Happy Father's Day

"Father of mine, some years ago
You showed me the way I ought to go;
You led my feet past the treach'rous sand
By the gentle clasp of your own strong hand.

Father of mine, let me thank you for
The prayers you prayed and the burden you bore.
Like a guiding star thro' the tempests' strife,
All your precepts have shone on my path of life.

Father of mine, when the time has passed
And the work of my life is complete at last,
When I step ashore on the glory strand
With a grateful heart I will clasp your hand." Sarah Marinee

I had an "ah-ha" moment the other day. It may not seem that profound to anyone else, but I realized WHO it was who introduced me to Jesus. It was my Dad (well, and my Mom, too). Not Sunday School, not books, not movies. He stands out as the one who was there to point out THE WAY. I don't remember him "praying the sinners prayer" w/ me, or anything like that. (I'm not so sure that the whole "inviting Jesus into your heart" is really Biblical, but anyway) He was there when I had questions and was also proactive in teaching me (and my siblings) about Jesus, helping us memorize Scripture, and most importantly he walked with the Lord. Being in the Word and praying was a part of who he was. Not something he just talked about. I love the notes he wrote in my various Bibles, encouraging me to "never quit." I specifically remember him encouraging me when I was doubting (about salvation), when I was lonely (in college he came and took me out for lunch), and when I was struggling w/ entrusting someone I loved to the Lord. (when Justin was getting deployed to Afghanistan) I'm so thankful for the privilege of growing up in his home.
I'm so thankful that the Lord radically transformed him at the age of 33. (I was 4....but don't remember him as an unsaved man) I'm thankful he and my Mom have allowed the Lord to transform their marriage, which would've otherwise ended. I'm so thankful for his shaping influence in my life, my husband's life, and especially our children's lives! They love Papa Chris!
So, thank you, Dad, for introducing me to MY Savior. I hope I live my life in a manner worthy of the Gospel. And as you have taught me, so I am attempting (w/ the Lord's help) to teach my children. Thank you for your faithfulness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm also thankful for another man in my life. He's my husband and the father of our 4 children. I'm so grateful to God for giving him to me and for doing a redemptive work in his heart and life. I can honestly say, that I see Jesus loving through him.

Happy Father's Day all!

Memorial Day Weekend

Sleep is a wonderful thing! Sometimes when I see Benjamin all sacked out mid-morning, I wish I could join him. That's one beautiful thing w/ only 1 baby, you CAN sleep when they sleep--any time of day. Now w/ 4 munchkins, naps are usually a thing of the past, although most days, I feel I could use one. I remind myself, that I won't die from sleep deprivation. :) Sleeping beauties. It's funny how many things you "know" about parenting the "right way" BEFORE kids arrive. Once they're here, you realize how very little you know, how much you have to learn, and the "rules" you made for yourself and the "I'd never allow my kids to do ______" fly out the window. And here's proof: co-sleeping! (FYI: we do not start out like this at bedtime. It's always interesting to see where everyone's at, come morning. Usually Samuel is in our bed, too. Justin and I are on the edges, and William's ALWAYS snoozin' in his own bed) But aren't they cute? :) I love it when they're sleeping!

Another snoozin' picture...Benjamin at 4 months...

We had a very fun time as a family camping out at my parents' cabin. It's the perfect mini-vacation: free and close to home! I'm not sure why we haven't done this before. Well, I think it's because I'm always pregnant, nursing, or have a toddler. Well, we went all together, in spite of a nursing baby, and had a great time!

Samuel and Daddy got in some t-ball practice time.

Mommy and Benjamin- self-portrait



S'mores=sticky!! But they were good!

Love this lil' guy!



Uncle Max came and hung out w/ us, for a little while...







Fixin' our health food. :)





All in all, it was a fun weekend! Hope we can do that again soon, before it gets too hot. :)

Savoring the Summer

80 Years Young!

Happy 80th birthday to my Grandpa Max! We are so blessed to have all four grandparents living and in great health. None of them look or act their age :) Today my dad's dad turned 80. I grew up down the road from he and Grandma Bobbie. Both were incredible shaping influences in my life and continue to be. My grandpa has always been an entrepreneur. Out of high school he started the "pig motel" business with his younger brother. From there he had many ventures in the grain industry and just a few years ago built a small retirement home called Oaks Manor in Oakland. He never toots his own horn and is rather quiet. Grandpa Max is one of those people whom "his right hand doesn't know what his left hand doeth." He is very generous and loves my grandma very much as well as his 3 children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren (so far...most of the grandkids aren't married yet)



Birthday Tribute to Grandpa Max...written by my sister Krista. (I stole it off of her blog---thanks Krist!)


Grandpa grew up in the country and went to a small, one room school house. He moved to Oakland in highschool which is when he met my grandma. She said that when the Millers moved to town, no body knew their Bible like my grandpa and he was ahead in school too. Grandpa Max and Grandma Bobbie got married when he was 20 and she was 18. I talked to my Grandma today and she said that she has had the privilege of wishing him 60 birthdays so far and Lord willing, many more!
...and I'll add that we get to live right next door to them. I'm so thankful that my kids are growing up knowing them. They just love it that G-ma has a full cookie bucket, and G-pa Max sneaks cookies to them, even if it's before lunch. :)

Benjamin 3 months

The boys... Isaac and Benjamin

align="center">Benjamin will be 4 months old in 4 days, so I suppose it's time to get his 3 month pictures posted.
These are just a few I snapped. I need to get the ones Therese took...I have a feeling she got better ones than these. :)







"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established..." Is. 54:13,14a

Why I haven't posted in a long while...

Yes, it was sand. In the last post, Krista took the vacuum to Grace's scalp to get all the sand out. Madeline was the culprit, so I hear. :)

Well, life has definitely sped up for us. It's amazing how much more time 1 extra lil' person takes. Wouldn't trade him in, though. :) Besides being busy w/ Benjamin, we've been busy w/ lots of outside things.The garden is taking off, I have strawberries coming out my ears...speaking of which, I need to go stem!

We have weddings to play for, a bridal shower to help w/, we're running in a 5 K this weekend... we went up to visit George and Krista, then enjoyed them for a week while they visited down here, enjoyed the Illinois Homeschool Convention last weekend, and, boy, let's see what else...oh, we have 97 chicks and 9 laying hens, I still teach a few students, the kids enjoy the pool...

All this to say, have any of you ever hired household help? Well, that's where I'm at right now. I'm seriously considering it. Not because I can't clean my house, but because I do like a clean one. Housecleaning is on the back burner at this season in my life. My focus right now is four little souls that monopolize my time and energy. Now that the garden is in full swing, we're lots more active and outdoorsy, trying to freeze or can stuff...it's something I'm thinkin' about. Just keeping up w/ the cooking and laundry is huge! So anyhoo...thoughts, any of you seasoned mom's out there??

I will try and post some new pictures...I have been taking pictures...they just haven't made it to the blog. :) Benjamin's 3 mo ones will come soon. Promise :)

Guess what happened?!

Here's a clue....