Who took it?

This morning Ava wanted to take a shower. (Her new thing!) She was in there for awhile when Dylan came into the bathroom wanting to get in the shower as well. So he gets in and she is ready to get out soon after. As I am taking her out,
Dylan says, " Mommy, Ava doesnt have a penis."
"I know buddy, she is a girl."
He says, "I know that mommy, but who took her penis?"

Montagnard Family

This past semester I have had the privilege of sitting under some amazing women! We did a study titled, God of Justice and Compassion. It was so amazing week in and week out learning about the heart of God. His heart for the poor, the needy, the widows,and the oppressed. We had a few speakers and a few field trips during the 3 months we were together. During this time, God really grabbed a hold of my heart. Rachel Humphries came to our bible study to explain what she is involved with.....Refugee families. Ways we could partner and really be a blessing to families that are here. Here is a quick summary about the ministry:

Fruitful Friendships:
A program designed to establish friendships and connections between the refugees and the greater Charlotte community.

Refugees often want little more than an American friend with whom they can practice their English and from whom they can get answers to questions that help them navigate their new culture. In addition, there is often a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diets of recently arrived refugees.

Fruitful Friendships needs families or individuals to devote an hour a week to deliver a basket (or bag) of fruits and vegetables to these families, as well as spend a short amount of time talking with them and helping them feel more connected to America.

I started visiting my sweet friend Bien! She is so sweet and gets so so very excited when I come through her door! She has 2 daughters ( I have not yet met) ages 8 and 10. She also has 2 boys the same ages as Dylan and Ava! John and Jack just light up when the boys and I come over. John (3) has grown to adore Ty and Bryce and cries when we leave! I really can't explain the over whelming joy that I feel when I leave their house.

Will you commit to pray for this family and their transition to the states. They have been here for 3 years, but America is not their home and the cold weather, the food, and the language barrier can be extremely overwhelming.

Labor of Love

My sister in law sang this beautiful song (she is a great singer so that made it more beautiful) at church last week and I can't seem to get the words out of my head! I was moved to tears by these words....as a mother I can somehow relate to Mary, in the fear, the joy, and the unknown. This week as I have read Christmas stories to my children I think of this song and can see sweet Mary with tears rolling down her cheeks as Joseph held her little hand. It is such an amazing picture in my head.....I can not even express in words....if you get a chance listen to this song and read the words. May God move your heart as He has mine these last few weeks as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Great Savior!



Labor Of Love
by: Andrew Peterson

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town
And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night
So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love

Wild Fun!

We have been having a blast this month! We took the boys ice skating for the first time! What a BLAST! They all feel numerous times, but picked it up surprisingly fast! They really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back!

Randomly last week, Ty came downstairs all dressed for the day with a soccer sock for a tie! He kept asking when he could get a real one....so Bryce, Ty, and I went off to Target to find one! (I love it when my kids MAKE me have to go to Target:-) We looked high and low and was about to give up when Bryce gave a Swinehart yell, "There they are!" Ah so fun! The boys took forever picking them out.....and here they are wearing them to church, such sweet boys!

Miss Ava Joy is growing up before my eyes! Ah, it is so sad and exciting all at once! She is a hoot! She is so opinionated in what she wears (she gets it honestly) and LOVES for me to put "bow" in her hair. She found a paper clip one day and said, "bow" and tried putting it in my hair! She is doing fairly well still on the potty, she knows how to do it, but is turning out to be a bit stubborn about it. Only on her terms........She makes the cutest little faces and her latest is to purse(sp?) her lips! I LOVE IT! It is adorable and I have many pictures of me doing the exact same thing as a little girl.

I love catching rare moments when all 4 kids are loving each other and playing so nice together! I got one the other day when all 4 of them were in their own band! So cute....however it did not last long as Bryce got mad and left because he did not want to be the singer. Ava then tried to leave as well, however her exit was not as graceful, as she got hit in the head with the jammin guitar! Poor baby....

Life in our house is WILD FUN! We hope your house is just as wild and fun as ours!

O Christmas Tree

We went to the Christmas tree farm again this year! We went with our friends, the Johnsons, and had a GREAT time! The older the kiddos get, the easier and more fun it seems to be. (God uses these times to confirm that we are done having kids:-) The boys were so excited to have saws in their hands....all three of them! Scary as that sounds, they did great obeying the rules. ex: No sword fighting, don't use as light sabers, and keep the cover on! Ava loved the freedom to run around and grab the trees. The boys found the perfect tree for their playroom in record time! We enjoyed a "private" hayride, hot chocolate, candy canes and a nice fire!

Surprise!

NYC

3 Weeks ago, Dustin and I went on my surprise 30th birthday trip! He had my friend CC pack my bags since I was not to know where we were going! When we finally dropped off all the kids and got to the airport, Dustin handed me my ticket saying...New York City! I was so excited, I have never been and really really wanted to go! I was so giddy with excitement as we sat and waited for the time to board. Of course our flight was a bit delayed....we finally board and I am texting to make sure the kiddos are ok when up walks CC and Ashley! THEY were going to NYC with us!! I was really speechless as I had NO idea that anyone was coming along. I barely was able to speak again when Gregg walked onto the plane! I was again in utter shock!! I was so giddy the entire flight! Once we arrived to the NYC airport I was ready to get to the city! Never mind that it was already 9:30! We are just standing around waiting for our bags when Dustin says I think some of our bags are here. I turn to look only to find Chris riding the baggage claim holding a box of chocolates! I nearly screamed! I smiled so much that night, my face hurt!
We stayed in a friends place 2 blocks from central park and minutes from Times Square! We were in heaven! We walked so much the next three days. It truly is a city that never sleeps. We went to China town, Little Italy, Central park, ground zero......really everything a first time New York visitor does. (Minus a show)
It truly was the 2nd best trip of my life. (second only to my honeymoon) I felt incredibly loved, celebrated, and treasured! Here a some pictures in random order. Enjoy! (ps I turn 30 12/19!)