Marriage Conference

A few weeks ago we drove down to our church in Louisville for a Marriage Conference taught by Heath Lambert.  Michael and I both were encouraged and reminded of simple yet profound truths.  We were reminded that Marriage means death- death to ourselves and "our" way of things- death to our hopes and dreams and learning how to love and serve another.  Marriage is joining two sinful people together.  I was reminded of my wifely role of submitting to my husband's leadership and encouraging and supporting him.  He reminded us- there is no other person standing in line to thank and encourage your husband- you solely have that job.  To the husbands- he reminded them that they will stand before God for their wives' spiritual growth.  He said on his wedding day- the minister challenged him that his bride is to be more beautiful in the years to come than she is on this wedding day.  He has the challenge of seeing to her spiritual growth that she is more beautiful in the days to come.  Some great reminders and challenges.  We also got to visit with our pastor's family- the Wojnickis which was a blessing.

 Can't believe how big Kate is getting- I used to help watch her and her brother before the service so her mom could do worship practice.

The third...

This is what happens when you have 3 children that need "quiet" time or a nap and only 2 bedrooms.

Josiah gets to sleep out in the hallway. :) 

He doesn't seem to mind. 

Playground Fun...

Pool Time...

 Pool time with cousins and a neighbor's grandson.  Fun times...

Just canning peaches...

 These boys like peeling off the skins...

Josiah- 5 months...

 Baby Siah is 5 months!  He is a great little guy!  I was trying to post details of his 5 months before he is 6 months- time is flying.

 At 5 months- Josiah is rolling from his back to his tummy and often sleeps on his tummy for naptime.  He loves to grab his toes and roll to his side and is starting to grab things.  He still has a flat head- we are working on that.  He is very ticklish and loves to giggle and laugh.  He still remains pretty calm and happy.  We just tried to give him some baby cereal tonight and he gave me this look like- "Mom- what are you doing- this stuff is gross."  He keeps trying to find his hands to suck on- we will see if he becomes a thumb sucker.

 So thankful for the privilege of being a mom to this little guy.  I was reminded this weekend that life is short.  Our life is a mist- it appears for a little while and is gone.  I heard news of a young mother and missionary with 3 kids who was killed in a car accident and I was reminded of my mortality that life is short.  God has given us these children for a season.  Praying how to live each moment for God's glory- even the small little ones.

Blackberries...

The blackberries are ripe for the picking...  Thankfully our church has huge bushes around a lake that we can take advantage of these yummy treats.  I picked a whole bowl- Jeremiah well this is all he had left after he helped "eating" most of them.  

Father/ Son Campout

 Jeremiah and Daddy did their first ever Father/Son Campout on Friday night at Miami Whitewater.

We joined them for the evening and I took the kids to the splash park so Daddy could set up.  Lydia wanted to stay with the boys but this was "boy" time.  Jeremiah enjoyed waking up next to Daddy and wrestling with him in the tent- truly a "boy" time. :) 

 Mommy took Lydia and Siah home for the night to tuck them into bed.

 What a good boy little Si-Si is! :) 

Summer Fun..

 We've been on the move the last several weeks taking lots of summer outings.

Touch a Truck...

 Jeremiah learning to float on his back at Swim Ministry.

 Parks, parks and more parks...  Learning to climb...

 Sweet friends from church babysitting for us...

 Fun with our friends the Matres at the Museum Center.

The commerical...

 Cheerios is now Gluten Free!  One happy guy!

He almost ate a whole box in one sitting!

Family Night...

 Nothing like a family night of water balloons and ice cream on a hot night!

Pickings...

 We have been picking this summer...  Started with blueberries and then we moved to corn.

 

 A couple at our church has a huge garden and their neighbor has corn and we got to pick corn at their house.  Corn is a big process.  We had to pick it then take it home to husk it and then boil and cut it off and put it in bags.  Thankfully it is more fun to do with others- not by ourselves!

Even little Josiah was trying to help.