Harperism's 2014

I realized I haven't posted any of these for 2014...obviously it's been a little crazy this year but we've still been keeping up with it (love the notes function on my phone!). So here is one big crazy list of all the things Harper has said the last few months!

(she cracks us up! Anybody remember the cartoon Doug and his character Quail Man?)

I just met who you married!
  (considering that is her Daddy....I think the "just" doesn't apply!)

Look how raggedy. She needs to pull herself together. (To a crow)
  (this one both makes me cry from laughing so hard and mortifies me!)

To God's relief, he loves us all.

Um, excuse me Mom, but this seems to be loose.
    (Is she almost 4 or 40?)

Melon is God's candy!
   (I love when she comes up with stuff like this on her own- we've never said this to her!)

Daddy, you know what? If there was a monster in here you could fight it.
    (I love how much she looks up to her daddy!)

Like a family we're all going to share Daddy's ice cream!
   (My kind of family!)

It is alright if you are naked in Heaven. 

I don't feel like a kid.
     (This one makes me kind of sad, because she should only ever feel like a kid at this age!)

It's kind of awkward how they made this potty seat.
     (Her use of the word awkward is hilarious!)

How old is the world? I think it's "five fivety".

Toby Im not happy with you today, you should be punished.

Umfy  
     (This is a word she made up to describe when she is not in a good mood. Like the next level of  
      grumpy)

Crunchtons
    (Croutons)

When I grow up I don't have to go to school.
(Me) Yes, but you have to go to work.
I won't go to work.
(Me) Then how will you make money?
I'll use wood to make money 
   Future Counterfeiter?!?!?

Providence

prov·i·dence  [prov-i-duhns] 

noun

1.

( often initial capital letter ) the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.

2.

( initial capital letter ) God, especially when conceived asomnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankindwith wise benevolence.

3.

a manifestation of divine care or direction.

4.

provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.

5.

foresight; provident care.

(source: http://dictionary.reference.com)

For the past 8 months our family has been through hell. I use that term very intentionally. (If you somehow missed our story scroll down a few posts.) 3 weeks ago was not so fun, either (fridge broke, flooded the floors, ruined the floors, had to move out of the house for a few days due to hot, noisy equipment sucking water out of floors, then the AC broke, etc etc etc).  Anyway, it is easy to think during times like this "where are you God?" or "why me?". And we did think exactly that the day we *thought* we were going to get to move back into our house and I came home to discover it was well over 90 degrees inside the house (some of us, uh hum, may have felt that way sooner). HOWEVER, not for one moment did God ever leave us or abandon us. 

The day we had the first ultrasound with Jack was a Wednesday. Small group day. Which means a group of people who we do life with, who care for us and for our family, was already scheduled to come to our house. And they were a much needed pillar of support that day. 

God provided us with MANY people who helped support us, celebrate with us, and mourn with us.

God provided us with this sweet, funny, silly, amazing girl- who made us laugh when we didn't think it was possible, who prayed for her brother without being asked to, who pretended to read to me from the Bible when I was feeling sad or sick.

God provided ME with an amazing husband who was my rock when I would fall apart, who allowed himself to fall apart, who works so hard to help provide for our family- despite the overwhelming grief that we experienced, and who loves our family in such a selfless way, it makes me want to be better at loving others!

God provided us with a significant increase in cash-flow (thanks to a rebate check and the sale of Jason's old tire rims) just a few days before all of our house drama. 

And most importantly, God provided us with the promise that he will always be with us. Though we may go through hellish times, when we can reflect on and remember his provisions in our lives and remember he will be with us every step of the way, we know that God never fails.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness,

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

We are not consumed.