Fun Fun Fun

I figured I would start this blog on a good note. This past weekend we had some friends of ours come and visit us. They have 3 kids. We had a blast! So in this slide show you will see pictures with there kids and us at the beach. Last night our family headed out to the beach and the board walk to have a little vacationy (is that a word?) fun. We rode some fun rides and had a lot of fun. You will also see in the pictures the sand sculptures that are on the beach. You can look this guy up on line and see even more of his work. It is truly amazing. I will also put a link in here to the web page for the pictures because the last 5 or 6 pictures you will see are actually videos. But you have to go to the web site to view them.

PHOTO LINK

On another note..

No word from my doctor yet. I called today and they were supposed to call back but the didn't. To complicate matters more, we are leaving in the morning for Florida. I am still feeling pretty under the weather so please keep all of us in you prayers. Hopefully I will be able to get some answers tomorrow by phone.

My Hero

As some of you may know, I have been struggling over the past 6 weeks with some stomach issues. Not too sure what is going on but I know, "this ain't been fun". Sometimes the pain is nonexistent and then it will come and double me over. DH has had to come home from work more than once because it is too much for me to deal with. Thank God for his job. Being in ministry can be tough but when I need my dear hubby at home he gets to be here.

So I must give out the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO award to MY HERO! He has stepped in and done more than I could ever ask. He has taken care of me. He has been patient and gentle and kind. I am always amazed at how God uses him to show HIS love to me.
Webster defines hero as: 1 a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious warrior c: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d: one that shows great courage.

The only thing that I would disagree with is the "mythological or legendary" part. Because he is real and I have the honor of waking up beside him every morning.
So to you my dearest husband.... Thank you, for loving me like Christ loves the church.

To everyone else, please say a pray for me. Friday morning I am finally getting in to see a doctor. Please pray that whatever I have is treatable. And not something I just have to deal with. Pray that the doctors will have wisdom to deal with whatever is going on.
I am not one who normally steps out and asks for things. (Including prayer) But today I ask for your prayers. I am tired of feeling sick all the time and having no energy. My family pays for it when I can't be what I need to be. Thanks to all and I will update when I can.

Summer fun!

I justwanted to share some fun photos that we have done in the past couple of weeks. Some are of us at the house some are at the beach. I hope you all enjoy and I wish you were here to share in the fun.

Make your own history

It is a daunting thought when we step back from our lives and realize that we are creating our own history. When we look at our every move, realizing that each little detail is being etched in to the history of the world and our lives. We are writing our life story. If I my book were complete today I am sure the chapters would be something like: 1. Childhood-The age of innocence and imagination. 2. Tween years- Growing into my stupidity. 3. Teenage- Arrival at Destination Stupid. 4. Forgiven- A time God showed me where He'd always been. 5. Ministry- Living on Faith.

But all of that to say,"Thank God my book isn't finished yet". (at least not at this very moment). Looking back over what my life had been. The history that I have created. I realize that it is MY history that has shaped me into me.

I heard a speaker once talk about the "push backs" in life. He was referring to how an airplane is pushed back from the terminal in order to take off. Push backs being negative events that God uses to spur you on towards His purpose. I LOVE this analogy. Because I have had MANY push backs in my life. People or events that God has used in order to push me back so that I can take off full speed. My heart is always burdened for people who can't get past their own past. God has such a beautiful future that He is painting for us. He has so much that is promised to us, here on Earth and in heaven. But so many times we can't get past that hurt in our lives, to embrace these gifts. How many relationships to we allow to stay broken simply because pride will not allow us to heal? How many dreams do we not chase simply out of fear of failure? How many people do we hurt because we see them through human eyes instead of God's?

As we go today and "make our history" I pray that we will heal from our past. I pray that we will have grace for those who can't. God I pray that you will help us to love those that are hurting. Help those people to step out of the painful histories that the have created and to embrace the abundant future that you want for all of us. God forgive us when we don't see people with your love and your heart. Help us to make a history that matters and forgive us when we fail. Please walk with us every step.


Phill. 1:9 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.

Life with Twins

I was recently reading some post about multiples and came across "some funnies". As I read through some of them I realized.... Life may be stressful sometimes, but, WE HAVE A BLAST! Our house is loud, messy, active, loud, but fun. (Even if I am watching Nemo at 7:00am)(again)

So here I hope you laugh with us, not at us, and enjoy some of these funnies as much as I did.
You know you have multiples when....

-You arrive at your doctor's appointments early just to read the magazines in peace.
-A regular sized pack of diapers lasts only 3 days.
-You can throw French-fries to the rear set of seats without looking and none end up on the floor.

- You can change diapers with you children standing up, while in line, at the Children's Museum.

- You can throw a balled taped diaper across the room and hit the bucket every time.
-You not only are familiar with what a 300 count box of Kleenex looks like when they are all removed from the box one at a time, but you know for a fact you can't put them back because you've tried.
-Everyone in the neighborhood knows who you are, even though you've never met them before.
-The awareness of silence strikes terror into your soul.
-You go to an amusement park with your double stroller only to realize YOU'VE become the source of amusement, or you go to the Zoo and find the other visitors watching your kids more than the animals!
-When discussing child proofing and singleton moms say "you just have to tell them no, you can't child proof everything" and you laugh and say "Wanna Bet?"
-All of a sudden everyone you know, knows someone with Twins.
-You burst into laughter at the site of a diaper Genie… AS IF….!!
-You celebrate the birthdays of the people who invented the spill proof sippy cup and the auto repeat replay function on DVD players.
-On the way to rescue a paper towel roll on the verge of destruction you suddenly realize that it might buy you 5 minutes to check your e-mail.

- The next day, the kids wake up too early, you open their door long enough to throw in a couple of rolls of paper towels and you go back to bed.
-Your kids have never actually walked through the zoo or store, because getting out of the stroller is NOT an option.
-When hearing of a new pregnancy, you first question is "just one?"
-The lady at the drive through at McDonalds knows your name.
-If the choice is sex or sleep, the answer is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

-If you are asked "are they all yours, or do you have a daycare?"

-You laugh at the mom with a singleton who struggles to grocery shop with the ONE!

-You use the term singleton.

-you count by twos

-You want to deck the next person who asks "Are you having anymore?"

I hope you laughed at these as much as I did. Just remember the next time you see a mom with multiples.... It is much harder than it looks, but it is also alot more fun than you can imagine!

First day of school

Yesterday we began our second year of homeschooling. Last year was great. We had a few challenges, like moving and traveling. But all in all it was great! There are some little things that I decided we would not do again, and some other things that we would keep. It made my anticipation for this year high. I have been very excited to throw off the boredom of summer and dive into a structured day full of learning.
I must admit.... I am not one of those die hard homeschooling moms. I don't wake up everyday trying to find something new for my children to learn. But... I does really excite me to see the girls light up when they learn something interesting. Or they find a new interest that they want to learn more about.
We decided to start back to school in August for a couple of reasons. #1 Because we have a number of trips planned between now and Christmas. #2 We don't school on Mondays. So our school week is shorter. We have chosen to not school and Mondays again this year due to our hectic schedule at church on Sundays. What an amazing break God provides for us with a Monday off. We get to truly rest and enjoy each others company without any added things to do.
I wish I could paint you this beautiful picture of a perfect first day of school. One filled with my children bouncing down the stairs ready for the next chapter of their school life to begin. A picture of kids full of excitement wanting to see what would be different or the same this year.
Our day was not a picture perfect day. But it was a good one. Our day did not take off with excitement but it ended with it. We heard, "I hate homeschooling." But I also heard, "Wow Mom, this is neat about the Gettysburg Address."
I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to experience life with my kids. Many times I have been asked why we home school. And I must admit that my answer changes day by day. Sometimes we home school because of some horrible story we see on the news. Sometimes we home school because the public school system is less than ideal. Sometimes I am not even sure why we home school. But when those days come I am quickly reminded of home much I enjoy spending my days with my children. Experiencing life through their eyes. Walking with them as they discover the blessings of God. And sharing the joys and heartaches of family together.

I am so thankful to my dear hubby who puts up with my insanity on a daily basis. But also because of the support he gives. Somedays I can't tell you which way is up. He is my rock when I feel like I can't do it anymore. On a daily basis he shows the love of Christ by dealing with me. ;-) Thanks Honey!!