I LOVE THE FALL!!!

I just love the fall. I always have, even since I was a little girl. I love the smells of the fresh air and wearing a sweatshirt and jeans! We have made it a habit to go for a walk after dinner and just enjoy this brisk weather until the snow falls. Here are a few pictures of the kids at the golf course and also in our yard with the pumpkins.

Praise God!

Praise God to whom all blessing's flow!! My neighbor and friend just came out of surgery and to her surgeon and our amazement, the mass was benign!! The surgeon was very stunned saying that he thought he would find cancer throughout her abdomen! I believe that this is a miracle and that only the Lord can be given the praise for this. Thank you for all who prayed for Cheryl. We serve the ultimate healer, our Lord.

Pray

When we moved to Grand Rapids, I prayed that the Lord would use me in my new neighborhood. Let me tell you, don't pray for something you don't want to happen. Cheryl is a single mom who has been through so many terrible things in her life. I quickly found out that she was in hiding from her ex-husband. Talk about a welcome to the neighborhood. After a few police incidents and a few scary nights, the harrassment of this man became real. Yes, he found them. I asked the Lord several times why he would put my family in the midst of this craziness. I felt Him just calming me and telling me that I need to be a friend to her. You know all I wanted to do was put a "For Sale" sign in my yard and move far away. I started praying for and her salvation. Over the last year we have developed a great friendship. We even came to realize that she is distantly related to Jason! How weird is that? Anyway, today Cheryl was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. I feel numb for her. I have her little boy over here playing with my kids right now and tears fill my eyes when I look at him. He has no idea what the next few months will hold for him. Ovarian cancer is considered a fatal cancer...but I also know the greatest healer and that is my God. I pray that Cheryl will come to know Christ as her personal savior. Lord, please use me to minister you to Cheryl and her son. Friends, even though you do not know Cheryl personally, I ask that you pray for her healing.

Apple Orchard Field Trip!

Brady and I had a great time at the apple orchard today. It was a preschool field trip, so he had lots of fun with his friends. We all boarded the tractor pulled wagon (Brady was disappointed that it wasn't a John Deere tractor like his Grandpa Doug's), but he was excited. We sat in the front and he just watched how the tractor worked...forget about the apples!! He even told me that the guy driving didn't turn on his flashers when we pulled out on the road! He just loves tractors and farming!
Anyway, the kids got to pick apples off the trees to take home and then had cider and a doughnut. Brady and I then decided to get some "fall" things to decorate front porch. We had fun getting the hay bale, mums, a few pumpkins and gords. We should have fun this afternoon together decorating!

Home from Nashville!

Jason and I just got home from a week in Nashville, TN. We went for a work conference, but enjoyed a lot of "vacation" time. This trip was relaxing, fun, stressful but overall a great time together as a couple. We ate lots of good food, saw some "fun" country shows and layed in the sun tanning the skin for the last time of the year. It was great just to have some real true quiet time with the Lord.
I found some cute cowboy/girl hats for the kids and took a couple pictures of them having fun with them tonight. We had the best time running and playing horse around the house. It feels good to be home.

Picture Day for 1st Grade

Today is picture day for Madison. We had a fun morning trying to get ready...what she wanted to wear last night was not what she wanted this morning. Anyway, she looks beautiful and I thought I could share it with all of you. I also included a cutie picture of Brady...didn't want to leave him out!

Our awesome kids...

Here is an example of our kids just enjoying life. Our goal is to teach our kids to love the Lord, love other's, and enjoy each day God has given us. This day was such a great time just walking through the nature trails and playing in the slow flowing river. Madison and Brady spent over an hour just finding rocks. Jason and I just enjoyed watching them laugh and work together. What a blessing.

My Jason...

I have been blessed with a great husband. Who knew that the man I admired from a far would one day be my husband. I remember standing behind him at church and watching him worship the Lord. That is the day I feel that I fell in love with him. Over the last nine years, the Lord has shown Himself true and faithful in our relationship. We have dealt with many changes and struggles, and truly grown stronger through it all. I am so thankful for the man God has given me and I look forward to all He has for us until He calls us home.

I've joined the blogging world!

I love to read my friend's blogs, so I am compelled to start one for my family. This is a great way to keep all our friend and family up on the happening's at our home. Enjoy!