A Visit From Papa and Mimi

This weekend we had a special visit from Mike and Mary Lou / Papa and Mimi (Ross' dad and stepmom). While they were here they rented a house that was big enough for all of us to stay in, so it was like we were on vacation too (except the school and work thing :-). Two days were spent skiing -  one at Blacktail Mountain (our local mountain) and one at Whitefish or "Big Mountain"(about 45 minutes away). Both days were super fun. At Blacktail, the kids skied with us, so they got to see Selah's skills on the blues, Kiera's skills on the greens (all the way down without any falling!!!) and Mason working the learning slope. Selah and Papa went off skiing together for a while, because Mimi and I were too tired to keep going :-)  Big Mountain was fun too, and it named that for a reason! You can go to the "summit" and ski down 3 different faces! I was so tired after that full day of skiing that I wasn't good for much of anything that evening.  The weather was great - it snowed all day and there was untracked powder at least 2-3 feet high back in the trees. That might sound nice to some of you - and it was for Ross - but it wasn't for me. I tried to follow Ross and just ended up having to dig myself out of feet of powder every minute or so :-) Bright side? I was super warm after all that digging!

Also while they were here, we toured Whitefish, Bigfork, Kalispell and Lakeside. They took a campus tour of the YWAM base, dined in the YWAM cafeteria :-), cooked us a super yummy Sunday night dinner, did a big puzzle and just enjoyed being together. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

First morning at Glacier Perks Coffee - Kiera, Papa, Mimi and Mason

Mason holding one of the Hudson's bunnies

"Dapper Mason" - Papa helped him get dressed and combed his hair,  he knew he looked good!

Family picture

Mimi and Kiera snuggling one morning

Mason trying on boots at Murdoch's

The kids acting like bears with the big bear

Mason with his leash on about to go out for a test run with daddy

Ross at Big Mountain

Classic ski lift picture

Ross' icy beard

You can take dog sled rides and the dogs were out for promo. They were so sweet! Made me want to go for a ride.

So, I realize I didn't do a great job taking pictures while they were here, but you get the jist - skiing, coffee, snuggling - it was a great visit. We were all sad when it was time for them to go home.

Prayer Requests - 3/20/13

Prayer Requests 3/20/13
1. This weekend. I'm going to Atlanta for a wedding, Ross is here with the kids and he is considering moving us this weekend while I am gone. While I think that would be great for me, I think Ross will need prayers and help to do this with just him and the kids :-)

2. Housing - that this place we are moving into would work out well AND that a base house would open up quickly so we can move back to the base and have a more permanent home.

3. God - that I would make time with God a priority.

4. Kiddos - that I would spend more intentional time with the kids. Now that Selah is in school most of the day and Kiera goes to preschool and then sometimes a playdate, I feel like I don't see them much. Also, that I would be consistent with them, I've been slack lately and it is only hurting me :-)

Thank you to all who are praying. Please send me your prayer requests too! (lane_lackey@yahoo.com)

From 3/6/13
1. Housing - that a place would open up, wisdom in knowing what the right housing solution is for us as a family. We have a place to live!!! I'll post pictures next week after we move in, but for now I will say that it is a small 3 bedroom cabin about 20 minutes away from the base (bummer), but it is on 8 acres of land in the middle of the woods and at the top of a high hill - it should be an amazing place to spend the summer.

2. Potty Training - I just found out that Mason can't go to preschool until May (3 years old) AND potty trained. So, praying that by May, he will be fully potty trained!!! Also, that I will have patience through this process. This boy is potty trained!!! I'm still a little nervous when I take him out in public with his (Thomas the Train) underpants, but he hasn't had an accident in a week and he is doing so well! Yeah! 

3. Patience - for me :-)

• Patience with potty training Mason - YES!
• Patience living in a dorm - Only a few more days.
• Patience not getting to work at 100 Fold as much as I would like - not until May - So busy right now that it isn't an issue.

4. Anxiety - I can get completely overwhelmed and consumed with the little things and then I am ineffective with my kids, my friends and in my marriage. Please pray that God would show me how to deal with a list of things to do - that they wouldn't define me, they wouldn't consume me, they would simply be a guiding tool. - These prayers are working! A few days ago I felt the anxiety creeping in, but it didn't grab hold - YEAH! I keep thinking that things will settle down in a few more weeks, but knowing us, I don't believe that anymore :-)

Life As Usual / Prayer Requests

Hello Friends!
I don't have any new pictures, so I know the blog won't be as interesting today, but I just thought I'd write and say hello! Ski lessons this weekend went really well. Selah is skiing on her own, she just needs help with the lifts, Kiera made amazing progress by staying for her entire lesson and then skiing down the main slope and going on the lift with Ross multiple times. Mason even got in on the action and went down the main slope and lift a few times with daddy. It might be my turn this weekend, but I feel so limited when on my snowboard, that I'm not sure if I'll go with them or not.

We are still trucking along in the dorm room, but making the most of being on the campus with our friends, the cafeteria, 100 Fold and the gym super close.

I wanted to thank everyone who has been praying for us. We've felt the love :-) Also, we would really like to be praying specifics for you - would you send me a text or email with any prayer requests? God ties us all together as brothers and sisters in Christ and we feel that especially when we are praying for each other - understanding each others struggles and needs and celebrating as God faithfully answers.

Thank you for your prayers. I am so encouraged to already see how God is answering prayers, even when it feels like nothing is changing, this is a good exercise to be reminded that He is working, He is present, He is good. So good!

Prayer Request Update:
From 2/24/13
1. Housing - still a need. There are one or two places in Lakeside that are $200-300 more a month than we feel comfortable paying. There are places more in the price range that we want, but they are 25 minutes away from 100 Fold and the kids school... So, we need housing, but we also need wisdom in choosing a place.

2. Heath - Ross is healthy!!! YEAH!!!

3. Health - Mason's belly is better! Lots of Pedialyte and probiotics and his is so much better! Which means that potty training has officially started - AGAIN!

From 3/6/13
1. Housing - that a place would open up, wisdom in knowing what the right housing solution is for us as a family.

2. Potty Training - I just found out that Mason can't go to preschool until May (3 years old) AND potty trained. So, praying that by May, he will be fully potty trained!!! Also, that I will have patience through this process.

3. Patience - for me :-)

• Patience with potty training Mason
• Patience living in a dorm
• Patience not getting to work at 100 Fold as much as I would like - not until May

4. Anxiety - I can get completely overwhelmed and consumed with the little things and then I am ineffective with my kids, my friends and in my marriage. Please pray that God would show me how to deal with a list of things to do - that they wouldn't define me, they wouldn't consume me, they would simply be a guiding tool.