Remindeed about some things today....

that I know in my heart, but always need much reminding. Today with my family some things came up that helped me remember that God is in control of the ins and outs of our lives. It is hard to trust something that we don't see because what we do see seems so beautiful to us. When God doesn't give us sign posts on which direction we should go we need to allow him to carry us toward the main goal.

As most of you may know my little sister Sarah has been fighting fatigue, pain, financial worries because of all the Dr bills and just being a mom of two active little ones. She is so giving of her heart and self that sometimes things get in the way of her goal. Well just today as I was on the phone with her I noticed that there were many things going on that were distracting her from being in control. I asked her to stop and just pray that God would give her clarity and encouragement. She has so had to rely on what God is trying to do in their lives and not what Sarah thinks should be done. I have seen her grow much during these past few years and I am proud of her. It is funny being the older sister and always wanting to protect her. But I had to realize that it wasn't really my job; it was God's.

So if any of you have things going on in your lives that you think you can handle just remember this verse.

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do and he will show you the right way. Never think you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. Proverbs 3:5-7

This verse has become my life verse because I have seen what can be accomplished when Stephanie allows God's plan and not her own.

Vacation times

Well we just had our wonderful 3 day Texas vacation this past week. We visited several friends and had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship.

On Wednesday we drove most of the day to the Fitzgeralds home. They have 5 delightful kids and with ours we had 8 kids!!!!! Needless to say it was busy. They are such trusted and loving friends and we are grateful for their presence in our lives.

On Thursday we saw Amy and Caylee. Amy is Rob's sister and Caylee is her 5 year old daughter. We spent the day getting sunburned and very wet by playing in the pool. It was Mandy's first time in water except for her baths and boy was it interesting. I don't think she really knew what was happening.
So all in all it was a great fun day and lets just say that all three of my children were OUT in their seats just after we started the car.

On Friday we spent the night and day with the Whalgrens. Jeff and Lori have a beautiful little boy named Jonathan. He is 7 mo old and two weeks older than Mandy. I think he held some sort of peer pressure over her because she really had no interest in sitting on her own before they saw each other and then..... well she made us all look silly that she started all of a sudden. It was rather comical.

On Saturday we headed home about 6 and Rob had just enough time to pack and get to bed to leave for Pennsylvania the next am. He will be there all week leaving me with the silly girls.



Speaking of today while I actually managed to get a shower at 4pm Brooke comes into the bathroom and proudly annonces that she had stuck a green jelly belly into her nose. I groaned. The last time she stuck something up her nose was an eraser from the end of a pencil and it took 3 days to come out. So I told her to stay in the bathroom thinking maybe it would melt just a little with all the humidity. The next thing I hear is LOOK MOMMY I DID IT MY SELF!!!! I couldn't help but laugh just a little. And of course she had to do it while I was in the shower.



Well since it is 12:20am I think I shall go to my lonely bed and try and get some sleep. Have a wonderful day and may God give you many blessings.

I turned 30!

Well I turned 30 last friday. My family truly suprised me with the day. I thought that we were just going to have a family affair with sandwiches. My sister decided to give Beth a bath and I thought that was normal. She asked if I wanted to get Mandy cleaned up as well and so I said sure. As we were doing this several of my friends and family were there to yell Suprise! I was totally taken back with this. I wasn't able to get any pics from our camera, because I broke ita few days before, but I will try and get some from my Dad.

The next day my MIL Janet took Bec and I to see Phantom of the Opera. It was so excited and I had soooo much fun. Thanks for everything you all it was worth it!!!!!