When we originally started this blog Andy and I decided I would post about the day-to-day issues and he would touch on the "Behind the Scenes" topics. Well, he has not been able to post nearly as much as he would like so he has passed the "Behind the Scenes" torch to me. I will gladly take the torch.
Most of my material is Sam-based, as I know this is why many stop by. But, Samuel is just as aspect of what is going on in our lives. And right now, so many other issues are on our hearts, and I would like to share a few with you.
Andy has the opportunity to attend Wheaton College's Graduate Program, Christian Formation and Ministry program in the Fall. He has been accepted since last fall and for quite some time we were always planning on attending. For awhile the path did not seem so clear and we did not want to take on such a big burden if it was not what God truly wanted for us. We always kept it in the back of our minds praying that the Lord would make it more obvious to us if that's where we should go.
We got out of the Marine Corps in Feb and since then have been eagerly seeking his will and seeing where he is leading. The path has seemingly been pretty mellow, simple jobs here and there, but teaching us so much along the way.
Our worst fear is that we would get to the end of our lives and not be able to say we did all that we possibly could to live our lives for God and to further spread the good news he offers.
We do not want to be conservative people when it comes to serving God. If he calls us to something, we are going to go. If he is calling us, then it is the absolute best path we could ever take. Nothing we could ever do would bring more pleasure than knowing we are doing what the Lord has created for us to do.
We could stay here in Martinville, Indiana and live comfortable lives or we could jump into a situation that would make us have to make some big sacrifices. God is leading us to do that!
Jesus always said that following him will not be easy. But he did say he would be with us through it all.
Please pray for us as we make this transition. Where God leads, he has already prepared the way. We believe God has already paved the way for us in Wheaton we just have to have faith that he has done what he says he has.
This will be a tough situation causing us to strain in different areas, but the blessings we know we will receive from following God with all of our hearts will be what wins out in the end. We are so excited to see what he has in store for us.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
A Bit Early
Sam and I took a hike this morning to clear our heads and pray about some important issues that are brewing in our lives. It was wonderful.
Okay, I was doing the praying, Sam was doing the drooling! But he was doing a marvelous job at it!
Our family absolutely loves the outdoors and Samuel caught on to this love quite immediately. No matter what, he is just awe struck when we are in the woods.
The past few days poor Sam-Pig has been cutting a tooth. He has been in a lot of pain. He already has 6 teeth and has taken them all coming in like a champ, but for some reason this one is being a bear!
Well, to get to the point, we found a leaf.
It was an orange leaf!
I'm not one for summer, so I was thrilled when I saw this leaf. Could it possibly mean autumn is closer than I thought? I sure hope so!
I've had visions of Samuel jumping in huge piles of leaves this fall.
Looks like that dream is closer than I thought.
Or, that this leaf was just one of a gazillion leaves out there that randomly stopped making chlorophyll for some strange reason.
Either way, it made my day!
I think it made Sam's too. Not sure, though, he just sat there and stared at it.
Okay, I was doing the praying, Sam was doing the drooling! But he was doing a marvelous job at it!
Our family absolutely loves the outdoors and Samuel caught on to this love quite immediately. No matter what, he is just awe struck when we are in the woods.
The past few days poor Sam-Pig has been cutting a tooth. He has been in a lot of pain. He already has 6 teeth and has taken them all coming in like a champ, but for some reason this one is being a bear!
Well, to get to the point, we found a leaf.
It was an orange leaf!
I'm not one for summer, so I was thrilled when I saw this leaf. Could it possibly mean autumn is closer than I thought? I sure hope so!
I've had visions of Samuel jumping in huge piles of leaves this fall.
Looks like that dream is closer than I thought.
Or, that this leaf was just one of a gazillion leaves out there that randomly stopped making chlorophyll for some strange reason.
Either way, it made my day!
I think it made Sam's too. Not sure, though, he just sat there and stared at it.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I Love Cows
I'm not sure why.
They are especially dumb animals.
Yesterday the neighbor's cows got out of their pasture and found their way to our garden! They trampled all through it! I was so scared to go out and survey the damage. Luckily they decided to gracefully tiptoe through the squash, which I'm not particularly found of, so that's fine by me. I did get a tomato plant stepped on though, by a rather fat cow! I will forgive her!
I still love cows, though.
Not sure why.
They are especially dumb animals.
Yesterday the neighbor's cows got out of their pasture and found their way to our garden! They trampled all through it! I was so scared to go out and survey the damage. Luckily they decided to gracefully tiptoe through the squash, which I'm not particularly found of, so that's fine by me. I did get a tomato plant stepped on though, by a rather fat cow! I will forgive her!
I still love cows, though.
Not sure why.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
It hurts growing old.
Worn out from a busy busy weekend Ole Sam-Pig had a rough morning.
It was his one year check up!
He's now in the 30th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight. Before he used to be in like the 3rd! Way to go fatso!
He did so well and loved every minute of it until the mean mean lady made him hurt, and then made him hurt 3 more times. He was not a happy boy.
It's over and he's sleeping soundly.
It was his one year check up!
He's now in the 30th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight. Before he used to be in like the 3rd! Way to go fatso!
He did so well and loved every minute of it until the mean mean lady made him hurt, and then made him hurt 3 more times. He was not a happy boy.
It's over and he's sleeping soundly.
Nana's Trip to Indiana
Mom was surprised at the carload that was awaiting her arrival when we picked her up at the airport around 12:50 AM Saturday morning. All of us were present, including Gamba! Gamba decided to give us a scare and find away to make his entire face swell up so that we had no choice but to bring him to make sure he was doing okay. I firmly believe he knew who we were going to be picking up and he didn't want to miss one second with her.
This is the first time Grandma Crazy (that's what Gamba knows her as, long story) has seen him since we lost Lutalo so she had to spoil him rotten. And that she did. He allowed every bit of it.
Samuel, of course, was not forgotten.
Neither were we.
Mom had gotten a portrait of me framed from our wedding day. It turned out beautiful.
She also got a picture of her and my daddy on their wedding day framed for us. I have always wanted one of them blown up.
We had a great weekend. Mom loved being with her boy and we loved having her here. Life is always a little sweeter when moms are around!
Samuel had his birthday party at the park on Sunday and he had a blast. We had dirt dessert for him. His favorite part though was playing in the waterfalls with Dada.
On Monday mom helped me in the garden and Samuel enjoyed riding around in his wagon.
We love you so much Mom! We're counting the days until we can go on the big bird and come see you. 56 more!
This is the first time Grandma Crazy (that's what Gamba knows her as, long story) has seen him since we lost Lutalo so she had to spoil him rotten. And that she did. He allowed every bit of it.
Samuel, of course, was not forgotten.
Neither were we.
Mom had gotten a portrait of me framed from our wedding day. It turned out beautiful.
She also got a picture of her and my daddy on their wedding day framed for us. I have always wanted one of them blown up.
We had a great weekend. Mom loved being with her boy and we loved having her here. Life is always a little sweeter when moms are around!
Samuel had his birthday party at the park on Sunday and he had a blast. We had dirt dessert for him. His favorite part though was playing in the waterfalls with Dada.
On Monday mom helped me in the garden and Samuel enjoyed riding around in his wagon.
We love you so much Mom! We're counting the days until we can go on the big bird and come see you. 56 more!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Jesus Next Door
Last week from Wednesday to Friday we had an outreach going on at our church. It was called "Jesus Next Door."
Before hand, we went to all different neighborhoods in the Martinsville area and went door to door inviting children to a VBS like program at our church.
Then, Wednesday to Friday we went in buses and vans to pick up the kids who wanted to go and took them to church for games, music, lessons and dinner.
We had about 80 or so kids each night coming. These kids were not kids from our church, they were all from families who did not attend. Martinsville is a pretty low income area. Many people are quite poor and there are not many well paying jobs in the area. That being said, many of these families have it rough.
God did some amazing things through these kids. We saw that through their parents. On Saturday we had a big cookout at the church where all the parents were able to attend and many of them took us up on it. It was such a blessing to see so many families enjoying themselves.
I considered it a true success when some of those families even showed up on Sunday to attend church.
Our mission is to be salt and light in the earth and share God's love with others. If as a church we are not doing that on a regular basis, we are missing the mark!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Pictures of the Birthday Boy
I know there are at least two crazy women out there who are checking this blog on a minutely basis to hear about our boy's special day.
He had a blast! Even though the rocking horse was not in top shape or dinner was overcooked or the cupcakes were just a tad bit "off." None of that he cared about.
All he cared about was that we were all together. What a lesson to be learned from a one year old! Ugg. I said it, our son is one!!! Does that mean he's not a baby anymore?
A picture of him in his birthday hat in Walmart. Too bad that was the only time he wore it yesterday. I totally forgot about it once we were home. Luckily we'll be having another little celebration this weekend where he'll be able to wear it again.
Helping Dada put up decorations.
Before he realized he had balloons on his high chair.
After he realized he had balloons on his high chair.
Not sure what to do about this birthday cupcake.
Once he figured out this thing was food!
Samuel and his birthday present, Lu Dog the rocking horse. We dedicated this rocking horse to our beloved Lutalo. Andy is still in the process of fixing him up. He is going to carve a little dedication to Lutalo on the belly of the horse once it's all finished.
Presenting Lu Dog the rocking horse! Andy did such an amazing job for his second woodworking project.
And just for memory sake here is Andy's first woodworking project: an axe he made for Samuel when he was born.
He had a blast! Even though the rocking horse was not in top shape or dinner was overcooked or the cupcakes were just a tad bit "off." None of that he cared about.
All he cared about was that we were all together. What a lesson to be learned from a one year old! Ugg. I said it, our son is one!!! Does that mean he's not a baby anymore?
A picture of him in his birthday hat in Walmart. Too bad that was the only time he wore it yesterday. I totally forgot about it once we were home. Luckily we'll be having another little celebration this weekend where he'll be able to wear it again.
Helping Dada put up decorations. 
Before he realized he had balloons on his high chair.
After he realized he had balloons on his high chair.
Not sure what to do about this birthday cupcake. 
Once he figured out this thing was food!
Samuel and his birthday present, Lu Dog the rocking horse. We dedicated this rocking horse to our beloved Lutalo. Andy is still in the process of fixing him up. He is going to carve a little dedication to Lutalo on the belly of the horse once it's all finished. 
Presenting Lu Dog the rocking horse! Andy did such an amazing job for his second woodworking project. 
And just for memory sake here is Andy's first woodworking project: an axe he made for Samuel when he was born. 
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Day We've All Been Waiting For
It has finally arrived: July 17, 2007.
We find it fitting that this is our 50th post here on our blog. I will use today to blog about 50 things, oh yes, 50 things, all about our precious Samuel. He has accomplished quite a bit in his past 365 days of living outside of my belly!
His accomplishments in no particular order:
50. Managed to stay alive.
49. Learned how to sleep through the night.
48. Sucessfully transitioned from nursing to formula.
47. Sucessfully transitioned from formula to whole milk.
46. Stole our hearts.
45. Stole the hearts of everyone he's met.
44. Made us realize how important raising children is.
43. Made us realize how fun raising children is.
42. Taught us patience. (Okay, well, we're working on it)
41. Learned how to hold his head up.
40. Learned how to roll over from his tummy to his back and then from his back to his tummy.
39. Crawled backwards.
38. Crawled forwards.
37. Learned how to sit up.
36. Kept me from doing one single sewing project since he was born, besides his baby quilt.
35. Made me realized that quilting isn't as important as spending time with him is.
35. Made it out alive during the 39,080,293 hour labor.
34. Has flown to Colorado and back two times.
33. Has flown to Hilton Head Island, SC.
32. Has driven from NC to MD two times.
31. Made the entirely too long of a car trip from NC to IN.
30. Made us smile when we wanted to cry.
29. Learned that his pigger (his pacifier) is the single most important thing to him in the world.
28. Learned that his baba is the second.
27. Touched a snake.
26. Went on numberous hikes.
25. Went camping.
24. Has been in the ocean.
23. Has built a sand castle.
22. Has destroyed a sand castle.
23. Has been swimming in a pool.
22. Has stood in a moving stream.
21. Has made Grandma Bubb and Grandpa Jack great-grandparents for the first time.
20. Has made Mimi a great-grandmother for the 5th time.
19. Has made Nana, Gigi and Oma grandmas for the first time.
18. Has made Poppy, GranRan, and Papa Bear grandpas for the first time.
17. Has made Aunt Julie an aunt for the first time.
16. Has made BJ, Gamba and Lutalo big brothers to a human monster for the first time.
15. Climbed a tree with Dada Pig.
14. Ate poop. His poop.
13. Played baby Jesus in a Christmas play.
12. Learned how to climb stairs.
11. Learned how to climb down stairs.
10. Managed to turn our priorities inside out.
9. Taught us how to truly put others before ourselves.
8. Learned how to get into every single thing that Mama doesn't want him to.
7. Learned how to stand up.
6. Learned how to take up to 5 steps at a time.
5. Reminded us daily just by his presence how blessed we truly are.
4. Managed to only have one ear infection, and no trips to the ER.
3. Learned how to say Mama, Dada, Gamba, Baba and use them in context.
2. Has taken 6 teeth poking through his gums like a champ.
1. Has made us want to be more like Christ.
***I have lots more than 50 to write but I told you just 50, so I'm sticking to it! But, If you want to add something to the list that Samuel has accomplished in that last year, that I didn't add, just comment below!
We find it fitting that this is our 50th post here on our blog. I will use today to blog about 50 things, oh yes, 50 things, all about our precious Samuel. He has accomplished quite a bit in his past 365 days of living outside of my belly!
His accomplishments in no particular order:
50. Managed to stay alive.
49. Learned how to sleep through the night.
48. Sucessfully transitioned from nursing to formula.
47. Sucessfully transitioned from formula to whole milk.
46. Stole our hearts.
45. Stole the hearts of everyone he's met.
44. Made us realize how important raising children is.
43. Made us realize how fun raising children is.
42. Taught us patience. (Okay, well, we're working on it)
41. Learned how to hold his head up.
40. Learned how to roll over from his tummy to his back and then from his back to his tummy.
39. Crawled backwards.
38. Crawled forwards.
37. Learned how to sit up.
36. Kept me from doing one single sewing project since he was born, besides his baby quilt.
35. Made me realized that quilting isn't as important as spending time with him is.
35. Made it out alive during the 39,080,293 hour labor.
34. Has flown to Colorado and back two times.
33. Has flown to Hilton Head Island, SC.
32. Has driven from NC to MD two times.
31. Made the entirely too long of a car trip from NC to IN.
30. Made us smile when we wanted to cry.
29. Learned that his pigger (his pacifier) is the single most important thing to him in the world.
28. Learned that his baba is the second.
27. Touched a snake.
26. Went on numberous hikes.
25. Went camping.
24. Has been in the ocean.
23. Has built a sand castle.
22. Has destroyed a sand castle.
23. Has been swimming in a pool.
22. Has stood in a moving stream.
21. Has made Grandma Bubb and Grandpa Jack great-grandparents for the first time.
20. Has made Mimi a great-grandmother for the 5th time.
19. Has made Nana, Gigi and Oma grandmas for the first time.
18. Has made Poppy, GranRan, and Papa Bear grandpas for the first time.
17. Has made Aunt Julie an aunt for the first time.
16. Has made BJ, Gamba and Lutalo big brothers to a human monster for the first time.
15. Climbed a tree with Dada Pig.
14. Ate poop. His poop.
13. Played baby Jesus in a Christmas play.
12. Learned how to climb stairs.
11. Learned how to climb down stairs.
10. Managed to turn our priorities inside out.
9. Taught us how to truly put others before ourselves.
8. Learned how to get into every single thing that Mama doesn't want him to.
7. Learned how to stand up.
6. Learned how to take up to 5 steps at a time.
5. Reminded us daily just by his presence how blessed we truly are.
4. Managed to only have one ear infection, and no trips to the ER.
3. Learned how to say Mama, Dada, Gamba, Baba and use them in context.
2. Has taken 6 teeth poking through his gums like a champ.
1. Has made us want to be more like Christ.
***I have lots more than 50 to write but I told you just 50, so I'm sticking to it! But, If you want to add something to the list that Samuel has accomplished in that last year, that I didn't add, just comment below!
Monday, July 16, 2007
We're Famous
Check us out! We made the front cover of our church's website!
Hurry up and visit, because it will expire in a week.
Hurry up and visit, because it will expire in a week.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Stay Cool, God Loves You!
I groggily opened up our front door to take Gamba out to do his business first thing this morning and I hit a road block.A huge box.
No glasses/contacts present I attempt to see what it's all about.
First thing I thought of was it was just another present that I'm going to have to find room for until the prince's birthday on Tuesday!
But it wasn't.
The box has a picture of an air conditioner on the outside. I'm assuming that inside that box is an air condition that matches the pictures.
With a note that read: Andy and Amy, stay cool. God loves you!
WHAT!?!
We need an air conditioner so bad!
God had spurred it on someone heart to give this air conditioner to us. What a blessing. Because of my nosey personality I would love to find out who that person was, but they obviously don't want to be found out. They gave it out of their love for us, but especially out of their love for God!
It's such a small thing, but it is a great example of how God's family works together to take care of each other. I love being a part of that family!
Now let's hope this isn't some sick joke someone is playing on us and there aren't a dozen cement bricks in there.
Now that wouldn't be too nice, would it?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Milk, Nose, Sleeping, Bows
No big escapades to report. Working a lot and busy with an outreach this week at church. (more about that later)
Samuel is into his transition of formula to milk. He just had his very first bottle of all whole milk, and it seemed to go over well. Beginners luck perhaps?
Gamba has a sore on his nose and we aren't quite sure what happened. We think it could be one of a few things; either he got stung and it got infected, he got sunburn because we were outside all weekend or a spider bit. Not sure. We're gonna keep an eye on it and make a decision in a few days whether to take him in or not. Poor Gamba-Roo. As you can imagine I'm a little paranoyed about losing him too.
Just a cute picture of Samuel sleeping in his carseat. I thought the grandma's would enjoy!
Samuel's birthday is 5 days away and this is what the foyer of our house looks like! Presents galore! Looks like he is going to have a lot to celebrate on his b-day.
Samuel is into his transition of formula to milk. He just had his very first bottle of all whole milk, and it seemed to go over well. Beginners luck perhaps?
Gamba has a sore on his nose and we aren't quite sure what happened. We think it could be one of a few things; either he got stung and it got infected, he got sunburn because we were outside all weekend or a spider bit. Not sure. We're gonna keep an eye on it and make a decision in a few days whether to take him in or not. Poor Gamba-Roo. As you can imagine I'm a little paranoyed about losing him too.
Just a cute picture of Samuel sleeping in his carseat. I thought the grandma's would enjoy!
Samuel's birthday is 5 days away and this is what the foyer of our house looks like! Presents galore! Looks like he is going to have a lot to celebrate on his b-day.
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Festivities Have Begun!
Aunt Julie came to see her nephew this past weekend.They sure had a great time together. Samuel got his first birthday presents from her! He got an ABC's placemat that he thinks is a magic carpet! He got an Eric Carle book and a wooden pig figurine.
It was quite an eventful weekend.
Samuel got to get in his new pool. He loved it. We went to fireworks Friday night, and Monroe Lake on Saturday. It was the first time I had a chance to go kayaking since Samuel was born. It was great! Andy took Samuel up in his first tree.
Gamba could not have had a better weekend as well. Aunt Julie is his favorite!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Position Available
I desperately need a dishwasher! Or, ya know what, better yet, a maid! Any takers?
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy 4th of July
What a reason to celebrate!
Last year about this time I was in tears trying to get this little human out that was inside me with no husband around, and no mother! She was suppose to fly in on the 7th or so, but I called her crying about 10 days earlier and she got on the next flight to come to lend her support.
Last 4th we went to the hospital because I was having so many contractions so close together. But, they wouldn't admit me! It was so nice to have my mom around during such an uncertain time, even though I often told her I didn't want her around, poor Mama! She took it in stride and stayed till this little monster came out. I could not have done it without her. Thanks mom for doing all that you did!
But this year, celebrating the 4th will be much better!
We started out our festivities last night at the Hunter's. They had a great party at the cabin and then we went out in the field right in front of our house to set fireworks off. They were great.
My only worries were that the ashes would start a fire in my much slaved over garden, and that Samuel would not be able to sleep through them. He was in bed only about a hundred feet away, so we were guessing he wouldn't stay sleeping.
It was a sucess! No fire in the garden and Samuel slept like nothing was going on. And I was able to get some great shots of the fireworks!
Now, we're headed to a cookout in town to promote our outreach next week at church and then tonight we're off to tailgate and watch some more fireworks.
I'm so glad Samuel is here with us to celebrate!
But, I am most thankful for the freedom we have in America to worship God freely without persecution! A gift that was not free! So many people have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could do this. Our country is so blessed!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Lessons Learned
I know you grandmas are waiting for some recent pictures of the Sam-terror! And, the audacity of me to post about politics... tisk tisk! I shall get my priority straight one day.
Well, the countdown begins. We are in the month of July, the month of our Samuel! In 15 short days we will be celebrating one year since our Samuel was born! It's hard to imagine an entire year has already gone by.
Samuel is sure living up to the name "terror." He's quite the explorer.
I learned quite a few lessons this week:
1). Don't give Samuel a "nice" book and expect him to look through it nicely. Nicely: w/o tearing out all the pages!
2). Empty trash bin when it's half full so fat little hands can't pull out the contents.
3). No more taking quick showers while Samuel plays nicely with his toys outside of the shower!
4). Don't try and take close up pictures of Samuel while he's eating. Food on the lens is definitely not conducive to a good picture!
5). Have my camera around at all times. You never know what he's up to next.
6). Take as many pictures as possible, even if I do have 1,264 of him eating in his highchair. The time goes by way to quick and I'll always wish I just had a few more pictures of him doing (fill in the blank).
This weekend we got Samuel a little pool and a walker. He's doing great with the walker. Just since Saturday night when he got it, he's already jumped from a step here and there to taking 4 and 5 steps. We knew it would be great in giving him the confidence to start walking on his own.
And then I ask myself, "why am I in such a rush to get him to walking sooner rather than later anyways?" Stupid Mamma, don't I know once he starts there's no turning back!
Well, the countdown begins. We are in the month of July, the month of our Samuel! In 15 short days we will be celebrating one year since our Samuel was born! It's hard to imagine an entire year has already gone by.
Samuel is sure living up to the name "terror." He's quite the explorer.
I learned quite a few lessons this week:
1). Don't give Samuel a "nice" book and expect him to look through it nicely. Nicely: w/o tearing out all the pages!
2). Empty trash bin when it's half full so fat little hands can't pull out the contents.
3). No more taking quick showers while Samuel plays nicely with his toys outside of the shower!
4). Don't try and take close up pictures of Samuel while he's eating. Food on the lens is definitely not conducive to a good picture!
5). Have my camera around at all times. You never know what he's up to next.
6). Take as many pictures as possible, even if I do have 1,264 of him eating in his highchair. The time goes by way to quick and I'll always wish I just had a few more pictures of him doing (fill in the blank).
This weekend we got Samuel a little pool and a walker. He's doing great with the walker. Just since Saturday night when he got it, he's already jumped from a step here and there to taking 4 and 5 steps. We knew it would be great in giving him the confidence to start walking on his own.
And then I ask myself, "why am I in such a rush to get him to walking sooner rather than later anyways?" Stupid Mamma, don't I know once he starts there's no turning back!
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