Our Book Worm

When you walk into our home there is a bookshelf to your immediate right which has about 30 different children's books and various toys. No toy has gotten as much attention as "Are You My Mother", "I Love You Through and Through" or "A to Z" (just to name a few of his favorite books). There comes a certain time of the day when all Owen wants to do is read. He walks up to us carrying books and grunting. He does not let us finish what we are reading before another one is plopped into our laps.

The crazy thing is that now he knows most of the titles so if I ask him to get me a certain book he just walks over to the pile and pulls it out. About 2 weeks ago he started to go into his room and look through other books all by himself. He just sits there and looks at each page individually and sometimes points and makes the animal noises. :) To cute!!

You can see the little wheels in his head turning all of the time as he is trying to make sense of things. What a fun age!

Last Few Weeks

Jason and I were able to go to the Worship God 08 conference this last week in Gaithersburg, Maryland (I wrote this the week we got back - the first week of August). This was held at Covenant Life Church which is part of Sovereign Grace Ministries (CJ Mahaney, Joshua Harris). "Let Your Kingdom Come", "Psalm 103", "Grace Unmeasured" and "Glories of Calvary" are just a few of the songs that we use at our church through this ministry. Their songs are extremely gospel centered and have incredible lyrics. I would totally recommend their worships albums (sovereigngraceministries.org).

Okay now to the conference.... all I can say it that I feel like I have been punched in the gut a few times because of being convicted of some issues I have been dealing with. I went to this conference just thinking I would be learning more about music, singing and studying the Psalms. I did not expect to learn so much on family worship in the home and being a pastor's wife. While at the conference I was also reading "Feminine Appeal" by Caroline Mahaney which only added to the list of things that need to change in my life (I am not yet finished with this book but would totally recommend it). Lets just say that my attitude toward raising Owen and Jason being in full time ministry is not always the best! Thank you Lord for Your grace and patience with me!!



We went to visit Jay's parents two weekends ago and they took us to the Akron Zoo. Just walking around with Grandma Bradshaw.

Yosie and Owen having a "meal" together at Carriage Hill Park.

Owen at the Great Darke County Fair. Our one and only visit for the year.

Owen just chillin out at home.

We have been gone a lot the last few weeks (hence not blogging or commenting on blogs). Next stop is Cedarville. For the next few days Jay will be playing guitar on a worship team for Fall Bible Conference. Owen and I will be joining him tomorrow evening. After this I am going to be ready to be at home for more than 5 days straight but at least we have kept busy :).

No Sleep for Me

It is 11:26 pm. I am sure that you are all aware of the fact that I cherish my sleep. Why am I still awake? This weekend I got a little sick on sunday and stayed in bed for 24 hours straight (yes, I have an awesome husband). I think that I could get an average of 3 hours of sleep for the next few days and it would not faze me. Thankfully, I am feeling much better now but just have a nasty sore throat (I think I had a 24 hour flu virus or something).

I have not posted in a while because I feel that nothing monumental has happened in our lives recently. To be completely honest it seems like since we have been back from vacation life has just been a little boring. Not that we do not have a lot going on, but it just seems like I keep doing the same things over and over and over (Groundhog Day??). Owen is officially at the stage that I cannot leave him alone for more than a few seconds. He is into everything. I find it kind of discouraging that anytime we go anywhere one of us has to give up adult interaction in order to follow Owen up a staircase or through a yard. I know it is just a phase but sometimes it wears me out.

I also know that I have a VERY healthy and vibrant little guy, which I am extremely thankful for. I really am trying to cherish these times (like all older women tell you to do) and just enjoy them while Owen still loves being around me. I have never been more content than where I am right now (being able to be a stay at home wife/mom) but I guess, being the sinful person I am, I am never fully satisfied.

Now that I have written down the things that have been floating around in my head (and the fact that it is midnight) it is time for me to go to bed. Thanks for listening. Good night.

Home Sweet Home

Our sticky boy after downing LOTS of watermelon.

Owen loved the lake water.

He is his father's son. Owen just relaxing and playing with Jay's ipod.

Bath time in our condos huge tub.

I am always ready to head home when vacations are coming to an end. Don't get me wrong, I love them but I also enjoy being on a schedule and knowing what my day holds. Owen decided to start every day nice and early at 5:30 am (we were on central time) but we also had a lot of free time in the evenings because he would go down about 6:30 pm. Mostly are days consisted of a morning walk, a nap time (all of us), going to the pool or lake and dinners with the whole family. It was very relaxing and yet completely different than any vacation we have ever had (Owen was only 2 months old on our last one). Lets just say that we did not lay out and read the whole time (which we used to do). I don't think we will have another get away like that for a LONG time but that is okay with me. I am so thankful for our time away!

Tennessee Here We Come

There are a million things I SHOULD be doing right now because we are leaving for vacation on friday morning. Other than get all of our stuff packed we are also having an open house while we are gone so it needs to be clean (I like leaving the house clean but not that clean). I just cannot wait to go on vacation!!

Let me explain, my father is CRAZY about vacations (this may run in the genes). Both my parents were school teachers (when my mom worked) and so once spring break and summer rolled around it was time to hit the road. My dad bought into a time share when I was just 5 and continually has built weeks since then. My parents were not wealthy at all (did I mention they worked at Christian schools) but this has always been a priority to them. They drove junky cars, we did not eat out often and a lot of things were hand me downs but we did have great vacations.

Now that my dad has points stored up he generously gives us children vacations. I am so thankful for this because I feel that it is a need and otherwise we would not be able to afford them. The most vivid (and best) memories I have are from vacations and I am so looking forward to building some of these with our little family.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the man who comes home from work and instantly has to be in play mode, doesn't mind rolling around on the floor just to get a few laughs, sings all hours of the night to a screaming little boy, changes lots of nasty diapers, has incredible patience (when I want to scream) and wants nothing more than to see his son grow up to be a man who honors Christ with his life.

We are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Anxiousness & Worry

I am a weenie! There are a lot of things that I am not afraid of such as roller coasters, repelling, rock climbing or white water rafting (which I have done all of). But if there is a tornado watch or a really bad thunderstorm I literally start shaking. I hate them!! This is on my mind right now because last night we had some pretty severe storms and of course I got out of bed (twice!!) to check if we had a tornado watch (which we did). I love that I jump in bed when there is thunder (I will say it was very loud) but my 14 month old just sleeps soundly. I think that tells me something about childlike faith that my baby can teach me. God is sovereign and is in control! Period!

We are starting a new study at church this coming week called Calm My Anxious Heart. I have read this book over four times. I read it every summer because these are things I really struggle with (the book also talks a lot about contentment - add it my list). I tend to think about the "What ifs?' in life. What if Jason gets in a car accident? What if something happened to Owen? Oswald Chambers says, "It is not only wrong to worry, it is infidelity, because worrying means that we do not think God can look after the details in our lives, and it is never anything else that worries us." Ouch!

These last couple of years God has really worked on me in these areas (obviously, I still have a long way to go). But one thing that has made a difference for me is having a heart of thanksgiving. When I sit down and write out all of the things I have to be thankful for (sorry for those taking the study - this is in the book) I realize how God has been sovereign over the years and always provided all my needs. At that point worry starts to melt away (at least for a little while) and I am content in my situations God has put me in (again, I wish this lasted longer).

I am going to end with one of my favorite passages:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

AMEN!!!