To my Sons

May they have the faith of Abraham,
May they have the boldness of Paul,
May they have a heart like David, always seeking God.
May they have the wisdom of Salomon,
May they have the patience of Job,
May they be a leader like Joshua, always full of hope.
May they have the courage of Daniel,
May they have the love of John,
May they know Your voice like Samuel and always obey God .

Father God, bless my sons, May they grow to be men of God.

(found on a friend of a friend's blog)

Joy Remembered

I have dreamt of this post and tried over and over to put my words together for this one, but it has been hard. I want to share our journey over the last few weeks, but the words just don't seem to say what my heart has experienced.

On August 26th, Chad and I found out that we were going to welcome baby #4 into our world on April 29th, 2010. (our 10th anniversary:-)) We were filled with shock, fear, and joy. "Choose to trust Me" and "Be Joyfully Dependent" was all I heard my Father say. Immediately my mind was filled with thoughts, dreams, and hopes of this little one.... their name, what they would look like, and how they would fit into the rhythm of our family.

One short week later, Sept. 2, fear shot through my soul as I started to experience some symptoms of complications. I once again was reminded by the Lord to "Choose to Trust" and "Be Joyfully Dependent." Man that is difficult when you are faced with an uncertain ultrasound and three different blood drawings within the next week.

On the Saturday of Labor Day, my body started the beginnings of a miscarriage. My blood levels had continued to rise until then, so for us, that day marks the beginning of the end. Even though my heart and soul were filled with amazing grief, the Lord allowed me to joyfully celebrate Tate's 3rd birthday. Later that day, Chad encouraged me to spend some time alone. My goodness, I'm so thankful for a husband that knows me so well. I spent the night at a hotel and was able to journal all my thoughts and rested without interruption. It really prepared me for the days ahead. To him I am so grateful!

So as our family joyfully welcomed the hope of a little one into our home, only weeks later, we are learning to be ok with the joyful reunion we will have with this precious one in Heaven.

As today would mark my dad's 66th birthday, I can rest in knowing that they are together.

Joyfully Grateful and Grieving Joy

Tate and "Piderman"

On Labor Day, Tate's birthday, we spent some great time with some of his buddies. This year we went to a local park that is a favorite hangout of our family. It is so hard to believe that he is already 3, wow time flies. He is such a source of laughter and "funness" in our home. He definately is opinionated and can stand on his own with his older brothers, but they are also the apple of his eye. He totally adores "owey" and "iffin". As I watched them play together the other day, I was so grateful for siblings; for my boys to have siblings to romp and roam with, laugh with , and grow with.

Round Here

Griffin proud of his "ghee" (don't think that's how it's spelled, but it's what he's wearing) 1st day of class

Karate Kid in action...gotta love it...

We could not be more excited to find something that Owen is passionate about. CUB SCOUTS! Everything else was a take-it-or-leave-it thing, but he is already talking about doing this till he gets his Eagle...man with a mission

A wonderful night to enjoy my hubby!!! :-)

A night with the Titans...local NFL team (for you foreigners) a most timely evening-away for us

Aren't they so cute!!! much cuter here than in a chicken coop

Griffin learning about feeding the chicks...at this age they get all the food they want

Baby chicks: egg laying ones and chicks to grow out to eat

Needed Encouragement

This week has been a hard week emotionally and physically for me and I'm so thankful to have been encouraged a bit by these words written from my favorite devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

I am your best friend, as well as your King. Walk hand in hand with Me through your life. Together we will face whatever each day brings: pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments. Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me. I can bring beauty out of ashes of lost dreams. I can glean Joy out of sorrow, Peace out of adversity. Only a friend who is also the King of kings could accomplish this divine alchemy. There is no other like Me!
The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth, yet it is saturated with heavenly Glory. Living in My Presence means living in two realms simultaneously: the visible world and unseen, eternal reality. I have equipped you to stay conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound paths.

Precious Moments

Today our family and church body enjoyed the fellowship of time with each other at a local park. With that came, good food, inflatables for the kiddos and a baptismal time for new professed believers. One of Griffin's best bud's parents were baptized, and that started a precious conversation with Griffin.

Griffin = When can I too be put under the water like Ms. Nikki and Mr. Mike?
Mom= Well buddy, when you ask Jesus to come into your heart and take away your yucky sin, then he can live there and help you make good choices."
Griffin= I want to do that.
Mom=OK buddy, let's pray and ask Jesus to take away your sin and live in your heart
Griffin= OK

This truly is a sacred moment in our family! True, I don't know how much his little mind can grasp, but he has grasped enough to know he has sin and only Jesus can take it away.

On a funny note, Owen was talking (surprise, surprise) during our whole prayer, and then finally I asked him what he wanted and he said, "Mom, you need to show Griffin the Easter Eggs book about how we are on one side and God is on the other and a cross is the bridge for us to get to God. You need to read him that book tomorrow, Mom." You are right Owen- yeah, that's the book we read when I asked Jesus into my heart......

Precious moments for this proud mama!!

Griffin 2 wheelin'

A pretty big mile-marker in our home this morning. Griffin asked us to take off his training wheels on his little bike. Now, he usually doesn't ride his bike often b/c his scooter takes first seat, but he was motivated. Determination and perseverance is a gift of Griffin's, and today it proved true. This is about the 3rd video we made b/c he kept going. As I write, Chad has taken Owen and Griffin on the greenway trail to ride....per Grif's request! My little man #2 is growing up :-(