Anna and Levi

Anna and I have really been enjoying our Mommy/daughter bible time up at church on Saturday mornings... Honestly, she has been almost giddy to the point of having to settle her down. I think she is just that excited.

She is growing up so quickly... will be 9 in the fall. Gone are the days when she seems like a little one... with that comes great joy in my heart... yet there are pains there too.

How can time be passing by me so quickly??

To see her with Levi just melts my heart. She has such a tender heart... but to see her with a little one shows me her mommy heart and I can see God growing that part of her as she helps with Levi. She is the best little helper.

She is about the same exact age I was when my littlest brother Josh was born and I was all over that kid:) She is just the same with Levi... but in a really good way. She is so careful and can hardly wait till he wakes up in the morning.

Boy I love these 2 precious ones...

On the road again:)

We are on a much needed vacation... Oh my... my hubby has worked so hard and really has only taken a couple days off in the last 6 months. He was busy being dad, homemaker, pastor, boo boo kisser etc etc, while I was in the hospital. Then we had sweet Levi and Greg hadn't taken a breath yet, until now...He soooo deserves this time. I will update with some pics from vacation once we get home... but for now we are in Texas enjoying some much needed family time... extended family time... and long time friend time.

I am about to hit the sack but we are so excited to go back to our 1st church as a married couple tomorrow morning. I know it will be like going HOME! Salem is such a special place to us with so many special people who I know have been lifting us up in much prayer over the past couple of years. I can not wait to give these people some hugs in person... It is long over due... and this girl is soooo excited too, to actually sit by my hubby in church and worship together side by side and as a whole family for the first time in a long time.... Tomorrow is going to be a great day, I can feel it:)

But for now I will leave you with a few picture from before we left home...

Look at these 2 knock outs... Are these beads fun or what? They were a gift from a friend and ALL the kids love them:)
These 2 brothers love playing in the water after it rains... and it NEVER seems to happen with out adding a little mud to the mix...

Blessings

Louis took these fun pictures of the great farm eggs we get from a lady at church...

She is so cool... she is Jojo's Sunday School teacher and she and her husband live on a vineyard about 10 minutes from our house.

It is absolutely gorgeous!

Every couple of weeks she rings the door bell and has an abundance of eggs for us.

I never have to buy eggs and it is such a blessing to us...

That has been one of the great perks and bonuses to being a pastor here...

OUR FILL OF FARM FRESH EGGS!

Have I ever told you Caleb is the egg maker in the house?

He, by far, makes the best scrambled eggs I have ever had...

COME ON... REALLY????

This is a picture of a place I pass every time I head into town... We live in the sticks a bit...

But... Come on really?

I honestly can't believe people post signs like this.

At first it sort of made me laugh...

But then it sort of just made me sad... people can be so catty, persnickity (is that even a word??), bitter and mean... I could go on and on....

I don't know... it just strikes me in a not so warm way....

Just had to share it with you all...

I am hoping that NO ONE ever feels that way when they come to our house... I have always said that our house is the Lord's and hopefully we have the doors open to anyone for a warm visit:)

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

Ahhhh.... I love Greg more now than the day I married him almost 18 years and 7 kids ago...
Happy Father's Day Greg...

He is such a good daddy to his kids...

Such a good provider to his wife and family....

He puts up with a whole lot of craziness each day:)...

These kids are so blessed to call him daddy today and everyday!! :)

I wanted to also wish my sweet papa a Happy Father's Day up in Wisconsin:) I miss you daddy! Life was NEVER dull with you as my dad... it was and still is downright fun:) We will celebrate next month together:)

And we wanted to wish Greg's dad a Happy Father's Day as well...I owe him so much in raising up my hubby to be such a great husband and Father to all of our sweet precious gifts from God!

JOJO

Since we took this picture just a couple of weeks ago... his other top middle tooth is gone... he looks different... older... sigh:)

We've been enjoying our watermelon this summer... I think we are on our 4th already:) They have all been awesome!

Someone needs a haircut:)

Hmmmm, anyone want a bite??

One happy, tummy full, content customer... ahhh... I love summer... but I could easily do with out this 95+degree heat:)

MY SURVIVOR:)

MY GREG WITH HOPIE ON HIS BACK...

GREG WALKING THE FIRST LAP WITH THE REST OF THE SURVIVORS.... (I KNOW... NOT THE BEST PICTURE:)

THESE WERE ALL THE SURVIVORS WHO STARTED THE SURVIVOR LAP... THEY HAVE BEEN CANCER FREE FOR A YEAR OR LESS...

MY SWEET SURVIVOR WITH HIS NEWEST LITTLE GUY:) I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN TELL, BUT HIS HAIR NEVER DID GROW BACK FULLY IN THE BACK AFTER HIS RADIATION...

A week ago we participated in the Relay For Life, a cancer walk to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. It was really special for us.

My sweet husband has been Cancer free for almost 19 years. That is absolutely crazy to me. I remember as clear as can be, when he was diagnosed just 2 1/2 months after we started dating. I remember his parents calling and telling my parents before they called me, just not sure how I would take the news. I had only met them for the first time just 3 weeks before. I remember my parents being at a marriage retreat the following weekend and hearing my mom say that when they requested prayer for Greg, that my dad just lost it... it was one of the first times she had ever seen him cry... I remember almost passing out as I watched some of the tests they did to determine what stage the cancer was in... I could go on and on and on.... all distinct but very distant memories of the battle my honey was in for his life... Wow... I can't believe all God has brought Greg through... brought us through...

What a strong and amazing man I am married to. When we first planned on getting married Greg had wanted to work for the American Cancer Society... it just never worked out that way. God had other plans for him. I was a proud wife watching him walk the survivor lap. I am always amazed at the story the Lord is writing in Greg's life... He is such a willing and humble servant... really I learn so much from him in those areas...

It was a really cool experience to be a part of the Relay for Life. Members from our church have a huge part in it. Greg had to do the opening prayer... next year we hope to be more involved or even just stay longer or even over night with the kids. I think we need to celebrate each and every bit of what the Father has brought us through... He is the great healer...

Tonight, I just want to ask you to pray for my sweet friend Mary's mom who is fighting lung cancer and our dear friends Matt and Janet and their 2 girls. He is a pastor in Illinois and is fighting Multiple Myloma and the battle is intense right now. Please pray for the Lord's healing, comfort and peace for their hearts, and His will to be done in their lives through this difficult time.