Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to...

Scott: My incredible, wonderful husband of seven years and best friend for nearly 14 years. Scott, you changed my life when we met and have continued to make it better every day since. I am so glad that God's plan for your life included me being a part of it. Thank you for the reminder each day that God answers prayers, that most things aren't worth being upset over and that love covers all. Thank you for giving me the greatest blessing in the world through our son and for being the kind of dad that makes me so glad I get to do parenting with you. (And for the baby on the way that is already so blessed to call you dad). You should be so proud of the man you have become and that on your 30th birthday, it is so clear that God's hand is upon you. I am so sure that your Heavenly Father smiles on you, knowing that you please him in all your ways. It is days like today that make me realize that forever just isn't long enough. Happy Birthday my love.

Brandon: Can you really be 11 years old? I remember sitting in my Pittsburgh apartment and getting a call from Nanny that you were born. I was so happy yet so sad that I couldn't be there to see you at a just a few minutes old, like I had with your brother. But a few days later, I held you in my arms and marveled at the blessing you were to our family. You came at such a rough time in our family and brought joy in a time that was filled with sadness and grief. God truly sent you at the perfect time that allowed us to rejoice over you and lift our focus from other things. You have made your mom and dad so proud and as your aunt and uncle, we have been proud along with them. We have had to watch you grow up from miles and miles away and have missed so many memories. But we hope you know that we have loved you each minute, that we have prayed for you and that we are so thankful for the young man you are becoming. You have a cousin who just adores you and You are the one person he asks about most. We love you and can't wait to see you next month! Have a wonderful birthday!!

Aunt Collesa: Oh how I wish I were going to see you next month as I did for so many years at Christmas. I always looked forward to our visit and catching up with you. Now, you spend Christmas with your Heavenly Father and rejoice with him. I think of you often and though sadness is sometimes a part of those thoughts, I also smile at the memories I had with you. You were the example of the Aunt I wish to be to my nephews and a reminder that we do not know when our time on earth will be over. We miss you and take great comfort in knowing we will see you again. I love you Aunt Kese!

How much do you hate other people..

How much must you hate someone to NOT share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them? Our Pastor shared the brief story below and I wanted to post it here. It is a quote from Penn (from Penn & Teller) who is a well-known and outspoken atheist.

I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward–and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself–how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.

This story really hit home with me because I so often get caught up in what others are going to think when I witness to them. Are they going to label me as weird? Are they going to stop hanging out with me? Are they going to stop reading my blog? And then this message from our Pastor was an incredible reminder that I have a piece of information that will save somebody's life. Do I really dislike people that much that I wouldn't share it because of a few awkward feelings? I hope not.

Someone once told me I should stop putting so much "religious" stuff on my blog. And for a second, I wondered if they were right. I started it because of Connor and because we were so far away from our family that I wanted a way for them to stay connected to us and see Connor grow up. And then God slowly began to change our lives and as Scott and I were both saved and baptized, God became woven into our everyday life. The truth is there is no way to separate God from our family life. I can't tell you what happened here this week without mentioning our faith in some way. We cannot be separated from God because he is a part of us and lives in us. Our faith in God affects every decision we make. So yeah, I won't be letting up on the "religious" talk anytime soon =) And the further truth is (I now run the risk of you closing this blog and never opening it again), if reading about how God is working in our life and about how God can change your life makes you uncomfortable, that's probably a pretty big sign that you need to get something right with your own salvation. I don't say that from a "holier than thou" standpoint because trust me, I have enough things to get right with God myself. I have my salvation and baptist in order but that doesn't mean I don't screw up every day and have things to get right.

Well, I'll be watching for the anonymous comments that tell me to get back to talking about Connor and I'm sure there will be a post or two about him this week. But for now, for this morning, I am being obedient. I am hating people less and being bold enough to say that I care if my family and friends go to hell and I sure as heck do not want to be the reason they didn't hear the truth. I don't want them in hell saying, "well Andrea had a million chances to tell me about this God she served and she didn't". Folks, I told ya. Get your salvation right. Ask God into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and start living in pursuit of him. It will change your life.

5 quick takes...

1) Oh yeah, I remember now. I do like being pregnant!! I finally have a little round tummy which elicits the "aw, your belly is so cute" remark from strangers. Much better than the pudgy look which just made people wonder why I thought eating so much and gaining weight was a good idea. Plus, the baby is beginning to move a lot during the day which is just the greatest part of pregnancy. I stop what I'm doing and just smile, thinking of all the ways he or she is in there wiggling around. We're T-12 days until our ultrasound and though I'm obviously anxious to find out if this is a boy or girl we are about to blessed with, I'm equally as anxious for confirmation that this is a healthy, thriving baby.

2) It's safe to say I am now working my dream job. I've been in the new role officially for about a week and it's been, hands-down, the best professional week I've ever had. I am being challenged, I am helping other people do their jobs better and I am writing and getting paid for it!! I spent about 10 hours of just writing this week and loved it. I am not nieve enough to think that this job won't also come with frustrations and bad days but overall, I am confident that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

3) God has blessed us in mighty ways since we made the decision for me to change jobs. Each fear that we had (primarily financial ones) has slowly dissipated over the last week or so and as usual, it is working out just fine. Better than fine actually. I am encouraged by the fact that when we pray about big decisions, asking for wisdom and guidance, we get it. In big doses. In the midst of the decision making process, I turned to Matthew 6:34 - Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. And Matthew 6:27 - Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? It has been confirmed for us in very distinct ways that God does provide for our needs when we seek him first. We had a choice to either stay with a job that gave us more money and "security" in the financial sense or to choose to follow the doors that were opened and trust that all our needs would be provided. We chose the latter and already, we see the blessing. God is good!

4) May I just brag on my husband for a minute? I am so grateful that when it comes to making life decisions, I get to make mine with Scott. He is wise and thoughtful. He has a way of looking at a situation from angles I do not even know exist. He handles 100% of our finances and does so with incredible wisdom. And while he has the pressure of making sure the bills are paid and that we put food on the table for our family, he also serves a God whom he trusts and believes will supply all our needs. Not to mention, he is taking this whole car-buying process much better than I am. He is being so careful to make sure we make the right purchase in a responsible manner, though I know part of him wants to go out and just get something that looks manly =) I am so thankful he's the leader in our household and that I get to do life with him.

5) Connor is doing great and continues to be a great conversationalist. Talking to him is entertaining (most of the time) and he always amazes us with the words he manages to slip into his sentences. He is learning so much at school and most of the time, is willing to share his day with me on the car ride home. Of course, there are days I get the "nothing" answer when I ask him what he did, too. I thought I had a good few years before that started! Like Scott and I both when we were his age, his teacher has to give him extra work to keep him busy and he is fine with that. He loves worksheets and projects and having a specific job in his class. Right now, he's the "hand hand" which means he helps pass out the papers to his friends, collect papers, throw things away and put things away. It's right up his alley!

He is getting excited for the holidays as we start to see Thanksgiving and Christmas things around town. His school/church does a big community Christmas event that you walk through outside and they are already setting that up in the parking lot. So each day, we see what is new and how hard the "mans" have been working (he doesn't know "men" yet). He seems to remember the experience from last year and is excited to see the camels again. We've also started talking about our trip WV (only about a month away) and he wanted to make sure he could play with Papa's guitar. The fact that he remembered this from a whole year ago impresses me. Mommy is hoping for snow - enough to play in but not during the drive up or back!

We've started doing movie night on Sat. nights which he really enjoys. So far we've watched the Fox and the Hound and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. He loved them both.

Happy Friday the 13th all!

Halloween 2009 preview & new job!

I haven't had time to get all the Halloween pictures downloaded and edited but here are a few! Connor had a great time at a Fall Festival which included lots of bounce houses, games and candy! The heat was unbearable and most of the pictures show him pouring with sweat but hey, it's Florida!

The girls in the picture are twins in his class- Kaley & Riley. They adore Connor and had a great time hanging around with him at the Festival. We somewhat set up the picture by telling Connor to help her with her shoe but it was too cute to pass up!

Spiderman showing his muscles in the car!

Cheesing it up outside the house!

In other news, Scott & I have made a big decision for our family. I was offered the chance to take a new position with the Florida Baptist Children's Homes here in Lakeland. As of next week, I will be the Director of Foundation & Advancement Services...essentially doing grant writing, managing the state-wide database system for fundraising and communications and doing research and donor analysis to help the organization fund raise more efficiently. It's perfect for me and a welcome change from major gift fund raising. Best of all, I will have very limited travel a few times a year. It's a sacrifice for our family in financial terms and we will have to purchase a car this month but God has given us a great deal of peace about the transition. He has never failed us and we trust his word that he shall supply all our needs!

Halloween History!

A look back before we debut the 2009 costume =)

2006

2007

2008

Quick takes..

I'm "borrowing" a blog idea from a blog I'm addicted to. She gives "Seven Quick Takes" quite often which allows her to get the points out quickly and get back to her life. And since I so often neglect blogging because I either think it will take too much time to coherently stream paragraphs of information together or I ask myself "why would anyone want to read THIS" and hit cancel, I decided some quick takes are a good idea.

1. I just read this on a blog and it "got" me.

I'll catch his eye and for a split second I am living exactly in the present, savoring the two-and-a-half-year-old lines of his face, knowing one day I'll be ninety-four and telling the young mom driving me to church that it goes so fast, to hang on to every moment.

Change the "two" to a "three" and this is a moment I had last night with Connor. He's been challenging my parenting skills in the last few weeks and I've had moments with him lately that I am just not very proud of. But last night, I put him to bed and watched him fall asleep next to me holding 4 little cars so tightly in his little tiny hands. (He couldn't bear to sleep without them). His world is so simple and his important things remind me to take life less seriously. I am reminded to just sit with him, be the security he needs in his life and savor it. Someday I will long for him to fall asleep in my lap while I touch his tiny little face and whisper to him that he has changed my life in ways he cannot imagine. So yeah, I'm hanging on to every moment these days.

2. We are very excited for Halloween. We're planning two fun days - Friday night at the Polk Museum of Art for Halloween games and crafts and Saturday night at the Nazarene church (Connor's school) for a Fall Fest with candy, bounce houses and who knows what else. I'm going out on a limb and predicting the cutest Spiderman ever is going to have a great time.

3. The baby is moving and it's wonderful. It's still random but I'm starting to feel the little movements and squirms and I delight in each one! Things looked great at the 13 week appointment and our "big" appointment is Nov. 25th. Girl or boy?? I have NO idea and no guesses.

Well, there's 3 quick takes anyway! Look for Halloween pics next week!

Old Town fun

We enjoyed the first really cool day of 2009 last Saturday by visiting Old Town over in Kissimmee. It's just a little place that has lots of old time shops, places to eat and rides and the best part is that it's free! We weren't sure what to expect but it turned out to be nearly a perfect day of fun for us as a family.

Connor enjoyed looking around in the shops but the highlight was definitely the rides. It reminded me of our hometown fair. Connor LOVED the motorcycles and 4-wheeler rides. He and daddy did the frog jumper together while he and mommy did the carousel together.

The weather was in the low 70s with a breeze and when you combine that kind of weather with spending time with people you adore, it just doesn't get any better! Here are a few pictures!





And just because they are so cute together, here's a picture of Connor and Harper playing together. She spent a few hours with us on Sunday and it's so amazing to see Connor in a "big brother" role with her. Plus, she's just adorable!! I think they are playing with the little mice cat toys and bouncing!