Pretty in Purple

These are from a couple weeks ago...

A Quick Update

Well, we are moved into our rental in Tempe, and we have been busily unpacking for the last few days. Just about everything has found its place, though we still have quite a few odds and ends that don't quite fit and may have to just be stored in boxes somewhere for a while. I will definitely post some pictures once things get tidied up a bit more.

The kids are adjusting just fine. We had to remove the rail on Patrick's bed in order to get it out of his old bedroom, and we actually decided to leave it off and turn it into a toddler bed for him. We bought him some "big boy" bedding, and he is loving his new "night night" quarters. I have been so pleased, though I really shouldn't be surprised, that he has been so good about staying in bed. He gets in and out just for fun during the day when he's playing in his room, but when it's time to take a nap, or go to bed for the night, he climbs right in and doesn't move until I come get him. I'll hear him at the end of a nap or in the morning lying in there talking to himself, and when I come in to get him, he just looks up at me until I tell him it's time to get up and then he pops up and slides out. He has always been an obedient nap-taker, and Olivia is following the same pattern now as well. I guess all that Babywise and To Train Up A Child teaching and training has really paid off. It truly has been a tremendous blessing!

We attended one church service at a brand new church called The Anthem the day after we moved. They meet on Sunday nights at the theater on Mill. It was started by a couple from Albuquerque, NM along with a team of about 14 or so people (if I remember right). They definitely have a tremendous passion for the Lord, and I am sure that they will be used by God to do some incredible things here in this town. Luke and I are thinking and praying about where God would have us fellowship. Perhaps this one is it. I think we definitely want to give Calvary Tri-City at least one try as well. We shall see...

And that's about it for now. Pictures of this cute little house will be coming soon! Thank you all for your covering of sweet prayers as we continue to make this transition. God is so good!

Afternoon Mischief

That's right... I'm sittin' in a box...

...What's it to ya?

Hmph!

Praise God for New Beginnings

Changes are a-happenin' here in our little family! God has certainly been busy, and I am so excited and thankful for each and every one of His gracious blessings.

For starters, the biggest change has been in my own personal health. After struggling with depression and anxiety basically since puberty and being hit with a very serious bout of postpartum depression after having Olivia, which only seemed to be getting worse and worse by the day, I finally went to see a doctor about it. Now, if you know me, you know that things had to be B A D for me to go to the doctor. I'm ornery that way. I have to either be lying on my death bed or literally dragged by the hair to go anywhere near a medical office of any kind. *Slight* phobia, you know... Anyways, I finally decided it was time. And I could not be happier... literally! Praise Jesus!!

Insert BodyLogic plug here: I just have to mention a few details about the help that I've gotten, because I know I'm not the only one out there struggling with these issues, and if even one person can get some help as a result of reading this, then it was worth the few inches of screen space. The network is called BodyLogic MD, and they have doctors all over the country. There is just one here in Arizona, and he is well worth the visit. The best part: EVERYTHING THEY DO IS ALL NATURAL!! They will have a very thorough blood and saliva work-up done to determine exactly what your problem areas are before you go in for your first appointment. They work with bio-identical hormones (not synthetic) to help balance out any hormone imbalance you might have. They also help get you on the right vitamins, and offer a few suggestions to make sure you're eating right. Let me just tell you, after about 3 days of starting the hormone therapy, I was feeling FANTASTIC. I have never felt this good in my entire life! And this new energy has finally given me the strength to eat the way I need to be eating, which in the first week alone led to a weight loss of about 5-7 lbs (not sure of the exact amount), and I am hoping to continue losing over the next several months. Where before I could barely drag myself out of bed, and some days not at all, I am now thoroughly enjoying my children, loving my husband, cooking for my family, cleaning house (and packing, details below...), and just altogether joyfully serving my God with a passion and love that I did not believe was possible a few weeks ago. God is so good!

Ok, moving on... the next big change: we're moving! We are going to be renting a house in another part of the valley so that we can be closer to Luke's office, a change we are excited to make. Just the fact alone that his drive will drop from an hour to about 8 minutes is enough to make us both jump for joy. Besides that, we will be closer to our families as well as "civilization" and all the conveniences that that brings. As wonderful as all these new things will be, there is definitely some bitterness mixed into the sweet. We will be leaving the comfort of owning a home and going back to renting, something that I had hoped not to have to do again. Yet, I am excited about the freedom that renting allows us, and we are definitely still talking seriously about moving out of state at some point. Also, I am thankful for the opportunity that this has presented for God to remind me that this (all of this) is not my home. It is only a house, and we are headed for something much greater! The other bit of "bitterness" that this move will mean for us is having to leave our dear friends at Calvary Maricopa. These people are so much more than friends. They have been our family in more ways than one, and are not so easily left behind as a house. Thankfully, we won't be too far away and will still be able to see everyone now and then; yet, knowing that we won't see their smiling faces every Sunday definitely makes my heart ache a little...

...which leads me to the next big change...

...finding a new church! We have already mapped out a couple churches to "try". I really hate that word when it comes to churches. Maybe "test" is a better one. We absolutely must test the church we attend against the standard of God's word, but to go around "trying" churches the way we try on clothes until we find one that suits us, or makes us happy, or, worst of all, caters to us is something that I believe is not beneficial to our growth or to the work that God may want to do in our life. That being said, we will most likely attend one of the other Calvary Chapels that are nearby, and I am so excited to see what God has in store for us once we get there. I have been very comfortable in my area of service, playing the piano with the praise band, at our current church. I am going to be so terribly sad to leave that. It is something that I have loved passionately, and something that I believe God has used to work through me. Perhaps I will find my niche in the music ministry again, or perhaps God has something entirely different planned this time. Whatever it is, I know He will be glorified and I know it will be a joy! I can't wait!

Of course, the kids are growing like little bean stalks, but other than that, I think that's all the changes I have to report at the moment. I hope that God has been as good to all of you as he has been to me and my family.

Love to all,

Tarrah

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing you all a colorful Valentine's Day, full of music...

...love...

...sweet smiles...

...sweet treats...

...and God's richest blessings in your marriages and homes.

~Lots of Love from all of us.

Mommy Lessons - Part 1 of undoubtedly too many to count

These kids are growing so fast, changing drastically day by day. And I am finding, as I watch them, Patrick in particular, face new challenges, struggle with learning right and wrong and accomplish new and wonderful things, I, too, am changing and growing in a way that I never have before.

When I am frustrated with Patrick in those difficult times, I am reminded of and wince at the unending frustration I surely cause my heavenly father on a daily- no, hourly... minutely? (is that a word?) basis.

I will probably watch Patrick injure his finger for the 15th time tomorrow, since he seems determined to disprove my theory that he is, in fact, not strong enough to karate chop the kitchen table in half. At least, that's what I assume he is trying to do, as he is still unable to relay the inner workings of his mind to the rest of us. And I will feel a twinge in my own hand, knowing the pain he must be feeling as he looks up at me with those big, confused eyes as if to say, "Mom, how could you let me do this to myself? Make it better!" despite my half-a-dozen warnings of this exact outcome. But I won't wrap my child up in foam padding and tie him to a chair where he would be nice and safe, because this would teach him nothing, and also probably lead to a severely underdeveloped adult at some point in the future. Instead, I will continue to lovingly warn him of approaching dangers and pray that he heeds my advice. And as I do so, I hear a voice from above reminding me that I, too, must learn the hard way occasionally, even if it takes 15 times or 100. And God's seemingly negligent silence does not mean that He does not love me. It simply means that I still have lots of growing to do, and my Daddy is patiently waiting until I finally figure out that maybe, just maybe, He knows best.

When Olivia cries those terrible cries that are capable of sending every mommy on the block into instinctual action, I scoop her up and do my best to make all wrongs right again. Sometimes I know exactly what she wants or needs, and other times, I wish beyond explanation that this little creature could talk. Sometimes, she gets so worked up that she clenches her eyes shut and seems to refuse to acknowledge that I am even present. And in those times, I am given a beautiful picture of the hand that holds me so tightly. I know that every storm I face, even this entire life, is nothing more than a disappearing vapor, and my Creator is waiting for me on the other side. He always knows exactly what I need. Even when I am incapable of expressing my pain and frustration to anyone else, or even understanding it myself, He knows all of me, inside and out, and He is eager to meet my needs. Even when I am so caught up in a moment of pure, selfish anguish, and I am so convinced that the world is ending that my eyes, too, are clenched shut, my Maker is right there, holding me, waiting for my anxiety and fear to pass and my eyes to open long enough to see that all is well with my soul.

And, as I discover that my love for these two precious souls is, in fact, capable of growing even more with each new day, I am beginning to grasp the love of my Father in a way that I now believe a human being is not capable of understanding until they are a parent. Words cannot describe the amount of love and protection and pride I feel for these amazing gifts God has given me. And I just about fall over when I realize and think about the fact that this love I feel for my children is nothing more than a pathetic attempt at mere tolerance compared to the LOVE that the God of the universe has for me.

"For God so loved [YOU] that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Homemade Playdough

I made a batch of playdough for Patrick the other day. It took him a minute to figure out what on earth was in front of him and why, when he was sitting in his "eating" chair, he could not eat it.

But once he got warmed up, he really seemed to like it. Yay for creative entertainment!

Henny Penny and Six Chicks

Another fabulous pattern from Anna Maria Horner, found in her book, Handmade Beginnings. This will be Olivia's Christmas present this year. There's something so special about a handmade gift, and I hope she will love playing with this for years to come.


There's a strip of velcro underneath each of the mama hen's wings, and the little wings of the chicks are made with velcro as well...

...so, when these 'lil chicks get tired of playing...

...they can snuggle up nice 'n' warm in the safety of their mama's wing.

Is that not just the cutest thing you've ever seen!?

A Stocking for Olivia

After making Patrick's stocking last year, I of course had to carry on the tradition for our sweet Olivia.


So, I have been busy stitching lots of teeny tiny beads onto this felt stocking, which is ornamented with a holly wreath...

...a beaming angel...

...a sparkling ornament...

...and four shimmering snowflakes.

I am so excited to have one more little person gathered around the tree with us this year. Merry first Christmas, Olivia!

New Pajamas

It's been a kid-filled week for the blog. Here's Patrick, showing off his new PJ's from Nana.

We are SO excited! (Plus, Mommy got us all riled up playing peek-a-boo.)

Mmmmm... Ravioli!

All Smiles

Check out that dimple!

Ok, not so much of a smile here, but too cute not to post.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are celebrating Thanksgiving twice this year. Once with Luke's family on Thursday, and again with my family on Friday. So I made two tarts today: Chocolate banana for Turkey Day No. 1 and Chocolate Pear for Turkey Day No. 2. Both recipes came from Once Upon A Tart.

And what could be sweeter than a pair of chocolate tarts?

Only this precious little face.

Miss Olivia says, "Have a happy holiday, everyone!"

Newborn Photos - Two Weeks Old