My Tenderhearted Little Guy

Ryan is so sweet. He cares about how people feel, even at such a young age. If Nathan gets hurt, he give him a hug, or if Nathan is upset, Ryan asks, "Happened, Nathan?" The other day, Ryan was sitting in my lap, and we were watching cartoons. Something sad happened to a little girl on there, and she was crying while she told her friends her sad story. I looked down at his face, and he was watching intently with tears in his eyes. It was funny, but I've never seen someone as young as two be so empathetic! Nathan and Ryan are such blessings! Our family needs the sweetness of Ryan and the enthusiasm of Nathan. The Lord never ceases to amaze me.

Happy Father's Day!!!

My husband is not only a wonderful husband. He is an amazing father. He loves his children, and is bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He is loving, kind, patient, and wise. No matter how busy he is, he makes time for them....playing with them, teaching and training them, and just being there, to give a hug whenever they need to be held.

I have a hubby who loves me, and is a great leader of our home. I've seen him stay faithful to the Lord, even when circumstances were very hard. Just observing his faithfulness to the Lord encourages me, and I know it will make a difference is our children's lives!

I'm very thankful for my Dad. He's been my Dad since I was five years old, and I've been blessed. He always patiently answered the million questions I've had. When I worked with him at his Texaco station, I saw him tell many people about the Lord. He never hesitated or seemed nervous...it was just an overflow of joy in his heart that had to come out. He always treated my mom with love and kindness, and was a great dad to my brother and me. I don't remember hearing him raise his voice one time. I'll never forget the influence he had on me when I was growing up.

I can't leave out my father-in-law! Before I was married, I heard tons of in-law jokes, but they're so not true! ;) I love being around my in-laws! We always look forward to visits down south, and for one of his Dad's trucks breaking down in Cincinnati.  (kidding, kidding! We've enjoyed the visits though!) Anyone who knows him, knows he is crazy about his children and grandchildren.  He's the type of person who is very caring, and if you need something, will do everything he can to help you. He's been a blessing to us so many times. We all love him and appreciate him.

 Happy Father's Day!

The Lord's Provision

I'm so amazed how the Lord has provided for us, I just have to share it. Due to some unexpected expenses this year, money has been really tight.....the past two months especially. Vehicle repairs, car payments, and trip after trip to MS/TN had wiped out all of our savings, plus some. Last week I was worried about having money to buy any food the next couple of weeks.

Well, I rarely get to do diaper studies for P&G...maybe once every 3 or 4 months, but last week I had emails for two studies this week. I went to one Wednesday, but didn't get chosen. They still gave me a $30 gift card for showing up. Today I went for my second study. When I went to pick up my diapers the lady said my name wasn't on the list, there was a mistake. Next week is when I am supposed to do one. She paid me the full amount anyway! And I have another study next week for pull-ups...for both boys! :) That's 4 studies in 2 weeks!

Last night I told Waylon that I didn't have any lunch for him tomorrow. I could have made something for him from scratch, but he said he wanted to just go without anything and pray for his food today, and he'd call me at 3 and tell me what he ate. I don't think I would have done that, but he called at 3 and told me he had LaRosa's for lunch. Some ladies he worked with had ordered from there, and had some leftovers and asked him if he wanted them. There were plenty of leftovers too. LaRosa's is much better than my turkey sandwiches or hotdogs! That was so neat see.

Waylon applied for an office job within the company he's working for a few weeks ago. We've been praying he would get it, since it's a 40/hr week job instead of 50/hr a week, and today we found out that he did! He said that would have to make $xx an hour to make the equivalent of what he is making now with 50 hours, and we found out that he will, plus a little extra!

Something else....MCA's homecoming was at the same time as RU tonight. After RU, Waylon went over to the fellowship hall to tell the leader of the teen department that one of the teens that had been out of church for a few months was at RU tonight. While he was there, Bro. Chad asked him if he wanted any leftover spaghetti. He gave Waylon a big tub of spaghetti sauce and meatballs, noodles, bread sticks, salad, and cookies. I couldn't believe it. It's enough for three or four meals for the four of us.

It was amazing to see the Lord do all of that today, and work out the details so we knew it was from him. It was like he was waiting until this day to remind us, I love you...Just trust me.

As White As Snow

When we first moved to Ohio, I was really amazed at the snow. I still am. It is so bright that I feel like I need sunglasses to go outside. Little crystals of clear ice piling on top of each other create the illusion of pure white. 

Seeing the snow really makes the verse in Isaiah more meaningful to me - "...Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..."

HUG!

Ryan has started something new. Every time he does something he knows is wrong, he runs to me with his arms open and says, "HUG!". He hugs me and gives me a kiss. It's hilarious, but it makes it a lot harder to discipline him after that.

Nathan's Birthday

My sweet little boy turned three yesterday! Our friends' son, Jackson, was born on the same day, so we had a double birthday party for them.

Cute Question

Nathan was sitting in my lap examining my earring, and asked, "Mommy, do you have holes in your ears?" I told him yes. His big brown eyes got even bigger, and with a really concerned voice asked me, "Did somebody shoot you?"