Summer Fun!! - Stories

To celebrate my mom's big birthday....we spent the weekend in Medora. We use to go there every year when I was a little girl. As my mom & I shopped the little stores I was reminded of some of the toys we bought that I played with for years! A little indian girl dressed in cow skin & colorful beads, an indian necklace full of vibrant colors, & arrow heads. As I noticed all the small toys we had that they still sell today...my mom said, "you were so spoiled!"....this was true, but I have fond memories of those times when I was little & well....spoiled!=)

We stayed in the same motel we always had & it was fun taking my kids to the same pool that my brother & I had spent hours in!!! Carter was sooo excited before we even left. The day before when we told him we needed to get ready & run an errand...he jump with joy & ran to get his shoes thinking we were leaving for 'cowboy town' !!!...he saw horses & cowboys everywhere....if you could have seen his face. Friday morning when he woke up & I told him we were leaving in a couple hours, he ran & got is little backpack & started 'packing'...he loaded with with trains=). When he came back his bag was full & he had his cowboy hat on & said, "I'm ready to go!"....too cute.

As we were driving into the Badlands Carter said, "mommy these aren't badlands they're goodlands....how sweet. Carter & Evan both had a great time!....I could use a vacation now...since traveling & going without most of their naps made it a little tough, but we had a blast!

The highlight of our trip was the drive through the National Park. We saw wild horses running through the hills, baby horses playing together, mule deer with their babies, buffalo...and not just big boring buffalo...a herd of them crossed the road right in front of our car...the babies were running, jumping & rolling in the dirt...it was so beautiful!!! I've never seen anything like it...you must go! North Dakota's best kept secret, the Badlands, must get out. What a great vacation Medora is! We had a great steak dinner on top of mountain overlooking the badlands before we enjoyed the Medora Musical. What a great time we had!!! Can't wait until next year!!! Come with us!!=)

Parker is full of smiles now, is sleeping through the night, is eating ALL the time, belly laughs, & loves to eat his hands.

Evan is always an adventure, he still loves to eat a LOT, and loves to play with Carter. He sings all the time...we swear we hear twinkle twinkle....he is such a joy & so lovey....he is too cute for words!

Carter can now count to 13, he is getting really good with all of his colors, he loves to play cowboy & ever since he met the horse Chocolate that is who he is. Galloping around everywhere. He is a good helper & says the funniest things! We had a great blessing last week. There was a bag of thomas trains at the thrift store that were behind the counter & sold. When we left Carter was sad about it, so I told him to pray about it & if God would allow us to get the trains then He would. We went back 2 days later & they were still there, so I asked about them again. The lady said, well I think we've waited long enough for the lady to come back, so I'll let you buy them. We bought a bag of 19 Thomas the trains for $9.99. When I got home Carter was so excited...he prayed & thanked the Lord for allowing us to have those trains. He plays with them non-stop!

If I could have a penny every time someone tells me I have my hands full I'd be a rich woman!....my reply...."My hands are full of the most valuable treasures a girl could have...with each one comes work, but so much more! Sweet blessing is what my boys are & without them my arms would be empty & aching for them!"

I'd never change anything about our children. I wouldn't ask for more time to be in between their births, I wouldn't want fewer at this moment for one second! I don't understand why people can be critical of bigger families....seems this day in age if you have more than one child you have too many. I say pooy on that way of thinking! I'd have ten if God wanted me to! Children are a blessing from the Lord & if for this moment in my life I don't have time for myself & the things I'd like to do I'm ok with that. Life is NOT about ME! Talk shows, magazines, & a lot of people like to teach us to take more time for ourselves, when really they should just rename all of that, "How to be selfish." To be a successful parent I CAN NOT be selfish! If I'm going to give my children the time from me they need (and that's A LOT of time) well then I can't be selfish. Children need thier parents! Lord help me to not be a selfish parent, help me to see right away when I am!!!....guess I was on a rabbit trail! Sometimes things are just on my heart & I must share them.=)

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time. A LOT has happened in the last 2 months. Parker is now 9 weeks old & just the sweetest baby ever. He is such a blessing & soooo cute! Evan & Carter love him so much & are right now giving him kisses...taking turns too!;)

We are all moved in to our new house....and so happy to have our own place again. The boys like their new rooms & there is a huge yard for them to play in! It's been great!

Since I've last updated we've made a trip to Pittsburgh, Dollywood, had a fun night meeting the Duggar family from the TLC show '18 kids & counting', we had out last Sunday at our beloved church of Temple Baptist, we went to Cicinnati to visit friends & IL to visit family! It's been a crazy few weeks!

I uploaded a ton of pictures so don't miss them. I wish I had more time to go into detail on what the boys are up to, but they are busy getting into things right now & I've got to run!

Happy Father's day to Dan (the best daddy!, Grandpa Schatz & Grandpa Schaefer!!!

~ BABY ON THE WAY!~

We just wanted to update everyone on the progress of meeting the new Schatz baby!=) I've been having lots of contractions over the past 2 1/2 weeks & at one point called the Dr. after 3 hrs of contractions 3-4 minutes apart, but no baby. However, we are looking forward to this Friday! Friday April, 17th is the day that we have the baby! Only 2 days left & we can't wait! I told Dan this is the most excited I've been about meeting this baby...maybe b/c I know how precious it is, but also I'm so excited to see how Carter & Evan reacte to him! Should be fun to watch!=)

I've been wanting to update with the rest of Carter's Birthday pictures & Easter pics, but since my laptop doesn't get internet here I will update when we're in the hospital this weekend with all the pictures & esspecially new baby pics! I even let Dan take a picture of my huge self on Sunday....stay tuned=).

Carter did have his Birthday a week late, but we did it!! It was a beautiful sunny day....he had friends over, a Birthday egg hunt, games, presents & cake!!! He had a great time & so did Evan! He also sang in our church children's choir this past Monday night....he didn't exactly sing ( since his fingers were in his mouth) but he did get up there so we were proud!! Please continue to pray for him as he asks us often if we can 'go to my house'....he doesn't quite understand why we're still at Grandma's, but soon he'll be settled in a new home & that should help.

Evan....what can I say?? BUSY!!!! This little guy has so much energy!! He is always into something & always making us laugh with his silly personality. He is a ball of joy...with a side of 'temper'!=) His new tricks include getting on the couch & jumping! Singing...this boy sings all the time & it is too cute! He also LOVES puppies or any animal really.We took the boys to the Zoo last Saturday & Evan was beside himself as he chased poor ducks & screamed in delight at the baby goats....I think all the animals were glad there was a fence between them or some of them might have been hugged to death! He still enjoys throwing various items into the toilet & if you're not careful he will jump into the bathtub too!!! We wouldn't trade him for the world...he is such a blessing!

Thanks for stopping by & please say a prayer for us Friday morning April 17th @ 9:30!!!!=)

We just wanted to update our friends and family about the upcoming changes our family is making. The Lord sold our home the end of Feb. & we close March 25th. We have moved into our in-laws home, & we're so thankful for their offer!

Please read in more detail of what God has been doing in our family...the changes are exciting and hard all at the same time. www.godleadethme.blogspot.com

The boys are doing well. They are adjusting to their 'new' place & loving seeing Grandma & Grandpa Schatz each morning. We moved in Saturday March 21st. We are so happy to be done with the packing and moving part for now...it is so much work as I'm sure many of you know! Thank you mom for flying in to help me pack for a week!!! You are an angel! Thank you to Dan's parents for helping us! We couldn't have been out on time without their help! I'm sure I over did it...being 35 weeks preggo, but I made it through. Driving away from the house for the last time was emotional as we have great memories there & all of this is a start to a new chapter in our lives that we are excited to see what God has instore.

Evan has been busy getting into EVERYTHING! It will be fun to see how he likes the new baby...I'm sure he'll be busy bugging him...we'll have to watch him!

Carter is loving the sunshine! He was outside all day yesterday & dirt stained to prove it...in his words, he was "workin!"...he's so sweet.

We hope all of you are doing well! Thanks for stopping in...I'll have new pics up this week when I get my laptop set back up. =)

We hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!!! We started it off by going to Pigeon Forge Friday night for dinner & hitting the outlets. We have a lot of fun & the boys loved being outside...we've had really warm weather lately! Thank you Daddy for spoiling the boys & me with a big home-made breakfast! We returned the favor with an Italian dinner...who says you have to go out for dinner? We had a great day full of love! Ok....enough sappy stuff.

Since I last updated my birthday has come and gone (getting older isn't very fun!) along with our 6 year Wedding Anniversary!!! I couldn't be more blessed with Daniel...I've talked about him many times before on here, so I won't go on...but I'm more in love today than ever. I'm so thankful & blessed to have him!! Love you baby!

Carter is looking forward to his Birthday next month. Every time he sees my lit candles he gets a delightful look on his face and says, "My birthday?!"....he's excited about it! We're pretty sure Mickey will have a part in his b-day. He is saying the funniest stuff every day & although it makes me sad to think he's getting so big & not my baby anymore I love the stages he's in now. He's so much fun.

Evan is talking up a storm....more like jibbering, but either way it's the sweetest sound in the house! He is just the cutest right now & I wish all of you could see him!! He loves to say hi & bye...and he waves. So cute. He loves saying 'da da' & 'uh-oh', giving kisses, clapping, spinning in circles, opening & closing every door in the house, he LOVES empty milk jugs...taking the caps off & putting them back on. He really likes looking at books now & throwing a ball....or any toy...he's a thrower!....(is that a word?=)

Well, life is good & that's about all. We do have a HUGE unspoken prayer request if you all could say a little prayer for us, & also pray that our house will sell. We've had a few showings lately, so that's a good sign. We hope you all are doing well!!!!!

Sorry there are no new pics! The computer keeps going off-line when I try to upload them, so I'll try again later...you won' get an update email unless it's been 24hrs, so check back & I'll try again tonight.

Carter's News- It seems like every couple of months he'll find a new thing, person, or toy that he's totally into. He still loves Mickey Mouse, but his new love lately has been firetrucks! He can spot one miles away! He always is the first one to hear them, and I'm hoping to find one for him to play with since he's all about them. He is also doing super with using the pottie...everyday I'm still saying, "Praise the Lord!"...it's been so nice. Carter also just joined the children's choir at church. They practice every Wednesday before the service & I was told he did very well, and seemed to enjoy it. Can't wait to hear his debut in church in April! Won't that be interesting!!=)

Evan's News- Well, Evan is still on the go at a record pace. He's always into something! His new trick is to give you a 'high-five' if you ask him, and if you ask if you can have a kiss he'll come over and give you one. It's too cute, I got a picture of it hopefully I can get it uploaded. We just had his 12mo well check...2 months late!:0 He is 21 lbs. & 30 in tall. His height & head are both in the 55% so that is perfect, and his weight is in the 10%...so you can see he eats like a bird! He is right on target with everything he should be doing & is healthy!

I'm so very happy to announce that CARTER IS POTTIE TRAINED!!! YAY Carter!!!! It was a bumpy road, but he's finally got it!!!. #1 & #2 down pat!! You have no idea how exciting this is to us!!! He also is very happy to claim that it's 'his pottie'...not mine, but his!Pottie training was the hardest thing I've had to do yet as a mom...a lot of work, and a lot of patience. I'm so proud of him...despite his 'accidents' in the process...it was worth it! No more diapers for him!!!=)

Also, Evan is much better. He got sick Christmas day with a fever. A fever that lasted and lasted! We went to the doctor the day after Chirstmas since a lot of RSV is going around, but they couldn't tell what he had. They gave him a general antibiotic, and of course he had an allergic reaction to it...prolonging his recovery! Poor baby wouldn't move, just layed in my arms with a 102.6 fever! It was aweful! They changed his med...which made me nervous since I don't like them to even take tylenol unless absolutely necessary...but he bounced back, and is back to his old self! Let's just say he's happy & my back is happy!!! (heavy baby!)

We have been racking our brains for a name for this baby...any ideas???? We just can't decide on one that we both like. Hint: we don't like original names like...John & Tom...(no offense to any John or Tom readers out there), but we don't want to be too crazy with a different name either. We are not fans of Bible names (though very much a fan of the Bible and the meaning of the names). So...we're stumped. Help!!!

We miss all of our family that is so far away!! Drop us a note on our guestbook that you stopped by! Love you all!!~ Dan, Heidi, Carter & Evan

p.s. thank you for all the wonderful Christmas gifts & cards that were sent by so many of you!!!=)

You may have noticed the front page...but if you didn't. I was very content to wait until the baby was born to find out what it's a boy or girl. To my surprise...Dan was too. The day I had my ultrasound appt. to check the growth, etc. of the baby I asked him again to be sure that was what he wanted to do, and he said, "Heidi, I've left it up to you...I don't mind either way."

Needless to say, I had made up my mind that I was going to find out, but wasn't going to tell him. I was going to wrap the results and place them under the tree.

Lets just say it was the longest week until Christmas, and wouldn't you know almost all my friends at church just had to ask me, "Do you know what you're having?"...well, I told a couple people while explaining that I was going to surprise Dan.

Finally the last gift was being opened...Dan's special gift. I filled a box with little sweet boy items. He had a weird look on his face while he pulled out the blue shoes, passi, and bib...then he found the ultrasound picture that said "It's a boy" on it. His reaction was priceless..."Are you kidding me???!!"

haha...Yep those were his first words, then he expressed how happy he was. He looked at little Evan poking around the tree (that had fallen over again that morning!..for the 3rd time!)...and said, "How could we not want another one of those little guys wandering around here?" Then he looked at Carter...who was trying to rip poor Mickey's head off to get him out of the box while doing a little 'I'm excited' jig...smiling he said, "And I'll definately take another one of those!"

So, this only means that some day...far far far down the road (Lord, please notice the emphasis on the far)...that I will update this site that we are expecting again. We can't give up that fast on having our girl! I think 4 would be my limit...my patience limit...possibly even my 'sanity' limit...but the love limit...that has none.

What a wonderful Christmas we had! The boys enjoyed it and even though I was a little sad while driving to Dan's parents house...knowing that miles away my parents & brother were gathering together...I still enjoyed it. It was a wonderful relaxing day. God is so good!

***I'll update with pictures soon. I couldn't find my camera Christmas day, wouldn't you know that would happen?!

Happy New Year to all!!! Our prayer is that 2009 will be the best year of our lives! 12-29-08

I thought I'd jump on while I have a minute. We have been very busy and it's making the days just fly by!! Only 13 days until Christmas!! Can you believe that?? Well, we've been enjoying every minute of it. We've had Anthony here with us this week, and yesterday we had fun making Christmas cookies for the jail ministry...and of course a few extra for us! Also, we got the boys a take home pizza & they were all excited about that. Lots of church activities going on too! Last night we enjoyed a night at home together with a hot bowl of chili...it was so nice to just slow down and rest! Being five months pregnant feels great, until the night hours. I notice once I sit down...I am stiff when I go to get up! We are thinking about if we should find out what we're having or not...I keep going back and forth. I'm so excited to think there will be 5 stocking hanging next year....5!!!!

I picked up a stocking for next year for this baby the other day...that's when I started thinking...wow, 3 children. I feel so blessed. I'm so thankful to be a mommy. There is nothing like it in the world to be given new, fresh little minds to teach about the Lord. Everything they see & hear everyday is molding them into who they will one day be. Teaching manners, how to behave, obey, how to be kind, friendly to people, loving toward others and their toys...that may sound silly but even teaching them to love and take of their toys is important to me;)...also teaching them to be greatful, to think of others, to help with chores...even now Carter has chores, and most importantly, teaching them about God.

I've said it so many times, but I must keep reminding myself, the God they know of from the Bible is good, and they need to know, but the God they see in my life will be most affective. What is the God in my life??? Is it always the Lord they see? or...do I put other things in my life before the Lord & therefore other 'things' can become a God in my life. Do I seek Him everyday in my own personal time with Him?? Do my children hear me praising the Lord, speaking of and to Him?? or do they hear me complain, being unthankful. Do I put even my children before the Lord?? As a mother...this can be hard NOT to do at times.

It is not my job as a parent to make my children happy. Sound shocking? Keep reading.

They CAN and OFTEN will hear the word No. 'No' for their own good, and 'No' to teach them, and 'No' to protect them.

It is my job as a parent to teach them the way of the Bible & how to have a personal relationship with Jesus...and from this relationship will stem everlasting joy!!

I'm not an expert, and by far I'm not a perfect parent nor will I ever be, but I've observed children who don't hear the word No enough! They most always are given everything they ask for...whether it's something as little as more food when they have a plate full in front of them, or even when given a glass of juice they whine and complain that they didn't want that kind, or even refusing to sit nicely at a resteraunt because they want to get down and run. These little things may seem silly, but if a child is not taught at a young early age that 'No' is a part of life, then when they are older and rules of life are placed in front of them you better believe that they will test them...often to their harm, and often to a heart-broken parent.

If we don't teach our children self-control, obedience, and repect to authority at an early, early age...(even before the age of 2 some of these things can be set into place) it will only be harder as they get older. Don't get me wrong....my family does not sit down to dinner every night with perfectly posed children, perfectly dressed children, nor perfectly behaved children! We do not live in a spotless house with a blooming rose bed perfectly gardened...BUT...I do want to see my children blossum into respectful, behaved, God fearing young boys...and I KNOW that this is possible if done correctly and with a heart of love.

I pray daily for wisdom, many days I fail greatly, but God has given me another day to do it right...and although Carter 'messed' on my beautiful rug last night & I wanted to ring his little neck;)...I had to be patient and use the 'trial' to teach him.

I'm so thankful to be a stay home mom....I wouldn't trade it for a bigger house, a nicer car, prettier clothes, there is nothing that would lure me away from these precious gifts!

I don't trust any other to mold their little hearts and minds toward their loving Savior!

The time I have at home with them is crucial, and so important for it will determine who they will one day be!

If money got so tight that I had to work...I'd sell it all, I'd give up whatever I had...for I can't chance selling out on them!!!

Just a little bit of what God is speaking to me about today. Well, Evan is about to wake from a nap, and lunch on the stove is ready & there are 2 crazy boys down-stairs who are ready to eat! God bless;)

p.s. Carter is doing soooo well with pottie training despite his set-back last night. =) No more diapers for him!!!

It's still hard for me to believe that Christmas is already upon us. Only a couple weeks left to shop, wrap the gifts, and place them under the tree. I have a lot to do still! I've been just picking up little things here & there for Carter's stocking, but for the most part...the boys won't be spoiled this year. They don't need anything, so we're just getting 2 big toys for Carter, 2 little toys for Evan, and then just little 'nothing' stuff...just so they can have the fun in opening gifts. I know that's really what Carter enjoys is unwrapping the presents!

This year will be fun to watch both of them tear into the fun! Literally...Evan has already been 'un-decorating' the tree. Seems like the bottum of the tree all around is very sparse compared to the rest, and I've been finding little ornaments in interesting places;).

Carter is understanding this time of the year very well. He know's it's Christmas, and if you ask him who's Birthday it will be on Christmas he says, "Jesus!"...to me that is what is most important for him to know. We are starting a new tradition this year, and I'm really looking forward to it. On Christmas Eve we will be baking Jesus a Birthday cake. I've already asked Carter if he will help me and he's very excited about it.

I want to boys to know the real meaning of the season...and it's not the gifts, or the lights, or the fun times spent with family & friends that this time of the year is all about, but it's about Christ. All the other 'extras' are woderful bonuses that come with this great Holiday. Without the virgin birth of the Christ child, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate about. He is the reason for the season as many say. I'm so thankful to be a Christian, I'm so the thankful for the treasures I have in Him, and I just love this time of the year...it is truly special.

I'm going to be blogging every Monday for the next 3 weeks about the Treasures of Christmas...I hope I have that title right. My Pastor has written a great series for Christmas, and we're studying it in Sunday School for the next 3 weeks. This morning's lesson was sooooo encouraging, and I'm sure it will be a blessing to you! So, check it out & stay tuned. www.godleadethme.blogspot.com

P.S. Carter has made great progress with pottie training! Hope is in sight! I thought I would give it another try, so we started last Tuesday & he did. He's been good the last 2 days about telling me he has to go. Pray for me! This is has been the hardest thing to do!

This morning I had a chance to sit and pray and thank God for some very dear things in my life. I began to make a list of things that I'm thankful for...before I knew it...my list got very long! I'd like to share a few things that I am rejoicing in the Lord for today.

1. My Salvation~I'm so thankful that as a teenager I realized just how much God loved me...so much that he sent his Son to die for my sins, and pay my sin debt. If I would just believe in him, turn from my sins, and ask him to come into my heart then he would save me. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13. I'm thankful that on November 9th, 1997 I did that, and my life has been forever changed!

2. The Bible~Without the word of God I would have never known my need for a Savior.

3. Daniel~ When I write this name tears come to my eyes. I'm so blessed to have such an awesome husband. The thing that was so different about him when I was single hoping to find a good guy, was how much he loved God. He loved & still loves the Lord more than anything else in this world. God is first in his life..then me, then our children. From his love for the Lord stems a deep love for me that I am still baffled by...he is so caring, supportive, kind, forgiving, extremely smart, and an amazing father. I always tell single girls when speaking to them about finding 'Mr.Right' is...never let your heart fall in love with someone who has not fallen in love with the Lord. Someone who does not know the Lord can't love them in the right way, because they've never known the creator...the very giver of Love. He may be nice, smart, sweet, kind, he may look like he has it all together and he may make them feel so special, but when things get hard...emotions of love fade...stress pushes you apart...children steal your time...if you don't have a ring on your finger binding you to a man who is running to God for strength and not his friends, a magazine full of self help, or even Dr.Phil...you will be left feeling unloved...and alone. He may never remove his ring, but in his heart he has. Lord, help us. Without Christ as the center of any marriage when things get rough there may be many walking around with forced smiles and in their heart yearning for the love they felt when they first met...only realizing that was only a feeling, and love is realy a choice...choosing to love when you don't want to. God can heal any marriage when the individual allows God to heal their heart. Lord, thank you for my husband. May we always keep our hearts right with you and therefore keep our hearts bound to each other. I'm so thankful for my Daniel.

4. Carter & Evan~WOW...there are many things that flood my heart when I say these two little names. They have filled my life with...a lot of work! No...they have filled my life with so much meaning...they've given to me the name 'mommy' and they have made me love more than I thought I could. They are my precious little boys, and I am so greatful to God for giving me them. Next year there will be another name on this list, and for now I'm thankful for the little 'bumps' I'm feeling everyday that remind me of another little baby we will soon meet. Nothing like being pregnant...nothing like seeing them for the first time! I'm so thankful.

5. Family~ I'm also thanking the Lord for my sweet family. My parents, brother, and extended family. I've been so blessed to have them in my life!

The list could go on and on...My Pastor and his wife, my church family, my awesome friends, thank you Lord for your rich blessings!

We had Evan's party this past Saturday night. Evan loved having all of his little friends & cousins here. He didn't however like his cake. Well, he liked it if I fed him some, but he didn't want to touch it. He screamed when it got on his hands...what can I say...he's a clean kid;). Carter was the same way on his first Birthday...he wouldnt' dive into the cake!

Hard to believe he is one, and for a week now he's been cruising up and down the halls. He is such a peanut to be walking everywhere, but he sure is proud of himself!

Carter enjoyed helping me make the cupcakes...he couldn't wait to have one! We had a lot of fun. Thank you friends & family for sharing in his big day!!

note: I forgot to mention that we were in Chicago for my cousin's wedding. It was beautiful and we had such a great time seeing family. My parents spoiled us, and the boys. Thank you mom & dad for the new carseat for Evan, and the great toys! They've been having a ball. On our way home, Dan had a chance to preach at his friend's church, and he did a great job. I always enjoy hearing him preach!

Hope everyone is getting excited for Thanksgiving!!! We are and we're going to have a house full!!!! It should be fun!!

So today marks a year since Evan Kail Schatz was born! My what a year it has been! Looking back...I can't remember what life was without him! He is full of fun, joy, smiles, oh and a temper too! (he's going to hate hearing about that when he's older)

Evan has reached many mile stones in his first year of life. He's learned to smile, sit up, how to defend his toys from his older brother, eat baby food, how to scream to get my attention & then smile as if he did nothing, crawl, and now...WALKING! He started taking small steps about 2 weeks ago, but now he is unstoppable! My little man walking...what a big guy!

He has been such a joy & I'm honored to be called his mommy. Many days I fail, but I will never stop trying to give him what is best. He is such a special child...I think he is what Moses's parents called him..."a goodly child." In our sight he is just that...God has great things planned for his life & I love telling him that!

We are attacking him with tons of kisses today...Dan is home too today. It's his Birthday and we're counting our blessings! Carter also thinks today is his Birthday too! So sweet. His party will be this weekend, something small, but it will be so fun!

Have I said lately that I feel so blessed? Well, in case I haven't mentioned it...I am. The boys are just so funny and sweet I can hardly stand it. This past week was great. We had a lot of fun and we pretty much stayed home. I got carter a little road map rug for a buck from the thrift store (thank you 'little people' for making one that's washable!) he has been playing with that like crazy! We also brought out our little walker for Evan...he took 2 steps on his own....so we figured it was time for him to practice. He is everywhere with that thing! All around the kitchen, down the hall, over the hills and through the woods...no really he looks just so little to be cruising around with that thing. He's such a little peanut! Not much else to mention accept for their usual updates:

Carter- He has been talking non-stop...he says at least 5-10 new words every day and each time I'm like...'what?' It's just so funny to hear him say what's on his mind...and to hear it in English!!! He did notice that I cut my hair..he keeps running his hands through it and says, "You have haircut mommy?" He is all about doing thing on his own...loves to get the gallon of milk from the frig and bring it to me with a big smile on his face as he's trying to be helpful, all while he's about to drop it as he teaters down the stairs! This is his new thing...the frig. He was trying to organize my drawer of veggies the other day too!! I'm trying to explain to him.."The frig is not a toy...nor does a 2 year old 3,4,5,6,7,8 or any age really belong in my frig! Ok, so I might lighten up when he's like 10, but it drives me crazy to see little kids digging in the frig..I don't know I'm crazy;).

Evan~ he is jibbering all the time..he's very noisy! When we go out to eat he is sooo loud! He's not fussing he's just getting in on our coversation and all the tables around us for that matter! He can now crawl up the stairs! He loves that! He is loving table food! YAY! I was worried he was too picky, but he's all good now. He still has 4 or 5 bottles a day too...he does like to eat! He does this new smile now that just cracks me up! He squints his eyes and I sware he couldn't smile any bigger..it actually looks a little painful...he's such a doll and I'm just crazy about him!

Hope you all are enjoying the cool weather! Even though it was 70 degrees here today I can feel the cold moving in! Thanks for stopping by...can you believe Christmas is in like 53 days????!!!!!! YAY!

WOW! What a great week we've had! We just finished our missions confernece on Wednesday. It began this past Saturday night with a big banquet dinner. The hall was packed with people, and we had a special guest, Miss.Margaret Stinger. (hope I spelled her name right) Can I just say that I met a modern day Jim Elliot this past week! Margaret's story of how she spent 40+ years in the jungles of Indonesia is truly amazing, inspiring, and convicting.

She told us of how she went with 2 men to bring the Gospel to the cannibals in a village that had never heard the gospel before. She was just 24 years old when she went to Indonesia. The story of how they communicated with these people, and then in time led their first convert to Christ was soooooo awesome! She said she visited the villiage this past July to see their church with the children singing choruses, and cannibalism is only a story they know of their grandfathers doing. Isn't God good??? Yes!

James Zenker preached each night, and he was mightly used of God. I never remember him preaching like that! He and his wife are serving in England.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of our great hall. It was transformed into other countries. Each night you had a choice of eating in a different place. We had a great meal one night & Carter went around and got all of his stamps for his passport. So cute! He loved all the neat things they had for the kids. I remeber when I first came to college I was so impressed with what they did for the children for missions conference & it's neat now to see my own little kids enjoying it!!

I have so many knew things to share with you I hope I can remember. Dan & I are very excited to take the boys to the pumpkin patch this Saturday. They will take a hay ride to the patch to pick a pumpkin out, (for those of you who didn't catch that yet;) they will feed some baby goats, and then have a fall snack. How cute is that?! I'm so excited. Carter is having a fall party at the end of the month with his little friends at our house, so he will be ready to decorate his very own pupmkin! He's going to love it.

So, to catch you up on all the knew things the boys are doing. Carter's knew love is cooking. Yes, but he didn't get this from me! Well, he's learned from me, but the 'love' part...not sure where...could be the excitement in Rachel Ray's voice as he watches her use her EVOO. (again for some of you...that's extra virgin olive oil;) He is sooo into the food network...and every time the food is done and the cook takes a bite, Carter always says,"Mmmmm it's good!" He just might be the next top chef! He also is enjoying his new set of fisher price golf clubs. He thinks he is quite the man with those. He also loves watching anything musical. We like to watch symphonies on TV and he is always hooked to it. Then he makes believe he's playing the violin. I'm working on making some instrument flash cards so he can learn all of them.

Evan is quite the jibber jabber baby. He does say 'hi' and 'daddy' clear as a bell. He loves to clap his hands, he is getting very brave letting go of things when he's standing, and he is always at my feet if I'm eating something...he wants a bite! He is sleeping 11 to 12 hours a night and still taking 2 naps a day. He is always exploring through the house...he is curious to know what is behind every door! He has 3 toofers and one coming. We are smitten beyond words by his cuteness!!

Hope you all are doing well, and we hope to see you soon!! p.s. we are making a trip to Chicago next month, and I'm sooo excited to see family! Please pray that our house will sell too!!;)

OH...and I'm very excited to tell you that my song is being arranged and published by Masterworks. So, hopefully it will be available to sell in the next few months, and I hope it will be a blessing to churches across the country. I have 2 others that are almost finished, and I will be sending them in as well. Very exciting!...ok I think that's all.;)

So, here I am back to the baby home pages again! I can say I've missed this format!!! I'm keeping my blog for my own writings. It has been fun writing on topics that are on my mind. I also enjoy reading a lot of random blogs in my spair time. Interesting what people have to say=).

Carter~ He has been hitting the 2's hard!! Seems like lately I find myself telling him NO more often!! He is always finding something fun to do, and it usually involves some clean up!=) He is a mouth full of jibber jabber when speaking in paragraphs..which he loves to do as he's a lot like me in that area. When he slows it down, he is doing well and putting words together. His new favorite line, "no..i don't yike it." Seems he doesn't like many things lately. Bedtime at the top of his list! He can tell you 3 of his shapes now, and he loves doing puzzles. He also is a fan of bugs...any bug that crawls his way is his new friend, and he adores lemons and pickles. Wierd...I know.

Evan~ He is cutting 3 teeth now, one of which is HUGE!!! He got that from his daddy. Speaking of which, he is all about the Daddy. He is hooked to daddy when Dan gets home. Nice for me=). He is very interested in how things work. Opening a door and watching it close. He loves to push cars back and forth with 2 fingers. He doen't point with one finger as we all do...he uses 2. Does that mean anything??? Politician maybe?? You know, one of those Bob Dole things..was that his name?? Ok...politics is on the brain, How about that Sarah Palin!!! Woo-Hoo I like her!!!...moving on=). Evan is just the sweetest, smiley little guy, still hanging on to a slight temper...he gets that from his mama...anyway, we are blessed and doing well! Hope everyone is ready for some fall weather!!! We are!!!!!

The other night I heard about another family that had just lost a child. My heart just sunk to think that this family has to walk such a dark valley. Although I don't know this kind of grief as a mother I feel their pain. Just a few weeks ago I was encouraged by a Christian women who has a blog (she too just lost a child)to read Psalm 84. The other night when the boys were in bed I grabbed my Bible, a notebook, and logged onto Crosswalk.com ...I've never read my Bible with my computer close by before, but I was so glad I did! I read the Psalm, and then read a comentary on this chapter by Matthew Henry. God began to speak to me, and I couldn't write fast enough! There are many beautiful verses, but to mention the "big" one is verse 6. To recap, this is David in the wilderness when he was fleeing his son Absolom's wrath. He cried out to God for he longeth to be in the house of the Lord...he would even trade places with the birds who made their nest in the tabernacle just to be in God's presense. As a note, I'm so glad for what Christ did on Calvary that I can now come into God's presence sitting at my kitchen counter with my Bible open and He speaks to me....vs2,"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord..." Do I long as David did to be every day in God's presense?...my heart is convicted.

David goes on to write that he would trade places with the people who make a journey 3 times a year for a feast in the tabernacle. This journey was through dry desert places, a journey through the "valley of Baca"...or the valley of weeping...for it was a hard road to travel. This valley of Baca in vs.6 has spoken so deeply to me! On this journey through the valley of weeping the people would dig a small well in the ground to catch the rain from Heaven and quench their thirst...to refresh themselves so they can go on. We too can "dig a well" for the grace from Heaven will fill it and refresh us so we can walk on this journey of life. Though trials come and go we do not have to faint...God is with us....He will supply every need... even in the valley of weeping He will sustain us. I'm baffled when I hear people say that the Bible is an old fictitious book that doesn't apply to present day living. I can stand and testify that they are wrong. The Bible is Truth, and it can apply to our everyday lives. It is the Word of God...may you be blessed by it!

I know I've mentioned doing this a couple times, but it is now official! We are moving to a blog!! Are you surprised?? HA! Well, although I love babyhomepages....there are a couple things that I like better about the blog. 1. IT'S FREE! 2. I can link my friends web-sites to it so all you have to do is "click" and you're there! 3. They have spell check!! So.......for now we'll have this on until our paid monthes are up, but I will no longer update this one. Please subscribe to our new blog to get updates. The subscribe option is found at the bottom of the last post. I hope you all enjoy our new site, and we hope that you will continue to keep "posted" on what we are up to. For now...I've titled it "walking by faith" but this could change...our web address is www.godleadethme.blogspot.com I would have liked to use walking by faith.com but it was taken. We hope to use the new blog to keep family & friends updated about what's new with us and the boys, but also to share stories of how God is leading us in our lives. I hope you're blessed by it. The internet is an amazing thing, and I think when it's used in the right way, it can be a great tool to reaching people for the Lord. Thanks for your time, and check our our new page!!! 7-16-08

We have been super busy here lately...the days are just flying by! We have been preparing for a big teen/singles ralley that we are putting on with our singles ministry in Cincinnatti, OH. Yesterday I called about 12 churches inviting them to come and they all seemed very excited. Our singles designed an awesome flyer that we will be mailing out today, and they are preparing special music, food, and so much more! I'm so glad to have a part in this, as we hope to see young people saved, and decisions for the Lord made. It is our single's desire for their lives to show Christ...for their lives to be attractive to those who aren't Christians and a good example to the young people. I'm so proud of them...God has been working in a great way! Our choir is working really hard on a difficult song to sing, and it's been a blast helping with it. Pray that we'll be ready!!! They have come up with "S.A.L.T."= single adult leaders today. So we are calling this the "Salt Crusade" the logo is very cool and best of all...Pastor likes it!! Please pray for Dan as he will be preaching...I can't wait to listen to him as this is what we believe God has called us to do. Him to preach, and me listen with the audience and smile. Our pastor's wife once told a "how to be a pastor's wife class" that she would always be sure that she was smiling. So, when her husband was preaching and he looked at her, he would be encouraged by her smile...she said even if he was talking about a horrible sad story there she would be smiling!! HA!! I love it!! I wish we could take the boys with us...I can't wait for the day when we are eating, breathing, sleeping the ministry....we are learning through these experiences what it will be like. Please keep us in your prayers as 37 of our singles, ourselves, and Wes & Laura Mullins will be traveling to Cincinnati on Friday August 1st.

Update on the troops: Evan...he's great, he's skooting everywhere...not crawling, but he gets to where he wants to go...and did I mention he's smiling?? yes....he's a smiler! (is that even a word?"

Carter...well he's still crazy and repeating everything we say! He right now is playing with the cards in my wallet talking in a sweet voice like the Visa card is greeting the Mastercard....he is soooo me as a kid...always full of imagination! HA! Hope you all have a great weekend!~july 11th, 2008

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