Friday, January 29, 2010
Jesus in Haiti
THIS is why our church partners with Jesus in Haiti. I cannot stop thinking about all of the children of Haiti after this post. Read Tom's whole blog and you'll see that his stories like this are almost endless. What a privilege to partner with a man with a heart like his.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Praising God...
... and loving the fact that He is still in the miracle business! Do you remember when I asked you to pray for our little buddy, Austin, last summer in THIS POST?!!!! Just found out on Friday that the tumor is GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise HIM!!! Praise HIM!!! Thanks to my dear blog readers who lifted this boy up!
Please continue to pray for the family as Austin will carry on with chemo through June just to make sure that every naughty cell is completely obliterated!!! Also, pray that his little body stays strong in the process. I just spent a few hours with Austin and Angie at Lutheran today.... wow, what an amazing little boy!!!! God has BIG PLANS for this special guy!!! :)
Please continue to pray for the family as Austin will carry on with chemo through June just to make sure that every naughty cell is completely obliterated!!! Also, pray that his little body stays strong in the process. I just spent a few hours with Austin and Angie at Lutheran today.... wow, what an amazing little boy!!!! God has BIG PLANS for this special guy!!! :)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Isaac strikes again.... :)
This kid really cracks me up. Well.... sometimes!
Today, we were checking out at the grocery store, and THIS is the conversation that he had with our check out lady:
Her: Well, what is your name?
I: My name is Isaac.
Her: Wow, he speaks so clearly.
Me: Yep.
I: And her name (pointing at me) is Deanna. She's my mom. I love her. But she gets mad sometimes.
(LONG PAUSE IN CONVERSATION....)
SWEET check out lady: Well, ALL mommies get mad.... sometimes (and looks at me and smiles!)
Isaac is starting preschool in the fall at our church. I am CERTAIN that his teachers will learn a lot about "Pastor Scott's" family!!! HA! :)
Today, we were checking out at the grocery store, and THIS is the conversation that he had with our check out lady:
Her: Well, what is your name?
I: My name is Isaac.
Her: Wow, he speaks so clearly.
Me: Yep.
I: And her name (pointing at me) is Deanna. She's my mom. I love her. But she gets mad sometimes.
(LONG PAUSE IN CONVERSATION....)
SWEET check out lady: Well, ALL mommies get mad.... sometimes (and looks at me and smiles!)
Isaac is starting preschool in the fall at our church. I am CERTAIN that his teachers will learn a lot about "Pastor Scott's" family!!! HA! :)
Monday, January 18, 2010
Snow pictures
Well, in order to convince our friends in Buffalo that we really do get snow on occasion in Indiana, I thought I would post some pictures from two different days over the past month. It always made me laugh when some of my new friends and acquaintances in Buffalo would say something along the lines of, "Indiana.... that's WAY south, right?" Um.... no. And then, there was the statement, "Wow, what do you guys think of snow?" as if we had never seen it before in our lives. Yep.... we've seen it. Not quite THAT much.... but we HAD seen it before!
I will say though, when I told Aaron that there was 31 inches of snow at our old house in Buffalo a week or so ago, I thought he was going to slaughter me. Yep, my kiddos love the white stuff. And if I had a garage right now, I'd still be pretty fond of the stuff, too!
Aaron with his new best buddy from our apartment complex, Keion
Helping the neighbor girls with a snowman.... hoorah for "packing snow"!
Isaac's first snow angel of the year
Building a fort with Zach on top of grandma and grandpa's pool!
Helping the neighbor girls with a snowman.... hoorah for "packing snow"!
Isaac's first snow angel of the year
Building a fort with Zach on top of grandma and grandpa's pool!
Inside a fort, too!
Ollie was happy to frolic in the snow with us and just to BE with us, too. He is traveling back and forth between Scott's parents and my parents while we are in the apartment (we can't have a dog over 20 lbs. here. One more reason to get the house in NY sold!!!)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Our super singer....
If you like Isaac and you like the movie, "Enchanted", you're sure to enjoy this little clip....
And he is sure to slaughter me someday for all of his fun musical clips, too! On a side note, isn't it funny that my sister's voice sounds so much like mine in this clip?!! :)
And he is sure to slaughter me someday for all of his fun musical clips, too! On a side note, isn't it funny that my sister's voice sounds so much like mine in this clip?!! :)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Isaac-isms
So, Isaac has been complaining A LOT that his legs are hurting (growing pains, maybe?)
I told him that we should pray that God would help them to feel better, and he said,
"But we don't know where He is (pause to think.....) He is in New York City, I think."
I told him that we should pray that God would help them to feel better, and he said,
"But we don't know where He is (pause to think.....) He is in New York City, I think."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A glimpse....
So, just being honest here, we're going through a very, very hard time with Aaron. Ever since the move, he has been acting out at school and at church on Sunday mornings, too. My mood about it fluctuates regularly from discouraged to angry to feeling like I'm at a total loss. Scott and I are seeking God's heart in this and asking Him for wisdom as we attempt to be the best parents we can be to Aaron and are searching for an answer that will get through to Aaron's heart.
I think God knew we needed "a win" with Aaron this week. He prompted that sweet heart, and Aaron responded....
Last night, as I was looking at a news site online, Aaron saw a few pictures of the disaster in Haiti and asked a lot of questions about it, including the question, "Can we have earthquakes in Indiana?"
Then, this morning.... He was less than two minutes from running out the door to catch the bus, literally, wearing his coat and gloves, but ran back into his room, grabbed an envelope that had all of the money that he's been saving from his birthday and Christmas to buy something for himself (after already tithing), and came and handed it to me, saying:
"I want to use all of this to help the kids."
A glimpse....
A glimpse of the goodness in my son's heart. A glimpse of God's generosity for His people.... that He would give everything for us.
Sometimes, we just NEED a glimpse, don't we?
I think God knew we needed "a win" with Aaron this week. He prompted that sweet heart, and Aaron responded....
Last night, as I was looking at a news site online, Aaron saw a few pictures of the disaster in Haiti and asked a lot of questions about it, including the question, "Can we have earthquakes in Indiana?"
Then, this morning.... He was less than two minutes from running out the door to catch the bus, literally, wearing his coat and gloves, but ran back into his room, grabbed an envelope that had all of the money that he's been saving from his birthday and Christmas to buy something for himself (after already tithing), and came and handed it to me, saying:
"I want to use all of this to help the kids."
A glimpse....
A glimpse of the goodness in my son's heart. A glimpse of God's generosity for His people.... that He would give everything for us.
Sometimes, we just NEED a glimpse, don't we?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Four Months!
As of last Friday, Ellie is now four months old! She is so interactive and fun at this stage, and we all continue to be CRAZY about her!
Pictured here with my Grandma who is turning 90 this week!
At four months old, Ellie....
* Weighs in at 12 pounds 11 ounces and is 23 3/4 inches long, just under the 50th percentile in both.
* Looks like she is interested in rolling over but hasn't yet.
* Continues to get comments from even strangers saying, "Wow, she is SO strong" because of the way she holds her body while we are holding her (we can already hold her on a hip!)
* Has me reading "The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer", trying to figure her out since she is so different from her big brothers. I am pretty sure that the author would label sweet babe as a "touchy baby", as she is SOOO sensitive and easily gets overstimulated when around lots of people.
* Is just starting to show an interest in toys and books. The boys have been all her entertainment up to this point!
* Still falls asleep wrapped up in her Miracle Blanket, but mommy is wondering when we need to give it up.
* Unfortunately, is doing shorter stretches at night right now, only 4 - 5 hours. The doc said that we need to push her on this one, and that she should do longer stretches at this point. Yep, that is hard in a small apartment when she is still in our room!
* Typically, likes to do only two hour Eating/Playing & Awake/Sleeping stretches in the morning, but will do longer stretches in the afternoon and evening.
* LOVES her hands. Loves to play with her hands. Loves to chew on her hands. Yep, they are her favorite toy! She also does THIS with her hands all the time, and it is just too sweet....
* Has just started to take her pacifier out of her mouth and tries to put it back in.
* Getting a little better with her carseat!
* Has mommy on a fun adventure, learning how to dress a little girl!!!
Pictured here with her Aunt Dawn (my big sis!)
* Is definitely starting to find her own voice!
We LOVE being a family of five and sure are enjoying our precious, little girl!
Pictured here with my Grandma who is turning 90 this week!At four months old, Ellie....
* Weighs in at 12 pounds 11 ounces and is 23 3/4 inches long, just under the 50th percentile in both.
* Looks like she is interested in rolling over but hasn't yet.
* Continues to get comments from even strangers saying, "Wow, she is SO strong" because of the way she holds her body while we are holding her (we can already hold her on a hip!)
* Has me reading "The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer", trying to figure her out since she is so different from her big brothers. I am pretty sure that the author would label sweet babe as a "touchy baby", as she is SOOO sensitive and easily gets overstimulated when around lots of people.
* Is just starting to show an interest in toys and books. The boys have been all her entertainment up to this point!
* Still falls asleep wrapped up in her Miracle Blanket, but mommy is wondering when we need to give it up.
* Unfortunately, is doing shorter stretches at night right now, only 4 - 5 hours. The doc said that we need to push her on this one, and that she should do longer stretches at this point. Yep, that is hard in a small apartment when she is still in our room!
* Typically, likes to do only two hour Eating/Playing & Awake/Sleeping stretches in the morning, but will do longer stretches in the afternoon and evening.
* LOVES her hands. Loves to play with her hands. Loves to chew on her hands. Yep, they are her favorite toy! She also does THIS with her hands all the time, and it is just too sweet....
* Has just started to take her pacifier out of her mouth and tries to put it back in.
* Getting a little better with her carseat!
* Has mommy on a fun adventure, learning how to dress a little girl!!!
Pictured here with her Aunt Dawn (my big sis!)* Is definitely starting to find her own voice!
We LOVE being a family of five and sure are enjoying our precious, little girl!
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Reflections...
It seems that with the dawn of a new decade, everyone is reflecting. So, far be it from me to not join in on the fun....
Ten years ago....
-Scott and I were living at Camp Adventure in North Webster, Indiana. Scott was the Site Manager.
-We celebrated Y2K with our brand new small group from Warsaw Community Church. We had been attending there for just under a year.
-I was doing all kinds of things with my time. I had recently finished a short time at the United Way of Kosciusko County, doing data entry and helping with some event planning. NOT exactly my thing. I worked at the camp all summer and for weekend retreats, facilitating and training at the ropes course and managing the kitchen at times. I also started substitute teaching in the Warsaw and Wawasee School systems.
-I was ready to have a baby and had "What to Expect When You're Expecting" on my nightstand. Scott was not ready. We went to marriage counseling about it. After one of our sessions, I cried the whole way home and said to Scott, "I think I know what God made me to do. I want to do what she just did for us."
-I filled out an application for Grace's Masters in Counseling program (and would later start that fall).
-Two months after I started my Masters, Scott decided that he was ready to have a baby. As a full-time student, I was NOT. Ha! Isn't it funny how that happens?! :)
And now, in the past 10 years.....
-We have moved three times.
-We have lived in two states.
-I have been pregnant six times.
-We have held three, beautiful babies after three successful c-sections.
-I have probably done thousands of loads of laundry.... and have rewashed several dozen after forgetting about the wet load in the washer! ;)
-We have had two dogs.
-I am now missing one gallbladder.
-I have done lots of Beth Moore Bible studies, have read some wonderful books, and have grown a ton spiritually.
-I have endured sending a child to kindergarten.... and now, first grade.
-I have driven a car, a blazer, and two different minivans; all while my husband has driven his trusty, green '94 Saturn (and yes, he is STILL proud of the fact that he is the original owner! Seriously, that car is AMAZING! Almost 200,000 miles and still rolling right along!)
-I have counseled dozens and dozens of couples, adults, and kiddos and still count it as a privilege to have walked with them in the journey of life.
-I now have dozens of gray hairs.... and a box of color has been waiting for me for months (but I've never gotten up the courage to actually try it! One of these days.....) :)
-We have started sponsoring two sweet kiddos through Compassion International.... it has forever altered our view of the world.
-I have never burnt a meal beyond edible; although, there have definitely been meals that my hubby (and kiddos) have not exactly loved (as I have tried to find new recipes.... ahem.... that don't involve ANY cheese since my hubby is not a fan! Boo!) :)
It's been a crazy decade, full of ups and downs, but I have seen God's presence throughout it all. I am excited about what the next decade will hold. Our pastor recently asked us a question that has permeated my thinking over the past week.....
What do I want my life to look like in 2020? (And how will I live intentionally so that occurs?)
I don't know exactly what the next decade will hold in our lives as I can only control so much, but I do know and love the God who does.....
Ten years ago....
-Scott and I were living at Camp Adventure in North Webster, Indiana. Scott was the Site Manager.
-We celebrated Y2K with our brand new small group from Warsaw Community Church. We had been attending there for just under a year.
-I was doing all kinds of things with my time. I had recently finished a short time at the United Way of Kosciusko County, doing data entry and helping with some event planning. NOT exactly my thing. I worked at the camp all summer and for weekend retreats, facilitating and training at the ropes course and managing the kitchen at times. I also started substitute teaching in the Warsaw and Wawasee School systems.
-I was ready to have a baby and had "What to Expect When You're Expecting" on my nightstand. Scott was not ready. We went to marriage counseling about it. After one of our sessions, I cried the whole way home and said to Scott, "I think I know what God made me to do. I want to do what she just did for us."
-I filled out an application for Grace's Masters in Counseling program (and would later start that fall).
-Two months after I started my Masters, Scott decided that he was ready to have a baby. As a full-time student, I was NOT. Ha! Isn't it funny how that happens?! :)
And now, in the past 10 years.....
-We have moved three times.
-We have lived in two states.
-I have been pregnant six times.
-We have held three, beautiful babies after three successful c-sections.
-I have probably done thousands of loads of laundry.... and have rewashed several dozen after forgetting about the wet load in the washer! ;)
-We have had two dogs.
-I am now missing one gallbladder.
-I have done lots of Beth Moore Bible studies, have read some wonderful books, and have grown a ton spiritually.
-I have endured sending a child to kindergarten.... and now, first grade.
-I have driven a car, a blazer, and two different minivans; all while my husband has driven his trusty, green '94 Saturn (and yes, he is STILL proud of the fact that he is the original owner! Seriously, that car is AMAZING! Almost 200,000 miles and still rolling right along!)
-I have counseled dozens and dozens of couples, adults, and kiddos and still count it as a privilege to have walked with them in the journey of life.
-I now have dozens of gray hairs.... and a box of color has been waiting for me for months (but I've never gotten up the courage to actually try it! One of these days.....) :)
-We have started sponsoring two sweet kiddos through Compassion International.... it has forever altered our view of the world.
-I have never burnt a meal beyond edible; although, there have definitely been meals that my hubby (and kiddos) have not exactly loved (as I have tried to find new recipes.... ahem.... that don't involve ANY cheese since my hubby is not a fan! Boo!) :)
It's been a crazy decade, full of ups and downs, but I have seen God's presence throughout it all. I am excited about what the next decade will hold. Our pastor recently asked us a question that has permeated my thinking over the past week.....
What do I want my life to look like in 2020? (And how will I live intentionally so that occurs?)
I don't know exactly what the next decade will hold in our lives as I can only control so much, but I do know and love the God who does.....
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