Uniquely Made By Him

My Jason is Featured on The Character Therapist

2011-08-09T19:31:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited to be featured on Jeannie Campbell's website, Meet the Therapist. Well, it's not really me that's featured. It's the main character in my very first novel! (Can you hear the childlike enthusiasm?) His name is Jason Reece. Currently, his story is called, "Broken". You can read some details on Jeannie's blog. I'm thrilled with the diagnosis Jeannie made about Jay, although I do have to share how hard her truths were for him to read. I'm encouraged because much of the advice she gave seems "dead on". As a newbie to this writing process, sometimes I feel really lost. I've been immersing myself in "how to" books and blogs for guidance. I embarked on this journey back in May, never having written anything except my private journals. Too often it feels like a huge endeavor, but my family has been so supportive and encouraging.

My story started back in May, when I woke from a dream that I couldn't forget. I started writing details in-- what else? -- my journal. The story has morphed into something I just never expected! I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about the creative writing process: the good, the bad, and the ugly! When I have moments where I want to give up, my biggest cheerleader pushes me forward! Thanks,Sista!

I am in the process of creating a new website where I plan to blog about my writing process as a newbie. One of my goals is to feature other bloggers and websites, like Jeannie's Character Therapist, especially those who have been instrumental in teaching, advising, encouraging me about writing. There are many of you and you don't even know it! Time to change that! Until it's up and running, I am going to blog more here. Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Erica

operation write home

2010-05-29T23:46:00.002-05:00

Checking out the OWH bloghop. Didn't join this year b/c its so new to me. Also, haven't blogged in such a long time. DH is helping me create a new website, including a blog.

Anyway, I am enjoying reading new blogs by other scrappers n stampers. Check out www.operationwritehome.org. It'll be worth it.

me without you

2010-02-25T01:08:00.000-06:00

You're no good, you're no good, you're no good. Baby, you're no good. I'm gonna say it again...

I'm no good. Not a statement of self-pity; but a fact. My sins are ever before me. My sense of right and wrong is skewed when it comes to myself.

I've spent 38 years looking at myself as you see me. I'm a bona fide People-Pleaser who never seems to please anyone.

I've hurt and been hurt more times than I care to remember.

I desire to be alone. I'm safer there, better off with only me. I can count on Me, can't I?

You are unknown. You scare me. You might not like me or I might not really like you. So why spend the time & energy getting too close? Where will it get either of us? Where will it get me?

Me. me. me. I am full of me. My wants. My needs. I will put myself ahead of you. I'm incredibly good at it.

And I take pride in that. I take pride in-- who else?- me. What I want trumps you. What I need is most important.

I think I've summed it up nicely.

This is how I see me.

How about you?

Enough

2010-02-25T01:07:00.000-06:00

I've had counselors say it's never good for a person to act like a volcano. I've been told I am not supposed to let anger simmer
only to explode with hot lava on another. I concede that this isn't ideal behavior; however, I've recently discovered something quite
freeing about spewing truth. There is something about choosing truth over lies that brings amazing freedom. My experience is too
fresh for me to understand exactly how it works. I just know it has.

I've wasted alot of years attempting to meet someone else's expectations of me. Repeatedly, I have tried and repeatedly, I have failed.
My efforts have been completely futile. Recently, I began asking myself why I bother continuing to try? Why does it even matter so much
to me? Why do I really care what an angry, bitter, critical person thinks about me?

I know my answer. It's because we're family. I believe that Family is designed to be that One Place of safety and unconditional love. My
heart screams for that. I do get that no one does that perfectly. We are, after all, flawed beings. I will never fully measure up to Another's
expectations. I am not certain that the object of my eruption truly understands the extent of the hurt I've experienced. I'm not convinced
I'll ever hear an apology or be told I am loved and accepted completely.

I do recognize that I should have sat down and calmly shared my hurt a long time ago. I am sorry I erupted. I will not, however,
apologize for the truths that finally spilled out from the depth of my soul. And I am not sorry that I was finally able to talk directly with
the one who caused the hurt, rather than indirectly spewing on others around me.

I also recognize that one day this volcano may erupt again. I cannot guarantee that I will never again allow myself to simmer. But today,
I can pledge that I will stop allowing myself to be controlled by another's expectations. I really only need to live to please my God,
my husband, and my children. Over the years, I have failed all of them repeatedly. Yet they each hold me tightly, assure me I am
accepted, and whisper, "I love you". Isn't that enough?

Remember

2009-09-11T13:31:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about 9-11 alot this week, praying for those families and friends who lost loved ones 8 years ago. I've also been spending some time reorganizing old photos (5-6 boxes full!) and remembering the past ten years. In doing that, i found pics from the Fall of 2001. The week before 9/11, we celebrated our son's 2nd birthday with a big picnic and baseball game for friends and family. Just a few days earlier, we had spent the weekend camping with close friends. They were good times.

But they were bad times, too. In the middle of it all, there were alot of difficult things happening, aside from the events of 9/11. I was pregnant with our oldest daughter and found myself struggling with depression. A good friend of ours had tried to kill herself. Our niece was born 4 months early, weighing only 1 lb. 5 ozs. We were preparing to move to a new town. Terrorists struck to the North and South of us (we lived in NJ at the time). My brother had joined the Air National Guard in the summer and was in TX for training. I was a ball of fear for months. It affected who I was and everything I did. Trusting God did not come so easily for me.

It still doesn't; although now I find myself praying for help when my faith fails me. God knows I'm not perfect. He knows my struggles and understands me better than i do myself. His own disciples struggled with faith. He gets it. He gets me. And He continues to teach me that no matter how much my faith falters, His doesn't. He NEVER leaves me nor forsakes me. He always remembers me. He is actively working in my life to increase my faith and cause me to see the fullness of His love for me.

Lately, I find myself trying to wrap my mind around the concept that life is just full of good and bad. It's to be accepted. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the LORD. That concept is easy to say; yet hard to live.

I am finding that it helps me to look back and remember. It's what He's asked me to do anyway. All over Scripture; but especially in Deuteronomy. Remember what He's done. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He walks with me in the rain and the sunshine. I am never alone. And in the middle of all the bad stuff, He is working out the good. Eight years later, my friend is still alive, our niece is a vibrant little girl with no complications from being premature, our move led us to a church we consider our "home" (although we now live in TN), my brother is still in the ANG and is perfectly safe, we have three beautiful and smart children, and God continues to teach our family how very much He loves us.

I am getting ready to create some new scrapbooks for our kids, our family and myself. My heart's desire is to create an album of my Spiritual Journey. Over the past few weeks, God has been helping me prepare for that. Looking through the photos this week and remembering what He's been doing has been another step in that. A few years back, I told Him that I would never forget His goodness. Well, life took over and I broke that promise. Thankfully, He is a God of second (and third, and fourth...i think you know) chances. And today I remind myself not only to remember what happened in America eight years ago; but more importantly, to remember what God has done and continues to do in my life. He is good. And I will never forget Him.

Just Do It

2009-06-07T02:22:00.003-05:00

I've given up on alot these last several months. Now it's time to give up alot. Give up alot of hurt, frustration, anger. Let go. See where God takes me from here. Allow Him to take me where He wants when He wants. Perhaps give Him control, yet again. That'd be a good move.

I accidentally found a website for women last week. It offered an online conference called "A Woman Inspired". It's geared for women who want to use the internet for ministry. I don't usually "jump right in". I usually back away, especially when there is a cost involved. The cost was minimal and for whatever reason, I saw it all and said, "Erica, I think you need this, Girl! I think you need it NOW!" So, i paid for it. It's four days long, starting Monday, June 8th. Quite a few of the topics are already tugging at my heart and spinning in my mind.

I'm waiting on God with it. Wondering what He has planned for me, just for me. I don't usually do what I want. (I whine and complain to dh alot about that.) But i don't usually just do it. So, this week... i'm gonna just do it.

I'm Leaving Blogger...

2008-11-19T00:28:00.002-06:00

I'm so completely frustrated right now. My dh has been telling me for a while that I should go to wordpress for blogging, so i guess now is the time. I spent hours redoing this blog only to have it all gone with one press of a button. I have no idea how to get back all my widgets, etc. etc. Neither does my computer savvy dh, who doesn't use blogger. So, I guess it's a sign that it's time to leave Blogger and move on. We do own the domain name, www.uniquelymade.com. We've had intentions of creating a website for my scrapbooking, blogging, etc. etc. for a while now. Guess it's time to do that. I'm not wasting any more time making this Blogger site look so pretty.

So, I'll post again when my dh and I have something going.

Blessings,
Erica

This is Home

2008-11-08T12:38:00.003-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CkbCAsUmUQ

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs. I cannot tell you what a long journey the past two and a half years have felt like. I know i've blogged it before... but I just have to say it again... if you don't know that Jesus has AWESOME plans in mind for HIS Children, then please hear it now! These words are true: "For I know the PLANS I have for YOU," declares the LORD. "MY PLANS are for YOUR GOOD. I will give you a HOPE and a FUTURE." (my paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11).

I am understanding more and more that just because I can't see HIS BIG PICTURE for me, doesn't mean that their isn't one. Just because hurt SEEMS to last a long time, doesn't mean it actually has to last a long time. When I CHOOSE to STOP grieving over what I've lost or what I wanted but never had, and choose to START trusting in Jesus, my Saviour, who LOVES me, then I see my life in a very different light. I see it through the LIGHT of HIS TRUTH. He never lies to me or about me. There is no sin in Him. His promises are ALWAYS true and ALWAYS kept. I CAN DEPEND on Him, not to get what I want all the time; but to know that He will never leave me alone. He always has MY BEST in HIS MIND. He loves me so completely. And He leads me all the way to where HE WANTS me to be.

I hope I don't forget that the next time trouble comes knocking at my door. I hope that also encourages YOU! Blessings today, Dear Friends!

Fun Family Pics...

2008-11-06T01:38:00.003-06:00

Our Brownie Girl Scout holds the Future!

Ant built this Lego Indy set by himself! thanks, Aunt RiRi & Uncle Eddie!

Lizzie & Daddy watched a Phillies game together!

Hooray! Hooray!

2008-10-30T13:12:00.003-05:00

I found something to be thrilled about... Beth Moore is coming to Nashville in March! And it looks like i just may finally get to see her in person! She is doing a conference for Minister's Wives. Who would have thought that would be me?! God is so amazing! Who would have guessed that God would have such plans for me!

Most of you know that God told my husband to bring us to Nashville in 2006. So we came. The first two years were hard. In April 2008, God told him that we should stop attending one church and start attending another. So, we started attending Church At The River in May. We went from being first time attenders to members to leaders overnight! I had ALOT of reservations at first; but once I chose to put aside the fears and let God do what God wants to do, we've been catapulted! Which is also amazing to me because that was prophesied over me a couple years ago! I didn't fully believe it then. Now it's happening!

The Lord has been so good to honor us with this position of Youth Intern Minister and wife. But it looks like God isn't placing me in the typical Youth Minister's Wife Position. My DH handed me a book called Girls Ministry 101 a few weeks ago. It's for women who God has called to ministry for pre-teen and teen girls! Never in a thousand years would I have thought that'd be me; but here I am... Youth Minister's Wife and Girls' Ministry Leader! And I am discovering that although I feel completely inadequate and unprepared for the calling; God is equipping me. He is leading and guiding and He is blessing!

Last night my DH gave me the chance to speak to our Youth Group (Refuge At The River, website forthcoming). I was nervous. I had very little time to prepare. But God came through! I pray that what was shared about hearing God's voice and knowing His Word as a Love Letter and our God as the Lover of our Souls would be on the hearts and minds of the teens. I pray that they would learn early how much He cares for them and they would each submit to Him. What a difference He makes!

Next week, my DH and fearless Youth Leader will be out of town on business, so he has asked me to lead. (GULP!). Thankfully, we have another wonderful female volunteer leader who is excited to help! I think we are going to play some Power Point games, then just sit and talk with the teens. God is giving me a ton of ideas! I'm nervous; but excited about this opportunity! We can't wait to see what else God has in store for us and "our kids" (as well as our own three little ones)!

Deuteronomy 7 talks about God's love and faithfulness to us. I just read it as a reminder of His goodness... a reminder of where we came from and where He wants to take us! He is so good! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

A Loss for Words...

2008-10-27T00:21:00.003-05:00

Ever have those blogger moments where you just don't know what to write? I'm having one of those now. I could give a simple update on the kids. I could talk about our new church. I could tell you how much we enjoyed our visit with the grandparents. I could share about relationships. I have some heavy things on my mind; but God seems to be keeping me at peace right now. I'm just not sure I want to take the time and write. Does anyone else ever feel that way?

Ever have a story to tell; but not know where to begin?
Ever have alot on your mind; but not really want to share?
Ever want to share; but can't get the words out right?

Feel free to let me know....

Surprises!

2008-09-26T00:30:00.002-05:00

Usually, I don't do well with surprises. I honestly dislike the unknown. Ask anyone I know. I try to figure everything out in life. i don't handle change very well. It's a part of my personality; but I know God is changing it. He is helping me to learn to adapt, to accept when things don't go as I plan.

Earlier this week, God surprised me. At first, I wasn't very pleased. I didn't want to be out of my element. But once I chose to accept it, I found it really wasn't so bad. Here's what happened:

I spent most of Monday on the road with my DH. He had a dentist appointment in Chattanooga, two hours away from our home. It was a 15 minute appointment. No big deal, though. We had time to ourselves (along with Lizzie, of course). Here's where the surprise came in... on the way home, my DH tells me that he's feeling pretty good (just three days after major oral surgery) and wants to go to a Youth Worker's Conference that he had previously signed up for. Would I be willing to drop him off in downtown Nashville? Duh, no DH! i hate driving in the city. We've been driving all day. Of course I don't want to do that! But once we got home and settled a bit, he asked me the same question in a different way... would I be interested in going with him? The evening session was a speaker (Phil Vischer, Veggie Tales creator) and some Christian bands. It actually sounded like fun. We had a free sitter for the older kids. I wasn't sure how Lizzie would do (turns out she did wonderfully Monday night and all day Tuesday!). OKAY! I'm game. Since he was still on pain meds, i drove us into the city (which wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined).

And then we spent all day and most of the night at the same Youth Worker's Conference (run by Lifeway) on Tuesday. And here's what I learned... seems God might actually want to use me to change the lives of the youth in our area. HUH! Never saw that coming. Teens scare me. I used to be one and I hated it. LOL! Seems I never really got over some of those insecurities... until now. God is choosing NOW to be the time for me to let go of the fears and allow Him to do what He wants to do in me and through me. I'm not sure what that will look like in the near future; but God knows. I think I got one piece of the puzzle when I found a book by Jimmie L. Davis called "The Girls Ministry Handbook". I really like what i saw and realized for the first time that I could have a ministry to Young Women right now. I don't have to wait for God to give me some "Big Ministry" for Women, like I had envisioned a few years back. I can allow Him to start the way He wants to start to use me right now, as a Youth Pastor's wife and a Youth Leader myself.

The Lord also forced me to take a good look inward and to release some more pride. He spoke alot about grace through the speakers and the singers. He made some things new in me on Tuesday. Not just Tuesday, i guess He's been making things new. I just chose to respond in a new way on Tuesday. Tears came and i told Brian how much I've missed the Holy Spirit. I've spent too much time "quenching" Him and i do miss watching Him work mightily. However, He never stopped working in me, no matter what my response has been to Him. He has been the One to hold me close to Jesus even when I didn't feel so close.

here's the kicker... all this happened at a Baptist run Convention. LOL! (Disclaimer: I do not mean to step on any toes of those reading this... I've been in a very legalistic Baptist church and pretty adamantly decided I'd probably never "feel" the Holy Spirit at any Baptist gathering. Ha! God had other plans! The HS showed up in that place in ways I never saw coming! God surely must have been laughing on my account! :)

Okay, Baby Lizzie is crying for Mama, so I'd better wrap it up. Life is full of surprises. I guess I'd better learn to settle down and accept the gifts the God is holding, huh?

My DH is AWESOME!

2008-09-17T23:05:00.009-05:00

Check out the new Church @ The River website my dh spent hours putting together! I think it's so much better than the old site. It's "alive" where the old site seemed stagnant. He and Pastor Jerm are still working on it, actually. They had someone create a new logo for the church and made the website much more modern, hip, cool... LOL!

The link is on the right side of my page or you can get to it here... http://www.churchattheriver.org/.

I've been slightly reluctant to admit it openly, but God really has blessed us by bringing us here. For once, I'm really not sure how to put into words all that is brewing in my heart and mind. A few months back, when the second Narnia movie came out, Brian proclaimed that the title tract, THIS IS HOME, by Switchfoot, was now "our family song". I was reluctant to agree...until lately. The more i think about it, the more obvious it's becoming that where we are is right where God wants us. However, I still call NJ "home" while I also call TN "home". I'm not so sure that "home" is a particular State. I think it's that place in your heart where you know you belong. In so many ways, I know I still belong to the NJ family and friends who are so important to me. In other ways, I know I belong here in TN too. We belong in this house on this street in this neighborhood in this city. God wants us here. We belong at Church @ The River. We were meant to be here. It is part of God's purpose for our family. He has plans for us here.

This Is Home lyrics

I've got my memories
Always inside of me
But I can't go back
Back to how it was.

I believe you now
I've come too far
No I can't go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place I've never known

[Chorus]This is home
Now I'm finally back to where I belong
Where I Belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching for a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home
This is home

Belief over misery
I've seen the enemy
And I won't go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart set on what happens next
I got my eyes wide it's not over yet
We are miracles and we're not alone

[Chorus]

And now after all my searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I've got a brand new mindset
I can finally see the sunset
I'm gonna call it home

[Chorus]

Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
And I won't go back
Yeah, this is home

Two years ago I followed with Brian to TN because Brian followed God. Being here is not our idea. It's HIS. He has a Plan and a Purpose for every one of His children. His plans and purposes are always Good, although they don't always feel that way. There's been alot of joy here; but there's also been alot of pain. God is asking me now to lay aside the hurt from that pain and surrender once again to Him. So that He may fulfill those purposes and that plan in my life. So that I may know the depth of the LOVE of JESUS for ME. It's time to lay aside my hurt and pick up His cross and follow HIM. Time to let HIM "love on me" as they say down here in the South. If I could fully know how very much Jesus loves me, I'd be a very different woman. I'd still be me; but a gentler and kinder and more loving me. I'm ready for more miracles. I'm choosing to trust Him again. I'm hoping in the God who says He does not leave or forsake me, the God who always keeps His promises; for my God is a Promise.

I'm writing these words for all to see; but I'm really writing these words for me. I pray that I will not take these words lightly or forget them tomorrow! I hope that I will once again begin to live surrended to Jesus, trusting that He is a trustworthy God who loves me so thoroughly. And that as I learn these things, He will use me to teach others, that we can learn together. I miss being used by God. I miss the excitement, the fire. I miss being close to God, to talking and listening and sharing and being still. I look forward to what He plans to do in my life!

Happy Birthday, Anthony!

2008-09-17T23:05:00.005-05:00

Here are some bday pics from Ant's 9th birthday! enjoy! (disclaimer: I messed up when downloading the pics so this post is not as "neat" as I'd like... sorry! Enjoy anyway!)

Flag Football (spongebob) from us. We're hoping to have some father/son games at the park once it cools down. We have lots of boys around Ant's age at our new church. Yay!

indiana Jones Lego for xbox...courtesy of nana & grampy (the Gamer!)... Ant has a blast with this one! It's actually one of the few games I enjoy watching and may learn to play with him one of these days!

Ant's into comics and drawing superheroes now, so Uncle Tony gave him some supplies and also one of his valuable Comics (to put away for a rainy day).

hannah gave him a Chewbacca action figure. We love Chewy!
Abig birthday hug! a comic strip bday card handmade by aunt dawn! Sooo cool!

Speed Racer Tshirt and $9.00 from Aunt Dot! Lovin it!

Just some of the new bedroom ensemble... Comic Strip Themed... from nana & grampy, GG, and us.

Ant wanted Chick fil a for lunch, so we went with Malachi, Emi, Jerm, & Steph before heading to Chuck E. Cheese to play!

Ant winning big at Chuck E Cheese... Liz chillin with her Papa... ant dressed her especially for his bday! He chose her pretty little poohbear outfit!

Happy Birthday, Ant! We love you, Big Guy!

Happy Kid Pics...

2008-09-12T01:04:00.002-05:00

Our happy baby girl sits up on her own for the first time while taking a bath! She even played with her pink rubber ducky! It's a great change from her first baths as a tiny babe when she would cry every time!

Our happy kitty cat takes a nap on Hannah's kitchen. What a cute kitten we have!

At dinner last night, our happy baby realized she has a tongue! And her mommy realized how long that tongue is! Oh, maybe she'll follow in the footsteps of her mom and her sister by touching her nose with her tongue! That's the talent of the Senecal women! :)

Earlier tonight Lizzie decided to try to pull herself up on the couch! She is amazing! She didn't stand up all the way, but something has to be saved for tomorrow, right?

Yet another first... she stood up and tried to climb the stairs tonight. Yikes! Time for baby gates and other safety features. Anthony was right by her side when she did this. He was her spotter. Thankfully she only almost tumbled over once and he was quick to catch her fall!

We are amazed by how much Lizzie is starting to do in so little time....

A Day Late and a Dollar Short...

2008-09-12T00:44:00.002-05:00

Well, I wanted to write about 9-11 on 9-11. It's now 12:45 am...on 9/12. Sorry Folks!

Anyway, I didn't review 9-11 as much this year as I have in the past. I had to teach the kids today and i wasn't sure what to tell them. So I chose not to tell Hannah anything. She wasn't born in 2001, so she surely doesn't remember anything. B and I have told Hannah and Ant about 9-11 in the recent past. In fact, i think the last time we talked to them was back in April days before we got on a plane to come back to NJ. It didn't seem to scare them. Anthony's heart was touched by it all. He was just a babe in 2001 so he doesn't remember the day. He only knows what we've told him. He has such a tender heart towards those who died and those who survived. Today, he asked me exactly how many people survived in NYC. I told him I wasn't sure; but there were many. When his friend, Malachi, came over to play in the afternoon, the three of us talked a bit more about 9-11-01.

I read a good article last night. The author said that when talking to children about 9-11, it's best to focus on how it pulled Americans together rather than sharing about the fearful stuff. i think a healthy balance is good. Of course, it depends upon the age of your kids.

I will not ever forget where I was or what we were doing on 9-11-01; but I just didn't want to revisit it today. I have alot of days where the subject still comes up and we remember. Today I prayed for the survivors. I still hurt for them, for those who live daily without the ones they loved so much. I pray nothing like that ever happens again. I pray that God continues to bring comfort and the ability to move forward to those who lost friends and loved ones. He is so faithful to us, even in the midst of our pain.

Blessings to all of you...

Lizzie Pics I Promised...

2008-09-08T22:30:00.005-05:00

I crawled to the door when Mommy wasn't looking!
Oh, what a BIG world out there!
Look at me! I can sit up on my own!
Ah! I'm stuck! Help me, Mama!

I'm pulling up on the furniture now, too! Wow, I'm getting big!

When I eat, I like to "say" I LOVE YOU!

Me and Pastor Jeremy having fun at Ant's 9th bday party!

I'm relaxing with Miss Stephanie (P. Jerm's wife)... boy i'm tuckered out!

Our First Weeks of School

2008-09-08T20:32:00.003-05:00

Well, here are some pics of the family enjoying our first weeks of school. We are in our fourth week now. Ant is doing better with the complaining. His "principal" laid down the law. They are both doing so well with everything. We've been learning about China through Voice of the Martyrs' kids website, http://www.kidsofcourage.org/. The kids have been continuing with their Paces (http://www.aceministries.com/). Ant has Math, English, and Word Building (spelling).

Hannah has Math and English. She is excelling in both. She seems to enjoy Math more though. She is reading well although she gets overwhelmed at times. This week we read a story about EB White in Ant's Highlights magazine. Then we went outside to look at the many spider webs in our yard. We found a 3D web on the front porch where the spider was sitting under her egg sac. We've been checking every day to see if the sac has broken and the babies are flying yet! Last year we saw tons of baby spiders coming off a web from our garage; but i didn't have the camera ready. This year, we want to get some on "film".

Today we even saw Claire and Lizzie doing some schooling!

Here is Claire reading the children's dictionary and there is Lizzie reading her Children's Bible! What studious kids we have! We are proud of them all!

Happy School year 2008-09!

Lizzy Bear is at it again...

2008-09-07T21:58:00.002-05:00

I have to post the pics later. My camera is downstairs.

anyway, yesterday our Lizzy Bear decided to start crawling. Real crawling. Not the caterpillar crawl she's been doing for a while. And off she goes....

She also decided it was time to start pulling up on things. Hannah and Ant found her in the living room pulling herself up on her car seat. She seems too little to be doing so much! She later tried to pull herself into a child-sized chair we have in the living room. She couldn't quite do it; but it didn't stop her from trying.

Can't remember if i mentioned in the last blog that she is also sitting up on her own now. She is amazing! We get so excited about every new accomplishment. And I get a double blessing b/c I get to feel my own excited and I also get to watch Ant and Pip get so thrilled! Brian and I are so proud of our little family...

God has given us such joy!

Lizzie's Got a Tooth...or 2... or 3!

2008-08-29T23:28:00.003-05:00

WooHoo! Our family is thrilled by something as simple as our baby growing 3 new teeth! We discovered them tonight while watching a family movie together. I felt one on the bottom and hannah found the other two on top. All in front. We're going to try to get some pics tomorrow. Lizzie was sleepy so it was enough for us to each take turns putting our fingers in her mouth to feel the joy!

I'll tell you what... i still disagree with the doctors that babies don't get fevers, coldlike symptoms, and runny diapers when they are teething. Lizzie's had them all for a couple weeks now. Hannah and Ant had the same things when they were babes! Anyway, that's my soapbox for the week. :)

In other family news, we started homeschooling. Finished week 2 today. The kids are ahead in their Math and on schedule in the other subjects. We've been slow to add extras like History, Science, and extra curricular activities. I'm planning to sign them up for Swimming Lessons at the Y. It's time they jump in and learn to swim! Bought Lizzie a Baby Float so brian and i can take her swimming too... now that she's old enough! yay! Hannah was thrilled! She can't wait to put Lizzie in a bathing suit!

We are excited to be close to celebrating Ant's 9th birthday. We are going to surprise him (and Hannah) on Monday. We invited their new friends, Malachi and Emi, to Chick fil a for Lunch and then Chuck E Cheese for playtime. Then we'll come back here for cake and ice cream. The kids are excited that I gave them the day off so we can celebrate Anthony on Monday! We, along with my Mom and Grandmom, bought Ant a new bedroom set... it's a comic strip theme. He's going to LOVE it! It comes from Kohls. He is so into comics now. Having his Uncle Tony living here has encouraged that, too. Tony is very artistic and has been encouraging Ant in his comic strip ideas. I even came up with a superhero... The Chunkifier... it's a baby in a cape who's superhero strength is to make the "bad guys" into chunky babies. Gee, wonder where I got that idea! Ant loved it! I even drew a little pic for him. LOL!

Big News for Brian.... he is getting a new set of teeth in mid-september! God has been so gracious to give us this gift! We've been waiting a long time to get his teeth fixed; but haven't had the money to do so. Our new pastor, Jeremy, facilitated the process. Another lady in our church, Rhonda, has a friend who wants to take care of Brian's teeth for free as a ministry to us! How AWESOME is that! Thanks, God!

We are also thrilled that Nana, Grampy, GG, Pop Z and Gram Z are coming to visit in October! YAY! We can't wait to see everyone! My dad is coming to stay for 2 weeks and part of his plans include looking around the area to find a new place they can call "home"! Yay again! Dad hasn't retired yet; but he's getting closer. It's all in God's hands; but we'd love to have them close to us, of course. We planned Lizzie's baby dedication for October and are so thankful all the grandparents will be here that weekend!

Oh yeah, my little brother, Matt, is supposed to be coming to visit in September too. I have to email or call him again to see if he's been able to make more solid plans. Sure do miss him, too. We got so close when he moved to TX a couple years ago. Since he moved back home to NJ, we haven't talked as much and I find myself missing him often these days.

Well, guess that's good enough for tonight. Blessings to all!

Mini-update

2008-08-14T12:49:00.002-05:00

It's been forever since I've written... been busy healing from double hernia surgery. Now preparing for our new schoolyear. Planning to start on Monday. Hannah is thrilled; Ant isn't. :) The public schools started this past Monday, so Ant got a break. Planning to surprise him with a day off on September 1st, his 9th birthday! So hard to believe our firstborn is one year away from double digits. In two years, he can join the Youth Group. He's almost in Middle School, yikes!

Baby Elizabeth is doing well. She is growing like a weed! She is learning to crawl already... nothing holds her back!

well, that's it for now. got lots to do.

Happy 6th Birthday, Pippa!

2008-04-14T23:03:00.004-05:00

Here are some pics of Hannah's Surprise party... she had no idea! It was her first "friend" party. She had about 8 girls come. They had a great time! Nana and GG were able to be here for it, too, which was an added blessing!

Surprise! Making Crafts... butterfly picture frames.

Elizabeth plays Twister, too! Butterfly hot dogs...yum! Butterfly Cake, too!

presents & good friends

Ramblings

2008-04-03T00:36:00.003-05:00

Special thanks to my ds, Dawn, although she doesn't know why! I finally had a chance to catch up on reading her blog (thechattystamper.blogspot.com) and clicked on a bunch of links that helped me to recreate my blog. I really like the new look of her blog and it inspired me to find out how she did it.

So, Dawny, I'm lovin your new look! Hope you like mine, too! Pink for the new babe...flowers for Spring!

BTW, Elizabeth Dawn is growing like a weed! She is getting so tall and filling out so much! I can't wait for her 2 mo check up next week so we can find out exactly how much she's grown. Although I truthfully am not looking forward to all those shots she's supposed to get. Yuck! Makes me sad to think about it! She is almost out of size 1 diapers. I'm holding on as long as i can to get through a pack I literally opened one day and two days later noticed she didn't really fit anymore. Hannah was in the same size diaper for months... no joke! I remember Ant being big but not like Elizabeth.

She is smiling more and more every day. last night, she almost laughed. It was like it wanted to come out but didn't! Still no rolling over though. We're waiting... I can't wait to hear what my Grandmother and Mom will say about her. Gran hasn't met Elizabeth face to face yet. Mom hasn't seen her since her birth in February. Elizabeth and i are going to the airport tomorrow night to pick them up and bring them here. It's Pippa's birthday tomorrow! She is soooo excited! We are planning a surprise party for her on Friday; but her little neighbor friend keeps telling her she's getting a party. i think she's confused b/c when she asks me about it, I tell her we're not having cake and presents until Nana and GG get here, which will be after dark. I'm really not sure how many girls are coming. I have only one definite so far. A couple said they may come. Mom said if only one commits to coming, maybe we'll just take Hannah out for dinner instead since it's not like she'll know anything. We'll see. Brian is going to take her for a bike ride around the block to get her out of the house. At least that's the plan right now.

Well, i'll post again after the weekend. Blessings to all!

Easter Pics

2008-03-27T23:24:00.013-05:00

Finding the Easter baskets after church! Ant's was in the coat closet, Beth's was on the bookshelf, and Hannah's was behind the tv stand. They enjoyed the hunt and the goodies!

(Sorry about Pip's pic... i can't figure out how to turn it!)

My Little Lizzybeth! Isn't she the cutest? This outfit is from Aunt Bobbi, Uncle Bob, & Sean. Most of her wardrobe is PINK of course. This is a nice change.

Here is Hannah at the Christ Church Easter Egg/Kid's Day Hunt. She and Anthony had a blast! I love this picture because it makes her look like her feet are off the ground! Just like Pip, always hopping off to do her own thing. I love her free spirit!

Pip's first pony ride! She loved it! She wanted to go again but the line was sooo long and it was chilly outside that day. So we went inside for lunch and her first ride with Anthony down the big inflatable slide. I missed it b/c I had to go nurse the babe; but Brian took a little video. He said they enjoyed it the first time and he almost had to rescue Pip b/c she got scared the second time. this weekend she is going overnight to camp with her Girl Scout troop. It's a camp where they'll learn to take care of horses. She is excited! Wish I was going with her...

Braveheart Anthony! He's got his balloon sword with him for protection and security, I guess! Pip is stuck at the top... so much for Chivalry! LOL!

We dyed Easter Eggs on Saturday evening. We also made a Spring cake with green icing and sprinkles to take to our neighbors, Josh & Lisa. They invited us for an Easter Sunday Potluck with some of their other friends. We all had a good time. It was nice to be with new friends since we couldn't be with family this year.

Here's an Easter pic we took at church. I have really good ones of the kids together and individually but I'm not posting b/c I have plans for those pics. Sorry, Mom and Dawn! this will have to do! The Easter passion play at church was really good. i think you can check it out on the web at http://www.christchurchnashville.com/ if you'd like. The choir sang throughout. I was really blessed by it, and by the fact that the babe slept through it! A couple times when i was pregnant with her she would bounce all around inside me when she heard the choir sing! I keep teasing Brian that she's going to enjoy church choirs more than groups like Switchfoot. He denies it. We'll see! He's already got Anthony & Hannah hooked on the Christian Rock bands. Nothing wrong with that; but I wouldn't mind one who enjoyed more mellow music too!

All in all, it was a good weekend. We missed being with our family for Easter and we missed Marie & Ed's 25th anniversary party (sat night)! But it was okay to be here this year. This is the first holiday it's felt that way since we moved to TN in 06. I think it helped to have so many of the family here in February for Elizabeth. Nana and GG will be visiting in another week or so for hannah's birthday, too. We're looking forward to that, of course. I'll post more another day.

AHHH! IT'S BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE I LAST BLOGGED!

2008-03-19T20:13:00.003-05:00

Sorry the pics arent' where i want them... the babe just woke and demands to be fed! I'm lucky i got this much done!

I knew it'd been a while; but not this long.

Here's a quick update... We got the kids a new kitten for Chanukkah. Her name is Claire. She's a wonderful addition to the family. She especially loves Hannah.

Christmas was WONDERFUL! Had a great visit with my parents and grandmother. Missed the rest of the family terribly. Sorry that my brother had to work and couldn't come. Really missing him these days, which is odd for me. :)

New year's eve we spent with good friends, Natalie, Jeff, and Antonio. We had a blast playing games. We taught Nat and Jeff to play "Hand and Foot" and now that's all we play when we get together. It's a fun card game.

February saw a visit from Mom, Dad, my sis and her youngest son, Avery. The main purpose for that visit was Elizabeth Dawn's birth on February 5th. It was WONDERFUL to see them all! And I'm so glad they were able to see the kids and meet Elizabeth face to face. Once they left, my in-laws and my sister-in-law came for a short visit. We also got to see my husbands aunt and her son. It was WONDERFUL to see all of them.

Unfortunately in the midst of all this wonderful stuff, we lost another family member. Last week, Hannah's guinea pig, Hollie died. The day Brian buried her, Hannah caught the flu. What a rotten few days for Pip!

My Grandmother and Mom are planning a visit for Hannah's 6th birthday the first weekend in April. Looking forward to that! Then Mom is hoping to come back in May or June to help me clean up the yard and get ready for Spring/Summer. Hopefully dad will be able to come too. We are trying to plan for Elizabeth's baby dedication the same weekend Mom (and maybe Dad) come.

That's all in a nutshell! I have to make time to change the colors, etc. on this site. And to write some more! Not much time for anything except taking care of the family these days.

Blessings to all!