The Face of Wisdom

I hadn't seen my grandparents for a few weeks, so we just stopped by spur of the moment to see if they were home for an unplanned visit. As I apologized for not calling or anything before hand, she said "don't apologize Dear, that's what we're here for."

They had just finished eating supper and welcomely invited us in. They asked about the baby, school, work, etc, the usual. The kids went off to play and my grandmother sat down to "talk." Our conversation turned toward what God has been doing in our lives and what He has been teaching us. I shared with her how she has played a large role in what He has been teaching me recently, loving my husband, raising my children, my role, etc. And I thanked her for her faithfulness to God. Her response will be forever engraved in my heart:

"I'm so glad to be an encouragement to you, Dear. But if God has laid it on your heart about making some changes in your life, it is from Him. He only chooses to use us to carry out His plan. Over the years, God has taught me many things, and I have learned to obey what He is saying. But it's not always easy. I only hope that you will listen to what He is saying to you because I am sure that it is through obedience that we can find real joy. But it's not always easy."

I'm so blessed to still have my grandparents in my life. We ended the visit praying for eachother. I am so thankful that I am able to pass the legacy I have from them to my children and grandchildren. I'm grateful for her faithful prayers and she is able to quickly point us back to the cross. What a godly woman who fears the Lord!

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

Proverbs 31:26

I'm In Denial

A certain young lady in our household (who shall remain nameless) got up early this morning to take a shower and get ready for school. She decided she wanted to straighten her (already straight) hair. She's looking beautiful as she always does and keeps going back to the bathroom throughout the morning to do one more touch-up. I say "You look pretty." She just continues doing her business as if I said nothing. At that point I noticed her usually cheerful self was starting to be not-so-upbeat.

As we continue about our morning grabbing lunches and backpacks, she goes to the bathroom one final time and decides to pull her hair back for a completely different look. As we were heading out the door I say "oh a pony-tail...looks good."

The response I get: "UUGGGHH!! I should have never straightened my hair!"

Is this the beginning of the pre-teen years??? The Lord has placed her on my heart today in a new way to pray for her as she is maturing. My prayer for her is that she will hold fast to the hope she has in the Lord and the Love that He has revealed to her at a young age; that she will continue to grow with the desire to share that hope and His love with others.

"For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth."
Psalm 71:5

Pregnancy Update

I really haven't said much about the pregnancy, so I figured it's time for an update. Thank you so much for asking how things are going and I have been feeling! It means so much knowing how many people care! In the first trimester, I had very minimal morning sickness and I'm so thankful that I have really been feeling great up until now. I'm just now starting to have a hard time getting comfortable at night and wake up with leg cramps. Sometimes I wake up Angel with all my tossing and turning. I've really enjoyed being pregnant so far and can feel the baby kick all the time. Angel can feel him too!

Alisia always ask me how the doctor visits go and how I'm feeling. She is faithful at praying for the baby's health and safety. Caleb has really gotten into telling the baby good-night and good-morning, giving him kisses, and trying to feel him kick. Sometimes he just sits beside me on the couch with his hand on my tummy. This baby is going to be so blessed with his older siblings!

We decide to change doctors for this baby. I wasn't unhappy at the practice that delivered my first two, but since I worked here for four years after I had Caleb, I know everyone! I'm so glad we switched and are excited about having a midwife for the first time help with the delivery. Our current doctor's practice is very competitive about keeping up to date with the latest technology.

For the ultrasound, we were so excited to see the baby! We got the kids out of school early and all headed over together. It was a great way for the kids to see that there really is a baby growing inside. Caleb wasn't really sure what was going to happen when I got up on the table. He kept covering his ears and asking, "is it a boy?" I guess that's all he really needed to know.

The ultrasound was even more fun on this awesome huge wide-screen TV mounted up on the wall!


The ultrasound proved this is one active little baby! His legs were moving up and down, then he kicked back to make it clear he is a boy!

In this picture you can see his arms up around his head:

His profile:

Waving:

He put his hand right over his face in this 3D pic:

These two pictures are dark because the room was pretty dark, but here's the ultrasound-tech with the kids explaining to them what she is doing. She even let them pick out their own picture and showed them how to print it. They were excited to have their own picture of their brother to take to school and show their class.

We went to Chick-fil-a afterward for supper and to celebrate. Angel and Caleb were SUPER excited to have another boy join our family! (So are me and Alisia!)

We are so excited to welcome this little guy to our family and can't wait to bring him home! As parents, it is our prayer that God will be glorified in our family and in the life of this little one. We continue to seek Him daily as we are committed to raising the children God has entrusted to our care. Our hope is in the Lord!

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24

So Blessed

How did I get so lucky to have these two handsome men in my life?


And this lovely lady....


And this precious little one...


Thankyou Lord.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights"
James 1:17

First Love

With Valentine's day being the main topic at our house, I love seeing how the kids look for creative ways to make their friends feel special. They even look for ways to make each other feel special, us, and their grandparents! Alisia is so careful not to leave anyone out. She has been using her snack money to bring home something from school for each of us. As Caleb was getting his Valentine's ready for his class last night, he asked me if he could sneak one into Papi's lunch box for him to find. I love this! They're love is so real. So sincere.

This kind of real and sincere love is what God wants us to experience much more deeply through knowing His love. If you are still looking for God's love, now is the time to give your life to him. If you already know His love, do you remember what it was like when you first repented and asked God to make you a new creature? Do you remember the overwhelming sense of joy and peace he granted you at that time?

The bible warns against forgetting our first love.

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."
Revelation 2:4

I don't remember the exact moment because I was only 3 or 4. But I have experienced that renewed love by seeing His word work in my life. I have also been able to experience it by witnessing my children at different times call on Him into their life. After both of them prayed and invited Jesus into their heart, they were eager to tell everyone! I can see their love for the Lord grow stronger with their desire to go and tell others. They want to be sure their friends know Jesus and will be in heaven too! They have a heart to change the world.

That's what it is like when you are in love. Remember? You want everyone to know! If you know His love for you, take delight in it and boldly share it with those around you.

"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Is 61:10

Wow, What a Weekend!

After all that snow, ice and COLD temps last week, we had temps in the 60's this weekend! What CRAZY weather!! Which might be why we had sick kids ALL last week! Both kids missed school the whole week and had fevers and were throwing up. I've never been so ready for a Monday and a new week! But back to the fabulous weekend we had...We saved the homework for after dark and spent as much time as possible outside! It was great!

We went to the park and checked out the frozen pond. Of course it was melting on the edges, but it was still pretty frozen!

Seeing my husband dare to walk on the melting ice, doesn't really bother me....

But then seeing him teaching my son to be a risk taker......




I just don't know ....

But I tried not to freak out

Sunday after church, we had some friends over for games

Then back to the park for some basketball and tether-ball.

Wow, what a beautiful weekend!

I am thankful for beautiful weekends, outdoors, friends and family, and being healthy! Now just praying everyone stays that way!

Coming June 2009

Praise Reports and More Prayer Requests

- My cousin Mary's daughter is doing great. She is well on the road to recovery. Thank you to everyone who left a comment, or went to their blog to leave a comment. I know it means a lot to know people out there are praying.

- Which brings me to another friend, Angie. She is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer recurrence. This treatment includes radiation and isolation from her loved ones including her children. I can't imagine what it would be like going through what she is, but she is able to look to God for strength.

- Please pray for Sharon as she is undergoing Chemotherapy. From what I understand, it is very tiring and wearing, especially when you have a family and have to push yourself on some days to keep going.

- My dear friend Vera and her husband Danny are welcoming their 2nd child. He was born on Monday. I love his beautiful name. Joshua Ethan Oliver.

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"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Romans 12:15 reminds us as Christians, we do not rejoice or grieve alone. We are to bear one another's burdens. There's a beautiful song we sing at church that reminds me of these sweet friends. Some are rejoicing for healing or a new birth, some are grieving and praying for healing. Some are walking in the land of abundance and some are walking in the wilderness. No matter what situation we are in, we can still see the work of God in our lives and seek to glorify him with our life. This is why we say "Blessed Be Your Name."

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Sledding is so much more fun when.......

....Papi is pushing!!

Over night, the temperature got way low and all the ice we had was slippery. Yesterday, the temps were much higher (hence no hats!) and everything was starting to melt. The ice definitely made sledding on our little hill much funner.

Dashing Through the Snow

Finally! We have been waiting for a snow day for a very long time! The kids jumped out as fast as they could because we knew it would be changing over to ice/sleet later. Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to make a snowman. But it was great for sledding!!

Now after some hot chocolate, we're all warm back inside!