"Where HAVE you been?!"

"Where HAVE you been?!" - Molly Weasley, Harry Potter Series

You may have been wondering where we've gone these past few months. The fact of the matter is that we've had an exceptionally difficult fall, full of loss, illness, and other challenges. Most days I consider myself accomplished if a real dinner graces our table, forget writing a blog post with a cute kid anecdote.

But there have been plenty of moments that were good and lovely. In difficult times, we look to God's light that always pierces through darkness. Sometimes it shines through a kind gesture; sometimes a small victory. Sometimes the light bursts through in a full blown miracle. He's always good and He's always working things together for our good. So as I share a few highlights from the past two months, it's important to stress how many blessings have also come to us during this time.

In the middle of October, we lost our sixth baby shortly after 9 weeks of pregnancy. It's such a difficult loss, but one we'd been through before so we knew that God keeps His promise to be close to the broken hearted. We knew it would be ok.

Then C was sick, over and over. But the kitty kept him company.

G and C were sick for Halloween, so primarily we trick or treated around our house. Each kid had a station and they thought it was awesome.

Our water heater got sick, so Randy got handy and installed us a pretty new one.

C got sick some more. And then again. And S got sick.

Then N got sick.

And sicker.

And sicker. Then G, Randy, and I got sick.

After all the sickness and only one car to drive to get to urgent care or the ER, we finally got a second car. Life is much easier with two cars.

After over three weeks, our N is not yet completely better. But she is back to her usual antics and we are so happy to have our Ms. Sassy Pants back!

And now we're just embracing the unseasonably warm December, savoring every uneventful, healthy day we get. For the first time in years, we're staying fairly close to home for the holidays, resting and recovering and slowing down to a gentle pace that our lives have not afforded for months. Merry Christmas dear family and friends! May it be a blessed time for your family as well!