A while back...

 Jojo and his Lily:)  (We are trying to arrange a marriage with this one:)  They are such good little buddies...I don't think either one would protest it right now:)

 A while back we spent the day at the zoo with our good friends the Tiews... Wow, the peacock was strutting his stuff... trying to stake his claim on a lady...:)

 Lou got some great shots of the penguins underwater:)

And here is little Miss Hope... she looks a little guilty doesn't she??

Just tonight right before soccer, I discovered she has been busy trying out her painting skills on the wall in her closet... Non... stop... she is!!  

G is out of town for a few days and the kids and I are holding down the fort... 

How is this for crazy... Wednesday I took Levi to the Dr. for a bad cough... Just a cold was the diagnosis... But the last 2 nights I have sat up with him wondering if maybe I should take him into the ER for a breathing treatment..

Today I called the Dr. to have him looked at again and find out that our Pediatrician doesn't see patients at all on Fridays so I drove into town and sat at the urgent care with Anna and Levi for a good 3 hours... only to discover later at Target while I was having the prescription filled that we have an urgent care practically in our back yard that NEVER has a wait... GOOD TO KNOW:)  Aiy yi yi:) Won't make that mistake again:)  I am just thankful that we now have some meds in case I need them in the middle of the night:)

The house is silent... ahhh... 

The kids are all out back playing soccer or watching... and I am debating if I should go for a run.  I don't feel like it at all which is probably all the more reason to go... I guess I could hang that over G's head who was rubbing it in that he just had a delicious fish fry tonight... Hmmm... (Actually, he was sweet about it) That was right before he was telling me what he and my bro had to do to his 6 week old male goat... not so much of a male goat anymore...

Gotta run... literally... then, preparing for shopping for my dinner divas class on Monday,  (Now all 6 kids with me mass shopping at Sams should be an interesting experience tomorrow:) loads of paperwork:)_:)  and finishing up preparing for my Thousand Gifts class on Sunday... Wow, now that is one amazing book... 

Blessings!

Enjoying Roman Nose...

AHHH.... THE FREEZING COLD WATER OF THE NATURAL SPRINGS....

"GET ME OUT OF HERE... IT IS TOO CHILLY!"

ANNA AND CALEB SPLASHING AROUND IN THE SPRINGS...

IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SETTING... JOJO WAS TAKING IN ALL THAT GOD'S CREATION HAD TO OFFER...

The first 3 days of our vacation were spent at a pastor's retreat at Roman Nose State park a few hours from us.

We were so fortunate to be able to spend this time with the Tiews family. It worked out perfectly. We stayed in a duplex type cabin side by side. We were able to go swimming in the park pool and natural springs ( the water was freezing, or as us northern girls like to call it... refreshing), attend the retreat sessions, and cook our meals together. The first day when we were all getting ready to go swimming the door between the 2 rooms was open... When I came out with my suit on... the kids said, "Boy that is weird, your suit looks just like Mrs. Tiews." Lo and behold we had the exact same swim suit bottoms, and really similar tops. We both ordered them off the overstock on the landsend website... BIZARRE! I think we are starting to think more and more alike on a lot of things:)

When we were first in a small group together 13 years ago in Texas with just one child each, who would have thought another 9 kids later we would end up serving different churches in the same city... That has been such a blessing.

Isn't that just like God to know exactly what you need ahead of time and to provide in ways you would never have imagined? I love that God gave us that special sweet gift for both of our first calls into ministry:)

A DAY AT THE PARK:)

LOU AND CARLOTTA
ANNA AND MEME

THE SAME TWO LITTLE TURKEYS GOOFING OFF

JOJO AND LILY... I JUST DIG HER LITTLE COWBOY BOOTS... AND JOJO, WHAT A SNUGGLER!

ME AND MY HONEY

Last weekend we had lunch with our friends the Tiews... We got to meet their new dog Sarge. We even walked around Utica Square... the trendy, shopping area here... I am so not trendy, but it was really fun:) Then we headed over to Woodward Park. The flowers were gorgeous. There were 8 million kids there with their prom dates... it was a bit sad, but funny (is that mean??) that they got stuck in the rain taking pictures... so did we, but we were just in our grubby clothes. We had such a nice time.

Last night my honey and I had a date... YEP, stop the presses! It was wonderful. We had a gift certificate that we got last August and finally used it. It was such a treat. The kids did great and even said when we called on the way home, that we should stay out as long as we wanted. It was an absolute delight. Truly, Greg had worked every night, but last night, for the last 3 weeks. It is crucial for me that we get to have some "us time" I never used to be that way at all, but since Samuel died, I don't do real well if I am not feeling connected to him. It could just be a walk around the neighborhood and I would be happy with that. I am not hard to please that way... But I won't lie, going to the Steakhouse was a total over the top treat for us. I was so thankful that we were able to get out, just the 2 of us this week. I love sitting across from Greg and having His undivided attention and uninterrupted conversation for a little bit. It was wonderful!

I will try to post tomorrow about my trip to the home school conference and meeting another real life blog friend. Such a treat!

THE ADVENTURE OF DRIVING BACK TO OK

THE NIGHT CAP INN... HOME OF ONE OF THE BEST FISH FRYS IN WISCONSIN:)

THE FAMILY WITH OUR HOSTESS JEANNIE...
I SO BADLY WANTED A PICTURE OF HELMUTT... YES HELMUTT, THE OLD GERMAN MAN WHO COOKS THE FOOD, HE'S PROBABLY 80 WITH THESE VERY LARGE BLACK SQUARE GLASSES... SUCH A CUTE LITTLE OLD FELLA, SO FITTING FOR THE NIGHT CAP INN.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH A YUMMY LOOKING PLATE OF FOOD?
THE FISH AND POTATO PANCAKES ARE TO DIE FOR.

AN UNEXPECTED NIGHT AT THE HAMPTON INN:)

We had to get that fish fry in one way or another:) So we decided to hit the Nite Cap Inn in Palmyra, on our way out of town. That way we could drive through the night, easy for the kids, not so easy for the parents, but we could save the money of having to eat a couple of meals on the road. Even though we got to the fish fry place at 4:30 we still had to wait 45 minutes. Truthfully we have waited hours before... it is that good. It is always worth it and Dad even paid for the crew... Thanks Pops. (Heres a little funny about my dad, after dinner he asked both our waitresses if either of them had any friends that were pregnant and didn't want to keep their babies, that we would adopt it. One actually works for the county health dept. and said there are lots of her clients that frankly have children, but probably shouldn't have. She said she would keep her eyes out. My dad gave her his card. Then on the way out the door, he said to Greg and I, "I think I will start combing the college campuses to get us a baby." Knowing my dad, you never know he just might:) My dad will talk to anyone, anytime, about pretty much anything. He is a good communicator... but sometimes it is a little funny. I remember my friend Rebecca telling me that my dad told her, actually warned her more about dating than her parents ever did:) You have to love my dad.

So we hit the road around 7:00, that would put us home around 7:00am. Greg was driving, I was sleeping. I woke up around 12:45am, we were just outside of St. Louis. We talked for a bit and I specifically remember him saying that we were making such good time:) Famous last words. Around 1:00 am we blew a tire. He tried for an hour to get the spare off so we could at least get off the road... where semi's were blowing by at 70mph. (I don't get why they don't move over at last, it was pretty scary, I made the kids get out of the car and sit on the feeder road.) The spare just wouldn't come off. So we grabbed just a few things, and headed walking down the very dark feeder road at 2:00am. We only had to walk 1 1/2 miles... to find a hotel. Thank the Lord, it could have been so much worse. We could have been in the middle of no where. The kids were amazing troopers.

The next morning Greg and Louis got up early and walked back down there, 2 police officers stopped to help. Even them and the tow truck fella couldn't get it off. So $110 for the tow truck and $140 later for tires, $90 for a hotel... we were on the road. So much for saving money on the way home:) The guy at Walmart had to literally break some plastic thing to get the spare off. So the boys road the rest of the way home with the tire between them... just in case.

I know in the big scheme of things it is incredibly minor. We were just so thankful to be back in Ok. safe and sound. Sunday we had the ordination service for our friends the Tiews from the Seminary.... beautiful service and wonderful dinner afterwards. Congratulations Tiews crew... we are so happy you are serving so close to us. What an answer to prayer!

BUSY WEEK...

CALEB AND HIS FOUR LEAF CLOVER

CAN YOU SAY...I NEED A HAIRCUT:)

PAINTING AT THE TIEWS



A TIRED, BUT MOSTLY HAPPY BUNCH

So tonight I find myself feeling a little strange... feeling in a way I wasn't really expecting. The sweet pregnant girl who is staying with us is not here with us this week. I had told her mom that she would be alone A LOT with Vacation Bible School at church every morning this week and then our Waiting Parent's Workshop Thurs. - Sat. pretty much all day every day. She is staying at the Transitional Home that our agency owns. The more I learn about the agency we are working with the more I am amazed at it. It is purely all volunteer, every single bit of it. That helps to keep adoption costs down, but wow, what they do for the girls who are in crisis is inspiring. The transitional house is a great house with a delightful house mom.... really, she was so sweet. She takes great care of the girls and her love for them is so evident. Girls that are pregnant or just had babies stay there till they are ready to go back home or to a new home. I am praying that she has a great week there...

But the strange thing is... I find myself missing her. When she left, Louis kept saying, "Why does she have to go?" I kind of laughed at the time... but then I started to think... Good grief what is going to happen come Sept. after she has the baby? She does have a life that she is planning on and is excited to get back to. I know we will see her after she has the baby, but it will be really different not to have her here like she has been. I know we will enjoy this time with just "our Hintz Family". It is really nice to just be completely free... well not completely, but you know what I mean... be completely at home in your own home:) So we will enjoy it, until we lovingly welcome her back this next weekend. So many adjustments for all of us.

So she will come back on Saturday and then we will all head to St. Louis on Sunday. I can not tell you how excited I am to go, we all are. She has never been there so it will be fun to show her our old stompin' grounds.

Blessings!

THIS SWEET BOY IS 4!

SWEET BABY JO... HE HAD THE BEST GOLDEN, REDDISH HAIR

Oh our precious Jojo is 4. It seems impossible to me. To be honest it is quite bittersweet for me. Jojo is the youngest in the house and it shouldn't be that way... it doesn't feel right at all. He is not the youngest of our children but the youngest still living here with us. He seems so big and feels so old to me... it makes me sad. He is growing up so fast... Life is so fragile and fleeting. We never know if we will have tomorrow with the ones we love and that is all too real for us everyday.

I was taking a run with my sister-in-law while we were up north. We were talking about truly enjoying all the moments that each day holds. When I started talking about the longing I have for my heavenly home I think it freaked her out a bit...(Sorry sista:) I went on to explain to her that I do treasure each day with the kids. I treasure each child, they are just precious. I know I am so blessed to have the 4 with me each day. At the same time I have a great sadness in my heart and spirit. It seems weird that you can feel gratefulness, blessed beyond measure, yet at the same time feel such sorrow. I didn't know that the two could co-exist at the same time... but they do.

So today Jojo, Eli, Elijah T, Jo, Joey, E... got to be king of the day. (Greg keeps telling me we need to stop with the nicknames, that he won't know his real name... I just can't, at least not yet:) He picked pancakes for breakfast. The other kids were trying to convince him to pick ice cream sundaes. He was set on pancakes. We had a family from church over for lunch and it was so nice to have them here. The kids had a blast... and I really enjoyed having someone to talk to. I am thankful God brought them my way today.

Then tonight we had our good friends the Tiews over for dinner. We have celebrated every birthday with them over the last 3 years, here in OK and back in St. Louis at the sem. They took the kids when we were at the hospital having Samuel, their kids comforted our children when they spent that night trying to grasp that their baby brother was gone. Lula was the only one who saw Samuel besides our family and the Dr. and nurses. She knows exactly what we went through that day. She knows what it felt like to hold our son... not alive, not breathing... she held him. Looking back I wish other people could have seen him. Sometimes I feel like people just can't begin to grasp all that day entailed because they didn't experience any of it themselves nor did they see us in the situation. I know people think it had to be such a hard day... it was so much more than that. It was the death of so many things... Samuel of course, but the death of so many dreams for him and our family. My kids heard of another baby born this week and all 3 of the older kids just cried. They just don't understand why their brother didn't get to live like most babies. I don't really have an answer for them... I wonder the same thing. I keep trying to reassure them of God's love for us and His good plan for our family... but it is hard to see the good plan when it hurts so bad. We continue to wait to see that plan revealed in His timing. Oh, in reality, that is so hard to do.

Obviously I get to rambling, my point is... it is so nice to be with them. It is such a comfort to be with someone who was there, really experienced the loss with us. They are treasured friends. So we had dinner, talked and ate Jo's birthday dessert... Schaum torte. I thought it was pretty funny that out of all the desserts he could pick, he picked that.

So to our sweet Jo, we are so very, very, grateful that the Lord blessed us with you 4 years ago. I remember the day you were born... you surprised us, we figured you were a girl. And you were 2 lbs bigger than all of the others at 9 lbs. 6 oz. ( except your little brother Samuel, he was pretty close to you at 9.2 lbs) You have grown to be such a joy to us all. You make us all laugh and smile. You are so easy to raise, so good natured. You have such a sweet spirit, there are very few times that I get frustrated with you because you are just that easy going. You are so smart and say the funniest things. We love to watch you play by yourself, you entertain yourself with anything, but you especially love your trains and cars. You are just plain fun, we love living life with you little man. We can't wait to experience life with you and to see what the Lord has planned for you in the future. You are a treasure!

PRAISE GOD!

Anna and Jojo caught again holding hands.....PRECIOUS

The big boys being pulled on the sled


The end result.... a wipe out and Caleb laughing being pulled by the car.

It really was a whole lot safer than it looks. I could hear the kids laughing from the other side of the neighborhood. That was good for my soul:) Yesterday was Snow Day #2. Today is Day #3. I know for all of my Wisconsin friends, it is hard to believe. When I was growing up we needed a good foot of snow to shut things down.

Yesterday we had a Dr.'s appt. down town that we had to get to. We took it slow and the roads were actually a lot better than we anticipated. On the way home we had to drive right by where our good friends the Tiews live. Now this is where the "How you grew up" factor comes into play. The kids were begging us to stop. I thought, how fun to surprise them all the way in town on a day when most people are held up at home. (This coming from the girl whose father drove all the way across town in a snowstorm that shut down a Wisconsin city, in his long underwear, to meet my college boyfriend... Yes it was Greg... and yes he still married me:) You gotta love my dad, he is the best) Greg who grew up in maybe not quite such a crazy home, but still such a great home, thought... we should just get home, the roads aren't the greatest. At times I call Greg the safety patrol man. I mean that with the best of intentions in my heart, he is a great protector:) (I love you honey:)... So we did end of stopping and hit their local High School sledding hill. I never knew that card board boxes could fly down a hill like that. We had 7 of us piled on the big box. It was fun for everyone. Our friends are so great, they even invited their uninvited guests to stay for lunch.

We talked about how 1 year ago we were at the seminary with them discussing where we could all possibly be living the next year. We had an idea it would either be Oklahoma or Wisconsin for us, they thought maybe Texas or California. God clearly had His hand in putting both of us here Tulsa. I don't know what we would have done with out them here when Samuel was born. They had the kids that day when we went to the Dr. when Samuel had stopped moving. They rejoiced with us when we thought we had heard a strong heartbeat. They then kept the kids all night, ready to wake them all up at any time when Samuel was born to come and be with their little brother, while Greg and I waited all night at the hospital to deliver our son whom we knew was already in His Heavenly Fathers arms. To me that is one of God's small miracles in this whole Samuel thing. He knew Samuel wouldn't stay on earth with us, that did not take God by surprise. But He also knew that we would need people who knew the kids well and could comfort them when we couldn't and He knew we would need people who have known us for more than 10 years when we now were in a brand new city. God was faithful to provide so much of what we needed that day through them.

It was 3 months ago today that we knew Samuel had already entered his eternal home. Praise God I have had a much better last 2 days. There is still sorrow and many tears but my heart hasn't literally felt the heaviness that has just made itself at home there for the last 3 months. I know many don't like to hear it, and wish that I would just feel better already. To them I just say, they maybe have never had a loss like I have. I am not trying to dwell on my loss, but I know I have said it before, I want to face the grief head on and deal with it now, not in 5 years because I stuffed it. That is why this is my blog. I am just telling it like it truly is for me and my family on this road that we never would have dreamed we would have to walk. Not much is held back here.

I laughed with a friend the other day because I said, I always feel a deep sense of sorrow. I just wake up feeling that way and even as I go through my day, the sorrow is never far away. But I was thankful for that... just the sorrow, and that it wasn't the deep hopeless despair that I have also felt at times. Sorrow, I can deal with that... so funny how just persistent sorrow can be a GOOD thing compared to the despair. Oh how my perspective has changed. And I mean that whole heartedly that I am thankful for days when I just feel sorrow and can still function and attend to my other kids and home.

But the last 2 days have been different, even better. Praise God for His comfort and peace. Could it be that Greg has been home with us so much more this week than normal because of the weather? Who knows, but whatever it is, I will take it! Funny what an up and down road grief is... Yeah, I am on the up:) I know the downs will come again, but I am thankful for the ups when I have them.

Thank you Lord for walking this road with me. Thank you for being there with me, even when I don't feel you at all, I know you are still there and see my pain. And I know you see me now and rejoice in the peace that you send that is comforting my weary heart:)

The following verse was on a plaque that I got for Greg's parents when Greg was being treated for his cancer 17 years ago. It is amazing how God's words apply to so many seasons of life. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

I waited patiently for the Lord (I am still working on this:)

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

and put their trust in HIM.

Psalm 40:1-3

A picture of our 2nd Ebenezer stone coming soon!!!