PRAY PRAY PRAY for Stellan

This morning at 8:30am Stellan will be having HEART surgery... please pray for him and his family.. Check out his sweet momma's blog for specifics on how to pray!

Vacation 2008 - THE END of the STORY

OK LAST vacation post... I promise!!

After we left PapPaw and MamMaw's house in Mississippi... we headed back to Tennessee the plan was to "break-up the trip home" (it would have been WAY WAY to long to drive that far all at once.) One day driving to Andrew's then leave the next morning to head home!

We didn't make it far before our transmission started acting up again... the "new" one that we put in before we left! It has been acting funny and we need to have it flushed... but until then we have to pull over, turn off the van, and restart it whenever it acts up. That's always fun when you are on a long trip.

I took over driving to give Bryan a break, BUT we didn't get very far before THIS happened and our long drive got MUCH LONGER!

THAT is a FULLY BLOWN TIRE!! This happened while I was driving... only 2 hours from where we left!

This is how close we were to the rest of the interstate for 2 HOURS!!!! (Lots of prayer going on!)

I'll be honest... I was Dying to take a picture LONG before I did. Let's just say the "mood" wasn't right for me to snap some shots until the AAA guy got there. (when we were FINISHED and 2 hours after I called)

The boys did well.. all things considered!

Bryan did say... after he had changed the tire and before we started looking for a new one, "At least this will be something good to blog about!"

(A blessing of boys... the could pee next to the van NO PROBLEM!!!)

Of course our van doesn't have a NORMAL tire... no that would be tooooo easy!

Of course this happened on a SATURDAY, when not many tire stores are open!

Of course it was late in the afternoon when this happened so those FEW stores open with the size tire we need are CLOSING SOON!

Of course those soon to close for the rest of the weekend store with size tire we need WON'T be open on SUNDAY and we would have to get a hotel and wait until MONDAY!

Of course the closest tire store with our size tire is over an hour away with an hour and a half until closing... which means we got to drive on this puppy the whole way.

BUT God is bigger!

After driving over an hour on our spare tire, we found a tire store that was "supposed" to be closed! The guy inside put a new tire on the rim for us and Bryan for the second time that day changed the tire!

We kept driving on and got to Andrew and Rachael's house VERY VERY late! We slept in the next day (yep.. skipped church... we did pray a LOT the day before!)

Since we decided to stay around an extra day... due to the tire drama, we were able to go out to see Andrew and Rachael's new property. The boys LOVED riding the three wheeler!
After a MUCH less dramatic trip the next day we FINALLY made it home!!

SO ends "VACATION 2008" ... now for some rest!

Empty to Full.... Actually Full to Empty

Today has been a VERY FULL DAY!!! (actually it's been pretty empty...but that is the end of the story..)
Last Friday we left for three weeks of "vacation" and support raising. This is a LONG trip all over the east and south!!
On Saturday we met Bryan's sister and her family and brother and his family for a day of fun at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. (I'll post those pictures later) We had a great time hanging out with the cousins and riding rides (FYI - DON'T take 3 little boys on a GINORMOUS Ferris Wheel all by yourself.... especially if #1 - You aren't a "fan of heights" and #2 - Your oldest thinks it's funny that your so nervous!! )

We then spent the next two days visiting Grandma in Lexington (Nana to our boys - she is there only great-grandma). Then headed to Virginia to see my family... the plan WAS to go to the Six Flags in Maryland on Friday with my sisters and brother. This is where the EMPTY day comes in... last night at 3am Wyatt emptied his stomach and then Carter did too at 1 pm!! YUCK! I hate being sick...even more so when you aren't at home!!!! Wyatt was sooooo sick we actually took him to the ER tonight because we could get him to STOP emptying his stomach...They were able to give him something orally for the nausea and he was able to keep some juice down for a couple hours... So now it's 11:30pm... I'm PRAYING that Hayden doesn't catch it... or Bryan... or my parents... or my siblings(who came home from college/work just to see us and NOT go to Six Flags now!)... oh and that I don't get it either. I mean we are all about sharing, but NOT THIS!! So pray for us... that we get better and can enjoy the time we ACTUALLY get to see our family. OH... and Bryan is flying down to his brothers on Wednesday and we will head down later!! (AGAIN another story for a later post.... we don't have a boring vacation do we?)

Prayer Request

SOOOO we have a HUGE prayer request! Friday a week ago we noticed that our van (our only vehicle) was leaking pouring transmission fluid. We took it to a guy that had done some work for us before. He did some work on it then called to let us know it was ready. Three hundred and fifty dollars later we picked up our van after our weekend in Chicago (during that time we used someone else's van - THANK YOU to the LEE FAMILY!) As I was driving up to our house Bryan saw an ominous trail behind the van.. sure enough... STILL leaking pouring transmission fluid! Bryan called the guy back right away and he agreed to look again. We found out today that what he fixed had messed up again...we need a NEW transmission (or one re-built)! The cost to get a new one or to rebuild it (along with what we already but into it) is only a little less than what we PAID for the van!!! SOOOO we need a new van !!! Please pray with us for God's provision for this need! I haven't shared much about what we do on here... but we work at a camp and live on monthly support so this TOTALLY is something GOD has to handle!

A special need

Check out this sweet family.
Keep them in your prayers
as they go through this difficult time!
Ambient Light

RESPECT HIM

Get on board...I had to post after I saw this at Titus 2:3-5... GREAT IDEA and honestly I was so challenged by reading it! This is one area I am failing in!

I have struggled/am struggling in the area of showing respect for my husband. I do respect him a lot, I just fail to tell him and show him! I'm so goal driven that I overlook people (usually those closest to me!).

SO sweetheart this one is for you!

Here are some questions she used to get me thinking...

1. What do you do or say that shows your man that he's the thang in your life?

I don't as often as I should that's is FOR SURE!

It's lame, but I would say telling him I love him and showing him by the things I do and give to him. ;)

2. How do you make him feel special, valued, necessary, even heroic?

Again, I don't do this like I should! I need to tell him more often that he's VERY VERY VERY valuable to me! He sure is my hero.... especially when I'm about to go crazy with the boys!

3. What mistakes have you made that made your loved one feel crummy, unimportant, and disrespected?

I think I do this when I second guess his choices and overrule his rules... I do tend to do this... I'm working on it though!

How about you? How do you show R-E-S-P-E-C-T to that special man in your life?

Post about it... Here are her rules

1. Link your blog to Mr. Linky at Titus 2:3-5

Don't forget to leave me a comment, so I know you're participating!

2. Somewhere in your blog post, link back to her post (so people know where to find the carnival). And, send your friends over - the more the merrier!

3. If you don't blog, feel free to participate by posting a nice lengthy comment. :)

4. Men can participate, too! Just post about what your wife does that makes you feel respected.

5. Even if you're not married, you can join in. It's about the difference in communication for men and women - everyone has experienced this! (Share some wisdom from co-workers, a couple you've observed, kids, and so on.)

The questions I answered above are the ones she used to get your brain moving... which I NEED! Feel free to use them too!

Boys-Bruises-Boxing-BOY OH BOY!

The past few days have been GORGEOUS!!! I should've taken a picture of the sky... so clear and beautiful today! Yesterday was still nippy when I took Wyatt and Hayden outside.
Don't you LOVE how Wyatt's got style! Today was warmer than yesterday and just as beautiful. Hayden spent most of today (after a LONG trip down to SB because my wonderful hubby forgot to get his meds yesterday when he was down there! I guess it would've been a bigger deal if it had not been for my shopping buddy Judith. She went with me on my errands today! Thanks!) Back to the outdoor tale... Hayden spent most of his afternoon playing with his buddy Joel! He has such a blast with him! This is the face Joel made when I asked him to make a funny face! It made me laugh so I guess it worked! (This is BIG - Joel usually doesn't speak to me and just looks at me. SO getting him to do something and say something was HUGE. I think Hayden is wearing him down for me ;)

Wyatt played outside too (while I was inside with Carter... that's a story yet to come!) Anyway he suffered his first facial injury with visible blood! He's officially a big boy now!

Here's a great video of Bryan and the big boys boxing before bed... why is that? Why do dad's get them all wound up right before bed? Oh well they LOVED it!

Now the Carter tale... He walked up to me as I was heading into the house after looking for him. (See I thought he was with Bryan and Bryan had sent him back home to me!) As he walked up he said, "I have to tell the truth" (OH NO!) "I sprayed paint" Of course it's all over his hands and clothes. Oh yeah -- He's tagged again! He got his hands on a yellow spray paint can and painted some stuff under the Lodge steps! Luckily you can't see it... unless you climb behind the lattice fencing and crawl under the steps! He also sprayed a little on the picnic tables so he gets to spend tomorrow sanding them down! We are at a loss on what to do with him! He spent the evening sitting on his bed or on his floor reading books and doing puzzles while his brothers had all the fun outside! (I think a lot of his mischief is his desire to get people to like him and think he's fun! ) I AM proud of his honesty, but good grief! I sure do LOVE that kid! (I guess this isn't over... I've got 2 more coming up after him!) Prayer request - Our assistant pastor's wife was in a car accident earlier today... The boys were fine, but they took her to the hospital to monitor the baby (she is due the end of May). Anyways, after 5 hours of monitoring they decided to do a C-section! As far as we know everyone is doing well, but keep the Slabaugh family in your prayers!

I'll end on a happy note... I figured out how to get rid of the mouse smell in the bathroom...(read about that here) GET RID OF THE MOUSE! YEP a D-E-A-D mouse in the trap under the sink! YUCK! (The smell is now gone! :)

"Jesus loves me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

That's Carter's verse for the week, which led to quite a conversation with him tonight!
Let me start at the beginning...
while working on this verse tonight, I came up with motions for each section.
"Jesus (nails prints in hands) loves me (point to yourself) and gave Himeself (arms outstretched like Jesus' on cross) for me (point to yourself)."

Carter asked why the Jesus did that... which led to a 10 minute conversation standing in the bathroom (we review his verse while he's brushing his teeth... kind of funny since he's brushing his teeth and doing his verse at the same time!). Brushing his teeth were forgotten while he kept asking questions. During the course of the talk, I shared how Jesus died to take our place so that we can go to heaven to be with God once we've placed our trust in Him. Carter looked at me and said he needed to do that!!!

(I pause to say that there was a time last year that "I was told" he prayed and asked Jesus into his heart, but given his age I held out confidence in it... plus I wasn't present... not that I need to be... but anyway..
I also share here that I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 4... and I'm CONFIDENT OF THIS! I remember very clearly the place I was and the feeling inside! I prayed silently, but was in the car with my family when I gave my life to Christ!)

Back to tonight...Hayden was ALL over the place and into EVERYTHING while I'm trying to talk to Carter... so I put Hayden to bed. Then I got my Children's Study Bible (with the wordless book in the front cover) We talked through it... this was at least a 20minute talk with a 5 year old. After talking, He said he wanted to pray... so I let him! He said he wanted me to say the words... so I said.."Just tell GOD what you're telling me... He loves you even more than I do and thinks your jokes are even funnier than I do... just talk to Him."
Carter said he wanted the wordless book open to look at while he prayed... This is part of what he said, "Dear Jesus, I want my heart to look like this...(pointing to the white pages)" It was so sweet He couldn't stop smiling and grinning the whole time! I asked him how he felt inside... he said "excited".
So we decided to call several family members because HE wanted to ask them if they had asked Jesus into their hearts!
Words can't say how excited I am! There was just a level of understanding and maturity in his questions and words that only God can give! (I honestly was waiting for him to change the subject at any moment to his Playstation 2 game... like in past times when I tried to bring the subject up... but he didn't! To me it's proof that GOD was working in him!)

Bryan just went up to kiss him goodnight (He just got home from work).
Carter told him, "DID you know there are streets of GOLD in heaven and you never get hurt there! Hayden hasn't asked Jesus into his heart yet..." That just touches me that he's already concerned for his brother and friends!
I CAN'T wait to see what GOD does with him... He has such amazing talents that when GOD uses them... it'll be AWESOME!
I feel like singing! (don't worry I won't!) but I sure feel like it right now!

My Monday Moment - a day late:)

So I was going to post yesterday, but Hayden has been REALLY sick. On Saturday he started running a temp of 102 then Sunday was OK, but had a low temp. Yesterday after his nap it was back up to 102-103 and he could barely move! He just laid around from the couch to the chair to the bed. I was VERY worried about him! Even with meds it only got down to 100! At 6 this morning he was coughing so hard (my fault I should've gotten up at 4 to give him his breathing treatment since it's every 4 hours!) Anyway, he was coughing so hard he threw-up... YUCK! BUT after a treatment he went back to sleep until 10:30am... so hopefully the extra rest will do him good! Better this Monday than next Monday on his b-day!

I didn't forget my Monday Moment... Here it it is... Carter "reading" a book to Wyatt.

Last night for dinner I made something new... always a trial at my house. If you know my hubby you know he eats junk and only junk! No veggies, only meat and potatoes (only baked, not mashed).. in fact if any food looks odd he WON'T eat it. So last night I realized just how much Carter is like Bryan! They ate their food EXACTLY the same way... down to separating the sauce from the chicken and putting only a little sauce on their spaghetti! Thankfully Carter will eat green beans and a few other things Bryan doesn't. It just confirms what I already know... He's just like his dad! (Wyatt too! Except Wyatt will eat ANYTHING, but then again so did Carter when he was little!) Hayden however is more like me! I would say they are like dad in more ways than just that though! I still love them all!

PICTURES!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has and is praying for my mom. She is home now and doing better although there is still a long road of recovery ahead. She actually "feels" like she can do more than she really can... She still has vision problems which makes her unsteady on her feet. So keep praying.

SO today we took one more step into modern tech... high speed internet and I'M LOVING IT! No tied up phone line, no "fuzzy" pictures to get faster loading, no waiting for hours for pictures to download... and HOPEFULLY I can FINALLY get my family pictures printed... so what's the best website to get them developed?

Tonight we have an extra boy, Matthew, is staying because his mom isn't feeling well...pray for Liz! She has some heart problems and the meds she is on are messing her up! I can't imagine how frustrating that is as a mom to feel like that with three kids! So far things are going well the boys do great together. They even include Hayden - sometimes! The only problem is that I think Carter is pretty sick.. he is now running a fever (I didn't know before I took Matt - I wouldn't do that to a friend who's sick on purpose. Pray Matt stays well. She doesn't need one more thing!) I guess it's off to the doctor's office in the morning!

I thought I'd post a few pictures from last night... Enjoy... just for fun!

The first one has a story, Hayden and Carter were eating a snack before bed. Carter screamed, "Wyatt- Glass!" because Wyatt had taken a glass full of water off the table! When I ran to stop him I saw Carter sitting there with his eyes covered (the picture is a re-creation of the event). He said he was waiting to hear the glass break! I CRACKED UP! He says the funniest things sometimes!

Teaching Wyatt to play with hot wheels while I made dinner... I had to stop to take the picture!

Just being silly

The story of MOM!

To say "what a week" is an understatement! Kelly called me at 1:30am yesterday to tell me that Dad had called her. He and Mom were on their way to the ER at UVA (University of Virginia)! On Sunday night, Mom was sitting doing her devotions when she got REALLY dizzy and was seeing double! They took her blood pressure it was up... they checked her sugar level it was up too! (both for no reason they could think of) Dad said they would go to the local ER in Luray, Virginia. After being check out there the doctor's said she was having a stroke and transferred her to UVA! That's when all the calls took place.
I don't know if any of you have been awakened in the night like that, but it sure feels like a weird dream! Anyway, Mom is currently in the hospital! She DID have a "mini-stroke"! (kind of like a heart attack in the brain) It was a 100% blockage of one of the small-small ateries that run up the brain stem! (one comment she made was how awesome is GOD that he made us so perfectly that a minor artery like that can cause so much problem when blocked! ) The stroke has effected her face only! So yesterday she sounded like she had just gotten back from the dentist! This morning she sounded MUCH better. She said she even looked better, BUT her eyesite is still messed up! Everything is double and it makes her dizzy! They've done other tests and found no other signs of blood clots in her heart or brain so that's a BIG PTL!
Please keep her and my dad in your prayers! I think the hardest thing for me was being so far away! It's a good thing I know that GOD can handle both places at once! (Kelly is sick with pneumonia/flu so couldn't go visit; Keilah is in London, England so she's had a hard time too; Kaleb is at college) This was the first major health issue either of my parents have had with none of us around! When I really thought about it what good would I have REALLY done being there! (I wish I could have though) I would've been one more person sitting there looking at her and sitting in the ER for 11 HOURS (that's how long they waited at UVA for a room!)

On to lighter things... BIG thanks to Daniel Stargel for the mailing my camera bag! (I left it at the Miracle Theater in Gatlinburg, TN. We went and saw him play Jesus in it after Christmas) SO I've had the camera and no way to upload the pics... SO LOTS OF PICTURES are on the way!
I posted links to my sister's blogs... check them out! Keilah has some AMAZING pictures of ENGLAND! Kelly just needs to update her blog... so leave a comment and get her to post!

What if?

So I was talking to a friend today about "if I had known". As in... If I had known when I got married I would have three boys by 2007 I think I may have run the other way! (Just kidding - I wouldn't trade being married to Bryan or having ANY of my 3 boys.) But it got me thinking how GLAD I am I didn't know! God gives you what you can handle, although many days I don't think I handle the boys very well. Lately my temper has gotten the best of me. I really don't know why, but maybe it has something to do with a more mobile and curious Wyatt, super hyper Carter, copy-cat Hayden, and me not taking the time I NEED to have my quiet time! When I think about that the future holds I have to admit that there is a tiny bit of fear of the "what-if's" but looking back over the past I truly can see that GOD does give us what we can handle. Even if that is 3 boys- inside on a cold windy day- and LOTS of energy!

So what if you had known?

7 things!

I know I know I haven't posted FOREVER! My computer is broken. I didn't realize how much I use the computer as an outlet for my life! It's been crazy! There's still no word on the computer! Several things have happened (I'll continue Meet the Staff once my computer is back)
1- My parents are in town until Tuesday! YEAH! Bryan's brother (and his family) come here on Friday! It's nice having family come visit.
2 - Hayden has pneumonia. They almost put him in the hospital. (His oxygen level was so low.) They also found he has asthma! So now he's on anti-biotics, steroids (for four days), and a nebulizer (as needed once it's under control.) Poor baby... only 2 1/2 years old too! If his Oxygen level is low tomorrow for his follow-up they may put him in the hospital!
3 - Carter turns 5 on Monday! We are having a party... hot dog roast and hayride.... FUN! I'll take pictures and post them when I can. (I want to do a birthday post like Judith does... I missed doing Bryan's post on the 26th!)
4 - Happy 29th Bryan.... love you more today than ever before.... even with your crazy obsessions!
5 - We went bowling yesterday with my parents and Judith and her kiddos... (Amy beat everyone, except my dad. She even beat Bryan... of course he had to bowl left handed because of his finger.) We let Wyatt "bowl" (he pushed it off the bowling helper thing for little kids) and he got a STRIKE! It was quite funny! I took some pictures, but can't post anything until my computer is working again.. SORRY!
6- Bryan got his splint off FINALLY! He's still got a long road with rehab, but at least he's moving forward! This has been going on since MAY!
7 - I think that's enough excitement for now! We go back to the Dr. tomorrow for Carter/Wyatt to get flu shots and Hayden's follow-up! Pray all goes well!
I'll post when I can...

Prayers for the Gordons and Johnsons

To start this post I want to send out encouragement and prayers to the Gordon and Johnson families. Last night the Laine and Janet Johnson's house was completely burned. The Gordon family was not injured -Praise the Lord,. (The Gordon's were staying in the Johnson's home while their home is being built.) Both families lost their belongings. The Gordon's had unpacked ALL of their belongings into the house except for furniture they have in storage. The Johnson's of course lost their entire house and it's contents. They do have the belongs that are in their Fifth-wheel trailer they use for the travel season. (They were in Terre Haute, IN at the time of the fire, but are here for several days.) God was definitely watching over the Gordons. Looking at the house today... lets just say Praise the LORD for HIS protection!

On to lighter subjects... Friday was Morgan Toledo's fifth birthday. Carter went over to her house for lunch and cupcakes. (Morgan is having a tea party birthday and that's just not Carter's speed!) When I had Carter sign Morgan's birthday card he wanted to try to write his name himself. I wrote CARTER on a piece of paper and let him copy it onto the card. This picture is just how good he did! I was SO proud of him! Now just don't ask him what the other letters are or to write them... one small step for Carter, on giant leap for mommy!

While Carter was at Morgan's house Brendan, Morgan's little brother, came to play with Hayden. They had so much fun... it was hard to get them to stay still for the picture! They were so silly together! We NEED to have Hayden's friends over more often!

Where Have I been?

Ok the better question is where am I now? The answer to that is Kentucky. An even better question is where have I been? It all started last Thursday... over a week ago... I'll keep it short for you ADD people! Our power went out after a HUGE storm that knocked down several trees and took out two power lines on our camp. (there were no injuries, but the Lodge did have damage to the back dining area roof, outside awning, and front fence.) It was a very hot two nights before PTL the power was restored on Saturday evening to our half of the camp... sorry you guys up at the trailers! We did not however get phone service back then. We left Michigan on Wednesday (Bryan's sister Mary had a her baby shower on Friday - last night). When we left there was still no phone... but once again PTL I found out today there is phone service now! I also realize I LOVE TECHNOLOGY!!! I am so thankful to be born in the modern era with modern conveniences... I know I'm spoiled and selfish compared to the majority of the rest of the world... at least I'm being honest. Sorry I digress...
Anyhow, we are in Lexington, Kentucky until Monday when we return home to power, phone, and clean carpets (thanks Judith or Jeff) of course all this could change if another storm goes through before we get there... but I'm thankful none the less.
On to other news... my wonderful, funny, smart, friendly, kind, wise, pretty, thoughtful, loving, caring, SINGLE sister has started a blog - did I mention she's single? Check it out and leave a comment.. she just started teaching and has already had some funny things happen! Did I mention she's single? ;)
I'll post more later and pictures too! I gotta go bath time/ bedtime for three grumpy boys.

Eventful Evening

Tonight at Granger Community Church (I teach 2nd and 3rd grade for a local church during their mid-week service) we had a somber event. One of the little boys who comes to my class regularly came up after a VERY active VERY loud game complaining of a headache. I wasn't surprised... it almost gave me one too. I gave him some water and told him to go sit down for a while. About twenty minutes later he came up during the video (we had "party" night because they earned enough points) any way, this little boy was in tears and said his head hurt and he wanted to go home. I tried our walkie talkie to call my supervisor, but it didn't work.... long story short she came down just as the service let out... it was almost over when all this happened. Anyway, while she was kneeling down talking to him HE PASSED OUT. THEN she tells me he had a seizure earlier this week! It turns out he was having another seizure when he passed out for 4 minutes. Anyway, his parents were there just as he was coming around... even then he was still not at all himself. Please pray for him, his name is NATHANIEL. He is a sweet little bundle of energy. He is one of those boys you're just sure isn't paying attention but hears EVERY word and doesn't forget.