Boys Will Be Boys!

For some time, I have wanted to find a play kitchen for my boys. We used to have one for Lynnea that was in pretty bad shape. I got rid of it thinking that the boys would have other interests. However, they love to play with "food" and play with other children's kitchens when they have them. Over the weekend, God gave us a kitchen! It is so much fun! The kids have set up several times, cook food and prepare for each other.

This is what I wasn't expecting, but should have known it was coming....You gotta love it!

Can they really be "4"???

I took these pictures last fall and forgot all about posting them. It was so much fun. Noah and Samuel loved being on a "photo shoot" all by themselves.

Noah's pretty smileSamuel flashes his pearly white teeth tooI love watching them laugh (especially at each other).

I will try and put out some pics of the big party next time!

Happy New Year!

A new year has begun with so many new hopes and dreams. I remember once again how blessed I am to enjoy a wonderful family. With each new year, our children are simple reminders of God's grace poured on our lives. When I was on my bed reading my Bible on January 1st, I was praying about what lives God would want me to reach out to. A quiet voice said, "start with your children". I was so thankful for that. Joseph was "supposed" to be taking a nap on my bed. We have long prayed that Joseph would make the choice to follow Jesus with his life. I began to once again share Christ's sacrifice and redemptive plan to Joseph. He said, "sometime I want to do that". The very next day as I was getting ready, he came into the bathroom and announced, "there are two things I want to do today...1)go play in the snow and 2)I want to ask Jesus into my heart". What an exciting day to rejoice with the angels of heaven as Joseph stepped into the hope of today and eternity. Thank you Father for those quiet words to reach my children...reminding me once again that reaching them is my very first priority.

Can't wait to spend eternity with you Joe!

Open Basement

16416 Chancellors Ridge Way

Westfield, IN 46074

October 24th & 25th

Saturday and Sunday

2:00-5:00 PM

Welcome to the Walk to Cure Diabetes!

Saturday was a fabulous day with great weather, support from friends and some good exercise. Our team joined up together and drove down to Military Park in Indianapolis. After registering and looking around a bit we gathered at the stage for some warm-up exercises, t-shirt competition and the national anthem. Then we were off for our 2 mile walk. Teams of many different colored shirts joined together to leave the starting balloon line...all with the same purpose of seeing a beloved friend or family member have a cure. The kids were excited...some raced ahead, others walked quietly looking around with great interest. Lynnea walked in the middle of several girls chatting about whatever little girls chat about. Her face was at peace enjoying the day. The two miles passed quickly as I talked with friends and counted and recounted children. We made our circle hike back to the park. Some of our team left as others enjoyed the face painting, food and jumpy house. It was so much fun to see this activity come together. As we talked about our weekend Sunday night, Jason asked the kids what some of their favorite things were. Lynnea quickly blurted out, "The Walk!!!" That's all we needed.

Heavenly Father, How I praise you for moments like these when our children can witness what it means to join together as the Body of Christ and love and support one another. I continue to believe that oneday you will heal Lynnea from this terrible disease. I KNOW that your plan for her life far exceeds my own desires and dreams. Give us grace in the daily challenges to have great hope and faith for the day when all of this will have clear purpose and we will see your divine leading. We will wait and trust...and above all, we live to glorify You! Amen.

Labor Day Rewind

We decided to go to Jamestown, OH for Labor Day to visit Jason's sister, Jill, and her family. Greg and Jill had remodeled a home and we had yet to see it. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of their beautiful home, but I have some highlights from our weekend. Jamestown is near Cedarville which is the "home" of Labor Day. Jason's other sister Jewel lives in Cedarville.

They have lots of great activities. Jill and I got a chance to join a 4 mile race during the weekend. The race was rather small, but made it great for us. Jill and I both are sporting our "medals for 2nd and 3rd place in our age group here...That afternoon our families visited a park. The kids enjoyed running and playing. Here is our nephew, Will, loving the swings.

Greg, Jill and Lauren

The kids loved it when Jill and Jewel got creative with Jason and created J & J's Ice Cream Parlor. Jill and Jewel served ice cream through a "go between" from the dining room to the kitchen. We still talk about visiting J & J's!.

It was such a blessing to enjoy a good time with family. We can't wait for another time together!

Too Sweet

On October 10th, our family will join friends and family to walk in our first ever JDRF walk benefitting Type 1 Diabetes. We decided to come alongside Lynnea and show our support for her by creating a team called "Too Sweet". She is so brave everyday controlling her diabetes through finger pokes, changing her insulin pump site and enduring the highs and lows. I truly look forward to celebrating God's faithfulness in her life.Lynnea's Papa Joe nicknamed her "Too Sweet" in September 2004 when Lynnea was diagnosed. The name has always stuck.