Dad and Mom's visit

Dad and mom pulled out of our driveway about 11:30 a.m.! They are on their way back to Cincy!! :( I have lived in PA for over 9 years now, and I still never enjoy that moment...when they go home!!! We had a great time with them! The second day they arrived, they bought Jeremiah a 4-wheeler. He was thrilled beyond belief!!! On the way home from the dealership, they stopped to get Elijah a John Deere tractor and Isaiah a ride-on 4-wheeler. They wanted to make sure each of the boys had wheels!

When Jeremiah was riding his 4-wheeler at their cabin, it dawned on me....I have 3 BOYS! Jeremiah sweetly looked over his shoulder at me...smiled...and proceeded to push the throttle a few times...like he was big stuff! He has no fear, and the faster he goes...the bigger his smile becomes! I'm sure I will be needing to buy stock in some type of hair color, when they are all teenage drivers!!

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving in Cincy! I already miss my family, and they've only been gone about 1 hour!! Lunch time is over...time for more American History.

Afternoon at the park

School Day

Isaiah seeing what he can get into next...

Jeremiah working on his cursive writing

Elijah happy about his Bozo the Clown phonics game

Our school year has been going wonderfully! Jeremiah has been working really hard on his work each day, and has been doing great. He loves history and Bible the best. Elijah started his K4 program this year. He is really surprising me...with everything he is learning. He told me that I am the best teacher ever!! ha! How sweet! I expect him to start reading this year. He is very enthusiastic about his work, and knows his letters and phonics very well...for a 4 year old. Jeremiah has been reading to him and encouraging him to learn. What a sweet big brother! Even little Isaiah has been getting in on the action. He sings the songs, counts to 10, knows the vowel sounds, and even points to the correct vowels(while I'm asking Elijah). I get tickled that a 20 month old can learn so much.

We all are really enjoying homeschooling this year, and are very thankful that we have this opportunity and blessing. I'm amazed each day at how the Lord keeps His hand upon our family. I'm so proud of my boys!

Archery Class

Yesterday was the first day for Jeremiah's archery class. Our local homeschool group offers many classes and activities for our group. Jeremiah has been very interested in archery, so we were excited to see this class offered. The first class offered a history of bow and arrow, and then about 35 minutes of shooting time. There were 11 students in the class, and they all had a great time. Mr. Weaver owns a archery store, and offers instruction to anyone wanting to learn more about this sport. Jeremiah LOVED this class, and was very excited about shooting a variety of bows.
He had a chance to shoot a cross bow, and his response was "that's SMOKIN!" I'm not sure where he heard that expression, but I got a kick out of his enthusiasm. He has 5 more classes, and can't wait until next week's class! Elijah and Isaiah got to ride bikes inside the shooting gallery, which kept them busy.

And the award goes to....

My husband!!! What a sweetie!! Jeremy brought me these beautiful flowers the other day. I had been feeling so overwhelmed with many things, and these flowers brightened my day!! Thank you, honey!!!! You're the best!!

McCain/Palin Supporter

Jeremiah is very interested in this year's election process. He was very happy to find a yard sign at the farmer's market. He was holding this sign up for all to see, while I was putting the boys into the van. We passed by a Obama stand, and Jeremiah just shook his head and said "I sure hope he doesn't win!"
Last night, during prayer time, Jeremiah prayed that McCain would win the election. I had to cover my mouth, so that I would not laugh out loud. He is only 7 years old, but he's already becoming the Republicans new campaign manager! (even in his prayers) ha!
This next week, Jeremiah and I, are volunteering at our local Republican headquarters. I'm sure it will be a great learning experience for him.

Better is one day...

This past Sunday morning, one of our worship songs was "Better is one day". I've heard this song over and over before, but I never really took the words in. This past Sunday morning, my heart and my soul took the words of this song in. It talks about having 1 day in His house, and how it is better than a thousand elsewhere. When I really listened to this song, I found that thought pretty amazing. I've had some wonderful, exciting, fantastic days, weeks, and years in my life. It's hard to comprehend how 1 day, 24 hours, can be that amazing and awesome. When I started to think about those 24 hours in His house, I started to cry. My tears were tears of joy not sorrow, and I could feel how incredible it will be in His house. I want my life to be pleasing in His eyes, not the eyes of man. I want to dedicate my life to His passion and His purpose, not my own selfish ambitions. I want to feel how that 1 day will be better than a thousand elsewhere. Take time today to truly realize how wonderful, indescribable, and truly blessed that day will be in your life. Live your life for Jesus, and you will be able to experience the awesomeness of His love for you. Take a few minutes to listen and absorb the words of this song.

Life is a Pickle...

Isaiah is 20 months old today, but thinks he runs the show! haha! He is the busiest child I've ever seen. He goes from one thing to the next to the next...and so on! Jeremiah got the jar of pickles out of the refrigerator. He accidentally left the jar...unsealed... on the counter. Isaiah made his move, and before I could grab the jar...green pickle juice flowed onto the carpet! Isaiah sighed loudly, and he said "shoot". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I quickly grabbed rags and began the cleaning process. I should be a professional cleaner by this stage in my life.
I'm convinced that anyone who has children should not have carpet! Now I'm trying to figure out how to put our new steam cleaner together...trust me...not much fun! I decided to take a break from assembling the new cleaner, and write this blog! Hopefully, I can convince my husband to go floor shopping this week! ha!

Egg Toss

I walked back to our bedroom for a minute, and I heard Jeremiah yelling for me to come quick. Not knowing what to expect...my heart was beating quickly. Isaiah, who is 19 months old, decided to have an egg toss in our living room. He has been fascinated with opening and closing the refrigerator lately. He usually only tries to get the salad dressings out, but today he found the box of eggs. Needless to say, it was a huge mess...on the carpet. With help from Jeremiah, I cleaned it all up and got a laugh out of it! Isaiah kept saying "bad...bad...bad....Aggies....bad...bad..bad"!

Do they make refrigerator locks? HA!!

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! :)