So long 2010

The Pellerin's 2010 year in review! Peter and I celebrated 11 years!
We were in Maine on Oct 1 this year celebrating the wedding of my sister Christine. It was so awesome to be back "home".

Hannah had so many changes. The first year of life is so exciting because every day brings new changes. Hannah went from rolling over to running this past year. She's talking a lot! She can definitely make her will known. She loves her baby dolls, her little purse and her family.

Isaiah turned 10 this year! That just seems like a huge milestone! He has done so many new sports I think it's hard for him to say which is is favorite, golf, soccer, tennis, and basketball. He's grown SO much. He's up to my chin. It won't be long before I am looking up at him.

Elijah is still hysterical. He's always got a one liner to crack you up. Elijah lost 4 teeth this year! His two big front teeth are in and it just changes his whole look. He's growing up! Elijah loves taking art and guitar lessons every week. He is a very talented kid.

This past year I also lost my amazing Grandmother, I called her Gram. I still can't believe it will be one year in March. I miss her so much. I have caught myself many times wanting to call her, send a postcard, or just knowing she's always there. It's been an emotional time adjusting to her passing. I think it just speaks to how much she meant to me that life without her here is felt so greatly. I am so thankful for the sweet memories and love we shared for each other.

We've had ups and downs, laughs and tears, triumphs and defeats but it has been without qustion another year of God's goodness and blessings in our lives. It would be so wrong of me not to give Him glory for all things. He has been ever faithful to us. I can say with full confidence that 2011 will be another year of His provision, and steadfastness. So bring it on!

Reflecting on the small things

A few days back our pastor asked us to share on Sunday morning our testimony of what God has done in our lives this past year. If any of you know my husband speaking in front of tons of people is probably his least favorite thing to do in the whole world. For me, I don't mind speaking in front of 100 little kids but adults are a different story. And to be completely honest and raw with you all we both felt discouraged and defeated as of late.

So since writing behind a computer screen is so much easier than standing in front of a crowd of people....this is what I would have said.

Sometimes when I reflect on what God is doing in our lives I want to have something BIG. . I want stories of healing, a talking fiery bush, or maybe even a stroll on top of the water. Or I hear about God calling people to the misson field or to some great ministry and I think "Wow I wish God would do a work like that in us" So thinking back over this past year I was looking for something HUGE to share with you to prove to you how BIG our God is. But instead what I found a track record of faithfulness and small things. I was reminded of the story and the verse in Zechariah 4. The temple is being rebuilt and the foundation is being laid. It had a very small start, nothing in comparison to Solomons temple. But it was a work of the Lord nonetheless

Zech 4:9 "The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth."

I realized with God there are no small things, because He sees the whole picture. Anything He is in is Big . So for my family and for me personally God has done lots of seemly"small things" that have added up to a great work.

When we lived in Maine we prayed to be closer to fellowship. The closest we ever got was about a 45min to an hour drive. And we thought every mile was worth the trip. But I do remember praying to move closer. We wanted to be knitted together as close as we could with other believers. But now in His will and His time He has moved us 3000 miles to Lynden WA to be part to Calvary Creekside and from our door step here to the church is 6 min. This year He answered that prayer of years ago.Now it may not be how I thought He would have answered it but I am so grateful. His ways are not our ways.

For our family this time last year it was our first Christmas in Washington. We still felt like outsiders. I remembering praying "Lord just give me one close friend" And "bless my children with friendships of their own" It was so hard to watch my kids miss Maine and watch them try to adjust to their new surroundings. And He has answered exceedingly abundantly. We don't feel so alone anymore. Strangers have become friends and in turn those friends have become our family. Our families have shared sweet fellowship and God is knitting us together. So this Christmas felt more like home. Math 7:11 says If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him. Being part of a fellowship here is a good thing.


God has also allowed Peter and I to serve in the k-1 class. And this may be a really small thing to some but it is a constant reminder how personal the Lord is because He truly does give you the desire of your heart. We love being there with those children teaching them about Jesus. They bring such joy into our lives and it is humbling that the Lord would allow us to be a part in their lives to point them to Christ. It's amazing to me because I prayed for just one friend and He has filled our lives with a whole classroom full of little friends, again exceedingly abundantly above what could have asked.


My Grandmother passed away this year. I was very close to her and I still struggle not having her here. One of things I have struggled with for a long time is FEAR, specifically a fear of flying. I dreaded every time Peter uttered the words "I need to fly for work" My stomach would be in knots convinced the plane was going down. And I would NEVER get on a plane. When we moved to Washington I realized I might have to face that fear. How else would I get back to see people? When my Grandmother passed away, it was time for God to deal with that fear. I needed to go home. I wanted to go. But the fear was so great it made me physically ill. A sweet friend of mine told me "You will need to pray that God either takes away your fear or that He walks you through it" Not only did I board the plane but I did so with my 5 month old Hannah, just us. I will tell you that when you truly experience the peace that surpasses our own understanding, you know where it's coming from. Because when I sat down in that seat, with tears still streaming down my face, it was an instant peace. I was totally at peace. The reason was because I let go and trusted His will. Whatever was to happen was His plan and it was awesome. I have flown back to Maine twice this past year. And that is so amazing to me. Deliverance from fear is FREEDOM.

For me personally this year has been met with peaks and valleys, answered prayer and waiting, deep sorrow, and incredible joy, victories and defeats, mercy and chastening, basically I am a work in progress. I am mindful of Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. I am also reminded to be thankful for days of the small things. All things both big and small are part of His plan.

Merry Merry Christmas Morning

And it seems over in the blink of an eye. We actually had to wake the boys up this morning. Hannah got sick of waiting for them. But it was a fun filled morning. It's so fun to see the excitement on their faces. It's amazing to think back on all the Christmas past and to see how much each of them have grown and changed. Waiting for the kids.
Hannah and the perfect sized kitchen. She loves this. She spend a long time flipping a plastic hamburger.

The boys are totally pumped about their ripstix.

Hannah and her baby ....looks like it's almost time for a nap little Bear.

The gifts the boys had on the top of their lists this year.
Hannah's second favorite (her first is her baby) BOOKS
Peter opening his new espresso machine. And my gift was being his personal barrister for the morning.
Hannah loves the blanket I got from Peter's mom. She says "Dada, Mama, Isaiah, Elijah and BABY...(that's for herself)
AHHHH she brings a tear to my eye. I love her!

Oil Pastels

The boys finished up this month art class with these beautiful poinsettia oil pastels. They were so proud to show me their work. They love the art wall we've created in our entryway hallway. It's a showcase of all the work they have done. I will need to find some nice frames for these before they go up. But they will look fabulous on the wall. Elijah's Work
Isaiah's work

Homeschool Christmas Party

What happens when you have a group of amazing homeschool families at Christmastime? You have an amazing Christmas party. There was pizza, cookies, crafts and Christmas music in the background. So many kids so much fun. It was actually hard to capture everything with a camera but here are some highlights.


These were so cute. They were pop up Christmas decorations. The kids had so much fun designing their own Christmas scenes.

Decorating a goodie bag to bring home all their goodies!

Popsicle stick friends. Isaiah and Elijah made me each a snowman!

MORE PIZZA!

Where's Hannah? She loved being part of this day!

Reading a story about the true meaning of Christmas. Then they decorated cookies that symbolize a part of the Christmas story.

Look at baby bear holding her marker and making her bag. Yes I let my 1 year old use a marker.

So Hannah was very very quiet and we soon found out why. She stumbled upon a plate of decorated cookies and helped herself. Luckily the owner of the cookies was not upset and let her finish off the angel one. She made such a mess.

And the winner is...

The winner of my first blog giveaway by usuing random number generator is...

Little Blessings Farm!

Congratulations!

You will be receiving a "in your honor card" in the mail soon.

Jingle Bell Race 2010 Bellingham

My sweet friend Melinda and I did this years 4 mile Jingle Bell Race for Arthritis in Bellingham. It was so much fun. We've been running together for a few weeks getting ready for today's race. It's been a blast. I had my own time I wanted to beat 33:30 and I came in at 32:29. Melinda did awesome! She really just started running and she came in at 35:30....there were MANY runners behind her. I am sure we'll be back again next year. Don't you love our tights?
Showing 32 for my time of 32:20 and 35 for her time of 35:30...we round DOWN!