A Lifetime of Love

Teagan had her 4 year well-check the other day. She was all smiles (as usual) when we got there and even after we got back into the exam room. But once the exam was over and she realized she would be getting 4 immunizations, fear set in quickly! She hid on the floor behind the stroller in hopes of avoiding the inevitable. I felt terrible for her, but as I attempted to reason with her, it was for her health and protection that she get them. I had to hold her down and I hated every second of it just as much as she did! Afterwards we went to Krispy Kreme to enjoy a donut fresh off the line. That helped make it better! :)

Tristin-Grace came home from school just now excited to show me what was in her bag. I unzipped it and found a "Difference Maker" t-shirt that she received from her teacher. Her teacher said that she makes a difference because every morning she walks another girl to class. This has been going on since the beginning of the year when the girl was crying because she didn't want to walk in alone. Tristin-Grace offered to walk in with her, and they have been doing it ever since. Her teacher also said that Tristin-Grace is good about cleaning up her work space and helping others tidy up theirs. That is really no surprise to me as she loves to organize things! I am one proud momma!

Today is Tristin-Grace's birthday. I am so thankful for her as she is such a mini-mommy. Tristin-Grace likes to take Annie potty, brush her hair, and help her get dressed. She really enjoys helping me take care of Taryn by changing her diaper, dressing, feeding, and playing with her while I am busy doing other things. This year TG has learned to fix her own hair (a time-saver for me!) and we are working on braiding. Tristin-Grace has also started helping me more with laundry, cooking, and cleaning. She has learned to sort the clothes by color, and she can make her own cereal or oatmeal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Tristin-Grace LOVES to clean, and really doesn't mind cleaning the toilets or washing dishes. The tougher the job, the happier she is! Since school has started, she has started to read better and it's been fun to listen to her read to her younger siblings (and sometimes Tanner). Tristin-Grace loves homework and on the days she doesn't have any, ...

Today the kids and I visited a local apple orchard. We had never actually been there before although we've lived here for more than 9 years. We had so much fun! It was the perfect length (just over an hour) to keep anyone from growing bored after doing an activity for too long. I do hope to go back again when TJ is able join us, perhaps next year.

Lately I've been able to have some really meaningful conversations with the boys about theological topics. I love that I am able to have these talks because it reveals their hearts to me, and also it gives me an opportunity to share my own weaknesses with them. Lastly, it helps all of us to know how to specifically pray for the others. Tanner read a story for school that was based upon the passage of Luke 15:3-10. If you are not familiar with this passage, it is a parable (earthly story with a heavenly meaning) that compares a lost sheep to a lost person (person who does not know Jesus as Lord and Savior). In the story, there is a shepherd herding his sheep to the fold for the night. A fold is a safe place for the sheep to go because it is surrounded on all sides by a fence made of stone or brick. There is only one entrance, and the shepherd would guard the entrance to keep wild animals from attacking the sheep at night, and also to prevent the sheep from...

Today is Teagan's birthday. I am so thankful for her sweet, bubbly, joyful personality. She is truly a blessing to our family as she often reminds me to slow down and enjoy life simply by her infectious giggles and big smile. She had a rough start with all of her delays, but with each passing day, I am reminded of God's goodness to me and am so extremely thankful for walking through that valley. As a result, I have been able to encourage others who have children with special needs as they now walk through the unknown valley. Teagan's journey has allowed me to meet remarkable people and establish and maintain a relationship that otherwise would not have existed. Thank you on behalf of Teagan, myself, and my family. You helped shape Teagan into the person she is today. How can I express enough the feelings of gratitude? I can't, but please know, all of those who came week in and week out for all those years, you will forever be a part of our lives.

I had the privilege of bringing a devotional challenge at a bridal shower today for a member of my church. As I was leaving, several people asked me for a copy of my notes. Here they are... ******************************************************************* I'm not sharing anything new with you, but rather things that the Lord has really made clear to me over the years that TJ and I have been married. ·          Created for your husband (Gen. 2:18) o    Instead of the world's view that, as wives, we pick up the pieces , God created us to be our husband's missing piece . §   God knows his flaws, antics, tastes, etc. and He created us to be exactly who our husband needs as a wife and in a wife. o    We were created to meet the needs of our husbands, not the other way around §   Important to remember, especially down the road if you have kids and you are feeling overwhelmed with the increased res...