JaNuArY

When I think of January, I think of a New Year . . . a new beginning . . . a fresh start! I desire for 2011 to be a fresh start in so many ways in my life. January is more than half gone and I NEED to stay focused! Today, I have been reflecting on so many different things . . . things like:

1. My life isn't always going to be like this . . . my kids are growing so quickly and life isn't slowing down. Things will change, I just have to TRUST! Sometimes, I get so busy with just the daily routine and think that things aren't ever going to change. Things like Rick's work schedule, finances, etc. I want to savor each day!

2. I need to set more goals . . . short term and long term. I have several "small" daily goals, but I need to reach farther. "The desire accomlished is sweet to the soul."

3. I want help and encourage (by my actions & my words) . . . put others first - which I think I do, but REALLY have a heart for others.

4. I crave deep & enriching relationships. I pray for them!

5. I desire God's guidance in EVERY thing I say and do.

I hope and pray that 2011 will be a fulfilling year for everyone. One full of God's blessings and guidance.

The Twelve Days of Christmas?

The other day, Caleb and I were discussing, "What really are the 12 days of Christmas?" Maybe we should do the 12 days of Christmas.?.?.?. What would we do? Maybe I am losing my creativity! I couldn't think of ANY thing. So, I was thinking - maybe - do 12 different things between now and Christmas. What??? I REALLY don't know.

SO . . . I decided to just list 12 things I love about Christmas!

1. Getting a fresh cut tree.

2. Decorating the tree and house.

3. Watching the Christmas lights twinkle and the bulbs sparkle.

4. Shatterproof bulbs!

5. Wrapping presents with pretty bows, ribbons, decorations, etc.

6. Christmas music.

7. Watching Christmas movies with the kids with just the tree lights on.

8. Holiday baking!

9. Remembering . . . that Jesus IS the Reason for the Season!

10. Our annual Rehfeldt Family Christmas Party.

11. Traditions like caroling, sitting on Santa's lap, Gramma reading the Christmas story, opening just one gift on Christmas Eve, taking goodies to shut-ins, etc.

12. Being together with family!

So, how about you? What 12 things do you LOVE about Christmas?

ThAnKsGiViNg!

It has been almost three months since I have blogged and now it's almost . . . THANKSGIVING! That's just awful! So many things have happened and I never took the chance to blog about it. I am regretful!!!

This post is about giving ThAnKs! As I sit and ponder over all that I am thankful for JUST this year - - - I feel speechless. Thanks doesn't quite seem enough!

I thank God for dear friends. I am so thankful to HIM for protecting and watching over my dear friend Jan. She has been through so much down through the years with her arthritis and then this summer being diagnosed with cancer. She has been so very sick because of her chemo . . . but it's all been worth it because of her great SCAN results showing NO active tumors. I am thankful!

I thank God for my family. This year, our family lost my Gramma - the REHFELDT matriarch. She was the BEST Gramma in the world. She was patient, kind, faithful, loving, caring, giving  . . . just a WONDERFUL example of the Proverbs 31 woman. I am thankful!

This year, I didn't just lose a family member . . . I added a few more. I was finally able to meet my biological dad, his wife and daughter. This was a surreal experience for which . . . I am thankful!

I thank God for my church. The caring and loving people of Berean Baptist Church in Beloit have encouraged my heart and cared for me. I am thankful!

I thank God for our pastor and his leadership, faithfulness and guidance. I am thankful!

I thank God for my children. They are healthy, talented, bright, kind (well, most of the time!) and tender-hearted. I am thankful!

I thank God for all the little things like: finding used tires at the junk yard for our van, cash in an envelope to help pay for a trip to Michigan, a lady from church calling just to check up on Megan, finding $10 at the bottom of my purse at just the "RIGHT" time, a hug, compliments to my kids from "outsiders" . . . and so MANY more. I am thankful!

I thank God for the unmentionable BIG things too! I AM THANKFUL!

I thank God for the ability to homeschool our kids. This would also include our family being able to attend Hallstrom Homeschool Co-op . . .  guitar lessons, ART class, Spanish class, Science class, and Choir. This has been such a GREAT experience for our ENTIRE family. I am thankful!

I thank God for my husband. He's a wonderful provider, caring, talented, giving, forgiving, faithful and loving! I am VERY thankful!

I want to wish everyone a THANKFUL Thanksgiving!

Ps 118:1 "O, give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good."
Ps 105:1 "O, give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name."
Ps 104:1 "Bless the Lord, O my soul. O, Lord my God thou art very great."
Ps 103:2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not His benefits."
Ps 98:1  "O, sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things."

It's still summer! Well . . . at least for a few more days!

Around our house, we all look forward to summer . . . and now it's almost time to say good-bye. But because we don't start school as early as some - we get to enjoy summer for a little while longer! We have so enjoyed relaxed schedules, swimming, going bowling, staying up late, riding bikes, playing outside, watching movies, Andy Griffith & I Love Lucy seasons, going to the farm, spending time with cousins at the farm, being with friends, enjoying the summer's fresh produce, sleeping in, beautiful flowers, and so much more. So for now . . . we won't say good-bye!

At the farm!

One of my beautiful sunflowers!

Caleb going for a horse ride!

COUSINS!

More COUSINS!

Caleb's magic performance in MICHIGAN!

At the WINNEBAGO COUNTY FAIR!

With COUSINS in MICHIGAN

Pool FUN at the REECE'S!

More of my SUNFLOWERS!

Some more reasons why I love summer!!

BIRTHDAYS

4th of JULY

CLIMBING TREES WITH COUSINS

FREE BOWLING

TRAMPOLINE FUN!

MORE POOL FUN!

BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWERS

PLAYING IN THE CREEK

A few reasons why I love SuMmEr!

SuMmEr - gotta love it!

I love WiNtEr and FaLL and SpRiNg . . . but right now I am loving SuMmEr. Maybe it's the relaxed schedule, garage sale-ing, no pressure from school obligations, working and playing outside, riding bikes, taking walks, fresh fruit, beautiful flowers, the smell of freshly mowed grass, sun-kissed cheeks . . . I don't quite know. But I sure am loving it!

CeLeBr8!

On May 18th - Jacob will be 8 years old.

Jake,

I love you so much and hope you have a gr8 birthday!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so thankful that God made me a mom!

Even from a young age it was my desire "just" to be a mom!

This is my first Mother's Day with Megan.

May 5, 1996

This was also one of my first times holding her.

I had to wait about one month to hold her.

She started out so tiny - we would have to hold her "kangaroo" style.
She weighed in at 2 pounds!

We tried for a long time to have Caleb and FINALLY

he came to us on July 4th, 1999.

He truly was our little firecracker!

He weighed in at 8 pounds and 9 ounces.

Jacob was a complete surprise for more than one reason!

The main reason being . . .

the doctor said that he was 98% sure we were having a girl.

So all along we planned on little Emily . . .

and were we surprised when a 10 pound baby Jacob was born!

Overwhelmed and Consumed!

Wow! I still am trying "to get over" the overwhelming feelings of meeting my bio dad and family. I have missed out on so much that now I want all I can get. I know that probably seems crazy, but . . . that is just how I feel. Talking, laughing, noticing similarities in physical looks and character traits, learning, texting, calling, seeing old pictures, talk of future plans, and spending time together have all but consumed my thoughts and time. To see the interaction between my kids and their "new" family warms my heart. Some people have said, "Aren't you rushing into this?" and I think to myself . . . "No, there's no better time than the present . . . we have to make up for "lost" time". However, one may look at it doesn't really matter . . . because until you are the one going through this whole process - you'll never know how it feels. One thing I do KNOW for sure is that all things happen for a reason/purpose and I am thrilled that this has happened to me (us) at this time.

Have you ever wondered . ? . ? . ? .

Have you ever wondered who you really are? Who you really look like? Why you act the way you act. Well, for a while now (42 years), I have been asking myself these questions. Yes, I knew that I was a ReHfElDt but I never knew my biological father. So for many years, this left me with unanswered questions. I have always been content with decisions that were made in my past, never really wanting to know anything about what really happened. I never had hurt feelings or held grudges - I had lived a happy life. But in recent months, I believe the Lord was preparing my heart. I have had so many more questions, desires to see who I look like, know family history, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY thankful for the life I have lived, the ups and the downs, the people who influenced me - everything has happened for a purpose and I know that. BUT there's always been one little (well maybe not so little) piece missing to my puzzle. About 6 weeks ago, I received a phone call from my biological father - wow! What a surprise. Now I am finding out some of those answers to my questions. Since, we have been talking often and have been planning on meeting - pieces of my puzzle have been fitting in quite well. So this week, while we were in Chicago I got a long awaited call. Since my bio dad lives in Chicago he wanted to meet us at our hotel. I was so excited! I have waited for this for a LONG time. We did meet and had a great time catching up and getting to know one another. I look forward to what lies ahead!