I've been kinda nervous about sharing any of this because then whoever reads this will know what is in my heart. Lately, I've been convicted of where I really am with God and why I seek Him. So often I find myself wanting to read my bible to have a better marriage, a happier family, for things or to try and justify why I should get my way. But at the heart of it, I don't think I have been really seeking God for who He is. This life is meaningless unless it is encompassed in His love for His glory. There is no true justice without Him, nor is there true love apart from Him. The way that the flowers bloom and the way that the sun sets, the way that the birds chirp, the lions roar, the dolphins swim, the shark attacks, all are amazing creations that God has done for His glory, but mere drops in a bucket from the vast ocean of His greatness. So often I find myself getting caught up in things that are meaningless. How am I going to get the cleaning done, the laundry done, get to work, finish the budget, do all these things...mere toils of this earth, instead of enjoying all that He has given and worshiping Him through all things. He doesn't give us things so that we can cry about it and then just pass off for someone else to do. He gives us things so that through perserverance and encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. This hope doesn't disappoint because of Christ. If His hope disappointed us, I think we should reevaluate what we are hoping in. Is it carnal, earthly pleasures that will only last for a short time? Is it property, money, or stature? Is it power, prestige, prosperity, luxury and comfort? This flesh that battles against our spirit is fighting for these things, but the spirit is wanting so much more that these things cannot satisfy. Only Christ can because only He has given us peace with God. So often we pray to "God" thinking we will then get our way. But do we trully know Him and His peace? We are covered in robes that are ripped and ragged, stained and destroyed. Our bodies are bent to selfishness, scarred from impurities and dripping with deceit. And we think that we can just cry out to God, in the state we are in, and He will let us have our way? Would we dare go to a black tie event in a torn up shirt we sleep in? (And that is playing it down.) He has declared us to be an enemy because of the wrongs we have done against Him. BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, sent Christ to make peace. And with that peace He robes us in rightness, so now we can cry, "Abba, Father" in time of need! We can say, "Lord help! I am weak and afflicted, burdened and beaten!" He gives us His Spirit thru Christ so we can know what His will is and know His love and eternal life now! Oh, the riches of His mercy! So, for those that read this, may you be convicted of seeking things and the results of things rather than seeking Him who created you, as I am convicted of such things. Our world is deteriorating, our economy dwindling, our bodies decaying, but the Lord be our stay.

Our sweet little girl.

Already reading at 4 months...haha!

You messin' with me?!?

Family portrait.

4th of July with the cousins.

Good luck getting both of them to smile at the same time and catch it on film!

What? You don't try to get everything in your mouth? That's weird!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

Oh, how thankful we are that we live in the land of the free! Thank you God for establishing America the beautiful. Though nothing compares to Your kingdom, we are grateful that you have us to live in this amazing nation. Let us take care of that which you have entrusted to us, not being arrogant of the world around us, nor proud of what we have. Let us be united in fighting for these freedoms. Let us work hard, serve harder, pray diligently and strive to glorify You. We look expectantly for the day You will return, knowing there aren't fireworks big enough nor bands loud that will be sufficient to captivate the awe everyone will have.

Yesterday we had Inger just playing on her blanket. I stepped into the kitchen for a second and when I returned, she wasn't in the same place! The first time she rolled was on mother's day, but I don't think she knew what she was doing. Now she has been rolling more and more, and I think she realizes it. It's the funniest thing to watch!

So it has been so long since I've done anything with this blog. Obviously I'm not a great blogger. Over the past few months, Inger has been more and more fun. She is starting to roll over, smiling and laughing a ton, and sleeping really well at night. At her 4 month appointment she was 16lbs 11oz and 25in. She is doing great. B and I love being with her.

We moved into a new house last month. It is so great to have a place of our own with neighbors that aren't on the other side of the wall. B loves taking care of the yard and he is really good at it too. I started back to work this last week. It was hard, but it will get better. God is my strength and He is the only One who is getting me through all that is going on!

Oh, how she resembles her daddy!

the Olsson crack.

The moms went for a run in the hills around their house.

The boys and their pool game.

It took a few tries to get the camera at the right angle to get all 4 of us in the shot.

We were suppose to go to Vegas this last weekend, but decided against it. Instead we went to Chelan. Boy was it beautiful! The place we stayed was amazing. I love looking out on a lake like that and seeing the vast mountains, knowing that each one of them was molded by my Maker. And as the evening approached, the sky was kissed with pink as the mountains sang farwell to the sun. What an artistic and creative God we have, who made such an awesome place for us to dwell.