Glad to be Back!

Hello friends,

I am so sorry to leave you all hanging last week. Our internet has been working since last Tuesday, but we had a crazy, busy week . . . and I guess I needed a little blog vacation.

Everyone has been sick at our house! Donnie had strep, Kyle had an ear & sinus infection, Brandon & Allie had yucky colds, Devin had a very bad 24 hours with a terrible stomach virus and this weekend the crud finally hit me and I lost my voice. Can you believe that??? Every day last week one of the boys were home sick . . . just wasn't a good week at our house! Donnie and I couldn't believe how each one of us got sick with something different - the same week! We were laughing about it today - but trust me when I say that we weren't laughing too much last week. :)

So there just wasn't a lot of time for the computer last week between doctor appts. and taking care of all the sick ones in our house. And to be honest with you, I just needed a break from the internet and computer! Sometimes I just need to focus on my family.

But finally everyone seems to be better! And I am glad to be back . . . I have lots to share!

First, I want to ask that you continue to pray for the Chapman Family as they lost their 5 year old daughter, Maria, last week. She is sitting on her daddy's lap.

I can't tell you how completely devastated I was to hear the news and I have cried many tears for this sweet family. I have always loved the music of Steven Curtis Chapman and so many of his songs have permanently touched my heart. Truly, God just speaks to me through the words of his songs! And his song, "With Hope" was used on Jacob's memorial video - and is just so special to me. I share their grief and know all too well the pain of losing a child . . . and that makes me pray for his family all the more! Life is so very hard sometimes and we just can't understand all the bad things that happen on earth. But thank goodness we know that God loves us and we can live and grieve WITH HOPE that we will see our loved ones again!

Also Allie had her 15 month check-up this week.

I was worried about her getting her vaccinations because of her cold - but she did fine (better than Mom!) She only gained 13 ounces in the past 3 months so her weight gain is slowing down . . . which the doctor said was very normal. Allie is now 30 inches and 23 pounds - which is just perfect! :)

And I want to be sure to wish Nancy a Happy Birthday! Her birthday was yesterday and we all enjoyed dinner together to celebrate her day. Here's a quick picture of the kids before we left for dinner.

And a big congratulations to Devin . . .

for making the All-Star Baseball team!! Devin lives to play ball - so he is absolutely thrilled and we are so proud of him. Looks like the baseball season isn't ending anytime soon . . .

Not many pictures to share this week since everyone was sick! But I did get this one of Brandon today that I just love. He had caught a tree frog and this picture just cracks me up!


Thank you so much for all the kind words on Allie's video! I do look forward to your comments and appreciate each one of them. I promise to catch up on blogs and e-mails this week . . . I've missed you all! And be looking for a very special update tomorrow!! ;)

Ending with a scripture . . .

"God has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3: 11-12

Longing for eternity,