He strikes again...

A few weeks ago I came home from Bible Study and Jeff said " You should look at the camera." Here's what I saw...

Seth decided to play in the chocolate syrup

Then Jacob got involved by swimming around in it

Daddy stuck in him in the tub with all his clothes on and started the bath!

What an awesome husband! He got both boys cleaned up and tossed the clothes right in the washer. You can't even tell they were dirty now. He also scrubbed the rug and it looks great. Plus on top of all that, he took pictures so we can always remember what happened!

8 Years ago...

It was a Saturday morning 8 years ago that I woke up with butterflies. I knew it was going to be one of the biggest days of my life! I had so many emotions running through me. My sister and I walked a couple doors down to the church to help start setting up. Then we ran to get our hair done. I still hadn't decided whether I wanted to wear my hair up or down so I left it up to my stylist. She did a half up, half down look. It turned out wonderful and I felt like a princess.

We met up with the rest of the girls a couple hours later back at the church. My Mom was busy getting all the decorations set up and in place. She had made them herself which saved lots of money and put a personal touch on them. I was just in Heaven and felt like I was floating on clouds that whole morning. The girls and I ate some lunch but I was so nervous I couldn't get much down.

A little while later we started the process of getting dressed. My dress was so beautiful but so heavy and the train was really long! I needed lots of help getting it on. My Mom did some last minute touch ups on my hair and make up. My Dad came in and checked on me. We took lots of pictures. My Grandparents, cousins, Aunts and Uncles all came in to say hi. I was actually the second cousin to get married on that side of the family and the first on the other. It was a big deal for everyone!

The girls and I went to the back of the church and got ready to head down the isle. I was so nervous by this point. They all decided they needed to kiss me, I don't know if it was more for my benefit or theirs. It was a special moment though and I'll always remember it. They all took their turns heading down the isle and then it was my turn. I was actually supposed to be hidden from everyone but attendance ended up being so big that day there were people sitting in the foyer and along the outside isles. So there were lots of people who got to see me before they were really supposed to.

Right before the doors opened my Dad and I decided to just walk slow and not staggered like we had practiced. Just too much thinking involved! So the doors opened and we headed down the isle. At one point I tripped and my Dad caught me from falling. I don't think everyone knew but I sure was embarrassed. I remember when Jeff and I finally saw each other it was amazing. He was so surprised and happy. You could see it all over his face. I was pretty happy, too! It was exciting to have my Grandpa and Uncle preform the ceremony together. I couldn't make up my mind about which one should do it so I decided to use both. It turned out perfect!

I can't really tell you much about the reception because that was all a blur. I remember cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet and saying hi to a whole lot of people. It was kind of overwhelming at the time. Eventually we headed out to the parking lot where Jeff surprised me with a limo. As we walked out everyone was blowing bubbles. It was my first and only time to ride in a limo and it was a blast! I popped out of the top and waved goodbye to everyone as we drove away!

The next morning we had breakfast with family and headed for California. We stayed in La Hola in a beautiful hotel. During the next few days was lots of laughing and a few tears. Jeff wasn't sure what he had gotten himself into but he hung in there and took care of me. It was a wonderful time to just hang out and spend time together.

I like what my Mom asked me on Sunday... "So 8 years and three kids later, how does it feel?" It feels great. I'm still very much in love. In fact, I'm more in love now than ever before! I can't believe how blessed we are. The Lord has always taken care of us and I know He will continue to provide for our family. I can't imagine what it would be like if He wasn't at the center of it all. That makes all the difference!!

Dear Drunk and Confused

Dear Drunk and Confused,

I want to take a minute and let you know I'm praying for you. This morning when I saw you laying on the sidewalk with your son standing next to you I felt horrible! I first thought you must have been out for a walk and slipped and fell. When I stopped to see if you needed help it became clear that there was more to the story. Your shirt was completely twisted to the point it was coming off. Plus, the bottle of beer laying next to you was a big clue. Then you started yelling at your son and I knew something wasn't right. As he tried to talk to me you just became more angry. At that point I felt it was better if I got back in my car.

I'm sorry I had to call the police but I didn't what else to do. It was so obvious that you and your son were in danger. Especially when you stumbled out into the busy street in front of several cars and left him on the curb. He stood there waiting and watching to make sure you were safe. He seemed so grown up for only being about 4 or 5. It's obvious he's seen you this way before and that breaks my heart!

Tonight I'm praying for both of you. I'm praying that you are getting cleaned up. I'm praying that your son is in the care of someone special and he's being able to just be a kid. I'm praying that whatever is going on in your life, this might be your wake up call. I'm praying that you might reach out to someone and find the help and love you need! I'm praying that both of you are safe!

Stacey

What a blessing!

Some time ago I was driving down the road and felt like God was speaking to me about High School girls for some reason. I thought to myself "Yeah God, I think I could definitely work with those girls. It would be good for them and me!" Jeff was working with Jr. High at our church at the time but I was involved in preschool and didn't really get too involved with the youth. So the thought just kind of came and went. The very next week Darius pulled Jeff aside at church and asked if he would be willing to move to the High School service and start a home team (or Elevator) for them in our home. I love the way God prepares our hearts for what's to come!

So we started a High School Elevator in our home on Tuesday nights. Let me tell you... they are incredible and blow me away each week. They are so smart and so in tune with life around them. They are watching more than we realize! I wasn't sure what to expect at first but they are awesome! Each week they show up and share what God's doing in their lives and hearts. We usually hang out for a little while, play a game, dive into the lesson and then share prayer time together. It's is so fun to watch them share and see them grow. I would have never expected some of these kids to hang out together but they have all just connected and bonded!

About a month or so ago Darius pulled us aside again and asked if we would be willing to serve this summer during the GO missions trip at our church. Jeff and I thought about it and prayed to see what God would want. We both felt a very strong YES and signed up to help. We're very excited about it and can't wait to see how God is going to use us. What an amazing opportunity to serve alongside these kids as they teach VBS for some kids who may never hear about Jesus otherwise. We are both so excited and we're trying to get geared up for the trip. The ten week training will start in just a couple weeks. We will be praying, training and equipping these kids to serve God in the community. I can't wait to update you and share what God is doing in all of our lives!!

It's been a long time...

... since I've been this sick! Whatever I've got has really knocked me out! I'm talking fevers that just keep coming and won't back down. Plus, lots of other real yucky junk going on!

I couldn't get in at my regular doctor's office yesterday so they sent me to urgent care. I found one on my insurance plan and headed over there. They checked me for strep throat and any of you that have had that test know it's not fun. After that came back negative they tested me for the flu. Did you know they have a test for flu these days? I didn't... it wasn't fun either. They pretty much stick a swab up your nose and roll it around... it feels like it touches your throat! I wouldn't recommend it! Well, that came back negative which shocked the doc because he thought for sure I had the flu. Anyway, he sent me home without any real diagnosis but some antibiotics. I started those yesterday and already had my second dose today so hopefully I'll be up and ready for the big Easter Carnival happening at church tomorrow!

I have to say a big thank you to my sister for watching the two younger boys yesterday so I could take the trip to the doc and then enjoy a much needed nap! Also to my good friend Patti for picking up Josh after school and keeping him for four hours. You both are so good to me!!

27th Birthday

Wednesday was my 27th birthday and I wanted to post something but I ran out of time. Oh well, I'll post something now. How about 27 things about me that you might not know...

1. As a little girl I took baton classes and was in a couple of little shows

2. I met my husband 22 years ago

3. I sell Avon

4. I used to sell Premier Designs Jewelry

5. I can touch my tongue to my nose

6. I once bounced a friend off a teeter totter at summer camp... she broke her collarbone!

7. I can say the Pledge Of Allegiance in Spanish

8. In 3rd and 6th grade I got straight A's

9. I love shopping

10. I cried on my Honeymoom because I missed my family

11. I fell in love with and actually wore the very first wedding dress I tried on

12. I love Mexican food and could eat it every day

13. I love scrapbooking but don't leave much time for it

14. I love to read

15. I always wanted to have two daughters

16. I grew up knowing all of my grandparents and they are actually all still alive

17. I prefer iced tea over hot tea

18. I've had five surgeries where I was put under... that's a strange feeling!

19. I can remember things (in detail) starting from about age 4

20. I would love to write a children's book someday

21. Tulips are my favorite flower

22. I drive a red mini van

23. Red and purple are my favorite colors

24. I collect Willow Tree figurines... thanks to Julie for getting me started

25. I someday hope to visit my Sister in Law in South East Asia

26. Our family moved for the first time when I was 16 years old

27. Since I've been married I've moved 4 times

Did you learn anything you didn't already know??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips for celebrating family birthdays...

Register each person in your family with Cold Stone Creamery and get a special coupon for a free Love it size ice cream to be used the week of your birthday!

Join Fazoli's E-family Club and get special coupons for a free dessert

Join The Melting Pot's Club Fondue and get coupons for a free chocolate fondue

Join Red Robin's E-club and get a free hamburger on your big day!

Not again...

Remember my last post where I talked about loosing my mind when I left my purse at McDonald's? Well, I've proven once again that I don't have any brain cells left!

Yesterday Seth woke up with pink eye in both eyes! I called right away to make him an appointment and they said come in at 4:15. We got there and Seth decided to come through the front of the van to get out. So he hops up in my seat, hops out, locks the door and shuts it all before I could blink. Oh believe me people, he really is that fast! Thank the Lord I had the sliding door open still. Well, in all the commotion I set the keys down as I was getting Jake out and forgot to pick them up.

It turns out he has double pink eye or conjunctivitis whatever you want to call it and a double ear infection! Poor little guy, I felt horrible that I didn't even know his ears were hurting! We loaded up on prescriptions for antibiotics, eye drops and ear drops and headed out the door. It was then I realized I didn't have my keys. I walked out to the van to confirm it and found them laying right next to Jacob's seat. So Jeff came about 45 minutes later and bailed me out! I'm so glad to have a wonderful husband who takes care of me and doesn't make me feel even more stupid when I do these things!

Anyway, I need to say thanks to Patti for picking up Josh from school and watching him while this whole circus took place. She also fed him dinner with her family since I didn't get there until after 6:00! It's awesome to have such great friends around.

Plus, Grandma came and brought us each a drink and a snack to help us pass the time as we waited for Daddy... how great is she?