FPU!

Last spring, Scott and I went through "Financial Peace University" when it was offered by our church. It was an amazing program. While we, thankfully, weren't buried in debt because we had read THIS AMAZING BOOK when we were engaged (and because Scott had learned some lessons about debt prior to our marriage and brought those lessons into our marriage!) we still learned SOOO much about money management and planning and are so grateful.

We loved every time Dave Ramsey talked about passing these priorities and principles onto our kids, so last winter, when we saw a deal on Financial Peace Jr. for kids, we jumped on it! WHAT A BLESSING!Since we started the system in March, our boys have loved their commission charts and Sunday night payday. They love giving their offering to the church and love to take their savings banks to deposit in their accounts. They also really love saving for things that they want. In fact, Aaron has been working very hard and just bought his own digital camera! I'm a proud momma (and I love all of the help that I get around the house these days, too!)

For the summer, we have adapted the plan.... basically, if they do ALL of their jobs for the day, they get paid. If they don't, NO $! We'll go back to their other charts in August, but this is working great for the summer months!

Just thought I'd share about this great resource.... it definitely gets TWO THUMBS UP from Scott and me!

Ellie loves her Daddy....

and Ollie....

and Audrey!

I love how Ellie's personality shines in this little clip! :)

A little reading....

Scott is out with the guys tonight; three of my kiddos are asleep, and I am rocking one while catching up on my Google Reader! Here are a few really, really good posts....

From Lori Wilhite at Leading and Loving It (I triple-love this site for pastors' wives, and this post is great for all wives!)

A great reminder from Jill Savage

Then, there was this gem from Beth Moore

And, of course, Megan at Millions of Miles always delivers a laugh!

Savoring...

.... that's been my goal for the last month. SAVORING.

I know that every mom says this at this point.... but how is it that Audrey is already a month old? I can feel myself getting choked up even as I type that.

I've done this before. I know that it goes fast. And because she is the last newborn at our house, I've taken the goal of "savoring" her to a whole new level.... rocking more.... snuggling more.... enjoying more (you know, as much as possible with three other darlings who need their momma, too). I wish that I knew how to capture her babyhood and her sweetness. I don't know how to do that, and that does come with a little ache (okay, sometimes, a GREAT BIG ache).

As I hold and rock her every night, two thoughts continually rattle through my mind....

"I love being a mom."
"I love everything about her."

I couldn't feel any more blessed. I treasure being a mom.

I love this picture.... capturing savoring in action. This was the first time that I actually was able to hold Audrey in the recovery room. She already had her bath, and she smelled so, so good. I had no idea that Scott had snapped this picture, and I just LOVE it....

First and Last

Whew, what a relief! Aaron doesn't look THAT different in the pics from his last day of 2nd grade compared to his first day (right?!!) We always tease him, saying that we are going to stop feeding him green beans, so he won't grow up so fast! :)

First day of 2nd grade

Last day of 2nd grade

Aaron and his super-fabulous 2nd grade teacher! We have LOVED her (and yes, he SOBBED after the last day of school because he said he is going to miss her SO much!)

HIS Presence.

I've been formulating this post for almost a week in my mind... but I haven't been able to write it. Very few things in life leave me speechless (just ask my older sister who, when I started talking as a toddler, asked my mom, "Does she EVER stop talking?!!").... but this one comes as close to leaving me speechless as anything.... but now, I'm going to try anyway....

We love Stan. We linked arms with Stan and his beautiful wife, Kathy, beginning in November 2009 at Sonrise Church to take ground for the Kingdom. Our friendship with them has grown.... Scott's friendship and ministry partnership with Stan has grown.

And now, Stan has cancer. Glioblastoma, stage 4, to be exact. I hate this for Stan, Kathy, Stephanie, and Ashley.

And yet, they continue to blow us away as they seek God. As they are a picture of peace. As they lean into Christ and the truth of the Word. And as they dive into this battle boldly.

I'm formulating a few words here to ask for prayer. Prayer for our pastor to experience total and perfect healing. Prayer for his family to experience continued peace and comfort through the Spirit.

And I'm writing to ask for prayer for the body at Sonrise. Prayer for unity in the body. Prayer for Scott as he leads the body during this season of healing for Stan. Prayer for our family to stay connected and whole in the midst of an unexpected ministry season.

But more than anything, would you please pray that we would ALL be overwhelmed with the PRESENCE of God?

The diagnosis came on Thursday. And Friday morning, in the midst of being close to speechless with God, I found that the only thing that I could pray for was HIS PRESENCE. Begging Him to be close to Stan and Kathy and their family.... begging God to be present with the body of Sonrise.

And I will keep asking for that while continuing to take heart that I know, I know, I KNOW that cancer will never win.... CHRIST DOES.

Thanks for coming alongside of Stan and the body of Sonrise as you feel led. To follow Stan's journey, click HERE.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

Stan and Kathy came to visit us at the hospital on Audrey's birthday. Five days later, Stan was in the same hospital in brain surgery.