Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Dani's conversation with God!
Dani (whispers): What's that say?
Me: Uncle Mickey
Dani: I don't like that name.
Me: You can call him Milton! That's his name too.
Dani: No... Mickey! (on to her prayer)... Thank you for Uncle Mickey... (whispers to me) Does he have Vonnie? (Keven's sister)
Me: No, Kyna.
Dani in prayer: Thank you for Kyna... (whispers to me) Do they have a dog?
Me: Yeah, they have two dogs, I think.
Dani: A big one and a little one?
Me: I don't know, but you can still pray for them, God knows what they have.
Dani (head and eyes up to the heavens): God, what do they have?
Then she hesitated almost as if she expected God to audibly answer her as to how many dogs Uncle Mickey and Kyna have!
After we cracked up, Dani said, as is a typical closing for her prayers: "In Jesus Amen!" Guess she decided He wasn't going to answer but really did know, so she was done!
God's gotta love those conversations with little ones, don'tcha think?
What a weekend!
We were a little concerned about Dani moving to the basement but she has done very well! She is getting better at settling down so that poor Hannah can get to sleep! You can just tell that Dani feels very included and important now. She wants to do and be just like Hannah. Hannah is eating it up really! She wasn't looking forward to the transition but I think she is really enjoying it now! It's been fun to watch.
Marlie absolutely LOVES having a space to call her own. We hardly see her. She sits on her bed doing devotions or reading her Bible or we can find her sitting at her desk drawing or doing something artsy! It's kinda weird to see my little girl off doing her own thing without involvement or input from Mommy! I'm so used to being a part of everything she does! My little girl's getting BIG!
Saturday and Sunday afternoons we did some yard work. Saturday evening we had dinner with 5 other couples from church. That was fun! It's a ministry where you sign up to pretty much be thrown together with other people who sign up and do dinner together about once a month. It's a great way to get to know people. We are the only ones with small children, but believe it or not, that actually makes it kinda fun. These are people we probably wouldn't get to know otherwise. It's been great!
We had a Memorial Day bbq at our house yesterday, IN THE RAIN. Poor Keven and his brother Dave had to grill in the cold drizzle! Then the power went out for 2 or 3 hours just as we were about to eat. But, luckily all of the food was prepared ahead of time and we ate fairly early. It was actually kinda fun, I thought! SO many kids! It was loud at times but awesome. They all did so well with a very few minor meltdowns. It was a great time of fellowship and good food!
Marlie asked me to take a picture of her and her daddy to put up in her new room. Isn't it AWESOME?! LOVE that man!
Can't leave my other girls out! They all got haircuts today! A three hour process but I won't get into that!
Cutie patootie Hannah!
Oh, the many faces of Dani! "What MOTHER!"... "Oh, a picture? Okay!" She is a TRIP!
Life is good!
Friday, May 23, 2008
One more thing...
Hi, everyone! Just a quick note to let you all know that we are all fine. Praise God!! Our house has sustained a lot of exterior damage, but the inside is practically untouched. Another praise!! Thankfully, the schools did a great job of protecting our children. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be sending you this message.
I was in a small concession stand at one of our ballfields right where the tornado touched down. I can truly tell you that I felt the hand of God over me and the young girl who was with me. The roof of the building and the windows were all blown out and away and head had debris flying around hitting us, but we walked out with very minor bumps and bruises. After stepping outside and seeing the damage all I could do was priase God for His protection.
Doug has been working endlessly and I haven't been in touch with him since last night, so please continue to keep our family and our community in your prayers. There are a lot of people who have lost everything. I will try to keep you all posted as much as I can. We are not able to get to our home yet, but hopefully soon we will be able to get in and access the extent of the damages. I love you all and thank you for your prayers. We can feel them reaching us!!
Please feel fee to pass on this message to your prayer chains, Windsor can definitely use the mighty power of prayer !
Thank you!
In Christ's Love,
Michelle
Once again, praise God for His protection!
In the middle of it...
God was gracious to us as a family yesterday and our community! If you were to look at a map of Eaton, you would see that the catastrophic tornado that devastated Windsor yesterday was just to the west of us and another smaller system that included a tornado was to the east of us. We're talking a matter of a few miles. Both traveled from the south in a primarily northern direction. I am personally humbled by the power of our God. "Mother Nature" had nothing to do with it as God spared us from what happened in Windsor. Now, we are just in prayer for those families...
For some amazing photos you can view a couple of slideshows here.
Last day!
Oh yeah, it was also our anniversary yesterday! Nine years of sheer heavenly bliss! ;)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
We're nerds - so what?!
We were downstairs doing school and heard a helicopter that sounded like it was about to land on our roof. I had to go investigate, of course! Well, they were crop-dusting the field across the street, behind our neighbors' houses! It was so cool. We first started watching from our front yard... then we had to go to the neighbor's backyard (hope you don't mind Liz!) to get a closer look. I hope you can see the thing. If not, just sit back and enjoy the amazement in our voices and the laughter! At one point, Marlie took off running for her life back toward our house. She thought the thing was going to fall out of the sky and fall on us I guess! I kinda wonder if the pilot didn't see us there in awe, because he did a couple of maneuvers over us that didn't seem to go with a dusting plan, ya know? Oh, it was too fun! Gotta appreciate the smallest of things, right?! (Hope this works!)
Yes, those are the Rockies in the background. I am so bummed it was so gloomy and you can't see them better, but we do get to see this amazing wonder of God's creation right out our front door! I LOVE it!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Chew on THIS for a minute!
Posted by ShaunaCO on my FIAR message board! Amazing!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Another weekend with the Grans!
A slide show of our FUN on Saturday!
Sunday morning we went to our former church. It was a fabulous time of worship and teaching of the Word! It's always like coming home when we visit! While I love our new church, I sure do miss the close friendships we made at EBC! But, I know we are just where the Lord would have us now!
A picture of the kids and I when we got back to Betty's after church. I've never had a picture of me with ALL of my kids.
Sunday afternoon we had a great time visiting with friends and family at Matix's 2nd birthday party at the park. What a perfect place for a party! The kids had cupcakes, played with water guns (thanks to Uncle Mike and cousin Zak), played with bubbles and on the playground! Can you tell I forgot to take my camera to the park with me! Duh! What a fun, fun, fun weekend!
Finally, a short video of Tyler walking. He's getting better! Keven surprised us and came home for a little while this afternoon. I'm sure you can hear the excitement from the kids! Always nice to have him home!
Please pray for Erica!
I can tell you that Erica is a strong Christian young lady! Please pray as you feel led!
ETA: Forgot to mention to all of you Sterlingites (and former) that Erica used to work at The Bible Lighthouse. Thought that might help you put a face with the request!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Can't Wrap My Mind Around It!
It is truly and literally mind-numbing to think on the fact that we can do nothing to earn Jesus' love for us or our entrance into heaven. NOTHING! I mean, outwardly and intellectually we KNOW this is true. But knowledge is only a part of the whole picture. Our lives must reflect what we know to be true. Nothing means just that! NOTHING! Huh? I don't know if I am making sense at all simply because I don't fully appreciate the concept myself. All I know is that I think I unintentionally and even though I KNOW better, I try to do things to earn my Lord's love. I can do nothing more than I've already done! There's that word again: NOTHING! I just need to bask in His love and glory! How is that really done? Maybe I won't really "get it" this side of eternity! I don't know... Now I'm just rambling. This is what I read: (you can go here to read it on her blog or other posts by her).
January 24, 2008
Brownie Points
“Whatever past achievements might bring us honor, whatever past disgraces might make us blush, all have been crucified with Christ and exist no more…” - The Ragamuffin Gospel.
There is something very profound to me about this sentence.
Of course I know He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12). And I am amazed and grateful and dumbstruck at times over this knowledge. All of my sins are gone? Forgotten? Forever? Are you sure? Because we are talking a lot of sin here. Not just a few white lies now and then but some stuff I would never admit to anyone except God.
But it’s true. They’re gone and it’s wonderful and liberating and I will spend the rest of my life praising Him for it. It’s the OTHER part of the sentence that I never really thought about. Sure, I knew my sins were gone but I didn’t realize that all my earthly achievements were crucified, too.
You mean all those academic awards won’t count in heaven? Even my spelling bee trophy from 5th grade? Do you mean my grades, college degrees, and professional awards aren’t going to get me a seat closer to God?
Well, what about homeschooling? I have dedicated myself to educating my children and bringing them up in the way of the Lord. Surely, that must get me a few more points, right?
And let’s not forget all those Sundays I worked in the nursery changing those nasty diapers, wiping those runny noses while my husband enjoyed the sermon, and the countless desserts I made for all those baby showers, and all the women’s bible studies I attended. That has got to count for something!
But, of course, my greatest act of service, full-time ministry with these troubled teens, will surely garner the most reward for me in Heaven. No? WHAT? Where is that score board???? I KNOW I’ve got to be near the top by now.
The reality that our “earthly” accomplishments are buried right next to our sins is a sobering thought. Making something of oneself is the American way is it not? Pulling yourself up by your proverbial bootstraps, blazing a trail, making your mark, leaving a legacy…that’s what we are here for, right?
If you walk up to Joe-six-pack-America and tell him that God is not interested in his 401K or his home equity or how many times he attended church this year, he would be surprised. But if you told Susie-Christian-homeschooling-mom that God isn’t all that impressed with her child’s astonishing grasp of Latin at the tender age of five she might be downright shocked.
It goes against everything we’ve been told and taught. Man is the measure of all things. That’s the way of the world. I had no problem letting go of my past sins. As soon as I understood the Good News that Christ’s crucifixion paid my debt I joyously accepted, more than willing to let go of those things of which I am ashamed.
It’s the idea that I have to let go of my pride in the “good” things I have done and accomplished that makes me buck and rear. It’s the idea that the Bible is serious when it says I can never be good enough, smart enough, strong enough, fast enough, or “Christian” enough to earn my salvation that makes me stop and think.
But I can feel a tiny smile starting to spread across my face…does this mean I can stop running through this maze desperately trying to be the first one to find the cheese? I don’t have to be the best or the first or the prettiest or the smartest? And God will still want me? My good and my bad buried together, a new person, a clean slate, a fresh start, a second chance and I don’t have to try and earn it…it’s a gift I don’t deserve but I can have it anyways…that’s the Gospel.
Jesus, I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard and just let You be who You are in me. –Casting Crowns
Thanks Heather for your post. VERY thought-provoking!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What a day!
It was home for a late lunch and then Marlie was off to piano lessons. Come for find out, she had a rough day with Mrs. Brown, her teacher. Apparently Marlie was "tired from cleaning a lady's house ALL morning" (oh brother!) and was a little sensitive to Mrs. Brown's "criticism". You better believe we called her tonight to make sure Marlie wasn't disrespectful or anything. She said that when she found out Marlie was tired from cleaning she thought maybe she'd been a little hard on her. Great! Now the piano teacher probably thinks we're pimping our 8 year old out to clean people's houses or something! :)
Anyway, I've been coming down with a head cold for a couple of days and it really hit me when I got home from Susie's. I'm really glad it waited until I was home. I layed on our bed for "just a second" and ended up falling asleep there for nearly two hours. I woke up just in time for Keven to leave for a doctor's appt. He was home just in time for supper. Luckily we had tons of leftovers so I didn't have to cook. The kids were bathed and now here we are!
I noticed a note hanging on the fridge for me as I was cleaning up the kitchen after supper. Marlie must've felt sorry for me or something. I really was trying to not be too grouchy or short in patience this evening. Don't know how my report card would look but I really did try!
Oh, and did I mention that I have the best, most thoughtful hubby around? He watched the kids today, helped me plant flowers on Saturday, went on a HUGE grocery trip yesterday, skipped playing his guitar at church tonight to help me at home, ran out at bedtime to get some more whole milk for Tyler... He's the best! Sometimes I feel like he's more of a helper to me than the other way around as it should be. I'm just thankful that he's naturally so willing! Don't know what I'd do without him! Hopefully next year, when the big girls are off to school and we're no longer officially homeschooling, I'll be able to slip better back into my role of being his helper! Only SEVEN more days of school, but who's counting. Just had to throw that in there!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
So true!
For those of you who are great moms, those of you who plan to be great moms and those who have great moms...
REAL MOTHERS
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of shag carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child ' s growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom ' s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Monday, May 12, 2008
If You Can't Spend Mother's Day....
(Love you Mom! Don't kill me for posting this picture, K?)... you might as well do the next best thing and spend it with your mother-in-law! Here's where a lot of women would post a rolling eyes little guy or something! But, I am so blessed to have a mother-in-law that really is the next best thing to my own mom!
Anyway, we went to Keven's parents' house yesterday to spend the day with them. It is always so much fun catching up with them, playing cards, eating like pigs (whoopsie!), shooting my .22 pistol for the first time and having an all around great time! Keven's brother Kelly was there too which was an added bonus!
On Uncle Kelly's Harley! I am such hot stuff!
An old favorite with Granny! Wonder if she ever REALLY had a horse named Jack? ha ha Oh, and you gotta love maestro Dani on the organ in the background! Oh the memories they are creating of Granny's house. I LOVE it!
We decided to buzz Tyler's hair this morning! I don't know why I feel the need to share my son's haircut experiences with the world! Maybe it's because this boy thing is still so new! I promise this is the last haircut I will feel compelled to share but he's just so darn cute!
Ready for the first pass! Don't Keven's hands just look monstrous? They really are monstrous but next to a baby's head, MAN! Anyway, I thought Tyler might be a little freaked out by the clippers but he sat there like a champ for most of it!
Look at all that hair. I think it was time, don't you?
I think my little man is a homebody! He didn't nap worth a hoot the whole time at Granny and Papa's (but was still a good boy I might add!) and was just generally a little outta sorts. But, first thing when we got home, he headed straight for his bedroom and started playing with his toys. I really need to get out more! ;)
Nothing like getting into the stove. Just call him Hansel!
And, I just HAD to share this picture of Marlie reading to Dani. It's a rare moment in this house right now that these two girls aren't at each others' throats. I'll save that drama for another post! This was very shortly after we got home and notice Dani, looking like a little ragamuffin from the time at Granny's and long ride home, in her pink ballerina skirt and red "tap" shoes! Oh, that child! She is something else!
Gotta love it! Hope you all had a very happy and blessed Mother's Day!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tea Anyone?
You may wonder what poor little Dani did while we were at the tea party... Well, as you can see in the slide show, she got all dressed up too. She and her daddy were going to have a tea party of their own and we couldn't leave her out of the dressin' up! But, the girls and I weren't out the door ten minutes before the fancy dress came off for something a little more "comfty"! Oh Dani! That didn't stop them from having their own tea party complete with crumpets (crackers), pecans and chocolate chips. Oh, and for tea they had pink lemonade, in a tea pot of course! And I mustn't forget the "tea party kiss" that the two of them perfected! Too cute! I wish we had two cameras so Daddy could have captured some of the fun, but here is Dani telling about HER tea party!
Darn cell phone! ;)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Just LOVED this!
Just the title peaked my curiosity because sometimes (often) I struggle with just not fitting my reading in during the day (more like MAKING the time) and I wondered what other ladies do. A wonderful, wise woman of God answered in this way:
I haven't read the Word yet this morning, but I did sit on my screened-in porch praying and singing to the Lord! I think it made Him smile!"
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
He wastes no time!
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
Boy, I tell ya, Satan doesn't waste any time! I am certainly not one to look for him under every bush, but I also want to be wise to his schemes and he wasted no time on Hannah this morning! It was a simple problem. She woke up a little cranky, with a headache, still tired. No big deal, but very uncharacteristic of Hannah. So, we went about our morning as usual. Well, when we had a meltdown over finding something to wear and no shirt would be suitable with the capris we had finally picked out, I knew something was wrong. I gave her 5 minutes to come upstairs dressed and ready to go. She was practically in tears (SO unlike her!) and said she was having a really hard day and her head hurt. A light bulb clicked in this slow mother's head! I explained to her that now that she is a Christian, Satan will try to get her down. Gave her the whole schpeel that I will spare all of you. But, we went into my room and prayed together. What a sweet time! She was instantly (seriously INSTANTLY) feeling better and has been great ever since. Such an awesome opportunity to teach my little one about the goodness of our God! And, a sweet reminder to her mother!
God, You are SO, SO, SO good!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Angels are rejoicing!
10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:4-7 & 10
Introducing... my NEW sister in Christ!
This child is a trip. You would just have to know her. Hannah is just one of those kids that you would almost swear entered this world saved if you didn't know better. Her little personality is just so naturally kind and compassionate. Anyway, today she brings me one of her handwriting papers, filled out just as directed, but with a little extra note on it. It says: "I love Jesus. I trusted in God last night." Of course, few of the words in the second sentence were spelled right and I had a really hard time figuring out what it said. Finally, she had to interpret. Too cute!
She just said that she was praying last night in bed and decided it was time to trust in God! So precious! Now, on to the task of making sure she really understands everything but I am so excited! I wish there was some sort of hopping little person I could post!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
My little Mozart!
Ain't she purty?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Proud Mommy Moment...
Now for the proud part! Marlie calms down and heads downstairs to get herself ready for the day! I hear Hannah say: "Marlie, come look at your bed!". She had laid out one of Marlie's favorite items on her bed, a peacock feather! (Don't ask me!?) AND, she had written a note to Marlie saying "I love you Marlie!". How sweet and compassionate is that? I pray those characteristics will come so naturally to her forever! What a nice sister!
Awwwww....
Everything Glorious!
You make everything glorious,
and I am Yours.
What does that make me?
Blows my mind! We are so unworthy, yet if we belong to Him, He truly does see us as glorious!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
And he's off!
We also discovered that this boy LOVES his sisters' headbands. Earlier today he insisted on keeping one on his head. And, if you took it off... LOOK OUT! So, since I am now officially addicted to photo slideshows, I had to put one together as evidence of this current trend in my son's life! ha ha! Think I should be worried? Just kidding!
My, oh my, kids sure are fun!
Sad day...
Love you Dad and Mom! Sure do miss you lots!