need I say more?

The daddy's hands that hold tight!

The Next Generation of Pederson's

My Sister in Christ, a dear friend, and a bit of a daughter ... Andrea

She and I

She is quiet and thoughtful

I am more outspoken, sometimes without thinking

She loves well and so do I

She is compassionate and caring always asking tough questions

I too am compassionate and caring but I don't always go deep enough to ask the tough questions

          She is slight in frame and light in color of hair

          I am a bit bigger and the color Grey shows I am older

She is a bit on the unorganized side but always sees the big picture

I am sometimes obsessed with being organized and

I love to write and know the details


She and I love coffee that does not taste like coffee and we both are fans of carmel although She is a bigger fan than I

We both love to read

          She is content with being single

          I am very content being married

She has a spiritual depth to her learning and is athletic 

I have a love for learning and like long walks and bike rides

A few shots

 

A Morning in the sun

 

First Vikings Game for the "boy cousins"

 

Love this "little new generation" of Pederson's

 

 

Here's a couple of the big boys and the little boys in our family

 

Uncharted Territory!

I didn't understand the why of our daughter Kelley when she came to Terry and I more than a year ago and said she wanted to be a surrogate .... whoa ... totally new territory for both my husband and I but .... like some adventures we have been on with each of our kids, this one posed new territory that created reluctance in our minds and hearts . All we could think about was: we are going to walk through a pregnancy with her and not be grandparents? Was this the right thing to do? How would this impact her 3 children? We had a lot of questions and we were not necessarily embracing this territory. Yet with all uncharted paths and decisions our adult children make that we don't always agree with we give them over and over to the Lord!

And He has done great things through this experience!

Particularly in my heart .....as I trusted all my concerns to Him especially the concern of physically carrying twins, all the complications that come with that both for moms and children and quite honestly a lot of what if's? With some fear and not as much faith I went to a good friend and ministry partner and said, "I don't even know how to pray" .... this was a surprise to me, coming out of my mouth, the one who often prays and knows what it means to pray for:

His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven 

My friend suggested I pray a prayer of protection so .... that's what I began to do over 9 months ago and He has done great things:

Bristol: girl on the left you can tell by the bow

Miles: boy and the second twin born thought

 to be bigger and even looks a bit bigger than his sister but not  

more than 16 pounds of health, beauty, and a double blessing

 

 

Here's the story of what God did a bond between a surrogate mom and a birth mom ....
you can read Kelley's story here:


http://saidkelley.com/a-surrogates-birth-story/

This writing is not mine but every so powerful of a reminder to me!

This is not my writing but ... It's Ann's over here
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

I love what it says and I wished I had written it and I want to remember this about love especially when I think about how to love the golfer well and extra especially now this month of August 2013 when we will soon celebrate 40 years of marriage!

I know I don't always show this kind of love to my husband but it is a good reminder to me that I desire to serve him as I live out the gospel daily! Really nothing is more attractive than sacrifice!

"There are no standing lovers: the only way to love is to lay down.
Lay down plans.
Lay down agendas.
Lay down self.
Love is always the laying down.
This is how to make love out of a marriage: Love lays down it’s own wants to lift up the will of another.
Love lets go of its plans — to hold on to a person.
This is the passion of Christ.
Ours is the romanced universe. For God so loved, He gave….
A good marriage isn’t about reliving a good movie, but reliving the Good News.
Nothing is more attractive than sacrifice."

The Golfer and the Oldest Grandson

 

Salad in a jar

Ok here's me in the kitchen this summer. This is my daughter's idea and it's a great one for summer and for me who doesn't always like to spend a lot of time making lunch and / or dinner.

 

 

 

As you can see I line up a total of 10 mason jars: 5 for the golfer and 5 for me. Prior to filling them I purchase a bunch of Trader Joe's boneless, skinless chicken breast. First, I wash it, poke it with a fork, and rub it with vinaigrette Italian herb olive oil, salt and pepper and sometimes a bit of bacon bacon and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Next, the golfer is kind enough to fire up the grill and cook the chicken. Then, it's time to get ready all the salad ingredients chopped and ready to put it.

Layer

dressing

broccoli slaw

any and every vegetable (no cucs or tomatoes they are too wet) you feel like adding

we both like red onions and the golfer likes mushrooms

hard-boiled eggs

cheese

spinach

romaine (pack it tight)

lid on the jar and presto

5 lunches / dinners for the week

 

 

 

1 hour later and in the fridge,

5 on top for the tall golfer and

5 on the bottom for shorter one, me ....

1 hour in the kitchen. Really. 

 

 



A couple of recent journal entries (take notice of the dates and times)

Sunday, July 28, 2013 7:30 am

Oh Father, thank you that Adam and Renee are in Your hands as you go before them in the birth of baby Beckett. We love You and we want the best for all, Give each of them peace, protection and health according to Your will. We rejoice that You have made each of us in Your image and You've known this day before any of us were born.

The Pederson Boys



 Also, Father be present with Kelley, as she is struggling physically and emotionally as she carries the twins soon to be born for Amy and Eric. I pray for peace, protection and health for Kelley and the twins. Help each of us navigate the emotions of carrying the twins and then passing them on to Amy and Eric. Father, I trust you! Thank You Father that everything comes from You; everything exists by Your power and is intended for Your Glory ....
Romans 11:36



3:30 pm

Bring Beckett safely from Renee's womb Psalm 22:9 and lead Beckett to trust you and know you. Be Beckett's God now from the moment he is born. As Adam and Renee walk with you with integrity; Blessed are their children after them. 
Proverbs 20:7

 

And then there were 3

Beckett Brady Pederson

6 lbs, 12 oz 20 and 1/2 inches long

at 7:19 pm Sunday, July 28, 2013

 

 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 11:30 am

 

Oh Father, so many things going on in my head .... help me have the mind of Christ today. Thank you Father "that you do not ignore the suffering of the needy ... that You have not turned and walked away. Thank You that you listen to our cries for help. "

Psalm 22:24 



Gotta love date day!

 

 

One of the beautiful things I love about summer break is I have more time to spend with family and friends. This summer I made plans to keep most of my Friday's free so I could go for donuts with Kelley, Ashley and the grand kids.

 

At the end of donuts I usually take one of the 3 grand kids who live in the cities for the day. Last Friday was Pru's turn and we found this awesome sink to go with the oven we already had. As you can see Pru was enjoying her time washing dishes after we ate lunch on the little dishes.

 

Pru is the one who reminds me when I have all the kids that I am not babysitting but rather grand-sitting. This is a term I coined when I explained to the kids one day they were not babies anymore.

 

Although ... our family is looking forward to having a new grand baby (baby boy Beckett)soon. I am especially looking forward to time with all the kids and grand kids coming up in August when Jacob and Carrie join us for a week. We have been blessed to use the cabin of some good friends from church. Not that I am counting but .... it is just a month away! Yea!