O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

It's been a few weeks since my last post, and it has not been for lack of activity in the Broggi home; in fact, it has been the exact opposite. We have been pretty busy this holiday season. I am going to attempt to post a few fun things that we have done since my last post.

For today, I am going to start with the day we got our Christmas tree.

Here are some pictures that I captured to remember this day. The kids loved the tractor ride out to the tree farm. They also enjoyed sipping on their hot chocolate during the ride -- it was a frigid day!

It was so much fun! It's become one of my favorite things to do as a family each year.

P.S. Claire LOVED the popcorn!

Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving!

Johnny Rockets & Mighty Jumps

White Christmas

This weekend Jordan's parents took all three kids so that we could have a weekend alone! Thank you, Carl & Audrey!

To celebrate Jordan's birthday, we went to the Fox Theatre to see White Christmas. The show was excellent, and the company was even better.

We have had a great weekend with just the two of us, but are excited to see the kiddos tomorrow.

God's Will for My Life

A few weeks ago I started reading Elisabeth Elliot's, Keep a Quiet Heart. This is more of a devotional book, rather than a chapter by chapter book. It is excellent, and God has been faithful to use this godly woman's words to convict and encourage my heart.

Today, after laying the children down for naps, I had already had my quiet time but was looking for something else from the Lord. He lead me to this book. I opened up the book, read the devotion title, and quickly started reading. The devotion was titled, How to Discover what God Wants..

You see, for the past few months I have been struggling with a decision we have to make for one of our children. It is a pretty big decision, and I so want to do what the Lord desires. It has been difficult. There have been days when the decision seems clear, and then I wake up the next morning with another thought. I have been so frustrated with myself for being so back and forth on this.

I know that God has a plan for each one of our children, and I know that He will be faithful to bring it about. <em>"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

I also know that God gives wisdom and discernment to parents when they are seeking it. Proverbs is full of verses on wisdom, and I have been feasting on them, but still have had this feeling of uncertainty. Why?

Well, as I was reading Elisabeth Elliot's devotion, it was like the Lord came down and opened my eyes to why I haven't been hearing Him clearly!

She says, "Three questions may help to clarify the call of God. Have I made up my mind to do what he says, no matter what the cost? Am I faithfully reading His Word and praying? Am I obedient in what I know today of His will?"

There is was! Not only did I feel stupid for not recognizing the reason for my wishy washy behavior, but I felt like I had been pierced in my heart. It was a God moment. He showed me that while I have been faithful to pray, read His Word, and obey what I know to be true, I HAD NOT made up my mind to obey exactly what He tells me to do in this decision.

I never thought that I wasn't completely willing to obey what He says, but it is true. There are things that I want to be in control of. There are things that I want to have the final say. And this decision we are in the process of making will change a lot of things in our family. I will have to be more selfless, more patient, etc.

But isn't this exactly what our Savior has called me to be anyway? Why am I struggling with this? Why? Because I am selfish. I like being in control. I like knowing what to expect. In fact, I hate the unknown. But it's not about me; it's about dying to myself daily in order to serve my family.

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily." Matthew 16:24

God has really opened my eyes to my sinfulness today. He has made is clear that this life is not about me. It's not about my desires, wants, or needs. It's all about serving Christ, completely and unashamedly. It's about putting the needs of others before mine.

So while reading this excerpt from Elisabeth Elliot's book has not made our decision clear, it has made my way of thinking clear. It's not that one decision is "better" than the other, or that one is "bad" and one is "good". But it is about being ready to completely obey whatever decision the Lord calls us to!

"Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

My Best Friend

Today, my husband, and best friend is 27 years old! He was 20 when we were married. I can hardly believe how the time has flown by. We have lived in four states, had three different jobs, three amazing children, and an MBA sandwiched somewhere in between. I am saying "we" because "we" have experienced every bit of this together. We both believe that without the Lord, and each other, none of this would have been possible.

I say all of this to say that Jordan is the hardest worker I know. I always wanted to marry someone who would work hard to provide for his family. At the time, I wanted to marry a hard worker so that I could be home with the children I would some day have, which is exactly how it's turned out. But now that we have two boys, I so appreciate Jordan's work ethic. I love that he is already teaching our boys responsibility and how to work. I am confident that both boys will know how to work hard after they leave our home. And I am also confident that Jordan will do his best to make sure that Claire marries a hard-working man!

Jordan loves the Lord with all of his heart. He makes time for the Lord. He seeks His wisdom and discernment before a major decision is ever made. I love when I come downstairs after he has left for work and I see his Bible left open to where he has read. I love knowing that he has put God first. It is such a great example for myself and the children.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones." Proverbs 2:6-8

Jordan is an amazing husband and father. He loves me so much. He makes time for me every day, even if it's just to ask about my day. He takes me on dates regularly, and he seems to always be looking forward to our next vacation with just the two of us. Most importantly, Jordan respects my role as a worker at home. He elevates my role, and recognizes that it's a full-time job. He appreciates how I love, train, and teach our children. He loves that I am home with them, and I love that he makes it possible!

Our children adore him. Words cannot describe the look in each of their eyes when they hear the garage door open at the end of the day. The boys race to the door to greet him with squeals, screams of delight, and lots of hugs. They immediately want to tell him about their day, or ask him to read a book to them. He is an awesome father!

I could go on and on about Jordan, but I won't. Bottom line, God has blessed each one of us with a godly husband and father. We love him dearly, and are so thankful for his life!

Happy Birthday!

Trick or Treat!

Sweet Claire

Our baby girl is one today! I can hardly believe it; it just seemed like yesterday that I first held her in my arms. This year has been an amazing one. It has been different. Full of pink, dolls, smiles, different laughs and cries than we were used to with the boys. Claire has been a true blessing to our family!

The blog header picture truly depicts Claire over the past few months. She is constantly crawling around with something in her mouth, we call her our puppy! Though she always has something in her mouth, this does not impede on her ability to play, crawl, cruise, or even to sleep. By day she has some sort of toy, bottle, or blankie in her mouth, and at night it is replaced by her thumb!

She is growing so much these days. She has started talking recently. A few of her words include: dadda, mamma, Jack, dat? (when she points to an object), duck, and a few animal noises.

We love you Claire!

Happy Birthday sweet baby!