How the swine flu REALLY got started....

:)

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) That I do NOT have the swine flu. I am battling a nasty upper respiratory infection right now.... but hey, I'm trying to look on the bright side! It could be much, much worse, right?!!
2) That Scott is blessed to experience an awesome conference this week in Atlanta, Georgia with part of the Family Ministry team from The Chapel. While I'm excited for him, as I've mentioned before, I'm also grateful that he doesn't travel every week! We're ALL missing him!
3) For the AWESOME ultrasound that I had last week. I could look at all of those pictures of this precious little being over and over and over again!
4) For sunny days. We've had some gorgeous weather over the past week.... I love spring!
5) That my boys have MOMENTS when they really love AND LIKE each other! The sibling "stuff" has certainly already started at our house, but they are MORE than awesome when they are getting along well! I loved this moment this morning.... Isaac was helping Aaron watch for the bus on our back steps! Precious!


Have a blessed day, everybody! You are loved!

Flippin' amazing....

Please, please.... NO ONE show this video to Aaron.... that child was born with an extra dose of "Wild at Heart" and I'm quite certain that he would probably walk straight out to the garage, put on his helmet, and start trying to master one of these stunts. Geez.... it makes me tired to just watch 10 seconds of this....



Thanks, Stevan.

Fabulous!

I heard about this idea from my friend, Ellen, and thought that it was too good to not share it.... moms and dads, check it out HERE. I'm totally doing this.....

Wordless Wednesday

"Fru-fwoops" and "Yucky Charms"

I needed a smile today and snagged one during this conversation with Isaac. He warms my heart.....



And please, no lecture today about sugary cereals.... that might make my smile disappear.....

The power of forgiveness....

Woa. Woa. Woa.

I just watched a powerful, powerful example of the great forgiveness and the great redemption that comes from Christ. Steven Furtick of Elevation Church interviewed Ted and Gayle Haggard.... powerful. Grab 40 minutes.... I think it will be worth your time. Click here. If you'd like to read about Pastor Furtick's reflections afterwards, click here.

Some super sweeties on a stellar Sunday

Yep, we broke out the mower yesterday! Hoorah! The smell of fresh cut grass was incredible!!! Notice that the boys loved being big helpers! And ahem.... please ignore the UGLY construction trailer in the background.... we can't wait for them to be finished building on this side of the neighborhood so that they can drag that ugly eye-sore AWAY!

We have been enjoying every minute of this fantastic weather.... 80s on Saturday, high 60s yesterday, and mid-80s again today! I'm lovin' it!

And I also make NO apologies for the fact that I occasionally dress my handsome fellas alike.... I figure that I better do it while they will still let me! At church yesterday, somebody said, "Hey, maybe you'll have another one following behind, dressed just like them at this time next year...." Huh, I wonder?!! :)
Also, thought y'all might enjoy one of the boys' little adventures yesterday.... totally made me laugh.... pardon my giggling throughout the video!!!

BABY!!!

We had a terrific day today which included beautiful pictures of our beautiful baby! Yep, I had an amazing ultrasound this morning, complete with plenty of pictures of our amazing miracle. Everything measured perfectly.... thank you, Lord!!! I'm 19 1/2 weeks! Hoorah!!!

Our sweetie's profile

And the classic "alien" shot.... looking straight down at my darlin's face

This was such a neat moment... our little one kept his/her hands by his/her face or stretched over the head the entire time. In this picture, the baby's hands were both stretched upwards.... we said he or she was praising God with us!!! Look at those precious little fingers!!! Sweet, huh?!! :)

And such a fun surprise.... our fabulously wonderful ultrasound lady decided to flip over to 4D at the end to see if she could catch a good picture of our little miracle. Check out the results!!! AMAZING!!! Do you see that sweet little baby, using the placenta as a pillow?!!! Lest you try to figure out the gender from this picture.... You can’t tell. The baby’s left leg was moving and the foot is directly in front of those parts in this picture (the knee is pulled up, and I think that the foot just looks funny because it was moving and formed an odd shadow)! Notice that little one had his/her hands up by his/her face, and the baby’s right foot is pulled up right in the middle of the body beside the placenta, too. Doesn’t he/she have a sweet little face, just like the boys'??? And don’t freak out, the odd shaped head is just because of shadows.... Our baby really looked as perfect as can be!!!

I feel beyond blessed.... I was completely overwhelmed with a spirit of gratitude throughout the ultrasound.... thanks to all of you who have been praying! We're halfway there!!! :)

I'm a spoiled woman....

My friend, Tina, received a great Christmas gift from her hubby this year.... a weekend away to scrapbook, and she included me in the fun! We met halfway between her home in NJ and my home in NY a few weekends back and had a fabulous time! It's amazing how refreshed I felt after a little time away! I even loved the QUIET drive!!! :)

Hide and Go Seek....

This picture totally makes me laugh. Aaron and Isaac are learning the new art of playing games together. This pic reveals the joy of "Hide and Go Seek." Needless to say, Isaac is still getting the hang of it (which is sometimes frustrating to his big brother!) In this round, Isaac simply climbed up on the couch and covered up while Aaron counted. Yep, that round wasn't too difficult for Aaron! :)

Awhile back....

.... Aaron's class was visited by the Niagara Falls Aquarium "Touch Tank." It was actually pretty neat.... a lady with a cooler-full of live critters came in and taught the kiddos about those critters. While some kiddos were timid about touching and holding all of the sea critters, not our Aaron (surprise, surprise, I know!!! HA!) He loved every minute of the visiting crabs, starfish, and lobster!

Yeah, this was the point that Mrs. Gervase "corrected" Aaron for yelling out and being a little overanxious to see the critters. Ahh, he thrills in life and new things!!! :)

Gotta admit.... this horseshoe crab freaked me out, but not Aaron!!!

Look at Aaron's face in the background.... he could NOT wait to get his hands on this lobster! Funny story.... the lady shared that if they run out of critters for the tank, they often go to Wegman's for some new ones (yes, that's our grocery store). Lucky, lucky critters!

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) For the fact that my family and I have plenty of clean water to drink and warm food for our table (Lord, please forgive me for whining about a cold shower this morning.... continue to give me perspective).
2) For the weather that is coming to Buffalo this weekend. Can't wait!
3) That we get to see our sweet babe's picture tomorrow!!! I have an ultrasound at a new specialist's office in the morning and can't wait to see our little one. And no, we haven't changed our minds.... we still won't be finding out the baby's gender!
4) That Scott, generally, doesn't travel a lot with his job. He will be gone at a conference next week so I am trying to gear up for that.... glad that it is not "normal." I TOTALLY respect you mommas out there who have hubbies who travel a lot.... you are amazing women!!!
5) For our wonderful neighbors, Kevin and Gina. They have totally been a blessing to us over the past year.... we are so sad that they are moving this weekend to INDIANA (ironic, isn't it?!) But.... we're thankful that we have been able to enjoy our friendship with them and are hopeful that it will continue over the years (hoorah for Skype!)

Blessings to each of you today!!! :)

ONE

Stevan just posted a video that floored me.... moved me.... stirred me. Please go HERE to see it....

Matthew 25:40 has rocked me over the past couple of years.... "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." I know that in my own life, as I encounter the suffering and poverty of our broken world, my heart breaks, but I often feel so powerless and overwhelmed. However, God prompted me and pressed a powerful question on my heart about three years ago that included these words, "Deanna, you may not be able to change the entire world in the blink of an eye, but what can YOU do to make a difference for ONE?!!" So that's what I've been trying to do in my life.... have that mindset.... make a difference to ONE (ONE at a time, that is!)

So now, I'm sharing my heart.... because the math is powerful.... if I make a difference to ONE, and you make a difference to ONE, and you know ONE other person to make a difference to ONE, etc., etc..... yeah, again, the math is powerful.

I love you.

Please pray for this sweet baby

I know that many of you already follow MckMama's blog and are already praying for little Stellan. If not, would you please join the world in praying for this sweet baby as he undergoes a very, very risky heart surgery in the morning (starting at 8:30 AM). No, I don't know this family.... but I've come to love this family through Jennifer's blog. Prayer is powerful.... and I believe that God does heal.

Aaron's hero....

Last week, as a part of our discussion about this month's virtue pack, Scott asked Aaron about heroes. He also asked him who is a hero to him (and I'm pretty sure he was gearing up to hear Aaron confidently proclaim, "My Dad, of course!") However, after much thought, Aaron said, "Jack" (who is another student in his class). When we asked why he picked Jack, Aaron said, "Because he makes good choices at school and doesn't get in trouble." Definitely admirable.... I want my kiddo to look up to other kiddos who have a positive impact.... and I want him to have a positive impact, too.

However, I am 100% certain that if Aaron gave his LIST of heroes, Daddy would DEFINITELY make the cut. As I think back, ONE of the reasons (yes, there are MANY!) that I fell in love with Scott fifteen years ago was because I knew that he would make a great Dad one day. We met as counselors at a church camp in 1994.... and the way that he loved on middle schoolers floored me. He was amazing with them.... and I was right.... he is even more amazing with our own kiddos. I truly think that he is the best Daddy.... he loves well.... he is consistent.... he is present.... and he plays a lot (hey, what kiddo doesn't LOVE that?!!)

So yesterday, I wasn't surprised when Isaac and I woke up from afternoon naps (hoorah!) and heard an interesting sound coming from our garage. When we emerged outside, these pics reveal what we discovered....





Aaron had saved his pennies to buy a Tech Deck skateboard and wanted a ramp. So Scott, being the innovative guy that he is, decided to build one with Aaron. Pretty cool little Sunday afternoon project. And yes, it absolutely made Aaron's whole weekend.... he was beyond thrilled to use the saw, sander, and drill with Daddy.

Scott, you're my hero, too.....

Perspective....

I imagine that nearly all of my blog readers have seen this fabulous clip of Susan Boyle blowing the world away on "Britain's Got Talent." If so, no need to watch again.... unless, of course, you're in the mood for a little "Les Miserables" today! :)

However, it was this beautiful article that brought even more tears to my eyes.... a little more about Susan's story. Definitely worth the read.... thank you, Susan Boyle, for reminding the world of a valuable, critical truth. We are all individual creations, loved by an incredible God, and designed perfectly by His hands.

Hope that all of you, who are individually, lovingly, and perfectly created, have a fabulous day!

Thank you, thank you....

I am thanking God today for the fact that we have had NUMEROUS days in a row with gorgeous weather.... amazing temps (60s).... bright sunshine (we all got a little pink yesterday.... and it was fabulous!).... and NO RAIN!!! What a perfect way to spend spring break days with my terrific kiddos.... playing outside; hoorah!

Spring Break 2009

We have had such an amazing week! We started out Aaron's spring break by hosting all of my family for Easter weekend. I was a little concerned that everyone would feel claustrophobic with 11 people under one roof, but I think that it worked out great. We just cranked up the water heater so everyone could get hot showers when needed!!! :) Our weekend consisted of celebrating Abby's 14th birthday, fun walks, playing in the yard, dyeing Easter eggs, Easter egg hunts, and lots of fun on a new Wii game (Outdoor Adventure.... it's fabulous.... I highly recommend it as it is kind of like the Wii Fit for kiddos!) So you know who you are watching in the slide show: My mom and dad, my older sis Dawn and her sweet fam (husband Shawn, kids: Abby and Zach), and my sweet baby sis, Deb.

Then, Scott, the boys, and I got away for three nights to the Embassy Suites in Niagara Falls, Canada. Scott was there for a planning retreat with the Family Ministry team from The Chapel, but we were able to tag along and still had some great family times when Scott was not in his meetings. The boys loved the pool; Isaac mastered his floaties, and I was able to keep the boys entertained while Scott was in his meetings with lots of books, pillows, AND a huge jacuzzi tub!!! And oh, did I mention the view from our window?!! Yeah, check out THOSE pics of the Falls! Breathtaking! When we walked in the room, Isaac immediately said, "This is WONDERFUL!" in his sweet little voice! :) It's been a fabulous week.... I'm not ready to send my sweetie back to school on Monday.....

Things that make me smile....

.... Sunny days
.... Mini-vaca's with my boys
.... The majestic masterpiece called Niagara Falls
.... That Scott usually is home on Fridays
.... My boys at bathtime (notice.... Isaac showing off ALL TEETH.... and Aaron showing off his LACK of teeth!)
.... The fact that my boys both love to wear goggles in the bathtub

Things that do NOT make me smile:

The fact that it is 3:49 AM and I have been up for two hours after a yucky dream involving harm to my sweet Isaac. I never had crazy, vivid, pregnancy dreams with my other two.... this pregnancy has been a whole other story. Thankfully, some of them have been very funny.... tonight's was not. So.... I need to grab me up some happy thoughts and started browsing through my pics on iphoto. Cheered me up quick....

And yes, I WILL be posting LOTS of those pics SOON! But for now, I'm going to TRY to catch some Zzz's.... hopefully, some dream-LESS Zzz's!!! :)

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) For my family. My entire fam (mom, dad, sisters, sis' fam) are coming for Easter weekend, and most of them will arrive tonight. Looking forward to a fabulous visit. My kids are ECSTATIC!
2) For a little getaway next week. We are going to Niagara Falls, Canada with part of the Family Ministry team for a few days over Aaron's spring break.... it will be a blast, I am sure! Aaron can't wait to find the pool!
3) For a sunny day! We had snow a few days ago, too.... so for today, I'm just thankful for this day!
4) For Aldi! I can't believe how much $$$$$ I save in a month by shopping there! And because there aren't aisles and aisles of things that are useless to me, I can get in and out (WITH ISAAC!) very quickly! I have only found a few things that I don't like there.... otherwise, it's wonderful. If you haven't yet and have one close, TRY IT! :)
5) For my loyal blog readers (YOU!) Sorry that I've neglected the blog lately.... no pics.... not many updates! This things called LIFE is keeping me hopping.... but I promise.... pics WILL come someday soon!!! :)

Love you much! Have a blessed day!

The most beautiful sound....

Praising God for the beautiful sound of our baby's heartbeat! Isaac and I heard our little one again today at my appointment.... heartbeat was in the 150's again. Perfect little one.... so precious! We could even hear him/her kicking the doppler!!! And yes.... I am also praising God for the fact that I am starting to feel baby flutters!!!!! My favorite part of pregnancy! Hoorah!!!!!!!! :)

Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful....

1) For my hubby's kindness. I really love that guy and his attention to my needs and the boys' needs.
2) That I get to getaway for a girls' weekend tomorrow! My friend, Tina (who now lives in NJ) and I are meeting halfway for a fun weekend of scrapbooking! I am sure that it will fly by with all of our chatting to catch up and as we crop away, and I can't wait! It's gonna be fun!
3) For sweet prayer times with Aaron every night when I tuck him in. Oh my goodness, his little heart warms mine. We received a map from "Voice of the Martyrs" a few months ago that shows different areas of the world where Christians are heavily persecuted and killed for their faith, and (totally his doing) Aaron couldn't wait to hang it on his wall and then picks a country to pray for every night. It's actually amazing.... it's amazing, too, to hear his sweet prayers for our new baby. Yep, that warms my heart as well.
4) For MOPS. It's been an great way for me to meet and connect with other women in WNY.
5) For Isaac's naptime. When he wakes up close to 5:58 AM every morning (that's what my clock said this morning....) I find that I am truly thankful for a break in the afternoon.

Have a blessed day! Love you so much!