Warning! I am goin' deep here!

Last night, Nathan and I were discussing a topic that came up in one of his classes at Bible College; end times. One of the things mentioned was the antichrist. The point was made that, if you believe in an end times that includes the reign of an antichrist, then there must be an "antichrist" figure groomed and ready in every generation. The reason being that even Satan doesn't know when Christ will return, so how would he know when to groom his "antichrist"? Am I making sense?

That got me thinking about evil people that this world has know and it was a little scary to think about, ya know? Anyway, sometimes, I like to ponder these things and I just thought I would share.

Happy Yonder Ponderin'

Our "Family" Week

This week was all about FAMILY for us. The girls and I read about the creation of the first family in Genesis and studied some other references to marriage and family in the Bible. We also read the book Grandfather's Journey by Alan Say. It was a lot of fun helping the girls learn about their own family and the people from which they come, so-to-speak. A week ago, I solicited mine and Nathan's parents to send letters to the girls telling them about their Great-Grandfathers and/or Great Grandmothers that they will meet in Heaven one day. Truly, this was the highlight of our week.

This afternoon, when my littlest ones were sleeping. I cuddled up on the couch with my older girls. I pulled out each letter and read it to them. They recv'd one from each of Nathan's parents, one from my Mother, and one from MY Grandmother (about their GREAT-GREAT Grandfather!). Most of them had old B&W photos to go along. It was truly an experience that I will never forget.

After reading the letters, we set out to create our own family tree on the kitchen wall. It ended up being OVER 6 ft tall, but it is beautiful. My 6 & 5 yr old daughters did all of the cutting and writing. It was a long afternoon, but I think it was worth it. Don't you? After taking the picture, I went and found several pictures of my side of the family to add including one of MY Great Grandparents. I would encourage you to do this with your children. It wasn't just a project for them. I can see, so much, a sense of belonging in them after this week. They are proud of their work, but they are even MORE proud of their family.

I am still here :)

Just still busy!

Life isn't moving fast, but the days are quite full. We are back to school (we being the girls and Nathan) and back to teaching a 3 yr old Sunday school class at church. The kids are growing, growing, and growing like weeds. Annagail is eating with us now and is getting ALL of her upper teeth right now. I am not exaggerating either. All of her top teeth, with the exception of her molars, are coming in . 5 have poked through already, but still have a good way to go. The others are starting to poke through. Can you imagine how my little sweet pea must feel? So, that being said, you can imagine how are nights have been. I am going to bed 30 minutes after the kids do!

Ella (my 2 yr old) has confessed to me that she doesn't want Annagail (the baby) anymore. Her reason isn't jealousy, as you might imagine. She would just rather have a baby with "pretty brown skin". I have tried to explain to her, as best you can explain it to a 2 1/2 yr old, that Mama doesn't have "pretty dark skin", so Mama's babies don't either. She isn't buying it and (twice now) has found a nice, quiet, corner to color herself brown with a crayola marker!! It has brought about some good opportunities to tell her how much we love her just the way God made her though : )

We are chugging along in school, getting into a routine. The girls are motoring through their Math curriculum and have already completed 50 lessons!! I have written three units myself . One on Conquering Fear and two on Creation (as part of our church-wide study through the Bible). I have found that it is something I really enjoy doing. I created a great template for myself on Excel and I just plug in the activities,events,books, etc that we are doing. It prints out into a two page weekly layout, complete with lists at the bottom of preparations I need to make or items that I need to locate and/or print. I tried and tried to find a planner that worked for me, but I must think differently :) I just couldn't work with any of the ones I tried and eventually gave up and just made my own. Plus, I am not as good writing it all out as I am typing it.

Anyway, that is what I am up to. I don't know when I will be back to write. I do read all of my friend's blogs every night before I hit the sack, so don't think I am ignoring you.

Talk to you soon!

The second most important day of my life!

September 5, 1998

What a day that was!! In this photo, we were coming down the aisle having just been pronounced husband and wife. In all the excitement, I had completely forgotten about the bubbles we had handed out to our guests. As they started to blow them and we were showered, it was just a beautiful feeling that rushed over me. Here I was, having just pledged my life to Nathan; someone far greater than I had ever thought possible for me. I remember thinking, maybe a moment after this photo was snapped, that surely I was dreaming. Surely this wasn't MY life!!

I never dreamed of a wedding. I never dreamed of a dress. I wouldn't let myself, because of the pain and hurt I carried with me through my childhood. Honestly, I never imagined myself even living into my 20's. However, my sweet Father knew better. He prepared a life for me that exceeds anything I could have ever dreamed. He delivered to me HIS dream for me.

I have already boasted of my sweet Nathan before, but I cannot say enough how grateful I am for him. He is such a great husband and father. Right now, he is spending our anniversary morning on the couch, dressed for work, with four kids piled on top of him and one little one sitting int he crook of his arm. He is reading We're Going On a Bear Hunt and, even though I know he is tired from a long day of work and class yesterday, he is doing all the voices and sounds that cause the kids to sit on the edge of their seats in excitement. He is such a good Daddy!!

SO today we celebrate the Ninth year of our covenant and I couldn't be happier about my life. Money is tight and our clothes are a little tighter than they once were too, but I can honestly tell you that our covenant vows to each other mean more to me today than I could have ever imagined when I walked that aisle with my arm in his. Our trials and struggles have brought us closer and our love for each other has overridden the hurdles that could otherwise sideline the best of efforts.

I LOVE YOU NATHAN! Thank you for making ME your wife and for loving me so unconditionally. I know, that you know, that I wake up every morning with your happiness on my heart. You are an answer to a secret prayer that my heart made at times when I carried no hope for my life. So far, the Lord has seen fit to deliver to us five beautiful children and an abundance of love and joy. I am excited to see where He leads us in the future. Wherever and whatever it is, I am happy to be going with you and alongside you. Thank you for loving me!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE!