Happy First Birthday, Baby "Say"!!

So, one year ago today, Elijah Seth entered this world at 11:19 AM. What a chunky monkey he was at 9 pounds (3 weeks early)!! I remember bringing him home & Nate being very protective of him. Didn't want anyone holding him & proudly announcing that was HIS baby brother. Alex, well, he was a little less enthused. Now, I can see that Nate still has a protective instinct about him. Alex is his fight partner. I can see Alex starting to realize that Seth will be on the receiving end of whatever it is he wants to dish out. And, I see Nate scolding Alex when he's being ugly to Seth. Never mind Nate just did that to Alex 2 seconds prior!!

I can not believe how this past year has just flown by. Little milestones he has hit, all the firsts... wow, our baby boy is on his way to being a little boy now. Does that mean it's time for another?? LOL! Ya just never know! We'll keep ya'll guessing on that one! ;-)

I have to reminice a bit with pictures.

3 days old

6 months

He Reigns

I really enjoyed this video montage someone put together with this song. Helps me to know I have brothers & sisters in Christ all over the globe!

Nate Nate is sick... AGAIN!

I just can not get Nate well. Beginning of Sept he had a sinus infection. Then by Oct. 1st it had turned into bronchitis and now today he has an ear infection! It seems like he's been on antibiotics for 2 months solid.
Funny thing is the docs always tell me he's not contagious. So, to take him OR not to take him to church?? Quite the predicament since Allan & I teach. We have about 14 kids who depend on us to be there each Sunday. Not really sure what we'll do tomorrow.

Seth is nice & snotty today, too. He just got finished throwing a mini-fit. For whatever reason I don't know. I gave him some milk and he threw it down & proceeded to scream and cry for 10 mins. I guess he finally realized I wasn't going to cave in and baby him. So, he picked up the milk & is happy. Mr. Attitude! Guess he figures since Monday is his birthday that he can cry if he wants to!

Finally, GA is having some fall weather. It was nice & cool, so last night, I went & bought a firepit. We built a fire & roasted hotdogs & marshmallows and stayed outside til about 11 PM. The Johnsons came over the boys all had a blast running around outside with flashlights. Then, Nate was up at 4:30 AM complaining & crying that his ear was hurting. So, off we went to the doc this morning. Hopefully, he'll feel better soon. Poor kid. I really felt bad for him. This is the first time he's been able to really tell us when something hurts him in re: to sickness.

I'm cooking some Cheesy Chicken Corn soup right now & it's smelling good. I made some for a couple in our Sunday school class since they just had a baby & decided it sounded good for us, too. Nothing like good, cheesy soup w/ some warm chewy bread to dunk in it while watching the Bulldogs!

Off to finish dinner before the Dawgs get fired up!!

Do you & I give with the right attitude?

I really liked this devotion today. I have been known to enjoy raffle ticket style fundraisers more so than giving money. Never really thought of it as a something for me/something for you kind of donation. But, I guess that's what it really is.

Why Do We Give?

When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. —Matthew 6:3

Whatever happened to the notion of giving for the sake of giving?" asked Tim Harford, columnist for FinancialTimes. "The closer you look at charitable giving, the less charitable it appears to be." A study of door-to-door fund-raising campaigns, for instance, found that organizations earned far more by selling lottery tickets than by asking for donations.
"This hardly suggests a world populated by altruists seeking to do the maximum good with their charitable cash," says Harford. At least for some people, there’s a something-for-me/something-for-you approach to giving.
Jesus also dealt with the issue of motives in giving. When He said not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He was teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. Our giving should be in response to God’s love. To encourage pure motives, Jesus instructs people to give and to do good deeds in secret with no thought of themselves. God, who sees everything, will reward them (Matt. 6:3-4).
Our generosity should be God-centered—not to make us look good, but to please the Lord. With your next good deed, ask yourself: If I knew that no one would ever find out that I did this, would I still do it? —Marvin Williams

God sees the giver as well as the gift; the heart as well as the hand.

Cheers & Jeers

So, today's been a great day, despite Nate's antics at school that resulted in his clip getting moved to Yellow!! Apparently, he likes to look under the bathroom stalls. We need to work on this little behavior! Good grief! And, he was talking too loud in the halls at school. He thinks his echoing voice is the greatest thing since PB&Js. He loves to do it in Sams Club, too.

CHEERS
So, this morning, I went to a chain hair salon. Anyone who knows me, knows that I generally do not have good luck at these places. I've had mullets & gapped hair as results from these places. But, today, I was tired of fighting the mop on my head & on a whim, decided to go after I dropped Nate & Alex off at school. For once, I was actually pleased with a $13 haircut! Even if the place wreaked of cigarette smoke! GROSS! The guy was pretty weird, too. I need to find a good beautician who I can afford. Why can't there be tons of fabulous stylists for $25 and under, close to my house?? When you have short hair, $40+ haircuts gets pretty pricey when you're going every 5-6 weeks!

JEERS
I went to Wal-Mart again, today. I can't seem to figure out why I can't go in there and not spend less than $100. I can literally, on one hand, count the number of times I've gone in & spent less than $100. I need to steer clear of Wal-Mart for a few days! Geez!

Almost One Year Ago

WOW!

This picture was taken just shy of one year ago! I can still remember just how MISERABLE I was...waddling around with that massive watermelon in my tummy. But, what a huge blessing from God my "little" watermelon is! James 1:17- Every good & perfect gift is from above! I didn't even realize how big I was until I looked back at pictures. It's so hard to believe how massive I was! No wonder Seth was a 9 pound baby... 3 weeks EARLY!

Just one week from today my lil' Seth will be ONE year old!! I'll have to post pics on his birthday to reminisce.

No Excuses

WOW!
I have to share today's RBC devotional!!
It has such good points in it! There really are 'No Excuses'. I squirm to think about judgement day of those who have rejected him. Judgement day IS coming. I hope & pray everyone is ready when the LORD says it's time!

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. —Romans 10:13

People have many different reasons for rejecting the gospel. A common one is to blame Christians for something they did or did not do. These critics say, "I know a Christian who treated me poorly." Or, "I went to church, and no one talked to me."

Indeed, Christians aren’t perfect, and many can be bad examples. But blaming others doesn’t remove one’s accountability to God.

The truth of the gospel does not depend on the way others live out their faith. Salvation is about Jesus alone. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Some people may use Christians as an excuse to reject the gospel. But they certainly can’t point a finger of blame at Jesus. He is sinless and perfect in every way. Pilate said of Him, "I have found no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:14). And Jesus did what no one else could do—He suffered death on a cross to provide salvation for all who believe in Him. That makes it tough for someone to say, "I’m not going to become a Christian because I don’t like what Jesus did."
Don’t get sidetracked by looking at the faults of others. Look to Jesus. He alone is the way to heaven.

There is no excuse for saying "No" to Christ.
He is the Way, the Truth, the Life—That One whose name is Jesus;There is no other name on earthThat has the power to save us. —Sper

Brothers... Together Forever

Took this sweet picture of two brothers who are absolutely lost without one another. I hope & pray that they always remain as close as they are now. I know each of them will develop their own likes/dislikes but I don't want the bond they share to be broken. Seth is now beginning to join them, too. Nate thinks it's great that Seth is crawling and follows them around the house where ever they go. Our sweet little munchkins!!

Little Seth all wet & slimy. He's had an icky nose & he's drooling something mad! Must have more teeth coming in!

Sad Story

This is a very sad story. People like this just amaze me with their actions. I can not even begin to imagine their frame of mind when doing something like this to a child.

GLENDALE, Wis. -- A Wisconsin couple said they couldn't afford a baby sitter, so they strapped their 14-month-old son in his stroller at home while they went out, police alleged, according to WISN-TV in Milwaukee.
Rachel Anderson and her live-in boyfriend, Mitch Laputka, both of Glendale, Wis., were ordered to stand trial Thursday on charges they neglected their son, Gabriel, so badly that his body was covered with diaper rash, his body temperature was 12 degrees below normal and he stopped breathing, requiring 21 minutes of CPR to revive him.
Police said the couple admitted to leaving the boy home alone because they wanted to party.
The couple recently got jobs at Pizza Hut, police said Anderson told them, and they used the money for drinking parties. Police said Anderson told them that she often left Gabriel strapped in his stroller when the couple went out or to work, and that she changed Gabriel's diaper once per day. Police said Laputka told them that he didn't do diapers because that was Anderson's job.
Dennis Ogilvie is a neighbor of the couple and said he's saddened by the allegations. He has a daughter the same age as Gabriel.
"I knew they had a baby, but I never saw them with him," Ogilvie said.
Both parents pleaded not guilty Thursday, and they remain in custody in the Milwaukee County Jail on $5,000 bail each. They're due back in court in October to set a trial schedule.
The Bureau of Child Welfare is overseeing the boy's care but said privacy rules prevent it from commenting on children in its care, except to say that Gabriel is safe.

Blah

Got a case of the blah's today. Weather is now gloomy gus & I went to my best friend's brother's funeral today. I would have never guessed that just 2 months after I post the lyrics to "Cry Out to Jesus", that I would be suggesting that song for his funeral. But, that's one of the first songs that popped in my head when I was asked for suggestions. It just goes to show that we never know when the LORD will call us home. We just need to be sure we are set on go when He's ready. MD was a great, loving person & will be missed by many! I pray for comfort, strength & peace for the family & children he left behind. But, I know he's in a much better place than this world! And, I find great comfort & peace in knowing he doesn't have to navigate this sinful world any longer! He's with his Maker... where there's nothing but grace, mercy, and love.
Pray the words to Praise You In This Storm, SJ. He will help you during this difficult time! Allan & I love you bunches. You know if you need anything we're here for ya!

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away. Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to Youand raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away Chorus I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth Chorus

Our Sweet Boys

Yesterday, Alex came home w/ a set of Listening Ears he made in school. I thought they were too cute. Too bad they don't really work!! ;)






Then, last night I got a sweet picture of Seth. It's so hard to believe in about 19 days our BABY will be ONE YEAR OLD! Geez... before I know it, they'll all be graduating high school & off to college!

And, I can't put up Alex & Seth pics without adding a sweet picture of our NateBug!! Our Turbo... is definitely a TURBO now, but for some reason now that he's actually earned that name, we don't call him that anymore! Hmm, maybe we should.

Chilling Video

If only we could just follow the rules....

.....God's rules that is. His rules came with no ifs, ands or buts.

I came across these verses during my quiet time today. If everyone lived out these rules, without adding all the ifs, ands & buts, this world would be a much more pleasant place. However, it seems as though people are all too caught up with loving self over others. Pity on them. They have no idea how much God is willing to bless his faithful servants. I long to hear the words from God, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21 Notice how He says "few things"... He doesn't require perfection.

Love & Respect for Others

Romans 12:9-21 (NLT)
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmmm... Good Stuff!

As most of you know, I subscribe to John Piper devotionals. I got one today that was just wonderful. Wanted to share a portion of it with you all! Enjoy!

God’s Commands Are for Our Good

Here’s what the Bible says: God’s commandments are for our good. Everything he tells us to do is good for us. God does not need our service to improve his attitude or his ability. So he doesn’t tell us to do things because he has needs, but because we have needs. Take a few texts as examples of this:

Deuteronomy 10:12-13: “Israel (you can insert your name here, He's addressing us), what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”

All the commandments of God are for our good. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what will makes us deeply and permanently happy. We don’t. We must learn that from him. His commands are for our good.

When we first find the kingdom of God and renounce all things for Christ, what is that like? Jesus describes it in Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Renouncing the scrap metal of this world in order to have the gold and silver treasure of Christ is such an amazingly good tradeoff that it must be done with joy.

When God commands us to serve him, what does he say? Psalm 100:2: “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” He does not want gloomy servants. His command is joy.

What about giving? When he commands us to give, what does he say? Second Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God does not want gloomy giving. His command is joy.

What about suffering? When our paths lead through the valley of the shadow of death what does he say? Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” God’s plans for us are so overwhelmingly and everlastingly good that our temporary afflictions here should not destroy our joy. Even in trouble, his command is joy.

What about grief and loss? What does he say about our grief? First Thessalonians 4:13: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” Yes, there is grief in the life of a Christian. But not without hope.
Which is why Paul can use this amazingly strange and wonderful phrase in 2 Corinthians 6:10: “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” The joy of hope in the midst of misery streams from the future back into our hearts by faith and penetrates our sorrows so that we can say with Paul, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” That is God’s will for us. His command is joy. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

And in the end, when all our trials are over, what does the Bible say is coming? Isaiah 35:10: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

WoW, what a weekend!!

Just kind of a different weekend for us.

First off, Thursday, we took in Baxter. He's a little black mini-schnauzer and is the cutest little thing. He's spending the week with us while his owners travel to Virginia to see family. He's the sweetest little dog and you hardly even know he's in the house. Nate & Alex have thoroughly enjoyed having him here! They *know* he belongs to Ellie & Leah, but I really wonder how well they will do with the departure on Tuesday. I love the story of how Baxter came to their family, so I'm going to share it with you. (from their family's blog)
Back in January, the girls and I started the Crown Financial for Kids curriculum. This is a wonderful resource to teach about God's intentions for earning, saving and giving His money.As a result, the girls starting praying after each lesson for God to send them a dog. They had to research the costs (we went to PetSmart and priced items) and they researched what kind of dog would be best for our family. We decided that a Yorkie, a Schnoodle, or a Mini Schnauzer would really be the best type of dog (and I even stated that I liked the black ones best.) And so we prayed. I told the girls that God knew where all of the little doggies were and which ones needed a home AND He was in charge of our money and knew how He wanted us to spend it.2 weeks ago, our friends told us about someone that had a wonderful stray dog. They would have kept it, but they already had 3 and boarded more. Would we like to look? Well, we went and there was a black, mini-schnauzer who acted like he had known us since birth. The family GAVE us the dog, a crate, a leash, a collar and food. God had answered the prayers of 2 believing little girls in a mighty way. God even provided FREE vet services and shots! (He is in perfect health!) NOW, God has revealed Himself as REAL and ACTIVE and INTERESTED in our lives. WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AN AWESOME GOD AND GIVE TESTIMONY OF HIM!

Then, on Friday morning while cooking breakfast, my back goes out. Totally! I couldn't get off the couch and I could barely walk. Seriously. Thank God Allan was home & able to help me with the kids & get me to the chiropractor. I would have never been able to climb the stairs & get Seth from his crib. I ended up having to go to the chiro 2 times on Friday. But, praise the Lord, the chiro was able to get me walking well enough to walk across the stage at church tonight to dedicate Mr. Seth. I really thought Friday there was no way I'd be able to do it. It was very scary, not to mention unbelievably painful... like 10x's worse than birthin' a 9 pounder w/ no drugs kind of hurt!! As it turned out, I have a severely pinched nerve between my last vertebrae & my tail bone. Sounds wonderful huh. Thanks to my sweet Allan for tending to me & our 3 very demanding children without one ounce of grumbling!! Big Hugs & Kisses Daddy-O! I Love You!

Saturday afternoon, while Allan was cutting grass, I was sitting on the deck reading and just happened to look over at the kids playground. There was a big ol' slimy, black snake!! EGADS!!! It was so nasty & gross & scary!. Luckily, all the kids were napping. But, we did stretch that monster out after Allan killed it & it was 4 1/2 feet long. I know black snakes are supposed to be good snakes, but a snake is a snake is a snake to me...KILL IT! LOL!! Just look at that nasty thing!!

Today we went out for a birthday lunch for Aunt Janet (Allan's sister) with the WHOLE Rainey clan. It was very nice to have all of us together at the table, again!! And, all the kids behaved... can ya believe it?!?! So, I hope we start doing lunches more often!

So, that brings me to tonight. It was Parent-Child Dedication at our church and we dedicated our sweet Seth. Ok, so he wasn't looking at the camera. But, it's all we got! ;)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the pics.