Fun at the park

Thank you Aunt Kathy

Noah and Nate's Aunt Kathy came to visit, and we had a really nice time. We went to the museum, had fun at the playground, watched movies, and baked yummy brownies. She brought lots of goodies for the boys, which of course they love. Noah loves his Diago "man", Star Wars coloring book and his new underwear. Nate loves his new Wiggle movies and his little animals. Being so far away from family can be hard at times, so it is such a treat when someone comes to visit. Thank you Kathy for driving all this way, it has meant so much!
We love you!

Children of Light

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other , just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 5:29-32

Don't annoy me

We were in the car and Noah was talking, apparently only to Jared, because when I went to say something to Noah (thinking I too was a part of the conversation), he said, "Mom...don't be annoying cuz you're talking when I am trying to talk to my Dad."

Cornball

Noah put his arms around his Daddy's neck and said, "Cornball, I love you."

The Virtuous Wife

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
Proverbs 31:27

Big brother

We were having breakfast at "Friendly's", and Nate was acting up, squealing a bit, I looked at him and asked him, "Do you want Mommy to smack your bum?" Without missing a beat Noah answered for his little brother by saying "He said yes!"
(Keep in mind, Nate doesn't talk yet)

What are you looking at?

Noah was playing in the sandbox, and I was just watching him, thinking how sweet he looked, just being a kid enjoying life. I was interrupted from my thoughts when Noah looked over at me and shouted, in a rude tone, "What are you looking at?"

Noah....One cool kid!

Of course he's cool..... he's related to me!

Nate

Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Galatians 5:22-23

Noah

Nathan

A clean heart

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10

Growth in Grace

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight."
Philippians 1:9

Chip off the old block!

Like Father........Like Son

Broccolli for Breakfast?

The other morning I asked Noah what he wanted for breakfast and he said "Broccoli." Playing along I went to the fridge, washed some broccoli and put it on a plate and placed it in front of him. To my surprise (for lack of a better word), Noah ate this vegetable for the very first time. This is the same veggie that he would make a fowl face and turn his head away with disgust any other time I would offer it to him. (I myself love broccoli!) So I grabbed the camera and said out loud, "Now I have proof!" Otherwise I don't think anyone would have believed me; that my son not only asked for broccoli, but he actually ate it. This is the same kid that used to ask to have a ho ho for breakfast!

Thirsty boy!

Ok, so I was doing the dishes, and Jared was in the living room with Noah, and Nate was...well.... somewhere in between doing his own thing. I could hear him playing around, not realizing what he was up to. Jared discovered this thirsty little boy on top of our table helping himself to a juice box. After we took some pictures and had a nice laugh, he was thrown in the tubby and washed from his sticky mess. Although humorous, I have to admit we weren't at all surprised at our little guy's actions. Nate is something else....never a dull moment in this house!

Trust in the LORD

"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

Tor-Nate-O

As you can see, Nate leaves a trail of destruction where ever he goes. If he sees order, he has to mess it up. You can look around my house anytime and know exactly where my little Tor-Nate-O has been. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some cleaning to do. I'm still working on getting Nate involved with the pick up. He puts all of his energy into destruction, he has none left to put things back in their place. I will keep praying that this is only a faze!

Chocolate Heaven

Well we finally had our Easter Egg Hunt! The boys had fun. Noah loved opening the eggs to see his prize inside, and Nate just threw his eggs across the floor until they broke open, and then kicked what flew out of the egg. After they got their chocolate fix they have been wrestling non-stop. I am waiting for the sugar high to wear off before I even attempt to put them to bed! They are always our entertainment for the evening. Our little guys bring us so much joy, they truly are a blessing.

Crayola Snack

This is (was) the tip of a crayon. Nate needed a snack I guess.

My "Big Boy!"

Here's my little guy, such a big boy now, feeding himself. A milestone but makes me a little sad. With each gesture of independence my boys make, although proud of their accomplishment, my heart sinks when I realize that my baby is not a baby anymore. (And again, Nate is not tired in this picture, as soon as he sees the camera he anticipates the flash and does that with his eyes......still drives me crazy!)

Happy Easter

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1Peter 1:3

Feel a draft Robin?

Noah loves "Batman." He was watching Batman and Robin one morning and he looked over at me with big eyes and whispered, "Mom, Robin doesn't have any pants on."

(The funny thing is, Noah's right, Robin doesn't have any pants on!)

Knuckle-Head

After Nate woke up this morning, he walked out into the hallway where Noah was standing to greet him. Noah said, "Good morning Knuckle-Head."

Silly Man

Noah and Nathan were playing, and out of the blue Noah said, "Nate, you're a silly little man!"

A family tradition







Time to color the eggs!!!!

Noah's egg

Noah's egg......he was really into the purple paint wouldn't you say? He had so much fun coloring eggs, and was so proud of his masterpieces.

Nate's egg

Nate's egg........yes those are cracks. Each time we handed him the egg he would throw it across the table, laughing of course. He thought it was hysterical. (Good thing it was hard boiled!!!!!)

Our Masterpieces

TA DA!!!!

Jesus dies on the cross

"Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this , He breathed His last."
Luke 23:44-46

What does this day mean to me?

This is an emotional day for me, remembering that Jesus hung on a cross and died for my sins. How unworthy I am, that God loved me so much, that He sent His only Son to die for me......for me. I am still overwhelmed by the love of God, that words cannot truly express what I am holding in my heart. I have been a Christian for almost 8 years. I was saved in April of 1999. Some people may ask, "Well, haven't you always been a Christian, you went to Sunday school and church growing up?" This is what I would say: I always believed in God, but I never made a true public profession for my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savoir until I was 21 years old. Here is my story, my testimony. It feels right on this day to share it with those who don't know how I came to know Christ.
God's hand is always at work, even if we don't recognize it. I know, I have proof.....God changed my heart, He changed my life forever. Yes it is true, I grew up attending Sunday school and church. I learned the bible stories and the songs. I guess I quit going to church around my early teens. I just wasn't into it. I believed that there was a God, but I never took the time to know Him. Jared and I started dating when we were 16 yrs. old, and as many of you know, were inseperable. (Jared had a similar upbringing, went to Sunday school and church as a kid and that was it.) We ended up attending the same college, the University of Pittsburgh. One of Jared's roomates was a Christian. His name was Reagan. A young man who God used to lead us to Christ. He was a witness, a witness of who Jesus Christ was. I often saw Reagan in the Word, reading his Bible. What a nice guys he was. There was something truly different about him, now I know what made him so special, he had the Holy Spirit living in him. He never preached to us or made us feel uncomfortable.....He loved us and he prayed for us. When Jared and I would ask him "religious" questions he would stop what he was doing, and open his bible and read to us. He helped answer our questions by using the Word of Truth. How powerful God's Word truly is. Reagan invited us to church. So we said "Sure, why not." Every sermon we heard we felt as if the pastor was talking directly to us (Jared and I both). Something was happening to me, something I was unable to do on my own. I was becoming more aware of my sin, aware enough to know that I needed a Savoir. There was no way I was going to enter heaven on my own. On April 30, 1999 Reagan and Jared took me to a church in the South Hills to hear a speaker, talking about salvation.....what it meant to be saved. My heart was pounding as the pastor preached, so many events had led up to this very moment, but this was the most important of them. He told us to bow our heads, and asked if there was anyone who wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savoir. I raised my hand and walked up to the front of the church, I got down on my knees and I cried.....like a baby. Jared had his hand on my one shoulder and Regan on the other. I confessed my sins before God, and I knew that I had been forgiven. That was it, that was the day God changed my heart and I gave my life to Christ. From that moment on I was saved. Saved from what you ask......I was saved from God's wrath. I was born a sinner, we all are, and God's justice for sin is eternal punishment.....hell. Christ took my place, my sins were nailed to that cross with Jesus. Although Jesus led a sinless life, he was punished for my sins........my sins. Because of Christ's death on the cross he paid for my sins, and because of His resurection on the third day, He secured a place for me in heaven. I was saved by the grace of God. After I was saved the song "Amazing Grace" meant something to me. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me...... I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see. "
God has me on a journey, living this life. He has truly blessed me with His presence. I am greatful that my life is in His hands, no other hands that I would rather be in. The road can get bumpy at times, but I am not traveling it alone, sometimes He carries me.
Today is Good Friday......A time for me to reflect on what Jesus has done for me, something that I don't think I will ever be able to truly grasp......but I am so greatful that He chose to save me. This is something I was not capable of doing on my own. Praise the Lord for His "Amazing Grace."

Happy Birthday Grandma

Happy Birthday Grandma

I Love You!

Peace

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:7

Wrestling Buddies

Jared and the boys love to wrestle. A favorite pastime at our house, and never a dull moment. I just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and two amazing little boys. I thank God everyday for them.

In the Jungle

Noah and I went for a walk yesterday while Nate was napping. The walking path came to the entrance of the woods. As we started up the hill, Noah said loudly, "Mommy....oh my, we're going into the jungle!"

Need a refill

Noah was riding his bike yesterday, and he was moving along pretty well. He then came to slight incline in the road and started to slow down, He said, "Uh oh! I'm running out of gas!"

If we stumble......

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand."
Psalm 37:24