A season of blessings-Merry Christmas 2013!

As we enter the advent and Christmas seasons, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the seasons of 2013, which have been amazingly full of blessing.

This year has been an interesting season of growth, change, and new life. We started our year by celebrating our 30th birthdays with a trip to Sanibel Island, FL. Chris and I spent a lot of time doing nothing but sitting on the beach, relaxing, and exploring the beautiful and somewhat exotic place (we came face to face with a panther one evening!). We spent some needed time reflecting on our lives and praying for our family. Our hearts were stirred to pray for change.

The day before we left for Sanibel was marked with the season of new life. I assisted my dear friend Nicole with the birth of her first daughter. I also discovered on that day that new life was growing in me! Once the season of extreme fatigue and nauseousness was done, we entered a season of fervent work on projects around our home, knowing now from experience that it is very difficult to do anything "extra" once a new baby arrives (this is quite ironic if you know the rest of the story and know what we did when our baby turned 2 months old!).

Amidst our hard work around the house and cleaning out our belongings, we kept sensing a season of change was upon us. We prayed about and explored quite seriously the possibility of joining our good friends, the Clarksons, in mission work in East Africa. As it eventually became clear this was not our path, we made what I call "the poster." We drew circles on a large piece of paper and in the circles made lists of our gifts, passions, values of priority, and hopes for community. In the middle of the poster was one large circle that we left empty. We began praying for God to bring all the other circles together, somehow, in the middle.

In the midst of our prayers and preparation for a new baby, a season of busyness and activities for the kids began. In August, Shiloh turned 5 and Avdon turned 3, and shortly after, both started preschool. Shiloh loved going to school 5 days a week and spending time with her new friends. Avdon was a little hesitant to go to school, but enjoyed his time there, nonetheless. Shiloh also began taking Suzuki violin lessons, using Chris' 1/4 size violin and joined a dance class. She loved both of those activities. Avdon participated in another semester of Kindermusik. I continued working part-time and the kids spent time at Robyn's when I was working. Time with Robyn, and friends Ernie and Vera, is hands-down their favorite activity of all. We all love her and have been blessed beyond measure by Robyn! 

The beginning of August also brought a season of exploring, applying for and waiting to hear about a music and worship position in Minneapolis. A friend told us about the job opening that seemed perfect for Chris. 

On September 21, our new life arrived. We were thrilled to welcome Brielle Ronen into our family. While we began thinking of names for this child while we were in Florida, it wasn’t until several hours after she was born that we finally chose her name, which means “God is my strength and song.” We fell in love with her immediately and her siblings did as well. 

Our season of adjustment to life with a newborn was wonderful, although a bit challenging as we dealt with sickness the 2nd and 3rd weeks of her life. Everyone was finally on the mend when Chris was offered and accepted the position we first found out about in August. Then the madness really set in!

We began a season of goodbyes. The time went quickly, but we were able to spend moments with most of the people we treasure so deeply. We were richly blessed with many offers of help, gatherings, gifts, love and support. We could not have felt more loved and cared for. We miss our Iowa friends and family so much and already anticipate our next return trip so we can see you again!

We officially moved to Minnesota on November 23 and are in a season of boxes and new beginnings. On the home front, we’re plagued by way too many boxes! We cut our living space alone in half, not to mention the storage! So wading through our things and taking trips to Goodwill is filling lots of time! We are renting a perfect little duplex for now while we get to know the area and wait for our Iowa house to sell. 

It seems as if our poster and the empty middle circle is quickly being revealed to us in this place. While we know all the pieces are not yet in place, we feel so convinced that this move is perfect for us. Chris loves his job and is daily growing and being challenged. If we were overwhelmed by love upon leaving Iowa, we were certainly overwhelmed by love upon our arrival to Minnesota. The community at our church is fabulous and we have been immensely blessed! By the way, the church we gather with now is called Jacob’s Well. Take a minute to check out their website at www.jacobs-well.net. 

As for me, I will be staying home with the kiddos, or rather going out with them! We were blessed by season passes to both the zoo and the Children’s museum, and we made it our goal to explore the Cities every day we can. The season is just beginning, and we are so thankful for the One who orchestrated it all and eagerly await the ways we will serve him.

I could probably keep writing forever, but imagine you have something else to do! We pray this season will be a blessing as you anticipate and welcome Immanuel, God with us!

Our Year in Pictures-Enjoy!

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Merry Christmas 2012!

Shiloh...turned 4 in August and really keeps us on our toes. She loves art and threatens to use up the world's supply of glue and tape on a regular basis. When I asked Shiloh what she would like me to say about her, I got this report: "I love green, fruit, to watch Dinosaur Train, the Christmas tree, and to go to preschool."  I will add that she really loves learning and reading, being outside, her friend Ernie ( and being at Robyn's house), Kindermusik and Kindergym and her dollhouse. And while she may not say it, she loves her brother, is a wonderful big sister, and is developing a generous heart!

Avdon... turned 2 in August and is a ball of energy. He is a joyful little boy with the excitement and curiosity that comes along with being two. His language skills blow us away, and while he remains a little guy, he is very bright! Avdon likes diggers, reading, playing outside, Kindermusik, Shiloh and doing whatever Shiloh is doing.

Chris...Still teaching music lessons and still leading worship a couple times a month on more of a contract basis. This year was spent adjusting from going from the world of full-time ministry to full-time auto parts. It has changed our family life tremendously by having him home more often and he has learned incredible amounts about life and business from all the changes at his current job, including the set-up of an entirely new business of online auto parts. See www.virota.com (they go live in January!).
He's also learning a lot about remodeling as we gutted and completely remodeled the kitchen. He spent a couple weekends in Minnesota recording his new CD, which we hope to release early- to mid-2013. He is such a blessing to our family!

Erin...I keep up with the three mentioned above while still working part-time as a home visitor for Head Start :). After enduring the kitchen remodel from October through December (and hopefully not too much beyond!), I look forward to more time in the kitchen, and have already had priceless moments with the kids doing art or eating a snack at our new countertop spaces while I work away. I have started doing some of the premarital counseling sessions at our church, and found I really enjoy that. Another highlight of my year was standing in as a doula for a dear friend who had a baby this fall. I am very excited for the opportunity to help another friend through labor and delivery in  January. If that isn't enough to keep me busy, I also greatly enjoy investing in my small group from church, and teaching Sunday School and Bible studies.

Other highlights of 2012 include a summer trip to Colorado to visit family; celebrating with Chris' sister Noelle at her wedding and welcoming Uncle Chris to the family; a trip for Erin and Shiloh to  Columbus, Ohio to visit Jacque; weekend family getaway to Dubuque; weekend trip for Erin back to Colorado for Elicia and Dustin's wedding and a girls weekend with Erin's college roommates in  Chicago; time spent with dear friends the Clarksons, back in Iowa on a break from their work in East Africa; a ride for the kids on a boat, canoe, train, and horseback; Thanksgiving with Gram in Omaha, and lots of wonderful moments right here with family and friends.
 
Wow. When I type it all out like that, I am overwhelmed by the beautiful year we have had. We give  thanks to God for this special season in our life, while praying especially this time of year for those who have had to search much harder for their blessings. May you all experience the love and presence of God with us this Christmas!

Love,
The Family Trip

Merry Christmas 2011

Just last night we started making a list of the many, many ways God has blessed us and provided for us this past year. It moved us to tears to look at the ways we are taken care of and the many friends and family we have to be thankful for. This Christmas, we give thanks to a God who humbles himself and loves us enough to be born as a baby and a God who continues to care for and love us more than we can understand. May you be blessed this Christmas, and may Christ dwell in you richly!

Now for the family updates...

Shiloh turned three in August and continues to amaze us with her liveliness and strong will! She started preschool at St. John and her teacher reports that she is always excited about whatever activity the class is doing. She has enjoyed playing with the baby dolls and the playdough, making new friends, a field trip to the dairy farm, and just learning and playing. At home she spends lots of time playing with her dollhouse and can pretend that just about any object can be anything or anyone. She loves Clifford the Big Red Dog and often assumes the character of Clifford's owner, Emily Elizabeth. She is very creative! Shiloh loves to go to parks and be outside and she wants to know every day where we will go or who will come to our house. It is such a blessing when she chooses to be so kind, sweet, and caring towards others (and luckily this usually includes her brother!). What a wonderful little girl we have and what joy we get in watching her grow and learn! 

Avdon turned one in August. It's so amazing to think that a year ago he was hardly rolling over and now he runs all over! We have had to re-baby proof the house as Avdon finds ways and things to get into that Shiloh still doesn't get in to (such as being on top of the dining room table). He loves climbing, exploring, eating, watching his sister, Kindermusik class, and collecting things and carrying them around. He is always happy if he has a spoon to carry around and usually a cup or bowl to go along with it. Avdon's biggest source of happiness, though, has been Mommy this past year (which means lots of wonderful snuggle time for Mommy!). He just adores being with her and being held by her. We have recently enjoyed watching him come out of his shell, cry less when Mom has to leave him, and wave to anyone he possibly can at church. He doesn't talk as much as Shiloh did at 15 months, but he communicates very well with the few words he does use along with his sign language. Avdon's great laugh and huge smile bring us much joy.

Erin continues part-time work as a home visitor with Head Start and still enjoys the challenge most days. The rest of this year she has spent holding Avdon. That includes through potting training Shiloh, book club, cooking for another session of the Marriage Course at church, making bread, and participating and leading other Bible studies. It's a good thing he is a tiny guy (1st percentile for weight!), and it is a very good thing that she loves to snuggle her baby and to now celebrate his moments of independence! It is also a lot easier to make bread with two available hands, an art she has been working at perfecting with the addition of her wheat mill and Bosch kitchen mixer (7 loaves in 2-3 hours!).

Chris has had a very busy year working for St. John and really expanding his duties at the Lutheran Student Center at UNI. In January he will complete seven years of employment at St. John, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to serve in that place! To switch things up a bit, though, in January he will start a new job working for OneCall, an auto parts store owned by a wonderful man from our church, where he will be providing customer service, and possibly helping to expand some non-profit aspects of the company. While he will deeply miss many aspects of working in full-time ministry, Chris is looking forward to a change in pace, spending evenings and weekends with his family on a more regular basis, and spending more time pursuing his singer/songwriter passion. He experienced an incredible trip to Nashville this September where he got to spend time with most of his musical/spiritual influences and has felt a strong call to keep nurturing his skills and desires to write and play music.


That pretty much sums our year up. We managed to see the completion of the siding on our house, work on some landscaping, live without a shower for a month, enjoy a new shower, and demolish the kitchen walls (they do have insulation for the first time and at least have some drywall up!). We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Colorado visiting family, and somehow had activities going on every weekend of the summer. Thanks for reading and be sure to enjoy the photo slide show below!

Love,
Chris, Erin, Shiloh and Avdon
 

Some snapshots from 2011-Merry Christmas!

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On June 29...

First this:

 

Then this:

All 10 months, 9 days and 16 pounds of him are walking! Way to go Avdon!

(And much less exciting news includes his first two teeth. It's been a big month for our little guy!)

At long last.....I return to the blogging world. There are no good excuses, other than the fact that my almost 9-month-old prefers for me, and only me, to hold him if we are at home between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Once in awhile we all nap at the same time (as long as I have physical contact with Avdon). But I was telling Chris today, I can hardly remember the last time that both of my kids were sleeping at the same time before 8:30 p.m. and I was able to, you know, do laundry without hauling kids down to the basement or leave them screaming upstairs wondering if I will ever return from the dark abyss. Let alone clean, organize, keep up responsibly with email, take care of myself (what? exercise?), or take the time to blog. It's weird to think that most of our grandparents and certainly great-grandparents wouldn't even know what the word blog means. (By the way, here's a shout out to our very wonderful grandparents who navigate the web, check email and blogs, and enjoy digital photographs!!). But keeping you all up-to-date has been on my mind, even though I don't get around to it often!

So here I am, finally blogging, and not in the least bit complaining; just giving you a picture of what life has been like since our newest family member arrived. Avdon has been an absolute joy. I love getting to hold him and snuggle with him, even if it means nothing else gets done. And now that he's crawling, he is more willing to be on the floor by himself and I'm getting short bursts of time with two hands open to fold laundry or start meal prep. I know this time will go all too quickly, so I try my hardest to enjoy it. Sleepless nights and busy days, though they be.

Avdon turns 9 months this week, which is just so hard to believe! Our little guy has definitely been little, weighing in at the 5th percentile at every check-up. I think we've been making progress in the past 2 months or so as he's finally getting some chub on him! If you didn't catch on earlier, sleeping is not one of Avdon's strong talents. He basically naps only if he's being held and certainly doesn't make it through the night yet. He is sleeping from about 8:00 pm to 3:00 am. On good nights. Once in awhile. Sometimes....
He's off and crawling and is becoming quite the climber as well. He pulls himself to standing and cruises along furniture. Despite battling ear infection and multiple allergic reactions to antibiotics this month, he has stayed pretty healthy and is almost always happy. Especially in Mom's arms. It's so fun to see him start using his body purposefully, both in getting to where he wants to go and clapping and waving. Eating food has been a slow process, but he does enjoy feeding himself and apparently likes his food flavored as opposed to bland. Favorites so far include , peach/squash yogurt, tofu, broccoli, and homemade smoothies, guacamole & hummus. He of course adores his sister and this month especially, has become excited and noticeably attached to Robyn. I am so thankful that my children just love their babysitter!

And speaking of the babysitter, this is a quick photo of Shiloh on her way out the door to Robyn's house. Can you guess what she is? Life with Shiloh is certainly never dull, and for the last several months, an animal often has replaced our daughter. Shiloh embraces her kitty (or bunny or dog or donkey, etc.) persona with gusto. She daily informs us what kind of family we are: "We are the kitty family," "we are the seal family," "we are the puppy family." Take no offense if you greet Shiloh and she replies only with "meow." The "meow" comes out in her excitement to greet someone at the door and in her temper tantrums as the only recognizable word.This girl lives and breathes kitty.

When Shiloh is not a kitty or some other animal, she continues to play well on her own, mostly with dolls and Daddy's action figures. Every toy is named and her play is very focused on people and what they are doing. Our extroverted little girl greets us in the morning by saying "where are we going today?" or "who are we going to see?" or "who is coming?" She also sings all the time. We pretty much live in a musical. She loves making up songs and adapting songs and tunes to fit what she is doing. And she gets lots of examples from Mom and Dad doing the same thing. Kindermusik classes add greatly to Shiloh's love of singing and the songs we learn there have definitely worked their way into our everyday lives!

And that's all I have for now. It took three days to get this post to this point, so I'm going to stop where I am and have high hopes of blogging more regularly again. I have started putting all of our photos on a different, password protected sight, that is actually current up through April. If you would like to have access to that sight and don't already, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address.

As always, thanks for reading and loving and supporting us!!!