What will 2010 bring?

2009 has been a great year for us. We love where we live and we love our church and the ministry that we're involved in there. God has provided and blessed us in numerous ways and for that we're grateful. I started going back to school this year and I'm really enjoying it. I took two classes last semester and got A's in both, so I'm feeling good about this! Next semester I start my early childhood courses and finish up some general education.

I'm really looking forward to this new year. I hope I can find more time to run this year and right now I'm signed up to run the Indy mini if time and life allows me to train somewhat. I'm looking forward to seeing how Josiah progresses this last semester of Kindergarten and go to first grade and watching Joshua go to Pre-K in the fall! Life is flying by and the boys are growing so fast!

I know God has great things in store for our church this year. We'll be starting a building program, which will be stressful, but very exciting! I'm excited for the new things God is going to do in the youth and the souls that will be saved this year! I know God has amazing things in store for all of us in this new year!

Christmas 2009

We traveled a lot this Christmas.! Our first stop was at my sister's house in Alexandria, VA and my brother and his family and my parents were also there. We all had a great time together and the kids enjoyed all the snow!!!

Our next stop was to Petersburg, VA a few hours away from Megan's where Ronnie's parents live. We stayed there for 5 days and had lots of time to relax!!! And then we stopped at my parent's house in Indy on the way home to have Christmas with them.

We have been so blessed this year and I'm so thankful for all the things God has provided for our family this year. He has been good to us!

Stinky Accident

This morning Joshua had a stinky accident in his pants and he says, "I think I forgot how to go poopy in the potty. I felt something coming out of my bottom and I thought it was a toy, but it was poopy." I think he's really looking forward to some new toys for Christmas!!!!!

Nap time

I have found that if Josh gives me any trouble to lay down for a nap all I have to say is, "Do you want to sleep in your Lightning McQueen sleeping bag?" And all is well!!!

But what I really loved today is when I put Josh in his sleeping bag he said, "Mom, I'm gonna dream about you." And later I asked him why he wanted to dream about me and he said, "Because I love you."

Conclusion - go get a cool sleeping bag for your kids!!!!

Fall Family Pictures

This year we decided to do some outdoor fall pictures and I love them! Check out more by clicking on the Family Pics link!

Kelsay Farms

Last Saturday we took the boys to Kelsay Farms in Whiteland, IN. Unfortunately the one we went to last year in Bloomington was not open this year, so we had to drive almost an hour, but I think it was worth it, the boys loved it!

Joshua's Prayer

This morning after breakfast Joshua wanted me to read his Bible to him and the last two stories we read were about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and then about asking Jesus to come into your heart. So, when we were done I asked Josh if he wanted to pray and ask Jesus into his heart and he said, "Yes." I told him that when we ask Jesus into our heart and live for Him then we will go to heaven. He then says, "I don't want to go to heaven." I told him that was where Jadon was and that mommy, daddy and Josiah are going to heaven too. So, I asked him if he wanted to pray again and he said, Yes. So, we prayed and asked Jesus to come into his heart. Afterwards we called Ronnie and told him and he asked me, "Mom, are you talking to Jesus?" I said, "No, it's daddy." And he said, "Is Daddy and Josiah in heaven?" I said, "No, you only go to heaven if you die or when Jesus comes back to get us and take us there." And he said, "Did Daddy die? I don't want to die." Guess I shouldn't have mentioned the dying part. Kids ask so many questions!!!! Nothing is easy to explain to a 3 year old!

Jadon's 7th Birthday

It doesn't seem possible that 7 years have passed since Jadon was born. When I think about it, at times it seems like it never even happened. I remember being put in the helicopter to fly over to Baltimore and Ronnie having to make the hour drive not knowing what was going to happen in the next moments. I was heavily sedated on Magnesium to stop labor, so I was in and out. I had already dialated to 4 centimeters at 24 weeks. The next 6 days in the hopsital were a waiting period - up and down contractions and wondering how long Jadon was going to stay inside. Then on that 7th day they had to do an emergency C-Section and he lived in the NICU for 2 weeks before going to see Jesus.

Those 3 weeks of my life were the scariest 3 weeks I've ever experienced. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald house there in Baltimore and I lived in the NICU for 2 weeks. I didn't want to miss a moment with him. I remember the day one of the nurses let me change his diaper. I had never handled such a fragile baby. And then she allowed me to put medicine on the sores on his skin were the tubes were. He was so fragile and small. He was on the highest level of ventilation the entire time. He couldn't breathe on his own at all. He had so many problems - under developed lungs, bleeding in his brain and through his body. Then when the day came when everything in his body started to shut down it was over within hours. We had never cried so hard in our lives.

Did I go through periods of anger? Yes. Was I mad at God? Yes. Did I question God? Yes. I didn't feel like it was fair. I had done everything right. I kept thinking, "Why me?" "What did I do to deserve this?" I learned it's ok to question and be angry. But, we can't stay that way. I had nights that I just screamed and cried and didn't understand why my baby was born so early and why I couldn't have had a normal pregnancy like everyone else around me. But, I learned that God's plans aren't always our plans. We don't understand the ways of God.

I may never know why Jadon was born early and taken to be with Jesus, but I know that He has a much better life in heaven than he would've had on this earth. He would've lived a very difficult life if he would've survived. Having been on such high levels of ventilation he could've been completely blind and most likely would've had a severe case of cerebral palsy, would've been fed through tubes, not been able to talk or walk. I wouldn't want that for Jadon. He's in God's hands - completely healed and whole.

God has healed my heart and given me two more precious boys, Josiah and Joshua. I am so grateful for them and for the blessings God has restored to us. He is faithful! 2 Corinthians 5 talks about our heavenly dwelling. v. 6 - 9- Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

We've been getting Josiah and Josh gifts in honor of Jadon's birthday each year. And this year Josiah (5) said, "How will we get to Jadon's birthday party?" Jadon, your brothers can't wait to meet you!!! And your dad and I can't wait to see you and hold you again!! I love you Jadon!!!

Josiah's First Day of Kindergarten

Josiah couldn't wait to get to school this morning!!! He's been counting down the days till his first full day of Kindergarten. The day didn't start too good with Joshua coming in our room at 6:30 with a temperature of 101.2 saying his head, tummy and neck hurt. So, he got some tylenol and wanted to go downstairs and watch cartoons. Josiah woke up and was so excited!! Of course he wanted pancakes for breakfast, so we all ate pancakes except for Josh.

Ronnie had to go to work so I took Josiah to school, along with Josh in tow, and we took Josiah to his class. He has to check in his mailbox to see if he has any letters - the teacher writes letters to the students and then they write her back. She had given him a letter yesterday, so he is in the process of writing her back a letter to bring tomorrow. Then, he puts his backpack in his cubby and lunchbox in the big pail and signs in. He was so cute finding his seat and sitting down next to his classmates. He didn't even care where I was. He's so independent. So, I could tell it was time to say good-bye and so I knelt down to hug and kiss him and I started to get emotional. At that point Josh started whining and crying and he cried all the way out of the school, "I want my bubby!" So, I told Josh we could watch a movie together when we got home and we laid on the couch together and watched "Toy Story." His fever seems to be gone and he's acting much better now! This year will be a bonding time for Josh and I.

Josiah is riding the bus home today and he's thrilled about that. He already told me on the way to school that tomorrow he wanted to ride the bus to school. He has to wear a bus tag around his neck for the first week or so to make sure he gets to the right class and on the right bus. This will be a huge day for him - can't wait to see him when he gets home!

Not already???

Today Josiah asked me...."Mommy, was Josh and I in your tummy?" "Yes, you both were." "Well, how did we get in there?" I refuse to answer any question like that at this time! It's starting already!!!!! Help me Lord!!!

NO MORE Training Wheels!

Josiah has accomplished riding his big boy bike without his training and he is SO proud!!! First he started out on his old bike, which is now Josh's bike since it wasn't as far from the ground and his feet could touch down on the way, but now he's doing great on his big bike! I really thought it would take a lot longer for him to learn, but he really surprised me!! GO JOSIAH! (I know, I'm a proud mommy!)

Indpls Children's Museum

Josh leading in prayer at the pulpit

My little preacher

IN Youth Camp - 2009

Our group

The girls

This week Ronnie and I took some of our youth to the IN Youth Camp in Hartford City, IN. Everyone had a great time and God did some amazing things in the students lives! Got to sleep some today while the boys were playing downstairs and sleep in my own bed with my husband and take a shower in my own CLEAN bathroom!!! It was wonderful! I did have quite an experience on the blob....During our Furr-a-thon the winning team had to choose a counselor from each team to be blobbed by someone who was much larger than us and of course I was chosen on my team! Unfortunately, I hurt my neck, which has been hurt in that same place in the past and will have to go to the chiropractor for a while to fix it. Plus, I have some pretty nasty bruises on my left thigh and back of my leg....wish it would've been worth it! Check out the video! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=1108149941736&ref=mf

Indy Zoo

I know I'm going craaazzzy with the blogs now, but I'm just trying to catch ya'll up on my life....in case you didn't think I had one!!! We went to the Indy Zoo a few weekends ago with my parents and had quite an interesting trip! After we go somewhere I always ask the boys what they're favorite part of the trip was and their favorite part of the zoo was the elephant poop! During the elephant show the laid the elephants down on their side and one decided to let out gas and then proceeded to poop as he was lying down with his butt facing us!! I think Josiah wanted to throw up, he was disgusted and so was everyone else! Despite the elephant poop, we all had a good time! The boys were obviously exhausted by the end of the day!

Slip-n-Slide

Every kid should own a slip-n-slide at some point in their life!!!!

Memorial Day

I've not been good about keeping up with my blog....so this is pretty late.

Over Memorial Day we got together with my parents and my brother and his family and we tried to do some jumping pics - Dana introduced me to those - they didn't all work out! Ronnie obviously didn't feel like cooperating - he just wants to be the funny guy and my boys had a little trouble jumping at the right time, but they still turned out pretty funny!

Aunt Kelly is trying to steal Josh's bike!

And it seems we always have some time to play woofle ball - I'm glad that my kids are finally close to some of their cousins - they have a blast together!

My mom trying really hard to hit that ball!

Cousin Kelsey

Cousin Kaitlyn

Josiah and cousin Sabrina

Josiah

And then we got a litte silly and took some pics just for fun!

I've always been the victim and now it's my turn!!!