Prayer Request

Ron left this morning for Kentucky! He is attending the FAS Dedication which you can learn more about here. But today and tomorrow he will also be meeting with landlords and looking for a home for us! Will you join us in prayer? Pray that this time will be profitable. Pray for the Lord to lead Ron. Pray for protection as he travels down to KY and back. It would be a blessing if he came back with a lead on a home! We continue to trust the Lord for all of this and simply ask that you petition Him too! Thank you!

Girls Outing

Tonight Maddie and I went to a Mother/Daughter Night. It was sponsored by our Farmer Church Ladies Group and was a meal and speaker. Everyone was to wear pink and a free will donation went to Breast Cancer Research! We started off with a slight problem when I had no pink - but thing drastically went downhill. Maddie realized that in 80 degree weather we don't wear socks and shoes, it's sandal time. She doesn't go for change well. And to top it off her all 3 pair of sandals she has for this summer go between her big toe and the next!

We finally found a pink tank top that I could wear and at least got shoes on Maddie! However, she was not happy and was letting everyone know! Below is the best picture I could get!

Those stinkin shoes were to blame!

She slowly started coming around!

Since we were picking up Ms. Cathy, I decided we would go a little early and try to get a couple of pictures at her house with her pretty flowers!
Maddie was ready then!

She and her baby smelled the flowers,

found more flowers,

and posed by more!

After a little more smelling,

she decided to try swinging (not the best idea in her dress and the wind)

I was just thankful to snap a couple of smiles!

Although we tried again, we still didn't get a good one of the 2 of us!

Oh well, the night ended with Ice Cream - it can't be all bad!

Thanks Maddie for a fun evening out! I look forward to many many more!

Setting the Table

Last Saturday, Maddie, Eli and I sat down for a demonstration on how to set the table. My Mom had given Maddie food, a table cloth and napkins to go with her new kitchen - so Maddie needed to know how it worked. We set the table for 4 - just in case we had a guest!

Maddie was a great help!

After we got it all set, I said we need to pray first and I bowed my head. Maddie said something and I realized she was not praying yet. When I opened my eyes, she was trying to get her "sleeves up"...

...then she was ready to pray. She said the sweetest prayer. I couldn't understand most of it, but it was precious!

After the prayer, they were ready to dig in!

Fun times!

This little gal is growing too fast!

I'm enjoying these times!

PRAISE

I wanted to share a wonderful answer to prayer with all who read this. We believe we have witnessed a miracle in Ron's brother's life. Just a couple of weeks ago things were bad. He, as you know, was hospitalized undergoing intense chemo and the stem cell transplant. Well, on Maundy Thursday we got a call saying things were not good. It took what seemed like forever to get some answers and there were a lot of very tense moments, but finally we realized he was struggling for life. We have since realized how close he came. It was a scary time for all of us, especially Ryan! We did all we could do and turned Ryan over to the Lord. We called on many of you to do the same and the Lord has heard our cries!

Ryan came home last week and although it is very slow progress, he is improving daily. He's walking more each day and getting around better. He's gaining energy and he seems to be improving faster being home. There are small steps of progress, but definite progress. He went in for a follow up with his surgeon today, and got a great report. He'll go back on June 7th for scans!

I just wanted to Praise the Lord! We are so thankful to have Ryan and so thankful for answered prayer. We don't know yet the status of the cancer or if his body was healed completely, but we praise the Lord that Ryan is alive today!

Thank you Jesus for hearing and answering our prayers!

Baseball Season

Despite how this picture looks, Ronnie and Nathaniel are both excited about baseball season.

Some a little more obviously excited!

Both were super excited on Saturday when they realized their names were on the backs of their shirts. Only problem was it was spelled Atkins - after a call from the coach to the printing place, that was easily fixed! So now they proudly wear their ADKINS name!

Last night was their first "official" game. They had an opening ballpark game on Saturday, but it wasn't "real"! Here Ronnie got on first and is waiting for his chance to run to 2nd.

Below, Nathaniel is waiting for that perfect pitch. He is actually not old enough for this league (7 & 8 year olds), but we were afraid someone would get hurt in t-ball if he played that another year. He's a big boy and pretty strong too! He does more than hold his own as one of the youngest!

Run, Nathaniel, Run

Both boys are having a good time. It will be an interesting season. It's a little hard for this momma to get good pictures when there are 2 in the stands to keep an eye on. Last year Maddie loved coming and laying to soak in some rays, this year will be a little different as she and Eli need a little more entertaining!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

It's so hard to get a good picture when so many are involved!
Daddy entertained today!

Don't worry, no one was injured during the taking of these pictures.

Here they are:

My Babies, My Life!

Handsome 1st born

Kind-hearted, 2nd born!

Never a dull moment, 3rd born!

and the baby!

I love all 4 of my babies!

I hope you all had a Happy Mother's Day too!

Meet for Dinner

Mom called and asked if we wanted to meet her and dad in Ft. Wayne for dinner. They hadn't given Maddie her gifts (because the party was called off due to sickness) and thought we could all eat dinner together in Ft. Wayne.

We gladly agreed! It's been quite awhile since we have eaten out with Grandma and Pap but it's always a fun treat!

Maddie was especially excited this time. She got to sit on a big chair like everybody else and she even got her own cup and straw (usually I just bring her cup along). She loved her straw!
Then Pap decided, with the boys, that ice cream would be good. So we went for a milkshake and some entertainment by Pap.

Ron and Mom were busy putting paper cars together!

Then Maddie did a little entertaining of her own!

She wears the hat pretty nicely!

On the way home, Maddie enjoyed some of her new gifts from Pap and Grandma!

We had a fun evening! More fun to come!

National Day of Prayer

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

11 Chronicles 7:14

Coming Home

I talked to Holly this morning and they were beginning the process of discharging Ryan. So he should be home this afternoon. That is a Praise, and also a concern! He will be happy to be home and see the girls, however it is still a long road of recovery.

Thank you so much for all the prayers for Ryan, Holly, the girls, and Ron and Frances! They all continue to need them. Frances will continue to stay with them for a few days to make the transition. Please continue to pray for healing and for Jesus to be Honored in their Home!

Another Birthday

Today was another Birthday in our house, although this one was a little different!

Today we celebrated Nathaniel's 1 year with Jesus. It was a year ago today, May 2, 2010 that Nathaniel said, "Mom, I'm ready", and asked prayed a prayer to ask Jesus into his heart!

We were talking tonight as I put him into bed and he said, "Mom, I don't think it was a year ago today?" When I asked him why he didn't think so, his response was, "cause I remember it was a Sunday!"

Smart boy! It was a Sunday and he remembers because we sat down on our bed before getting ready for church on Sunday morning. He, Daddy and I!

We are so proud of you Nathaniel and so excited to see what all Jesus has planned for you in the next year of life with Him!

Happy Jesus Birthday, Nathaniel!