Sweet Kiddos

Wes and Emmy are eating a cookie at their little table. Wes is so good about sharing with his little sister! She adores her brother! For the most part they play great together...except for the times Emmy tries to destroy Wesley's artwork...then he can get pretty upset! Wesley loves to draw and he especially loves writing his name. He pracitces all the time!

And guess what Emmy learned today? She learned how to twirl in circles. She spun around and around and around...she thought it was the greatest thing in the world! Except the bumping into walls part! Then she would get REALLY mad...but after mommy kissed her boo-boos better...she would have at it again! She is the spunkiest, most determined, hard-headed little girl I have ever met! She has a very strong will...and what she wants...she is bound and determined to get! Learning to obey is a very long and hard process...but once she gets it...she is so proud of herself for making mommy and daddy happy! She grins and claps...she likes to do what is right...it just takes her a while to realize it:) She fills my days will challenge and joy! I am so blessed!

Details...

I just had to show you guys some of the tiny details of my day that make life so much fun! First of all, Travis made me the most amazing bookshelf! It is absolutly gorgeous! I LOVE IT! My husband is so talented...I praise God for him all the time!

Second, look at Emmy's most adorable outfit Namaw gave her for Christmas. Doesn't she look like an angel! She loves wearing this dress...she holds the lace up and says "pitty, I pitty!" Even at the age of 1 we girls love beauty! Thanks Namaw! Great choice in wardrobe!

And, last but not least, I love these crazy and wonderful kids in our youth group. They always brighten up my day...they are so fun and sweet and just plain GREAT! Love you guys!

So Small...

Last night Travis and I were watching the "Live Garth Brooks" concert on t.v. and an overwelming thought captured my mind! Watching the show, and seeing all the people that had attended...it blew my mind! There were so many people there...and to think that each and every one of those people have relationships, friends, family, problems, dramas, failures, succeses, jobs, goals, dreams...and to think that God is involved in each one of their lives, our lives. He knows every detail of their lives...just as He knows the details of mine! He hears their prayers, works in their situations, and delivers them from sin...just as He does for me and you. This world is so huge...so detailed...and we serve a God who is in control of it all!

I used to get these over welming feelings while riding the subway or walking the streets in Korea. So many people...always going somewhere...having something "important" to get done...having people to meet....someone waiting for them...everyone living out the lives God has given them...and in those moments, I feel so small. But that is just what I am...we are so small in comparison to our Great BIg God! But that fact brings me such great comfort and peace! To know that God is everywhere and yet is still a very personal and relational Father! Doesn't that fill you with amazement? SOmetimes it is easy to get caught up in our own lives, our own problems and worries that we forget the grander scale of things...that we play a part in this HUGE story...but we are not THE MAIN PART...that title belongs to our Lord! Just something I was thinking about!

A Truly Inspiring Read!

God is truly amazing! I am currently attending a Bible Study called "Captivating" in PWOC (protestent women of the chapel) and God is teaching me so much through it! "Captivating" is a book written by John and Stasi Eldredge and is about unveiling the mystery of a women's soul. I would recommend this book to anyone...man or women...b/c it captures the true heart of God in why He created both male and female! We serve such an awesome Savior and for me, I am beginning to understand how God's qualities are revealed through man and woman...each of us holds a part of who God is through the intricate way He has designed both of us!

If there were just man, or if there were just woman, so much of this world would be different. We each have irreplaceable roles He has designed us both to play...and we need to embrace who we are with a passion...b/c it is through us He chooses to display His radiance and majesty! Please, if you enjoy reading, read this book and it's counterpart "Wild At Heart" written by John Eldredge. This book engages in revealing the man's soul. Both are excellently written and very enlightening! Enjoy!

My Banjo Player:)

Just wanted to share a picture of Travis and the "Dixie Band" here in Alaska. It is so much fun having Travis play the banjo now...he is getting so good at it! Needless to say we listen to alot more bluegrass music now...but I kindof like it!

"Greatparents"...

Today Wes asked a question that made me smile. He asked..."Why did God make GREATparents?" I said, "You mean GRANDparents?" He looked at me like i was making no sense at all..."no, i mean GREATparents. You call them that b/c they are GREAT!" Tis true...grandparents are great...and I am so thankful for the ones God has placed in my life and my children's. I feel so blessed to know that my kids are so loved...I love you guys...thanks for always investing the best of you into Wes and Emmy. They know your love...i can see it when they talk about you or even just hear your name. Thanks!

Sweetest Little Boy...

Have you ever been so overwelmed with love for your children? Today Wesley blessed my heart beyond words. I was having a pretty rough morning...feeling depressed and just plain yucky...I came home from church crying and upset...and then the sweetest little boy in the whole world said the most amazing thing. In his sweet innocent little voice, he put his arms around my neck and said, "Mommy, please don't be sad...I love you and you don't have to cry b/c I will always be your best friend just like Jesus. So, now you have to show me your happy face!" I just hugged him so tight...and of course showed him my "happy face".

The faith and love of a child is exactly what Christ wants for us to have. Carefree, innocent, trusting, genuine! In that moment, Christ wrapped His arms around me...i could feel His everlasting love and grace pouring over me...and I have never been more grateful for my little boy in all my life! Jesus uses the smallest things to display His splendor and might! I stand amazed!

First Friends...

Jaime, Emmy Grace, and Sadie had their first "girl's weekend out" this past weekend in Anchorage. Friends are so amazing...no matter where God takes us in life, He always provides true friends that come along to encourage us and build us up in HIm! I am so thankful for my friends here in Alaska...there are many days i wouldn't have gotten through without them. I love you guys! And Emmy Grace loves you too! Thanks for a great weekend!!!

Our Time In Des Moines

We had such a blast during our short time in Des Moines over the Christmas Holidays. We were there for 12 hours but we were so blest to see everyone.

The Biggest Loser!

Yes, I am officially joining the biggest loser club! We are starting this club at church and I am so pumped about it! It is 3 month committment and I really think it is going to be great! We weigh in every week and even have challenges! Please pray that I can loose weight and get in shape! I love competition and we are all competing for the end prize! SO, who knows...maybe I will claim the prize!!!! hehe This is my "kindof" before picture...we shall see what the results bring!

The other guys in this pic are my brothers, Blake and Brett.

Snow...and more snow!

Snow! It has snowed so much here the last couple of days...it is unreal! We have gotten about a foot and a half...it is so much fun! I love it! It is so gorgeous!

Travis is traveling this weekend in all this junk! He flew to Petersburg, Alaska to pick up a truck...and is taking the ferry to Haines, then driving to Fairbanks. He calls it an adventure...I"ll have to let him write and tell you about his little adventure when he gets back. I love my husband...and all his crazy notions!

Love you guys....

Our First Blog!

Hello Everyone,
Well, this is very new to me...this "blogging" buisness. But, I will have to admit that I am very excited about it! I hope this creates a good way to stay in touch with you all. I love you all so much and miss you dearly. Being in the army has been such a positive adventure...but the negitive aspect is that we make such incredible friends and then have move on. But, i wouldn't trade the opportunity to have met each of you. You have all played such vital roles in making me and my family who we are today!

As of now, we are living in Fairbanks, Alaska and we are LOVING IT! It is very cold right now...and SNOWING! I still love the snow...the darkness and cold i could due without but the snow is glorious! We have been here now for almost 3 years. What made us fall in love with this place is the spectacular summers! 24/7 sunlight...mountains, rivers, ocean, animals...it is the most amazing place I have ever seen. Each day SOMETHING will take your breath away. It is impossible to live here and not fall in love with Jesus over and over again...His pressence is all around! Truly!

Travis and I have two precious children, Wesley and Emmy Grace! They are the light of my life. I never even comprehended how fun it would be to be a mommy! I LOVE IT! My kids amaze me everyday...they are so awesome! Travis works so hard to bless me with the privelage of staying home with my babies! This is a priceless time in my life and i treasure every second of it!

Okay, well, i guess that is enough for now...i just wanted to update where we are in case i haven't talked to you guys in a while. I know i am not the best in keeping in touch...so maybe this will aide me a little. I love you...

Blair