Preacher Boy...

A couple weeks ago- Michael preached at church for our pastor.  That morning as Michael dressed in a suit with a tie- Jeremiah announced that he wanted to wear a tie to church- so we had to find a little tie for him.  In this season of his life- Jeremiah loves Pastor Rich- he runs up to him after the service and gives him a big hug every Sunday.  Last week- Jeremiah stood beside Pastor Rich as he greeted everyone coming out of the church and he greeted them as well!  Pastor Rich's jokes that he is a little pastor in training...  Today Michael was assisting with the service- as soon as we sat down- Jeremiah said "Hi Daddy!" very loud and Lydia belted out loudly- DADDA!!!  Oh my!  We definitely are not quiet!

Pics of the Fam From Summer...

Summer Fun...

 Summer fun picnics in the backyard with a camp fire- though our fire pit currently needs some repair- we may need to look for a new one soon.

 And Lydia enjoying the splash park and playground at Washington Park!

Family photos

 While in York- Jeremiah even got a lesson in baseball from Uncle Mike- the real baseball player- 

pretty neat!  

Miscellaneous Photos...

 One of the things I loved about going to York- was going out for ice cream to Dairy Queen!  Sure do miss their ice cream- there are hardly any around Cincinnati!  We also broke about my Dad and Mom's fire pit and did a camp fire one night.  Another thing I miss about York- is the peacefulness of my parents home and sitting out back on the deck having dinners and watching the sun set over the mountains!  While in York- I mulched one day for my mom, visited my Mom-Mom who is over 90 and just recently broke her hip and is in slow recovery.  And I helped my sis clean her kitchen and downstairs one day while she napped- we had a full visit.  

Little Pumpskees with his mosquito netting- you would think he was overseas- right Laura??? :)

Hershey Chocolate World...

 What is a trip to York, PA without a trip to Hershey's Chocolate World!  

We had a lot of fun- doing the ride again and again.  And we get chocolate at the end of the ride!

Lake Tobias...

My best friend from home- Sara F. met us at Lake Tobias for the day while we were in York.
It was a sweet time of fellowship together with her kiddos!  We went on an open bus so we could pet and feed the animals- the kids loved it- we actually fed them our graham crackers I brought.  The boys even tried picking up the goats in the petting zoo!  We had a fun day as a family and I am so thankful Sara took time to come down and spend the day with us- it was almost like we lived close by- wish we could do outings like that more often!

Rachel and Baby Christopher

We saw lots of animals!  The boys loved trying to feed the deer, elk and other animals!

June 30...

Some days are always etched into our memories...  This is one of them- 5 years ago- we were expecting our first child around Christmas and had gone on a cruise with my parents.  On June 30- I went into the doctor for a routine visit and found the baby's heart had stopped beating and that this little one had stopped growing.  I was devastated- tears flowed freely.  Three days later I went in for a D & C on July 3.  It was one of the first real trials our little family had faced.  God sustained us through that time and the time of waiting that followed for God to give us a child.  He taught me a lot about my heart and what I desired or idolized ABOVE HIM during that time- namely a child- I wanted a child so bad- I didn't want to wait- I wanted it at my time and in my place.  A chapter in John Piper's book- Battling Unbelief- encouraged me so much- The Unbelief of Impatience... God used it to cut to my heart and reveal my idol of control and my heart's desire of wanting a child above Him!  I know there will be more seasons of waiting but so thankful that God is continually using these moments to make us trust in Him and put our hope in Him!

Baby Christopher...

 A few weeks ago, we went to York, PA to see my family and visit my sister!  We got to see my sister and my new little nephew- nicknames- Yogi & Pumpskees... We sure love that little guy!  Jeremiah loves baby Yogi too- he kept asking to hold him and loved stroking his hair!  My sister has always had babies- she always had baby dolls when we were little- I was the dad, she was the mom.  She had real to life baby dolls too!  It is so fun to see her with her little one-a mom!  So thankful for the Lord blessing her with this sweet little gift!  

Bedtime...

 Bedtimes... Bedtimes...  We got back from York over a week ago- Lydia slept fine all the nights there.  The first 3 nights back- she woke up screaming uncontrollably and no matter what we did- we could not console her.  So- we stuck her out in the pack n play in the Living Room to let her cry and so we could get some sleep.  Thankfully she is doing better- we were thinking "night terrors" but we don't know.

A friend of mine said if she is having night terrors, put her to bed early- she needs more sleep.  We tried to do that but instead one night- Jeremiah threw all her animals in the bed with her- we went in to find her screaming in the midst of all her animals- guess you can't go to bed too early Lydie...