Milestones....

What has felt like a mountain that would never be surmounted finally was today. It has been an ongoing battle of wills, but one will finally surrendered. After much screaming, holding of hands, and a prayer to Jesus for help...

Carson used the potty three times this morning.

The Coughlin's are praising God from a little house on 4th St. this afternoon...and we pray this battle will be fully won.

Tis the Season...

Merry Christmas! We have been busily preparing for Christmas as we will be hosting my family this Christmas. I am a little nervous because of the limited space in our house, but coziness creates lasting memories--right?!

Elliott and Carson had their church Christmas program this past weekend. Elliott was a wiseman (she DID NOT want to be an angel) and Carson was an angel. I was so proud of them for memorizing their parts. Carson literally was eating the microphone when she said her little poem for the program! It was so cute!

We have had fun decorating the tree and the house, baking cookies, shopping, and hastily sending out Christmas cards at the last minute (trying to get to the post office today was VERY interesting with our new foot of snow!)

We are so thankful for this time of the year. We have the Nativity Scene of Lordi's willow figurines in our small bay window to remind us of the centerpiece of the season and everything in life--our dear Jesus. The girls are so intent when we tell the Christmas story and they are internalizing it, which I thank God for.

Thanksgiving in our hearts...

We are incredibly excited about our newest baby coming to join the family in the future! This baby adds a whole other spin on thankfulness for the Coughlin clan. With joy in our hearts we anticipate this little bundle.

The girls and I sat and discussed what we were thankful for during our devotions. It was so wonderful to hear the things Elliott and Carson are thankful for.

I am so thankful for what a wonderful husband Adam is to me. It brings me deep peace to know Adam is led by God and how the Lord has woven us together more and more in His love. What a blessing. What a praise.

I am very thankful that Christ is my joy and strength.

Summer winding down...

We had the fun of experiencing Northern Lights Camp at Lake Metigoshe this past weekend for a bit of a summer reprieve. It had been years since my last visit and this was the rest of the clans first. It was such a joy to see Elliott and Carson have so much fun and make new little friends! Adam and I had our first canoeing experience together. We survived. Also, it was my first attempt at making tofu "egg salad" (and every sandwhich was eaten with many compliments! yay!) We will definitely be going back next year to visit friends and hopefully pursuade more family to come.

God is good.

Knife in the gut made better by Melissa Otto

Currently listening to Melissa Otto Band.

I feel like a knife was ripped through my guts.

Wait. There was a knife ripped through my guts.

Man.

swimming...lap swimming.

I am a rhythmic person. I embrace rhythms. I'm not talking about music necessary, but the beat of the world.

For instance when I lap swim I find it intriguing the pattern of sound that is created. Pull, flutter, pull, flutter, pull, flutter breath. Pull, flutter, pull, flutter, pull flutter, breath, flip. This is a rather lame example of what I am talking about.

I like rhythm and order. It has taken time, but God has gotten me here. The Bible says, God is a God of order. He has a way of doing everything. He even created our bodies to be on a circadian rhythm.

Even though I have always liked pattern and consistancy, I in the past would criticize the rhythmic and orderly person. I do believe I was jealous because I lacked the power to be such a person. At the time I would not have called it criticism and jealousy, but God has opened my eyes.

He has always been calling me to a higher standard in every area of life, so it will be orderly. With Him I have true rhythm, true purpose. At the center of my life, Almighty God is the heart beat pulsating through me with might, power, and deep rhythm.

It's the best.

LONG three days.

Oh what a long three days. The girls have had the stomach flu. It's so disgusting. They are very appreciative of any help and love I can give them, which really hampers down the disgusting part. Adam and I are praying the bug skips us. So far so good.