Day 11: Thankful for my Dad

Today my dad came home from surgery that he had yesterday and so he has been much on my mind today. I know I already wrote a post about how thankful I am for my parents, but with my mind really thinking about Dad today, I felt like I should just say how thankful for him I am! My Dad means the world to me and I am so thankful God chose him to be my dad. He has always been there for me - no matter what - from taking me fishing and camping when I was little (the camping part is debatable on how fun that was - ha ha!), rescuing me in a major blizzard, listening to my car woes when things would go wrong, making sure we were taken care of, coming to watch me cheer at football and basketball games, praying with and for me when I was struggling with anxiety issues and this list could go on and on. I know I can count on him and he cares for me. One day I was driving home from college class in a pretty major snowstorm. I got maybe a mile and pulled over in a K-Mart parking lot knowing I couldn't possibly drive the rest of the way (about another 12 miles). I immediately knew I could call my dad and he would rescue me. I was confident of this - didn't even have to guess what he would do. Sure enough he did- he came and in the freezing cold changed my wiper blades. He cut his hand pretty bad while doing it - and didn't even know he had cut it because it was so cold outside. I was sitting in the car and saw the blood on the car window. Never once did he complain or try to come up with another idea. He simply came and rescued me. He drove me safely home. That day is forever stuck in my mind. I want to be that kind of parent, the one that my kids know that no matter the situation, I will always be there for them and do my very best to help. It was also a picture to me of Christ-like love. I know Christ suffered and gave us much more than my dad did that day - but what my dad did was a clear picture of how we are to love others and how Christ loved us. My dad is the best. I usually don't go more than a day or two without talking to him and really miss him. We have fun together and have lots of fun memories. I treasure our yearly father/daughter Christmas shopping trip, our fantasy Nascar games, driving around looking at Christmas lights listening to the Statler Brothers, playing Nerts with him (that is a story all to itself), watching him play with my kids, and just getting to be with him. I love watching Allie smile when she says the word "Grandpa" because I can tell he is leaving a lasting impression on her too - she loves him so much! She gets the cutest grin and says, "I am grandpa's heart."

I am thankful his surgery went well and that we get to spend Thanksgiving together! I love my dad and am so glad God gave him to me! I am blessed!

Day 10: Thankful for Friends

I have wonderful friends! I am so thankful for them today and everyday. I was home today with a sick little girl and my dad was in MO having his surgery. What a blessing it was to get calls and/or e-mails letting me know that they were praying for me and my family! The friends God has blessed me with are amazing! They are there to listen, pray, talk, hang out, love on my kiddos and much much more! I couldn't ask for better friends! The body of Christ is a precious thing that I am so thankful for. I have said this before, but being away from my family in Missouri and Africa isn't easy but my friends as the body of Christ out here in CA have become family to me and I love that we can do "family" type things together. You are all a blessing to me and when I count my blessing you are part of that!

Just a few of my many friends and GREAT memories we have created!

Day 9 of Thankfulness in November

Tonight I can say a BIG "I am thankful for Lysol spray!!!!!!" So my little pumpkin Allie is sick - no fun for anyone and so sad to see them sick when they are little like that. I think she has a flu bug and it has been a rough evening. She is in bed now sleeping which is good - thankfully all I have to do is tell her, "Dr. Hauptman wants you to drink water" and she does it - he carries a lot of weight in our house. Right before she went to bed we reviewed what to do if her stomach hurt again: run to her bathroom and run to the toilet. She said, "I won't spit on the floor again, I will spit in the toilet." Glad we have that one down. All that being said, we are thankful for Lysol spray and being able to easily disinfect the house. We are praying Jeremy stays well as he has class this weekend and praying that Little Ethan stays well - - we would appreciate prayers.

Also, we would appreciate prayers for my dad who has surgery tomorrow. I am thankful that God is in control and sovereign over all things. He loves my dad more than any of us could and I am trusting him to take care of my dad tomorrow.

God is faithful!

Thankfulness Day 8: Quiet Moments

I have to start this post by saying that I am thankful God allows us to change our minds. I have to retract my #7 item - being thankful for daylight savings time. I have decided that states that don't observe it have a much easier time with their newborns. Ethan doesn't get "sleep an hour longer" at all - so all it did was mean we get to be up earlier - - - but you know what - - my new #7 thing I am thankful for is a sweet newborn to wake me up :) I am so thankful God has blessed me with him and at least when I am up at 4:30 a.m. it is because of him and I have his cute smiles to look at! Very, very thankful for Ethan! This leads me to my Day 8 thing I am thankful for: Quiet Moments! I am thankful for times of peaceful relaxing where I can sit here by a crackling fire and enjoy a sleeping baby on my lap! Allie went to bed quiet easily tonight and Ethan is snoozing away. I had time to sit and read God's Word, enjoy some homestyle popcorn (another thing to be thankful for) and just enjoy some quiet time. I am really thankful for quiet moments - good to think, pray and just relax. Once again I am reminded how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it. A quiet moment was much needed - thanks God for continual blessings!

Borrowing and Catch Up!

So I am "borrowing" an idea from a wonderful friend of mine and doing a little catch up (Thanks Jamie!). Sometimes it is so easy to end up in a pity party and we are so blessed. I need to turn my attention to all I have to be thankful for! My goal is to post each day something that I am thankful for through the month of November and so because it is November 7, I have a little catch up to do:

1. Salvation and Christ: Apart from Christ I have nothing. I really look at my life and realize that He is truly my sustainer. I am thankful that He would choose to save a wretch like me - someone deserving of nothing. The fact that Christ died for me and saved me - that is an AWESOME and AMAZING thing!

2. My Husband: He is an answer to prayer. I remember praying a long time for God to bring me a godly man and God blessed me beyond what I could ask or imagine. Jeremy is my best friend! He is a wonderful husband and father. He shows me he loves me and cares for me in so many ways - from praying with me, running to the store at the last minute for something I forgot, taking the time to talk and listen to me, helping around the house, helping with Allie and Ethan and this list could go on and on. I am so blessed to have a best friend like him and I love him with all my heart - he is my GREAT thing!



3. My two sweet kids: Allie and Ethan bring such joy to my life. I love playing dollhouse, doing puzzles, cooking, reading books and much more with Allie. She is such a happy girl who loves life. Snuggling with her and hearing, "Mommy I love you," melts my heart. Ethan is such a happy little guy - his smile can melt me! He was such a blessing and God knew I needed a bright spot like him this year in the midst of much going on in our family. He is my little peanut and I love being with him. I love my little munchkins and am humbled that God would entrust them to us! I treasure each moment with them!





4. Incredible childcare! Since Allie was born I have had to work. God is a provider and has provided for me in amazing ways when it came to child care for my children. When Allie was born, I was blessed to have Miss Pam watch her at school! When that changed and I was fearful God continued to provide by blessing us with my dear friend Christine to each Allie at my house with her friends Lily and Grace - what a blessing! And I still have Christine with Allie and Ethan now. It is a blessing to have my close friend caring for my children while I am at work and taking such good care of them! We are thankful for Miss Pam and Christine! God has been so faithful!

5. My Parents! I love them! They are such an example of Christ-like love to me and I treasure all the moments I get with them! They are a blessing to me and are wonderful grandparents to my kiddos! We love time with them! I might be 2011 miles away but we talk almost daily (almost) and I am thankful for the love they show me! I know they are there for me always!



6. Food! Yes, I love food - love to cook it and eat it and I am thankful for it! I had the chance to enjoy a wonderful meal with friends tonight and was just remind of how much I love to try new things and how thankful I am that God blesses us with so many good things to eat and enjoy! So many good conversations happen around a table. I am thankful for times of sweet fellowship around the table!

7. The time change. As I write this I look at the clock and realize that it is 12:27 a.m. - no wait - it is really 11:27 p.m. Praise the Lord for an extra hour! As a mom of a new little guy and a 3 year old with all the other responsibilities, I really am thankful God gives me this extra hour! Now off to bed to enjoy the extra hour of sleep - but something tells me Ethan won't get this "extra hour thing" - - - - but I am still thankful!

A "Chocolate Bolet" Day

Some days are just a tad bit overwhelming. I was at a meeting today all day in Concord and my brain was swimming! So many thoughts in my head and so much to do. But there is nothing like coming home to my husband and sweet little kiddos. My evening was filled with a yummy dinner (pasta fagioli soup), relaxing with my family and watching a movie with my husband. I love it when we are reminded of what matters most - - - and it wasn't all the things swimming in my brain. It is things like snuggling with my little girl on the couch, talking over dinner with my husband, playing with Ethan and enjoying his little (big) smiles. The best part - when I was little I used to do a lot of "play cooking" and would make lots of things for my grandpa. One of which "Oil of Olay" (I know - weird - but hey I was little). Well - tonight I was able to enjoy Allie doing "pretend" cooking and making me "Chocolate Bolet." I know - weird - she made it up - - - but it is times like this I treasure - - - it was just a "Chocolate Bolet" sort of day! And I love every minute with my family!

Pumpkin Patch Time

Our family of four at the pumpkin patch - can you tell Allie didn't want to sit still????


Allie looking for "the biggest one!"


My two pumpkins!!!! I love them so much!


My new little pumpkin - he is such a smiling little guy!



Climbing the "highest hill" - the funny part was at the top Allie looked over and said pointing to a big mud puddle, "Look Hannah it is the big river!"

We recently went to the pumpkin patch - one of my favorite things to do! It was starting to look like we weren't going to make it with the rain that kept coming. We planned to go one weekend and it was rainy - so no pumpkin patch. New plan - the next weekend - but they were calling for rain - so we made a quick trip after work one day to a little pumpkin patch and it was GREAT! Perfect size for a little girl to run and have fun and we left just as it started to rain. I am so glad we made it! It was a fun time with friends and my family!

May Your Power Rest on Me

Funny how God gives you what you need exactly when you need it - like a hug from a friend, a smile from your daughter, a gentle reminder of God's grace from your husband, His word through a verse card, an e-mail from a friend to encourage, or a song on a drive home. On my way home tonight, I was thinking over Ps 100 again, how this life really isn't "ours" and the seasons of our lives. This song was on and was another example of God's grace and giving me exactly what I needed in the moment. It is my prayer - that God's power would rest on me. How good to know that He is strong when I am weak!

Let me hear my Savior say,
“Your strength shall return”.
Then I’ll rejoice in my weakness
As I lean on your grace,
As I lean on your grace.

May your power rest on me.
You are strong when I am weak.
I can bear all things when temptation springs
For you sustain me all my days.

Let me know my Savior’s face;
Let my hope be secure.
Then I’ll rejoice in my weakness
As I lean on your grace,
As I lean on your grace.

Once from the Lord withdrawn
I thought that I could live my life alone.
Leaving the solid ground
I sank beneath His wisdom.
The harder I tried to climb,
The closer I was to find how great is my weakness.

Though the trial still goes on,
Your grace will be my song.
For I can bear all things when temptation springs
For you sustain me all my days.

Happy Campers!

Getting things all set up. Not sure if you can tell but Allie is in her ballet dress. Perfect for camping right????




The Happy Campers all ready for a cool night of camping out!



She was so excited. Had her little flashlight and everything!




All zipped in and officially "camping" according to Allie!

I am married to a wonderful man who is such a great Daddy to our kiddos! I love watching him with them and doing fun things with them - can't even describe how happy it makes me! A few weeks ago, Jeremy had an evening of Daddy/Daughter time by "camping" out with her in the back yard. Allie had really been wanting to camp - this stemmed from us telling her that her friend Gracie was camping. So being a good Daddy, Jeremy set up the tent in the back yard. I have admit I was skeptical about whether or not they would last outside all night. It was our first really cold night out. They bundled up, got lots of blankets and out they went. I was amazed when I woke up at 7:45 a.m. to them coming in the house. They really did camp out all night! She loved it! She loves her Daddy! Maybe - just maybe - she will like camping more than her mom :) Ethan and I were quite warm and comfy in the house! One memory made of many to come!

She is so SILLY!!!!!

Allison is a joy! From about 13 months on, we knew she was going to be quite verbal and talk a lot. (Wonder where she gets that - hmmmmm?) It seems she is always coming up with things to say that just make us laugh. A few recent Allison funnies:

At Allison's birthday party she managed to sit in her cake and get icing all over her tutu. Gracie sees it and gets upset about the icing on the tutu to which Allison responds, "Don't panic Gracie it is just icing and it will come out - no panicking." Wonder where she has heard that one before?????

On the way to the library with her class at school they often pretend they are walking through a jungle and saying things they are "pretending to see." Last Monday while doing this little activity Allison yells out "I see a naked lady." That is funny all by itself, but what is funnier is that her teachers didn't realize at first that Allison knew what the flower "naked ladies" were. We all had a good laugh over that one. Something about a three year old yelling out on a Christian school campus, I see a naked lady" was just a hoot!

As you see, she loves to dress herself too - - isn't this quite the outfit! She does bring us so many smiles - I just love her!

My favorite Season!

Autumn has to be my very favorite season! I love:

The colors - shades of oranges, yellows, reds
A cool crisp morning and an evening that requires a sweatshirt
A great mug of hot apple cider
A tall Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks
Trips to the pumpkin patch
The smell of a pumpkin candle burning
Emberli Bogue's pumpkin cheesecake
Caramel Apples
Caramel Puff Corn - a must!
Getting Allie (and now Ethan) all dressed up for a night of trick-or-treating
Making pumpkin bars with my little girl
Crunching leaves as I go on walks
Making piles of leaves to jump in - oh the days when my Papa would make big piles for me to jump in!
Pumpkin Pie with homemade whip topping
Driving down to the Auxvasse Creek and seeing the hills covered with trees in beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow
A drive through Napa or Sonoma and seeing the beautiful vineyards painted in various shades of fall colors
Soups and homemade bread
Getting out the sweatshirts and sweaters (and my boots!)
Cool Friday Night football games when in Missouri
The Hatton Craft Festival
My little girl's October birthday party
Thanksgiving Day and the time with family and friends! (This day could be a list in and of itself!)
Smoked turkey Jeremy makes on Thanksgiving
Thoughts of my wonderful sister-in-law who loves fall as much as I do
Hearty Fall Harvest meals - thanks Melinda for this!

This list could go on for quite a while! As I write this list, I am reminded of God's great love for us and how he demonstrates it even through the seasons. We have much to be thankful for! I am reminded of Ps. 100 and challenged by all of the verbs: make, serve, come, know, enter and give."

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."

How GOOD Christ is! More than anything, I love that the Lord is God, we are His, and His love endures forever - in all "seasons" of our life!

My Little Ballerina is Three!

I can hardly believe it but my little Allie Grace is now three! I am not sure where the last 3 years have gone, but they have gone quite fast! Allison is such a joy to me - a little girl who loves life and brings us many smiles! She is currently into Angelina Ballerina and twirls around the house all the time - the dress or skirt she is wearing has to "twirl." It is cute - I love it when she has her daddy dance with her, which really means that he has to stand up and hold her hand so she can twirl. Too cute!

It was a fun birthday party and we were thankful to have Grandma and Great-Grandma Dord here with us! Our theme was Angelina Ballerina (of course) and we had lots of cute little girls in tutus running around the house. Because Angelina is a mouse, we had "cheese" themed snacks: cheese and crackers, cheese balls, cheese puffs, etc. It was a fun time and Allison loved being with all her little friends!

It will be interesting planning a birthday party for Ethan - no pink and hmmmmm - our friends need to have some boys - otherwise all the girls are going to have to learn to like things like baseball, football, trucks and cars! At least we have a little time before a party for Ethan - but who am I kidding - time flies so fast it will be here before we know it.

She's Back!

Believe it or not, I am back to the blogging world! You might be as shocked as I am! When I sat down to look at this blog, I realized that it had been quite some time since I had blogged and a lot has changed in my life! There probably isn't time (or interest) to go back over the last two years of my life, but lets just say God has done a lot!

I am in a new season of my life as I am now a mommy of an adorable 3 year-old (that sounds crazy to say) and a very precious and sweet little guy who is almost 3 months old! Allison turned 3 on October 3 and is a happy, energetic little girl who keeps us on our toes! She started pre-school this year and loves it! She was also excited to become a big sister this summer and a great one she is! Ethan David was born July 18 at 9:25 p.m. He is a sweetheart and his smiles melt my heart! He is a super sleeper which we are thankful for and just a happy guy!!!! Jeremy and I are thankful for them both and excited about all God has in store for our family. We are learning how to be parents of two kids - - wow - that wasn't a jump it was a chasm that I sometimes feel like I am dangling in the middle of! I am just thankful for God's mercies that are new every morning!!!!!!!! God is using them to teach us much and mold us to be more like himself.

You might have noticed the name of this blog has changed. Again, I am in a new season of my life - one where I am really learning to rest in God for his mercies which are new . . . . every morning! One of my new favorite verses is Lamentations 3:22 - 23, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; GREAT is your faithfulness." Summer Steph just isn't fitting anymore. A new season and new things to learn and grow in!!! Something I look forward to knowing and trusting that God has great plans for me.

I was recently inspired by a dear friend to get back to blogging - after reading her blog I was motivated to get back at it. My prayer is that through blogging I can keep friends and family up-to-date on our lives here in CA, post pictures of two of the cutest kids I know and take some of the thoughts spinning in my head and share them. (Not that I have earth shattering thoughts - but at least getting them out makes room for me - ha ha!)

I am excited to be back!!!! Remember - His mercies are new . . . . EVERY morning! Great is His Faithfulness!

Little Traveler!

Relaxing with Daddy all week - fun times!


We have kind of lived out of this suitcase! Allie is very familiar with it!


Cooling off in the pool with Daddy!



Mt. Hope Chapel where we had worship each morning


Pretty girl next to the pretty flowers



These rocks don't taste that great mommy!



Enjoying time with Mommy!



The Jr. High girls loved playing with Allie and she loved the attention they gave her!



One thing we GREATLY miss from the Midwest is Sonic (I used to live across the street from one) - so we were VERY happy to find one on the way to camp - - - - we visited Sonic 3 times - once on the way to camp, once during the week and once on the way home. YEA for Sonic!


We have been on the go all summer. I think I can safely say Allie and I have been traveling about every other week this summer. We started with our trip to Canada, then family camp, then Missouri, then Chinese Bible Camp where Jeremy was the speaker. It was a wonderful summer and Allie is a super traveler! We created some wonderful memories and got lots of family time! The pictures in this post are from Chinese Bible Camp at Mt. Hope near Yuba City. It was a wonderful camp and we had a great time with the Jr. High students there. It was also a nice time for Allie, Jeremy and I to get away together! Allie is growing so quickly and while I do get sad, I am seeing how much fun each stage is! She brings us laughs and smiles everyday! We are loving being parents!