Out of Our Hands

The past few weeks have been a character builder for me. I tend to like things to go my way. I like to be in control. And I don't like to wait for answers. But it seems God has other plans. It seems He wants me to give up control and let Him take over. Easily said...not so easily done. I've been reading this book and in one chapter, the author talks about control. She gives an example of a little girl at the swimming pool with her dad. She's clinging on to her father's neck, and as he gets deeper, the more frightened she becomes. In reality, it doesn't matter where she is in the pool, the water is too deep for her, which requires her to be completely reliant on her father for her safety. It is so much like me. Even the smallest of life situations are out of my control. And here's the real kicker...they were never in my control to begin with. I can think I'm holding on to all these things, but I'm still in over my head. Only clinging to my Heavenly Father allows me the peace to live in and through these situations. He's in control. All I need to do is hold on! God answers. It's not always in our timing. But He does answer. For the past 2 weeks, we have been praying for miraculous results of my mom's most recent PET scan. Prior to the PET scan last week, her oncologist told her that they needed to start chemotherapy in order to get her lymphoma under control. The thought of my mom having to go through chemo was heart-wrenching, but I knew that God is greater than chemo. He's greater than cancer. And so we prayed. Today, my mom got the results of her PET scan. Not only did her lymphoma activity not grow...it SIGNIFICANTLY decreased!! So much so that the radiologist who read her scans thought she had already gone through chemo treatment! Needless to say, her chemo treatments have been postponed and we are praising God for miraculous results! This has been such a wonderful reminder to let go of control and give God room to work. It's easier said than done, but I encourage you to let go of whatever you're holding on to. Give it up to God, and get it out of your hands.

A Little Bit Honky-Tonk

This past Friday, in celebration of Craig's birthday and our 7th anniversary, Craig and I dropped the kids off at Nana & Bapa's house and headed to the Xcel Center for a rip roarin', honky-tonkin' night of country music. Ok...it was the Kenny Chesney concert, so don't go thinking we were sporting cowboy boots and chaps. But we do love Kenny Chesney's music and it was an AWESOME concert! In fact, Kenny & Craig share the same birthday...and as a special tribute to the cake-eaters, Kenny threw his set-list to the wind and played an extra hour and a half, until it was officially their birthday. Pretty fun! Happy Birthday to the love of my life. I love you more now than I did 7 years ago when we said "I do!" Thanks for a decade of making amazing memories, sharing in the joy of parenthood, keeping me on my toes, and giving in to my "diva-ness" every once in a while. I am so proud to be your wife.

Apple Conversations

The kids were in a goofy mood this afternoon. And so I found myself on the floor of the living room, having a conversation with them while they ate their apples.

I decided to bring my camera along to document it. So serious...
...that's more like it!

One Big Baby!

You might be saying to yourself, "WOW! That's one big baby!" And you'd be half right. Today, I walked in the living room to find Sophia sucking on one of her doll pacifiers and sitting in Jack's infant carseat.

The Littles

I think Sophia likes being little. She talks about her size a lot. And, just so we won't forget, she now refers to her & Jack as "The Littles".

"Mommy, The Littles need some milk."

"The Littles are sad."

"The Littles need their diapers changed." The Littles

Winter Retreat

This past weekend, the entire Prentice Family headed up to the cabin for a winter weekend. It was so fun to all be together and play out in the snow. The kids all got a chance to be towed on a tube behind the 4-wheelers on the lake, go sledding and make art projects. What a fun weekend to be with family! Jacob on the tubeDaddy and Jack, enjoying some down timeReaching the summit of the snow hillCousin DrewReading before bedtimeSophia, sporting one of her many art projects

Cousin Ellie holding Jack

Dedication

Last Saturday, we stood before our church and dedicated Jack in front of family and friends. Over the past 4 months, we have grown to see the enormous blessing Jack is in our lives. He brings a calm, amongst the sometimes chaotic storm. He is always quick with his smiles and slow with his cries. He has brought out the gentle and tender nature in Jacob & Sophia. And he has completed our family. It's only fitting that we bring him back to our Heavenly Father, and vow to raise him with godly principles.

After the service, family gathered at our house for dinner and dessert to celebrate.

Nana & Bapa

Grandma & Papa

Grandma, Great-Grandma Ruthie & Craig

What a handsome little guy!

On a side note:

Yesterday was Jack's 4 month check-up. He's topping the charts once again!

Weighing in at: 17lbs 4oz

Height: 25 1/2"

Head circumfrence: Don't even want to know, but she said he's in the 95th percentile

And if none of that means anything to you, let's just put it this way:

Jack is currently wearing the same clothes Jacob wore when he was walking!! Jack can't even sit up yet...but he can eat rice cereal, applesauce, ice cream and mac & cheese. He's not joking around when it comes to food!