The Royal Wedding

With a blog entitled "Bringing Up the Princess," it seems wrong to not mention the Royal Wedding. I recorded the big event on my DVR, but haven't watched it yet. I have, however seen highlights on the news here and there. Watching it with my own little princesses is so much fun! Kate Middleton is living a true life fairy tale. She is beautiful, grounded, poised, charming, and educated. She has met her Prince William Charming, become the Duchess of Cambridge, and is in line to be the next Queen of England, Catherine of Wales. Tell me that doesn't bring out your inner princess, your little girl giddiness! Admit it, it's fun! I pray, Prince William and Catherine, have a happily ever after, a marriage of strength and honor to God.

Now, I'm not going to be naive and believe that Kate and William were pure virgins coming into the wedding day (although that would be cool if they were), but the idea of a royal wedding leads me to think ahead for my girls. After all, their Father is a King--they are royalty! I pray that God would not allow love to wake in their hearts until it is time. That they would find a prince that would honor their relationship with purity (from now until they marry). And that they would have all the things instilled in their marriage (trust, honor to God, respect, love, commitment) that would bring them a happily ever after. I've been reading them this book, a gift from their grandma and grandpa, and I hope they take it to heart.

An Easter of Answered Prayers

At Easter Service on Sunday, I had the most glorious worship experience. I allowed my self to just bathe in His glory and be reminded of all the ways He has answered prayers over the past year. This Easter seemed to be the culmination of many of those prayers. Some things I knew, outside of Him, were not possible. Other things, I knew He would bring, but didn't expect it so quickly. This Easter,

• I felt like not like just an in-law, but like a part of the family.
• Chuck's step-sister is pregnant! Her husband joined us for Easter dinner (and even performed Easter Bunny duties)!
• Chuck's parents have settled into a new home, after leaving the house they've spent their whole married lives in. Yet, God has allowed the new home to feel like home!
• Chuck has gotten a promotion that will financially change our lives, help us pay off bills, and allow us to purchase our first home.
• My girls are growing to love Jesus more and more!
• My husband is becoming more and more the man I always knew him to be!
• My father-in-law coordinated the most amazing Easter carnival for their church. He worked through pain and exhaustion and still reflected Jesus to our family.
• My best friend is in the midst of finding love after years of healing from heartbreak.
• My counseling career has a path and direction--one that allows me to remain at home with my girls!

There are still prayers I am praying, but there is fuel in my prayer life, that will provide faith to know that God will answer even these!

• I still pray for the salvation of my brothers and their families.
• I pray for continued spiritual growth for my family.
• I pray for direction for my children's education and wisdom in our new financial situation.
• For God to bring our extended families closer together and closer to Him.
• And I pray that I would be a light in people's darkness, a repairer of their breach, and a restorer of what has been broken.

Here's a family pic:

It's been a long time

I get a little more discouraged from blogging every time I read someone else's blog and it shows how much time elapsed between the current blog and the previous one. That timespan for me is becoming longer and longer. So, today, I determined that I would blog about my Easter of answered prayers. As I was uploading pictures from my camera, I decided I would build a bridge. Yes, you read that right. I amgoing to build a bridge first--a bridge of memories to span the time between my last blog post and my Easter of answered prayers.

• Rebekah trekked out into the unknown --leaving the comfort of Eugene Christian School, to begin homeschooling. That is a story of it's own and I'm sure I'll spend some time blogging about the blessing of home-school.
• Madeline has begun reading!
• Isabelle has become her own fashion designer.
• We have baked, crafted, and experimented to our heart's content!
• The girls and I spent a few nights at my mom's in her motor home on the beautiful Oregon coast.

• We've been on a family vacation to Arizona; road-tripping through California, visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Sanders, staying with Oma and Opa, watching a Mariner's Spring Training game, and visiting the Grand Canyon.
• 
• Friends we have a plenty! We do gymnastics, library, tea parties, birthday parties, roller skating, and park hopping.
• 
• Chuck has gotten a promotion at work. He loves his job and we're so grateful for all of God's continued provisions!

That should just about bring you up to speed!