Love, Grace, and Mercy

Kids are awesome and amazing! I've been a mother now for over 7 years, and I'm convinced that children are the most wonderful of God's creations! Being a stay at home mom, I've been truly blessed! I love getting to be with my boys, and watch them grow, explore, play, question, and love life! Their innocence is very refreshing in today's sin polluted world. When I look at their little faces, it makes my heart melt! I love everything about being a mom. I would not trade being a mom for anything! I really feel that being a mom has been a true calling in my life. When I was younger, I always felt like I was searching for what would make me happy and content. I remember being very unhappy and miserable with my life that I was living. There was always something missing. I just didn't get how much I needed God in my life. Not some 1 day a week, show up at church to look good, never really surrender all kind of religion. I spent many years in vain, and made many poor choices. I would not change one day of my life. Every path I took has led me closer to finding what God had for me. I feel being a wife and mother has been the greatest blessing in my life.

I admit...there are days when I'm scrubbing the toilet or up all night with one of the boys...that sometimes I get weary! BUT...I would not trade my life with anyone. My husband and my boys are my life, and I'm completely proud of that statement. Sometimes being a stay at home mom, housewife, homemaker, teacher, CEO for a 7, 4, and 1 year old is not considered a popular choice in today's worldly standard! I'm not one to go along with the popular vote. (GO MCCAIN! Just a side note!! ) The vote that is most important to me is God's. I love teaching my boys about Jesus and His love, mercy, and grace. I personally know about all 3 of those things. I'm convinced I would not be here today, if it weren't for the love, mercy, and grace of my personal Saviour...Jesus Christ! I am so humbled that God would even consider saving a sinner such as I! There are days that I just am dumbfounded that God chose me. Why would He? It's amazing and unbelievable! I am so unworthy of his love, but yet He gives it to me freely with every breath I take. AMAZING!

I want to thank and praise my God for all the love and support He has given me through the years. There were times in my life, when I completely denied Him. I remember standing in service after service, and feeling Him knocking on the door of my heart. I kept that door slammed shut and locked, yet I was fearful of doing so. There were times I would not even go to church, because the moment I would walk into His sanctuary...I was under conviction. Trust me...not a good feeling. Imagine slamming the door in the face of the one who gave His life for you! I can't believe I did that for so many years. That would be my biggest regret, if asked.

I know this is a longer blog, but I can't apologize for it. I don't want the rocks to cry out for me! God has fulfilled my life, and is still doing so, more than I could ever imagine or dream. He knew my heart's calling of being a mother, and He gave me that precious gift three times! There is nothing more precious than seeing God's love reflecting back from the face of your child. The boys love Jesus and constantly are singing, talking, worshipping in their own sweet ways, and praying to the One who gave them life. It just does not get any better than this!

Please pray for my family and I. Lately God has been opening up many doors of witnessing and serving to our family. I teach 2nd grade Caravan this year on Wednesday nights. I have about 21 children each week. Many of the kids come from homes that do not know and accept Jesus. Please pray purposefully that the door of opportunity would open for me to share Jesus with these families. Also, I've been a teen leader at our church since the Spring. I just started teaching the Sunday evening lessons. I'm completely amazed and concerned about the challenges and issues today's teens are having to face. I remember being a teen myself, but I feel today's standards and society's lack of them are worlds apart. Today's teens are being exposed to a whole new world of sin at an earlier age. Their are teens in our school district that are pregnant and 12 years old. I cannot even begin to imagine what they must be feeling. I know many the teens in our group feel so much pressure from their peers. I also know many feel hopeless and lost. Yesterday was "meet at the poles", and we had about 50 students at the high school(and only 3 at the middle school). Many students walking by the poles called out profanities and basically mocked the teens praying there. My heart went out for them. Please pray for the continued passion in our teen group, and that God would use the teens for His glory. This Sunday, Jeremy and I are starting a church van run in the mornings. We have church vans that are not being used at our church on Sunday mornings. We have many children who want to go to church, and are looking forward to getting a ride. Please pray that this endeavour will bring opportunities to share Jesus with these families.

That's all folks.....I believe I've worn your eyes out with this one! :)

New baby in the family...

Congratulations to my cousin Valerie and her husband Adam! They have a new daughter, Aubrey Nicole, born yesterday evening. I'm so thankful that mother and baby are doing well! Baby photos and updates can be found on their blog below.

Cute Story

It was about 7 a.m., when the cutest little voice started singing Jesus Loves Me to the top of his lungs. It was Elijah(4)! He was really belting it out for all to hear. Jeremiah says to him "Elijah, stop being so loud!". Elijah responds "Jeremiah, I singing to Jesus". Jeremiah says "You're going to wake up Isaiah...be QUIET". Elijah says "Jesus wants me to sing for Him, and if I don't...God will cry...and I don't want God to cry...now leave me ALONE". Elijah boldly starts his song to Jesus again....very loudly this time! Jeremiah looks at me and says "Mom...this kid is crazy!"

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for...

A Mexican ice cream store we found in Kennett Square

2 very happy boys with their ice creams

I love ICE CREAM!

Jeremy had pesticide training classes on Friday afternoon in Kennett Square, PA. The boys and I decided to go along for the ride. While Jeremy was in classes, we went to the historic town of Kennett Square. This area is largely Hispanic, and we enjoyed ourselves! One of the stops was this ice cream store. It is a Mexican ice cream store, and they offer a variety of homemade ice creams. They even have corn, avocado, chili, mushroom, rice, guava, mango, etc. flavors. Jeremiah got the watermelon ice...no fake flavors here! It tasted like you opened up a fresh watermelon and started eating it. Elijah got the mango fruit bar...real pieces of fruit. I decided to get the rice pudding ice cream...yummy! Isaiah enjoyed sharing with all of us! I did decide to get a sample of the avocado ice cream. I'm a fan of anything avocado, and this ice cream was actually really good! I couldn't bring myself to try the mushroom bar. I don't know...frozen, sweet mushrooms...no thanks! Hey...if you love trying something different...this is the place to go! They make all their ice creams on the premises. LOTS OF FUN!!!!

Papa and Mimi's visit

Jeremiah and Elijah looking forward to sharing their zucchini bread with Papa and Mimi

Mr. Ice Cream face and Jeremiah at Papa and Mimi's

Dad, Mom, and Jeremy's brother came over after church for dinner. I had Bruschetta on toasted Italian cheese bread for an appetizer. I fixed sweet potatoes, salad, cottage cheese, corn, cheesy broccoli-cauliflower, a relish tray(beets, sweet pickles, watermelon rind, and onions...all from my garden). Jeremy grilled hot dogs, brats, and chicken. I made mint tea to drink. I took a shortcut for dessert, and bought a coconut cake. We all had a wonderful afternoon and evening.

Dad, Jeremiah, Elijah, and Jeremy's brother(Justin) intense in their game of Battleship!

Jeremy, Elijah and Isaiah waiting for their food

Our one and only mexican restaurant is about 20 minutes away, and they have really good food! I ordered something new...called the El Combo. Everyone got a good laugh when it came out...2 HUGH plates of food. I had no idea it would be so big. Dad laughed his head off, and kept asking me if I was expecting someone else to join us for dinner. Needless to say, I got a box!

We enjoyed dad and mom coming to PA, but as always...too short. Even if they stayed a month, I would still think it's too short! The boys loved being at the cabin, and really had fun with Papa and Mimi. Hopefully...we can get a trip into Ohio before Thanksgiving!

Rachael Ray move over....

On Fridays, our local homeschool group offers co-op classes. A local CMA church has opened their doors to our homeschool group every Friday for 6 weeks. There is a variety of classes offered to the students...music, art, drama, cooking, paper making, etc.. Jeremiah LOVES to cook, so he was excited about taking the Kids In The Kitchen cooking class. He loves Rachael Ray and always wants to be on her show! A Mennonite woman, who is a grandma to some of the homeschoolers, is teaching the class. There was a 10 student max. for this class, so we signed up right away. There are 5 boys and 5 girls. The kids loved their first class. They made zucchini nut bread, which turned out awesome. They are teaching basic measurements and kitchen do's and don'ts. This Friday the class is going to make letter pretzels. Jeremiah can't wait to go back. Elijah and Isaiah had fun playing with their friends at homeschool group.

When You're Not Looking...

I thought Isaiah was being too quiet, so I went to check on him. I found him in the back bathroom doing this......curling his hair! He's watched me everyday roll my hair, so I guess he thought he'd try it! :) The rollers were unplugged! Hopefully he does not try to figure that out anytime soon!

Labor Day Fun

The whole gang at Family Cupboard! We decided to go along with Jeremy's side of the family to Lancaster, PA for Labor Day! It was his grandparents, dad and mom, uncles and aunts, and cousins! There were 16 of us in all. The alarm went off at 4 a.m., and we left for Lancaster around 5:45 a.m.. We ate, shopped all the antique and outlet stores, went to the Amish village, the Mennonite Biblical Tabernacle, toured a bed and breakfast, went to some yard sales, had Starbucks, went to the local Goodwill(fun), ate supper at Fuddruckers, and ended the evening playing putt-putt! We all had a blast, and we got home around 11 p.m.. I bought a few Christmas gifts for the boys, some old-fashioned candle light bulbs, and got a skirt from one of the outlets.

Jeremiah and daddy

The boys and I at breakfast.

"Mommy, I'm going to be an engineer when I grow up!" My thoughts..."I'll let you buy me a condo in my old age, and even take me to Florida twice a year! I'll have my bags and my walker ready to go!

Two of the cutest vegetables ever!

Elijah having fun decorating his own gingerbread man.

Milking the fake cow with colored water!

Jeremiah loving every moment of the pony ride!

Elijah did not want to go at first, but when Jeremiah went ...he decided he was not going to let his brother have one up on him. :)

Sometimes I think I'm raising monkeys...never can stay on the ground!

Don't worry mom...I can handle this!

This miniature golf course was full of waterfalls, pirate ships, old barrels, treasure chests, etc..

Jeremy trying his best to beat me...which he did by 3!

Jeremy's grandparents enjoying the evening.

Elijah was so cute playing putt- putt. He would hit the ball correctly on his first hit, and then go and move the ball close to the hole for his next one. We all got a laugh! Jeremiah said to him "hey...that's cheating Elijah!". Elijah's response was "Jeremiah...worry about your own self!".

Jeremy's Aunt Deb

Jeremiah excited after getting his 1st hole in one on the 18th hole!