Museum and Zoo Trip

We spent the weekend in Chicago a few weeks ago and I am just getting around to editing and posting pictures from that trip. We went to the Field Museum with my mother and father-in-law. We were able to stay with my brother-in-law and his family and we all went to Brookfield Zoo. The day at the zoo began quite rainy, but ended up being a beautiful day.

FIELD MUSEUM

The highlight for the boys was to see "Sue" the T-Rex. We did learn an interesting fact-Sue's head in this picture is not her actual skull-her actual skull weighs too much to be displayed with the rest of her body.

Emma is sitting in the footprint of a dinosaur.

The kids all sitting on a dinosaur leg bone.

BROOKFIELD ZOO

We had so much fun seeing the cool things God has created, as well as being with family.

(And yes, the snow leopard came right up to Emma and Hailey. So Cool!!!)

Kid Confidence

The boys are all in the Elementary level of Sonlight (our children's ministry) for the first and last year. Next summer Alex will move up to Club 56. Wow!

Anyway...this summer the theme is Superheroes. They are learning about Superheroes in the Bible as well as how they can be a Superhero. This last week they talked about "Kid Confidence" and Stephen has been wearing his superhero mask all week.

Oh, by-the-way in this picture he is "making his bumps stand up."

Today I am Thankful for...

...the sovereignty of God. This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions, questions, heartbreak and joy. I attended the funeral of a 6 year old little girl whose mother is a friend and co-worker. This little girl's life was an amazing story of God's miraculous touch. She wasn't supposed to live to be a day old and then just after her first birthday she had open heart surgery. This little girl defied the statistics and grew and was active in soccer and ballet. She was such a beautiful girl and while I have felt angry at times and asked God "why?" I know that she is now dancing in Heaven with Jesus. Her funeral was attended my hundreds of people which speaks to the love for her and her family. My heart has been broken for my friend and her husband and her big sister. But then I am reminded that she is happy, healthy and whole. The mix of emotions within this situation is heavy.


God has reminded me that Emma completed the tasks that He had ordained for her from the beginning of time. He also has reminded me that God does not give us anything more than we can handle-and so I stand amazed at the strength of Jen and Greg. God also has reminded me that His love for us is so perfect, and that is reflected in His will and His timing. God's sovereignty is so amazing to me and it is a quality that I am learning to lean into more and more. No matter what is going on in your life, know this: God loves you more than you can comprehend and that love can give you power to face any circumstance, you just have to rest in it and embrace it.

Food for thought Tuesday

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-21

This is a prayer that I have begun to pray regularly for myself, my family, and my friends. I have also been praying it for the women of our community. The love of God is such an amazingly big and powerful gift. It is truly incomprehensible and in acknowledging that fact we open ourselves up to be filled. And all we have to do is ask and He will provide.

I hope and pray that you would come to a point in your life where you are able to grasp the vastness of the Father's love for you!

Check it out

If you haven't already seen them, our photographer has posted some of the pictures from our weekend photo shoot. Click on the link to Carley Kay Photography on the left hand side of the page.

Today I am Thankful for...

...nights with nothing planned. These nights do not happen very often for our family. Last night was great. I haven't laid on the couch to "veg" for way too long. And I actually got to see my husband and talk to him. It was wonderful. (Now back to the crazy schedule-unless it rains and they cancel Aaron's softball game.)

...that my nephew will relax and fall asleep in my arms. There is nothing more precious than watching a baby sleep. Love it!!

...my Dad. Sunday we take a day to honor the Dad's in our lives and I have been truly blessed. My Dad an amazing man. I know that my life is better because of the influence he has had on me. I grew up as Daddy's little princess and it is wonderful to know that even now I am still his princess. He has loved me, prayed for me, protected me, stood up for me, stood behind me, challenged me, and given me the wings I needed to fly. Growing up I often thought that my Dad and I had nothing in common; we always seemed to be at odds. But as an adult I have come to realize that I have many of the same traits as my Dad. While there are some areas where we are very different, I have come to love and appreciate those differences. I believe I learned to do this because of my Dad and who he is. I love my Dad and I am so grateful to God for him. Happy Father's Day Dad!

Food for thought Tuesday

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.

Do you find yourself caught up in the negative news of our world?

Do you find only the faults of those closest to you?

Are you quick to think the worst about someone?

How would your life change if the verse above became

your filter for your thoughts, words, and actions?

How would the lives of those around you be changed?

Food for thought Tuesday

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:12-13

Blown Away

Yesterday for some reason Alex was carrying around $2 to buy football cards if we went to Wal-mart (which was never in the plans.) We had gone to my in-laws so the guys could change the oil in my van as well as have some ice cream and brownies. We also spent some time talking about our plans for this upcoming weekend in Chicago.

On the way home Alex told me that he remembered that last summer when we were in Chicago there was a man sitting by a building and he looked poor. He was even holding a can for money. Alex then said that he didn't want to use his money for football cards but would rather give his $2 to someone like that man.

WOW!

And if that wasn't enough, Emma sat in her car seat singing "Jesus Loves Me."

Family pictures

Today I am Thankful for...

...the opportunity to be an Aunt again. My little brother (who, yes did just graduate from medical school) and his wife (who, yes just moved from PA to OH for Ben's residency) are going to be parents sometime in December. YEA!!! We are all so excited for them and this new step in their lives.

...Laura being back to work. I am blessed to have the chance to work in the same building as my sister, who is also my best friend (outside of Aaron). She returned from maternity leave this week and it is nice to talk to her in person rather than over the phone. Plus sometimes she has the little man (aka: Andrew) with her, so that is fun too. :-)

...Aaron. I am so grateful to God for my husband. He is amazing. Without even being at home this morning with the kids, he was able to make their day. Today is bike day at daycare and he had loaded up their bikes last night so they would have them today. (Plus it was so nice for me to not have to try to get all four bikes into the van.) These are the kinds of things he does regularly to make life fun and easy for our family. I know that I often take him for granted, but today I was reminded that my life is so much better because of him. He is my best friend and I love him immensely.

...the sunshine. Finally!!! It's Thursday and it's the first day this week we have sunshine. YEA! I hope it sticks around.

Food for thought Tuesday

(I have decided to have a weekly post to share a convicting, encouraging, or funny tidbit. I actually started this last week with my "Question to Ponder" post and decided to continue. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to add a comment.)

"Something is wrong

when our lives make sense to unbelievers."

This statement comes from Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love."