Nov. 1, 2011

Miss Miri turned 14 yesterday! We spent the evening with our dear friends, the Johnson's. Here is a picture of Miri with Callie and Cole :). How we thank the Lord for our girlie!!

October 27, 2011

Something HUGE happened yesterday! Miri's understanding of her emotions and ability to express them in words has been such a challenge for her. To give an example, she has never said someone hurt her feelings or that she is angry. (She is turning 14 next week) Yesterday, she came to me and said that she was feeling jealous and asked me what to do!!! We were told at Brain Balance that we would start seeing her grasp abstract concepts as her therapy continued...but to actually see it happen is truly a miracle! Thank you Lord!

We appreciate your prayers as we have 6 more weeks to go!!

Oct. 5, 2011

This past Monday we were given Miri's first Brain Balance Progress report. After 21 days...

"Mirielle has gone up 2 age levels in Fine Motor, Proprioception, Supine Core, and Lateral Core! She has gone up one age level in Prone Core, Brachiation and Gait/Aerobics. In reading Mirielle has gone from 2nd to 3rd grade in Drawing Conclusions and is working on 2nd grade Getting the Main Idea. In Math she is working on 2nd grade multi step word problems involving addition and subtraction. "

We are now to increase the number of push-ups and sit-ups, and also have Miri do a fine motor skill activity daily (pick up small paperclips in a bowl and transfer to another bowl quickly for 30 sec.). Lastly, we are to have her play "Concentration" several times a week to help with memory.

We are also seeing a rapid increase in Mirielle's vocabulary as well as increased proper use of vocabulary :). She has always been witty but she is truly becoming a little comedian!

We have about 9 more weeks to go!

Sept. 20, 2011

Sept. 14, 2011

Today was our 2nd day implementing the home portion of Brain Balance. The home portion for Mirielle, which is to target her right brain and particular struggles, includes:

Sept. 12, 2011

August 29, 2011

July 25, 2011

July 15, 2011

We loved Jon and Julie's hilarious inspiration for Taylor and Stephanie's marriage :). Below are the words:


Him: I don’t know you, Who the heck are you? I did not marry that!
Her: What just happened, How’d I get here? I can’t take it back!
Him: You don’t cook like my mom, you cry all the time, can’t figure you out.
Both: You’re so crazy
Her: Well you’re so lazy
Both: Guess this must be love
Him: Girls are scary
Her: Boys are hairy
Him: Girls have too much stuff
Him: Falling slowly into deep sleep, then I feel a kick
Her: Share the blanket, not tonight, dear, I’m not in the mood
Him: Yes, your hair looks just fine, no, you don’t look fat, we’re gonna to be late
Her: Learn to listen
Him: Learn submission
Both: We should get some counsel
Him: Let’s watch Braveheart
Her: Let’s watch Annie
Both: Who gets the remote?
Her: I want babies
Him: Get a puppy
Both: Why won’t you agree?
Him: I want a Harley
Her: Get a Moped
Both: Dear God, please help me
Though we’re different, I will love you, Always and forever!

July 14, 2011

I am finally getting around to posting the wedding day pictures that people took with our camera! I started editing them but decided to just get them up here :). The professional ones should be released soon!

Enjoy!

June 25, 2011

June 24, 2011

about the first year of marriage. I'll try and post it soon.

June 23, 2011

I'll start with an entry from Jon. When we lived in Philly, Bill worked in NJ. He would leave before the kids got up and get home when they were in bed. One day Jon saw Bill leaving and said, "Thanks for coming over Daddy." Bill cried on his way to work.

Taylor's entry...When we decided to move to North Carolina, we prayed with the boys for months that Daddy would get a great job in NC. Bill got a new job about a week after we moved here and we told the kids- which is why we were surprised when at dinner Taylor prayed, "Help get Daddy a great job in NC!" Bill reminded him that he DID get a great job. Taylor responded, "Then why are you home?" Bill answered, "That's what makes it a GREAT job!" :)

Bill has had to work long and hard thru many seasons, but these memories encourage him to make more time for his kids!

A few pics from today...

It was nail salon day for the moms and bridesmaids!

Miss Miri loves her nails :)
























Stephanie's...Step 1...acrylic :)




















Relaxing for a pedicure!

Dinner was a Cobb salad... it was so pretty I had to take a pic :)

June 22, 2011




















Day 3 was a crazy day :). Chiropractor, several errands, makeup trial run and Julie and I made 20 gallons of iced tea/lemonade. Note to self... if you want to get a carpet cleaned, spill lemonade on it. I only spilled a little, but Bill figured if he had to get the carpet cleaner out- why not do the entire family room!! Yes, this is what my house looked like yesterday...3 days before the wedding!! All our family room furniture was moved into...

My kitchen...




















My amazing helpers... Jon and Julie!!






















My living room (this is also where piles have formed for the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and reception...






















My amazing carpet cleaner....






















The finished product!!!




















Now... onto the book!!!


Taylor- age 8
Taylor- at his basketball game, asked if he could get something at the "confession stand". (Concession) :)

Taylor- age 8
Taylor sat down on the couch, and the space heater had warmed the couch. Taylor said, "This really warms up my leg pits!"

June 21, 2011



















Today has been a busy day...hair appointments and checking more off lists! Stephanie's parents arrived from Delaware and Jon and Julie arrive tonight from Florida!! Thank you Lord for much grace!!

More from the book...

Taylor- age 6
Taylor stepped on a pencil and got a piece of the lead stuck in his foot. He asked, "Mom, do you think it will get a cavity?"






















Taylor- age 6
Taylor put Parmesan cheese on his bread and after tasting it he said, "I can't even taste it. Tastes a bit sour. It's just a little bit to the right!" ????

Taylor- age 7
Taylor heard me singing and said, "Was that you singing? It didn't sound like you. I was really impressed of you." :)

July 20, 2011



















Today we're down to 1 hand! The "to do" lists are aplenty but thankfully Bill is off this entire week to help! Here we go!!

On to entries from the book...

Taylor- age 6

We think Jonathan has chicken pox. Taylor said he thought Jonathan had them before...so we explained that one can have a mild case and still get them again. Taylor said, "Maybe this time he has TURKEY pox instead!"


















Taylor- age 7

Taylor said, "I wonder why girls have so much stuff like makeup and stuff and guys only have cars and hockey?"
















Taylor -age 7
Taylor said he felt God was calling him to be a hockey player. I said, "No way!" :) He said, "But Mom, I have a sign! Look at my teeth!!" (They were spaced apart)

June 19, 2011




















Today was a good day...emotional... but good :). This morning was my last time playing keys for our worship band. I am stepping down because Bill, Miri and I will be pursuing a local church plant starting next week. More details on that later!

To help celebrate Father's Day... Bill, Taylor, Stephanie, Miri and I went to see Mr. Popper's Penguins :). We then had dinner and are looking forward to resting this evening. Taylor and Stephanie are off for their last marriage counseling appointment.

Thank you Lord for a good day!

More from the book...

Taylor- age 5
Taylor asked Mom, "Does God have blood in His veins?" Mom answered, "What do you think?" Taylor said, "I think He does because he had blood on the cross."
























Taylor- age 5
Taylor was asked to do something he felt he couldn't do so responded by tilting his head and saying, "Well you KNOW Mom...I AM FIVE years younger than you."



















Taylor- age 6
I asked Taylor to do something and he responded, "It will be kind to pleasure you!"

And our favorite...
Taylor- age 6
Taylor asked me- "Mom...did you know girls are human?" Ah yes dear...we are :)

June 18, 2011



















A few quotes from the book!

Taylor-age 4
Taylor said, "Mom, I love you a gozen infinities!"

Taylor- age 4
Taylor said, "Mom, you're the best part- you love me and I love you!"
















Talyor- age 4
Taylor came into the kitchen with his eyes crossed and asked, "Why can't I see my face?" :)


Today has been a full day of errands! Taylor and Stephanie are painting a dresser in our garage. Dear Miri has been quite emotional lately as she's trying to process another beloved brother leaving home. Taylor hugged Miri for a while and then was so sweet to tell her she could keep hugging him while he worked :). Tears....


















The dresser is going to be a beautiful yellow!!
























Our Mocha (on left) has a playmate this week which has brought the house much laughter :). Meet the adorable Bailey Johnson!

June 17, 2011

Today my dear friend Gail Walker...aka "Gift from God" helped me make 11 Key Lime Pies!!! Checking items off the to do list brings me such joy!!

More from the book!

Taylor...age 4
Taylor, trying to understand God, said, "Jesus has 100 arms so He can hug everyone. Jesus lives in space. On top of the sky is space and on top of space is Jesus."














Taylor...age 4
Taylor wanted to pray for dinner and asked us to pray with him. Apparently we were too quiet because after he said a few words, he stopped to instruct us, "Praying with me means you say, 'Yes Lord' when I say good words." :)


















Taylor- age 4
Taylor put his shoes on and asked, "Am I a good Puter shoer on?"

June 16, 2011

Today was a busy day- full of rehearsal dinner preparations! My friend Dena Nilsen -aka- "Gift from God" helped me today!! I will post pictures of the decorations later... they're so fun!! Right now I'd like to keep them a surprise for Tay and Steph. :)

On to more from, "The Book!"

Taylor, age 3... "Jonathan and me are the children." He pondered at bit then said, "You and Daddy are the bosses."





















Taylor, age 3..."I know who the really boss is- Jesus!"

Taylor, age 3 - I told Taylor he looked so yummy- I could eat him up. He said, "You can't eat me up- I'm a children!"

³⁸For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things ^[a]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,

³⁹Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May 16, 2010

Bill, Miri and I took a fun day trip to Mount Airy, NC to see the town that was patterned after Mayberry, which was where Andy Griffith actually grew up. We started our day taking a tour in a patrol car, then had lunch at Snappy's, then off to the Andy Griffith Museum. It was a wonderful
day!!

May 3, 2011























I was quite unprepared when Taylor announced yesterday morning that it was his last day of regular college classes. Finals are next week, then college is completed. Where has the time gone? I want to soak up every last bit of time with him...I want to slow time down!! In 8 weeks he will be married and not here to offer my daily "vitamins" (hugs), or to draw me out about my day, or encourage me to keep my eyes on the Lord. I will so miss his joy, his singing around the house, his drumming and our jamming :), his counsel...his friendship. Tears mixed with joy and sadness flow as I write this. Letting go is hard- isn't it?! It's hard but it is a part of God's plan...so it is also very good. :)

A few years ago I penned some thoughts when it was Jon's last day of college and he was moving to Florida. I've rewritten it for today...for Taylor and for other mom's who are also facing the finish line.
_____________________________________________
I'm reminiscing a lot these days as our second born is ready to graduate college and leave home to marry his beautiful Stephanie in just 8 weeks. I need to be very careful reminiscing because I'm learning that spending time wishing I could re-write history bears fruit... but not often the fruit I desire. It can sometimes produce guilt and regret. Instead, as I look back, I am looking to learn. Miri is now 13. We have many years ahead with our girl, and Lord willing, grandchildren in our future, so I pray this musing serves!

If I could turn back the clock- I would:

Hug and kiss them more!

Remind them faithfully of the promises of God all throughout life.

Always remind them that they CAN trust God even when they cannot trace Him!

When confronting their sin- I would more faithfully remind them (in kindness) how glorious Jesus is and tell them again of the love Jesus displayed on the cross for them. I would tell them that we desperately need the power of the Spirit to live this life in a manner that pleases the Lord. I would make every effort to leave them with hope and not discouragement when addressing them. I would make sure to evaluate my own heart. What is surfacing in MY heart when they sin? Am I as eager to tend to my own heart and believe the promises of God?

I would remind them more that we need to love His presence...spend time in His presence...listen to His voice while in His presence.

I’d realize that no matter how they conform on the outside- their hearts are the most important. I realize it’s so easy to spend one’s whole life focusing on the ‘frame’ and less on the picture.

I would offer them many more opportunities to serve the needy. It’s so easy in this culture to become self-focused.

I would have prayed with them and led them to scripture more often when needs arose. I fear I displayed self-sufficiency too often.

This is a big one...I would have trusted my Savior more. He has indeed proven to be oh so faithful!

By His grace!

Last day :)