Silas brought three visitors!

After getting our home ready for church on Sunday, Patrick left to pick up people to come to services.  Shortly before he arrived back home, Silas came to show me that the visitors he invited to church came!  He was excited for 3 new "people" to come!  Do you see them?

A Typical Sunday Morning

Just like most families, our Sunday mornings have always been busy.  But, since we've moved to the mission field and have services in our home every Sunday, our morning is super-duper busy.  We try to get as much accomplished on Saturday to make things a little easier.  We iron all of our clothes and have them laid out and ready.  We decide ahead of time what will be a quick breakfast.  The coffee pot is ready to go and chocolate milks are poured and waiting in the fridge.  We do as much cleaning as possible on Saturday (sweeping, mopping, dusting)  But, with a family of 8 there are always last minute unexpected delays.  Here's a typical  Sunday Morning for us:

 When the older 3 wake up they get ready as quickly as possible so they can help the rest of the morning.  Normally we eat breakfast together for weekdays, but on Sundays it sort of happens in shifts.

 We do any last minute cleaning and putting away of toys that mysteriously made their way out through the morning.  Hhhhmm, notice anything out of place on the bookshelf?

 We serve lunch to everyone that comes on Sunday.  Patrick and I try to prepare as much as possible the night before.  But, this Sunday we made the cake that morning.  My oven has been running very hot lately and in our busy-ness we didn't keep an eye on our cake.  Oops!

Patrick puts final touches on his message.  His french is coming along wonderfully and he is doing so great!  I'm so proud of him!  He used a powerpoint type presentation where he puts the verses and main points up on the TV during the message.  That way they can see what he is saying also.  He's been preaching some great messages and I'm loving his series on prayer!

Then, I try to compliment my sweet 3 year old on her dress choice, but try to gently teach that the purple shirt doesn't match.  I showed her the ironed and ready dress and she was excited to wear it.  Whew!  

 Then, we work at taming the curly mane of my sweetie.

 Much better!

 Josh makes his selections for the songs we will be singing.  He's an excellent Song Leader!

 The girls finish up the dishes and help make sure everything is tidy.

Elisabeth puts final touches on her Sunday School Lesson and sets up the kiddie table and chairs in her room.  She made a great coloring sheet and has the songs all ready to go.  My 3 little ones are blessed with their Sunday School Teachers!

Through all this busy-ness the baby sneaks in one more nap.
I love our Sundays and it's so exciting to see God work!

A Great Birthday

Last Thursday I had a wonderful 37th Birthday.  Did I really just type that?  Can I actually be 37?  Seems old.  

I had already been spoiled by all of my family in Florida with early birthday presents.  Denise took me out to dinner at Cheddars.  It was my first time there and I loved it!  We had so much fun together.

Then, Mom and Dad took me to get a manicure, pedicure and a haircut.  I was so pampered! And then....they bought me a gift I had been drooling over and hoping to get...but I'll post on that another time! ;o)

Patrick was so thoughtful to make me a birthday cake in my favorite color, Aqua!  And the chocolate frosting on top was perfect and so delicious!

 My sweet family loves to decorate for holidays.  (I do too.  Maybe they get it from me!)

Patrick let Silas and Callie pick out gifts for me.  When they saw this blow up pool, they knew I would love it.  And that they would too.  We've already used it a few times in that past few days.  It's been so hot and it's a perfect way to cool off.  Micah loves to splash and laugh, and gulp down lots of water.

What a great birthday!  Looking forward to all the things to accomplish, plan for, and to make memories of for my 37th year!  Thank you Lord!

The Influence of a Mom

I have been so blessed with many great woman in my life.  A Mother has much influence and Iam thankful to have some ladies in my life that have a role of "Mother"

My Grandma (AKA Grandma June)  

Grandma watched me some when I was little.  One of my earliest childhood memories is of Grandma making scrambled eggs with ham in it for me and Grandpa while we watched "The Price is Right"  I had them both to myself and loved being with them.  Growing up we knew the wisdom of Grandma and learned so much from her.  She loved her children, that's for sure!  She took care of my Dad with such motherly love, and he adored her in return.  When I arrive in heaven, after I see Jesus, I want to see my Grandma. 

 I miss her so much!

My Mother-in-Law (Denise)
I know the term mother-in-law can be jokingly used negatively.  Not so for me.  Denise is a lady that loves her son (my cute hubby) and raised him with love and care.  I owe much to her.  She has also become my friend.  I love to be with her!  We laugh, shop, share memories, tell Patrick jokes :o)  She's a wonderful Grandma that loves her grandchildren, but also respects me as their Mom.  That is a blessing to me.
I love you Denise!

My Mam-maw

It is so neat how the Lord always seems to work out me getting to see my Mam-maw.  I love it!  Every time we say good-bye, we don't know when the next time will be that we see each other.  But, the Lord always takes care of that! If you met my Mam-maw you would know she is beautiful inside and out. She's a put together lady that is dressed the best at church on Sunday Morning.  And what a faithful lady she is to her church!  When you are with Mam-maw you will make some memories!

She loves her family and loves to just be with us and talk.  Mam-maw treasures her family.  And we treasure her, too!

I love you Mam-maw!

(My aunt Robin)

I have so many memories of my aunt Robin.  Every summer we would visit Michigan to see our relatives there.  Robin would spoil us!  (That's how she earned the name "Momma Michigan")  She was the cool one that would let us have Swiss Cake Rolls and Pepsi for breakfast.  Or stay up late and watch movies.  She would always line us up on the couch while she went into her closet to bring us our gifts.  She would bring out outfit after outfit for us each to wear for the upcoming school year.  I'm talking lots of clothes!  And she has such great style, too!  I loved it!  Now, she spoils my children with clothes and games and lots of packages.  She's amazing and selflessly gives of herself.  If you go to her church you will here countless people brag on Robin.  I'm so blessed to have her for my "Momma Michigan"

I love you Robin!

And of Course....My Mom!
Where do I begin?  I was always always close to my Mom growing up.  Our relationship just grew and grew and she is a friend as well as my Mom.  We have so much in common. We're both #3 in the line up of siblings.  And if you didn't know it, #3's are pretty awesome! :o)  She's my quilting buddy and we call each other daily with quilting dreams and questions.  We're planning a quilting retreat for sometime in the future. It will be in a cabin, in the mountains, with a couple of sewing machines, mounds of fabric, and lots of Coke and Tea Parties!  My Mom is also an amazing Grandma.  Although she thinks her grandchildren do no wrong.  hhhmmm.  :o)  She would do anything for her family and does on a daily basis. Even though her children are all grown, Mom's job is as busy as ever taking care of her 4 girls and being there for every grandchild as much as possible.  Even though we live far from each other now, Mom is there for me 24 hours a day.  And I use my phone quite often to prove it! :o)
I love you Mom!

 Blessed indeed with these  wonderful ladies!

A Diagnosis? Maybe.

Today was my appointment at the Rheumatologist here in St. Barths.  Several doctors mentioned that it might be beneficial for me to see one, but the only available appointments in the states were in July.  Patrick was so excited to find a Rheumatologist for me here!

The doctor was very thorough and looked over all of my blood work and x rays.  She showed me a blood test that I had done that confirms me to be negative for Lupus.  That was a relief!  We have heard a few doctors mention the possibility of a Connective Tissue Disease.  This doctor confirmed that and put a finger on it: Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She was a little puzzled that it didn't start in my hands, like most people first discover or that I don't wake up "stiff"  But, as one doctor told me, "You just don't fit in any mold."  I'm still taking that as a compliment! :o)  I guess my body wants it  to start in my chest.

So what happens next?  Tomorrow I go for more blood work to check on how the inflammation levels in my body are doing.  Then, I will start another round of a more powerful Prednisone along with some other medicines that will help my body to respond to the Prednisone.  (last time I didn't) Then, I go back to the Rheumatologist on the 21st to see if this is working.

We are praying that we are on the right track to finding out what is going on with my body.  I'm so thankful I have more energy!  I love taking care of my family!  I'm just so ready to have this crazy pressure in my chest let up.

Thank you so much to everyone that has prayed, sent encouraging notes and emails and have loved on us.  We are so blessed!

Callie's Day

We had a great time celebrating Callie Grace's 3rd birthday!

Lots of Gifts!

Lots of Hugs!

And Lots of Cake!

She was so cute when it was time to sing "Happy Birthday To You"  She giggled, sang and clapped her hands.  She was so happy!

She asked for me to make her a pink cake with purple frosting.  I love it!  She loved how her cake looked, but barely tasted it.  Instead she was very excited about the red star candle on her cake from her Grammy.  She carried it around for a while and thought it was the best toy ever!

Happy Birthday Callie!

Happy 3rd Birthday Callie Grace!

 Today my sweet Callie Grace is 3 years old!

 Time, once again, is flying way too fast for this Momma!

 Callie has brought so much joy and laughter to our home.  She loves to play with her brothers and sisters and is definitely our talkative child!

 Her favorite thing to do is color.  She loves to make circles, people, and the letter 'C'  She's very creative!

 She also loves to imitate. And she sings so cutely! When you're with Callie you will be sure to giggle lots!

I love you, my Callie!  You are a blessing to me and your Daddy and such a wonderful daughter!  I pray for you everyday that you will one day accept Christ as your Savior.  Thank you, Lord, for my girl!

Happy Birthday Micah Reuben

 The day Micah and I flew out to Florida was his first birthday.  Happy Birthday to my Micah!

Wow!  How he has grown (or his quilt shrunk :o)  I have LOVED watching this little guy grow.  He has melted my heart, for sure!

 He's walking like a pro now!

 Right after I  bought my ticket, we realized we only had a few hours before I left.  I pulled out the suitcase and started packing.  My sweet Elisabeth ran into the kitchen and started baking.

She quickly whipped up the best butter cake with chocolate frosting.

 And Micah loved it, too!

 He really needed a bath after that!

 Time truly has flown and I'm so blessed to be the Momma to this little guy.  I pray everyday that he will accept Christ as his Savior as soon as he understands.  My prayer is that one day he will make the most important decision anyone could ever make, the decision of where he will spend eternity.   I want us to be together in heaven!
Happy Birthday, Micah!  I love you!