Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 All throughout the scriptures, there is a constant  rhythm  of Christ calling us unto Himself.  This call is a personal invitation for us to abide in Him and with Him.  It can no longer be the faith of our fathers and our grandfathers.  We must choose to abide in the hope and love that He offers for ourselves.  We choose to accept His sacrifice and His saving grace extended to the Gentiles and to all the nations of the world. Christ came as a babe to raise us as spiritual sons of Abraham. The root of Jesse was birthed from the defeated stump to bring life and stand as a beacon to the nations. Let us come once more in to awe and reverence of the Lord Christ's entry in to this world. With this second candle, we light it in honor of the hope that burns bright in our hearts.  It is filled with visions of peace on earth and the lion and the bear living in harmony with the ox and ...

Last year we started the tradition of celebrating the advent season in our home with the lighting of an advent wreath.  This year, we desire to grow that tradition and share it with you as we journey through this season of advent.  Each Sunday evening we will post our family's interpretations of our own advent liturgy based upon the Revised Common Lectionary readings for this year.   (A note from Jim: We're choosing to read the RCL in the spirit of dwelling in the same Word as millions of believers all over the world who follow this tradition. We'll all be sharing the same Word and awaiting the same King.)  We read these words aloud as a family and sang the song below.  Please feel free to join us and share any thoughts you may have as we journey towards the manger together. ************** Scriptures: Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 The season of Advent is a time of preparation and remembrance. We come together to remembe...

I have often said that I find God in the changing of the seasons.  I see the correlations between the seasons of our lives and the earthly seasons.  For this reason I am so glad to live in a place that has such beautiful season changes. Today as I looked out on the final beautiful leaves that are lingering, I recognize that again with the seasons, the Nally family again is entering a new season.  We have lots going on that we haven’t shared with many just yet (And, no,  I'm  not pregnant :P) .  I will begin to share more in the coming days.  Today I will share the first bit of news with you... I have accepted a new position and begin in two weeks on December 5th.  I am joining the team at the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care ( TIPQC.org ).  Their main purpose is to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants in Tennessee.  They do this through bringing together Obstetricians, Neonatolog...

Well hello! It's almost been 6 months since I posted! That is truly crazy. Our life has been one adventure after the next lately. Sarah really came into her toddler self after her birthday and we haven't stopped moving since. She is now walking/running, talking (only a handful of words still), fascinated by all things, shows strong preferences and opinions and is so incredibly smart. She follows commands, knows what "Let's go change your diaper" means and "Are you hungry for breakfast?" She LOVES brushing her teeth and is getting more teeth every day! She's doing very well in school and is just a general joy to be around. Sarah is around 20 lbs currently and has moved into the 18 month clothing sizes with just a couple 12 month items lingering in the wardrobe. I'm constantly amazed at how "normal" she seems, and no one asks why she's so tiny anymore. I don't have to explain that she was a preemie, because when I ...

My dear sweet, inquisitive Sarah, A year ago, I was very sick and I didn't even know it.  When the doctor told me that I was going to have you that night I was very scared.  I was terrified that I would lose you.  I didn't get to meet you on your birthday, or even the day after.  Everything happened so very quickly and yet time stood still.  I thank God every day for the medical team that rallied around you and me to make sure we both were healthy and strong.  I often wish I could go and show you off to the nurses in the NICU and to the doctors who helped you.  You truly are a miracle baby. We have had quite a year together as a family of three.  You are incredibly intelligent and inquisitive. Nothing gets by your watchful eye.  You must explore everything and are always happier when you are outside and on the move.  I must say, I think your daddy may have found a little camping and hiking buddy. People tease me for taking so ...

Sickness has hit the Nally home.  Thursday I left work early to get a check up.  I was hoping it was just a sinus infection, and the doctor gave me a prescription of Tamiflu and told me to stay away from work until Monday.  Friday I stayed home and sent Sarah on to daycare.  She had a cold for almost two weeks, but it had been clearing up.  Friday night we were up all night with Sarah.  She was up about every hour or two.  She went almost 15 hours before she ate or drank anything had had a fever over 101.  The fever has since come down and subsided.  But she's still not eating regularly, still not accepting a paci, or really putting much of anything in her mouth. She's taken quite a bit of pedialyte and kept it down, but anything to do with formula, she really doesn't want it.  I'm not sure if she's nauseous and the milk is upsetting it further or what.....  We are going to go to the doctor as soon as they can get her in tomorrow....

Well we survived!  We got up with our alarms, got dressed before the baby got up.  Fed her, and all were out the door before 8am.  I know that may sound silly, but definitely not something we've been used to.  (I know... all of you that do this every day are welcome to groan now...) Sarah seemed to adjust to daycare mostly well.  I didn't officially shed a tear (though a couple tried to escape), so hopefully it will continue to get easier.  Right now she is one of only two full time children at her day care and the other girl left quite a bit earlier than she did today.  The only thing I don't really like about the day care is that it's so much further from my job than I would like. The only little issue we had was that she was being extra finicky eating.  She's normally not consistent in her eating, but was extra bad today.  She only had a couple of ounces at her morning feeding, but shortly after lunchtime, guzzled down a bottle and was...