I’m coming at you with a random post today filled with everything from what we’ve been up to, a few favorite recipes, and more. Let’s do this!

1. Ice cream in January. We had a night where our little family didn’t have any plans and we were all wanting to get out of the house, so we went to our favorite ice cream shop. Why not! Sometimes I feel bad that I don’t have the kids in any extra activities… but then when I think about a random weeknight where we can get ice cream on a whim and I’m so glad we don’t over-schedule ourselves! These are my favorite moments.

2. Bible curriculum for Sadie. Sadie and I used Not Consumed Bible studies for her curriculum for school and just finished a set. I’m thinking of finding a new curriculum but haven’t found one that I love yet. Is this a sign I just need to make it myself 🤔

3. Snuggle bugs! We have Niva’s bestie over at least once a week and sometimes she sleeps over. I love seeing them all snuggled up on the couch. It has been so cold lately, so I always try to bring the girls inside, but they want to go right back out in the snow minutes later. Articles like this and this help me feel better about the dogs’ constant desire to be in the cold all the time.

4. Sadie scared me and my reaction scared her. It was around 6:00 am the other day and I was casually cooking eggs for breakfast while not wearing my hearing aids and boom, Sadie was suddenly right next to me. I jumped about three feet and gasped. I thought she was still in bed! I didn’t hear her get up, open her bedroom door, use the bathroom, or walk right up to me. My reaction to her just walking up to me scared her and we were both a bundle of nerves for a second there! After a hug and deep breath, we were able to laugh it off 😂

5. My favorite view. After our aforementioned ice cream outing, we went to the car wash, put gas in our car, and then popped into the grocery store (productive night!). As we walked into the store, I was plodding along like a 30-some-week-pregnant-person does and looked up to see my favorite view: Jimmy with the kids. Ugh, they adore him. I adore him. I love them all so much 💙

6. Loving the book of Job. I’ve been reading the book of Job and doing a Bible study on it via Daily Grace Co. (I know, I think I mention it in like every post lately?!). Job was always one of those books that was pretty hard to read. The content is sad because it deals with great suffering, and then the middle of the book is a back and forth conversation between Job and his friends about why he’s suffering and it always seemed like how could I understand all of this? But really, there’s a lot to learn! Here’s what I’ve been taking away *so far*:

• Job had everything but his life taken from him and while he questioned God and cried out in frustration… he didn’t give up on God. Why? He had a firm foundation and strong relationship with the Lord from the years before his trials. Every day, when we read our Bibles, pray, and have a relationship with God, we are building a foundation of faith so we can withstand the storms of life.
• While Job’s friends weren’t perfect and their understanding of God wasn’t perfect (because they didn’t know Jesus!), they were still there for Job. They sat with him in his grief and misery. I want to be that friend (minus the long speeches that don’t quite capture the Lord’s compassion and mercy that Job’s friends directed at him 😉).
• Job desired comfort, rest from his pain and experience of suffering, and reconciliation with God. All of those things are found in Christ. All of our greatest desires and needs are found in Him.
• Job was blameless–even God said it, and yet he suffered. For seemingly no reason. Bad things happen to good people and it’s awful. In the end, Job was strengthened and restored and God’s glory, compassion, and mercy were on full display. When I look at trials through that lens, it makes them more meaningful.

7. An eager kitchen helper. I always forget that Mordecai isn’t a baby. I’m sure when his little sister comes along soon, I’ll definitely feel like he’s his age… but I tend to baby him! I took the kids to Jimmy’s work to do school in the homeschool room one day recently and Sadie asked to stay at work with Jimmy for the rest of the day so Decky and I went home without Sader Tot (and he subsequently asked for her about 739 times). I decided to bake an apple pie and he pulled a chair up to the counter and asked to cut apples with me. So, I got a kid knife out and he helped. It was so sweet and reminded me that he’s growing up too fast!

8. Favorite recipes lately. I cook and bake a lot of the same things over and over again because we like to eat them! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It’s comforting. Here’s what I’ve been making on repeat lately:

• Ham and egg freezer breakfast sandwiches (for Jimmy to bring to work!)
• Homemade apple pie
• Mini meatloaves
• Garlic lime chicken (I often “play” with this recipe and use ginger + lemon instead of garlic + lime)
• Rosemary chicken
• Chocolate peanut butter granola
• Freezer lunch sandwiches (for Jimmy to bring to work!)
• Strawberry banana smoothie
• Energy bites

9. Just a cute picture. Because these three are adorable!

10. Shopping with kids. If I could give a new parent advice, it would be to not fear going out with a baby or young child. The only way they get used to going out and about is… by going out and about. Kids learn how to behave in public by being in public. They’re still kids, so they will do things that embarrass or frustrate you, but it’s still worth it! I love having my little sidekicks with me.

11. A real winter. I feel like Pittsburgh is having a “real” winter this year. Some years, we have a mild winter (we had highs in the 60s in January in 2023!), and this year has been filled with lows in the tens and teens and a decent amount of snow.

12. Preparing! I went to my mom and dad’s house and went through all of Sadie’s baby clothes and it felt so great to figure out what is in season for this baby (Sadie was a fall baby, this chicka will be a winter baby) and to gather it all up to bring home! I also ordered her crib (finally!). I’m excited to, Lord Willing, meet her within a couple of months! I need to do another pregnancy diary post soon because I have all sorts of thoughts and updates to overshare.

I also found a raccoon sleeper both Sadie and Mordecai wore as babies!! Praying we get to see this sweet baby in it, too!

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Alright, those are my 12 random thoughts for the day! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how fervently we are praying for those impacted by the fires in California. If you are looking to help or donate, I highly recommend looking into International Disaster Emergency Services. They are an amazing non-profit 🤍