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Truly, isn't this home just beautiful?! I took the photo to try to
remember that brown and red can go together and still
be timeless and classic.

Look at our new house in Wilmette! Just kidding! That would be a dream come true, but as of now I'm completely grateful for our Bosworth treehouse and will be until my children look me in the eye and say, 'we can't take this anymore.'

Last Friday, David and I walked to the Linden EL station in Wilmette from having breakfast with Tripp at Walker Bro.'s Original Pancake House. That morning brought the first sight of snowflakes of the season and a whole lot of reflection. As I passed one gorgeous Wilmette home after another I thought of all the families and their stories behind those doors. Beyond the street where we were walking, I saw the Bahai temple dome towering above the trees. Such beautiful homes, such a beautiful temple - neither holding any eternal worth. As a matter of fact, that brilliantly white dome may as well be the gates of Hades. Such earthly beauty, which I praise the Lord that he's given us to enjoy, yet when the refining fire comes, it will all pass away. Thinking on time, things passing, I look down and see what could be an eternal gem in my phil and ted's stroller. My son, D. I could build a house for him that would be only more dust in the end. Or, I could get down on my knees and pray for his salvation daily. I could pray that his salvation would lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Lord have mercy on us all.

I meant for this entry to be a light-hearted thought about the change of season. Somehow, when I sit down to write though - I feel there's really one conclusion worth making. I can't lay claim on any of the goodness in our life, still I am so grateful that His mercies are new every morning - and that includes pancakes!

Gracie D is 1 year old!

Our little niece, Gracie D, turned one year last week! She's the cutest one year old little girl I know and her parents, John and Ashley, gave her one sweet birthday party last weekend. I wanted to share pics from the day taken by my sister in law's brother in law, Shawn. A day celebrating with family is a reminder of all the support we have as new parents. There are three babies in the family now - Grace, Eli, and David - and that means three first-time moms. All the women on the D side are dear to my heart and no matter what stage of life, we're tied to one another as sisters in Christ. Then there's the men who keep us grounded and yet turn to mush over these sweet babies!

We got Grace a set of pjs from old navy and the handmade stuffed owl. Ashley made incredible chocolate candy cane cookies from a pioneer woman recipe. She also had out snowflake sugar cookies, icecream and cherry cupcakes. To make the cherry cupcakes, start with a white cake mix and add the juice from the Maraschino cherry jar... oh dear, I can't really remember the rest. But the icing was regular vanilla just tinted with food coloring and maybe chopped cherry bits.