A church bag :) for Zach

Zach was needing something to carry coloring book, and crayons, ect. to Church, so today I made hime this bag. It was so fun, not bad....

My 2nd ten month old walker.....

Finally I caught this on Video....sorry it took me so long. Enjoy :)

Between Ben being so sick and actually catching him walking with the camera ready...it has been a while since he started walking.

Walking with God

A good friend of mine shared this with me this morning by email. I wanted to share it with you...What a great way to start our day :)

Of Enoch and Long Walks
9 Jan 2009
Karen Ehman

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24 (NIV)

Do you have a favorite Bible character? One who inspires you, challenges you or one whose story you simply love? Perhaps it is Moses and his vast leadership skills. How about Esther, the compelling queen who, being both gorgeous and smart, used her quick thinking to help God save an entire nation? Maybe Joseph is your pick as you contemplate how someone so mistreated could continually take the high road; the road that lead him not only to political power but also to family forgiveness. All of these are marvelous choices, but none are my pick. I like Enoch.Since first hearing of Enoch as a young teen, that guy has fascinated me. Not a lot is writt en about him in the pages of scripture, but what is there sure piques my interest. He "walked with God and then he was no more because God took him away." Hmmm. My young mind pondered that strange description.As I grew as a believer, I learned a bit more about this biblical mystery man. In Hebrews 11:5-6 we catch more of the story. "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)Ah ha! Enoch was whisked away, spared the pain of death and transported immediately to God's side all because of one simple thing. He pleased God. I say simple. But I don't say easy. It is a simple thing to please God. You just do what He says in His word. Straightforward enough, right? However, my years as a follower of Christ have taught me that simple is not always easy. Choices present themselves. The world screams. Our flesh gets in the way. We want revenge or our own glory. We lack faith and instead try to control our own destinies. We mess up the "pleasin' God" part with our very own hands.Enoch "walked with God." Oh, don't we long for that to be said of us? I'll admit I don't always walk with God. I take a stand for God; believe the right things and make it known. I may walk after God. And sadly, sometimes I run ahead of God; make my own plans and then say, "Oh yeah. By the way God, do ya mind blessin' these plans? I made them in Your name. I may have forgotten to consult You in the midst of them, but they are for You all right!" What a shame and a sham!No two ways about it, walking with God means that we daily give up our right to navigate our own lives. We pla ce our faith in Him, admitting He knows what is best for us and realizing He might not always reveal the hows and the whys until the very last second. Remember, God is seldom early, but never late. Only day-by-day faith-walking pleases God.Oh, dear one, do you long to be one who pleases God this way? One who makes Him smile as He sees you daily place complete trust in Him and His infinite wisdom? Maybe then we just might be like my Bible hero Enoch; the one who walked so closely by our Creator's side that one day, during one of those long walks, God looked at him and said, "You know, we've been walking together for so long now that we are actually closer to my house than yours. Why don't you just come on home with me right now?" Glory!!!Dear Lord, I am ready to learn to walk with You in faith; not ahead of You or behind You, but right by Your side. Show me how, step by step. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Ice Skating

5 YEARS

5 years ago today, I left my parents home and married my best friend. He is my lover, my confidant, and is a wonderful father and husband. I thank God every day for the person that he has given to me, for a time on this earth. We never know how long we have together, so we should live every day like it our last.

What has happened in five years? Five moves, one 750 miles away from the home that we have both known. Two wonderful children that God has blessed us with. 8 or 9 kidney stones- I had a hard time remembering, must have been the morphine :) Multiple job changes for both of us and one of us deciding to stay home with the boys, which could have brought on financial strains but didn't. (Thank God for Dave Ramsey) The purchase of a business, the sale of a business. The purchase of a home. Five years of love and support from all of our parents, who we are truly grateful for. And nothing but love and respect from each other. God has richly blessed us in ways we could have never imagined.

No matter what comes our way, we know that if we center our marriage on Christ, there is nothing that we can not overcome, nothing. I love you Troy.

Mark 10:7-9 " For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Merry Christmas

My God is So Great.....

Zach is so proud of his singing!!

Extreme Home Makeover...

There were two walls in our bedroom, that were paneling :)

On this bookcase, there was an ugly thing with stained glass in it that went all the way to the ceiling

I did not take before pics, but just picture ugly, and lots of pink.

We're really movin' now.

It's beginning to look allot like Christmas...

And yes..it came as a kit :)

The Train....and Breakfast

The Mall has this train for free for the kids on Saturdays until Christmas...Zach loves it. Sara, LaShawn and I took all the kids to Brakfast at the Bakery and then to the Train Ride.

The Train....and Breakfast, Part 2

Ben is enjoying riding with Kayla, Zach's friend

What fun, free train rides at the mall!!!!

Hmmmm...

Okay so I think that I got the pillow case thing down

So yea, this one is for me :) All of the boys have John Deere ones!

NO FARMS - NO FOOD

Now, I know that it is not farmers appreciation day but....Have you ever really considered the consequences of farms going out of business?

Farming is not always the most lucrative business, and it is very hard work with very long hours. Next time you see a Farmer, maybe you can say thank you. This time before Thanksgiving we need to remember that we are so blessed to live in the Country with the safest food supply.

my 1st sewing project since 5th grade...

Enough Said.... (and yes it is for Zach)

Enjoying our time :)

TODAY

YESTERDAY

Food (or water) for Thought :)

Today is World Hunger Sunday, and Pastor Aaron, talked about some "food for thought". Did you know that Americans consume 100 billion dollars worth of bottled water in one year. The nation that had the most readily available clean water source, spends that amount of money on something that comes so easy and free to them. Besides the environmental impact, you may say "so". Every 7 seconds a child dies from a water born illness. Do you know how much money it would take to put wells in areas that don't have them and allow every child in the world to have access to clean drinking water? 50 Billion dollars. Half of what we as Americans spend in one year.

Isaiah 58:10 says "and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then you light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like noonday."

Lets all think of ways that we can help in our own community to make this world, God's world a better place.

We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved. So, next time you pass someone on the street who is in need, remember how lucky you are, and don't turn away.-- Lesley Boone

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40


Did you know that if we all donated 3% of our salaries there would be enough money to end world hunger.....Just some food for thought.

It is that funny :)

Here is Zach, watching himself on the blog.

Kinda Cute :)

P.S. He is watching the post from Sept 24, in case you want to go back and watch it. I am not sure how to link to it. "He can read, or so he says"

Go Spartans!!!

These pictures are dedicated to Daddy, Uncle Phil, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Holli who all went to MSU. Go Spartans!!


Today Zach had to dress up for pre-school in his Halloween costume, since there were not many options at the local Walmart, he said he wanted to be a football player. Well, where else would he play for?? Especially after that game on Saturday (Sorry Uncle Eric- hehehe)