This time, there were no parking spots in the lot, the waiting room was full of people, and the nurse started to give me a guilt trip about delaying Moriah's vaccinations. All of that is what I expected at her first appointment (and was, of course, happy to avoid the first time around)! But it all worked out: I found a parking spot across the street (even for the Big White Van), I had fun people-watching in the waiting room (observing the diversity of our area, from a conservative Mennonite, prayer-covering-wearing mother to a family of Hispanics to an Arab couple--and more), and I realized that the nurse was actually a really nice person, despite the strong opinion she started to voice. Plus, despite the number of people waiting, I was out of there in about 35 minutes--not bad at all for public health. The actually-a-nice-person-though-I-wasn't-sure-at-first nurse told me that one of the side effects of the vaccines today might be drowsiness, and boy, was she right! When we got home, I fed Moriah some lunch, then picked her up out of her high chair and sat down with her in a rocking chair. We sat there an hour or so, all the way until time for her nap; usually she would have wiggled to get down and play after a few minutes of sitting with me. I can't say that I minded the extra snuggle time.  I learned today that even though I'm really glad I don't work in the field of public health, I am immensely grateful for those who do. I can't imagine that their jobs are easy ones.

December 12 - I'm 99% sure Moriah said the word "baby" this morning. True, she was referring to a little stuffed llama that I handed to her; but since it resides in her crib with her dolls, I think it could count as a "baby." At any rate, for a girl who says basically NOTHING, I'll count it as a word.  :)

December 12 - I walked down the steps after putting Moriah in bed for her nap and saw Tobin and Shav working together on a puzzle in the living room--an alphabet puzzle with animals for each letter. "Hey, Mom," Tobin called to me in his I-need-help voice "we did the 'L' but now we can't get the 'P' to fit!" "The 'P'?" I thought, "why are they working on that letter?" Then it dawned on me; when they sing the alphabet song, after L comes an unintelligible string of sounds until they get to P. (Sing it yourself, and you'll see what I mean.) Poor forgotten M, N, and O. Whoever wrote the alphabet song sure did them a disfavor.  :)

December 12 - While my mom and I were doing dishes together this afternoon, I asked her what her favorite Christmas carol is. She paused, the dish towel in hand, and said, "Hmmm, I'll have to think about." A few minutes later, she was ready with her answer. "I've always been partial to O Holy Night," she told me, then her eyes filled up with tears and her voice choked. With a laugh, she said, "I'm getting old!" Well, my dear mother, if you're not allowed to "get old" when you're 72, I'm not sure when you can! So you go ahead and cry. I've been known to do the same thing when I hear O Holy Night, and I'm only 37.

December 18 - (Jeff took these pictures with his phone while we were at Wildwood Park for me to take photos of our kids)

December 19 - I learned a new word yesterday. Shav was explaining to me where his best tickle spots are, and he told me they are his neck (of course), his armpits (oh yes), and his legpits. His legpits? That's the back of the knee, he informed me, and they're really ticklish.  When I tapped on the front of his knees and asked him what that part was called (wondering if he knew the word "kneecap"), he answered confidently, "The front of the legpit!"  In other news, Moriah has a new tooth--the one right next to her front bottom right tooth. She also had a low-grade fever last night and this morning, but I'm hoping that's teething-related and not a sign of illness. We have too much celebrating to do in the next few days to be sick!

December 20 - Let me start by saying that I've never actually watched Duck Dynasty; but because I don't live under a rock, I've heard a whole bunch about the show and the Robertson family, especially recently when Phil made some bold statements about his beliefs. Here's what makes me shake my head: was anyone really surprised by this? That a conservative Christian would make such statements--is that shocking? That A&E would speak out against it--would you expect anything different? Why are people acting like this is anything out of the ordinary? This issue isn't new news, folks!

When the Chick-fil-A incident happened, I remember having such a distinct feeling that, underneath all the hoopla, one fact remained: this is war. I thank God it is not a physical war; and to be VERY clear, I do not condone any acts of violence associated with this issue. But it is a very real moral, cultural, and spiritual war. Whether you find yourself to the right or to the left, whether you want to be a pacifist and you go around offering hugs to everyone and you lament, "Why can't we all just get along?", or whether you're an isolationist who denies that such a full-blown conflict exists, the wise thing to do would be to realize and admit that a battle rages.

Stop acting surprised when a preacher or other individual openly states that the Bible condemns homosexuality. Don't act shocked when a secular media outlet gets mad about that. In today's culture, this is entirely to be expected.

The issue is, at its core, not free speech. I have never met anyone who was so adamantly in favor of free speech that he or she desired the removal of all cultural and moral boundaries surrounding what is publicly expressed. I, for one, am very glad that as I walk with my children through Walmart or go downtown to a parade with them or visit our local library, there ARE standards of what is and is not acceptable to say in public. If we're honest, let's admit that we all pull the Free Speech card when it suits our purposes. 


When we're willing to admit that it's a war, the next vitally important step is this: remember who you're fighting. It is NOT the person across the divide from you. It is NOT even a media network (which is, after all, made up of people, who may or may not be across the divide from you). It is NOT the court system or the politicians who seem to be seeking to sway the laws of the land in a different direction than you wish to see them go.

The enemy is clear: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

So if you care about this issue, pick your jaw up off the floor, stop acting bewildered, and hit your knees in prayer. That's where the real transformation begins.

December 20 - "You're my dearly beloved sister." A wonderful compliment, no? But heartbreaking when it comes from the lips of your mother...who has Alzheimer's...and who forgets you're her daughter but thinks you're her sister. Well, as I've told my Aunt Joyce--my mom's real sister--it's a very good thing that my mom has always gotten along well with her sister, because now that she thinks I'm her, she still thinks I'm great!!

December 21 - When your son asks, "Why don't you ever make homemade bread like Sally?" there's only one appropriate response: laugh.  You see, God has given each of us unique giftings, and one of Sally's (many!) gifts is breadmaking. Mine is...not.  So I'll accept my limitations and thank God for the gift of a friend who earlier this week unexpectedly dropped off two loaves of delicious homemade bread, right when we were sitting down for supper. Sally, it was a perfect addition to our meal - thank you!!

December 22 - (Jeff took these pictures using his phone and posted them to FB) - Playing Mexican Train with my brother David and his family

December 24 - I just glanced out the window and realized that it's snowing! I don't expect us to get much (anything), but what a special gift to see some flakes fall. As if Christmas Eve wasn't exciting enough all by itself!

December 24 - If I could freeze time, oh, I would! This moment, this place, these precious souls snuggled up, trying to fall asleep on the one night in the year that it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to fall asleep in!  As much as my boys have been wishing that time could go faster so that we could hurry up and get to Christmas Day, I've been urging the clock to tick more slowly. This is a time of beauty, with the house decorated, the schedule cleared, secrets whispered, yummy food being cooked, and hearts filled to the brim with joyful anticipation. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to it yet! With ever-present reminders all around me that tomorrow is not promised, I think ahead to next Christmas and wonder what it will be like; and then I feel a deep desire to seize this one and not let it go. Oh, I am a sentimental fool tonight. ("Only tonight?" I hear you ask.)

December 26 - If it were possible to instantly infuse myself with the essence of one Scripture verse today, the one I would choose is Proverbs 31:25, "...she can laugh at the days to come." With aging parents, my heart feels heavy as I look to the future; what challenges, what pain, what loss lies ahead in the path God has laid out for us? I desire to walk that path with a spring in my step. Today my spring is lacking, and I look--once again--to the virtuous woman as an example of how I need to grow.

December 27 - I was reading Matthew 12 this morning and read these words of Jesus: "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." I'm thinking I'd better take a vow of silence--QUICK!  :)

December 28 - This morning I read this quote by Charles Spurgeon: "The bow cannot be always bent without fear of breaking. Repose is as needful to the mind as sleep to the body... Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength." This afternoon, I was grateful for those words because a terrible headache laid me low, and I was utterly useless. I was in such pain that I was literally watching the clock and counting the minutes until I could put Moriah in her bed for a nap, and then I hit the couch myself. I certainly wasn't planning on spending the afternoon that way, but there's more to life than being "productive," and sometimes rest is the very best use of time!

December 28 - Date Night tonight...the picture didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but I'm so grateful to be in it (the picture, marriage, life!) with this man!

December 30 - I'm not sure how old I'll have to be to make it through the last five or six chapters of Genesis with dry eyes. The story of Joseph gets me every single time. When he reveals himself to his brothers after being convinced of their change of heart from the days of his youth...and then when he reunites with his father...oh mercy, I'm a mess! But what really stood out to me tonight as I was reading it was the scene when Jacob, old grizzled (I imagine) shepherd that he was, is brought before Pharaoh by his son Joseph. Imagine the disparity between those two: the Hebrew nomad and the Egyptian king. But what does Jacob do? HE BLESSES PHARAOH. Twice in Genesis 47 (in verses 7 and 10), we are told that Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and I'm having fun trying to picture that moment. I have to ask myself if that would be my response, were I given the opportunity to stand before one of the most powerful leaders in the world. I also ponder the fact that sometimes in an interaction between two people, all the power seems to be with one of them (in this case, Pharaoh, of course); but if we could only see for a moment with spiritual eyes, we might realize that once again, God's upside down kingdom has burst forth. And those who appear the weakest are actually the ones who possess the most powerful force in the spiritual realm.

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With that, I've come to the end--the end of this post, but more significantly, the end of this year.  There's a rightness to bringing things to an appropriate conclusion, and I'm happy to be wrapping up this year gone by.

Hello, 2014!  I welcome you with open arms!  :)