a new year. a new beginning.

well...i was hoping to put off a post until i had something grand or profound to say. but it's just not coming. i am hoping to look back on 2011 and come up with some highlights, but that hasn't even happened yet...and then, hope also to look forward into 2012, and come up with some high and lofty aspirations i hope to achieve.  sarcasm sort of intended, but part truth as well. :)

life continues to be. just be. karolina is fighting some snots and a nasty cough. she rightfully got from her snotty sisters campbell and calli, who don't stop kissing her, even if they do have a cold. they are on the mend. i am complete-ly thankful we have had a great winter so far...we have not battled sickness like we normally do...this is only january, i know, but i have high hopes. :) i am in love with these warmer temps...if only they would stick around now and again all winter, it would be much more bearable for me. :)

kaden and kaycee have started basketball and cheerleading, respectively, so my ante has been up'ed. i was hoping their practices would be on the same nights. that would have been a total dream, i know.  all these moms always told me my life would get busier as my kids got older, i don't know that i agree totally, it's just busy with different things, that's all. a lot more time in the car, that is for sure. so instead of throwing laundry in when i feel like it, it is thrown in around my car trips... :) but then i have "down time" at the practices and games to read, or text, or color with campbell and calli, or snuggle karolina, so yes, we are coming into a new stage for our family. but fun, none the less. :)

life has also been swallowed up by phone calls and doctor appointments for my precious man. we are trying to do therapy for his knee for a month, before the surgeon decides whether surgery is "needed" or not. it's funny. there are lots of surgeons out there. lots of specialists. and each recommendation we have gotton has been for a different one. and we have gotton a lot. :) so, we are forging ahead, making our own path. no surprise that a "king" would do that, is it? :) again. part sarcasm. part truth. i was delighted to know that the exercises i had given matt to do, were the same ones the therapist had given him. yay. me. :) but still push him out the door. i do think it does him good to hear direction from somone other than his wife...and he is doing a fairly good job following thru on his therapy, at this stage of the game.

so. i have spent the first week of the new year trying to keep up with the normalacy of my life (this would be laundry, cooking, cleaning, packing lunches, helping with homework, etc.) and trying to tear down Christmas as well. it doesn't happen as quickly as it once did. calli is very good at destroying rooms, one by one, so i am also disciplining a lot in this new year. :) and teaching, teaching, teaching to clean up as we go. sometimes it feels as if i am starting from square one, but hopefully she is retaining "something". :) calli is also doing speech once a week, and i can already tell a big difference. i am amazed. and she LOVES going to school...for this i am also very thankful.

my good friend (thanks, precious!!) got me a little present. the devotional, Jesus Calling,
by Sarah Young. it is so good. i am going to share today's reading with you...i think each one of us can take something from it.

     {I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU. when you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged- never give up! with My help, you can overcome any obstacle. do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.
     much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events. if you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment. instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

(romans 8:31, psalm 46:1-3, luke 1:37...all for furthor reading).}

how often i think that things should happen when i think they should. why would i think that? rediculous. but i continue to do so. anyway, this reading brought rest to my soul...for a new beginning. new thoughts. oh, the things i will learn this year...i wonder. :)

there ya have it. a quick synopsis of my life for now. hope to have a more exciting post soon. and maybe even some pics. we might even make it to the farm show later in the week. could be fun. :) ~mk.