Merry Christmas!

My amazing sister, Rachel, thought up this idea for a Christmas card. So silly! Josiah has a drawn on mustache and beard. He has the cutest smile on!

Tomorrow we start our journey to Sydney, Australia for 11 months. We have been preparing, it seems like, for at least a year! Downsizing, selling most of our stuff and simplifying. I love it! Seriously, I do... But I had to refocus when I saw Patrick had packed half as much as I did. Whoops! I repacked.
Trusting in God's provisions for us is what I am needing to focus on. I love the fact that we are going where we don't know anyone and don't have anything planned about where to live or what to eat, or what to wear. We can trust that God has it all under control, and is preparing things for us there! Amazing that He cares for us and the details.

Right now we are last minute scrambling to pack or store or sell everything else. We have almost sold our car, if that can happen before we leave it would be a great relief. We need the money for a down payment on a living place.

Please visit our blog for more about our trip to Sydney.
http://www.thehardyblog.com/

This is it!

happy father's day!

This is a post to recognize how wonderful my husband is.
Patrick is a patient, thoughtful, loyal and loving man.
Despite the lack of a real father in his life, God has given him insight and understanding to how precious and wonderful being a father can be.
He has always been there for our kids from day one. I had c-sections with my kids and so he has had to step up and learn to how to change their diapers, give them baths, and know how to burrito wrap them to soothe them. It seems like nothing is too difficult for him to handle!
Patrick, thank you so much for being my wonderful husband, and the best dad our kids could ask for.
We love you!

The Fear

My pastor, Nate, was speaking this past Sunday about the 'fear of God' vs. the' fear of man'. Using King Saul and King David as examples of these kinds of fear.
Saul was feared the people he was leading instead of the Lord who put him there. David feared the Lord who created the world and not the giant, Goliath.
It was a message for me.
I have been thinking about my fears in life, and God provided this message at the right time.
I've been afraid of not pleasing my family, both my husband and parents. In not anticipating his needs and putting these expectations on myself to make a perfect meal, or spending money in a way he thinks is wise.
With my parents its the same way. I want them to think nothing is wrong with my family, and whenever I'm visiting them I feel that I should do things for them and spent every minute with them.
But these expectations I put on myself just make me miserable. I set myself up for failure, every time! No wonder my plans never work.

So, i've also started reading this book by Francis Chan, 'Crazy Love'. I'm just at the beginning, the Crazy part. He is talking about how Majestic God really is, and I think that meditating on these facts is helping me understand what the fear of God really is.
He is perfect "holy, holy, holy"
He is eternal
He is all-knowing
He is all-powerful
He is fair and just

So, this is just a start but this is what I am searching for. I know it is mind blowing and overwhelming. But I need to know this about Him!

Josiah at 2 1/2 years

Josiah is also growing so fast! He is 3 feet tall and still growing!
He is finally using the words he has been hearing his whole life, and doing really good at trying to repeat, even if its not right. Its so much fun to hear him try to explain, or play with his toys.
His latest favorite words are: robot (roBOT), cookies(brrr-ootie), rino, hippo(eepo), superbutt,
chocolate milk (dada-neut).

Promise at 2 months

If there is any truth to what you see in your child's behavior as a baby is a foreshadowing the future, here is what I know about Promise:
She is quick to complain or share here opinion
She is also quickly appeased (just give her a hug).
Very social, always smiling at the person talking to her.
loves to be a part of what is going on!
At 2 months Promise is 11 pounds, in the 75th percentile! Nice and fat!

hi- ya!

Josiah loves the movie kungfu panda, and so whenever he sees a panda he says 'hi-ya!' Promise is wearing a super cute panda outfit, and Josiah is thinking she is so cool!

brother and sister

hardy family newsletter '09

This has been a whirlwind year. God has been preparing us for a big change and things have changed. We moved twice this year, we lost Patrick's mother, we were blessed with a baby girl, and we celebrated our 5 year anniversary! One verse that has given us hope and faith that God has a plan for our good is Jeremiah 29:11. " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord ' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.' "

Patrick and I have always felt that Redding, CA is a temporary home, knowing that anywhere we go God has provided a family for us. The reality of 'temporary' caught up to us this summer when Patrick's mom was murdered by her ex-husband. This was a very difficult situation that we are still in the grieving process, no one was prepared for her untimely death. Pamela Jean Hardy (Panzeca) was a wonderful mother and grandmother. I am missing her now that we have another baby who will never know the love and care that Pam gave so generously. However, we are relieved that no one can ever hurt her again, and she is with her Lord and Saviour in Paradise. Praise the Lord! That is what gives us peace and hope through our pain and confusion.

With this new understanding of 'temporary' we are gearing up for spending the year in Australia so that Patrick can attend the worship ministry school at Hillsong in Sydney. We would leave January of 2011, and so this year we are researching and saving up enough funds. We are excited and ready for a new adventure with our two children in tow!

This past year Josiah, our oldest turned 2. He is really into playing the drums, he bangs on our homemade drums, which are cookie tins, all day long if I let him. Sunday's are his favorite because he gets to watch and sometimes play the drums on stage at our church. He sits there while they practice and just watches the drummer for as long as possible. I am truly amazed that God gives us passions and talents from birth. There are many little boys Josiah's age at our church which he loves playing with. My theory is that he will be the friend who eggs on the kids getting into trouble because when his friends do something naughty he just laughs at them encouragin their behavior! Josiah is also learning how to share mommy with baby sister, Promise Joy.

Well, the newest member of our family was just born a few weeks ago on November 24th, two days before thanksgiving. She was 6 lbs 8oz, blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks a lot like Josiah when he was born. My family was able to make it up for part of the week to be with us, they really helped me out, and mom made a really delicious thanksgiving meal! What a great day to come home from the hospital! Promise is eating and growing really well. I'm so thankful that she is a normal happy healthy baby.

Thank you all for your prayers and support this past year, we really appreciate and feel the love you give, even though you may be far away.
Also, please pray about supporting us financially for our year in Australia. I will be sending out a support letter that will give you more details about our trip.

May God give you His peace through this New Year! Blessings! We love you.
Bethany, Patrick, Josiah and Promise.

Promise Joy

So, I've got a few pictures of our sweet little girl.
She was born Tuesday Nov. 24th. weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces. She has blonde hair and greyish eyes. (I'm thinking they will be blue.) I'm really happy with how well she eats.
Josiah is doing better than I expected with the transition. Sometimes its hard for him to share mommy and to wait, but he helps me a lot.
My recovery is going great! Which has helped me to have more time with baby and Josiah. We all take naps in the afternoon and that also helps!
Josiah finally got a hair cut! Right now he really loves playing with cars.

Its Fall!

This is a season of change, even though we are waiting, we are looking forward to what God is showing us for the future.
"we can make plans, but it is God who determines our steps" (proverbs)

Josiah's 2nd birthday just passed and I am reminded of all the things God put on my heart for him when he was born and even before we were pregnant. Josiah was promised to us by God and so I need to remember that and not let worries creep into my mind and heart about Josiah. I've been praying for God's supernatural creativity to be on all my children, and Patrick. I want to empower my kids to use their talents and passions for God's glory.

God is our god of Peace! I have just put all the pieces of my life together and realized that He has always given me supernatural Peace. I knew this but not in the understanding I have now. I always pray for peace, and I see that He knew I needed it before I was born. Such a wonderful revelation.

The morning service at the Stirring had its one year anniversary! Things are moving fast and going rather well! God has His hand on our little church here and we are now looking to buy a building! WOW!
Nate's messages on "under the Chuppah" is so powerful because it is what God wants to say in our lives, that ALL our relationships need to have Him there! This was His intention from the beginning. (listen to the podcasts)
Life group is going well. I have a nice small group of girls, all at different stages in life and so it makes it interesting and we are able to encourage and support each other. I am loving that we are talking about all the "taboo" subjects now. Lets cut through the B.S. and really get to the heart issues! Yeah! (the words "pumped' and "stoked" come to mind)

Lastly, this baby is coming soon! About 6 weeks left! I am ready for this child to be out of me.
I am praying for things to go smoothly and that I will have God's supernatural peace once again. NO matter what!

major update! (and pics)

I know it has been a very long time since I've blogged, I was talking to some other mom's about this and they have the same problem I have.... less time on the computer because our children are getting older.

But! Josiah is still asleep this morning! (WOW) and it is almost 9am. This is a good morning, no one screaming and whining because they want juice.

So, we have had a wild summer so far! Just this past spring we moved to a house on the west side of Redding, we went to a wedding in sacramento where Josiah was the ringbearer.

I was so excited for my little man!

Then we has a few hot weeks of summer in Redding and going to pools and trying to stay cool.

The new baby in me is growing and I'm feeling good!

Then we get the horrible news about Patrick's mom and her ex and we flew out about 5 hours after to Ohio. That day was crazy for Patrick because he had gotten up at 5 am to get work done that day and then didn't sleep until 6am the next day! We were in so much shock, and I was definitely in denial, it still doesn't seem real.

However, we got to spend a lot of time with family and that was a blessing. We made some deeper connections and has some good talks. My Aunt and Uncle from Michigan, and a cousin were able to drive down for a few days, and that was nice for me to have family that I am close to but hardly see supporting me and my family.

Is anyone else laughing?!

These are just some random thoughts about what I have been learning and what I've been up to.

I've been babysitting a little boy about 4 months older than Josiah and the 1st week he was pooping every hour on the hour for 6-7 hours! I was really getting concerned until I found out he was given a laxative. hmmm...... He is going normally now.

I like to watch the talk show Ellen because she has her audience do these funny games. Did anyone see the blindfolded cracker eating, then whistling contest? Or the nylon ball twister? I want us to do this at the women's retreat coming up! (April 3-5) Whos up for a challenge?!



God has been opening my eyes, through Josiah and the boy I am watching, to how gracious He is to me. He has a lot of patience with me, and I don't always have patience with the people around me. hmmm....

I've been reading some good encouraging blogs from other mom's around the country. I love hearing that I'm not alone as a mom of a boy, and that I don't need to worry about being a 'good mom', but focus on being a 'godly woman'. That was exactly what I needed to hear today. =)

The boys are so cute, especially when they are doing something naughty! Why is that? I fight with myself not to crack up, but they are both learning so much. I'm really proud about the progress they have made in just a few weeks! Josiah is repeating words more, he is also starting to do as I say. The boy I am watching has also grown in using his words when he is unhappy with something (Josiah stealing his toys). I wasn't expecting him to change this quickly but I am quickly learning that I do not know everything!

My big boy!

the new year

Well, I know I haven't blogged in a while.... I just have too much to say sometimes.
Ok, so these past months have been eventful! we got some great gifts for Christmas and are very happy to be God's children because He loves to bless us! (can I get a whoot whoot!)

We also just got back from a fun trip to Ohio. I know what you are thinking... COLD! But I really miss the cold sometimes, and I really liked being cold enough to need lots of warm cozy sweaters, socks and blankets.=)
Patrick has loads of pictures of the trip. It always suprises me to find people who we connect with in different places. Plus, we always learn so much about family from our families, which leads to learning more about ourselves. I love both sides of my family and am so thankful for wonderful doting grandmothers for Josiah. ( like he doesn't get spoiled enough from us and our friends).
Another reason I enjoy trips with Josiah is that he crosses growth milestones during them. A few examples, 1st laugh, pulled up and stood, stopped breastfeeding, and this time he started really repeating words. So, he is saying 'apple', 'hi',and 'wow'.

Ok, so I got a sewing machine for Christmas, so if anyone loves being creative with sewing, let me know... I would love to have some fun projects to do. Right now, I just know about sewing quilting blocks together.
I guess that is all I can think of right now....
Later!

inspiration

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6406164
(You have to go here for the video.)


I love the faith of this guy (Craig Gross) and his family! Patrick and I have a few of his books and we have the Bible that says "Jesus loves porn stars". I think that what he is doing is what Jesus wants us to be doing here in this world. We need to love those who are uncomfortable for us to love....'the sick'. That is who Jesus came for...we all need Him.
I think that in my world the people I need to love is my neighbors. Just because they are different than me.... or they smoke doesn't mean I can't show them Jesus through my actions. It is Christmas and I should be showing them love somehow. Hmmm.... how shall I do this. Any ideas?

christmas cookies

So, I have found the cookie I can make amazing everytime....Peanut Butter Blossoms! Thats right, the ones with the Hershey kiss on top. YUM!
Patrick really loves cookies, in general, but especially ones made for him.
Tomorrow night we are having a little party and we are going to make the sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. For me they are so much fun to make, because I can put in all the details that I want.
So, Patrick and I have been talking about making our own traditions for Christmas, mainly, we just like being with people... but I really want to have something special to do together as a family like.... caroling around the neighborhood, handing out goodies, getting together to make crafts/ornaments. I don't know... we can't really decide on any one thing.

Poll: What does your family do together at Christmas?

end to blogging silence!

(This is a picture of him as a cowboy for Holloween)



So I have been sitting back and watching myself and the other mom's I hang with and what I think is so interesting is that God is always teaching us about ourselves through our kids, and we are so amazed at how our kids grow and learn. Its so simple and obvious but it has really just struck me.
Like every little thing that Josiah is doing that is new is so wonderful!
Lately, he has been turning around, saying "dada" to almost everything, says "no" and "yeah".
He also understand a lot more than I give him credit for. He can throw and catch a small ball, and he can open books to "read". Its so cute him sitting there and reading aloud, he says "dou-dou di da" Oh, he can also curl his tongue!
Everyone is always telling me how cute his facial expressions are, and that he is such a good little boy. This always encourages me especially when he is teething and has turned into a little terror!
He just runs around the house literally tearing things apart and pulling things out of where they need to be. His favorite places to wreak havoc is the trash and the toilet. No matter how much I reprimand him or give him a swat on his booty, he keeps up the reign of terror! Aaaah! Those are the nights Patrick takes us out to dinner or just deals with chicken nuggets. =)

My delieverer

I'm in the middle of putting up pics and figuring out how to sell my jewelry online, via my blog so keep checking, but in the meantime I thought I'd share a little of what God has been doing in my life.
I have realized that He is my Deliverer. By this I mean that I can look back and see that in every twist and turn He has Delivered me....And I can remember back to when I was in Preschool!
I am just struck with the reality of who He is and who He wants to be in my life.

Its hard because one of the gifts I have is compassion, and this gift, like all other gifts, is great when used correctly but incorrectly I become overwhelmed and very anxious to the point of panic attacks. I don't have panic attacks anymore and I have learned how to control the feeling of anxiety and worry. However I am still worrisome, and I have to constantly give them to the Lord.
So, that is why He has constantly shown me to be my Supernatural Deliverer.

I really identify with the character in the book "the secret life of bees" May. She is very compassionate to the point of being so overwhelmed she gets out of touch with reality.
She takes on the world's hurt just like they are her own. This is a good example for me to know what can happen if I let my gift become too overwhelming for me.

adventures in babysitting

I was thinking about all the random, crazy things that happened to me while babysitting through the years.
-waking up from a nap on the couch to see the 2 year old, that I thought was sleeping, with poopy hands inches from my face.
-getting locked out of the house, with the kids, that I was babysitting at for the first time.
-making mac and cheese without measuring cups and making it too wet, and the kids were not happy.
- misunderstanding the lady I was sitting for and made the kids a sandwich with rancid meat.
- having to wait, scared, in a dark mansion for the parents to be home because the kids were in bed and I didn't want to go through the many rooms turning on lights, that is how horror movies start!
-playing hide and go seek (during the day) in the same mansion with secret doors and two basements (one was a ballroom)
- being nervous about meeting a new family I was going to babysit, then realizing that is was the drummer from the Counting Crows, and his wife a supermodel! ( I was so nervous to meet that family... You know I had to wear something cool!)
Anyway, that is all I can think of right now...