Oh my!

Oh wow...I forgot I use to blog! ha! Perhaps I will start this back up again:)

Wedding weekend

It's wedding weekend for Julie VanLue, A sweet friend of mine that I get to stand with as she marries the man that has become her best friend. I love, love, love weddings. I love the dresses, the theme, colors, cake, flowers, all that it is. But I really love the stories, I love to hear how God lead them to one another, the road that they took to get there, the commitment they chose to make. It is such a sweet kindness of God when He brings two together. I have always liked this song it reminds me that God had and always has a plan. That no matter what broken paths I took God had me on a road that had Jonathan waiting:) He lead me straight into a young man that was strong enough to not flee a circumstance that would not appeal to any worldly bachelor. God blessed my broken road and I am so very grateful. I love that I love Jonathan and that our story that started out with such sin and wickedness led to a road that is blessed with love, children and the cross.

I believe in a Faithful God!

So, I have been thinking about how the Lord leads. How it looks so different for so many. I was driving around yesterday and was thanking God for how He leads, even when we choose to not be faithful, He remains the Same, a loving and Faithful God! He is a deliverer...and then in his mercy He doesn't just let us go, He continues to pursue us and guide us, even mold us to be into the image of His Son. Oh what great truths when I am struggling, I don't only have His word that shows this in hundreds of years pass but I can look into my own life and see where He has carried me. He has at times dragged me out of the murky pit, firmly had his hands on my shoulders, gently held my hand, and has even provided His spirit within to lovingly guide me. What a Kind and gracious God we serve. I am thankful that my GREATEST need has been met, when other things seem to be failing I know my God has won victory over my death. This week I am hiding away in the blood of Jesus.
 Come weary saints, though tired and weak, Hide away in the love of Jesus.
Your strength will return by His quiet streams, Hide away in the love of Jesus.
Hear Him calling your name, see the depths of His love, by the wounds of His Grace, Hide away...
 Come wandering souls, and find your home Hide away in the love of Jesus. He offers that rest, that you yearn to know, Hide away in the Love of Jesus.

I'm hungry:)

So its 12:03 am the other night and Jonathan and I had just eaten dinner. I was so hungry and I realized after three bites of brownie and my stomach hurting from the sugar rush that I was filling up on junk. My tummy was screaming for decent food and perhaps yelling that I have waited too long before I fed it. So I made some quick quesadillas and they were warm and delicious. My stomach immediately felt better and full:) Funny way how and when the Lord speaks to us sometimes because right then I felt Him telling me that He wants to supply my need, and He wants to fulfill my hunger. My soul is seeking things that will satisfy and fill me. I am hungry and the only thing that will fill my spirit and quench my thirst is Christ.  I am so thankful that He loves me and wants to supply me with His goodness. I am excited to fulfill this hunger with what God has for me. I confessed an overall busyness and lack of discipline in my life to Jonathan and that even felt good:) I am hungry and it's good. I can't wait to meet with my savior and see what He has in store.

FINE!

Fine, so be it. Fall is in the air and I am ready to accept it. I have been fighting it but fine. Let it be. I am thinking through what jeans actually fit and if I even own long sleeve shirts. But ok, its Oct. and its getting "cooler"...I think i get nervous when fall comes, because with it are holidays that have expectations. I dislike when I cant meet expectations. I don't want to engage in disappointment. So I am falling into fall knowing that God does not disappoint. He has my days and I can rest assure that He will exceed any and all expectations that I may or may not have. What is life without the God who formed it...complete despair and disappointment. So, I am burning my cinnamon spiced pumpkin oil, I am getting my decorations down from the attic and I am opening my windows to the possibilities that God is going to do great things in the last months of this year. Because I have my trust in Him I know I wont be disappointed:)

Taylor's Back....

So we went to Taylor's check up appointment this last week. Although her bone measurements haven't changed her Dr. wants her to stay in her brace for another 5 months. She fears that the growth hasn't stopped completely and her desire would be to prevent anything from having an opportunity to get worse. Even though this was disappointing news for Taylor I was very thankful that God did not see it fit for another surgery. Praise God from whom all blessings flow:) That's what I was singing in my head on the way out of the Drs. office. He is good. He is worthy. He is kind and merciful.
He is good when I am in medical debt. When half of my daughters life she has dealt with illness He is good.  He is faithful when I don't have a daily quiet time with Him. When I am at the dinner table with my family He is merciful.  He is good when I am tired of disciplining and I am the one repenting for anger.
When I can treat my kids to a surprise outing to chick fil a, He is Kind.
 No matter my circumstance He remains God, never changing. When I am weak He lifts me up and makes me strong...all for his glory. What did you wake up to this morning? What circumstance good or trialing do you have on your plate? Release it! Praise God for who He is! Although we are in a scenery that always seems like its changing or a place that feels like we have been stuck there forever, Praise God for His wisdom and his love, that has us there. It is exactly what is best for us in the eyes of our Creator.

So, I am back at attempting to write out tidbits of us:)

Taylor's 1st day...of the second week;)

Sadie helping Lauren with her math:)

Welcoming Colin to 4th grade and Lauren to Pre-K

School started back up a couple of weeks ago. All is going well. Taylor is loving being back at ICS! It was God's perfect timing and provision to bring her back there. Colin is doing well, we are both trying to adjust to the work load that 4th grade brings. Lauren is busy enjoying being a pre-schooler. She gets through her workbooks like no body's business, if I had more time I would put her right into Kindergarten. Just wasn't prepared for that. And Sadie, well, Sadie is a mess that we all enjoy. She keeps us laughing from one day to the next with all her new speech patterns. Yesterday she wanted to stutter out her words, today she blurts out the first word of every sentence.

Painting

Good bye Summer:(

Who said school could start!? I feel like we barely had a summer:( and that's with starting later then planned! We begin our year on August18th. I just saw last year evaluations that I forgot to mail out so those went out today and I started reviewing all of my curriculum this week. I think?? its going to be a good year. I am exciting about a new math for Colin and Taylor and a science class that Taylor will be taking. Colin is going to be taking History with Kristen this year I am going to be teaching Katelyn grammar:) It should be fun! Mix in Lauren doing some pre-k stuff and Sadie demanding my time and attention and how could this not be a fantastic time;) Besides the little girls having a bit of a stomach thing everyone is doing well. Taylor has had her last of "I just had major back surgery" excuses and has gotten pretty much back in the swing of things. She is doing so well! we are squeezing the last bit of lazy summer days out, the sleeping in is getting put to a stop and hopefully the thoughts of organization and schedules will keep me motivated as we say goodbye to Summer...

Taylor's doing well:)

For those of you who may have read this in email for another blog...Oops! So sorry I meant to update this blog not your homegroup's! :) Can I blame the lack of sleep?? Just thought I would update everyone...Taylor is doing very well. She is recovering at a rapid rate, she is walking and sitting with no help (now getting up is another story;) she had her first outing in the wheelchair last night, Jonathan and I used several movie passes that we have had for a while to treat the kids to a movie. We saw "UP" and they loved it! I cant fathom how people go to the movies with a large family...I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket but with 5 of us a large popcorn and 2 drinks we would have had to spend 58.50!!! Yes you saw that right almost $60.00! Unbelievable!Besides Taylor's skin being very sensitive to the adhesive and meds. she is really doing so well.In other exciting news, Lauren Pooped on the potty today!!! Although she has been in panties for months now she refused to go number 2 actually in the potty...she did so well otherwise but we have had such trouble getting her to obey ALL the way:) but tonight on her own (which is yet another story;) she went to the bathroom and afterwards found me and lead me by the hand to show off her accomplishment. Oh what delight I had to see pooped...I know but if you only knew what a struggle this has been!!! :) Because it was late tonight when it happened we are celebrating with pink cake and icing tomorrow as promised when this event finally happened! I pray this is the beginning of less disciplines and no accidents.Thank you again for all your care and love for us and Taylor, we so appreciate all of you and are so thankful that God is healing our daughter.

Tomorrow's the day....

I can't believe its almost here...tomorrow's the day. Taylor's surgery time got moved up by an hour so we need to arrive at the hospital at 5:30! She will be in the operating room about 7 hours. Please pray that we all get a good night's sleep and we have a smooth morning leaving. Taylor has had a few special times with some friends these past couple of days, has learned to shave her legs, (quite an experience;) has gone canoeing, been to the beach and is growing up alot...she has had to have more faith in her God then ever before. Its been neat to see her grow in more ways then one these past few weeks. God has continued to be faithful...and has shown it in mighty ways. Please continue to pray for her (and us if you think of it) thank you again for all your thoughts, prayers and care...