Wow! Where has the time gone??

I cannot believe that I haven't posted anything since around Thanksgiving and here it is nearly the end of May! So much has happened since that time, it's overwhelming and exhausting to even think about it.

First off, I spent most of December and the first part of January up in Michigan with family. Greyson, my mom and I drove up in early December and Cael and Steve flew up to meet us on December 23rd. We were all set to spend a wonderful, relaxing Christmas vacation together with both of our families. On Christmas morning though, we received a phonecall that completely changed our lives. We were at my parents house and had just finished opening up gifts with the boys when Steve's cell phone rang. It was his dad telling him to come over right away. We left immediately, but before we arrived, Steve received a phonecall from his brother telling him that their mom had passed away. She had been sick for quite awhile and maybe I had been living in a state of denial, but I certainly didn't expect to hear this news on Christmas morning. Steve and I and his siblings and spouses met up at his dad's house and just talked and mourned together for quite awhile. Anybody who knew Diane knows what a great loss this truly was and still is. She was exceptional in EVERY way! She was a very godly woman who would give all she had to help someone in need. I have never in my life known someone with a more forgiving spirit or a more generous, tender heart. We rejoice knowing that she is in paradise with the Lord Jesus and that, given the opportunity, wouldn't come back to this world for anything! We miss her so very much but live daily with the eternal hope that we WILL see her again...face to face in the presence of our Savior!

Steve & his mom on our wedding day, October 7, 2000


We arrived back home in early January and life, of course, had to go on. It was very difficult at first to just jump back into life as if nothing had ever happened. It almost seemed wrong in a sense. But, life DID go on.

I took on the position of nursery/pre-school director at our church right after I arrived back home. It pays just enough for Steve and I to hire a babysitter once a month and spend a nice, relaxing evening out! We love our kids more than anything in this world, but we do look forward to our date nights. :)


We are currently expecting our third child! My due date is June 1st, so I have about two more weeks to go...although, my dr. seems to think I just might go early with this one. We will see! We don't know the baby's gender, we wanted to be surprised as we were with both of our boys.

A 3-D ultrasound picture of our baby...so cool!!



I am also directing Vacation Bible School (VBS) again at our church in July; that has been keeping me quite busy lately! With the baby coming so soon, I am trying to get as much done for VBS as possible.

Steve is keeping busy at the church and with the youth. Our church now has a fitness center and Steve is overseeing that ministry. He teaches discipleship classes to our teens weekly, conducts youth on Wednesday nights and during Sunday School, preaches monthly to the congregation and stays busy with visitation and counseling. We also plan youth outings one to two times per month. We are taking the youth to summer camp this year at Word of Life Youth Camp just outside of Tampa, FL. My mom is coming down to stay with our kids (with the boys anyway...I will be taking the baby) while we take off for a week in June with the teens! It really is a fantastic camp and we and the teens are all looking forward to going back this year. This will be our third year (and counting) at Word of Life!!

The boys are really growing too! Greyson is 5 1/2 now and is enrolled in kindergarten next year at Park Avenue Christian Academy just down the street from us. I am really having a hard time with the whole idea of him going off to school. I just can't believe he is about to enter kindergarten! It just doesn't seem possible for him to be that old already! He has lost two teeth recently and his permanent teeth have started growing right in.

Cael is 2 1/2 and gives the term 'terrible twos' new meaning. He is into EVERYTHING. He is the most curious two year old I have ever known! He is as cute as can be and I love him TO DEATH but he sure is a handful right now.

Here are a couple of recent pictures of the kids...

Greyson in his soccer uniform and medal


Cael just after a fresh homemade haircut by daddy! :)




Well, in a nutshell, that is what has been going on with us. We are hoping to make it back up to Michigan this summer at some point. We miss all of our Michigan friends and family members and look forward to seeing you all very soon!! I am really striving to keep up with this blog, so be sure to check back often for updates! :)