procrastinating

hi there, you. sure hope all is well in your land. i've been procrastinating blogging. i've put all this pressure on myself to write an epic and amazing post about our new house with pictures and details and all the merriment we've felt. i have no pictures yet (on this computer at least). and some of our rooms are not complete so i don't want to make a big reveal until all is set. anyhow. we've been in this amazing place for almost 2 weeks now. c-a-razy. all i can say is that the abundant blessings of this home flow daily. i've told a few of my close friends about how this whole year, God has taken some crummy circumstances and graciously, lavishly blessed jake and i. so much that i feel unworthy of the gifts. like i don't deserve it. and i know i don't really, but in His love He has given good gifts. 

we were able to get an awesome new (to us) van, that we didn't want or expect because of a car wreck.

we were able to pay off all our debt because of a generous gift given to us (we've been working hard and waiting to be debt free since we graduated college with school loans. man, it is incredible to be done paying those).

we were able to move into a lovely, bigger, calmer, safer home that we didn't want or expect because our house got robbed 3 times. 

in the waiting time, God lavishly provided family and friends and extra cash to spend to keep our minds off the waiting and to keep me sane :).   

every single room in our new house has an abundant blessing. both the kids have bigger closets and plenty of space. jake and i, for the first time in our marriage, have our own bathroom (!). so fun. we didn't need 2 bathrooms. but it is so fun to have an adult one with 2 sinks and a HUGE bathtub for my giant, pregnant self. jake and i EACH have a walk in closet. unheard of, and so fun! THE KITCHEN: oh my, this list is long. it has pretty granite countertops (didn't want or need these, but so fun!), OUR fridge makes perfect crushed ice!!!! HELLO pregnancy life saver! in our own house i can have ice whenever i want it. which is all day :) we have a garbage disposal, not a need, but really nice to have. we have a brand new washer and dryer. our stove is new and clean and pretty. we have plenty of room in the kitchen for our table so now the kids eat on that floor instead of carpet. huge plus for not having to vacuum after most meals. we have a huge backyard with a great deck. the neighborhood is quiet and calm and friendly and PEACEFUL. we no longer hear police/ambulance/fire truck sirens all hours of the day. or drag races in the middle of the night. or gun shots. i feel so calm in this house. what a gift when a new baby will be coming soon. our babies are happy and love it here. i am not anxious at all when jake is working late. so far, we don't have any roaches :).

you see, i loved our old van. i loved our old house. it was what i knew and what i was content with. i had no desire to get a new van or house. we certainly didn't need either one. but my sweet, sweet King took some yucky stuff and made it beautiful. and so beyond what i could ask for or imagine (as Joy said :)). it humbles me so greatly. all of this has simply been a gift. because our debt got paid off in january, we are able to afford the increase in rent. that is not a coincidence. i pray my heart will stay in this place of total thanks and humility. i'm sure it will be tempted to wander, but for now, i sit teary eyed in awe of the kindness of the Lord. and His insane mercy shown to our little family.

"they say things simply cannot grow beneath the winter snow...is love alive?...this is my winter song. december never felt so long...i still believe in summer days...life will find a way...i'll be your harvester of light so we can start again...is love alive?...is love alive?"  
                  winter song by sara bareilles and ingird michaelson 

yes it is. even in the winter. and i can't wait to celebrate it this sunday on Easter. 

all my posts have been so serious lately. i guess life has been serious. but soon i'm sure i will write some funny kid stories and ridiculous mom situations. i mean, those don't just stop. haha! 

love to you.
mer mer