Your Grace Still Amazes Me

This is for my Aunt M and Uncle K. My Uncle K is ready to go be with Jesus. He told my aunt if anyone asks his thoughts to tell them them the verse . . . "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."

My heart is so heavy for them this morning. Carson sat in my lap as in tears I have prayed for them. As Carson said "God can do anything". "He can make the blind to see".  I have sat here in tears knowing my uncle is completely aware of all that is going on while he loses the ability to control his body and it's functions. My aunt faithfully is with him taking care of him and watching her love slip away. I am glad she has the assurance she will see him again in Glory.

I am thankful that they are both aware of Christ's love for them and his unending grace and peace. Not only are they aware but have accepted that grace, peace, and love.

Praying for them.

13th Anniversary

June 24th was Brian and I's 13th Anniversary. We have both been so insanely busy that that day in the afternoon I looked at my phone and and saw the date June 24th and thought . . .what is it about that date? Then it hit me! Our anniversary! I looked at him and said "Happy Anniversary" and started laughing. We both got a kick out of it. Our lives are full . . . extremely full.

Lately, I have been in and out of the hospital 2 times and am now on medicine that can cause drowsiness and this in the midst of a lot of company. I am huge and have a hard time getting undergarments on. Babe had surgery and is now doing better but for awhile was struggling himself with simple daily routines! One morning he was in the process of fainting and I sat on the floor with his head over my lap, the best I could do to keep him safe. We joke about our situations. We're there for each other though-ALWAYS. We take care of each other in the midst of it all.

I know my kids will read this at some point. It is so important to marry the right person. A person who loves Jesus and wants to do right. Life throws a lot at you but with faith in your Heavenly Father and a healthy sense of humour you'll make it. Love is a decision and selflessness.

You may think that my description of recently doesn't sound very storybook like but I believe "my love" is as close to story book as it gets in an imperfect world and between two sinners married to each other. Our love is not just "real as the feelings I feel" but as real as our commitment to one another.  Love isn't all the glamour but simple things like putting on your loved ones socks when they can't, etc.

I married my love for sure. I love laughing with him and spending my life with him. He takes amazing care of me. I love that we can encourage one another in the Lord.

I love you Baby. I know our lives are insane right now but wouldn't want to go through it with anyone else but you! You're the BEST.

Real Quick

I am TIRED but wanted to get this down real quick. I called today to my doctor's office to tell them I seem to be getting contractions. I had this real nice nurse on the line and she said "I Know You!" Huh? What? "Your children are SOOOO well behaved in the lobby." Praise the Lord!:-) Anyway, she was concerned and sent me to the hospital. Babe has a new job where you can't just leave so I got a babysitter and left. At first, all looked good but then contractions were coming every 9 minutes then my test came back positive for the possibility of my body going into labor in the next 2 weeks. But thankfully the contractions stopped and they think my positive test was scewed and not true. I got a shot that makes you shake for awhile and was on my way. THANKFULLY!!! As usual Baby A was mostly cooperative and Baby B was the opposite very uncooperative. She is one high energy kiddo for sure. I love them both immensely and want them born healthy and well. Thankful they are in their Creator's hands.

I felt such peace. I told my parents it felt weird that I was at peace but felt like crying! Weird! I think I just need some sleep and that will help the emotions!

I am exhausted and need rest.

Gabriel's Last Day at Swim Camp

 (Board showing lane assignments)

Last day at swim camp was a swim meet that parents could come too.

Gabriel was nervous before hand but enjoyed it once it got going.

He's been going to the Air Force Academy daily this past week for training and he has gotten

AMAZING training. They use ipads to video them swimming and then a coach shows them

what they are doing incorrectly. It was tiring but Gabriel thought it did not compare to wrestling.

Gabriel was definitely an underdog here with plenty of talent around him to push him. In the individual races though he only came in last once which was nice.  We were thrilled he had the opportunity to be coached so well and improve!!

A coach caught me at the end of the meet and told me that Gabriel was quite a young man 

and had a great attitude, etc.

Funny story. Gabriel did NOT want to wear the Air Force Swim cap because he felt like it was

sending a false impression. I told him it was given to him and he WAS at the Academy for camp it 

 wasn't like he bought it at a garage sale and pretended. I appreciate his honest and sensitive heart though!!

Airforce Academy Swim area. One of them anyway. This isn't 

even the whole room. The diving pool is on the end.

Gabriel waiting for his race to start.

Carson and Ross both enjoyed watching the kids that were there for diving.

When they dove from the 10m my stomach turned!!

Scary stuff!

Gabriel is on block 6.

Jedidiah was exhausted and finally conked out!!

Gabriel up on the block waiting his turn in the relay race.

Finally Summer Time

 My Dad thinks this may be a Ponderosa Pine. 

These are my FAVORITE colors in nature.

If you saw my living room you'd see these colors!

 The play tree. The kids have put up a swing and tetherball and wood plank.

They like to go play underneath the tree.

 Jedidiah with Annalina under the tree.

 Jedidiah is now 14 months!

 Hanging with the big kids.

 Jedidiah LOVES being outside!!!

 Ross worked a LONG time on this cabinet. We are trying

to get it sanded then painted so we can use it when the girls arrive.

 Carson loves playing with trucks outside in the beautiful weather!!

 Ross loves to play wiffle ball now.

The boys all having fun with dirt.

Good Things From the Last Weeks

1. I found out my church is making a nursery for "my babies"as it was put! They have already started and Jedidiah so much enjoyed what was done this past Sunday! They've gotten a rocking chair and foot stool, crib/changing area, and toys!! Pastor grabbed up Jedidiah this past Sunday and held him as he greeted everyone on their way out. Jedidiah was quite content!

2. Gabriel had what we thought was the start of care for scoliosis (diagnosed by another doctor) with an orthepedic children's doctor. We found out he is "the picture of health" as the doctor called him and that he does NOT have scoliosis and filled us in on some really important other things! Praise the Lord!

3. Babe and Gabriel hiked for 8 hours this past Saturday for Pikes Peak Summit on the Bar Trail. Gabriel was disappointed they didn't make it but I am sure he will next time. People were asking how old Gabriel was and he got the comment that he was "a tough kid". During this outing Babe figured out something wasn't quite right with himself and he has had one doctor's appt. and waiting for another to confirm things. Probably be having surgery soon. He sees a surgeon on the 18th. Seems like a weird praise but the hike brought things to light for him and it is something that he wants done soon since the girls will be arriving and we need his lifting strength if I end up with a C-section! More on that later if it comes about.

4. Thunderstorms have started. I LOVE thunderstorms!!!

5. Gabriel had training at the Ranch. He got to chink the cabin or fill in chinks in the cabin with ash, sand, straw, etc. He was told to kick the woodpile before he touched it! There are rattle snakes and snakes have been seen around the wood pile. He got to show a group of kids how to use the corn husker as did other trainees. The man and lady that are supervisors and kind of act like "parents" seemed very kind. The man made the kids that were there for training pancakes and bacon out on the homestead fire for something special! The bacon was from one of last years pigs.

6. My baby shower at church was so special. I was definitely showered with gifts, diapers, money. The church as a whole gave me $200 towards a double stroller!! I also have a lot of adorable twin girl outfits!!
I shared with the ladies two things that made me think of my church.
I Thessalonians 5:11
"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
(Annalina and I decorated frames with ribbon, flowers, and dazzle and put this Bible verse in it as a thank you to the ladies.)

"The more tightly we are attached to Jesus, the more purely His love can pass through us. And oh, what a love it is!--Max Lucado

Stories for My Mommy Memory

The other day we went to fill up the van with gas and I just had the little kids. They know when you fill a vehicle up with gas you must have the engine off otherwise things could be really bad.  Well, Ross seemed nervous about the van being off and I assured him it was off and he relaxed then Carson said "well any way we'd go to heaven" (this has been discussed before by older kids). Then Ross said "That's true but then we'd be on the news and I don't want to be on the news." If you know Ross it makes it more funny. Ross does NOT like his mistakes to be known. So if we were all to die by mistakingly leaving the engine running and then the mistake was announced to the world that would be embarassing!


Last week Ross brought Jedidiah up from downstairs to show me what Jedidiah could do. I watched as Jedidiah handed a toy to Ross. I just sat there thinking o.k. . . . Ross piped up completely thrilled "He can share!" He also told me Jedidiah usually takes it back 5-10 seconds later but never the less he was as proud as punch that his brother had the ability to share that long. I just love it!!!

Last week I said how odd it would be to have Daddy, Gabriel, and Annalina out of the house and wondered how it would be. Gabriel piped up and said "You won't have time to think about it . . ." Does he understand my life or what! :-) Pretty funny! The kids and I had a great time and it took me back to when I only had little ones. Little kids are busy but simple in that they have no agenda or place to be. We played wiffle ball and had a grand time!