Home Sweet Home

Lauren sporting her Lebcamp onesie! (Romans 12:2)

This past week Lauren and I had Lebcamp adventures. We got to help out during this week of service for the youth at our church. It is my fifth year helping out in some way shape or form. The first two years were just helping out for a day or two, filling in where Jason needed me to. Then the last two years I was blessed enough to be a crew adult and go out onto a work site with the youth. This year with Lauren in toe, my role changed again. This past week Lauren and I hunkered down and were the 'mission control' back at church. When crews need things, had questions, or what not they called me and I took care of them. It was wonderful to be part of this awesome missions work yet again.

We spent our days in the church office with Ashley and Debbie. We enjoyed chatting with other helpers and playing with all the wonderful toys mommy found in the nursery. Each day was an exciting adventure and Lauren did so well adjusting to napping at the church and hanging around everyone. Everyone was just smitten over her (I'm a little partial, but I'm quite smitten over her as well).

Playing in the exersauser from the nursery along with all the toys a girl could need.

In the evening, Matt would take over with Lauren duty, and I would head back over to church to do small group bible study with one of the work groups. As exhausted as I was, God gave me the strength and desire each night to head back over to the church after dinner to share His word with these wonderful children. It truly is amazing to watch each person grow in their faith each day/night. It is so wonderful to see others grow to love God more and more. It reminds us how awesome His love is!

Hanging out with Jason

As the week came to a close, a very tired mommy and Lauren were glad to come back to our home. Yesterday's two hour nap and today's three and a half hour nap have shaken the sleep out of my eyes. As I look back on my week I'm thankful for the blessing it brought to Lauren and I, as well as the residents of the home the youth helped to repair and the dogs that got extra love and attention. How great it is to see God's love abound!

We took lunch to the blue crew, who worked on Mrs. Clark's house. She was the resident I worked with the last two years. She is a true disciple of God. I felt very blessed to visit with her and for Lauren to meet her.

Me, Lauren, and Sara - took lunch to blue crew on Tuesday.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6

Top Ten List: Lauren

Top Ten List:
Top Ten Things Lauren is doing these days...

10. Putting everything in her mouth
9. Swinging in the swing at the park
8. Splashing around in her outdoor water table
7. Sleeping on her side and snuggle her night-night
6. Enjoying the bath, even without water when mommy needs to blow dry her hair ;-)
5. Run jumping in the doorway jumper
4. Playing peek-a-boo
3. Standing really well, especial next to the ottoman when Annabelle's laying on it
2. Talking/Screaming to get our attention
1. Smile-Laughing, which is the cutest thing ever!

How great is our God.

I know that the title to this post has a period, even though the word 'how' is a question word (I can do third grade grammar). But this line to a song, that is stuck in my head, feels more like a statement than a question. There are days, like today, when I'm overcome with joy and happiness and to me it is just daily evidence that God is here.

I've heard other people say that it is easy to forget God in your good times, but I don't think I do. I seek him in my bad times and rejoice with him during the good! I'm so grateful for everything He has given me. From the house and food that take care for my basic needs to the husband, daughter, friends, and family that supply me with my wants and desires. I am a lucky women and I pray I never forget that.

Just wanted to share some love God has blessed me with, so that you can also think about how blessed you are daily.


"The God of peace be with you all. Amen." Romans 15:33

A turtle, some pee, and something sad

This post is going to have to be three combined because yesterday I needed to write two, which I didn't get around to and then today Lauren did something worth sharing as well. So here it all is.

First about the turtle, or should I say turtles. About a month or so ago we were on our way to church when I noticed a turtle crossing the road and I felt awful for it. I know- because I was a biology major in college, that most animals lack the part of the brain needed to have "feelings" but he must have been so scared. Maybe I was scared for him. Matt being the awesome husband that he is asked if I wanted him to turn around and we can go move it to the other side. I looked at the clock and we had a few moments to spare (we usually don't, we're usually showing up to church at 11:00 sharp ;-). We turned around and while we were getting out of the car another car was coming in the opposite side as us, the side the poor turtle was on. He slowed down and got the turtle before us and put it on the side of the road. I was so thankful and grateful that the turtle was safe. Then yesterday I had another run in with a suicidal turtle. This on was in the right most line for a four line, busy road. I stopped and put my hazards on and called Matt. I was only two blocks from the house so I asked him to come help because I didn't want to leave Lauren in the car without me and I was scared to pick the little guy up. While I was waiting for Matt and praying I wouldn't get rear ended a man stopped and jogged over to me to see what was wrong. I think it was a bit surprised when I yelled it was a turtle and pointed to it. He was sweet enough and picked up the turtle and put him safely on the side of the road. I drove to meet Matt and we went back to check that he was safely away from the road, and thankful he was. So that's my story about the turtles- someone has to look out for the little guys. How wonderful to see God's mercy in others as they aided in the saving of these turtles.

Secondly, the sad news. My mom called me yesterday crying and saying that she had to bring her dog into the vet because her dog, Sadie, was extremely lethargic and not wanting to eat. She asked me to pray for Sadie and said that she'd call back when she knew what was going on. I didn't hear from her until a lot later in the day, only to find out they had to put her down. She had a cancerous tumor on her spleen that had burst. I was so sad for my mom. I know that Sadie is in a wonderful place, enjoying God and his splendor, but my poor mom was just torn up. I continue to pray for her, and I ask for you to as well. I called her this morning, she was better, and I shared this next story with her and cheered her up.

So lastly, the pee story that helped cheer up my mom made me laugh hysterically! Lauren needed a bath this morning so I usually undress her in the bathroom but leave her diaper on until the moment before I put her in the tub to avoid what happened the other day - her peeing on the floor and me (the other day I took it off and she was standing, holding onto the tub and when I turned to put the diaper up she just released her bladder right there). Today though, Matt was home, so I asked him to take off her PJ's and diaper, which he did in the spare/playroom across the hall. I quickly walked her across the hall to the bathroom completely naked but stopped at the mirror to check out her cuteness. She looks so big now that she stands so well and her big balboas belly cracks me up, along with her leg rolls. Well Matt and I were chatting it up she peed all over the bathroom counter, which sent me laughing and Matt going "I knew she was going to do that" and then I moved her into the sink quickly (me still laughing of course). She then took it upon herself to continue her job standing in the sink, which in turn made me and Matt laugh harder! The best was that once she was done she started playing in it with her feet- since it took me a minute to pull myself together and get her in the actual tub. Gotta love kids!

This is a picture of my mom, Lauren, and Sadie just last week. We love you good girl!

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

To Sleep or Not to Sleep?

So, before taking our big adventure to visit family Lauren was on this wonderful nap schedule. I was ultra excited because while I was working (prior to her being 6 months) she didn't have a nap schedule. I was okay with it, except on the weekends when the poor girl just was so excited for mommy and daddy to be home that she didn't want to sleep (this was a bit frustrating). Once I was done with work it didn't take her long to get into a routine of nursing at 9:30 and then off for morning nap. Then the same routine at 2:30. This worked for me and her, all was well...

Then we went on vacation. She spent a full day in the car on the way up and back and because of visiting and doing things she was getting only one nap a day in the pack-n-play and the other nap was usually in the car on the way some where or coming home from some place. It didn't take long before putting her down in the pack-n-play was a struggle. She would cry and carry on for sometimes close to an hour. I was struggling because she was so tired and just didn't want to give in. Then to top it off the naps would be pretty short. So the poor girl was exhausted and the more she didn't sleep the worse it got.

Since around three months she has had an evening routine and would go down at night like a champ. Two books, prayers, snuggles, and she would be down for the count. I was crying along with her as she would cry and carry for a half hour or more at night too.

I just kept my eyes on that we would be back into a routine once we got home. Yesterday went well, but she again didn't sleep nearly long enough and we had to put her down an hour early for bed because she was just spent.

So today we had our fun mommy/daughter grocery shopping adventures. We got home at 9:30, I nursed, and she went down wonderfully. But she was up in like forty-five minutes. She needed more like an hour and a half to two hours. So by 1:30 she was again showing signs that a nap was needed. I put her in her crib at 1:40 and she cried and screamed for almost an hour. It was killing me. I had to call Matt at work so he could talk me though it on two separate occasions.

So then I'm thinking to myself she went down at 2:30, so maybe I was jumping the gun and she wasn't ready at 1:40. I feel like I second guess myself all the time. Thankfully she is still sleeping and it is now 3:45 so she getting the rest she so desperately needs and wants.

I'm just praying for her to wake rested and refreshed so maybe tomorrow we might be back on schedule (wishful thinking- because now she's crying).

"Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:10-11

Summer Travel!

Well really I'm most of the way through my trip home to visit family, but this is really the first time I've been able to sit down and collect my thoughts. So here what's been going on with us (Lauren and I) so far.

First my dad flew down to us so he could be the main driver as we headed back home. I can say I'm adventurous but a 9 hour car ride alone with a nursing baby sounds like torture to me, so I asked dad to help out. He was happy to and I was so excited to have that extra time with him. The ride home went so smoothly. Lauren is a car trip angel! She did so well and over all it wasn't too bad. Now mind you that I have never really enjoyed car rides so for me to say one wasn't bad is saying a lot.

We spent the first leg (4 days) with my dad and step mom.

On Saturday we ventured down to meet Lauren's new cousin!!!! Yes, my sister and her husband became new parents to a sweet little boy- Finn on June 26th. We were so lucky that we would be nearby enough that we could visit them while on this whirlwind vacation. It meant another 6 hours in the car (3 hours there and then 3 hours back), but it was worth it. He seemed so small to me, since Lauren has gotten so big! Lauren whacked him a few times and grabbed at him (we're working on 'gentle', but we're not quite there yet). It was a huge blessing to see them all and rejoice in God's blessing!

Little Finn and me snuggling

Shauna and I with our babies

Another surprised for this week was finding out that my dad and Sue (step-mom) are selling their house and had put in a contract on a new house. It didn't come as too much of a shock but it was really sad to know that this was the last time I'd ever be in that house. My dad grew up in the house and has lived there for 47 years of his life. He seemed a little sad to know that he's moving on, but I think the big barn on the new property has him a little distracted! As goofy as it may sound though I'm glad that Lauren got to go there, even if she won't remember it, I will.

Proud Grandpa and Lauren at the lake

While with my dad, Lauren got to go out on her first boat ride. She was so cute and so good! She's just like me and enjoyed the outdoors/water. We were lucky enough to have Matt's parents get to come out with us too. It was such a wonderful day. I felt God's bless abound that day.

If that wasn't already enough for one leg of this vacation, on the 4th of July we got to spend time with some great friends. My family is small and spread out over the states, so my parents friends and their children were our extended family growing up. We took trip together, spent holidays together, and enjoyed each others happy times and sad times together. They all come over for a small cook out and we just sat around, ate, and enjoyed hearing about each others lives. I hold each one of them very near and dear to my heart. So, by Monday I was exhausted and exploding with joy!

Tuesday morning began the second leg of the trip as I headed to my mom's house.

Here it slowed down a little. My mom and I visited my grandparents, took walks at the state park near her house, and watched Lauren and some movies. I get so sad to think that my parents don't get to see Lauren as much as both they and I would like them to. This time with my mom was so special because most if it was spent just the three of us. I like getting my mom all to myself, even if she can drive me nuts some times. I'm sad as I right this, knowing it might be November before I get to see her again, I love her so much!

Lauren snuggling with her Great Grandma P

Now the last and final leg begins as I wait for Matt to arrive on an airplane. He is flying in, visiting with me and Lauren for the next four days, and then we'll turn around as a family and drive back home to our little house. I feel grateful and happy as I think about all the people I've gotten to visit with this past week, and the visits that are still to come (Lauren gets to meet her uncle Josh on Sunday- I know she can't wait ;-).

So I'll end with a quote from God's good book:
“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” Psalm 9:1