God's Timing

God's timing is perfect. I believe that.
Why then do I so often have difficulty waiting for God's timing to occur? Some days I am faithful to trust in his plan and be patient. But other days I have such struggles wondering why I am still waiting and why my choices and timing can't be the chosen way. It's silly, really silly too when I think about what I am impatient about. I'm sure in a week I will be wishing that I had just a few more moments to spend with my "big kids" listening to their stories, and reading them books.
Thank you God for these "extra" days. Please let me see them as a gift and use them for your glory and their blessing.

Man O Lantern 2009

I know I am WAY behind, but I had to repost Man O Lantern's triumphant return!


NANANANANANANANANANANANANANANANA: BATMAN!

Unfortunately it only lasted a few minutes as his direct quote was: "I can't keep this. If I get in a car crash, and they have to cut my shirt off..." :) But he loves me. It was great! Thanks baby!

My 15 minutes of fame...

It's said that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. Well, mine's more like 3 minutes, and I doubt you could really call it fame since you probably wouldn't even know it is me...

Last month I got the honor of calling in and talking to one of my favorite radio and talk show personalities, Dave Ramsey. I've been a Dave Ramsey fan for about 18 months now and just thought it was really cool that I got to chat with him. Now in posting this I am divulging a little more than I would generally like about my family's financial situation, but I'm sure it would not be a big shock to any of you who know what our lives have been like the last 5 years.

If you aren't a Dave Ramsey fan, or don't know who he is I encourage you to check him out. Although we haven't committed completely to his plan or advice the areas in which we are following his suggestions are now a much lighter load for me to carry.

Alright Blogger won't let me embed the video right now, so I'll just set up the link to Hulu. That is what I get for trying to be all fancy...

Here it is. Enjoy. And yes feel free to snicker at how much my voice quivers. I was REALLY nervous!

Loss...

I've spent most of the last hour in front of my computer crying. Just letting the tears pour down my face. It is in moments like this that I am amazed by and so confused by God and his will and work in our lives.
I've been thinking a great deal about loss the last few weeks. There are three stories that God has brought before me in the last few weeks, and I wanted to share them with you. Share them so that you may be encouraged in your faith, as I have been. And share them so that you might join me in praying for these amazing people, that God will continue to hold them, lift them up, and bless them as they mourn.
The first story is of my friend Anne. Anne Lincoln moved into the Gardner dorm room that happened right next to mine in the fall of 1999. I don't specifically remember meeting Anne, but to say that my life was forever blessed and changed because of that housing situation is the truth. Anne and I have been good friends for over 10 years now, and even though we don't see each other often our friendship is one that begins just where it was and runs deep. Between our Sophomore and Junior years of college Anne lost her mother. It was a difficult time for Anne, but I remember hearing stories of how Anne's speaking at the funeral was such a testimony of God's forgiveness and goodness. About a month ago Anne also lost her father. A quick run down of that story is given on my friend Laura's blog here. Anne has a half sister, but no other real family. As all of this happened I couldn't imagine what it must be like to be 28 years old and be "alone" without family in this world. But the Lord has been good to Anne and I know he has provided a much larger family to Anne than any blood family could ever be. I know she is still hurting and redefining what is "normal" in her life, but she showed great strength and faith in God at her father's funeral. I said it then, and I'll say it again. I will be blessed if my children end up as faithful to God as my dear friend Anne Lincoln is.
The second family is the Sullivan family. I learned of the Sullivan family and their struggle through a high school friend Mysha, who was in young life with Sara. Sara had a mammogram at the end of February that showed breast cancer. Their baby girl Chloe was born September 8th, and Sara passed away September 22nd. Through all of their trials Brady and Sara, always speak of their faith in God, the faithfulness God delivers and Brady continues to allow God to work in his heart and life. Sara was truly an amazing woman who was used by God. You can read their whole story, and follow Brady and Chloe's journey here.
The third story is of the Jacobs' family. Chelsea and Mark are friends of friends who I didn't even know their story, but I have been blessed by their struggle, their honesty and their faith. They have 3 beautiful daughters, and they were expecting their 4th child and first son Chase in November. Somehow Chase's umbilical cord got pinned and a blood clot formed. Chase passed away without ever seeing a day on this earth. This story touches me deeply as our sons were only a little over 2 weeks apart in due dates. Please join me in praying for the Jacbos family and if you want to read more of their story you will find it here.
I'm not sure exactly how God is speaking to me through all of these stories, or if he is preparing my heart for something. Many of you know we lost a baby in January, and a that point I felt that for the first time I truly turned the happenings of my family over to the Lord. When we were blessed with Evan I knew he was totally of the Lord's design and plan. I am reminded through all of this that all things, including myself, my husband and each of my children are truly the Lord's. And Lord it is our desire to be used for your glory and to be a part of your will. We love you Lord!

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

The Big Week

What a great week it has been!

On Monday Justin was lucky enough to not have to be in most of the day, so he grabbed donuts on his way home from work for breakfast. Donuts are such a rare and loved treat in our house that our kids performed a quite the dance of joy when the donuts were produced. Then we spent the day just hanging out as a family. A wonderful treat.

Tuesday was my dear sweet Big Little Boy's first day of school. I can't say that I felt nervous. But Monday night was the worst night of sleep I had of the week, so maybe I was. Caleb's been going through an aggressive stage where when he feels ignored he acts out by hitting, kicking or biting the person who is ignoring him. So, before his first day I warned him that he couldn't go to preschool if he acted that way. On Tuesday morning Elizabeth and I took Caleb to his school and when we walked in to class he hung up his backpack and immediately walked off to play. I had to ask him to come back and give me a hug. He did happily, but then went right back to playing. It was great. He was SO ready to go to school. He did great, and when I picked him up he told me "I didn't bite!" At least I know some of what I say is getting through...

Today was Elizabeth's first day of Kindergarten. It is still hard to believe even as I type this. When did she get so big. It's not that I feel like I brought her home from the hospital yesterday, but it just doesn't seem real that she is old enough to enter this stage in her life. I cried quite a bit last night as I talked over all of my fears and feelings with Justin. But I have to say that I am quite proud of myself I didn't cry one bit at school today! It was hard to be sad with that little hand in mine. She woke up early this morning ready to go, and when we parked at the school she skipped the entire way into the building. She was SO excited and ready that she actually asked me not to walk her to her classroom. Um, yeah... I didn't agree to that.
She rode the bus home, and although they had her labeled to get off on the next stop the bus driver helped me get her off and all was well. When asked to describe her day she said. "It was AWESOME!" Her best comment of the day came when she was talking to her grandma: "Mrs. McPherson (her teacher) is really nice, and REALLY serious!" Apparently Mrs. McPherson isn't afraid to lay down the law on day 1. I like her already. :)

Thanks be to you Lord for your faithfulness! Thank you for providing for my children, and watching over them. Please continue to hold their precious lives and hearts in your hands. Help me to remember that you love them even more than I do, and that you provide for them in ways I could never dream of. I love you Lord. They are your children.

I'm going to post pictures to my photo blog tomorrow. Let me know if you want to be invited, and I've left you out.

What a month!

August has 3 hours left. Man, what a month! It has been a crazy, busy, chaotic, and yet mundane month.
If summer ever really came to Pennsylvania it was in August, but I didn't realize it was going to be a week or so of hot weather or I would have taken better advantage of those few days... Needless to say our swimming lessons are either going to be indoors, or wait until next summer.
Our month started/July ended with some great upheaval. Our dog Samson who we loved is no longer with us. Nothing tragic, I just finally came to the realization that he wasn't a good fit for our family. He hated (and by hated I mean tried to eat) all kids but ours. Not exactly what you are looking for in a wonderful family pet. It was with much weeping that we turned him back in to the rescue where we got him. So for now we are dog less again. But the longing for a dog runs pretty deep so I am sure we will have one before too long.
Justin officially started his second year of Residency in July, and is enjoying it. He spent the month of August working with the vascular surgeons and came home with some really great stories of surgeries he had been involved in. He still works lots of long hours, but hopefully he will be on call and actually out of the house less in September, so that will be nice.
Baby Evan is growing well. I go back to the doctor on Friday for normal stuff and my lovely glucose test. He is big enough now that Caleb and Elizabeth really enjoy talking to him, and kissing my belly. I think Caleb finally really understands what is going on and is excited, which is wonderful. He keeps asking me if Evan is coming today. No concept of time. :) (He also has started asking every day if he is 3 yet. I don't know how to explain to him how long two months is...)
Speaking of time it is flying. I consider myself lucky because I know most people have already packed up and sent their little ones to school, but I am have a whole week left! Schools here in Pittsburgh start on Thursday, but the kindergartners take the first week to test so E doesn't start until next Thursday! She and I are both excited and nervous. Our biggest decision is if she will ride the bus or not... AGGHH!! Next week will be crazy with not only her starting Kindergarten, but Caleb will start pre-school on Tuesday! He is SO excited, and can hardly wait to go. He even told me he would take Evan. :) With all that is going on next week I think I may start a private picture blog so I can show off my little cuties to those of you I know.:)
If you read all of this thanks. I'm sorry it has been so long. But clearly you are a trooper to stick it out through this long rambling post.

Baby Evan

Introducing Baby Evan!!! At 19 weeks he is growing perfectly, measuring right, and looking good. PRAISE GOD!!!! He reminded us a lot of Caleb because he kept his hands up by or in front of his face almost the whole time. :) I know this picture is a little weird, but I absolutely loved the fact that he is smiling. Just a moment before this he wasn't smiling and then he did. It was so cute! Elizabeth was absolutely set on having a sister, so she was quite disappointed with the news. But after about 30 minutes she warmed to the idea of being the only girl. :) Caleb too thought he wanted a little sister, and his exclamation with the news was "NO." But within a minute or two he was back to playing with trucks, so I think he is going to be just fine with little brother. Now I have official plans for the bunk beds in his room! We are so thankful to God that He has blessed us with another child, and that He knew we needed another boy. We love you already Evan! It is our prayer that you will be a boy and man with heart for God, and that you will know the truth of your name: God is gracious!