Releasing balloons

Our tradition on Emma's birthday/anniversary is to send up balloons and eat cake. So last night we did and Madelyn did much better this year. Last year she did not want to let go of the balloon. This year, no problem. Afterwards, we went in for cupcakes. So we passed them out and are getting ready to eat and Madelyn says "Momma, Emma's not here". Oh... talk about breaking your heart. I told her that she was up in heaven with Papa Mike. We have been talking allot about Papa lately and when asked she will say that  he is "up in the sky with Jesus", those are her words. So she accepted that and went on to eat. Needless to say, Kim and I sat there with tear filled eyes and ate our cupcakes. :(

Here is our picture from yesterday. We had a hard time getting one, between batteries going out in the camera to a two year old not wanting cooperate.

Five years

Five years ago today John and I held an angel in our arms. Five years ago today changed our lives forever and not a day has gone by in five years that I have not thought about our angel. Five years ago today we did the hardest thing we ever had to do and that is saying our goodbyes to our angel. Emma Lucille you are remembered today and always and Mommy and Daddy love you so much. I know that she is up in heaven with our family and the day she was born my father never left her side and I know in my heart he is with her again today.

Every year John and I release balloons and also buy a cake or cupcakes or something for her.



1st Birthday/Anniversary



2nd Birthday/Anniversary

3rd Birthday/Anniversary



I have the fourth picture, but it is on my home computer.

Until we meet again my angel. Love you to the moon and back!

Wow...Beautiful

The Broken Chain

We knew little that morning that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone;

for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide;

and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same;

but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

~Ron Tranmer~

Just a quick update

Kim’s surgery went well and the doctor didn’t think he saw any cancer!!! Praise God. She is doing pretty good, sore, but that is to be expected. My mom and Casey came up on Thursday night to help out. Kimberly was released from the hospital on Saturday. She is staying in our guest room and my mom and Casey slept in the living room. Well around 1am Saturday night they heard a loud pop and then a bunch of crunching noise. To our surprise our dining room window busted out of nowhere. It is double paned and the outside pane cracked. The screen is still intact, so it was not a rock or anything like that. We have a contractor coming out to look at our roof and we mentioned that to them and he said it sounded structural. So please pray that it is not. We really don’t need any more problems at this time.

Wordless Wednesday

When it rains, it pours

Right now my family is experiencing a downpour of grief and sadness. Not only are we all dealing with the loss of my dad, we are now dealing with Kimberly’s diagnosis of cancer. YES, you read that right, Kim has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Uterine Cancer (will know more next week). We are meeting with the oncologist Monday at 4:30. I say we, I am going with her for support or at least to  hold her hand. I am flooded with a range of emotions after her diagnosis, I cannot imagine what she is going through. I can only serve as an encourager and a support system.

With that being said…this comes to mind.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; (EXTREMELY HARD TO DO, BUT TRYING)

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

VBS and David and Goliath

Yesterday was the second day of VBS and Madelyn did so much better. During Bible story the kids were asked to say "popcorn" prayers, just quick and simple prayers. Well our group of six girls range from two to four years old, so as you can imagine they were not really offering many prayers. I asked Madelyn, what do you give thanks for  and she said " I thank you for the food". It was so cute. At the end of the evening when we all gathered back up, she was starting to show signs of a fit brewing. So I picked her up and carried her to the back. I was considering leaving as she was already starting to throw a fit and Rachel came and took her out of my arms and off they went. Do you know that Madelyn was perfect for her. Rachel went up the stage to help pass out prizes and Madelyn was up there helping.

The VBS theme is "The Big Apple" NYC.

The Little Helper

On the way into work this morning I was listening to a Christian station and they were talking about David and Goliath. This is one of the more familiar stories, I think. So as I drove I thought about it. I am David and my grief is Goliath. I can choose to fear Goliath and run and hide, or I can face it and let my faith sustain me.  The Lord is our personal faith trainer. Always pushing us to grow in faith, to strengthen our faith. In doing this you have to go through struggles and hardships. You can either lean into your faith and trust in the Lord or you can turn from Him. I choose to lean into Him. "With God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.

Ladies and Gentlemen we have a full blow two year old :)

Thought I would update on Madelyn, that is one of my main reasons for this blog. Just like the title says, we have a two year old. One second a perfect angel and the next the complete opposite. A few weeks ago I needed to get out of the house for a little bit so Maddy and I went to Target. She was a perfect angel. Well I decided to press my luck so off to Kohl's we went. Well this time she decided not to listen to me and to run off from me. Trying to catch her she ran into housewares and proceeded to set the store alarm off. Talk about embarrassing.

Last night was the kick off to VBS. Even though Madelyn is younger we took her and are staying with her. At the end of the night they bring back all of the kids to the sanctuary. Madelyn thought it would be fun to walk up the steps and then when John went to get her she ran away from him. She ended up in the center aisle. I had to go and pick her up and she started kicking and screaming in front of everyone. I am so embarrassed. I don't know what to do with her sometimes? Any suggestions?

Now my mom always said that I was the best baby ever, but when I hit two she would cry herself to sleep I was so bad. Well, am I getting a little glimpse of my payback?

Here are some recent pictures.


Madelyn and her big girl bed

                                             

Silly girl

                                              
  Pirate Madelyn (they learned about Pirates at daycare this week)