In Memory of my Gramps...

Recently my Grandpa passed away and it was so tough. He was an amazing man who served his country and his faith for many years. I think I'm ready to talk about some of my memories and stories...

He loved talking about being in the military and was proud of his accomplishments! He often told funny stories of the things that happened. I remember only a couple of times him telling us of the darker, deeper stories of men being blown up in front of him or the guy next to him having his arm shot to pieces. I think he wanted to protect us from those scary real life moments as his granddaughters. I always will remember him as being a brave man!

Another thing he enjoyed was preaching the Gospel and sharing God's love. He was the Pastor of our church for over 20 years. I remember if we were at their house on a Saturday we had to be sure to stay out of his office and be a little more quiet because he had to study. I thought for sure he must have known the Bible from cover to cover because he studied ALL the time. As little girls, my sister and I would often fall asleep during the Sunday evening service while he was preaching and he enjoyed teasing us about how boring he must have been! Then later when we were having dinner he would ask one of us to pray for the meal and as soon as we would say "Amen" he would start snoring, turning the tables on us!

Every time I pass a Kit Kat Bar I think of him because it was his favorite. He would stop by our house every few weeks and as soon as he pulled up we knew there would be a treat for us. He would either have them tucked in his shirt pocket or a brown paper bag. It was the best!

My Grandpa has also been a part of so many of my memories... He baptized me on my 6th birthday. He and my Grandma were at all of my birthday parties. They attended my High School graduation and he was so proud. He and my Uncle Steve married Jeff and I. He was at the hospital for the birth of all three of my boys and was beaming about having another Great Grandson.

I am so thankful for the time my own boys had to spend with him because they have wonderful memories of their Great Grandpa! He was always spoiling them with toys and money. He was a wonderful Great Grandpa and I know they will cherish those memories!

What an amazing man... I thank God for giving him to me as a Grandpa!!

Feels like forever

It's been so long since I posted here. I've missed you blogging friends but facebook has stolen so much of my time from you! If you're on there, stop by and say hi.

We've had lots going on while I was away...

~ Celebrated my 28th birthday
~ Celebrated my 9th anniversary with Jeff
~ Celebrated with 2 friends as they brought babies home
~ Attended a wedding for two sweet friends
~ Enjoyed 2 wonderful weeks of spring break with Josh
~ Enjoyed 2 Fridays in a row with hubby being home
~ Started the GO missions training with the HS students at church

There's probably more but my mind can't process it all right now. I'll be back to share more later. Just thought I better update a little so you didn't think I was gone forever :o)

Can you believe he's the first?

With three boys in our family you would think this wasn't anything new. Monday we were visiting at Grandma and Papa's house and I heard a smack and then crying. The kind of crying where a Mama knows something is definitely wrong. I guess my Mom said "Someone's going to need stitches" and I didn't even hear her. I was so focused on getting out there to see what happened.

Come to find out, Josh was "teaching" Seth to golf with a big piece of wood. It was actually one of those rods that you hang your clothes on in the closet. Unfortunately for Seth his head became the golf ball! Josh felt horrible and was patting Seth on the back saying, "You know I would never hurt you on purpose, right Seth?"

We decided to head to urgent care because we only have to pay a $20 co-pay there. Plus, we thought we might get in and out quicker and be on our way. We sat in the waiting room for about 25 minutes and then went back to the room. They came in, cleaned it up and put some numbing medicine on it. We had to wait another 15 minutes for that to kick in. Then the doc came in and got all ready... let the freak out begin! Jeff, Grandma and I all tried to hold him down while the doc sat back and waited. I was getting frustrated that he wouldn't give us a hand. So after a couple minutes he said he was done and it just wasn't going to work.

We got to the ER and the waiting room was packed! We waited to be seen in triage for about 30 minutes. They told us it would probably be about a 2 hour wait. What to do with a kid that has blood running down his face for 2 hours in a dirty, infected waiting room. We asked if we could go grab something to eat and got the okay. Seth was excited to find cheese pizza in the cafeteria and even more excited to have strawberry milk with it!

Back in the ER, we were entertained by another family sitting next to us. They laughed and joked with us about life. Grandma and Seth played one of his favorite games where you draw shapes, numbers and letters on his back and he figures out what it is. Great education while filling time. It took a little over 3 hours before they called his name but we made the most of it and there will always be memories of that night!

Sorry, that ended up being longer than I intended it to be! Here's what you get when you mix two little boys and a rod...

Kicking back in the ER waiting for the doc...

Unsure of what's to come and starting to worry...

He's crying, we're smiling... great photo!

He's not out of it but laying so still after making a deal with Grandma...

Smiling to make Mom happy...

He wanted one up close so you all could see how brave he is...

The deal Grandma made with him... A $10 toy from Toys R Us!

As for Me and My House...

Thursday started out a little rough. Josh woke up and realized he hadn't done his homework the night before so that sent him into a tizzy trying to get it done. Then Seth woke up very cranky and only wanted some "Mama Loving" (as he calls it). Jacob was just an innocent bystander unfortunately and cried because that's how he deals some times! We got the homework finished up, packed a lunch and we were headed for the garage.

By the time we got in the van, everyone was in a bad mood, especially me. Then it was arguing because Seth's seat wasn't in the right spot and it had to have been Josh's fault. Josh then yelled at Seth because he wasn't the one who had moved the seat but thought I had. You get the point!

I had finally had it and said loudly to the children and anyone listening... "That is it! Satan you don't have a place here and I will not let you control our day. You will not come in my house because we serve the Lord and you need to get OUT!" The kids looked shocked because I've only done this a few times in the past and usually I do it quietly. I then prayed and took Josh to school.

The day went on and I thought nothing else about the situation. Until later that day when my three boys and the two I babysit were all in the backyard playing. They were playing just fine until something set one of them off and the arguing began. This is what I hear Seth screaming in the backyard...

"Satan came in! Satan came in! He's needs to get out!!"

I could only imagine what my neighbors were thinking! Josh came running in to make sure I could hear what was happening. I guess it really hit home with Seth and he was not going to let Satan come back to our home and mess with us!

I love that my children take these things so seriously because the evil one is lurking about and wants to control and derail our days. I once heard Beth Moore say that God has a plan for your life but the Satan does, too! It's so scary to think about and so real. We need to guard our hearts, minds and homes from his evil plots and schemes and if that means kicking his butt to the curb once in a while... you better believe I will!

Tag

Directions:
Open up the 6th picture folder on your computer.
Post the 6th picture in the folder and tell the story of it.
Then tag 6 of your friends.


This is a picture I took of my Grandpa with Jacob last summer. My Grandpa has been pretty sick for the last ten years. We have had some close calls and never thought he'd still be here but he still keeps right on kicking. I snapped this picture so Jacob would have some way to look back and remember his Great Grandpa. Makes me feel so blessed that my Grandparents are involved in my kids lives!
Thanks for tagging me Kim!

I'm tagging... Mom, Sherry, Julie, Jen, Jodi and Shawnette

The sky is falling

My son Josh is a hypochondriac and I feel for him, I really do. Last night I was leaving Starbucks after a night out with some of the High School girls and ended up having to pull over because I got so sick. My mind was racing and felt like it might explode... my mini van is messy enough without brains splattered all over! I honestly don't remember all of it and think I gave my sister a bit of a scare. She kept asking these strange questions and I have a feeling I was talking crazy. Sorry Sherry!

I'm so blessed to have parents that live close by. They met me about half way and my Mom drove me home. Anyway, as soon as my Mom got me in the door Josh heard what was going on and started to panic. I heard him say, "Does she need to go to the ER?" I was out of it after that but Jeff says he immediately started saying he was sick and couldn't make it through school the next day. This happens whenever one of his brothers gets sick. He mysteriously ends up with the same thing!

Jeff and I laugh inside because it really is pretty funny. We are onto him though. Jeff said this morning he was actually crying as he got out of the car and would not look back! I will pick him up in about 10 minutes and we'll see how the day went. I have a feeling he's all better now!

Prayer

Jen posted something amazing about her girls praying today and I loved it... Go check it out!

We have talked with the boys about prayer so many times. We try to help them understand that it's not all about asking but also about thanking and praising. They've gotten better but once in a while they get in a rut and can't seem to get out.

Thinking about kids praying reminds me that Jacob said his first prayer about a month ago and it was so sweet. We've been trying to read the Bible in the evening with the boys and then we start with the youngest and make our way around to the oldest for prayer time. Jeff was going to start with Seth but since he's not the youngest, he was offended. He wanted Jacob to go first. Jeff told him that Jake was too young to pray. I disagreed and gave it a try, here's how it went...

Me: Dear Jesus
Jacob: Jeeeesus
Me: Thank you for this day
Jacob: Tank ooow da
Me: I love you
Jacob: Yu ooow
Me: Amen
Jacob: Ameeeee

It melted my heart to hear him saying those words to the Lord. I think it's a great start!

My own photo shoot

I entered Jake in a photo contest on Regis and Kelly again this year. Here are some of the photos from our own little shoot...

This is the one that was entered in the contest

Not enjoying Mom's photo shoot

How sweet is this one?

Trying to hide by the table

He's just a hunka hunka burnin' love...

When you become the parent

Since Jeff's Mom passed away just over a year ago, I feel like there have been some role reversals in the relationship between Jeff and his Dad. It's hard to see him go through all the changes involved with loosing a spouse, especially when he was so dependant on her. We've tried to be supportive but it's not always easy. I feel like in so many ways, Jeff has become a father to his father. He looks to him for advice, support and daily care.

He is making some tough choices right now and while we dont' always agree with him, we still have to respect him. All we want is for him to be happy but to also follow the will of God and what He desires for his life! Pray for our family as we continue to deal with this situation!

Mother of the year

I will NOT be winning this award! Today I was doing things around the house, taking care of 4 little boys and talking to my mother on the phone. Then it hit me... Josh got out of school 10 minutes ago and I totally forgot! Thank goodness we live about a minute away. I had to run out of the house with kids that were half dressed and shoeless. I called the office and asked them to let him come out to the van so I didn't have to walk up. Ugh, some days I just can't get it all together!

This life of mine in 2009...

Looking ahead into this year...

I will celebrate my 28th birthday!

My hubby and I will celebrate our 9th Anniversary!

Jacob will celebrate his 2nd birthday!

Seth will celebrate his 5th birthday!

Josh will celebrate his 8th birthday... how did that happen?

Seth will start Kindergarten and Josh will start 3rd grade... I'm not old enough!!

My Mom will celebrate her 2 year fight with breast cancer and all that goes into that!

My Dad will hit the BIG 5-0!

We are praying that my sister finds the Man of her dreams!

My BIL & SIL will come home from South East Asia... can't wait to hug them!!

We have lots of friends having babies and I can't wait to cuddle them close :o)

We will continue to pray about how God might grow our family!

These are just a few of the major things that will go on. I don't want to bore you with all the little details of our life :o)

I know God will continue to love on us and bless us in major ways and I can't wait to see how He plans on doing that. We'll have our share of ups and downs but that's what makes life such an adventure!

Christmas Morning

There's a First Time for Everything

My kids have never been to see the snow. I know, it's so sad since we live about 2 hours from where it snows each year. We set our goal that this was going to be the year and we made it happen. A couple weeks ago we loaded up and headed north with my parents and sister. The boys couldn't wait to get there. We were all pleasantly surprised that they lasted almost 4 hours in the wet, cold snow. It was a wonderful day and they were exhausted by the time we were done!

Are we almost there?

Making snow angels

Seth by the snow dude

Poor Jake... all he could say was "Uh, oh!"

From the snow he was made and to the snow he returned

What a long day...

Pieces of Ethiopia

My friend Julie recently went on a trip to Ethiopia to pick up her beautiful children. Before she left we talked about what she might bring me back. We decided the nativity set would be best but I also added that I would love to have a little traditional Ethiopian shirt for Jacob. Unfortunately they were out of the nativity sets. However, she was able to find an adorable set for Jacob. It's really cute and fits him perfectly. Here are some pictures of him showing it off...




Thanks Julie... you're so thoughtful ;o)

The Dentist Update and Pictures

I finally figured out how to get the pictures downloaded and onto the blog. Anyway, Seth did great at the dentist. It only took two nurses and I to hold him down and get the meds down his throat. Then we sat in the waiting room for almost an hour waiting for the meds to kick in. He finally said "I'm feeling weird Mama, kind of dizzy." I knew it was working and wondered if they would let me take some home :o)

Not sure if it's good or bad but they didn't let me go back with him. They said he was very fussy and cried during most of the procedure. His spacer is a nice shiny silver and he loves to show it off! Now we're just working hard not to pop it out. Here are some pictures from Grandma's house when we got done...

Eating pudding but pushed it aside so Grandma could get a good picture

Enjoying his pudding but having a hard time with that fat lip

Poor guy could hardly keep his eyes open

Grandma has all the good stuff...

Our dentist adventure

And we're off... today Seth will be seeing the dentist to have a tooth (or what remains of a tooth) extracted and a spacer put in. Basically last Tuesday he broke his tooth while eating a quesadilla. They said it appears the tooth never had a chance because it grew in "funky." We've seen two dentists now and been charged about $125! Today will run us about $300 or more. The joy of medical bills.

Seth is very nervous and I'm not sure how he's going to do. I will update when we get home. Until then, please pray for the little guy!

Praying for the family

Yesterday I got a call from my friend, Patti and she was in tears. She had just gotten the news that her nephew, Travis 11 years old, passed away in his sleep. He was severely handicapped and suffered from Mitochondrial disease. My heart is aching for this family today! There are five other children who are going to miss their brother so much. Not to mention his parents, siblings, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents.

Travis may have never been able to talk but he sure was cute. I remember seeing him lay on the couch and laugh while we were celebrating birthdays. I trust that he is safe with the Lord in Heaven today, probably doing things his earthy body never allowed him to do!

Please join with me and pray for this family!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Yesterday was my Grandma's 78th Birthday. My Grandma is one special lady! I have so many memories of her over the years. It was such a treat when we got to stay the night at her house. Her guest room always seemed huge to me. She had a giant king size bed that we like to jump on when she wasn't around (sorry Grandma!). I remember times we helped her bake dozens of cookies for VBS. In the summer there was no better place to be... we lived in Grandma's pool, complete with slide and diving board.

Not only did I watch her in the role of Grandma but also as a Pastor's wife for over 20 years. Leading women's groups or special events. Taking time to make sure everyone else was taken care of before herself. A woman with a huge Faith!

She was also the mother of my mother, not an easy job I'm sure (just kidding Mom).

As I've grown I've watched her go from a Grandma to a Great Grandma. It's even more special to see interacting with my boys. She takes her job very seriously and loves to spend time with them. She spoils them with special clothes or toys here and there. She always has tasty snacks in jars on the counter that they can't resist. She evens plays outside with them from time to time!

Thank you Grandma for being such a special lady. You've influenced my life in ways you'll never even know. I'm proud to call you Grandma! I love you!!

Christmas Chains

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. We're doing a study right now with Beth Moore in my women's home team. Last month she said something that really hit home with me... "You can't do a thousand things and do them all well." It really made me stop and think about what is truly important. So if you don't see me posting quite as often, it's probably because I'm off playing with my kids or enjoying life!

Now onto what I started to tell you about. I wanted to do those cute little green/red paper chains with my kids. I started searching the internet for a poem to put on the top but wasn't thrilled with the results I found. So I made up a new poem and thought I would share. I decided to go with something simple that my kids could understand...

Christmas day is almost here
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

We open gifts and sing fun songs
We wait for this time all year long.

But it’s never too late
To remember why we celebrate…

Jesus was born a sweet baby boy
He filled the world with so much joy.

His live He gave
For our lives to save!

Look what I've done...

I totally stole this from Julie but I know she won't care. Check out my answers and then go see what she's done... she's way more exciting than I am :o)

The ones in Bold are the ones I've done...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (in a bug catcher)
10. Sang a solo (just a small part)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (does Wii count - probably not)
32. Been on a cruise (soon)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke -
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (SOON!)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to the drive in
55. Been in a movie (a home video, haha)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (well, “let go” is more appropriate - “phased out” maybe)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (working on it)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (helped)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Now copy and paste it... I can't wait to see what you've done!