MIRIAM'S BIG NEWS!!!

REJOICE WITH US!!!!

Miriam accepted Jesus into her heart last night before bed!!! I have been praying for this since she was born (as I've done with each of our children ). It was such a sweet prayer. She asked Him to come into her heart and live and to help her be a good girl and she loved Him. Afterwards, I told her how exciting that was and how the angels in heaven were having a big party celebrating her new birth. She thought that was quite funny and couldn't stop giggling everytime she said the angels were having a party. To the best of my ability this day (June 23, 2008) will always be remembered and celebrated.

Have a party with the angels today!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

John is the most amazing dad. He is sooo hands-on with the kids and really is intentional about his time with them. He never misses a teachable moment and he rarely gets riled ( I do enough of that for the both of us :) ). For Father's Day all he wanted was to go camping with all of us. Like I said, he just can't seem to get enough of us. We all had a horrible flu the week before but everyone was pretty well over it except Levi and I. He took the 3 older kids and went up to a great spot just 20min. up the road (one of the perks of living near national forest). They camped Fri. night and then Levi and I joined them for dinner and camping Sat. night. I think he really enjoyed his time not to mention the awesome books we got him to enjoy for his summer vacation.

Birthday Boy!!

My sweet "big boy" turned 8 last Wed.
We both had the flu : ( !!!!!! He handled it pretty well. We both layed around all day and when Daddy got home he opened his gifts had a little of his birthday dinner and cake. We didn't get to have a big birthday day but he handled it in stride. He was soo grateful for his gifts and it meant so much to us that he is learning to have a heart of thankfulness in all circumstances (well beyond his mother in that realm).

Isaac is such a great boy. It just hit me a couple of months ago that we are very close to the "1/2 way mark" with him and my heart wanted to stop. I'm not ready for that!!! I don't feel I've done a good job at showing him Jesus. He often times does a better job of that than me.

I also realized that he will remember these days and how I am with him. I sooo don't want him to remember a grouchy, frustrated mom that never smiled, always barked orders and generally seemed unhappy about life. He has such a loving heart and usually tries to make things better when I'm on a rampage. It should be the other way around. Oh dear Lord, may I do a better job of reflecting you and living in the Spirit for his next 10 (at least) than I've done at his first 8. May my children remember you from their childhood and not my mistakes. They deserve it and so do you.

A Sunday Evening Stroll

This evening we went on a little walk to try to find this creek where John and I had gone when we were first married. It's very close to our house and it's on a neighbor friend's property. Here are a couple picts that were fun and elude to the beauty.

Prayer for the Chapmans

I just recently learned of SCC's youngest daughter Maria's tragic death. Y'all know I usually just post the happenings of our fam here but this struck such a chord with me. The other day I was backing the truck into the drive and I kept thinking of all the stories I've heard of kids who have been run over in their driveways. We've tried to drill it into the kids' heads that they are not to come up to the driveway, but one never knows. I had been looking over my right shoulder and turned to look at the left side mirror and there was Miriam, right at the door of the truck!!!! I immediately stopped the truck and half cried half yelled at her to NEVER come up to the driveway when a car is pulling in. It could happen that fast.
My heart and prayers are with this amazing family.

I'm Back

Well, Abby had her Gymnastics Recital last night. What a great job she did!!! She really enjoys gymnastics. I was able to record the whole thing but because we are still cameraless I only have the pro pictures that were taken. She's the youngest and smallest one in her class of about 10. She is extremely strong and fearless. She even did a front flip on the trampoline. She makes it look so easy that I almost gave it a try ( NOT!!!). Hopefully I will fill y'all in on what has been going on this past week. We just bought a new camera and now need to figure out how to use it.

No Pictures for Awhile. :(

Our camera is really malfunctioning!!!
I tried to take some pictures of the kids on Crazy Hair Day at AWANA and it looks like a watercolor picture with all the paints running down. I am sooooo upset. The camera is only 4 years old (this August) and we paid a pretty penny for it. It is a Cannon Power Shot. I don't know if we should try to get it looked at or if we should bag it and buy another (cheaper) one.
Anyway, we have had some eventful times the last couple of weeks.
-John had to go on an 8th gr. fieldtrip ( no, he teaches 4th grade but they needed a male chaperone). So, I had my first experience with being a single mom for 4 days with 4 kids. Only by the grace of God and tons of prayer support did we all survive and (I will even say) I had victory.
-This weekend my dear friend who now lives in Seattle,WA came for a visit. Words can not express how nice it was to have time with someone that is so kindred and consistent.
-I had an opportunity to hear a dear mentor speak a few times at a women's retreat. It was like coming home.
-Now I'm praying that Abby's bout with throwing up and diarrhea in the last 12 hours will be over soon because we still have a lot going on this week.
Isaac is going to be saying a speech about Robert E. Lee for his end-of -the- year class project tomorrow night. They have been having a thematic study of the Civil War all year. I really want to have us all be able to go and support him.\
We have started a small group with our church and we are supposed to be meeting tonight for the 2nd time. I had to see if one of the other members could have it at their house and John and I will have to tag team it tonight.
We usually do our "big" shopping 1x/mos and we were planning to do that Friday and hopefully see my sister-in-law.
We shall see. God bless and thanks for checking in on us.