God is Faithful

Some of you are already aware of this, but to fill the rest of you in...a slightly altered version of my e-mail. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! While I started to keep this news to myself, I felt burdened to share the mercy and grace of God as He pours out His peace that passes all understanding. Much love to those of you pouring out prayers on our behalf.

While others were going about their morning routine on Friday morning, we had an eventful morning. While we had not told anyone (including our kids), I have known I was pregnant for the last few weeks. That morning, however, I lost our little one. We had just been dealing with all the overwhelming emotion of preparing for a new one in addition to our move and now all of that adjustment has changed to the grief of realizing that will not happen right now. Physically I am fine and it has been a huge blessing to have my sweet midwife a phone call or text away. We are sad but amazingly peaceful. I can only be overwhelmed as my three beautiful children wake up in the morning, not with grief, but with gratitude. I have been given so much more than I could ever ask for. It's as if my eyes are even more open to the blessings surrounding me. If the Lord needs my little heavenly army of now four angel babies for His purposes, who am I to question that? God is good, not when I get what I want, but every day of His perfect Existence. The verses He gave me were these - Psa. 84:10-12. I truly have an overwhelming sense right now of the beauty and precious value of life and walking it with my Lord. Whatever that looks like, that is all I want.

I look forward with even more excitement than before to snuggling Brittany's baby Karsen in the upcoming weeks. What a perfect healing balm she will be!

Please do keep in mind that our kids do not know about this. We feel that would be unnecessary pain for them at this point. When they are a little older we will be sure to tell them of all the works God has done in our family, including the ones that are a bit harder to understand.

'Tis So Sweet

I feel that there is so much going on in my life right now. So much whirling and swirling in my mind, heart, and spirit. Much of this has to do with our upcoming move. As the weeks fly by I am mere weeks from an adventure unlike anything I have experienced before. I mean, the only time I can think of that I might possibly have gone a month without seeing my parents and family was the fall after I graduated from high school, and I think I saw them once or twice those two months I lived away. Come to think of it, that was probably also the only time since pre-adolescence that I went a month without seeing John's parents! : ) Anyway, with all the changes in store, waiting for our house to sell, preparing ourselves, our children, and our belongings for change, and the many other constant life events, it is a constant choice to trust. As I was singing Levi to sleep for his nap this afternoon, this song popped into my head. Every, single word exactly expressed my feelings and I sat there rocking him singing it over and over until the peace of the reminder washed over my spirit. 'Tis indeed sweet to trust in such a faithful Friend!

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

John V

So, it's about time for me to update everyone on my kids. I'll start with John V and work my way down to that third child that no one knows anything about. Yes, he does exist and is quite a little character. Anyway, I could probably write for days about John V and how hilarious he is right now. Is it just me or do kids get better every year? Just when I think they are the cutest, funniest things, they get cuter and funnier! It is glorious to begin seeing the fruit of the prayers, blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the last five years. John loves to please and to make choices that will make him a wise son. He adores the "big guys" with Dad being about ten notches above any superhero on the coolness scale. John V also can't wait for the small group "guys" to come over so he can "show Kyle and Freeby how cool this is." Then there will also be the random, "Does Uncle Jordan or Cameron or Christopher do this? Do they like this?" With every passing year I become more deeply grateful for the enormous amount of godly men in his life.

John is 5 and keeps asking when he will be 6. Slow down there, big guy! He loves doing his school every day. He thinks not doing school on the weekend because Mom needs a day or two off is fairly ridiculous. I mean, come on! We went to New Mexico for a few days and he made me pack all the school books. Maybe that's why we had to pay the heavy suitcase fee! He still loves gymnastics, became a great swimmer this summer, and is into playing any sport. We decided to squeeze in a season of T-Ball this fall before we move so that family could come and support him in his first baseball endeavor and also so he could be on a team with his best bud, Jack. His first game was rained out last weekend but he took it like a man. He is very ready for this Saturday's game. John V is a fantastic older brother and growing in patience by leaps and bounds. He will sometimes solve problems between Kailey and Levi without me ever needing to get involved! He does an excellent job with his chores of bed making, table setting, picking up, running the dustbuster, and helping with lunch. We are on a schedule that he adores. He loves to check the back of the pantry door and see "what it's time to do." Boy, that kids loves a clock. Here are just a few of the prime examples of John lately. I've posted these as Facebook statuses so bear with me if you've already seen them. We love our John V!

John (with admiration in his voice while watching me chop onions for dinner): "Mommy, you do that just like Rachael Ray!" (Yes, I'll take that ego boost. Thank you very much.) He is always my encourager.

At the first T-Ball practice John V was in a group with three boys, a coach, and another dad who were all total strangers along with Big John. When two of the boys starting picking on the other extremely shy boy, John V puts both hands out and says, "Guys, guys, leave him alone. He's just shy!" After that the shy boy was much more comfortable and the other two kids said, "Oh really?" and dropped it. John V already shows signs of being very perceptive of other people and their needs.

John V has a few minutes in his schedule each day where he can play Wii, which is a favorite activity. Over the past week I've noticed him opting out of that choice several times. I was curious about this new development today and asked him if he didn't enjoy playing Wii anymore. His response? "Mom, I just kind of feel like I'm 19 and need to work or something instead of playing games all day." Umm, okay. I wasn't aware that 30 minutes was all day and I can definitely tack on some more chores if he just desperately needs them.

Tonight at dinner I was feeding Kailey some bites of food. Me: "Kailey, open your mouth." John V: "Open. Like open the door. Or open your eyes to a world of 3D fun with the viewmaster and Discovery Channel!" Me (falling out of my chair laughing): "What?!" Apparently his animal binoculars say that!

At lunch the other day I was having a bit of a rough morning and again John V picked up on it without my saying a word. On the way downstairs after finishing school he said, "Mom, I'm going to help you with lunch. When people work too hard, it wears them out." Bless the child!

Kindergarten!

This was our first week of kindergarten at the Critz house. It was a fantastic week. We started a new family schedule that has worked absolutely beautifully for all of us. John V has eaten up watching the clock and remembering what it was time to do next. No TV or movies unless we're in the car which made some Saturday morning cartoons this morning a fun and special treat! The kids are doing a great job learning their assigned chores. John V's favorite job is being my dinner helper and Kailey's is making her bed. Kailey and John V are both doing a great job with their school work. Kailey is working on her alphabet sounds and getting those "teen" numbers unmixed. She also enjoys coloring and art projects. John V loves math, especially estimating numbers. He's also doing a great job with his handwriting and reading. Today we had "Show & Tell Saturday" where instead of doing school work, we showed Dad everything we had worked on this week. We quoted our Bible verses, talked about how we had showed attentiveness (our character quality for the week), and showed Dad our book work. John V was very disappointed to learn that we don't do school on the weekends. He finally grudgingly agreed to wait until Monday so we could "play with Dad" while he was home from work. : ) It is a privilege and honor to see and participate in his hunger for learning. One of my favorite parts of our day right now is at breakfast when Daddy reads us our Proverb for the day and John V listens for verses that talk about being wise or foolish. He hits his right hand on the table if he hears about a wise man and his left for a foolish man. He listens so intently and talks often lately about his wise choices to please God. We point out the verses to him about a wise son making his father and mother glad and tell him how great our joy is in seeing his choices to please his heavenly Father. These are truly precious days and I am tucking each one away in my heart's box of memories. God has been so good to me!

Thank You for This Man

Yes, I know...where did I come from? Hi, I'm Courtney. I used to write blogs. Anyway, I've been feeling the need to document all that is going on in our lives right now. Kind of an Israelite type tribute, an altar of sorts to remind our children and children's children of the power and might of our God. He is at work every day showing Himself to us. What more could we possibly need?

Today is my eighth anniversary. As I look back, watch my wedding video with my three children, and hug the man I still get excited about seeing every day, my heart is full of gratitude. So I'm going to write out the prayer that has been in my heart today so that someday when I or my children need to see it, it will be there. I pray that He will somehow use it to encourage you as well.

Lord, there are no words to thank you for this man you have given me. This man who started out as a sweet boy I knew. The cute friend of my brother's and brother of my friend's. The one who melted my heart when he played the guitar and sang at recitals, when he helped his mom put in her earrings, and even when he swung a baseball bat. The one who turned into my best buddy, calling me to ask "homework questions" from our homeschool classes, teaching together, playing Nertz for hours, going to movies with our crew of friends, and then graduating together. The one I then began to realize was not satisfactory as a friend but was someone I could really and truly love. That right under my nose was the guy I had been looking for.

Thank you for this man who saw the best in me. Who saw past the immature moments of a seventeen year old girl just beginning to figure out a romantic relationship for the first time. This man who went to work and began as a teenager to build a foundation for supporting his family. Who had goals and dreams that were bigger than himself and his enjoyment. A man who was seeking God's heart and growing into a responsible, godly, patient, humble model of manhood. The man who married his first girlfriend and gave me his entire heart, every single piece. Who by marrying me then gave me another incredible family to love...and that could be another entire letter of thanks.

Thank you for this man who helped me pray, seeking God and struggling for answers when the children we waited for did not come easily and quickly. The one who held me when we helplessly sent three children to live with Jesus and with each one we grew, not receiving answers to our questions, but receiving a far better gift...we were beginning to truly know God in the depth of our beings. To desperately need Him like we needed air and food. The man who then held my hand (and had the stuffing squeezed out of his hand) as I birthed three incredible, beautiful children. Each a miracle, each with a story of God's faithfulness, His promises kept, His strength given. Incredible moments as he actually helped to deliver two of our children and was the first one to hold them as they entered the world.

Thank you for this man who excels at being a father just as he does everything else in his life. Who makes his children feel special and loved. Who gives them boundaries and direction, loving discipline and, most importantly, an example worth emulating. A man who works hard at his job, not doing eye service, but doing the best he can even when no one is watching. A man who works to live and does not live to work. A man who uses the money God gives him to care for others and does not spend his time and energy serving his things or his money.

Could there be enough words to say thank you for a man like this all wrapped up into one husband? No, so I do my best to show my gratitude through my actions, through my heart attitudes. And as I prepare this year on my anniversary for the big test of "leaving and cleaving" that will come with our move away from family, I walk forward in confidence in this man's leadership and in what God will bring. I made a vow on our wedding day that wherever he went I would go. Now I am finally living that out eight years later. And the only one I have more confidence in than my husband is You, Lord, the heavenly Father who goes before us, beside us, and behind us. Thank You, thank You, thank You for this man.

Children's Health Talk

I've been meaning to post this for a while. I sent out an e-mail to some friends but didn't have e-mails for everyone that I thought might be interested. Just drop me a comment or an e-mail if you would like to come and I can give you any other details you need.

Date: Saturday, April 4th
Location: Courtney's House
Time: 1:30-3:30

Come hear Dr. Carolyn Marocco speak on children's health and nutrition and answer your biggest questions about ear infections, skin issues, and more. This will be an informal time and we may need to follow up with more if we don't have time to finish! For those of you who cannot make this date, we may end up doing another one on a Wednesday night, but this date fit the most people right now. If you want to come and visit with everyone for a few minutes you can come at 1:30 and then Carolyn will begin speaking at 2:00. Don't worry about coming late or needing to leave early, I can fill you in on what you missed. I will also have some books here that you can buy from me that might help you to continue learning more about what she will speak on. Please RSVP because we will schedule another date/time if this one gets too full. Feel free to pass this on to your friends!

Valentine's/Levi's 6 Month Pictures

We had a picture session with Kristin Morales last week and, as usual, she totally outdid herself. She captures my kids personalities so well every time! Levi was a little more serious than usual due to four teeth on their way in, but he perked up by the end. Now I just have to decide! Any votes on favorites?

http://www.kristinmorales.com/index2.php
Click on Client
Password is Critz (case sensitive)

Disney World VII

And to fittingly wrap up tons of Disney World pictures, we bring you. . . The Kitchen Sink! This cute soda fountain at our hotel had this sundae that was every flavor of ice cream, cookie, cake, and topping they had with an entire can of whipped cream on top. All in a cute kitchen sink! When they bring it out everyone stops and they flash the lights. It's hilarious. It was a fun way to wrap things up on our last night in Florida!

Disney World VI

We went miniature golfing at the neatest place I've ever seen called Winter Summerland

Hole in one!

Checking out the tiny camper

Dad getting in on the action

One of the places where we ate let the kids decorate their own cupcakes for dessert

John thought that was really cool!

The characters are all so sweet with the babies

The Mouse himself!!!

Disney World V

The Lord has done some convicting in my heart about what I said in my last post. If He gives me something He wants me to share, He will always give me the strength to do it. I may not have the physical energy to do a lot, but I have learned some valuable things during this time. For instance, I simply can't do a day without starting it with my time with the Lord. He gives me just enough for today and I trust Him for tomorrow. He gave me a beautiful picture as He convicted me about sharing. If I am the vessel and He is filling me, all I have to do is fall down and I will spill out to give to others. When I am spending time being filled with His Presence and Power and "falling down" in humility, in praise and submission to my Lord, there is always something left to give. May He fill you with what you need today!

We took our beautiful princesses to a princess breakfast (that is my niece, Kyndall on the left)

Meeting Belle

I mean, could you just eat them up?!

Meeting Mary Poppins

I tell her every night at bedtime that she is my precious princess, my special treasure

Exploring the beautiful flower beds of England in Epcot

The only thing more beautiful than a rose? A little girl!

Two Sleeping Beauties?

Disney World IV

I'm going to be brutally honest here. I am completely worn down. So, until I have some physical and emotional energy you will find nothing here but posted pictures. No deep, wonderful thoughts or insights. The Lord is giving me those and maybe at some point there will also be enough energy to share them! Until then, hopefully you all really love seeing my kids (cause I'm sure not posting pics of me right now)!

Kailey just kept repeating, "Minnie, I love you!" over and over. You can tell how cute it was by Esel's face in the background. By the way, Esel is my youngest brother's girlfriend who was able to join us for a few days of the trip. She's adorable.

The beautiful castle at Mickey's Christmas Party

Kailey dancing with the mice at the dance party

John had this whole elaborate, imaginary thing going in Donald's boat. He tried to get every other kid that came in to play but they had no idea what he was talking about. Weird when people don't want to be told what to do.

Kailey waving at the princesses in the parade. I love the pointing fingers in half of our pictures. Just the wonder of it all to a young child!

Eating hot dogs on bleachers while watching old Goofy sports cartoons. Can you beat that?

Disney World III

Watching old Disney cartoons in the hotel lobby

Our family had Incredibles t-shirts that day. Of course, Levi had already blown his out. : )

Mike & Sully!!!

We went to a Playhouse Disney lunch. Fun!

John had the most hilarious dazed expression when he met June. She was the only one who had that effect on him!

Kailey doing some polka dancing in Germany at Epcot

Disney World II

The characters were a big deal this year. Kailey loved Piglet.

But no Tigger

This just makes me laugh. I think she only took a few bites but it looked hilarious. She was far more interested in the Toy Story Ride!

It is very difficult to get on this ride right now but Mom got us into this special after-hours thing where we could ride over and over. Here's Levi enjoying a spin.

The after-hours crew! Caitlin was sick that night. : (

Kailey and I get our picture at Minnie's house each time.

Disney World

Well, we are very pathetic over here at the Critz house and have been since before Christmas. We are trying to get well and finally coming up for air a bit so here comes my excess of Disney World pictures to overdo you until I have energy to update on everyone. I pray you are doing well as we enter 2009! I was reminded as I took down my 65+ Christmas cards from friends and family how many people God has blessed us with the opportunity to know and love! We loved hearing from each one of you!

In line for the Star Wars ride. The face says it all.

When you're about to meet Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, sometimes you just have to break dance. The expressions on the people in the background make me laugh.

This was in our hotel lobby. This is a gingerbread carousel made out of entirely edible ingredients! Beautiful!

I'm going to have to do a product review on this little find. We took three strollers but these two we connected with these stroller connectors when we needed them to be one. Worked great! This was the night Marmee and I went back with the kids while the other adults went to Cirque du Soleil. They loved it!

Coming off a little roller coaster. He rode everything they would let him on! He's just like his mom and dad - loves a thrill ride!

Buzz Lightyear - always a favorite

Our little family - the kids traveled perfectly!

The dancing lights - they're so beautiful!

John had to have his picture with the giant Kermit