Fun with Friends

Last week, Ms. Natalie came! My kids love her! She and her husband Mike were the couple that Ron married right before Christmas. We met them last fall when we did marriage counseling with them. They are also joining our Ney Congregation on Easter morning! So we have gotten to know Natalie and Mike a little more over the past couple of months!

The kids were excited that she liked to play Sorry and "Membory" (as Maddie calls it). I was happy she could play with them for a few minutes while I helped the older 2 work on History Boards!

But we did have a fun afternoon and evening together.

Maddie especially loves Ms. Natalie

We are thankful for friends to spend time with - who truly love our kids!

Thanks for coming Natalie - we'll have to do it again, although maybe not stay up until midnight :)

Growing

These 2 Ron's are so much a like and I love it! I am so proud of Ronnie and although this parenting this is so difficult at times and I question myself and my abilities -I'm so thankful that God is bigger and He is in control! So thankful I can depend upon Him to lead me as I raise my babies.

Back in January, we began a class with both of our churches. We opened it up to anyone wanting to join the church through Membership, Confirmation or Believers Baptism! We were so proud when Ronnie informed us he wanted to be baptised! He asked Jesus into his heart over 3 years ago when he was only 5 and he continues to learn more and more about what it means to follow Christ!

So for the class we are using a book titled, "What We Believe". We have gotten into some great topics and discussions. Ronnie doesn't say much in class, unless Daddy asks him, but he is a thinker! He is, it seems, always deep in thought and often times has questions after class on our way home.

We are so excited for Easter this year as Ronnie will be baptised Easter Morning! But I'm even more excited for the future. Ronnie continues to grow and develop into a young man, but I'm so blessed and excited that he continues to grow in Wisdom with God! He is an amazing little boy and I am blessed to be his Momma!

First Spring "Flower"

Today Maddie presented me with the first "flower"of spring. She was so excited to find it.

We took a walk outside with Daddy and Eli right after lunch. This was especially fun because it was our first walk barefoot this year and we had painted our toenails this morning - Gotta love spring!

Maddie was super excited to have her toenails painted - she has been bugging me and I kept telling her we would wait until spring! This morning was the time. She had been up with a fever in the night and wasn't feeling great, but pretty toenails made her smile!

So...back to our walk. We went out and walked in the green grass with our pretty painted toes and Maddie found it. The first flower of spring! And to top it off, it was YELLOW - her favorite color!

I have a feeling there will be lot of dandelion's this spring! Maddie will be sure to find them and pick them for whoever would love to receive them - I can't wait!

Spring has arrived!

Fun with History

Tonight we attended the boys History Fair. This has been something we have been working on for over a month and put a lot of work into. The boys each selected a person in History and had to write a report, complete a tri-fold board and dress the part for the Fair tonight!

We spent hours, typing...

writing...and rewriting... and being tired of writing!

But finally it all paid off!

Meet Billy Sunday otherwise known as Baseball's Evangelist! Ronnie had so much fun learning about Billy Sunday and could tell you a lot about him - you'll have to ask him! He really enjoyed this professional baseball player turned Evangelist!

Nathaniel learned about Roberto Clemente. The first Latino Professional Baseball player! His career was cut short when his plane went down on his way to take relief supplies to the people of Nicaragua! Nathaniel can tell you a lot more about Roberto and loved learning about how talented he was on the baseball field!

It really was a tremendous amount of work, but the boys learned a lot from this project. Ron and I were proud of our two as we walked around to each students display tonight and realized that not all of them had learned too much! We are thankful for their desire to learn and hope and pray it continues!

Fun with Daddy

Daddy's home, and that mixed with more beautiful weather, made for a great afternoon! Ron took the boys down to the park for some baseball, but Maddie and I were missing them, so we walked down to join them!

They were pretty intense!

Maybe I should say, Ronnie and Nathaniel were intense. Eli - well I just have to share this story and picture. The picture is staged, however, if I had been a few seconds faster it would not have been. Ron and I both happened to look at Eli at the same time and tell him to get ready for the ball to come his way. He started looking around and even turning all around with his hands up in the air. He couldn't find his glove! It could be a very interesting year of t-ball!

He did finally get serious though and did pretty well!

Nathaniel is a VERY hard hitter!

Ronnie is switch hitting and is so much stronger going left!

Maddie enjoyed the dugout!

And would wait for the occasional foul ball which she would run in to the pitcher, and then sneak a big hug!

We're all pretty excited to have our pitcher back home with us!

We survived another Wilmore Week!

Thank you for all your prayers!

The Wilson's

You may remember me blogging about a sweet lady from one of our congregations who was life flighted on Christmas Eve! I'll be very honest with you, we didn't think she would make it and weren't even sure we would go to Alabama after Christmas! But we did and she gradually regained strength and was even allowed to go to a Nursing Home/Rehab facility where we all 6 visited with her several times.

Well today we were able to visit her...in her own home! Jean is doing wonderfully. She is having to slow her pace, but she really is doing so well! Such a miracle that she can even get around.

She was excited to take the kids picture with this little rocking chair that was hers when she was their age.

Eli sang for Mrs. Jean as she missed Church on Sunday. We listened to stories from Mr. Elton of his days as a Scout! We simply enjoyed our visit! Wonderful people that we are so privileged to know!

As we were about to leave Eli decided he wanted to take a picture of Mr. Elton. He snapped it before Elton could object, although I don't think he would have!

It is so fun to visit wonderful people who have lived such full lives and have so many experiences to share. Elton is 95 years old. I asked him as he was showing us his Eagle Scout sash and remembering what the different badges were for, if he had ever had any of his "stories" written down! They would be wonderful stories to pass to many generations to come!

We had a wonderful time and are so thankful that the Lord healed Jean and continues to watch over them both!

One More

There is only one more Good Morning Phone Call - then we can hug Daddy!

We can't wait!

Gorgeous Weather...in March

It has been absolutely beautiful weather here in Northwest Ohio the past couple of weeks. Last week was nice. Sunny and breezy, but no longer winter coat weather for sure.

Maddie was pretty excited to loose her toboggan hat and just go with a hood to keep the wind out of her ears :)

Then this week it has been gradually getting even better! We went with no coats or jackets.


To t-shirts only and then today the boys had shorts on and even took of their t-shirts at one point because they were so hot!

It's summer weather for sure. Bright, warm and sunny. It was 81 here today and just beautiful!

Eli complains at time because his brothers only want to play sports outside - but he figured out how to get their attention off of their game, at least for a few moments! Worms!

We are loving being outside!

Loving his Sis

Nathaniel is absolutely Head-over-Heels for his little sister! He would do anything for her! Yesterday he climbs into the van after school and says, "Maddie, I have something for you." She immediately wanted to know what it was, but he made her wait until we got home - I think he could barely stand the wait himself!

Then he presented her with...

a beautiful flower he had made in Art Class!

She loved it! I hope and pray they will remain the best of friends throughout their lives! I love their love for one another!

Picture for Daddy

Typically, on the weeks that Ron is gone, I will post pictures so that he can see the kids! However, this week has not been typical - so sorry these are late!

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather. I stopped the kids yesterday, in the middle of their play, because I needed a picture for Daddy!

So here you are Hon - we are enjoying the weather and wishing you were here! Oh - and we're wearing t-shirts - Maddie thinks that's pretty neat!

more pictures to come -promise!

With Christ

Philippians 4:13 has been running through my head a lot today. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

With Christ, I can do all things - so the same is true - without Christ, I can do nothing! I am so so so thankful that even with Ron gone, I am not alone. I can depend upon the One who gives life!

It has been a LONG day and a very emotionally trying day and yet - the Lord is faithful and good! Things didn't go as I would have hoped today or for sure how I would have planned today, but Christ is still on the throne and there is reason to Praise Him tonight!

Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness. Thank you for your presence! Thank you that even in my weakness you remain my strength.

Wilmore Week #7

It seems like there have been more than 7 Weeks of this, but here we are Week #7! Ron got a much later start today as he opted to watch the OSU game with the boys before leaving!

He is on the road though and although I might sound like a broken record every month, we would covet your prayers for our family. It seems that leading up to these weeks when Ron is gone there is always some trial or struggle that we must endure. Right now our van is in the shop(thankfully Ron was home when it broke down) and we have a rental car, so would you pray that I can handle all of the sticky details regarding that situation. It has been an ongoing issue for several weeks and I need to make sure I handle it correctly.

Also please pray for Ron this week as he researches, has meetings regarding his PhD and other meetings, has Discipleship and just is away in general.

We would also covet your prayers here on the home front. We are planning to keep busy and pray for Saturday and Daddy's return to come quickly!

Many of you have told me that these Wilmore Week updates remind you to pray for our family and you have no idea how much that means to me. We all need to be lifted up in prayer at times and these weeks are those times for me! Thank you for your faithfulness and friendship to our family!

By Myself

Sometimes it's just easier to play games by yourself!

Eli enjoys this because he can win, "almost every time".

It was hilarious to watch this little game of dominoes play out. He would talk to himself as if trying to figure out what his "opponent" was going to play next! Too cute! He was so excited to show me that he had won! Oh the joys of being 5 and having a wonderful imagination!

Typical

It's a normal thing around here to have an after lunch football "game". Eli grabs his helmet and waits for Daddy to finish eating! Usually with just the younger 2, it stays "relatively" calm and very entertaining!

In the middle of the game Daddy has to be the horsey too!

Don't worry, no one was harmed during the taking of this picture.

It's usually a lot of fun for all 3 of them!

I'm not quite sure why they choose to do it after lunch, but I guess, if it works - go with it!

"Whole 'tire' Family!"

Maddie is very expressive and she is very vocal for a 2 year old! She made this exclamation yesterday at breakfast! She was so excited!

On Friday, I left after lunch for Dayton. Every year during the first weekend in March I attend our Evangelical Church Conference Women's Retreat! I have taken both Maddie and Eli when they were infants and so have attended for several years. The past few years I have met my mom and sister-in-law, Tonya (Jay's wife) there for a weekend together!

It was a great weekend. Honestly I just needed some rest and change of routine and I got some of both! Probably not a lot of rest, but it was good. Our speaker for the weekend was Marilyn Hontz, author, speaker and Pastor's wife from Michigan! I wasn't sure at first that her style was one I could relate to, but in all honesty many of the things she said have stuck with me and challenged me. The weekend theme was Listening to God! Which is definitely something I need to work on, it sometimes easier to tell God what's going on than to sit and see what He desires for our lives!

In addition to the time with Mom and Tonya (which I regret not getting any pictures of), I got to spend a little bit of time with some treasured friends. Ron and I were introduced to the Evangelical Church when we were in college and we traveled to Seminary in Jackson, MS with 2 couples who were already connected to the Conference! I love getting together with Gloria and Jenny and being able to share about our ministries and lives and how God is challenging and using us!

We were able to go out for a bit on Friday evening and catch up! I really can't think of greater friendships than those who I am connected to within the Evangelical Church! I'm very blessed!

Here Gloria, Jenny and I pose inside a Steak-n-Shake after some catching up!

Below are Gloria, Jenny and Jenny's mom, Cathy!

So it was a great weekend for several reasons!

I needed the time away, I was able to catch up with friends, spend time with family and dig into God's Word and be Challenged!

But...when I got home Sunday evening, I could tell I had been missed, especially by my little girl! She loves her Mommy!

So her exclamation at Breakfast Monday morning was simply the best - here we are, all together the "whole (en)tire Family"!

A Good Start

Two weeks ago tonight, Eli made a decision that will impact the rest of his life. Already we are seeing changes in this little man! He has gotten up, a couple of mornings, bright and early to read his Bible before breakfast!

Read is a relative word to our 5 year old who is still learning all his letters and sounds, but he looks at the pictures and can retell pretty much any story from his children's Bible!

It's exciting to see him desire to be in relationship with Jesus!