Abby is Eight!!

Yesterday by little girl turned 8. I can not even begin to write what a blessing she has been and continues to be in my life. She is sensitive, caring, beautiful, thoughtful, silly, cautious at times but full of adventure at times. For her birthday this year she had her first sleepover at our house. She invited her best friend Regan over and they had a ball.


Here is Regan and Abby the morning after the sleepover!!


Here is Abby just under age two her first night in her big girl bed!!

Also this year for her birthday Abby, me and both her her grandmothers are heading to Chicago next week to go to the American Girl store. I am so excited to spend this special time celebrating a very special girl. Most of all I am so happy that she is first a child of God and she knows it. She knows that Christ is her Saviour and that is the best gift a child can give to their parents. Thank you dear Lord for this little girl.

Out Live Your Life

I just recently read this book by Max Lucado. It is only my second book to read by him but I am of course very familiar with his name and impact. I can say that this book was convicting, inspiring, heart felt and practical. The main purpose of this book I think is found on page 68 "Works done in God's name long outlive our earthly lives". Each chapter guides you on how to make a difference in this world now and have a lasting impact for Christ after we are gone. I enjoyed the short chapters as it kept me on task and allowed me to read small bits at a time without getting lost or off track. It also offered a scripture verse and prayer at the end of each chapter which I found useful in summarizing the key points. The prayer will also serve as a great reference to help me as I strive to make the changes I know God wants me to make. There was also a great balance of biblical examples(Moses,Paul and Stephen) as well as personal stories from Max and others.

Some of my favorite parts of the book are as follows:
Chapter 6 OPEN YOUR DOOR: OPEN YOUR HEART- Call us a fast society, an efficient society, but don't call us a personal society. Our society is set up for isolation. We wear ear buds when we exercise. We communicate via e-mail and text messages. We enter and exit our houses with gates and garage-door openers. Our mantra: "I leave you alone. You leave me alone."

How I long for the days of front porches and kids running in and out of yards as the parents gather and discuss the events of the day. I love the convenience of technology but I need to make sure I don't let people become inconvenient.

Chapter 13 DON'T WRITE OFF ANYONE- God used Paul to touch the world. But first he used Ananias to touch Paul. Has god given you a similar assignment? Has God given you a Saul?

This gave me hope for those I know that do not know the love of Christ or have turned away from him. I am encouraged that God may choose to place someone on my heart that I need to reach out to when no one else will. I can only hope that I am willing to listen and respond to God's prompting on this.

Chapter 15 PRAY FIRST; PRAY MOST- Grant me the grace to treat everyone I meet as someone for whom Jesus died and rose again. Let there be no unwholesome or unholy distinctions in my eyes and no unworthy favoritism in my actions. Rather, make me into a vessel through whom Jesus shines.
I love that, a vessel through whom Jesus shines. What a great mental image of what I should be striving for and can achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are privileged to be able to serve along with our Lord and this book is just the tool to help us show that to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It's that time of year!!!

I love College football but more importantly I love the Buckeyes. Tonight is the beginning of a great season and my whole house is pumped. Abby and Will went to school wearing their buckeye gear today and we will definitely be watching tonight. It is funny how weekends become more exciting or planned around Buckeye games in the fall. We are planning on going to the OSU vs Ohio game and are fired up to watch all the games we can from our home. So I am grateful for the simple blessing of college football but also that I get to live in Ohio and be an Ohio State Buckeye fan. GO BUCKS!!!

Will is in Kindergarten!!

Will is in Kindergarten, he was very happy his first day and very talkative. In Dublin they only go half days and so Will goes in the AM. He went Tuesday, Thursday and Friday last week so this week will be the first five day week.

Mike came on Thurday to wish Will the best and of course that was a great bonus for Will. I did not have a hard time sending him to kindergarten as he was actually gone longer for preschool then he will be for kindergarten. I am going to enjoy these half days with my little man. He is so full of energy and I am excited to see what fun adventures the afternoon will bring us.

Abby is in Second Grade!!

Abby started school on Monday, she is a big second grader. The summer was fun and fast but I can honestly say I am ready to get back into a routine. Here she is with her brother outside the school. I love that I have documented proof of their love for each other so that when they are fighting I can show them this picture to remind them.


Here is my Abby and me before she headed into school. One of the moms at the school offered to take a picture of us together, which was so nice. I love this girl.

Here is Abby as she poses outside our house, she looks so adorable. She looks like Kit Kittredge but with longer hair. We got this dress at target and I love the retro look with the socks and flats. I love that Abby is still in love with dresses and all things girly.

Abby has her first male teacher this year and he is super nice. Abby has a great group of kids in her class and I am excited to hear all the fun stories.

Jasper

Our trip to Jasper was too beautiful not to put some pictures up. We stayed in a lovely cabin at the Fairmont Jasper. It was spacious and beautiful and so rustic.

Here is the beautiful lake we got to look at every morning. It was so cute in the early mornings as Papa would head down to the deck with some of the grandchildren with his coffee.

One morning we took a 45 minute bus ride to see Maligne Lake. Then we went on a boat tour and saw God's beauty up close. I know the picture doesn't fully capture the color of the water but it is the most beautiful aqua/teal color.

Another day we rode a tram up Mt. Whistler which is @7500 feet. We had great views of the mountains. The tram ride was beautiful but also a little scary being suspended mid air, but the end result was worth it.

We had such an amazing trip, our travel was safe and smooth. We got to experience so many new things together as a family, I am so grateful for the wonderful memories.

Lake Louise

We were blessed this past week to travel to Canada with Mike's family to celebrate his parents 40th wedding anniversary. What a blessing to witness Mike's parents commitment to God and each other and of course an added bonus to visit Canada. We started our journey by spending one night in Lake Louise. To say God has made some beautiful things is an understatement. When you read about God's creation in Genesis you can not even fathom what he really created until you get out there and see it. What a blessing to show my kids what our God has created for us to enjoy.

As we were driving to Lake Louise we say a rainbow, what an assurance of God's promise and that his presence was with us.

Here is Abby and Will with their two cousins Libby and Marie as we wait at Calgary airport to get our rental cars.

The view of Lake Louise from our hotel room

On Lake Louise cayaking with our family, it was a crisp and clear day.


More pictures of our stay at Jasper to come, the pictures do not capture all that we saw but they are pretty close.