Wordless Wednesday + a little more...

For those of you fortunate enough to be around Luke much, you know this is his weakness! Running! How he loves to run!

"Mom, I go fasss!"

Do I make Jesus happy?

This has been my main thought for a couple days now. Here's why:

On Sunday, Luke's behavior wasn't the best, not what it could or should have been. Monday was worse! His cousins were over that day and he decided not to share his cars and trucks with them, making these evil, shrieking sounds whenever they came near them. That was a long day of working with him on sharing but that evening, the Lord spoke to me about obedience. It's not just something we hear or sing about, but something we need to do daily. I am quick to correct him of his wrongs, but I thought "does he really understand why?". I spent some alone time with him last night and today to talk about sharing and why we need to share and obey. Not only is it right, and makes mommy and daddy happy, but most importantly, it makes Jesus happy! I could tell he really enjoyed our little talk, saying throughout the evening last night "make Jesus happy, make Jesus happy".

Today, after his nap when he woke up, the first thing he did was come up to me and say "me make Jesus happy"! I teared up and gave him a big hug and reassured him that obeying makes Jesus happy! I know it will be a rough road at times, but him starting to understand who Jesus is, that He loves us and wants us to obey Him is such a blessing to see! I am re-living my Sunday School days, singing the kid songs they sing and listening to many Patch the Pirate tapes. I was just SO happy today, thinking of all this, and how Jesus must be smiling at my little blonde haired, blue eyed boy.

Thank you, Jesus, for Luke! Thank you, God, for Jesus!

Now, back to the "obeying thing"... Being a parent and going through this for the first time has been so convicting. I tell Luke to obey Jesus, but do I? Do I? What an eye opener! I am thankful the Lord has brought me through these couple days with a renewed outlook on obedience! I truly do want to make Jesus happy!

Do you?

Changes

With the cool weather and the leaves falling, I have felt the need for change these past few days! I have decorated the house for fall and rearranged some furniture throughout the house. And then I decided to change my blog! Hope you like it!

I have had lots going on lately and have lots of pictures to download and posts to write. Stay tuned! I'll leave you with this cute pic! This was "the gang" on a trip to the Akron zoo!

Lillah, Noah, Starla holding poor Zach, Rose, Benji & Luke

Happy Baby!

Wordless Wednesday

Say "CHEESE"

Prayer

This past Sunday evening, our church has what we call a "singspiration". We do this in every month that there is a fifth Sunday. I just love it! All we do is sing! Anyone can request a song to be sung and give a testimony or blessing, people sing specials, play instruments and it just a good time!

This past singspiration was different for me though. The Lord made it so that I really was touched by some of the songs we sung. Many of the songs we sang were songs we sing often in church congregational hymns, but this particular night, they really weighed on my heart.

One hymn that stood out to me was "Sweet Hour of Prayer". I have been convicted recently of not praying enough. I don't know if "not praying enough" is correct since the Lord says to "pray without ceasing" but you know what I mean! :) I sometimes use nap time or down time to do things like go through paperwork, read a magazine or book, peruse a cookbook, but the Lord has brought it to mind to use that time to pray. There are SO SO SO many people I know with burdens and problems, health issues or health concerns for their children, missionaries with needs, our church family with needs, my family members with needs, people who need to be saved... and the list goes on and on. Instead of devoting "time for myself", I need to devote more time to Him and pray! So, that's what I'm going to do!

I'm sure most of my readers know this song but read the words and really listen to them and apply them. I think my favorite line is "In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief" - how true! So many times I only pray when something is wrong or going wrong instead of praying and praising Him for all the good! My friends, that will change with me... will it change for you? I will be praying for you (since I know my 3 followers very well and my other 2 readers too!) I hope this is an encouragement to you!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father’s throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

The joys I feel, the bliss I share,

Of those whose anxious spirits burn

With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face,

And gladly take my station there,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I’ll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolation share,

Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,

I view my home and take my flight.

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise

To seize the everlasting prize,

nd shout, while passing through the air,

“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Wordless Wednesday... very late... with words

Okay, this week has been very long, very busy, very trying... I'm so thankful tomorrow is Friday! No big plans, no appointments, nothing to rush for, the house is pretty much clean minus a few baskets of laundry to be folded, but isn't there always something! The Lord got me through some very trying situations this week, nothing big deal if you knew them, but to me, they were monstrous! He knows just what I need to get 'back on track' and 'let not my heart be troubled'.

For example, at times this week, He used my children, two genuine friends, a rainy day, and a mound of bills all to bring back my joy when it was lost. I know your wondering how a mound of bills made my joy return, but knowing that God provided for each one of those bills gave me such an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness that they can be paid! There is something to be thankful for in every little detail of life... Like YOU for instance, you're reading my blog right now. That to me is so neat! That you would even care to read what I have to say!

Here is my "picture of the week". Did you know that my son is Dennis the Menace? In more ways than one! :)

A Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Evening

I like surprises. No. I love surprises. For other people, that is! I love planning and stressing over making every detail just right. However, I don't do well when they are for me! Saturday, Aug. 8th was a Saturday like no other. We've been so busy this summer that there hasn't been a 'nothing to do' Saturday in a while. I was doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen, the boys were napping, it was nice, quiet and I even had time to relax.

While I was relaxing, Sonny had a wonderful idea and asked me to go out to dinner with him. He had the idea to go early to beat the rush and that sounded good to me. He even called my mom to check about watching the boys so we could go alone. I was excited! He said "Why don't you get all dolled up?! It'll be fun!". I was game.

We dropped the kids off at my parents and were off to dinner. We decided on The Cheesecake Factory, since that is one of my favorite restaurants. We had a nice quiet table, delicious food and it was fun talking, just the two of us. We were stuffed, but decided on dessert. I suggest a McD's cone since they are pretty good and cheap! He said that sounded good but didn't want to get it right away. We'd get it closer to my parents house. So, we got on the highway and started driving. We were talking, and as we were, I noticed we passed my parents exit. I just kept talking and figured he had another McD's in mind. I noticed we were then getting close to downtown Cleveland. I started getting a nervous feeling and wondered what was going on. I asked and he said he had a surprise but not to ask any more questions. I kept guessing at what it was but I was wrong until we pulled down Euclid Ave. The State Theatre! Through family members, I knew that weekend was the Mary Poppins musical at the State Theatre. He was taking ME!

We got there with time to walk around and find our seats and relax a bit and talk. I was shocked! We had great seats! I don't know why but I didn't think to take pictures until we left. It was such a fun night and I'm so thankful he was so thoughtful and took me. Just thinking of me and planning such a wonderful surprise was so special and an evening I will never forget!

Me & my wonderful hubby

We were literally running out of the building to beat the rush of traffic so as we were running, I snapped this pic. Obviously, I was looking good enough to get her head in it!

This was our little greeter when we got to my parents house!

The Fabulous Four

Love & Fireworks

Here is my very late post from my July 4th! I was in one of my best friend's weddings on this day! Melanie and I have been friends since around the age of 2, growing up together in church and all of school, kindergarten through graduation. She has been a true friend all along the way! I have never heard an unkind word from her and she has been such an encouragement and Christian example for me and for so many others.

Mel was patiently waiting on the Lord until one day, there was Josh! I remember the email I received from her saying how she met/talked to this really great guy! That really great guy turned out to be her really great fiance and is now her really great husband!

Mel, I was so honored to be one of your bridesmaids and loved

sharing in your very special day! I love you!

Mr. & Mrs. Vickerman

The Bridal Party

Really fun fortune cookie placecards

Love how this picture came out - the cupcakes were delicious and oh so cute!

And they will live happily ever after!

Happy Friday!

Just want to wish my readers a happy Friday! I hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend! No wordless Wednesday or posts this week. I have to get my chores done first! Be back with you on Monday! God bless!