In Christ Alone our Hope is Found

An email that I sent out today: I can't remember the last time I did a for real "Micah update". I have done lots of writing on my blog, but an actual email feels odd and actually brings me back a little. It gives me butterflies of sadness.  But I have had more than one person who has prayed for Micah and our family for so long, ask how we are doing. So I thought it was time.  This may sound nuts, but as I was thinking of doing an update, while I was doing dishes, I was thinking that I have kind of left my friends behind. I know there are so many of you that continue to keep us in your prayers. But my part of the relationship all of these years was to send an email and  tell you how we are doing and even tell you how God is using your prayers. Do you know what I mean?  I feel like I haven't kept my part of the bargain! (o: I will apologize now for the overlap. I have people who just received email updates, people who are just in the facebo...

I think I may have a problem with pictures. I LOVE them. I took over 100 this past weekend. I can't go through them until I put these on. I have a thing about the pictures being in order and since I haven't been keeping up my photo albums, this blog has kind of become my photo album! (o: Melt me to the core! 2 clean girls with matching jammies. I can hardly handle it. It makes me giggle. What a dream for me. I am thankful to have 2 girlies.I know I would be thankful and happy with 5 boys. But girls are just a wee bit special to a mom. My crazies are just loving the sandbox right now! (o: I  DE-spise racoons. They make me shudder. I thought this one was sick because it was out in the daylight. We were all screaming from inside telling Ken to knock it on the head with a shovel. But he couldn't do it! He wasn't positive it was sick. He thought it may have been confused. Good thing he didn't wack it. I think a guy was charged for killing a raccoon last week...

Micah's next scan is scheduled for  Tuesday , JULY 12 . Psalm 56 vs 3 and 4a  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. When I just copied these verses they really reminded me of the Steve Green songs that Micah and I used to listen to on the way to the hospital. He was just little then and these songs really spoke to his heart. We were so weary and sometimes scared and it calmed us. The Psalm 56 song usually came on around Toy R Us. There were two songs that we loved the best: When I am Afraid and  Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (This one isn't the best version, but it's the only one I could find on You Tube). They come from the Hide Them in Your Heart CD. I highly recommend it. Please pray for us in the next weeks as we come up to scan time.  Please pray that regardless of what happens, we will continually surrender Micah to the Lord.

My kids love playing football. This day, they actually put the hose on the lawn so that they could play "mud football"! My Nads is as much tom boy as girlie girl. She get right in there. She is pretty strong. THE BEFORE THE AFTER. Nads got the wind knocked out of her. I didn't realize she was hurt until after I took the picture, really! I wish they tried this hard in math! (o: This is what Josiah was doing while the kids were playing football. Seriously! (o: I like this one. She didn't want to stand in between the grubbies!

SOOOOO, we have been married for 14 years today and I laugh because we kind of forgot and we didn't even say Happy Anniversary this morning before Ken left. Good thing we are both pretty low maintenance! (o: I had planned to do a big post about how I love him and how he is my best friend. How we as individuals have grown and how our marriage has matured. But a short one will have to do! We were crazy in love with each other when we got married, but we now look back and laugh. We were so young and really had no idea what we doing. I could never have imagined then how beautiful our marriage would be. It is not perfect, but God has truly blessed us. I don't take our marriage for granted. We do things so differently. But in the areas we are so different we actually compliment each other. Just so you know though, I think he would love to have his socks folded more often. It is the last thing that gets done. At least they are always clean and in the same spot. It is called the ...

I have started to write in my mind so many times this week, but it never seemed right. I wish I could get out what is on my heart. This will be my best attempt. Ken's uncle Dick passed away this morning. How sad. He was a beautiful man, with a large beautiful family. He will be missed. I grieve for Ken's mom and the whole family. But there is much joy in his passing. He has gone to be with Jesus. I was surprised at myself this morning when I found out. Just like I laugh loud and smile deeply, I grieve deeply. When others hurt, I feel it. But this time, I cried, yes for the family, but more out of relief, maybe even longing that Uncle Dick is sitting with Jesus today. It's the journey of life that has been on my mind. I have never really seen this life as clearly as I do right now. This life is so full of joy and laughter. I do love my life. I have been blessed with my family and friends, the Holy Spirit lives in me and God has given me the best friend I could have eve...

Baseball season is here. Josh had his first game last night and Micah and Natalie have theirs tonight. This is Natalie's first year playing and it is so fun that Micah and Natalie are at the right age to be on the same team. Next year that won't happen. Nads is the youngest age and Micah is the oldest age. Baseball is a big commitment. We couldn't do it if Ken wasn't home in the summer. Micah and Natalie play Wed and Fri night. Josh plays Tues night in St Thomas and and another game in London. Plus Josh has practice on Saturday.  With all that, we only have 3 games that overlap. That is not too bad. Ken just left with the kids for the game and it just started POURING. I hope they don't cancel the game. I haven't heard any thunder. Micah was very sure he didn't want his picture taken.  Maybe he should have had a nap! Here are Natalie and Josh. Josh, I have to say it buddy..... You are looking pretty confident here! I think that's the word! (o: ...