So here it is, Christmas Eve and I have finally decided to write a letter on my blog. I haven't decided for sure, though, if I will rewrite it to send to people that don't read it here. Hmmm...
I was just out for a quick trip to Walmart, amidst the hustle & bustle of last minute shoppers and, boy, was it crazy! It's interesting to watch people this time of year. There are those that you can tell really wish they would have gotten their shopping done a month ago. Then, you see the shoppers who have no idea what they are looking for or don't have a clue what the people on their list really want. You also see the moms who are just trying to keep track of their little people (that would be me) and are thinking that maybe it would have been worth the extra cash to hire a sitter for the day! Of course, there are always the dads that are being dragged along & would much rather be home watching the NFL playoffs! But, whatever the reason, there is a certain unity amongst the shoppers. Whether cranky & looking for the shortest checkout line, or satisfied with purchases & waiting patiently behind the screaming kids...everyone is there in hopes to find something that makes someone excited as they open their gifts tomorrow!
This year has seemed more fun for Chris & I as we put some thought into gifts for our girls. Money is tight, but with some thoughtfulness & a budget, it was actually fun to go on a little date & buy their gifts. We went to stores with ideas in mind, comparing prices, and considering their interests!
Lexi has more of an idea what Christmas is all about this year. We have never really talked about Santa, until someone asked her what she is getting from him this year. We had a talk that he is made up & that it is really Christ who blesses us with gifts & as much as she could understand about God's Perfect Gift! She doesn't understand it all, but just accepts with child-like faith that we know what we are talking about! It has been fun to watch her grow spiritually this year. She has her favorite memorized prayers & it is our goal this next year to teach her to pray what is on her heart. That scares me as she really wants a baby brother!! She has started doing preschool activities with Mommy a little everyday. She is a fast learner & gets very frustrated when she doesn't do something perfect on the first try. She really soaks up the fact that she starts school in 9 months, wondering why she has to wait that long. Lexi is still our girly-girl. She loves anything ballet, princess, dress up, and jewelry. She got her ears pierced last summer & is constantly asking for hoops! Her favorite change this year has been going overnight to her friends' house by herself. Although the questions are endless, along with the singing & playing pretend, she is a blessing to us! She teaches us alot about ourselves as she mirrors & mimics, and tests are patience daily! We have been noticing love languages this year, and Lexi is big on words of affirmation/praise. She loves knowing that we think she is the greatest 5 year old!
Petra turned 3 in August. This has been a year of growth & change for her as well. Where Lexi is average for her age, Petra is off the charts in height. She hit 41 inches & 40 1/2 pounds, which is only a couple inches shorter than Sissy. She keeps up pretty well and really holds her own when they fight! She is more of our tomboy, as she likes playing ball. She will kick a ball down the hallway and says, "When I play soccer, I will be bigger." Her meaning is that she wants to play soccer when she is big! Hopefully we will be able to encourage that sporty side as she grows. Although, she loves sports, she also loves playing with Lexi & Nova. She has a motherly side with the baby & her dolls. She disciplines, loves and sings to her babies and stuffed animals. She will still do girly things with Lexi when she's in the mood. She is also our "wanderer". Twice this year, she gave Mommy a heart attack by disappearing. Once at Walmart, once at the 4-H Fair. Thankfully we found her quickly both times just after she realized she was lost. It was enough to scare her, but she is still not old enough to understand the dangers of walking away from us. We love her dearly & don't know what we would do without her. She adds a certain dynamic to our family that can be challenging. At the same time, she can be lovable. Her love language is still developing, but she seems to thrive on physical touch. We love how she is constantly needing hugs & kisses & telling us 50 times a day that she loves us. Her favorite thing to do with Daddy is wrestle & be tickled!
Last, but not least, our newest addition, Nova. She is our most laid back baby. She cut her first two teeth soon after Thanksgiving at 8 months old, whereas the other two were 7 months. Our oldest daughters started crawling & getting into everything soon after they turned 6 months old, Nova started at 9 months old. She knows she can crawl, but still prefers to sit & make a mess of her toys or whine until we finally pick her up & take her where we're going! She is, by far, our most "smiley" baby which is her nickname, given by our neighbors. Nova hasn't developed any specific interests, yet, other than being held by Mommy & repeating the things that make us laugh. She started snuggling into Mommy or Daddy if she has her blankie, whether it's naptime or not. Her goofy faces & silly giggles constantly brighten our days. We are so thankful she is in our lives. It has been fun to go through all the growing stages again, from first smiles to crawling. She definitely adds laughter to our days, and we look forward to watching her copy her sisters as well as developing her own interests.
God has blessed us immeasurably this past year. He has taught us much about feeling content, not stuck, in the life he has given us. We have learned to love deeply, appreciate each others' strengths, learn from our mistakes, and work on our own weaknesses. God has blessed us by showing us what is important to him for our marriage & our children and we seek to follow His plan for us no matter what comes our way.
Well, that is really all I have to tell. We love you & pray God's blessings will be evident as you look back over the year. Hope your next year is full of His grace & love!
12.24.2008
12.03.2008
Tis the Season...
So, here it is...the holiday season. One down, two to go! Did we actually have a 2008? It really seems like it went faster than ever! I guess when you have a third child, time tends to disappear! The minutes all kind of mesh together into one big lump of time called 'Day'. Has it really come & gone just like that?
I told a friend on Facebook the other day, I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love getting together with family & friends. Now, we do that all year long, normally, but for some reason it seems different in the winter. Maybe it's everyone getting cozy when the weather outside is frightful. It could be the aura of the season, knowing that family really means something when there are those without love in their lives. Or, it could be as simple as knowing Mom will have incredible turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and mmm...pumpkin pie on the table. Maybe it's the warm scented candles glowing, or for those of you so lucky, the glowing fireplace. I know for my kids, it's knowing that presents await them at Grandpa's house.
The part I hate (such a strong word) is just the fact another year has come & gone so quickly. I always reflect on the year around this time & wonder "what exactly did I accomplish this year". Most years...not a whole lot. Every once in a great while, I can look back & see some growth in my life, maybe some maturity that wasn't there before. Don't ask my husband to confirm that for me!!! I can watch home videos & literally see how much my girls grew. Physically and mentally. I wish that somehow I could do that for myself. I don't videotape things I've learned and definitely don't tape how much I physically grew (haha). But, as a woman, I do have a record in my mind of the experiences I've had, the things I've learned, and the things that maybe I should work on in 2009! Read on, if you dare, and I will share with you some of those things.
In March, I had my third daughter. I learned through Nova, that I am capable of managing 3 little girls with some sanity left at the end of the day! Because of her in my life, I've learned again, that I love being a mommy, that I can be content in the daily routine of life. With Petra & Lexi, I realized that different children need different discipline, different show of love & affection, different activities with Mom & Dad, and that I am not so different than a child sometimes! I've also learned, once again, that what I do or say, they will also do or say!
God has also revealed to me things that only marriage can bring out! My husband has taught me so much about myself, things I would have been fine not knowing...but without knowing, I wouldn't really be living life to the fullest! I was miserable & discontent for so many years, not realizing what was right in front of me. God has shown me that this is my life. I can either love it or long for something else. I learned the hard way that I want this life...no matter how hard it can be, no matter how much pain it can bring me. I can find joy in the little things, if I look past the pain. God's rainbow is always there in the clouds, I just have to look at the clouds instead of running away from them.
So, as this season comes & goes quickly...I thank God for the rainbow in the storms, my children, my husband, my home (without a cozy fireplace), the family & friends He has given me, and the hard times that teach me about myself...who I am & who God wants me to be when I grow up!
Hope you have a blessed Christmas! Love you all!
I told a friend on Facebook the other day, I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love getting together with family & friends. Now, we do that all year long, normally, but for some reason it seems different in the winter. Maybe it's everyone getting cozy when the weather outside is frightful. It could be the aura of the season, knowing that family really means something when there are those without love in their lives. Or, it could be as simple as knowing Mom will have incredible turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and mmm...pumpkin pie on the table. Maybe it's the warm scented candles glowing, or for those of you so lucky, the glowing fireplace. I know for my kids, it's knowing that presents await them at Grandpa's house.
The part I hate (such a strong word) is just the fact another year has come & gone so quickly. I always reflect on the year around this time & wonder "what exactly did I accomplish this year". Most years...not a whole lot. Every once in a great while, I can look back & see some growth in my life, maybe some maturity that wasn't there before. Don't ask my husband to confirm that for me!!! I can watch home videos & literally see how much my girls grew. Physically and mentally. I wish that somehow I could do that for myself. I don't videotape things I've learned and definitely don't tape how much I physically grew (haha). But, as a woman, I do have a record in my mind of the experiences I've had, the things I've learned, and the things that maybe I should work on in 2009! Read on, if you dare, and I will share with you some of those things.
In March, I had my third daughter. I learned through Nova, that I am capable of managing 3 little girls with some sanity left at the end of the day! Because of her in my life, I've learned again, that I love being a mommy, that I can be content in the daily routine of life. With Petra & Lexi, I realized that different children need different discipline, different show of love & affection, different activities with Mom & Dad, and that I am not so different than a child sometimes! I've also learned, once again, that what I do or say, they will also do or say!
God has also revealed to me things that only marriage can bring out! My husband has taught me so much about myself, things I would have been fine not knowing...but without knowing, I wouldn't really be living life to the fullest! I was miserable & discontent for so many years, not realizing what was right in front of me. God has shown me that this is my life. I can either love it or long for something else. I learned the hard way that I want this life...no matter how hard it can be, no matter how much pain it can bring me. I can find joy in the little things, if I look past the pain. God's rainbow is always there in the clouds, I just have to look at the clouds instead of running away from them.
So, as this season comes & goes quickly...I thank God for the rainbow in the storms, my children, my husband, my home (without a cozy fireplace), the family & friends He has given me, and the hard times that teach me about myself...who I am & who God wants me to be when I grow up!
Hope you have a blessed Christmas! Love you all!
11.08.2008
An Error in My Writings
I am writing this in response to a phone call I received today regarding my last post. I want to apologize to anyone that I may have offended. I was only writing my opinion on the election. I was not attacking any specific people I know voted for Obama. I was writing mostly to get a point across about the upcoming leader of our nation & that we now need to support him as such. My feelings about voting selfishly was a feeling about the general population that voted for Obama, not everyone. I realize that some people voted knowing his position on certain issues & that different issues are important to different people. I also know that some people I know DID vote without educating themselves on both opponents.
For some reason, politics is a very sensitive issue. It seems to be something that most people either force their opinion on others or it is something that others absolutely do not talk about because they know what happens with the former group of people. I tend to fall into the latter category & have not made my opinion known in the past. It is interesting that the first time I do say anything I end up wishing I had kept quiet. I have seen friendships become messy when politics get in the way. I have seen good people argue vehemently about who is right and why the other is wrong. Or the more subtle approach I have gotten from people is the smug look. You know the one that says, "Hmmm, I disagree with you. You are completely stupid & I don't even want to hear your side."
At any rate, I want to apologize for offending the Obama voters. I realize that neither candidate would have been the perfect president. My intent was to state my opinion on the candidates and where I stand now. I will pray to God who knows me, and trust that He knows our future as a nation & that His will be done. I still commit myself to praying for the new First Family's protection & that our President-Elect will look to the Almighty for guidance. Thanks for your comments!!! Have a blessed day!
For some reason, politics is a very sensitive issue. It seems to be something that most people either force their opinion on others or it is something that others absolutely do not talk about because they know what happens with the former group of people. I tend to fall into the latter category & have not made my opinion known in the past. It is interesting that the first time I do say anything I end up wishing I had kept quiet. I have seen friendships become messy when politics get in the way. I have seen good people argue vehemently about who is right and why the other is wrong. Or the more subtle approach I have gotten from people is the smug look. You know the one that says, "Hmmm, I disagree with you. You are completely stupid & I don't even want to hear your side."
At any rate, I want to apologize for offending the Obama voters. I realize that neither candidate would have been the perfect president. My intent was to state my opinion on the candidates and where I stand now. I will pray to God who knows me, and trust that He knows our future as a nation & that His will be done. I still commit myself to praying for the new First Family's protection & that our President-Elect will look to the Almighty for guidance. Thanks for your comments!!! Have a blessed day!
11.06.2008
A New President Elect
I had a feeling Barack Obama would win. I did. It was in the air, I think. He was a popular candidate before he ever said he would run. With Oprah behind you, can you fail? It doesn't matter that he has very little experience. It doesn't matter that he acts like he can save the world. Most people don't think about the number of promises he made during his campaign. Can one man really do it all? No, I don't think so.
What matters to so many voters is that he is young, a family man, and black. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not prejudice in any way. I actually feel excited that our country has come so far to even allow a black man to run for president. I love the idea that Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream for our nation and this week that dream was fulfilled. I think it is amazing to see our country enter a new era in history! I believe good can come out of this next step toward equality for mankind. Yes, I voted for McCain. Am I worried about the future of our country with Obama as president? Yes.
Our nation started it's moral decline years ago. There have been many presidents that were the wrong choice for America voters. No president has been a perfect one and that won't change now. So, what makes this time different for me? Maybe it is the fact that the soon-to-be president is making promises he knows he will never be able to live up to. It might be the fact that he is so pro-choice, more than any other Democrat before him. Maybe, his promises to bring the troops home scares me. I think the terrorists are rejoicing he will reside in the Oval office. It could be the fact that, although he is heterosexual, he is all for gay rights. I envision a major change in our nation and not for the better!
I believe that the people who voted for Obama voted selfishly. The blacks voted because he is black. The gays voted because they know he is for them. The feminists voted because he is pro-choice. And anyone who isn't one of the above, didn't really know what they were voting for. Maybe God allowed so many to become blind to the truth and this is His will. I don't claim to know what the will of God is. I believe we are in the end times and this is one step closer to the coming of Christ. I am not saying Barack Obama is the anti-Christ. I am not saying he is going to bring death or destruction to the most powerful nation in the world. I do not think he is out to get us, although he seems to be the most unpatriotic American I've ever heard of. I sometimes wonder if God has placed him in power to see who will truly trust in Him or who will put their trust in man, one in particular. It is easy for us to believe one man can change everything and give us a better life. It is even easier for that one man to promise a better life. I think we all need to remember that Obama will fail us all in some way. His promises were like most before him, made for the reason of getting the presidency.
I know that as a follower of Christ, I must pray for the leaders of the nation, something at which I don't do faithfully. I know that God places authority over us to accomplish his will. I believe that Christ wants us to support Obama, now that the vote is in. He is a man. We are called to love everyone, no matter what. We are called to pray, no matter what. God asks that we put our trust in Him alone. If we do that, we are focused on Heaven, not on the worries of this life. And, so, I ask that you join me in support of our new president-elect. I don't ask that you sing the Obama anthem. I don't ask that you say, "Hail, Obama". I ask that you pray for him and for his wife & daughters. They have already had a plot on his life. There will be racism galore against this young man. There will be attempts on his family as well. It is worth it to God that we lift them up to Him. He sees them differently than we do. He loves them as much as He loves you and I. Obama's daughters are just as beautiful and precious as my daughters. God can bring good out of this election. Let's pray, not only for their protection, but that as president, Barack Obama will choose the right people to help him make decisions in the White House. Let's pray that he will make decisions for our nation, unselfishly, for the good of the people he serves.
This is where I stand now that a decision has been made. I pray that whoever reads this will agree and join me in support of our new "commander-in-chief". Blessings to you all!
What matters to so many voters is that he is young, a family man, and black. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not prejudice in any way. I actually feel excited that our country has come so far to even allow a black man to run for president. I love the idea that Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream for our nation and this week that dream was fulfilled. I think it is amazing to see our country enter a new era in history! I believe good can come out of this next step toward equality for mankind. Yes, I voted for McCain. Am I worried about the future of our country with Obama as president? Yes.
Our nation started it's moral decline years ago. There have been many presidents that were the wrong choice for America voters. No president has been a perfect one and that won't change now. So, what makes this time different for me? Maybe it is the fact that the soon-to-be president is making promises he knows he will never be able to live up to. It might be the fact that he is so pro-choice, more than any other Democrat before him. Maybe, his promises to bring the troops home scares me. I think the terrorists are rejoicing he will reside in the Oval office. It could be the fact that, although he is heterosexual, he is all for gay rights. I envision a major change in our nation and not for the better!
I believe that the people who voted for Obama voted selfishly. The blacks voted because he is black. The gays voted because they know he is for them. The feminists voted because he is pro-choice. And anyone who isn't one of the above, didn't really know what they were voting for. Maybe God allowed so many to become blind to the truth and this is His will. I don't claim to know what the will of God is. I believe we are in the end times and this is one step closer to the coming of Christ. I am not saying Barack Obama is the anti-Christ. I am not saying he is going to bring death or destruction to the most powerful nation in the world. I do not think he is out to get us, although he seems to be the most unpatriotic American I've ever heard of. I sometimes wonder if God has placed him in power to see who will truly trust in Him or who will put their trust in man, one in particular. It is easy for us to believe one man can change everything and give us a better life. It is even easier for that one man to promise a better life. I think we all need to remember that Obama will fail us all in some way. His promises were like most before him, made for the reason of getting the presidency.
I know that as a follower of Christ, I must pray for the leaders of the nation, something at which I don't do faithfully. I know that God places authority over us to accomplish his will. I believe that Christ wants us to support Obama, now that the vote is in. He is a man. We are called to love everyone, no matter what. We are called to pray, no matter what. God asks that we put our trust in Him alone. If we do that, we are focused on Heaven, not on the worries of this life. And, so, I ask that you join me in support of our new president-elect. I don't ask that you sing the Obama anthem. I don't ask that you say, "Hail, Obama". I ask that you pray for him and for his wife & daughters. They have already had a plot on his life. There will be racism galore against this young man. There will be attempts on his family as well. It is worth it to God that we lift them up to Him. He sees them differently than we do. He loves them as much as He loves you and I. Obama's daughters are just as beautiful and precious as my daughters. God can bring good out of this election. Let's pray, not only for their protection, but that as president, Barack Obama will choose the right people to help him make decisions in the White House. Let's pray that he will make decisions for our nation, unselfishly, for the good of the people he serves.
This is where I stand now that a decision has been made. I pray that whoever reads this will agree and join me in support of our new "commander-in-chief". Blessings to you all!
11.03.2008
My List
I saw this on a friend's blog & really liked it, so I am copying the idea (thanks Jessi)! It's really fun to reflect on my own dreams/goals once in awhile & this helped me do that!
8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Made brunch after spending the night at the home of good friends.
2. Fell asleep on Petra's bed at naptime (slept 40 minutes).
3. Snuggled on the couch with my hubby!
4. Comforted Lexi when her ear infection caused her pain.
5. Laundry
6. Watched America's Funniest Videos
7. Hugged & tickled my girls.
8. Went to bed early (9 p.m. sharp).
My Favorite Places to Eat
1. Mongolian Barbecue
2. Chipotle
3. El Camino
4. Olive Garden
5. Max & Erma's
6. Ruby Tuesday
7. Chili's
8. Papa Vino's
My Favorite T.V. Shows
1. Criminal Minds
2. Law & Order SVU
3. Saturday Night Live
4. Biggest Loser
5. CSI (the original one)
6. Cold Case
7. Extreme Makeover, Home Edition
8. America's Funniest Videos
8 Things I Look Forward To
1. Growing old with my hubby.
2. Watching my children learn new things.
3. God's continued grace in my life.
4. Growing our new business.
5. Lexi's 5th birthday.
6. Watching Nova learning to crawl.
7. Dates with my hubby.
8. Good times with family & friends during the holidays.
8 Things I Wish For
1. Money for family vacations.
2. God's audible voice.
3. More available babysitters.
4. Less bills = less stress
5. Bigger house for all the toys!
6. My hubby to have his own Harley.
7. To know how to help hurting friends.
8. And...world peace!!! (my fave line from Miss Congeniality)
Thanks for taking the time to read this! God's blessings to you all!
10.30.2008
A Week to Forget...
Whew! What a week! Write this one down in the books as one to forget! Having a baby with a cold is no fun! All she wants is Mommy when she isn't feeling good. I feel so badly for her stuffy little nose & drainage in her ears, yet it is so hard to have patience with 7 nights of no sleep! Lexi & Petra also had slight colds/coughs the past week, so it's been a triple whammy. I'm sure those of you with kids know how easily they pass it around! Although I knew that Nova's whining had to do with not feeling good, I must admit that I lost it several times with all three of them in the past 4 days. I wish I could take it all back, but alas, I made wrong choices & am now stuck with the guilt of "going crazy". Isn't it amazing, though, how quickly young 'uns forgive & forget? Nova still prefers me over anyone else. She still reaches for me 24-7 and wants my hugs & kisses. She still smiles when I whisper in her ear (one of her favorite things) or tell her "Say, mooooo..." Forgetting that I got so frustrated when she wouldn't stop screaming or pushed her spoon away, flinging oatmeal & blueberries at breakfast & squash at lunch...all over the tray & mommy's arm. Yet, she still wants me to cuddle her before bed. And how Lexi & Petra seem to forget that I was so angry over a bowl of milk & cereal in Lexi's hair or Petra's fork somehow stabbing potato chips, creating yet another mess to clean up! Why would they still want me to read to them before naps, or tell me 500 times that they love me? Aaah, the love of little girls. How often I soon remember they are God's gift to me, one I don't deserve. Too often, I take them for granted. Too often, I lose my temper. Too often, I forget to extend the same love, comfort & grace to them that God offers me when I make a mess of my life! And so, I must ask their forgiveness & learn somehow, to remember to pause before discipline. I need to learn how to laugh at the milk dripping down Lexi's sweet face & see Petra's creativity with a fork! I must know that a cold only lasts 7-10 days, not forever, when my baby is extra fussy. I will somehow find a way to surrender my frustrations/anger to the One who has an endless patience for my childish ways & mistakes!
Just a note, here are the other "frustrating" things that happened this week. Most of you will look at these & laugh. Now that I am less stressed, I probably will think about the "cuteness" of my children:
1. Lexi & Petra both weigh 40-45 lbs, both are about an inch difference in height. Lexi told Petra she is too little to carry Nova (who is around 22 lbs.). I walk into their room to see Nova in a completely different location than where I'd left her! Who do you think carried her? Yep, Lexi! Hmmm...I guess 20 months makes you much more capable!
2. I asked Petra & Lexi to give Nova a FEW toys to play with in the living room. When I came back through, Nova had the entire basket of toys dumped over with Petra pushing all the toys around her. When I asked Petra why she gave her all of the toys, Petra replied, "She wouldn't tell me which ones she wanted!"
3. Lexi asks everyday to watch a movie first thing in the morning. Most days, I try to keep it under an hour & a half before lunch, but she doesn't understand why that's important. On Tuesday, she was begging. After a few times of telling her "no", I hear her tell Petra, "If Mommy would let us watch a movie, I bet I would quit bugging her about it!"
4. One thing I've learned about cleanup time: giving each daughter a specific area or group of toys to put away makes the job go faster. Most days, I get a good round of "I don't want to" or "Why do I have to do it? Why can't she?" Yesterday, I told Lexi to carry 2 things back to her room and Petra also 2 toys. Lexi took her time obeying, so Petra picked up all of hers & came back. She saw Lexi wasn't doing it, so she grabbed hers as well. Lexi's comment, "Petra, Mom told me to do that! Mommy, Petra did it for meeeee...You told me to do it! It's not fair!" How do you teach a 4 year old that when someone does your work for you, just say "thanks" and move on? That is definitely not something I complain about!
Have a blessed day! We love you all!
Just a note, here are the other "frustrating" things that happened this week. Most of you will look at these & laugh. Now that I am less stressed, I probably will think about the "cuteness" of my children:
1. Lexi & Petra both weigh 40-45 lbs, both are about an inch difference in height. Lexi told Petra she is too little to carry Nova (who is around 22 lbs.). I walk into their room to see Nova in a completely different location than where I'd left her! Who do you think carried her? Yep, Lexi! Hmmm...I guess 20 months makes you much more capable!
2. I asked Petra & Lexi to give Nova a FEW toys to play with in the living room. When I came back through, Nova had the entire basket of toys dumped over with Petra pushing all the toys around her. When I asked Petra why she gave her all of the toys, Petra replied, "She wouldn't tell me which ones she wanted!"
3. Lexi asks everyday to watch a movie first thing in the morning. Most days, I try to keep it under an hour & a half before lunch, but she doesn't understand why that's important. On Tuesday, she was begging. After a few times of telling her "no", I hear her tell Petra, "If Mommy would let us watch a movie, I bet I would quit bugging her about it!"
4. One thing I've learned about cleanup time: giving each daughter a specific area or group of toys to put away makes the job go faster. Most days, I get a good round of "I don't want to" or "Why do I have to do it? Why can't she?" Yesterday, I told Lexi to carry 2 things back to her room and Petra also 2 toys. Lexi took her time obeying, so Petra picked up all of hers & came back. She saw Lexi wasn't doing it, so she grabbed hers as well. Lexi's comment, "Petra, Mom told me to do that! Mommy, Petra did it for meeeee...You told me to do it! It's not fair!" How do you teach a 4 year old that when someone does your work for you, just say "thanks" and move on? That is definitely not something I complain about!
Have a blessed day! We love you all!
10.25.2008
Hard Times...
I wonder if anyone has about $1 billion to spread around? We could use some! This month has been a time of financial crunch. When you have 3 daughters, a mortgage, van payment, groceries, electricity, phones, internet, fuel, little bills here & there, doctor...all these bills are cause of some major headaches! Times are tough, cost of living is high, income is low, and there is really nothing anyone can do about it! The bailout didn't seem to affect us much, anyone else? The stimulus check came & went, anyone else?
It is hard when you have to start cutting corners here & there, when you've been used to having little luxuries without it causing too much pain to the checkbook. We don't have cable/satellite, no credit cards (which is good as I would be tempted), no expensive hobbies, etc. And yet we still find ourselves in this situation. Internet will be the first to go, I guess. Something we take for granted already, even though we just got it 2 months ago.
The things I am extremely thankful for despite the economic crunch...our good health, aside from colds the girls caught this week and Chris' strange rash that started with athlete's foot. I am thankful for not having credit card debt (something we've avoided on purpose) or huge hospital bills to add on. For a warm home to shelter us from the chill outside. For a van that gets us here to there. I am thankful for my daughters' love no matter how often I seem to mess up. For Chris' love through hard times & his persistence to figure out how to take care of his family. For God's grace, blessings & provision, even when we can't always see His hand on us.
So, what I am saying is that despite all the bad things, there are others worse off than us. Those without their own home, transportation or a job to even get the basics. Those who have lost someone they love & those who don't know the Saviour I know. I have it all!
May Christ bless you as you go about your life this week. I pray all of you see God's hand in your lives, no matter your circumstances. God be with you!
It is hard when you have to start cutting corners here & there, when you've been used to having little luxuries without it causing too much pain to the checkbook. We don't have cable/satellite, no credit cards (which is good as I would be tempted), no expensive hobbies, etc. And yet we still find ourselves in this situation. Internet will be the first to go, I guess. Something we take for granted already, even though we just got it 2 months ago.
The things I am extremely thankful for despite the economic crunch...our good health, aside from colds the girls caught this week and Chris' strange rash that started with athlete's foot. I am thankful for not having credit card debt (something we've avoided on purpose) or huge hospital bills to add on. For a warm home to shelter us from the chill outside. For a van that gets us here to there. I am thankful for my daughters' love no matter how often I seem to mess up. For Chris' love through hard times & his persistence to figure out how to take care of his family. For God's grace, blessings & provision, even when we can't always see His hand on us.
So, what I am saying is that despite all the bad things, there are others worse off than us. Those without their own home, transportation or a job to even get the basics. Those who have lost someone they love & those who don't know the Saviour I know. I have it all!
May Christ bless you as you go about your life this week. I pray all of you see God's hand in your lives, no matter your circumstances. God be with you!
10.21.2008
Where in the World
I am curious to know...
If you found out you were dying and someone offered you an all-expense paid trip for you, your immediate family and 10 of your closest friends... where would you go?
This is not something I imagine will ever happen to me. First of all, I don't know anyone that wealthy! Second, there are so many places I want to visit. Third, I hope to not find out when I am going to die! I want to always be prepared for that event, ready if death surprises me. I am really not in a morbid mood, I was just wondering.
Hmmm...where would I go? Someplace warm, relaxing, with lots of possibility for adventure! I mean, heck, I've already jumped from a plane! Something to ponder!
If you found out you were dying and someone offered you an all-expense paid trip for you, your immediate family and 10 of your closest friends... where would you go?
This is not something I imagine will ever happen to me. First of all, I don't know anyone that wealthy! Second, there are so many places I want to visit. Third, I hope to not find out when I am going to die! I want to always be prepared for that event, ready if death surprises me. I am really not in a morbid mood, I was just wondering.
Hmmm...where would I go? Someplace warm, relaxing, with lots of possibility for adventure! I mean, heck, I've already jumped from a plane! Something to ponder!
10.19.2008
Wedding is Done...
Whew! The busy weekend has come & gone. Chris' mom got married yesterday & I just want to say how beautiful & happy she looked. It doesn't matter what age the couple is, a wedding is always fun!
We started the weekend off with decorating all day on Friday, then rehearsal that night. May I just say, I do believe my daughters are the prettiest flower girls ever!!!! They were so excited & I was kind of nervous they wouldn't walk down the aisle in front of everyone. Lexi didn't want to at first on Friday, but I convinced her! She waited so long, she even counted down the days this last week. It was so cute to hear her tell people, "Grandma's wedding is on Saturday. First 5, then 4, then 3, then 2, then only one day...and then it's time!" Not kidding, every single person she talked to!
Saturday morning, we woke the girls up at 6:30 to get their hair done at a friend's house (thank you Heather K.)! She made them look like such princesses! Look below for lots of pictures of my beautiful girls! Pictures were at Krider Gardens in Middlebury. It is the most perfect spot for outdoor photos.
At any rate, everything went perfectly for Mom & Dave the rest of the day. We are happy they found each other, although we will miss the girls' favorite babysitter and going to Mom's for supper. That is all I really have to write. I am ready to take a nap!
God's blessings to all!
We started the weekend off with decorating all day on Friday, then rehearsal that night. May I just say, I do believe my daughters are the prettiest flower girls ever!!!! They were so excited & I was kind of nervous they wouldn't walk down the aisle in front of everyone. Lexi didn't want to at first on Friday, but I convinced her! She waited so long, she even counted down the days this last week. It was so cute to hear her tell people, "Grandma's wedding is on Saturday. First 5, then 4, then 3, then 2, then only one day...and then it's time!" Not kidding, every single person she talked to!
Saturday morning, we woke the girls up at 6:30 to get their hair done at a friend's house (thank you Heather K.)! She made them look like such princesses! Look below for lots of pictures of my beautiful girls! Pictures were at Krider Gardens in Middlebury. It is the most perfect spot for outdoor photos.
At any rate, everything went perfectly for Mom & Dave the rest of the day. We are happy they found each other, although we will miss the girls' favorite babysitter and going to Mom's for supper. That is all I really have to write. I am ready to take a nap!
God's blessings to all!
10.16.2008
2 Samuel 22: 31
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
What a great verse! His way is the only perfect one! If we follow his way, we will find refuge & strength in Him! We can follow our own way, he gives us that choice, but we will forever be searching for someone or something to give us strength, refuge, peace & love. I am so thankful today for his strength & love. When I follow his way, I am at peace!
What a great verse! His way is the only perfect one! If we follow his way, we will find refuge & strength in Him! We can follow our own way, he gives us that choice, but we will forever be searching for someone or something to give us strength, refuge, peace & love. I am so thankful today for his strength & love. When I follow his way, I am at peace!
10.13.2008
Seven Years Together...
Wow! Has it really been 7 years? They say if you can make it thru the first 7 years, you can make it thru anything. My first question is "who says that"? Do the people who study these statistics make it thru the first 7 years? I know they just go by how many people actually stay married a lifetime. I know that most divorces happen in the first 7 years. I have heard of many that end after 20 years, though. Maybe those are the ones that didn't go through anything major the first 7 years, so they didn't have practice time for after the kids left. Maybe the ones that end in divorce early on are the ones that never really had a fighting chance to begin with? Why do marriages end in divorce anyway? Do those couples never really love each other when they say "I do"? Maybe they never have support of family or friends, no one rooting for them to make it. So many different things it could be...
There are times when I wonder where the years have gone. Other times, I wonder why it seems so long! So, here we are...7 years of marriage and 3 kids later... I am amazed when I look back & see what God began in our lives & see where we are now. In some ways, I don't think we've matured the way we should, and in other areas I know we have grown tremendously. There are experiences I never thought we would have to endure & there are things I am extremely grateful for. The ones I love to look back on are the births of all 3 of my babies. I have been blessed to have healthy pregnancies & easy deliveries compared to many women. I look back on these events & remember the happiness (along with exhaustion) that I felt! I remember feeling grateful for each healthy checkup, all the milestones reached & the pride of having extremely intelligent children! I also remember the fun times Chris & I have had with friends in the past 7 years. Going to Cedar Point (our favorite place) with Elva & Sharon Yoder for a weekend, and another year with a group of 3 other couples. Getting to know the Yoders has been one of God's major blessings in our life the past few years as they have 3 boys the same ages & have walked thru similar life experiences. In our first year of marriage, Chris went to a school for his CDL liscense (trucking). After being away from home & away from me for 3 months, I got to quit my job & go with him cross-country in the truck for 6 weeks. That was a fun time of travel for both of us as newlyweds.
Along with the good times, there were many hard/bad times. Before we were married, we walked thru the death of Chris' father and then the death of one of my close friends & her infant daughter. Of course, there's always the financial hard times, too. There were changes in our relationship with each daughter's birth that seemed to always get worse before better. I guess when you are young & in love, it's hard to imagine children will change your relationship. I always thought we would still be in love, even more so, but things do change & when I look back, I realize our love wasn't as strong as I thought. And now the past 6 months have been the hardest ever in our marriage. We have gone thru things I thought we knew how to avoid. We have gone thru things that have torn the strongest marriages apart, that have destroyed the strongest Christians faith in God. We have questioned God's love, our love, and the people we thought loved us. We are still going thru these feelings as we continue healing & working on our relationship. We continue to push thru the mud in hope that we will be stronger in our faith & in our love for each other.
So, I guess in all that I've said, my main point is WE MADE IT...thru the first 7 years, thru the good times, thru the bad times, thru the changes in ourselves, thru the battles Satan throws in our path, thru the blessings, thru the challenges of raising children (girls nonetheless), thru the testing of our faith, thru the paths that lead the wrong way, thru finding our way back to the right way, thru feeling in love one minute & out of love the next, thru times of contentedness, thru times of wanting something more... Granted, it hasn't been a lifetime, yet, but we beat the statistics so far! I am proud of us for sticking with it when we didn't want to & knowing that God has a higher calling for our marriage than what the world expects of us.
And now, one last thing I want to say. Happy anniversary, honey! I love you now, in this moment. You are the most precious 'thing' God has given me. In everything we have gone thru, you are more important to me than anything we have gone thru. You are & always will be the one I want & need to hold me at the end of the day. You are a wonderful father & husband in so many ways & I am learning to appreciate all that you do right in spite of the things I point out too often! I love you & saying "I do" is still the best decision I ever made!
God's blessings to all who read this!
There are times when I wonder where the years have gone. Other times, I wonder why it seems so long! So, here we are...7 years of marriage and 3 kids later... I am amazed when I look back & see what God began in our lives & see where we are now. In some ways, I don't think we've matured the way we should, and in other areas I know we have grown tremendously. There are experiences I never thought we would have to endure & there are things I am extremely grateful for. The ones I love to look back on are the births of all 3 of my babies. I have been blessed to have healthy pregnancies & easy deliveries compared to many women. I look back on these events & remember the happiness (along with exhaustion) that I felt! I remember feeling grateful for each healthy checkup, all the milestones reached & the pride of having extremely intelligent children! I also remember the fun times Chris & I have had with friends in the past 7 years. Going to Cedar Point (our favorite place) with Elva & Sharon Yoder for a weekend, and another year with a group of 3 other couples. Getting to know the Yoders has been one of God's major blessings in our life the past few years as they have 3 boys the same ages & have walked thru similar life experiences. In our first year of marriage, Chris went to a school for his CDL liscense (trucking). After being away from home & away from me for 3 months, I got to quit my job & go with him cross-country in the truck for 6 weeks. That was a fun time of travel for both of us as newlyweds.
Along with the good times, there were many hard/bad times. Before we were married, we walked thru the death of Chris' father and then the death of one of my close friends & her infant daughter. Of course, there's always the financial hard times, too. There were changes in our relationship with each daughter's birth that seemed to always get worse before better. I guess when you are young & in love, it's hard to imagine children will change your relationship. I always thought we would still be in love, even more so, but things do change & when I look back, I realize our love wasn't as strong as I thought. And now the past 6 months have been the hardest ever in our marriage. We have gone thru things I thought we knew how to avoid. We have gone thru things that have torn the strongest marriages apart, that have destroyed the strongest Christians faith in God. We have questioned God's love, our love, and the people we thought loved us. We are still going thru these feelings as we continue healing & working on our relationship. We continue to push thru the mud in hope that we will be stronger in our faith & in our love for each other.
So, I guess in all that I've said, my main point is WE MADE IT...thru the first 7 years, thru the good times, thru the bad times, thru the changes in ourselves, thru the battles Satan throws in our path, thru the blessings, thru the challenges of raising children (girls nonetheless), thru the testing of our faith, thru the paths that lead the wrong way, thru finding our way back to the right way, thru feeling in love one minute & out of love the next, thru times of contentedness, thru times of wanting something more... Granted, it hasn't been a lifetime, yet, but we beat the statistics so far! I am proud of us for sticking with it when we didn't want to & knowing that God has a higher calling for our marriage than what the world expects of us.
And now, one last thing I want to say. Happy anniversary, honey! I love you now, in this moment. You are the most precious 'thing' God has given me. In everything we have gone thru, you are more important to me than anything we have gone thru. You are & always will be the one I want & need to hold me at the end of the day. You are a wonderful father & husband in so many ways & I am learning to appreciate all that you do right in spite of the things I point out too often! I love you & saying "I do" is still the best decision I ever made!
God's blessings to all who read this!
9.30.2008
A New Season...
Fall is officially here! I love this time of year when leaves change colors! That's my favorite thing about fall, actually. I've always been a fan of this season! I love getting out the hooded sweatshirts & my jeans. Actually going outside to get fresh air, not muggy air! It's one of those times where you dread what's around the corner (winter), but know that everything will be fresh & new again. I guess it comes with living in Goshen. Winter can really be the pits, but I remember loving it when I was young. My girls can't wait to go sledding with Dad again & that means alone time for Mommy, too. When Nova is old enough, I will actually buy winter boots & go sledding with them, but for now, she is a good excuse to snuggle where it's warm!
Just an update on my girls... Lexi & Petra got to go to Grandma Ruth's house for the night. I love having a break, but today as I babysit a 2 month old baby boy & play with Nova, I realize how quiet the house is without them. No one telling me every 10 minutes "I love you Mommy" or giggles coming from their bedroom. No fighting (that's a plus, I guess) & no one needing me to kiss their ouchies. Also, no tripping over toys in the living room (another plus). I miss 'em like crazy right now. The best part of them going away overnight is having them come home! It really makes me love them more!
I haven't done much updating on Chris & I. We are doing well. We have ups & downs every week, like any marriage. We are looking forward to celebrating our 7th anniversary on Monday. That seems like such a long time, yet so short when I think of a lifetime together. With so many major bumps in the road these past few years, I wonder how we ever made it this far! God is so gracious & forgiving. I read an email yesterday that perfectly describes God's protection in our lives. It is from the verse Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner & purifier of silver". The email talks about the process of refining silver as a very tedious job. The refiner sits in front of a very hot fire until the silver is done. He doesn't leave the silver & go do something else. He doesn't watch from a distance because he knows if he leaves it a second to long, the silver is destroyed. A refiner of silver knows the silver is done when he can see his image in it. It is a great reminder of how God tests & refines us. He doesn't take his eyes off us for even a second when he is refining us. He will not let us be destroyed by the fire, because he is perfecting us. He takes us out of the fire in perfect time! So, in this time of transition, searching & healing, God is perfecting our marriage & refining us until He & others can see His image in us! Please continue to pray for us.
That is all for now! We love you & hope you see God's greatness & blessings in your life!
Just an update on my girls... Lexi & Petra got to go to Grandma Ruth's house for the night. I love having a break, but today as I babysit a 2 month old baby boy & play with Nova, I realize how quiet the house is without them. No one telling me every 10 minutes "I love you Mommy" or giggles coming from their bedroom. No fighting (that's a plus, I guess) & no one needing me to kiss their ouchies. Also, no tripping over toys in the living room (another plus). I miss 'em like crazy right now. The best part of them going away overnight is having them come home! It really makes me love them more!
I haven't done much updating on Chris & I. We are doing well. We have ups & downs every week, like any marriage. We are looking forward to celebrating our 7th anniversary on Monday. That seems like such a long time, yet so short when I think of a lifetime together. With so many major bumps in the road these past few years, I wonder how we ever made it this far! God is so gracious & forgiving. I read an email yesterday that perfectly describes God's protection in our lives. It is from the verse Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner & purifier of silver". The email talks about the process of refining silver as a very tedious job. The refiner sits in front of a very hot fire until the silver is done. He doesn't leave the silver & go do something else. He doesn't watch from a distance because he knows if he leaves it a second to long, the silver is destroyed. A refiner of silver knows the silver is done when he can see his image in it. It is a great reminder of how God tests & refines us. He doesn't take his eyes off us for even a second when he is refining us. He will not let us be destroyed by the fire, because he is perfecting us. He takes us out of the fire in perfect time! So, in this time of transition, searching & healing, God is perfecting our marriage & refining us until He & others can see His image in us! Please continue to pray for us.
That is all for now! We love you & hope you see God's greatness & blessings in your life!
9.21.2008
Education...
Okay, so taking classes wasn't so bad back in the day! Let me tell you, though, I don't know how parents of young kids do full time school, full time work, and still find time for their babies! Chris & I took a 20 hour pre-liscensing class yesterday & today. Granted, it was only 2 days, 10 hours each, but it was hard! I haven't taken a class since Rosedale in 1997! Now, we have to study & take a test on life insurance. For those of you who don't know, we started working with Primerica, a nationwide business with a base office in Goshen. We are really excited about helping people with their financial plans & security for their future. That is not all we will be doing but it is hard to put into words as we are still in training. We are working with great people & making a lot of new friends.
After such a busy weekend, I'm ready to be at home as much as possible with my little beauties. They were all such good girls this weekend for everyone that took care of them! That is such a proud 'mommy moment' to know that it was enjoyable for their babysitters! Look below for a picture of what Lexi & Petra got to do at their friend, MacKenzie's, house! They love going there to play with kitties & jump on the trampoline! Boy were they tired last night! See the picture below of what they got to do! MacKenzie's cousins have a mini horse!
That's all for now! God's blessings to all!
After such a busy weekend, I'm ready to be at home as much as possible with my little beauties. They were all such good girls this weekend for everyone that took care of them! That is such a proud 'mommy moment' to know that it was enjoyable for their babysitters! Look below for a picture of what Lexi & Petra got to do at their friend, MacKenzie's, house! They love going there to play with kitties & jump on the trampoline! Boy were they tired last night! See the picture below of what they got to do! MacKenzie's cousins have a mini horse!
That's all for now! God's blessings to all!
9.15.2008
Travel. . .
Thought I would try to get this updated for all our fans (ha) as I have a quick minute! We got home last night around 8:30, after a weekend in Ohio. Shekinah Christian School, where Chris graduated from, had their annual festival & auction this weekend. His brother, Lonnie, led worship for part of the Friday night concert, so he wanted to be there for that. We had a relaxing weekend with good friends, Brian & Brooke Miller. Their daughter, Mabri, is such a doll & we had so much fun watching her interact with Nova!
Nova started her first cold around midnight on Saturday. She is so sweet most of the time and you could see her really try to be happy even though she was feeling miserable! I felt so bad for her. It is so hard for her to eat or keep a pacifier in her mouth with her nose so stuffy! I think she is working on a tooth, so we have started the next stage of growth. She had her 6 month checkup on Friday & is 18 lbs 1 oz. She has officially doubled her weight! It is so hard to see her grow & she is starting to become more interested in doing things. My baby isn't going to be a baby much longer :(
Petra also had her 3 year checkup. The doctor says she is what they call a square. She is 41 inches tall & 40 1/2 pounds. That is a tall 3 year old! She is still off the chart for height and according to her weight last year, is estimated to be about 6' 2" as an adult!!!!! I always knew she will pass me up! It is fun to watch her grow. She is starting to develop & express her own interests, rather than just following Lexi all the time. She is very active (go figure) & loves to run. She tends to enjoy being alone when we are around other people & this weekend kept wandering off to play while the cousins were together. She does have her moments though when she wants someone to be with her.
Lexi is still herself! My social butterfly. She is the one that cries when we have to go home, because she has so much fun with cousins or friends. Home is so boring!!! This weekend, I didn't have to worry about her once. I knew that if I found a cousin, I would find her! It is important to her to have fun with people she loves! Just like Daddy! When we are at home, she constantly asks to play with the neighbor kids or wants us to call someone & ask if she can go there!
Chris & I continue to work at our marriage & family. Sometimes, as most of you know, marriage can get tedious & routine. We are trying to spice up the routine of everyday life & continue to spend time together. Marriage is about constant sacrifice & during our 7 years we sometimes forget that it needs to happen everyday, not just when we get what we want first. This is even more challenging when things aren't going well! We are trusting in Christ to walk with us through the hard times and we know that God's mercy is new every morning. I encourage all of you to read Jeremiah 33:6-11 if you are going through trials in your marriage. His promises are for each of us!
Well, that is all for now! It is good to be home in my own space with my routine. Trips are nice to break up the routine a little. With a baby, it's nice to see her happily fall asleep in her own bed, where she knows she's home!
Love you all & hope you see God's blessings today!
Nova started her first cold around midnight on Saturday. She is so sweet most of the time and you could see her really try to be happy even though she was feeling miserable! I felt so bad for her. It is so hard for her to eat or keep a pacifier in her mouth with her nose so stuffy! I think she is working on a tooth, so we have started the next stage of growth. She had her 6 month checkup on Friday & is 18 lbs 1 oz. She has officially doubled her weight! It is so hard to see her grow & she is starting to become more interested in doing things. My baby isn't going to be a baby much longer :(
Petra also had her 3 year checkup. The doctor says she is what they call a square. She is 41 inches tall & 40 1/2 pounds. That is a tall 3 year old! She is still off the chart for height and according to her weight last year, is estimated to be about 6' 2" as an adult!!!!! I always knew she will pass me up! It is fun to watch her grow. She is starting to develop & express her own interests, rather than just following Lexi all the time. She is very active (go figure) & loves to run. She tends to enjoy being alone when we are around other people & this weekend kept wandering off to play while the cousins were together. She does have her moments though when she wants someone to be with her.
Lexi is still herself! My social butterfly. She is the one that cries when we have to go home, because she has so much fun with cousins or friends. Home is so boring!!! This weekend, I didn't have to worry about her once. I knew that if I found a cousin, I would find her! It is important to her to have fun with people she loves! Just like Daddy! When we are at home, she constantly asks to play with the neighbor kids or wants us to call someone & ask if she can go there!
Chris & I continue to work at our marriage & family. Sometimes, as most of you know, marriage can get tedious & routine. We are trying to spice up the routine of everyday life & continue to spend time together. Marriage is about constant sacrifice & during our 7 years we sometimes forget that it needs to happen everyday, not just when we get what we want first. This is even more challenging when things aren't going well! We are trusting in Christ to walk with us through the hard times and we know that God's mercy is new every morning. I encourage all of you to read Jeremiah 33:6-11 if you are going through trials in your marriage. His promises are for each of us!
Well, that is all for now! It is good to be home in my own space with my routine. Trips are nice to break up the routine a little. With a baby, it's nice to see her happily fall asleep in her own bed, where she knows she's home!
Love you all & hope you see God's blessings today!
9.02.2008
Autumn Is On Its Way
Here we are. . . Labor Day weekend is past and that means Fall is almost here. We had a perfect weekend to go camping with the Schwartz's. We left for Plain City, Ohio on Friday & got back yesterday around 5. We enjoyed the beautiful 80 degree weather during the day with wading & canoing in the "river" behind the campsite, kickball, cornhole, & sling-golf. The nights got pretty chilly, but not unbearable. Chris' mom brought her fiancee along with one of his daughters, so it was great to get to know them better. It was his first camping experience EVER in his 71 yrs. I think he thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as spending 4 days with his bride-to-be! He now knows what he's in for after spending time with 20 grandkids! We are so glad he is joining our family! The wedding is in October & Lexi & Petra are looking forward to being flower girls. Lexi can't wait to go shopping for a pretty dress & get her hair done! She is such a girly-girl. Petra really doesn't have a clue what it means, but she gets excited when Lexi talks about it. She's always up for new clothes or shoes, too!
Some of you know that I have dropped the Coordinator position for TeenMops. Some of you may not remember that I was even doing that! I decided a few weeks ago that it was too much for me with the things going on in our family. I know that my first & highest calling is my husband & children, and anything else is second. TeenMops is a wonderful ministry and I am blessed to have been a part of it for the last 2 years. I loved knowing all the beautiful, young women that were looking for support & friendship, love & encouragment from us & am sad that I need to step down. Hopefully, God will see fit to bring me back, but for now I know he has a plan for my family & that anything outside of that plan will only interfere. I will miss being involved with the ministry, but will hopefully still be a part of the lives of the girls I have grown to love!
Chris still has a job at Keystone. We are going on faith for that one on a day-by-day basis! It is so hard to watch friends get layed off from their jobs at other factories & not know what tomorrow may bring for us. Chris is thankful for his CDL's to fall back on, but even then we never know! We have started looking into a business called PriMerica that seems to be a door opened by God to improving our finances. We are really looking forward to being part of a group of "go-getters" & can't wait to see what He has in store for us!
As our schedule has opened up in so many areas, we are enjoying every day we have together, as well as learning to wait on God through the trials we have experienced. Some of you know the struggles we have had lately, some of you don't. We are hoping in Christ to give us strength, patience & courage as we go through fire. Our prayer is that we will grow stronger in Him & that our family will be able to look back & see what God has brought us out of. We know He has our best interest at heart & only He knows what is ahead!
Hoping all of you are living for Him as you go about your day. He is the only one that knows what we need, even better than we know for ourselves! Love you all!
Some of you know that I have dropped the Coordinator position for TeenMops. Some of you may not remember that I was even doing that! I decided a few weeks ago that it was too much for me with the things going on in our family. I know that my first & highest calling is my husband & children, and anything else is second. TeenMops is a wonderful ministry and I am blessed to have been a part of it for the last 2 years. I loved knowing all the beautiful, young women that were looking for support & friendship, love & encouragment from us & am sad that I need to step down. Hopefully, God will see fit to bring me back, but for now I know he has a plan for my family & that anything outside of that plan will only interfere. I will miss being involved with the ministry, but will hopefully still be a part of the lives of the girls I have grown to love!
Chris still has a job at Keystone. We are going on faith for that one on a day-by-day basis! It is so hard to watch friends get layed off from their jobs at other factories & not know what tomorrow may bring for us. Chris is thankful for his CDL's to fall back on, but even then we never know! We have started looking into a business called PriMerica that seems to be a door opened by God to improving our finances. We are really looking forward to being part of a group of "go-getters" & can't wait to see what He has in store for us!
As our schedule has opened up in so many areas, we are enjoying every day we have together, as well as learning to wait on God through the trials we have experienced. Some of you know the struggles we have had lately, some of you don't. We are hoping in Christ to give us strength, patience & courage as we go through fire. Our prayer is that we will grow stronger in Him & that our family will be able to look back & see what God has brought us out of. We know He has our best interest at heart & only He knows what is ahead!
Hoping all of you are living for Him as you go about your day. He is the only one that knows what we need, even better than we know for ourselves! Love you all!
8.19.2008
Movin' Up in the World
Wow! We can't believe we actually have a blog! How cool is this? Definitely feeling like we are movin' up in the world!! We are excited to allow all of you to be a part of our lives as our family grows & as we grow in our love for each other!
A few words about us: October will be 7 years that we have been married! Sometimes it seems longer, sometimes hard to believe it's been that long! We had our first daughter, Alexis Marie, in November 2003. Next fall we will be sending her to kindergarten! Are we really that old? We welcomed our second beauty, Petra Nichole, in August 2005. She just turned 3 and is definitely going to be our tallest! She is a size ahead of her age in clothing. In March, we gave birth to our sweetie, Nova Raine. Weighing in at 9 lbs., 4 oz. & 19 inches, she was our heaviest, but shortest. She lost quite a bit by 3 days & is definitely our smallest now! All our girls are sweet, but definitely have their moments. Lexi is outgoing, smart, funny & remembers everything! She definitely holds us to our word. Petra is our more strong-willed, less compliant child. She knows what she wants & will get it however possible! So far, Nova has been sweet, smiley & sleeps more than the other two ever did!
We have hit quite a few rough spots in our marriage these past 7 years, but God's grace is evident as we continue to work thru the mud & slime, finding love, forgiveness & peace. We are committed to our marriage even in the times when it seems impossible to find happiness together. We are never quite sure how couples can live life without Christ! Without him, we are sure we would not have made it this far!
Chris is still working at Keystone RV. So far, his job is secure as our nation hits economical lows & layoffs in Indiana are inevitable. Our prayer is that God will provide for us as he always has.
I am at home with the girls everyday. Though this is trying most days, I am grateful that my children are not being raised by someone else. I love them more than anything and am thankful for their health & laughter!
That's all for today! Welcome to our blog! Let us know how you are doing! We love you!
A few words about us: October will be 7 years that we have been married! Sometimes it seems longer, sometimes hard to believe it's been that long! We had our first daughter, Alexis Marie, in November 2003. Next fall we will be sending her to kindergarten! Are we really that old? We welcomed our second beauty, Petra Nichole, in August 2005. She just turned 3 and is definitely going to be our tallest! She is a size ahead of her age in clothing. In March, we gave birth to our sweetie, Nova Raine. Weighing in at 9 lbs., 4 oz. & 19 inches, she was our heaviest, but shortest. She lost quite a bit by 3 days & is definitely our smallest now! All our girls are sweet, but definitely have their moments. Lexi is outgoing, smart, funny & remembers everything! She definitely holds us to our word. Petra is our more strong-willed, less compliant child. She knows what she wants & will get it however possible! So far, Nova has been sweet, smiley & sleeps more than the other two ever did!
We have hit quite a few rough spots in our marriage these past 7 years, but God's grace is evident as we continue to work thru the mud & slime, finding love, forgiveness & peace. We are committed to our marriage even in the times when it seems impossible to find happiness together. We are never quite sure how couples can live life without Christ! Without him, we are sure we would not have made it this far!
Chris is still working at Keystone RV. So far, his job is secure as our nation hits economical lows & layoffs in Indiana are inevitable. Our prayer is that God will provide for us as he always has.
I am at home with the girls everyday. Though this is trying most days, I am grateful that my children are not being raised by someone else. I love them more than anything and am thankful for their health & laughter!
That's all for today! Welcome to our blog! Let us know how you are doing! We love you!
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