Awesome Bunny Give Away by Cathy Strate

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/02/rolling-bunnies-giveaway.html

still here...

We are still here... God is good!

New Year

Into the New Year we head. The Lord, He is God. We choose to trust His direction and walk in obedience to all He has called us to be.

My focus for 2010 is to be a better mom and wife. To spread joy and seek His joy where ever I am. My family is the most amazing gift He has given me. He calls me to direct them back to Him - it's a huge job - with His grace I can do it!

Happy New Year to you all!

Can you figure this out?

This is a crazy website, can you figure it out?

http://www.regiftable.com:80/regiftingrobinpopup.html

Searching for Wisdom

The Bible tells us - If any lacks wisdom, he should ask. And to seek wisdom out. We are at a place where we need wisdom. With may decisions. We are seeking the Scriptures, praying and fasting.

gLassEs for aNotHer waDdiNg

Guess who is getting glasses next...

I'm so thankful!

The Lord is GOOD! He is faithful! He is our provider! I received a call today informing me I could go back to work! praise Him! I've been rejoicing all day! thanks to all who agreed with us in prayers!

please pray

Please pray for Steve Murphy. www.prayforian.com The Murphy's are friends of friends from Indiana. His son Ian was in a terrible car accident three years ago. Steve was recently diagnosed with cancer, a brain tumor. They are grounded Christians and have faith - we would be so in awe to see a mighty move of God and healing for this family. Please agree in prayer with us. For more info. please read their blog - www.prayforian.com

Ezra

Happy 10th Birthday Ezra! I love you so much buddy!

Amazing weekend!

What an amazing and full weekend! Here are a few things that happened with us -

date night
surprise bday gifts
Ollie's
church
rode bikes
played with the neighbors kitten
Peggy Blose cake
Idlewild
cleaned out the van
took out the air conditioner
laundry
Target
sewing crafty pumpkins
enjoying the porch
a nice pontoon boat ride
jet skiing - even Ellie! Ezra! Grace!
riding on a four wheeler
s'mores
chipped a tooth while sewing (- don't bite a needle to pull it through)
swinging on swings
surprise church pew gift (LOVE IT!!)
mums
coffee
everyone, including Isaac, on the Rollo Coaster
Sheetz supper
Pandora charms
free babysitting!

I am so blessed for so many reasons! Thanks to everyone who made my bday weekend special!

1st Day Of School 2009

Summer days are gone... the first day of Fourth Grade, Second Grace and Head Start

August Summary

OH my! What a month!

We have been so blessed to have Heather, Adam and Maya (and Lani for a few days) all month! I love having my sister around! She has the best way of looking at hospitality - I swear, I thought I was hospitibale - but she is a people person! She has the kindest attitude about loving on others. It's so natural for her! Her kids are a hoot! Maya is a love bug! Adam loves to be around Ezra and Ellie - he is their best friend! Heather, I appreciate all you've done to help us in the chaos of the past few weeks! Thank you so much! I can't imagine what it will be like after Fri. when you return to London - I'll have to start my Dec. countdown!

Camping on the 7th led to a broken nose related from a freak skateboard accident for Ezra. Surgery at Children's Hospital on the 18th. Today we go for the removal of his "cast." He trashed his glasses - so my boy, who will be 10 soon, now has contacts! He seems so grown up!

Grace had five fillings - yes five! We brush everyday - but I need to be better at checking how well the brushing is done! A huge thanks to my mother in law for taking her to and from the dentist.

I found out I no longer have a job. The PA state budget needs to be signed - anyone else want to "Amen!" that. The Better Kid Care Program does not have any $ to pay Renee' and me - so... this could be a permanent thing - or only temporarily - Oh goodness, I need my job! It's what kept us out of the red - with making only minimums on our bills. All prayers regarding this - much appreciated.

Dayton Fair Week was a whirlwind - our Grace was voted Dayton Fair Princess. She had a very busy week representing the Dayton Fair. It was a ton of fun! She was blessed with free food all week. Plus all of the ice cream from Turner Dairy she could eat! All of our kids enjoyed the rides and animals!

Ellie was accepted to the local Head Start program. As a former HS teacher I cannot say enough great things about the program! I am so thankful she was accepted. The bus will pick her up right outside our door. Can it be? My Ellie is old enough to go on a bus anywhere? (sigh!!!) She is such a big girl! All she wants to do is draw and color!

One more week of summer vacation - we plan to make the most of each day! Have fun! Thanks for reading!

Praise!

My insurance is better than I thought! Full coverage for chiropractic physical therapy! Praise God!

Today Isaac and I are home alone! Ezra is at the YMCA for camp. Grace is with a friend at Crooked Creek Park. Elliana is with my sister at my moms. What shall we do? - Probably go get a few groceries? Or maybe, just hang out here all day and play! He can be the center of the world - with no one else competing for my attention - ahh... will he know how to respond?

It's going to be a wonderful day! Enjoy yours too!

a little info. from the dr

HI dear friends! I spoke with my dr. regarding the MRI's I had last week and learned that I have severe arthritis in my upper back and neck. I would suppose that is what is happening in my other joints. I will have another test, EMG, at UPMC Presby next Tues. Once I have that, the neurologist will meet with me to determine a plan. Anyone know a good chiropractor who is not too expensive? My crazy, cheap insurance plan will not cover chiropractic treatments.

I am so thankful that it's not something worse! Praise the Lord!

Heather and her two youngest stayed here last night. It's so nice to have them back in the states! I plan to make the most of this time!

Everyone is waking up and it's getting busy here... until next time!

prayer requests

Life is tough, but God is good! So good! All the time. He is faithful and has only good plans for us. The enemy is quick to lurk around seeking to detroy, kill and steal what God wants for us.

Saying that - please pray for some health issues that have been going on for me. Three weeks ago the dr sent me for an MRI - the results suggested "early onset MS." But to God's glory, the neurologist over turned that telling me that was not what he thought at all.

Over the next three weeks I have several other tests/scans scheduled. I'm trusting Him completely and know that what ever is uncovered will be for His glory! I also believe in the power of our prayers and our crying out to Him. Which is why I am posting and requesting prayer!

Standing on His Promises,
Holly

Brian and Ezra

Happy Father's Day

To the most amazing man in my life. I never imagined you would be such an amazing father! You are the best dad I've ever met! Our children are so blessed to be able to call you Dad! I love you Brian!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends, old and new! I'm thinking of so many of you today - may the Lord bless each of you and remind you of the calling He has placed on each of your lives. We are each at a different stage of our mothering - it's an adventure! Be sure to enjoy every step of the way!

It's been a while!

Life's Busy! I'm sure everyone would agree with me here!

The girls and I spent yesterday at the Pittsburgh Zoo! It rained all day! But it was fun! The animals were all very active - especially the orangatangs - who were "in the mood." We quickly passed by them to spare the sex talk at 7 and 4!

Grace really enjoyed hanging out with her friends! It was really cool to see her with her peers! I'd like to be friends with Grace if I were 7! Ellie was so sweet! We went with Grace's First Grade Class. She smiled at me on the way and said, "This is my first time on a bus!" Her eyes were huge and she was grinning ear to ear! Mom was able to go with us too!

Ezra and Grace are playing base ball this summer! We've been rained out a bunch - they seem to like it. They both can hit the ball. :) They must get their athletic ability from Brian!

The school year is winding down. Lots going on to wrap things up. Ezra will have his class trip soon - The Carnegie Science Center! I'm looking forward to that trip - I plan to go too! Ezra will attend a summer camp to continue to support social skills development. He seems to be doing well, but the maturity between him and his male peers seems more obvious. Please continue to pray for him. He doesn't seem to bothered by this - but may at some point. So I am praying.