Memorial Day

Yesterday was Memorial Day!  In the day that we are in, it is important for me to say - I'm proud to be an American!  Proud of those who have sacrificed so much for my freedom.  Hopefully we are teaching the kids to be proud as well!  We had a fun time at the Ney Memorial Day Service!

Mr. Elmer is a WWII vet and had mentioned in church Sunday that he was planning to wear his uniform to the Ney Memorial day Service!  He looked sharp - when I told him that, he showed me that the coat wouldn't button.  :)  I'm honored to know him and so appreciate his service - for me, my family and our country!

Happy Father's Day!

 Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Thanks for all you do for the 3 of us and for our families!  Thanks for being not only a Great Dad, but a fun Pap too!  We all Love you!

Update on Thanksgiving

(I think I figured out my blog problem, I hope)

 

I've been wanting to post about our Thanksgiving. 

This was the first Thanksgiving where we stayed home, we needed some down time and it was a fun day with just the 6 of us!

 

Ron fried our turkey this year, we hadn't done that in several years either, it was very yummy!

 

The kids seemed to enjoy the process too!

 

We have so much to be thankful for beginning with a full table of food!

The boys all 4 enjoyed a game of football!

 

Maddie enjoyed her swing.

 

In the evening we played games and just had more family time!

It was a fun, relaxing, quiet (as quiet as possible for 4 kids) day! 

We are so blessed!  I hope you had a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have decided this year to stay at home.  Ron and I were thinking back and we don't think we have ever (in our married life) been home for Thanksgiving.  Ron is planning to fry a turkey and we will just have a quiet (with 4 kids) day together!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to Count Your Blessings!

Where did Thanksgiving go?

I get easily frustrated when I walk into a store in October and see Christmas decor.  Not only because they are rushing it, but honestly it seems that, as a society, we have forgotten that there is a holiday between halloween and Christmas!  I remember it used to be at least there was a big turkey in the stores, but now it seems we just skip it completely.  We've gone from completely secularizing it to just fogetting completely.  Yeah, we get off work and school, but really do we celebrate?

We (as human beings, as American's, as Christians) are such a blessed people.  We truly have so much to be thankful for.  Yet we by-pass the holiday in order to get ready for the next "big" one. 

What is Thanksgiving and where did it go?  How many will actually stop this week and be really Thankful?

Thanksgiving seems to be just an opportunity to deviate from the norm.  A couple of days when we can be with family and eat and not have to attend work or school.  Anymore, it seems that it's just a day!

I have tried this year to be more intentional about celebrating Thanksgiving in our home.  We started early and began a Thanksgiving countdown.  We had a November calendar in which there are Thanksgiving and Blessings passages that we read every evening.  We truly have so much to be thankful for and I don't want my kids to take on society's role of - it's just another day!

Despite our lack of acknowledging it, we are a BLESSED people.  I have a BLESSED family!  I am a BLESSED Momma!  and I want my kids to know that too!  We are BLESSED beyond our comprehension and even our knowledge!

"Jesus, forgive us for skipping over the one day each year set aside to thank you for all you have given us. Jesus help us to be truly thankful and teach and train our children to realize the Blessings in their lives and be truly THANKFUL to You!"

Get out and Vote

I am convinced that voting is a privilege, not a right!  We are blessed to be able to choose/elect our officials.  However, I believe that those of us who call ourselves Christians, Christ-like, have a responsibility to vote for leaders who align themselves with Biblical standards.  We cannot say we are Christian and then vote against what the Bible teaches - it just doesn't add up.

 

We must vote for those who believe in the sanctity of life.  We must vote for those who stand for Israel, God's chosen people.  We must vote for those with a Biblical view of marriage (one man and one woman).  We MUST if we claim to be Christian - we must follow the Bible even (or especially) in our voting. 
 

I know that some will differ with me, but I believe that the Bible is clear and these truths are not wishy/washy.  If we call ourselves Christians, we must vote in a Christ-like manner. 

Celebrating Easter

Our Easter Celebrations began early with our Sunrise Service at Ney. The kids did most of the service with a skit and music from our Kids Choir and Adult Choir. It seemed to go very well!

Then we gathered in the basement for a yummy breakfast!

My Dad and Mom made the journey bright and early.

Below Pap and Maddie match so had to get a picture together!

We celebrated Easter like the ancient Christian Church in that we brought in new members. For the past 9 weeks we have been offering a Membership, Confirmation and Baptism class. Between both churches we brought in 5 new members, 4 Confirmations and 3 Believers Baptisms! It was quite the celebration!

It was quite the celebration!

He IS Risen!

We must celebrate! The end of the story has come and Jesus Christ has Risen from the dead, He's ALIVE!

Celebrate his Resurrection today! Death has no victory, He has Risen!

Is He Alive in YOU today?

Happy Easter!
May you truly know that He is ALIVE!

Why is it "Good"?

It's a valid question - Why do we call it "Good" Friday? What is so Good about Jesus being killed?

As I tucked the boys into bed last night, I reminded them of today and what Good Friday is. Eli's question is a great one - Why in the world do we call something that was so horrible good!

Matthew's gospel says, "They stripped and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they lead him away to crucify him." He was forced to carry His own cross up to Golgotha - which means Skull. On the way, the same crowds, who just days before had shouted Hosanna as he rode along now called for his death - "Crucify Him". They put sinners on either side of Him - these men were truly guilty (like you and me). He was put in the center. They took huge spikes drove them into his hands and his feet. The crowds continued to pass by and "hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!'" (Mark 15:29-30)

There was nothing Good or Glorious about his Death and yet we celebrate "Good Friday". There is Good - we must tell the WHOLE story to get the beauty of Easter. He died that horrible death so that we might live. He suffered for us, on our behalf. He did it for me. He did it for my kids. He did it for YOU!

Tonight our congregations will participate together in a Tenebrae Service - which comes from a latin word meaning darkness or shadows where we look at the 7 words from the cross and contemplate what life would have been like if the story ended on Good Friday - IT can't end until Easter Morning. There is more, we must tell the WHOLE STORY!

Yes, there is blood, torture, pain and suffering - but that isn't the end! The Good is coming! Are you ready to celebrate?

Valentines Day Past and Present

Present:

Today, despite our Valentine begin in KY, Maddie and I got flowers! We were both pretty excited! You can tell by her smiles that she loved her "love bug". The little lady bug becomes a basket she can carry around after her flowers are gone!

(see Daddy, she loved them)

Eli took a picture of both of us with our flowers! I also got chocolate covered strawberries! Gotta love chocolate and flowers! You can't see my flowers very well in Eli's picture below, but they are cute little baby roses, they are so pretty!

Past:
I've been thinking a lot today about a Valentine's Day years ago. Actually it was 13 years ago! Wow, that sounds so long ago, but let me set the scene for you!

Ron and I were both a part of the boys and girls basketball teams with Circleville Bible College. We had a tournament and didn't get back to the dorms until very early in the morning on Valentine's Day. We decided to get some much needed sleep and then go to brunch together and then go to Old Man's Caves. At the time we had been dating right around 10 months!

I remember that morning we went to Bob Evans, one of our favorites back then. I also remember that Ron was acting a little strange. He proceeded to be "out of it" and in a hurry to get through our meal and even as we began hiking. I noticed he was intent on getting to a particular spot, instead of our usual stroll and enjoying the beauty! It really was beautiful that February day too. There had been a slight snowfall and the hills and trees were so pretty!

To make a long story (Ron has a lot more details about how I made it miserable for him to get to the particular spot -you can talk to him about those details), but anyway...

I also noticed that Ron was keeping me away from a certain side of him - he had something in his coat pocket, but I tried not to allow myself to think about what it might be :)

Finally we reached the intended spot and the love of my life asked me to be his love for the rest of our lives!

And now 13 years later he's still the most amazing Man and now so much more. Now he is the Most Amazing Husband and Father! He's loving, kind and caring to me. He can be rough and tumbly with the boys and yet firm, and he's so sweet to watch transform as he talks and interacts with his little princess!

Ron, it's hard being away from you today, but I can handle a Valentine's Day here and there and even a week now and then because I know that I will grow old with you and you will be my Valentine for many many years to come!

I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Preparations

Technically, I should have posted this yesterday, probably - but better late than never.

Yesterday, I needed to make some cookies for the boys Valentine Parties at school. Eli and Maddie were all set to help out, until...

Eli decided we need Valentine decorations in our house! After all Walmart has Valentine decorations, why shouldn't we! Instead of explaining why we don't need to do the things that Walmart does, I told him to go ahead and make decorations. This task actually became an all morning project. He was so proud to cut out hearts (a recently discovered task he can do). Then he got some tape and taped them to the front and back doors!

He also make a big red one for "brothers" bunk bed and one for his own! He was pretty proud of his decorations, as you can tell above!

I have to tell you I was pretty proud of my cookies too! Occasionally, a little hint of creativity comes out! Who knew!

While I was keeping busy in the kitchen with cookies, I was enjoying the most beautiful sound. Maddie reading to me! It was so fun. She went through book after book. Sometimes singing, sometimes "reading". Always jabbering away. I loved it. I never knew there were so many memory verses and songs in Pinocchio! Fun to hear her intermingle her Bible verses with her reading of Snow White and sing "Hi Ho, Hi Ho" with "Jesus Loves Me".

So we are set for a day focused on LOVE! Our love may just be kept here with us today - so far the boys are on a 2 hour delay. I'm not sure exactly what the day will hold, but I'm excited to spend it with my 4 little ones.

Thanksgiving 2011

We spent a couple of days relaxing with Ron's parents in Northeast Ohio! It has been a fun and needed break from the norm!

One thing Maddie and Eli had been anticipating was a bath in Grandma's tub with Bubbles to their chins!

Thanksgiving Day was full of wonderful food...

and of course relaxing!

We even got to visit with Aunt Barb!

Panpa (as Maddie calls him) even got a double duty back rub!

You can't beat that!

We enjoyed time as a family!

Time with Grandparents!

And although we missed the rest of the Adkins clan, it was fun to be together!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa (Panpa) for wonderful Thanksgiving Memories! We had fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours, we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and that the Lord will help you to see your Many Blessings not just tomorrow but throughout the coming year!

"Thank you Jesus for all of the Many Blessings you have given each one of us! Help us to always have thankful hearts."

Happy 4th!

Last night we drove into Defiance for the fireworks! Ron and I realized we had not taken the kids to see fireworks in quite a long time! We thought they might enjoy it! So we spread out our blankets and waited!

We waited for quite a long time. They didn't start until 10:20! WOW!

But they were pretty! I was concerned that Maddie might not enjoy them with the loud noise and all. She kept saying, "petty" and "Ohhh petty". Then Eli got her to say, "handsome". Crazy kids!

We had a great time and the kids were almost before we were out of Defiance! 11:30 is kinda late for bed, even for an 8 year old.

Unfortunately, my attempt to get a good picture of the light show did not pan out! Take Maddie's word for it though, they were "petty"!

Happy Father's Day!

I took this picture this morning while Ron was doing some last minute preparing for his sermon!

We haven't had a true Sabbath in a few weeks, so we took advantage of a day to just relax and do nothing - together!
2 Ronnie's being lazy together

Queen Bee!

Happy Father's Day Ron to the best Daddy in the world!