Silly Boy~

Samuel wanted me to take this picture of him with Daddy's dress shoes on. That is such a Justin-expression! :)

Visitors

Uncle Justin, the favorite uncle. :) Connor's favorite book when he comes to vist is "A is For Adam" by Ken Ham.

Lest I forget to mention, two more babies waiting to join the fun. :) Carrie: 35 weeks Me: 21 weeks

Pregnancy is so amazing to me...and even more incredible is the ability for the human body to stretch to such pregnant proportions. Babies are worth all the discomforts, though! (remind me of this in about 15 weeks!)

One of the things Justin and I enjoy doing together in our free time is having guests over. This weekend, our company was Eric and Carrie, Kerra, Connor, and Alex. They came over Saturday afternoon and stayed for supper. It was very cold and rainy, so we stayed inside and chatted while the kids played. Samuel was highly entertained. :)

Little Boys...

~Little boys grow out of their clothes very quickly

~They love mud, no matter what age

~It doesn't matter if they're dirty, wet, or cold--they still love to play outside

~They learn truck sounds before 12 months of age, without anyone teaching them

~Trucks, tractors, tricycles, 4-wheelers and/or a ball can keep them entertained for hours

~Gum boots are in order for the next mud puddle excursion!

Prayer: The Forerunner of Mercy~

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and those who seeks find, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

~excerpts from "Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon

"When at any time you have had high and rapturous joys, you have been obliged to look upon them as answers to your prayers. When you have had great deliverances out of sore troubles and might help in great dangers, you have been able to say, 'I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.' Prayer is always the preface to blessing.

Prayer is thus connected with the blessing to show us the value of it. If we had the blessings without asking for them, we should think them common things; but prayer makes our mercies more precious than diamonds. The things we ask for are precious, but we do not realize their preciousness until we have sought them earnestly."

Blizzard 2007!

Winter weather fun!

The greatest things about snow days are:

1. Having Justin home all to ourselves :)

2. Baking cookies

3. Eating the cookies

4. Reading books

5. Admiring God's creation

Update on Baby Goff #2

Now! 20 weeks

Double it: 16 weeks

8 weeks along

Twenty Weeks! 1/2 way already!

Our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. The baby is also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel.

Amazing!! Here are some tummy pictures for my own records, so I don't forget!

Sunny California!

This past weekend I had the privilege of traveling with my family to California. Our quartet had a concert and we made a mini vacation out of the weekend. My parents, grandparents, and our family friend, Kyle, were able to come along. The Lord is opening up doors for us to share our music with a broader range of people than just the local events we have played for in the past. The Lord gave me a promise in 1 Peter 4:10

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

It's very humbling to allow God to use our music in such a way. We have been blessed with great teachers, incredible opportunities, and a desire to share the gifts that the Lord has given us. As a quartet, we have lots to learn and a far stretch from being "professionals". However, we enjoy playing music and are willing to share what small giftings God has bestowed to us. If anything, our music is praise and worship to the Lord. He appreciates the hearts that are tuned to Him and willing to praise Him with whatever means he gives. The ultimate goal is that God may be glorified. We are only vessels given a gift in order that we may use it as good stewards to serve others.

We prayed that we would be a blessing, and in turn we were the ones blessed! There were new friends and old friends we were able to visit and fellowship with. In all, the trip was a refreshment to me, a break from "normal" life (incl. weather :), and a time to spend with my parents and grandparents. I view my number one calling in life to be an excellent wife to my husband and a good mommy to Samuel. However, I'm am willing to share what the Lord has given, despite the sacrifices. Traveling without Justin and Samuel is bittersweet. Thankfully, they are able to go with next month, because the trip happens over a weekend. My dear Grandma Annette so graciously took care of Samuel the days when Justin had to work. He had a great time with Isaac, Eva, and Max too.

Enjoy the pictures and I am going to try to be more prompt with my blogging updates, if anything, just for our little family "history" vignettes.

(**for some reason, I always feel that if I have a free 1/2 hour, I should be doing laundry, or some other pressing chore.**hee** not today!)

Vacation Part 2

Daddy, Mommy, and Samuel at the condo.

George, Krista, Therese, Max, and Dad

Isaac's first time skiing! He loved it!

Wow! It's been so long since my last post. Here are the remaining pictures from our vacation.