Our daughter Jillian would be celebrating her 4th birthday tomorrow the 7th of January! I cannot believe it has been 4 years since she went to be with Jesus. The pain of her not being with us is sometimes too much to bear. There are good days and bad, but not a day goes by that I don't think about her and what we would be doing with her. In December of 2004 when we found out that a little girl was going to be joining our family we were soooooo excited. I was elated. Jakob and Jaden were so enthusiastic about the dresses, bows and all the new things that were about to happen. At the beginning of the New Year 2005 everything came crashing down. It was very hard to handle and at times didn't think I would make it through. Jakob and Jaden saved my life in those months after she past away. I had to keep living for them if not for myself. I also knew that Jillian was with Jesus and in a much better place. The Lord brought me comfort and peace and many friends to be there for me even when I didn't know what I needed. Michelle and Amy were there for me in the evenings after the kids would go to bed and Matt would be working the night shift. We would sit, talk, and watch movies. I just needed them there to be with me so I wasn't alone.

It is really amazing how I could carry someone in my tummy for 21 short weeks and have such a bond that can never be replaced or broken. I cannot wait to see her in Heaven and spend eternity being with her.

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! My resolutions for 2009 are as follows...to read the Bible to completion in chronological order and to get my house ORGANIZED, free of clutter and things we do not have any use for. Those 2 things don't seem so hard huh? Well, with 3 little boys running around and a crazy life that is full of activities these things are sure to bring me a challenge. I am up for the task though and am determined to do them.

I can do EVERYTHING through him who gives me strength! Philippians 4:13

Pictures from Friday Night

It's Christmas at the Rhoderick house!

It has been our tradition since the kids started school that we do our own personal family Christmas the day that they get out of school for their holiday break. It is a great thing for the boys to look forward to on the Friday before Christmas. Tonight after daddy gets home I am making Potato soup for us. We will eat Christmas cookies, drink hot chocolate, open our gifts, play with our gifts, then watch a Christmas movie while we eat popcorn! Our children know the true meaning of Christmas as a time when we celebrate Jesus' birth. The birth of our Savior who would come to the earth, be born in a manger, live a perfect life and die a very painful death on the cross for our sins! Thank you Jesus for your mercy and grace! We will live our lives to serve you each and every day.

Ice Day

The boys were out of school today, but you could barely call it a "snow day"! We had very little snow, but slick icy roads that made getting to school a little too dangerous this morning. It was a mere 14 degrees here so we stayed in and tried to stay warm. Our trampoline had a sheet of ice on the surface that Jakob and Jaden were interested in ice skating on. I thought that sounded a little too dangerous and wasn't interested in a trip to the hospital so we just stayed indoors. Hopefully if we have another snow day it will be more fun for the boys to be outside playing.

Jameson by our tree

Our little man was trying out his new jammies and riding his horse in front of our lovely Christmas Tree!!!

I would die for that

I saw this emotional and powerful video over at my friend Crystal's blog Serving God and Family. I thought I would share it with you all. The music video hit very close to home for me as I spent many years wondering these very same thoughts. Would God bless me with a child of my own?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfGqOx2iDQ

If someone can help me figure out how to insert the video into this post that would be AWESOME!! :)