tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205100622024-03-14T06:53:44.304-05:00A pencil in the hand of GodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-5804463739139510812016-01-21T15:01:00.000-05:002016-01-21T15:01:30.214-05:00I have had a realization this week about winter and why I love it...there is something about the desolate times. The ones where death happens, the cold desolate chapters the times in life when the "real work" is being done. These are the times before the beauty comes. This is when the real work, the beautiful creation is beginning it just doesn't look pretty yet. <br />
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when I think back over my life. the periods I am most thankful for are not the joyful, mountain tops. don't get me wrong those are incredibly memorable and I am thankful for them...but the times I am most thankful are the times that are dark, dependent, and all in all painful, cuz those are the times that drove me closer to God. Those are the times when a huge clean out happened in my heart. Then to top it all off...these are the Chapters that produced the most beautiful change in me. <br />
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in 2016 I have spent sometime with God asking him to reveal what the next desolate chapter looks like. cuz now as I stand close to him...the desolation even looks beautiful as I have learned that when my eyes are focused on my savior. I see the immense beauty in the cold winters chapters of life. The glimmering, sparkling snowy moments when the sun glissens off the ground. Cuz beneath that top layer of brown ugliness, flowers are starting to start growth, trees roots are nourishing and deepening their roots to get ready to bloom in Spring, and Nature all around us is preparing for the chapter to come. The process not just the end result is Incredibly beautiful. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-56378062910258315312015-08-30T10:22:00.002-05:002015-08-30T10:23:27.683-05:00The night Jack lost his sight....I felt the need to bring back the old blog today. I have many things that have happened that i want to get down on paper during this transplant adventure. I have realized that my once very sharp brain isn't quite as on point as it use to be. <br />
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I have been thinking a lot about last Saturday. I spent yesterday and the past week talking to Jack about it. Filling in wholes of the parts he doesn't remember....thank you Jesus for protecting him from feeling and experiencing what he was going through, as I prayed he wouldn't. That evening I was so confused. We had spent the day before laughing and even that day enjoying hospital life with Jack. We had had a rough GI night...but everything else had been going so well. Kidney numbers were extraordinary. Jack's body had accepted Adrian's kidney the best he could at that point. Things were on track to a fantastic...even speedier recovery than planned. That afternoon his BP had been trending up but everyone seemed to be cautious but ok with it. I was chatting on the phone with my sister in law while my mom was playing a words with friends game with Jack. I over heard Jack say "I can't find the U nana." She directed him with her finger to the letter. HE repeated no, nana I can't see it. I can't see. Might heart sank as I went to look at his eyes. When I saw he couldn't track my finger and he said he couldn't see me. I bolted to the nurses station to grab his nurses. I then started to pray as his eyes began twitching (Nystagmus in the medical world, an involuntary twitching of the eyes that may result from lack or reduced vision) and I had my mom call Adrian who wasn't with us as he had just been discharged that morning. Lots of Dr, lots of confusion and lots of tears came. They decided to wheel him for a CT scan. I asked the Lord to help me give Jack what he needed to understand what was happening. At this time he couldn't talk to me, see me, or even express how scared he was. I was at a loss for words...everytime I tried to even speak in my head more tears fell, but I felt a sense of peace like I could feel a calming presence of someones hand resting on my shoulder. I stood there next to Jack on the table, talking to him, asking him listen to my voice and telling him what was happening and that it would be ok...even though I really didn't know. Towards the end I asked him to squeeze my finger and I felt a faint squeeze. He slowly began coming back to us: mumbling crazy phrases, pointing to things he saw that we didn't see, and squeezing our fingers. But he still couldn't see us. as he began to speak to us Adrian asked if he wanted to pray...Jack said no. but Adrian prayed anyway and Jack began speaking completely clearly to interrupt his prayer and finish it himself. There were some distant moments on this transplant adventure that confirmed to me that Jack and Jesus are connect in a much deeper way than I could have imagined in his short 8 years. <br />
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"Even the most confusing day opens up before you as you go step by step with Me. My Presence goes with you wherever you go, providing Light for your path." -Jesus Calling by Sarah Young<br />
"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." -Psalm 63:7-8 NIVUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-15373201237750397702012-09-17T20:26:00.002-05:002012-09-17T20:27:23.962-05:00Teya at ONE MONTH wow...I can't believe we are coming up to our one month birthday...it feels like we have been doing this parenting of three thing for only a couple weeks. if this is how fast her first year of life is going to go...this mama is not happy. Not happy at all. :( We got a chance to snap a few more photos the other day...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jh7VA4sbWJs/UFNsTc5yN-I/AAAAAAAAJvo/WxTlcAv6GjY/s1600/Teya+One+MONTHwth+logo-10+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jh7VA4sbWJs/UFNsTc5yN-I/AAAAAAAAJvo/WxTlcAv6GjY/s640/Teya+One+MONTHwth+logo-10+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a>I have been debating doing every month pictures...it will be interesting if I can actually remember to do it. At least we accomplished month one. :) and I have a maternity picture in almost this same spot so that should be fun too. We got a few others as well...this one really proved to me that she is filling out. need to get out the scale today to see how much she has grown too. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZ1a71pzqg/UFNsoLgQSOI/AAAAAAAAJv4/nopMj34MNXk/s1600/teya-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZ1a71pzqg/UFNsoLgQSOI/AAAAAAAAJv4/nopMj34MNXk/s640/teya-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Breastfeeding has its advantages and disadvantages...but the good definitely out weigh the bad. I have really enjoyed all the funny faces I have gotten to see, the bonding we have had together and the fact that while I am feeding I am not responsible for anything other than just taking care of Miss Teya. :) (I use this to its full advantage for sure!! )<br />
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this is a favorite face for sure. I have also gotten to catch a few smiles too...those ones where you truely wonder what they are dreaming about cuz they are followed by some sweet little chuckles too. I have really enjoyed Teya's first few weeks. I am not sure if it is just normal and so I can enjoy it or if things are just going so well...either way I will take it. I enjoy holding her, singing to her (although Jack has kinda taken this over for me), taking walks,and may other things. the joyous things that I don't enjoy much are the mounds of laundry, the nights she decides that 4-5 hours awake in the middle of the night sounds like a great idea or she decides to wake up minutes after I have gotten her sister back into bed. Oh how fun it is to have life with three. <br />
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she still has all her dark hair<br />
eyes that are dark but starting to look a bit blue<br />
weighs: 7lbs 6oz<br />
height: 19.5 inchesb<br />
enjoys baths, cooing, her brother and sister are much entertainment and she loves to be held by anyone...but if she is mad she likes her mama. Can't wait to watch you grow in month 2 baby girl....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-82998276552086882862012-09-11T14:22:00.003-05:002012-09-11T14:22:30.268-05:00Welcome to the world Teya Claire!!well on August 16th we welcomed our third child into the world...and I really wish I could say that she did it drama free...but really would you all believe me if I did. :) On Tuesday the 14th we had an abnormal heart beat....on the fetal monitor and so they had me sit for a one hour NST (non stress test) to see if she was just moving too much to catch a consistent beat. They could hear on that that it was irregular and that is common in fetus' at the end of pregnancy...but only if it returns to normal on its own. so we did an ultrasound to make sure she was healthy and that blood flow was still good....and all was but they wanted to monitor me til it returned to normal in the next hour or so...or we were going to have a baby. Not quite as shocking hearing that this time as it was last time...as we were an additional almost 4 weeks along than we were with Avenlea when I heard the words.... "you ready to have a baby today". I have to say though...no matter when you hear those words when they are not planned...it makes my own heart skip a beat and my brain immediately responds by shooting up a prayer. <br />
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As I sat in the triage of the OB floor...(cell phone signalless) I said many a prayer that all would work out. We would have a healthy baby, we would have doctors that we trusted in delivery, that she would be in great hands when she was born, that we would be able to hold her and comfort her first crys, that she would stay with us and not be taken away, and that ultimately God knew the plans he had for her and that His will would be done. <br />
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well heart beat went back into normal rhythm and they sent me home about an hour and half later...and I was baffled, nervous and not sure what to do. I was worried more than I could imagine and also not sure what the plan was from here on out...and for those of you that know me...I deal ok with chaos...if I have even a vague plan of action. well I spoke to my doctor that night and we determined that we would make a decision after the NST in the morning. <br />
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So at 9 am I went in for another NST and all sounded great. My prayer was still the same and God was still answering my calls...the docs on call that day were not the ones that I trusted from past experiences and He new me and my baby would be better waiting another day. After my OB conferred with the Neonatologist and her fellow OB's....we determined that we were all ok with delivering a week early at 38 weeks. So the plans were set up for us to arrive on thursday morning around 8:30. <br />
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I couldn't have asked for things to be better....I new and trusted both OB's in the operating room, the neonatalogist was a friends aunt and a wonderful doctor, the anethesiologist was exceptionally gracious and helped me through some trying reactions to the drugs in the operating room, the nurses kept us all in great spirits and I was surrounded and supported by my family. First child I was able to have my parents here for the birth of...and it was wonderful to come out of recovery to see my wonderful husband, mom, dad and mother in law all there when they handed me my baby girl to take back to my room. I can't even put into words the joy that I felt when they told me that everything sounded great with her heart. THANK YOU GOD!! <br />
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and here is our beautiful baby girl....<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-90122175744761085532012-08-10T08:50:00.001-05:002012-08-10T14:17:49.111-05:00My Tiny Miracle baby is growing up too fast!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five years ago today...i gave birth to a miracle. After a very emotional and stressful pregnancy...I was blessed with the cutest little boy a mama could ever imagine: missing a few parts and a few that were in the wrong spots...but cute as a button. He had some challenges...but has come through them with a spirit than can be matched by nothing. </div>
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I still remember the day we got to bring him home. We were elated even though nothing was ready for him...which was fine...cuz really nothing in our new life was really normal anyway...so the supplies we needed we really had...the hospital sent them with us. <br />
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it is fabulous so look back at the days at the beginning of his life....but the best part was thinking about all the things we were so concerned about in those early posts...that he has overcome today. We had Adrian's Grandmothers funeral yesterday. I got to watch him run around with his cousins and play. yet I sat there thinking wow...a few years ago...we were wondering if he was even going to walk...much less run...and look at him today. We also got to see Grandma's sister Dorothy who was telling me how Jackson has been on their prayer list at their church for so long...and we were thinking probably since the beginning so 5 years...they took his picture so they could show everyone back in Kentucky how he is doing today. There have been so many moments like these and we give all the credit to God. it is through all your prayers and his power that Jackson is doing as well as he is today. He, God, has placed all the right people in our path, the right doctors, therapists and the GREATEST group of FRIENDS and FAMILY who have been there to support us through it all. We have no words that are a big enough Thank you for everything you all have done for us and for Jack!! <br />
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A few 5 year pictures: <br />
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look for more photos from his party on Sunday sometime next week...until then we are enjoying our great 60 degree weather for his bday...I think we might head out to the park this afternoon. :) <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-25318520571024587392012-07-24T08:14:00.000-05:002012-07-24T08:17:17.926-05:00poop poop and more poop...potty training at its best!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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well we have all been enjoying our summer...well as much as you can in 100 degree weather...We have appreciated the rain we have received the last few weeks. I also have to say we have enjoyed the good run of no surgeries for Jack...it has been over a year since Jackson's last surgery and we can not Thank the Lord enough for his continued stable health. He truely is a testament to God's goodness and promises. <br />
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we have been working on potty training for the last year. Jack has done remarkably well despite mom and dad's frustration...he has almost complete knowledge of urinary urgency...however when He says he needs to go...you better be where you need to go...or find a local tree...cuz he can't hold much. HOwever we have been told this can be trained to work later through biofeedback training. HE just needs to be a bit older. We are so super excited for this news. I think you all remember my tears after his last surgery when they were saying he might have to be catheterized ever so many hours....not what i wanted for my baby...and I am so very thankful that we will not have to do that. So, that brings us to what we do have to do...<br />
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do to Jackson's imperferated Anus...he was not born with all the muscles that the rest of us have. The Doc's have been super excited that he is able to get formed poop out of his butt hole at all...that is how little muscle he has down there. So we were optimistic at the beginning and we gave it a good run...but I have been persuaded to go for what they call a MACE procedure. the frustration and disappointment for Jack was too much to take and was starting to lead to things like lying cuz he thought he would get in trouble for a pooping accident...not easy for a 5 year old to separate. We contacted his doctor about a month ago now and she has gotten the ok from all of his other doctors and we will be going ahead with this procedure this fall. (I was actually shocked when they called we could have gotten in in August...however not knowing what is happening with this babe...I am not prepared for recovery and a new baby at the same time). So we will plan it for late September or Early October...we want him to avoid being the stinky kid as much as we can and give him the best life we possibly can. <br />
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the MACE procedure will be another port on his stomach (it is completely reversible for when they learn to create new sphincter muscles some day). We will do an enema in this sight and then he will have to sit for 1-3 hours on the toilet waiting for it all to come out...but then he will be cleaned out for the day and will only have to worry about going pee while he is at a school. We are a bit concerned for the wait time...as he doesn't like to sit for any amount of time on the potty...so we are working on some solutions to pass that time...possibly even getting him a device (IPAD or I TOUCH) where he could watch movies, play educational games, doodle, etc. So we will see...maybe it will be what we ask for for Christmas from everyone. they can just donate to the Jackson IPAD fund. :) We will do what we can to make it so it doesn't interfere too much with his daily life...as that is the point of choosing to do the procedure in the first place. We would love to have prayers that it is 100% successful and that we don't have the complications that con come with it...and also the transition for me as a mom, that i can have the patience that is needed to mother three and do what is needed to support Jackson in this new adventure. <br />
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<a href="http://surgery.med.umich.edu/pediatric/clinical/patient_content/a-m/malone.shtml">M</a>ACE here is a link that descibes the procedure...
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thank you always for all your love and support...we would never be where we are with all of this without it or with out our faith in the Lord!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-1091690985131088942012-07-17T08:05:00.000-05:002012-07-17T08:09:17.012-05:00Anticipation or Anxiety...I find myself full of emotions lately as we enter week 34 of this baby girls pregancy. Lots of memories have come back, some good and some of those feelings you wish you never would remember as they are gut wrenching. Both Jackson and Avenlea were early arrivers...both in drastically different ways and for very different reasons. <br />
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I think I am more reminded by Jackson's birth as I have been chatting with other individuals who have been expecting babys in the next few months that are expected/known to have medical issues. it is such a struggle even having been there to have the words, to know how to reach out...you want to be helpful...not intrusive. Most of the time...I still don't have the words...as I have been there an I know how helpless you feel as they wheel you babe off to surgery at hours/days old. You know God is in control...yet at that moment nothing seems to bring you comfort. However, I do remember the amazing feeling that came over me as I witnessed friends and family praying for Jackson or for us. I also look back an I can see God's hands on him an on us...an the amazing support we had all around us. I got to watch Jackson be prayed over just last week...it was amazing to see him beem as a man he had never met before prayed for him and called him by name as he asked God to heal his little body. In that moment I new God and Jackson had chatted, maybe even met already. On our way home that day Jackson had lots of questions and I love that these conversations have opened up between us. I feel this will definitely help us as we approach his next surgery. I don't know if its the arrival of baby number three, the mega pregancy emotions or the idea that we have made a HUGE decision to go forward with another surgery for him...but Jack and his health have been on my mind alot lately...more to come I promise about Jackson's progress and what is next for him. (that is another post). <br />
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Avenlea's birth was a bit different and could so happen again. I find myself getting anxious and watching for signs of water leakage at every trip to the bathroom. I find myself anticipating with excitement and also some anxiety...as there are so many unknowns. As much as God and I chat about how he is in control and I know from experience he doesn't give us more than we can handle at one time, I still find myself worrying about the what ifs...I know I know...you think I more than anyone...would have stopped that right?? Yeah no! It is simply hard to wait to just see what happens. I remember three years ago being so shell shocked..which sent me into a tailspin when we were told Avenlea was going to be born that day. (I apologize for those that came to visit...and just watch me cry) Being so unprepared made me feel helpless...but then on the other hand we still I think didn't believe everything was healthy or going to be alright...and yet it was...she has grown and developed exactly the way she was suppose too. Yet it made her birth just a bit more traumatic. <br />
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So baby girl on the way (yes I know...she still doesn't have a name)....I feel so ready for her...she has a nursery, a carseat, two siblings that are waiting for her with tons of love and attention to give her and a mama that is so excited to meet her, yet wanting her to grow as strong as she can before she chooses to come (despite the puking 2-5 times a day...and sometimes more). I pray for her everyday and pray for me...that I will be prepare by God for the emotions of her birth and for the physical demands of taking care of three. <br />
I appreciate all of you that have prayed and our continuing to pray for us....this is a bit of a ramble and for that I am sorry...I just wanted to get my thought this morning down in writing...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.636363983154297px;">And when there's no way to feel better in the moment, we have to place our feet on the only solid ground there is—God's truth.</span><br />
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His truth won't shift with feelings.</div>
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His truth won't drown in a sea of tears.</div>
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His truth won't leave you even when your gut honest cries don't sound so Christian.</div>
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totally needed this reminder from my morning devotion this morning. I am so blessed to have a faith to lean on in times of emotion and struggle. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-37132404014207774392012-06-05T09:38:00.000-05:002012-06-05T09:38:17.229-05:00confessions of a budget decorator....Not sure if I am anticipating a new baby or starting to nest...but this weekend we accomplished some car shopping, cleaning the house from top to bottom...I even washed all the laudry and cleaned in the same day. Then yesterday we worked more on the project list which included cleaning up and making some curtains. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are going to tell you a bit about the curtains...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEdaU90Wbjk/T84TAlyr-bI/AAAAAAAAJUU/0rYtzMRWogc/s1600/curtains-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEdaU90Wbjk/T84TAlyr-bI/AAAAAAAAJUU/0rYtzMRWogc/s400/curtains-6.jpg" width="266" /></a>you know when you get that idea in your head and you have to have it...but then you remember: Oh I am on a budget and 70 dollar curatain panels are more than I have spent on the entire room... I still had to make the idea work. So I went on a internet search. I found some samples and had them sent to me. a little extra...but I learned the hard way...you have to know the fabric you are going to work with before you spend money on 5 yards of the stuff. I made my decision pretty quickly...and calculated it would cost me about 28 dollars for the material I needed. lot better for four panels than 280....for sure. I also determined these curtains could be moved to various other rooms in the house...if we decide to change things up after the baby grows...or they could stay...cuz who doesn't love grey on grey. you can do anything with that...so we went for it. I am so glad I did....</div>
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we found the shelf above for free...the frames all over the room for 50 cents or free (99 cent white spray paint at Lowe's is fabulous and transforms anything) and then the bedding was borrowed and repurposed from great friends. the embroidery hoops were painted with that fab spray paint as well and then used fabric I already had....from the quilt. We made the subway art with paint I concocted from red and white I already had and a painting canvas that came out of one of the frames I used in another room....oh wait I did have to buy a paint pen for touch up for 2 dollars at Hobby Lobby...I made the framed subway art and got the other for a steal on Etsy...yes another fabulous place to support local and homebased bussinesses. </div>
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Oh before I get to the quilt...the chair...if you haven't been to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/therepurposeroom">Repurpose Room</a> in Warsaw...you have to go check it out...they get new stuff in all the time...and if you don't go often or watch their facebook page...you could miss out...I got this Chair (after waiting months) for 20 dollars...it works perfect and the baby and I will spend many nights their as she wakes up and grows. </div>
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Ok...so the quilt...I have sewing for the past three years...making blankets, burp cloths and dresses/other clothing for little people...so I had accumulated quite the little collection of fabric...I had no rhyme or reason to the quilt other than I picked pink, turquoise, bright green, and yellow as my colors. then I went through my stash and found enough fabrics in those colors and cut squares. then I laid them out in a pattern on the floor and sewed them together. the great thing about scrap quilts is you just use what you have. I will be using the same fabrics when I bind the quilt as well...so no additional money spent...I did however find all of it at a discount over the three years...and had to buy some thread, the batting and I am paying to have it machine quilted so it holds up better to the wear and tear of washing with a baby toddler. This quilt is big enough for a toddler bed...even will cover most of a twin...so I am excited to have her use it for a while. :) </div>
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So If I totalled my bill for this room, it would be as follows:</div>
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Wall paint: the reject bin for 10 dollars</div>
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Chair: 20 (actually 18 cuz they didn't charge me sales tax)</div>
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Shelf: Free (paint 2.80)</div>
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7 frames and embroidery hoops for : 1.50+1.25= 2.75</div>
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bedskirt and bumper: free from friends (fabulous friends I may add)</div>
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owl: $1 at a thrifty store</div>
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crib: free from my fabulous mother</div>
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pillow in chair, frames, to hold subway art on shelf : brought from another room</div>
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Pink Subway art : 2.00 (and I still have that paint pen for other projects)</div>
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pompom and latterns: 7.00 (supplies)</div>
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Curtains: 30 dollars with tax. used thread bought for quilt too. </div>
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Quilt: batting, quilting and thread (i have no idea how to figure in the scrap peices) : 62.00</div>
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grand total would be around: 135.55. Not to Shabby I must say to redo an entire room for that. </div>
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I am using baskets in an armoire on the other side of the room for laundry and on the shelves to hole baby essentials. then inside will house the changing table and reusing baskets I already have to store and hold clothes and diapers in there as well. </div>
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Now today to clean out the closet in that room and make it into our home office...since the baby took the office...we have to find a way to make sure we can still house a printer and hold my bussiness materials that are still going to be needed as she grows up. :) thanks for taking a ride through my decorating confessions. :) </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-44984745088102169412012-06-01T05:49:00.000-05:002012-06-01T05:52:45.780-05:00Our Sweet Spitfire...Well the day is fast approaching, Avenlea's 3rd Birthday...and as I couldn't sleep this morning I sat reminiscing through Avenlea's first two years. We always talk about how she gives us a run for her money, that she is a spit fire and that she has added new meaning to the word drama, but this mornning I find myself thinking of different things about her. <br />
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I fell asleep on the couch last night and Adrian leaves me there because since prego if he wakes me I am up for hours...that is a totally different post for another day. I was awoke by a sweet voice saying oh no i pee'd, oh no I pee'd and running up the stairs (she had no clue I was on the couch and since daddy put her to sleep in underwear I decided he could here her news first hand). As I listened to them clean up her mess...she was so sweet...daddy I pee'd, he reassured her it was ok, changed her sheets, and got her cleaned up. She even helped him carry the wet stuff out to the washer. All excited that she was helping. </div>
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Helpful is my daughter...she is always willing to get things for others, take something somewhere or just plain help. She loves to help clean, cook, make her bed, plant flowers or the garden, and so on and so forth. If you say you are going to do something, her response is I help mama. :) </div>
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The other day Jackson was struggling to get in the top draw of his dresser...so Avenlea showed him how he could pull out his bottom draw and climb up on it like a bench to get what he needed. helpful yes...probably not so safe (at least til we bolt the dresser to the wall) but so sweet that she showed him how she does it. </div>
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She also loves people....yes her mama, daddy, and her big brother Jack, whom she looks up to a great deal....but that is not what I am talking about. This girl is constantly thinking of others. She asks if we are going to see her friends all the time, prays for all her little friends at church every night and gets very upset if we forget to pray. She has such a sweet servant heart and I pray that she never looses that. That God will continue to nurture that heart and allow others to see the sweet little girl that she is. </div>
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My baby girl turns three on Monday and she is just plain growing up into a beautiful little girl. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!</div>
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As I was reading through my devotional...I was remembering all our memories from the holidays. I was reading a devotional about God always being present in our lives through the thick and the thin....and oh how he has been in our lives. I always think about where we have come over the last 4 years. Quite constantly actually. I see Jack doing things the doctors never said he would do and I immediately have a smile stretch acrossed my face. As I am sure God does too...as his power and might are once again shining through to our world. THere are a few things about Christmas that make me think about how far God has brought us too. My fav Christmas ornament was given to us as a wedding present from my Spiritual mentor at the time. IT is Gorgeous just to hold...but absolutely Gorgeous in this picture...love how the lights are shining through. We have given each of our kids Christmas ornament each year too...so decorating the tree was extra special to see them all again. I now know why my mom started this tradition...I think it was more for her than for us. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIEXWbCasQY/TtetF-cKf5I/AAAAAAAAInA/y0vaM486gzg/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIEXWbCasQY/TtetF-cKf5I/AAAAAAAAInA/y0vaM486gzg/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
There have been a few times over the last six years of our family...that I have felt incredibly blessed and This picture is of things I hold most dear....even with all the projects I have done recently...all the "things" I have collected over the last few months to make my home a bit homier, the only "thing" I couldn't live without...is my family. They are very dear to my heart and I do all the things I do to try and make their life better. <br />
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This year at our women's retreat we chose a word/phrase to focus on over the new year. I had many that popped into my mind...but I chose a "clean slate"...something I believe Mary probably wanted when she found out she was going to be pregnant as a virgin in a world that looked at such a thing as impossible. I can't imagine the ridicule that that young lady must have had to deal with in her time...and the lies people must have told....but what miracle that came out of her hardship. There is alot that can happen over a year in life, relationships and in space...if we just allow for a clean slate. <br />
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I don't have near the rejection to deal with that Mary did...so I am guessing that mine should be a bit easier....but peopel desearve forgiveness (actually God demands it for us to be forgiven) and I will be more free in my spirit if I can get rid of some of the ugliness that has come out of hurt. this clean slate thing...also includes giving myself a clean slate for all the hurt I may have caused or the critisism that I had towards myself and my parenting. Although it was all in trying to be better...we are going to start the year with a clean slate...for myself, my kids, my friends, and my family. Let us see where God can take us. <br />
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There is such beauty in allowing God to lead and we just follow where he wants to take us. Like I said I could have picked many words...such as surrender, reliquishing control...get the similarity. haha.<br />
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All in all the Christmas season...brings about a great anticipation of what is to come. There is such Joy in my children's eyes as we talk about the coming of Jesus's birthday...and we deck our home with fabulous Goodwill finds and our Christmas decorations from years past. I look forward to the meaning and memories that will come out of this season...as we await the best Gift we have been Given....the birth of our Savior!! What kind of decorations do you have up this year? .link your post below if you feel like sharing...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-57146982798109523572011-11-30T00:09:00.001-05:002011-11-30T00:20:09.975-05:00wow it has been a while since we have updated....we have had a busy fall with Jack starting his second year of preschool. He started at a new school this year, mainstreamed....and he is loving it!! He loves his teacher and he has made many new friends. Some think of him a bit like their little brothers, tho....so he has had to learn to be a bit assertive. Which is good...he is going to have to learn to say no thank you I can do that...when everyone trys to do things for him. We have already had a field trip, a thanksgiving dinner and met the firemen. SO I have many pictures I have to show you soon. Healthwise Jack has been doing Great. WE have continued to have stable numbers and look forward to many more years of this. We have some big decisions to make over the next year...I will share that in another blog. We discussed it at our yearly appt with Dr Billmire backin September and I feel I have processed it enough to share...I think. I am sure a few tears will be shed while I type...but when doesn't that happen. <br />
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Avenlea is growing like a weed and also leaps and bounds in her personality. Which at times has challenged us all..but it is also what we love most about her. She is a spitfire!! there is never a dull moment in our day and if i think I have found peace...it usually means they are in trouble or sleeping. But really if they got along wonderfully I think I would think there was something wrong then too. WE have decided though that the little munchkin is ready to head off to preschool. She is going to start early this coming spring and join her brother...well sort of. She will be in the 3 year old class and then will continue with the same teacher next fall. This will allow her to be in the pre k class for half a year before she would start Kindergarten at 5. She is so bored and so jealous of her big brother...we said why not and I am sure I can find things to fill my time on those two mornings a week. :) I will however miss our mama/Avenlea time! <br />
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I have been up to no good...or you could say alot of home projects, I have in the works the start to a photography bussiness...(never thought I could enjoy working so much) and then also getting crafty with the crochet needles and sewing machine for orders I am assuming for Christmas as everyone had a time limit on when things needed to get done. House projects will have their own showcase coming up here...I have been snapping some pictures and once I get caught up with everything...I will post about them...I have had some requests on how the process works. But there have been total room make overs to furniture redos. So stay tune. <br />
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well my pictures are done uploading....so it is time to wrap this up and head off to bed...hope you all have a happy beginning of december and enjoy the snow that showed up just in time to welcome us into the month!! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-56702617736847979462011-07-09T19:20:00.001-05:002011-07-09T19:22:37.007-05:00Hours of Powerspraying and painting in 112 degree direct sun.....<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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after hours of using this power sprayer...we finally got the 6 year old cobwebs we had ignored...you know the ones that the broom doesn't take down cuz they are too bloomin' sticky. THey were clung so hard to our house and our deck that it took not 1, not 2 but 3 separate sprays with the power washer. I was super excited at the start of this project and after three powersprays and two days painting in the sun.. during the heat of the day cuz you know that is when the kiddos take naps. IT is OFFICIAL---I am AN INDOOR PAINTER!! <br />
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I also know that my husband is quite handy...he unplugged some drains in our walk out...hopefully this will help it drain better when it rains...He also took the entire roof off of our deck and rebuilt the railing and repaired our roof...all by himself...I would have looked at it and never thought it could happen.<br />
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Due to the lack of time...(cuz I have a hubby that is still working til 7 pm every night...yep 12 hour days) and the fact that it costs money...I need you to imagine our home painted this middle color. It will happen someday in the next 5 years...so at least before I have to repaint this deck. haha!! Do you have it...can you see it...<br />
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Pretty Granite color with white trim around the windows and door, and our big white garage door.....yep it is pretty isn't it. and now...you can see the color we painted out deck...</div>
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yep it is a light grayish brown...if I was to give it my own name it would be putty. ON the paint chip it is called Autum Sand. it looks so nice to have it freshly painted....I am working on some outdoor cushions for our deck furniture too. I gotta say the part that makes my minor heat stroke worth it today is that we turned in our aluminum for scrap and paid for the whole deal....plus I think I have half of what I need to finish the furniture...LOVE IT!! I will let you know if we decide to paint the house, I am thinking we might need to hire a painting crew...anybody want to volunteer....the pay will be pizza and beer. :) til then I will enjoy my morning coffee and a book on our pretty deck. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-85698966353835089602011-07-05T14:03:00.001-05:002011-07-05T14:03:16.748-05:00happenings of June....Well since I feel like my life is flying by as I sit and watch....I decided I will do a highlights of june post. So here goes...the <br />
<br />
the beginning of june we had our baby girl turn 2. She is growing up too fast. She talks a mile a minute...still mainly gibber gabber and then out of the blue she will have a totaly clear sentence to surprise you. She has surpassed her bro in weight and height. Loves having her fingernails painted, her hair done and about the minute you think She is a girly girl. She will come in from outside covered in sand or mud from head to toe. Her new discovery this month has been the raspberries in the back of our yard. She can't ever sneak them as she ends up with them on her fingers and her face from ear to ear. She is all about her shoes and accessories lately. She loves wearing bracelets and picking out her own shoes. <br />
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then that same week we headed down to Riley for Jack's surgery. this was a wake up call to what is going to continue to happen as he gets older. He is definitely understanding what is happening to him more and more. We get lots more questions and are having to rely more and more on the man upstairs to give us the answers. He did very well despite being a bit upset when they carried him off. He healed quickly and was ready to run far before he had permission too.<br />
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We returned home just in time to celebrate father's day. We had a cookout with family and attempted to make some pavers for Adrian to put in his landscaping...unfortunately...they dry really quickly and we didn't really make anything that even resembled a paver...so we decided to redo our porch/deck instead. Not that that was a father's day gift as it has been a lot of work for Adrian...but it is looking very nice now that it is in the last stages of being finished. <br />
<br />
I got to spend a weekend away in Fort Wayne with my friend Crystal, shopping our little hearts out and getting many new ideas for sewing. We got to take in the Matilda Jane Art Fair and meet some of their staff at the preparty. What wonderful ladies and a fabulous company. <br />
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Then I returned home to a sick kid and a sore throat for myself. We cleaned for a day and then welcomed my mom and niece for the week. We entertained them, with raspberry picking, swimming, a trip to shipshe, a train ride to shed's aquarium, some shopping and a trip to Long Lake for more swimming, a boat ride and fireworks. HOpe they enjoyed their time with us as much as we enjoyed having them. praying they stay healthy and aren't affected by this nasty cold I still have. <br />
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Daddy also made the kids day, by building them a super huge sandbox in the backyard. Lot of fun and enjoyment yet to come in this for the rest of the summer...hoping this will reduce the fights and sand throwing at least. <br />
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<br />
Well I guess that was a recap of June and the beginning of July as well. Hope this summer is treating you all well...and you are enjoying yours as much as we are. We look forward to accomplishing more of our projects and sharing them with you....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-23731832868820769222011-04-26T16:42:00.000-05:002011-04-26T16:42:32.340-05:00Blessings by Laura StoryI promise that this is my last super serious post for a while...but every now and again I have things I wrestle with...and some are just important enough to share....<br />
<br />
Blessings: <br />
<br />
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace<br />
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep<br />
We pray for healing, for prosperity<br />
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering<br />
<br />
All the while You hear each spoken need<br />
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things<br />
<br />
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears?<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You're near?<br />
<br />
What if trials of this life<br />
Are Your mercies in disguise?<br />
<br />
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear<br />
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near<br />
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love<br />
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough<br />
<br />
And all the while You hear each desperate plea<br />
And long that we'd have faith to believe<br />
<br />
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears?<br />
And what if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You're near?<br />
<br />
And what if trials of this life<br />
Are Your mercies in disguise?<br />
<br />
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win<u><br />
</u>We know that pain reminds this heart<br />
That this is not, this is not our home<br />
It's not our home<br />
<br />
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears?<br />
And what if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You're near?<br />
<br />
What if my greatest disappointments<br />
Or the aching of this life<br />
Is the revealing of a greater thirst<br />
This world can't satisfy?<br />
<br />
And what if trials of this life<br />
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights<br />
Are Your mercies in disguise?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Credits :</b><br />
songwriters: story, laura mixon<br />
© new spring publishing;new spring publishing</i> <script type="text/javascript">
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<span id="slly"><span id="ctl00_cp_ply">what an amazing way to look at trials, the long road that we have ahead of us in our journey. I think sometimes to where I would be without the trials in my life. Some have moved me away from God and then brought me back even closer..others have just pushed me to Cling to Christ.</span></span><br />
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I have had a song that I have clung too for each little step of our journey. Recently this is the one I am clung too. I think about all that i have gone through in my 33 years of life. I think about where I would be with out my Father in Heaven. Alot of the trials have taught me huge life lessons, but mostly I think about the spiritual side. I have learned so much about my father through the trials. I find myself thanking God for the trials some days, cuz without them would I be on the same walk I am with Him today or would my focus be way off track. <br />
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the words that stick out to me most recently <br />
<br />
What if my greatest disappointments<br />
Or the aching of this life<br />
Is the revealing of a greater thirst<br />
This world can't satisfy?<br />
<br />
what if it is just to make us want the new world more....what if it is to have us desire to know Christ even more....what if all that we go through is just the Lord being merciful to us and helping us to cling to what is really worth clinging too. Reminding our hearts and minds that this is NOT OUR HOME! <br />
I have never thought of trials this way....I have never thought of the betrayals and the struggles in the light of it being God's way of teaching me not to get comfortable with something that is not His best for me. Instead thinking of it as His way of making us hunger for our true Home with Him. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-5452516290232372262011-04-18T12:46:00.000-05:002011-04-18T12:46:41.121-05:00Hi everyone...I know we have been absent for a long time...we are going to change that a little. it is hard to keep up with life, facebook, a blog, a caringbridge page and all the new found hobbies that we all have going on around here. Seriously, I thought adding child was the problem...nope not really cuz that is almost a year ago...and she is really not the issue. hang with me folks, cuz I am sitting here by myself in a quiet house...and YES I am choosing to write this in my free time...YEPPERS it is that important to me. <br />
I am still wheeling from our message at church yesterday. Ever have those...Well yesterday was a doosy...we were digging into the place in where Jesus calls out the pharasees' for putting their traditions before worshiping God and following him (Mark 7) If I was a good blogger I would go find it for you and post it so you knew exactly what I was talking about...but come on...if you are really interested I want you to dig out your bible. ok...here it is:<br />
Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,</span><br />
<span class="woj">‘These people honor me with their lips,</span><br />
<span class="woj">but their hearts are far from me.</span><br />
<span class="woj"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24443"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">7</span></strong></sup> Their worship is a farce,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NLT-24443d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+7&version=NLT#fen-NLT-24443d" title="See footnote d"><span style="font-size: x-small;">d</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup></span><br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24444"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”</span><br />
(don't worry you are going to want your bible...you are going to want to mark this part: <br />
<br />
Then He goes on to talk about our hearts:<br />
Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. <span class="woj">“All of you listen,”</span> he said, <span class="woj">“and try to understand.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24451"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">15</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NLT-24451h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+7&version=NLT#fen-NLT-24451h" title="See footnote h"><span style="font-size: x-small;">h</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup>”</span><br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24452"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">17</span></strong></sup> Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24453"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">18</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">“Don’t you understand either?”</span> he asked. <span class="woj">“Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you?</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24454"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">19</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.”</span> (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24455"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">20</span></strong></sup> And then he added, <span class="woj">“It is what comes from inside that defiles you.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24456"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">21</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24457"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">22</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-24458"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">23</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”</span><br />
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I know that in my life when things are not going my way, or I am being challenged by something it is so easy to fall into these things that defile you. Don't worry, I have not committed murder, or slept with another man other than my husband. Crazy though that those are the frist things to come to mind like they are in someway worse than the ones that follow. When in fact the ones that follow really do more harm to the body of Christ. I thought about how easy it is to talk about a situation to a friend about another friend. most of the time I say I am just getting advice...or correct me if I am crazy, but this isn't right is it. That in all ways is Slander. I can't tell you how many times i have walked into someone's home or looked at someone and been envious of something they have. I also know that I lust after things...no not other men...things! Especially when I want to finish a project I have started or I feel, let me repeat that I FEEL we need it. These things get in the way of God if they are taking up your thought process obsessively. I know they get in the way of what God is teaching me. <br />
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I also thought how healthy the church would be if we all confessed these things and then forgave each other they way God calls us too. I know you are all thinking I am crazy, but seriously if we really forgave and didn't hold a grudge, there would be no fear of confession. In my world I fear confessing things I have done, because of the judgement of man, not the fear of God. I have made the stupidest mistakes already and God accepted me back. It is the people of God who have taught me that they are not always as forgiving. Me included....I have a very hard time forgiving people when i have felt taken advantage of. I also have a very hard time trusting them again. but this damage can never be restored unless their is full forgiveness. Unfortunately when others move forward and don't feel the same damage from a situation this can be hard to accomplish. So we need to do our part and leave the rest up to God. <br />
<br />
Someone also brought up Paul calling to not associate with people like this. I agree with this in the case of unrepentant sinners...but someone needs to love on even the unrepentive sinner. Everyone can't abandon them, or where will we find them. Yep that is right. We will find them accepting something else, another belief that will lead them to a different place and not to the best place....HEAVEN! Sometimes I have been accused of being to Gracious. I have been accused of hanging with the wrong crowd. I have been accused of sticking up for someone with a different belief. I am ok with this...keep accusing me...I believe that my relationship with them will have far more power that anyone spitting out scripture at them. I know it was that way for me!! Thank you to all those people that didn't cast me out when I was letting sin control my life, instead you were loving and gracious and stuck by me. <br />
<br />
I was challenged by how many of us, myself included, participate...and if not participate say nothing to our friends as they speak about others, as they knowingly write off too many things on their taxes, as they are envious or others and things, and as we watch people be greedy or we are greedy ourselves. I know it might sting at the beginning but I would much rather be called out than continue to be buried in this negativity. What a great safe place the body of Christ would be to reside! <br />
<br />
I am challenged by this message and what a great time to focus on it. We are entering a week of reflection. A time to remember the sacrifice and the gift that was given to us, to celebrate the person who was not afraid to go against the norm, to speak out when His words were not going to be recieved well, and was always willing to have lunch with someone who had done something horrible without judgement. <br />
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I know...not something any of us want to hear....but really think about how much safer of a place it would be to reside. also this is what God will be looking at when we enter heaven: Not how much we did, but how much we learned to become more like him. How many of us don't want to hear: Well done good a faithful servant. I know I do and my actions are not dersearving in the last few months. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-11795425486369967602010-12-29T11:26:00.000-05:002010-12-29T11:26:15.364-05:00on busy season that flies by so quickly.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas with four children 3 and under is definitely different than what it was with newborns or even just with adults. They add such a different feel and the time together really becomes all about them. As I have shared earlier and on Jackson's caringbridge site...he was so excited to give others their presents before the holidays. He could hardly wait. However I have to say, once he learned that he got presents from people the joy of giving to others slightly was minimized and the joy of receiving became a much bigger priority. All in all he did great...even when his sister tried to steal his present. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteF-TiU0I/AAAAAAAAGCA/PMoE1scEGl8/s1600/Christmas+2010+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteF-TiU0I/AAAAAAAAGCA/PMoE1scEGl8/s320/Christmas+2010+054.JPG" width="212" /></a></div> Christmas pj picture #125...oh the joys of three toddlers and an infant when trying to get a posed picture. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteKI6sShI/AAAAAAAAGCE/-uMNjXnruTM/s1600/Christmas+2010+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteKI6sShI/AAAAAAAAGCE/-uMNjXnruTM/s320/Christmas+2010+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The joy was high and in full swing with all the kiddos even with very few naps. Sleeping was not a high priority for any of them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteMotJmSI/AAAAAAAAGCI/2HpskiYsRTA/s1600/Christmas+2010+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteMotJmSI/AAAAAAAAGCI/2HpskiYsRTA/s320/Christmas+2010+095.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRtgOVGMVFI/AAAAAAAAGCk/r-mZx6B70F0/s1600/Christmas+2010+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRtgOVGMVFI/AAAAAAAAGCk/r-mZx6B70F0/s320/Christmas+2010+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> it will be so much fun next year when all four are running around and full of energy. I think we might need to hire a sitter if we think that the traditions of games and puzzles are going to continue...but we did get one more year in. We accomplished a 1000 piece puzzle and a 1/4 maybe a 1/3 of another. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRtefSH5zUI/AAAAAAAAGCc/NDNi4LTKv4A/s1600/Christmas+2010+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRtefSH5zUI/AAAAAAAAGCc/NDNi4LTKv4A/s320/Christmas+2010+123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Jackson even decided he was big enough to play the adult games....fast scrabble involves spelling little man...maybe in a few more years. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteD45nlNI/AAAAAAAAGB8/NqApjXoDS58/s1600/Christmas+2010+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TRteD45nlNI/AAAAAAAAGB8/NqApjXoDS58/s320/Christmas+2010+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All in all the Schrock Christmas was a great time and we look forward to many more in the future. We even seemed to make it through this one with no sickness....Tims' family Christmas to come.....waiting on the pictures...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-38895332076720730572010-12-14T21:42:00.000-05:002010-12-14T21:42:24.631-05:00Christmas preparation. We have finally gotten our systems rebooted around here and I think we are on the mend. We will see what the traveling gets us. Usually we come back with one of us at least not feeling well. <br />
We have been doing lots this year to get prepared for christmas. It has been so different this year having two little ones who want to help and be a part of everything. When I say different, sometimes that is good different and sometimes it, well just takes alot longer. Which I guess isnt' a bad thing. <br />
<br />
The other day Jackson and I wrapped presents. He helped hold the paper and then he carried all the no breakable presents to the tree. He was so cute....he got so excited when he found out who each gift was for. It is great that he hasn't asked one time, if there are presents under the tree for him...he is much more excited about the ones he is giving to others. Trust me this is not something that he got honestly from his mama...I was always curious about which present was for me.... My mom usually had to hide the presents and wrap them just before...because we were to nosey. The hunt was always so much fun. <br />
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We recieved a gingerbread house from one of Jackson's doctors at Riley. WE are keeping it in the garage until next week when we are going to put it together...everytime he sees it...he gets all sweet and says: mama, my gingerbread house, awe. He is so stinking funny sometimes. I think I am mainly waiting for a time with some help. I can't imagine...frosting, trying not to break pieces and an 18 month old weapon of mass destruction running around that = wait for a weekend with Daddy. <br />
<br />
I gotta say all in all this year has been the best so far with Christmas preparations...it has been fun having the kids participate in things and get so excited about everything: the tree, santa, singing happy birthday to Jesus, singing christmas songs, watching christmas movies and making lefsa with Nana Corrine. There is not one thing that has topped anything else...but it has been a joy watching the two of them enjoy the season with us. WE are So BLESSED!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-40937906828421355222010-12-08T16:13:00.001-05:002010-12-26T13:46:40.861-05:00A big week.....This week started with news of Grandpa Cross' passing. He was a very humble man. He loved his family and would do anything for them. I am blessed to have met him. Jackson was named after him. I have always wanted a name continued through my kids middle names. Even though we have been harassed by many do to its similarity to Jack Daniels, I am glad we chose Daniel, when we were naming Jackson. I spoke with a young woman in the nursery during the funeral on Tuesday. She was a member of their church and sat near them on Sunday mornings. She didn't even now Grandpa as personally as those of us in his family, however his kind heart shown through to her, just in the way he handled himself sitting next to her and her family. She said he never got upset even when her kids were loud. My response was that he probably enjoyed it more than it bothered him. We took the kids with to the funeral, we spent most of our time in the nursery, however we took them out to the grave site mainly for Avenlea to get a nap as we drove. Jackson and I were talking as we waited for Adrian to return to the car. We were talking about how Grandpa was sledding with Jesus in heaven in all the great snow. He then asked where Daddy was and I said he was in that big green tent saying Goodbye to Grandpa. Jackson responded: Jesus is there too. Some days I am sure this kid is connected in such a powerful way with our Lord and Savior. I am certainly Glad Jackson has another Guardian Angel in heaven. This holiday season will be a bit tougher not having Grandpa smiling at us and playing games with us, but we know he is in a much better place and God's timing is just right.<br />
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During this weeks events, we were also all taken down with the stomach flu. It was a great reminder to me that Jackson's immune system just isn't what everyone else's is. All the rest of us have been hit for about 12-24 hours. Jackson has been down for the count for about over 48 hours. He has been able to continue drinking through this one and tylenol seems to give him some relief, but it reminds me how fragile he really is. Sometimes I get annoyed when our plans have to change due to him or someone in the home we are going to getting sick, but It is for his good. I need to remind myself of this when I am being scoffed at by people who just don't get what we are doing when we hunker in during the flu season. But I am reminded this week how fragile life is and how much we need to take advantage of the time we have, living a life that is speaking to those around us with our actions. I guess if I go out being someone who overly protected her family, I am ok with that.<br />
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Thank you Grandpa Cross for the incredible life you lived and I feel greatly blessed to have been able to be a part of your family for the last 6 1/2 years.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-7317057489093892832010-12-08T15:56:00.002-05:002010-12-14T21:29:40.969-05:00christmas 2010<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); height: 6px;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 14px; width: 105px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">What A Year Christmas Card</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">Make a statement with Shutterfly <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas photo cards</a>.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" width="1" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-41552470640929847352010-12-02T16:20:00.000-05:002010-12-02T16:20:24.923-05:00Happy 18 months Sweet Avenlea!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Happy 18 months Baby Girl!!!! Wow how time does fly. This saturday marks Avenlea's 18 month birthday. She is such a different kid that Jackson. I can't even tell you. IF I had one word to describe her: SPUNKY. There is never a dull moment in our lives since she entered the our world. I love every minute of it. Even on the rough days I can usually find some funny moments in our day. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgGn4pL-fI/AAAAAAAAGAU/Wxq_zwrfKoo/s1600/hats+and+randoms+from+Nov+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgGn4pL-fI/AAAAAAAAGAU/Wxq_zwrfKoo/s320/hats+and+randoms+from+Nov+002.JPG" width="239" /></a></div> She is very curious about everything. She loves to explore and has to do everything herself. ON her own without any help. Her funniest thing to do by herself is walk up the steps. It is so funny. Most of the time she tries to take the steps like an adult alternating her steps with each foot. if we are not bracing her from behind she would fall straight backwards. She would be a great model for a V8 commercial. Her feet get so far ahead of the rest of her. Anyway the independence is great and a struggle at the same time. LIke I said she loves to explore. This also means their has been about a hundred percent increase in the mischief and discipline around here too. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgHNuFV0NI/AAAAAAAAGAo/UpT-nPIYQH4/s1600/IMG_8826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgHNuFV0NI/AAAAAAAAGAo/UpT-nPIYQH4/s320/IMG_8826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We have started with time outs and they are surprisingly going really well. as long as you don't get too far away from her. This was actually quite funny. These are all the typical things that I have seen other kids do but they are new to this house. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgHnXJmeLI/AAAAAAAAGAs/gIHehaZiF7c/s1600/2010-10-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TPgHnXJmeLI/AAAAAAAAGAs/gIHehaZiF7c/s320/2010-10-20.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>I gotta say this is cute. most of the things she does are cute...just don't tell her. My friend Laura said to me today that she is too cute to be a trouble maker...that is exactly what is going to keep her in the trouble maker world. Everyone is going to let her get away with it, because she is cute. So far this mama is immune for now. <br />
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She is jibberjabbing as well. THere are some words , more, ma, dada, grandma even came out today. But the funniest part is the jibberjabbering actually sounds like a conversation. The intonations go up and down and she waits for me to reply. Sometimes I try, but to be honest...most of the time I have no idea what she is trying to tell me. She also can tell you what a couple different animals say. My favs are the puppy and the lion. When it comes to toys. She is still into carrying everything around, but for the most part her favorite toy is whatever her brother is trying to play with or her kitchen. She loves slamming the doors and dumping all the dishes out on the floor. (she does very well helping to clean up too). They are so cute when they sit and read books and play together. it is moments like these that make me happy they are close in age. <br />
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She is taller than Jackson now and weighs a bit more too, however she is still in her 12-24 month clothing range. She just seems to be getting taller and thinner. She is cutting two molars which has caused some drastic changes in eating habits. So much so that they did some blood work on her last month to make sure everything was ok. she was drinking over 64 ounces of milk, juice and water and pretty much not eating anything through out the day. But we are happy to report all is well. She has started to eat things again and still drinks on the high side...but we have made the move to a little additional water...which doesn't taste as good so she doesn't drink as much. <br />
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She has started hiding and she usually has her pants filled when she comes back out, so we have started working a little on potty training. THe other day we found her banging on the bathroom door and then a diaper filled with poop. I think she might have been trying to tell us something. This mama is in a new world so we will see how this goes. the ease of no public restrooms is going to soon be in our past. SCARY!!! <br />
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I hope you all enjoy the holiday's!!! hopefully we find my camera soon so we can share ours with you. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-60833537692021230862010-11-24T15:02:00.000-05:002010-11-24T15:02:51.046-05:00Ok...I'm a little OCD about my Christmas CardsI have always loved all the different cards I receive in the mail over the holiday season, but I have to be honest, my favorite are the photo card. Before I had kids I always spent time deciding weather to include the dog in the family photo, use an old snap shot, or take a new picture. Now that I have kids I make sure I have a decent picture on the kids that I can upload soon before Christmas and I spend all kinds of needless time deciding on weather the colors of my picture go well with the color of the card. I know I am completely OCD, when it comes to matching my pictures. just ask the girls I scrap with, they get a good laugh every couple of months. However since it would bother me everywhere I saw our card, I take the time. Over the last 5 years I have ordered my cards every year from Shutterfly. Sure there are other places out there that offer deals, but I have never been disappointed in the quality or the timing of my order through Shutterfly and in my opinion they have the best options. Link here to their photo cards <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" target="_blank"> http://www.shutterfly.com/<wbr></wbr>cards-stationery</a><br />
Here are some of my favorites: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1smLUJpJI/AAAAAAAAF9M/r0SEo0Xwqrs/s1600/Schrock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1smLUJpJI/AAAAAAAAF9M/r0SEo0Xwqrs/s320/Schrock2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1snFoJ56I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/v2oQV-yzSI8/s1600/subway+art+christmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1snFoJ56I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/v2oQV-yzSI8/s1600/subway+art+christmas+card.jpg" /></a></div> who doesn't love the subway art card....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1sxSTpzAI/AAAAAAAAF9c/2eqGj8amwL4/s1600/o+holy+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1sxSTpzAI/AAAAAAAAF9c/2eqGj8amwL4/s320/o+holy+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1s27Iu7fI/AAAAAAAAF9g/svxfTMQRx28/s1600/Schrock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1s27Iu7fI/AAAAAAAAF9g/svxfTMQRx28/s320/Schrock1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>for more options you can follow this link. </b><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards" target="_blank"> http://www.shutterfly.com/<wbr></wbr>cards-stationery/christmas-<wbr></wbr>photo-cards</a>.....<br />
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not only have I at the last minute been able to get my Christmas cards on time...but I also struggle at times for gifts for Grandparents and other significant people in my children's lives. what better thing to give them than a Photo book: recapping the kiddos lives for the past year or a calendar for the next year with all the important dates already written in.<br />
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<b>personalized calendars</b> to <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars" target="_blank"> http://www.shutterfly.com/<wbr></wbr>calendars</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1spgPOqrI/AAAAAAAAF9U/mxEPSgbvv-0/s1600/calendars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1spgPOqrI/AAAAAAAAF9U/mxEPSgbvv-0/s1600/calendars.jpg" /></a></div> Photo books as well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1stZg31qI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/iaMQLd6N-Zo/s1600/photo+books.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TO1stZg31qI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/iaMQLd6N-Zo/s320/photo+books.....jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>they even recently have added my favorite section. </b>the home decor section. if you are like me you are always looking for great ways to add a new flavor to the pictures you hang on you walls. They have wall canvases. Which are fabulous and totally on sale right now. HEad over and check them out. You don't want to miss this sale...cuz most of the time they are on the spendy end. <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor"><b>home decor: http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor .</b></a><br />
I am sure you will all have no problem finding all your holiday gifts. At least enjoy browsing. I know I am pumped about this years selection...I just have to find the right picture to match the right card...and of course write a little update on the Schrock clan. Happy Shopping Everyone!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars" target="_blank"></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars" target="_blank"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-89512555225934921352010-11-09T13:48:00.000-05:002010-11-09T13:48:28.215-05:00Random Updates:(Apologies in advance our camera is again MIA so no pictures with this post)<br />
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We have had a busy day today. I gotta say I think sometimes I MAKE my life busy, just so I don't have to sit and mull over all the stressors and things that could be cluttering my mind. I have made a decision though. My busy life is costing us way too much moola. So I am going to make a decision that for the Month of December I am going to Hunker in. We are going to get the projects done around the house that need to get finished and we are going to get back in the mindset of doing anything I can to save money. I watched a lady at the grocery store the other day save 50 bucks on her grocery bill. I want to be able to do this too. But I need to get organized. <br />
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I started yesterday. I got my groceries to make a set group of meals and I only spent 75 dollars. That even included toilet paper, paper towel and new mascara!!! Last night was chicken chili and I saved a buttload of money rehydrating my own beans. However after eating it I think they might have needed a little longer. But practice makes perfect people and this is only time number one. I am so excited to get a new recipe for black beans too. I would love to make my own and save the money. I am back into making my own bread too. Love this and Jackson loves to help. It ususally requires more clean up, ok maybe not alot more, cuz I am one of the messiest bakers you have ever seen. It is so much fun to do it with him too, as long as Avie is sleeping. <br />
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I am happy to report that Jackson is doing well. We have started him on a new medicine ( not my first choice, but better than cathing him) to get his bladder to empty. It has also been decided that we need to go ahead and prep him urology wise for his transplant. This means we need to correct his urninary reflux. Good thing things are moving forward, but disappointing that it is another surgery. WE are making sure there are not any other things that can be done at the same time. We hate to see him go under the knife too many more times. IT is heart wrenching to see him after and after doing it 10 times I don't really care to see it many more. So far so good he is not complaining of any pain with urination, so that is a good sign. <br />
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on a lighter note...he still enjoys his cartoons, he is consistently sleeping through the night and is ready immediately to help fix anything around the house. In his mind I think he believes himself to be Handy Manny (a disney cartoon character for those of you not in the kids cartoon loop). Avenlea and he get along for the most part and fight like pros when they want too. It is so cute to watch him with her. She is now bigger than he, however when she gets hurt he is the first to report it and the first to comfort her all the time. He is one super sweet little boy. As I said he has been surpassed by his sister. The flu hit our house about a month ago and it hit Adrian and Jackson the hardest. Both of them lost significant amounts of weight and haven't been able to gain it back. Jackson dropped over a pound which is not so good in his case. he is now at 23 lbs which he was up to 24 lbs 6 ounces. (31 and 1/2 inches) So we are attempting to get back up there, cuz they prefer him at 11 kilos for transplant. He should gain faster now that he is in love with eating. Well in love is only the case if it is TURKEY and GRAPES!!! WE are working on expanding our love of food. <br />
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Avenlea, well she keeps us on our toes. She is great at playing by herself, however you gotta now what she is playing with, to make sure she is safe. She enjoys to usual little sister stuff. She wants and destroys anything Jackson has or is working on and acts so innocent when she gets caught. Usually starts giving hugs and kisses immediately. She is now 23 lbs 13 1/2 ounces and 31 and a 1/2 inches tall. She is a climber and likes to stand on top of everything. She doesn't stand by our little play table she tries to sit on top of it to play. Wish I could share pictures. ARGGGG!!! So frustrating. She loves her kitchen and to scribble, so far just on paper and her magnadoodle. <br />
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WE are preparing to enter Adrian's busy season right after the holidays too. I give a big hats off to those mom's out there that deal with their hubbies being gone year round. I dread this season and the lack of a break I get. I no longer get to look forward to 5:30 and count the minutes til we get there. This year I think we will be taking a long trip to MN to help use up some of the time. I just pray the weather and Jackson's health allow us to go. WE will see. For now we are just looking forward to the holiday and great memories made with family and friends. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-47837544899786891022010-10-15T11:53:00.000-05:002010-10-15T11:53:51.840-05:00We have made it!!!!I remember about a year ago thinking...this kid is going to be in highschool and still drinking his bottle. However I am so PROUD to say we don't have bottles anymore. Two nights ago we decided to go cold turkey. I just told Jackson that I gave his bottles away. I remembered a mom telling me that she did this with a baby blanket or a pacifier and it worked, so hence I had a moment of pure genius when I remembered that. Whoever you were, THANK YOU!!! <br />
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It must be me, but pictures are so much cuter with the sippy cup than the bottle. I am packing them away tonight when he goes to bed. (oh that is kidda sad to think about. Packing them away possibly for good. This is the first moment that having no more kiddos has really hit me. I guess we will see. )<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TLiFzyal9oI/AAAAAAAAFu8/_Uqyaw0tcmk/s1600/Ocotber+2010+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TLiFzyal9oI/AAAAAAAAFu8/_Uqyaw0tcmk/s320/Ocotber+2010+051.JPG" width="224" /></a></div> Jackson, we are so happy that you decided not to be pigheaded and decided to drink your first night. Now that you got the hang of it, you love it. THanks for trying something new buddy. You have been through alot and I know that your bottle was always your crutch. Thanks for trusting us and growing up just a little bit more. We love you buddy. <br />
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</div> And of course we send a big thank you out to this crazy girl and all of Jackson's little peeps at Preschool. with out you guys and the Lord above, for giving mama peace about dehydrating her baby boy. This wouldn't have been possible. THanks for the peer pressure kiddos!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TLiF2pDTjAI/AAAAAAAAFvE/3cCoByzLo3Q/s1600/Ocotber+2010+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TLiF2pDTjAI/AAAAAAAAFvE/3cCoByzLo3Q/s320/Ocotber+2010+049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Plus she is so stinkin' cute...who could leave her out!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-27712484034508299472010-10-08T09:05:00.000-05:002010-10-08T09:05:37.107-05:00WELCOME OCTOBER!!!I couldn't love a season more than I LOVE FALL!!! Driving around makes me so happy. Love the trees changing colors and the beauty of God's creation all around us. <br />
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I have been doing crazy stuff too. I had this fabulous Idea to start to make the things that I see in stores that look cool for fall decorations out of our scraps. THis has meant in the past three days I have used power tools I said I would never touch and tried out things like hand writing painting. I have had my fingers in dirt, wax, hot glue and many other mediums and I still don't have a picture to show you the final product. Some things I will admit....I gave in and bought them...not because I didn't think by next march I would figure out how to make them...but because at 50% off it was cheaper to buy them and it is time to move on to Christmas if I am going to have a handmade Christmas!!! WHich is totally the plan. From Gifts to decorations I want them to be handmade. We will see what happens. This might be a year to year addition kind of thing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8i_CER90I/AAAAAAAAFuU/dhalSVaG8qo/s1600/great+garland+Idea+for+christmas!!!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8i_CER90I/AAAAAAAAFuU/dhalSVaG8qo/s320/great+garland+Idea+for+christmas!!!.jpg" width="288" /></a></div> love this garland and I want to see if I can remember how to knit and make this hat pattern into a stocking pattern...we will see...I am not very good with knitting needles. but I love the colors...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8jEHjun8I/AAAAAAAAFuY/VhAW03t_UsA/s1600/christmas+stocking+colors...and+style...jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8jEHjun8I/AAAAAAAAFuY/VhAW03t_UsA/s320/christmas+stocking+colors...and+style...jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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We have been so homemade this year. I sense a tide turning. We decided last spring to plant a Garden and it did well...not as well as we wanted in all aspects but well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8jjiZLg7I/AAAAAAAAFuc/VO5PnTfnEc0/s1600/2010-05-28+garden+and+May+snapshots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-44SI95dSaw/TK8jjiZLg7I/AAAAAAAAFuc/VO5PnTfnEc0/s320/2010-05-28+garden+and+May+snapshots.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>We have plans for doubling it next year. Heck after next week when our whole yard gets torn up...we could plant our whole back yard...but i am sure I am not up for weeding that. :) But I have become a canner and a freezer of all sorts of things and let me tell you making your own tastes so good. The vegetables have so much more flavor out of the garden and something about doing it yourself gives it all so much more satisfaction when you get ready to make a meal. WE canned all sorts of tomatoes too....we have sauce, salsa and a bunch of diced and a few whole tomatoes. <br />
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I Even began making my own bread again....I still can't master how those baker out there make their stuff so soft. Mine dries out so fast. I will keep researching and trying though. I have made some uber delicious rolls and I am working on trying out some bagels and english muffins in the next couple of weeks. I will let you know how it goes. I have found that the budget is so much easier to keep...when all I am buying at the store is meat and fruit. We might need to look into fruit trees in the backyard. if any of you have good recipes for breads, bagels, and muffins....please, please share. I would love to try. <br />
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This fall we have also been making apple stuff like it is going out of style. We froze some chunky applesauce and we made some apple pie filling. of course there were set backs like over flowing pie filling in the canner and air pockets...but we made it work. We still have superbly delicious pie filling that for me makes warm amazing apple crisp. Thank you Anne and her mom for picking them with me and letting me bring them all home for free!!! Apple's coming out of our ears but oh so much yumminess!!! We even used them in some stuffing recipes. <br />
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LOVE Squash another thing that makes me think of fall. My friend colleen has this delicious stuffed acorn squash recipe too...sausage, apple and mushroom absotutely delicious!!! but this year we tried out some new varieties too. I have made a speghetti squash and how cool how it comes out. I still have butternut squash upstairs to try yet. We will see, still haven't found a great recipe. If you have one, please share...love it when it comes highly reccomended. <br />
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All in all this fall is starting out fabulously.....Jackson is loving school and Avie and I are enjoying our time with just the two of us. We are finding time to play together and get some things done. <br />
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WISHING YOU ALL A FABULOUS FALL SEASON!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20510062.post-73079541326742757462010-09-30T08:36:00.000-05:002010-09-30T08:36:52.509-05:00What a blessing you could be?<div style="text-align: center;">we are so blessed by our church. i have never met a group of people so dedicated to discovering what a community truly is or leaders that guide us to it no matter how difficult the path is to get there. God left us the bible as a guide & here we attempt to apply it to every facet of life whether it seems impossible or not, because the bible is absolute truth. this has been my experience anyways. we're far from perfect, totally broken, but we are truly blessed to be a part of this family.<br />
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this friday night there is a benefit for one special little boy from our church.<br />
meet joshua:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vV-Zdd1hHLHpTaQ4r6HCITXLh62S1XuXx3q3360VKKAlgKUUByfaW1Cr5RKKRhiCIjK7JfmspBFtQe1Gr9hptTS9V4UXhwWxJHtqa7dxTlZEaCBZxnJhFoRhcs5KO5Keiy6J3Q/s1600/CUMPLEANOS+037.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521587252650840322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vV-Zdd1hHLHpTaQ4r6HCITXLh62S1XuXx3q3360VKKAlgKUUByfaW1Cr5RKKRhiCIjK7JfmspBFtQe1Gr9hptTS9V4UXhwWxJHtqa7dxTlZEaCBZxnJhFoRhcs5KO5Keiy6J3Q/s320/CUMPLEANOS+037.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a><br />
isn't he the cutest?? this sweetie was diagnosed with autism late last year. his family is trying to raise funds for an assistance dog through <a href="http://www.4pawsforability.org/">4 Paws for Ability</a>. this is a great organization that trains dogs specifically for each child with a particular need. their careful process comes with a pretty big price tag.<br />
that's where the rest of us come in!<br />
<br />
so come on down!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-VXBdu6H4mBFzjfI0VZdkmmIbQHhcfk_ZkVg2wN2Nn7oB6VfeqSjyxvIn1d7pcZPIKHQoX71YXafrCbNlZZYCDZdUwW1sLEaPSmXY5MouRI7bAR5jV_7frPeM9ooHIpiyrDl8Q/s1600/joshua+logo.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521587791423022866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-VXBdu6H4mBFzjfI0VZdkmmIbQHhcfk_ZkVg2wN2Nn7oB6VfeqSjyxvIn1d7pcZPIKHQoX71YXafrCbNlZZYCDZdUwW1sLEaPSmXY5MouRI7bAR5jV_7frPeM9ooHIpiyrDl8Q/s320/joshua+logo.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 239px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #33ccff; font-weight: bold;">Friday October 1st</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #33ff33; font-weight: bold;">Goshen Theater, Downtown Goshen</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="color: #ff9966; font-weight: bold;">Silent Auction & Dessert</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff6666; font-weight: bold;">Event Starts at 5:00pm, Auction Winners Announced by 8:30pm</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #cc33cc; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Some items up for Auction:</span><br />
Hand made/painted Guitar<br />
Colts Tickets<br />
Manni/Peddi<br />
Original Art<br />
Photography Session<br />
Catering From The Brew<br />
Ecuadorian Jewelry<br />
Furniture<br />
Stamped Concrete<br />
& More!!<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-weight: bold;">Along with the Auction there will be a ton of decadent</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-weight: bold;">homemade desserts that </span><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-weight: bold;">will drift</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-weight: bold;">you off into a euphoric sugar coma!</span></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #00cccc; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #00cccc; font-weight: bold;">Sugar coma for a cause!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #33cc00; font-size: 130%;">If you can't make it out you can still donate!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.4pawsforability.org/dream.html#JoshuaBontrager" style="font-weight: bold;">Click here for online</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Or mail checks to:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Downtown 808</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">216 S Main</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Goshen, IN 46526</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">C/O Joshua's Dog</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">AND, the benfit is taking place during Goshen's First Fridays.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">So there's tons of stuff to see & do downtown that evening!</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">yay!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">couldn't write this better so i stole it from Rachel. thanks chica!!! see you all on friday!!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0