Nurse Nate

Nathaniel is in Kindergarten. He loves his class and is doing really well too. His teachers, Mrs. Andrews, likes to have parents, grandparents or friends come in and share about what they do. So this week one of Nathaniel's friends mom came in. She is a nurse. He was so excited to share with us what she had given them. He didn't like that it covered his nose and mouth and was worried about how he would breathe, but his little brother thought he looked like a "real" nurse .

Eli couldn't help himself, he really wanted to be a nurse too! I'm sure you can tell he is grinning from ear to ear behind that mask!

Cheap Entertainment

Perhaps mine are the only kids who when you buy a gift they would rather play with box it came in or the wrapping paper it was wrapped in, perhaps, but I think not. So I thought I would share my find.

Last week Eli and I went to the store in hopes of finding some cute, cheap trinket or sorts to hand out to Nathaniel's classmates for his Birthday. We came upon these little sunglasses that we thought 5 year olds would love to play with. They came in a pack of 8 and they were only $2.00. You really can't beat that. So I was thinking I did pretty good.

The kids at school seemed to like them and I was content with that. Then the boys got home from school and I discovered they all loved them.

Even Maddie looked like a star!

I love entertainment that doesn't break the bank!

A Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

This past weekend Ron's parents came to visit. We don't get to see them often, so it is always a treat when they come. The boys had a great time with them and Maddie enjoyed being spoiled.

Grandma Adkins and Maddie

Grandpa Adkins and Maddie

Grandpa, Eli and Ronnie

Grandpa and his boys take a break from playing in the park.

Grandma and the boys!

Everybody had a great weekend!

59 Years!

Today my Grandparents celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary. We went for a visit and brought lunch with us. When I asked what the secret to 59 years was they said, "tolerance, flexibility and patience". Whatever it is, it works.

Here they are 2 kids, 5 grandkids and 10 great-grandkids and 59 years later

Happy Anniversary, Granny and Gramps!

A Whole Hand

At 12:36pm 5 years ago, Nathaniel Blake joined our family. Our little man turns 5 today. He woke up at 5:30 this morning, he was so excited. He is now joining the "Big Kid" ranks and quickly leaving those baby years behind. It's no longer necessary to check how many fingers are raised when asked your age, he's a Whole Hand Now!

What a blessing this little guy is. What a privilege Ron and I have had these past 5 years to raise him and teach him. What a blessing! Below are some pictures of the past five years. He has grown so much from that 8.5lb baby we brought home 5 years ago.

Maddie, Eli and I had a great time in Nathaniel's class today. We took in a snack and one of his favorite games, Bible Memory. His classmates enjoyed it too.

Below is Mrs. Andrews and his classmates

Here he is playing with one of his new gifts and wearing his Birthday Crown from Jr. Church

Nathaniel asked for a tractor cake!

Now he is such a big boy. It's seems like only yesterday and yet five whole years have gone by. As I tucked him in tonight he said he had enjoyed his 5th Birthday. It's exciting to see him grow and wonder how Jesus will change him and mold him in the next 5 years!

Roles at Church

Being the Pastor's Family, we all have "roles" at church. Eli has taken it upon himself to be the greeter. When we walk into Ney he waits for the greeter to hand him a stack of bulletins and then takes his place beside them. He stands there greeting everyone who comes in and keeping everyone entertained in the process.

He keeps his position until it is time to ring the bell. He and Katie (the little girl in the picture below) help Mr. Ronnie ring the church bell. They have a great time. I tried to get some pictures. It is a little dark, but you get the point.

Today, Eli showed a lady his finger where he had gotten a cut. She gave him a reaction that he just loved so he proceeded to show people one by one and then wait for their sympathy before going to the next person.

Fun Times at the Park

Last night we met my parents for dinner and then went to a park so the boys could play. It was a new park, to them, and they absolutely loved it. They chased each other around and giggled and just had a great time. I even managed to get them to "slow down" for a few pictures.

Eli was so excited he could "hang"!

Nathaniel thought he was "way" to big for these toys.

Ronnie's trying not to fall into the hole.

Playing together

Still for a moment

Mountains That Won't Move

I read a devotional this morning, I'll share the concept.

As a mom, I face mountains all the time. Piles of dirty or clean laundry, Towers of blocks, Heaps of dirty dishes, Mounds of food under the table. How are we, as moms, to respond? The laundry won't go away, the kids will still play with blocks, we have to eat; so what is our response?


In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tell us to respond with Faith. His word tells us that even if our faith is as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. So, if I surround myself with Jesus and His word and focus on Him, the mountains will in fact move. OK, maybe I will still have laundry to do and cleaning, but it won't seem like a mountain.



There are days when in fact we can put our faith in Jesus and the mountains still seem overwhelming, and they just won't move. We can hold onto Jesus, who is in control and let Him lead us through these days. He can get us around the mountains.

You Figure It Out

Anytime you have 3 boys, a sunny afternoon, and any object - there are bound to be some crazy things happen. I have no idea why it takes 3 boys to pull an EMPTY wagon.

I guess it doesn't matter, they're having fun.

Just to put your mind at ease, he came up laughing and obviously wasn't hurt!

Nearing the End

Many of you know that Ron has been working on his Masters of Sacred Theology and is finishing up his thesis. In fact, one of the reasons we made this move a year ago was so that he could have more time to work on the thesis. So, as of right now, he is nearly finished. He lacks only an introduction chapter, a bibliography, title page and other small editing things. So he is close and he is excited about that.

This week, and for the past few months, he is cramming for his GRE (Graduate Record Exam). He is scheduled to take it on Friday morning at 8:30am. It is a four hour test and he has to go to Ft. Wayne to take it. He is somewhat worried about it. There are a lot of things that he hasn't seen since High School (which I don't have to mention has been a little while).

Ron hopes to get a good grade on the GRE and finish up his thesis soon so that he can begin applying for his PhD schooling. We have no idea where the future will lead, but we're trusting Jesus to lead us.

We would greatly appreciate your prayers this Friday and for the future!