Merry Christmas!!

Our year in a nutshell . . .

It's December! YIKES!

Where on earth did the time go?? I can't believe that it is almost time to be sending out a new Christmas letter. Maybe I should be working on that.

I know that I always explain why I never have time to blog anymore but it's really not an excuse. It's my job. Jack keeps me pretty busy. He doesn't nap as long anymore so I have to keep him pretty occupied these days. He is starting to notice when we're not around. If I leave the room, he gets a little anxious.

He is noticing more and more about things in our house. He is constantly looking all around him. He LOVES the Christmas lights and can't stop staring at them. He will be six months at Christmas and we can't wait to see how he reacts to all of the excitement.

Since it has been a while, we decided on posting a couple of pictures of Jack from his first Thanksgiving. He loved it. He didn't get to try any of the food (his doctor said no until at least six months). He was still happy though. And, when Jack is happy, we are happy. :o)

Food. . . . That reminds me. Why do I feel so guilty now when I am eating in front of Jack?? He knows that I have food and he wants it! I feel awful that he can't have a taste. I just want to make sure that he doesn't get any food allergies. I know that, if I don't listen to the doctor, and Jack ends up with a food allergy, then I will feel even more guilty. So, at least if I wait and he still ends up with some type of allergy, at least I listened.

I am still trying to adjust to Jack being around. It has been pretty difficult to put off house work. I just can't really seem to get as much done. I have had to learn (and am still learning) that it's okay and it can wait. I try to do what I can, when I can. I still wish that I could hire a maid though. Especially with the holidays coming and going so fast!

Making great strides!

I just had to share all of the things that our sweet boy is doing now. Yes, it's time to brag! First of all (thank goodness!), his teeth are almost through and his cries of pain are almost non-existent now. Whew. He is reaching for things that I try to hand over to him. The other day, I went to pick him up in the nursery at our church and he reached out to me. Melted my heart. The thing that shocked me the most was that, yesterday, he actually enjoyed eating his cereal for the first time and opened his mouth for the spoon. So, silly faces and noises no more! Finally!

Oh! I cannot forget this! Jackson celebrated his first Halloween this week. Instead of trick-or-treating, we help out at our church for the kids carnival that we call Candyland. We wanted to have more fun with it this year so we decided to dress our little guy up. We have been working on his costume for, well, since he was a month old. We were trying to think of cute and fun ideas that you haven't really seen before. So, we present to you, our lumberJACK:

No, the ax is not real.

Wanting some of that candy!

Schedule

I am SO excited! It has been about a couple weeks that we have been working on a schedule here for the Jack-man. He is getting up pretty much around the same time every day: between 8 or 8:30. So he has his first bottle pretty early and then he takes a pretty long nap in the morning. I sit him in his swing and he naps pretty much up until his next feeding. That gives me plenty of time to get ready for my day. Then he eats between 12 or 12:30. Afterwards, he will play until around 2:15 or so when he goes down for his afternoon nap (in his crib). He sleeps about 45 minutes to an hour (sometimes more). Then we'll play a little longer before he eats again (between 4:30 or 5). Then daddy comes home and plays with him. Depending on the day (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are bath around 8ish), he will take his last bottle around 9 and then it's off to bed! This has been so fantastic! He gets put in his crib wide awake. He will cry for about 10 minutes (less now) and then he is out until the next morning! I can't believe that it has been working out so well. I am so excited about it.

Anyway, I plan on homeschooling him when he's able. I was looking up some stuff to see if there is anything I can do now to prepare him for school when he's older. I found a website that has a (sort of) curriculum for infants starting at 3 months of age. He turns 3 months on Sunday so I think we are going to start that next week. I'm really excited about it!

I just went outside to get the mail a little while ago. It is so nice out! I can't believe that Fall is almost here in Florida! I LOVE this time of the year. It's just perfect out (minus the mosquitoes in the evening). I can't wait to take Jack out during the day for some fresh air. It's been too hot for us to be outside for too long. Jack hates to feel sweaty. :o) So, I am celebrating today by putting up our Fall decorations. I can't wait until the day that Jack can appreciate all of this with me!!! Until then, it looks like I'll be able to catch up on my reading! ;o)

Remembrance

I sit here watching my little guy swinging in his swing and fast asleep. I can't help but think back to the day that he was born. Tomorrow he will be 12 weeks old. I can't believe how fast time has gone. Every day that I celebrate this new life, I can't help but think back to the lives of those I've lost.

August was one year since we lost my Grandma Martin. Life without her has continued on but not without thoughts of what she might be thinking or saying if she were still here with us today. I thought of her the day that Jackson was born. I could just imagine her excitement as she received the phone call that her great-grandson was born.

This month will be five years since my brother, Phil, passed away. I know I post about this every year, but it is really laying heavy on my heart this year. For those of you who don't know, about a month after my niece was born, Phil found out that he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was devastated. Why would this happen to my family . . . to his family? I didn't understand at the time. Now that I think back, I know it was all in God's sovereign plan. I wish so much that my brother could meet my little son. I can imagine him saying, "I can't believe my little sister has a kid of her own." I wish he were here so that he could see his nephew. At least I know that both he and my grandma are smiling down on little Jack.

The last week, I have also been reflecting on the lives lost on September 11, 2001. I remember that I was in college and had just gotten out of my 8 o'clock class when a friend told me that a plane had crashed into one of the towers of The World Trade Center. I remember going to the snack shop and watching the t.v. in there just as the second plane crashed in the the second tower. You could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet. We were all in shock. That is when we knew that this was more than just an accident. Our country was under attack. In chapel, the president of our school told us that classes would be cancelled for the rest of the day. I don't remember much else from the rest of that day, other than I was able to call my mom on the phone and talk to her. It took a while to get through with my calling card (I didn't have a cell phone back then). I just remember that I was a little scared and we talked about how something like this could happen to a country like the United States.

So, this month is a month of remembrance for me. Remembering the birth of my son, the lives of my grandmother and brother, and the lives of those lost on September 11 and the days following. We don't know why God chooses the paths for us that He does. But we do know that He does it to show His sovereign will. Here are some verses that I have found helpful in the past:

Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 20:7-Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 17:7-Blessed in the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.

Nahum 1:7-The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30a-As for God, his way is perfect.

Psalm 27:1-The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 37:3-8-Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.

Where'd the time go??

August 18

Wow! We have not made a post for over a month! Sorry about that. We have been a little busy. But I promise to try to post more often. I figure that I will be able to post a little more since I am getting more sleep now than I have for the last 11 months! Jack just turned 2 months last Thursday and he has been sleeping through the night for a whole week. We are thrilled . . . and much more rested! Not to mention, we are finally making it to Sunday School again!!

I guess I should fill everyone in on what has been going on in our lives since our last post. We have had family visitors. My parents were here for the birth of Jack and then my mom came back a week later to help out until I was fully recovered from the hemorrhaging. It was so nice to have them help and to see how they reacted to their 3rd grandchild. Every grandchild is as big of an excitement as the first! :o) At the end of July, Jeremy's mom and sister came to visit. It was Jeremy's sisters first time visiting us and we were glad to show off Jackson as well as where we live. Megan, you need to come back now that we have our schedule all figured out with Jack! :o)

Okay, now it's time to go back to bragging about our baby. Ever since he turned 2 months, he has been so much more fun! Not that he wasn't before--but he is smiling more and laughing. We can actually play with him now. It's a lot of fun. Last Saturday, he actually rolled over from front to back! We were so proud of him--he was terrified. It was kind of funny. Anyway, needless to say, we are having a blast with our little boy. We love him dearly.

We are gradually going into the time of year that I love the most: Fall. However, I wish so much that I could have the pretty Fall colors that are up North. I miss that most of all. I can't believe that we have already gone a whole year. It will be Christmas before we know it! (Another favorite time of year!)

It's also hard to believe that we have made it one year without my Grandma Martin. I still think of her often. Every time I look at Jack, I can hear her excited voice about her great-grandson. I know she would have loved him. She never knew about him because we found out we were pregnant a month after her passing. I still miss her very much.

Sorry it's taking me so long to post this. Jeremy came home for lunch and then I had to feed Jackson. I just wanted to ask you all to pray for Jeremy. While he was home, he received an email informing him that a friend, and former co-worker, passed away. Jeremy had the opportunity to witness to this man on many occasions. He was loved by our family greatly. We will certainly miss him. We covet your prayers during this time.

To finish what I started about Fall almost being here, reminds me that I need to let you know that our schedules at church are winding down! After much prayer, we have decided that we will be giving up being the Directors of our Wednesday evening kids club: The Winner's Circle. We have somewhat mixed emotions. We certainly have loved teaching the children in our church and we have done so every almost Sunday and Wednesday evening since we have been members. Finally, after 5 years, our church family is growing and we now have the help that we have prayed and waited for so long. We are truly blessed and grateful that there are others who are willing to step up and take over some of our responsibilities. We will, however, continue to be the Directors of Children's Church. We figured because of Jeremy's work schedule (and our new family member), this will be the best option for us.

Well, I suppose that is all for now. I will try to post more regularly. As mentioned before, please keep us in your prayers.

Welcome, Jack!

Well, it's taken me almost two weeks to be able to write about this. We have been a little sleep deprived here and trying to adjust to our new schedule. I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you all know exactly what went on in the days surrounding Jack's birth.

Thursday, June 16, we had our final prenatal appointment. It was a normal appointment and then our midwife talked to us about being induced. It turned out that our options were to either be induced or go back the following day or to the hospital on the weekend to get some testing done (including a stress test) to see why I wasn't progressing anymore. Jeremy and I discussed it with our midwife and really trusted her opinion. We decided to be induced.

Friday, June 17 (our 5-year anniversary) at 5:30 am, we went to the hospital to be induced. I was hooked up to the IV's (and Pitocin) by 6 am. Things were going really well and the contractions didn't seem to bother me as much as I had feared they would. Apparently I was supposed to be in much more pain than I thought I was feeling. Around 3 pm, my water broke. By 7 pm, I still wasn't progressing any more so I asked for an epidural. At 10:30 pm, my midwife came in and said I was 10cm and ready to push! I watched the clock start ticking down the hours with every push, wondering if he was going to make it for our anniversary.

Finally, on Saturday, June 18, at 1:07 am, Jackson had arrived! Thankfully, I had him as a distraction because I started hemorrhaging. I really had no clue what was going on around me. I am so thankful that I had gotten an epidural because they needed to give me shots in my leg to help stop the bleeding. (Of course, I am a wimp when it comes to needles, but I couldn't feel a thing.) The last shot that they could possibly give actually stopped the bleeding. I was that close to needing to have a blood transfusion. We thank God that it didn't come to that and I thank God that I had my little man to distract me and the epidural so I couldn't feel what was happening.

At our hospital, they move you to a different room after you have your baby. Because of all that went on, we didn't make it to the room until around 5 or 5:30 am. We were so tired but didn't get much sleep. The nurses had to keep coming in every hour to check my temperature, blood pressure, and stitches.

Our stay at the hospital seemed very long and we were glad that we finally had the okay to leave on Monday at 6 pm. It was so good to be home!

Family Visits

As promised in our previous post, we are posting some pictures from when Sarah's aunts and mom visited a couple of weeks ago. It was so nice to be able to see and spend time with family.

Aunt Laura, Sarah, and Aunt Gina

Aunt Gina, Aunt Laura, mom, and Sarah

Mom's last night in Clearwater.

April Happenings

As you can tell from our blog posts, we have been pretty busy in April. Our minds have been preoccupied with preparing for the baby and less on blogging. We had to focus on registering at the hospital, taking some birthing classes, scheduled doctor appointments, and various other activities.

Sarah's mom came to visit for a couple weeks for a baby shower as well as to help prepare a little bit for Jack's arrival. She did a lot of work for us and we were very grateful for all the help. Also, two of Sarah's aunts came from up North to surprise her for the baby shower. They were able to spend a few days with her and her mom. (We'll post a few pictures from their visit later.)

Below we have posted a few pictures from Jackson's baby shower that our church friends organized. We are very blessed by the love and support that our church family has shown to us during this time of preparation for his arrival. Jack is already one lucky little guy.

Sarah and her mom

Sarah and her Aunt Kathy (who lives in Clearwater).

Sarah and her cousin, Melissa (who lives in Tampa).

Sarah with her friends who taught preschool with her!

The Lord works in mysterious ways . . .

This week has been quite the interesting week. And it's only Tuesday!! I have been struggling with the many burdens of pregnancy. Since I am in the 3rd trimester, my emotions are going crazy again. Along with that, I am very concerned with all of the things that we have yet to accomplish before Jack comes to live with us. Yesterday was a VERY self-focused day. Everything that could go wrong, seemed to go wrong. I felt so alone. I began to be very worried about the lack of "stuff" we had for Jack which, in turn, made me worry about labor and delivery. Not sure why, but it did. Now, this is not the focus of my blog post today, but I will share with you only a little bit about my concerns.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion (and have know for a long time) that labor and delivery is going to hurt and hurt BAD. I know that there is absolutely no turning back, nor do I want to. I do not regret the decision of ever knowing about Jack. He means the world to me, and I haven't even officially met him yet. However, my flesh gets the best of me and I tend to worry a lot at times. Such is the case here. I can't seem to get it out of my mind. Because of that, other things have fallen by the way side. Certain chores and responsibilities have become neglected despite my recent blog posts about life management.

Okay, so I told you that this post is about something totally different.

The Lord has already used several people in my life, just in the last two days, to turn my focus toward Him. For that, I am thankful! The first instance occurred around noon yesterday. I was reading a blog post from a friend. Now, remember, I had already been well into my self-pity party. She was talking about the chaos of life and how important it is to rely on the "Person who promises peace." It was just what I needed to get a slap back into reality! If you're interested in reading her blog, you may do so here. I trust that you will find it encouraging. It is so nice to have friends! I'm speaking to ALL of you!

A few hours later, I was back into my pity party. Then, my mother called. All she had to do was hear something in my voice and she asked if I was okay. I couldn't keep the tears from coming. To make a long story short, my parents (my dad is home on Spring Break this week) had some very encouraging words to say as well. I was told to read Psalm 139. If there is ever anything that you are struggling with, I encourage you to go to that passage in the Scriptures. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways (vv. 1-3). Of course, don't miss out on the rest of the passage! It is just as vital.

Not too long ago we decided to switch cell phone companies and plans to save money for Jack's arrival. We do not have a land line, so cell phones are our only means of communication in the even of an emergency. Because of the switch, we have been fortunate to have unlimited texting! Now before, we never really saw a need for it, nor did we even care to join the texting phenomenon at all. But I must say, when you don't have time for a phone call (or think you might be bothering someone) texting is the way to go! Yesterday, I was able to text with several of my family members--almost all at once! It was such a blessing to me. Later in the evening, I was also able to Skype with one of my aunts (and a cousin!) who lives in Indiana!! Ahhhhhhhhh . . . Technology!! What did we ever do without it??

Also, let me say, I have the best husband in the world! I don't want to leave him out of yesterdays encouragement. While, he has been having his own issues to deal with this week, he still manages to encourage me. He is my very own personal cheerleader. He wouldn't like it that I used that term to describe him! Every day he tells me that I can go through with this. That I will be great. There is slight hesitation on my part, but I think I'm starting to believe him.

That brings me to today. I know this is getting long but I don't want to leave this part out at all. I decided that I was going to listen to a sermon. Some of you may know that my brother is a youth pastor. I went into my iTunes playlists and I managed to find a sermon that he preached a couple of summers ago at the church that we grew up in. He spoke on Ecclesiastes and how Solomon sought out the meaning of life on earth. He had all of this "stuff." Are you seeing where I'm going with this?? He had fortune and mansions galore. He even built them for other people!! So, what does Solomon conclude? Our fulfillment is ultimately found in God alone. Not in our academics. Not in our amusements. Not in our accomplishments. Not in our possessions. It's okay to be happy but our satisfaction should be in God. God gave him wisdom and he had the wisdom to figure out the True meaning of life. Solomon says, Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecc. 12:13).

So, my thoughts?? Well, in light of eternity, whatever happens in the delivery room happens. I can't really control it. Whatever I don't get done before Jack comes, it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that my focus is continually on God and God alone. He is where I get fulfillment.

My brother ended his sermon with this quote by missionary, Jim Elliot. May it also be our prayer each day. God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life but a full one like You, Lord Jesus.

Still Learning

I can't believe that I actually get a chance to write twice in one month! :o) This seems to be a rarity these days. I just thought I would update you on our baby situation. To date, we are at 29 weeks and 3 days! We have officially hit the 3rd trimester and we can tell already that Jackson will be a VERY active little boy. Even as I write this post, he is kicking up a storm.

We still have quite a bit to accomplish before our little guy is here. Not just in preparation for his arrival but for our jobs and church as well. I am still continuing with one of the things that I love and that is creating jewelry. I have had to put it on hold this year due to pregnancy sickness and such. I am starting to pick back up slowly. However, I have decided that I can't continue with my Mary Kay business at this time. With Jack coming, I need to be totally focused on him and the other responsibilities that my family and church bring. To me, those are top priorities. While I am disappointed, I know that this is the right decision and that brings me great relief.

There are other things going on that I cannot share at this time. But I ask that you pray with and for us as we continue to seek God's guidance in these specific areas. It seems to be a lot to handle at this time but we know that God is in control and will work it out according to HIS will, not ours.

On a brighter note, we have started our 2011 garden!!! We are trying a few new things this year. Jeremy planted corn, squash, okra, and strawberries. We're not sure how well they will grow but we're anxious to see what happens. We also have planted the normal tomatoes and beans. So far everything seems to be growing as planned. We had a lot of rain yesterday and looks like there will be more on the way later this evening.

I can't believe that Spring is already here! The flowers are blooming, the garden is growing, the birds are singing, and the sun stays out longer! It's so wonderful living in Florida this time of the year.

I am still continuing with the book that I mentioned in my last blog post (Life Management for Busy Women). I am learning (or maybe I should say, re-learning) so much. I am reading about managing the home. I am so glad that I decided to cut out some of my other responsibilities in life so that I can focus better on my family and home. I know that life is going to be quite a bit busier when you add kids to the mix. Anyway, one thing I have been focusing on is that my day should start with prayer. You can't have good home management without giving it over to the Lord in prayer first. A second thing is that you always have to be reading! Rather it be from the Scriptures or from books. Learning is the key . . . even when you're out of school! You're never finished with your studies. God has given us many resources to use, we need to take advantage of them.

Well, I have so many more things that I could share with you from this book, but I will have to save it for another post. Jeremy is on his way home for lunch and I need to put into practice what I have learned and re-learned these last two weeks. My family is important to me! Until then, keep God first and family second!!

Casting All Your Care

I suppose I haven't written in a while. Has it really been 2 months?? Time sure is flying by these days. There are times that I lay in bed wondering where all of the hours in my day went. I guess that's why I'm writing this post at one o'clock in the morning. I have just been thinking about what life is going to be like with a third person living with us.

Oh! This reminds me to update you all on a few things first. At the end of January, we found out that we are going to have a BOY!!!! We are very excited and have been preparing for him ever since. That is one of the many reasons why our posts have been non-existent. Anyway, we cannot wait for Jackson Carter to arrive in June!

So, it has been a few days since I even started this post and I think I am finally ready to finish it. This brings me to why I started writing this post. So much has been going on these last few months. It seems like every time I think that I am finally content where God has me, He shows me another area in my life where I need to be more content. "And be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" Hebrews 13:5.

In a few months, our lives are about to change forever. We will be adding another member to our family. No longer will I only be focused on making my husband happy but my child as well. I have been reading a book by Elizabeth George called Life Management for Busy Women. In one of the chapters, she discusses managing your children. She shares the "guidelines" that she used when raising her own children. It has been very encouraging these last few weeks as well as a nice reminder of what God requires of parents. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:21.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

Christmas Happenings!

Here are some photos from Christmas for you to enjoy! We had a great time with Sarah's parents while they were visiting.

Church Christmas Banquet with friends!

Sand Key Park Beach

Sarah's 29th birthday!

Honeymoon Island State Park

Merry Christmas!

Here is a copy of our Christmas letter that we mailed/emailed out this year:

Well, here we are, once again. Christmas is quickly approaching and it’s time for another Dail family Christmas letter. We have quite a bit of exciting news to share with you all. First, we’ll start with updates on how we have been doing.

Jeremy is continuing with his job at Corvest. He is feverishly preparing for catalog printing. This means that his business trip will fall a little closer to Christmas than in the previous years, possibly even after New Year’s Day. He has also been doing a lot of freelance work this year and designing for various church ministries. Sarah started working part-time as a Mary Kay Consultant in February. She loves the idea of working from home so that she can still get things done around that house. We are still actively

involved in our church and are encouraged to see how God is working in our church family. Our congregation keeps growing. Four years ago we had about 30 on Sunday mornings. Now we have about 75-80 each week!!

In June we celebrated our four-year wedding anniversary. In some ways it seems like the years have just flown by us. In August, we had to make an emergency trip to Indiana. After 92 years, Sarah’s Grandma Martin passed away. We miss her very much, but we know that she is in a better place and we will see her again someday. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

In November, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our nephew, Samuel Philip Martin. He was born on November 21 at 2:41pm. He weighed 9 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 22 1/2 inches long!! He is very precious to our family. Congratulations to Sarah’s brother, Andy, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth!

While we’re on the subject of babies, we would like to announce that we will be adding to our family in June!!! We are very excited, nervous and quite impatient. It seems as though there is so much to do in preparation for another human being to be living with us. Sometimes we’re not sure how it will all get accomplished (or how we’re going to pay for it!) but we know that God will supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).

One thing that we think about during the Christmas season is how much we are loved. Of course, we love our families and are loved by our families. But the love that we are most thankful for is the love that our Heavenly Father bestowed upon us when He sent His only Son to die for all of the wrong that we have done (John 3:16). And, as Romans 8 says, NOTHING can separate us from that love.

Please keep us in your prayers throughout the next year, as we strive to raise our family as one that glorifies and honors God. We trust that you all will have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

With love, in Him,

Jeremy & Sarah (and baby Dail!)

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels

nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height

nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The pictures you've all been waiting for . . .

Our little nephew: Samuel Phillip Martin!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's hard to believe that this day is almost over. Thanksgiving is always a time for us to look back on the year and remember what we're thankful for. This year, we weren't able to be with our families. It was a little difficult for me because I wasn't able to meet our new nephew. His name is Samuel Phillip and he was born on Sunday, November 21 at 2:41pm. He was 9lbs. 15 oz. and 22 1/2 inches long. Once we get some good-quality pictures of him, we'll certainly write another blog post!! We are so thankful for our families and we missed not being with them this year.

We are also very grateful for the friends that God has placed in our lives. We were able to spend Thanksgiving with a few friends from our church and it was such a blessing. We really had a blast with them today!

Lastly, we are thankful for the life we have in Christ. We would be nothing without Him and on a road to destruction and eternal damnation. Sometimes we take our salvation for granted, but we truly are thankful for Christ's sacrifice for us.

James 1:16-18 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Thanksgiving already??

So, I guess it's been a little while since we have last updated our blog. We just got back a couple of Sundays ago from a trip to North Carolina. Jeremy was in a friends wedding and we also took some time to visit with our families that were near the same area. We were hoping that our nephew would come while we were visiting but he has decided to wait a while. His official due date was yesterday. We are hoping to "meet" him very soon.

I can't believe that next week is Thanksgiving already. It seems like the year has flown past us! This year we are planning to spend Thanksgiving with some friends from our church. They have family who live in other states as well. I usually love making and preparing all of the food that I usually do but I am actually looking forward to relaxing more this year. I only have to make two dishes!!!

Christmas is only six weeks away! Thankfully we have most of our shopping done already. We have actually been shopping throughout the whole year. It is a good feeling to be this far ahead of the game. And shopping this way was much easier and less stressful . . . at least for me, anyway. I think this year we will be staying home for Christmas as well. We have made a lot of trips this year and just don't really have the finances to travel. It will be sad, but hopefully we'll get to spend some part of the holidays with family.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I will try to blog more regularly in the future.

Fall is almost in Florida!

Okay, so it has been a while since I have written. Sorry about that. A lot has been going on around here. I will try to fill you in on the happenings of our summer or most of it, that is. Some of it went by in a blur. You will see why in a moment.

So, in June we celebrated our four year wedding anniversary!! That is quite an accomplishment--although, it doesn't seem like we have been married that long. We were able to really do anything special this year since Vacation Bible School fell on that same week. We were bummed about that (or, at least, I was) but we had a lot of fun with the kids in VBS. We were put in charge of the games and we really enjoyed it this year.

Forgive me, for I cannot remember exactly what happened in July. Oh, well.

In August, we had to make an emergency trip to Indiana. After 92 years, my Grandma Martin passed away. It has been a very rough time for my family. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to cope with her loss. We miss her very much. Thankfully, we know that we will see her again someday.

September came a little earlier than we thought it would. Yes, I know it comes the same time every year, but it REALLY came earlier this year!! I had to travel back to Indiana for my cousin's wedding. I was also able to help my parents a little bit with things that needed to get done around their house and my grandma's house. After I arrived back from Indiana, we started our Wednesday evening kids club (Winner's Circle) at church. This becomes the time of year when it really starts to get busy and stressful. (Though it seems like the summer has been full of nothing but stress.) We don't have as many kids in our Wednesday night class as we did last year. We are trying not to get too discouraged about it. God has been doing a great thing in our church family and we pray that He will do great things in Winner's Circle this year as well.

It seems as though September has brought a lot of prayer requests too. So many things are happening around us to people we love so dearly. Galatians 6 says, "Bear one another's burdens," and that is certainly what we have been doing. We have been lifting our friends up in prayer. It has truly been a summer of growing. September has also brought a lot of work to us: Jeremy is diving into another catalog season and he has been doing some freelance work here and there, there are more preparations for church going on, and we have been busy trying to find (and add) more "space" to our house.

So, now it's officially October! This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather starts getting cooler here in Florida and it is even more enjoyable to go to the beach. (Jeremy had a day off last week and we went to a beach that we have only been to one other time. We found the biggest shells!!!) We are excited about the next couple of months. We will be getting a brand new nephew soon and we can't wait to meet him! We will be in North Carolina for a wedding around the time of his arrival and we hope that he comes while we are there!!! So, until next time, take a look at some of our summer memories.

Helping with our church VBS on our 4th anniversary.

VBS game time

VBS kids

My last picture with Grandma Martin.

Lunch before Grandma's Funeral.

My cousin, Ken, and his bride, Jessica.

It's a Wonderful Life

So, this week has been awesome so far. First of all, the weather is getting a little cooler so things won't be all hot and sweaty . . . at least for a little while longer. Second of all, I have been able to hang out with a couple of my friends this week!

Yesterday morning, my friend, Jaimeé, came over for a while. We have been trying to get together for coffee at least once a week. Sometimes it doesn't always work, but we try. It has been fun actually hanging out with someone.

Then, late this afternoon, my friend, Heather (from college), stopped by! She is in Clearwater for her brothers graduation. It was really nice to get a chance to talk with her. It is always encouraging when I get to see the people that I went to school with. Most of them were there with me in some of the most difficult times in my life.

Tomorrow morning we will going to Clearwater Christian College's graduation ceremony. It will be bittersweet. We are excited for two of the students (Sarah & Ryan) who have been helping us at our church over the last four years. It will be sad because we are not sure that we will see them again this side of heaven. But . . . at least we'll get to see them tomorrow.

I know that the week will end fantastically because my mom is coming tomorrow night! She will be here for Mother's Day and I know that will be fun for her . . . me too . . . as she will be staying a whole week! Hopefully we will be able to go to the beach a few of those days. :o)

Also, Jeremy has just informed me that he is taking next Friday off. We very rarely get to spend time together, so that is a real treat!

I'm so excited, I don't think that I will be able to sleep tonight.

Today . . .

So things have been crazy busy since the last time I wrote. I just got back from visiting family in Indiana. My dad turned 60 so we had a surprise party for him. It was such a busy week but I had a lot of fun visiting with friends and family. If I didn't have so much to do back home, I might have stayed a lot longer. The more I go back, the harder it gets to leave. Sometimes I wish that everyone would just be in one place. Anyway, I am feeling really mopey today and I think that I caught something while on the plane because I have a sore throat and no energy today.

I have some exciting news to share! My brother, Andy, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth, are going to have a baby!!! We're so excited and thankful that God has worked everything out for them. Be prepared for pictures around November or December. :o)

I just wanted to let you all know what has been going on lately. Stay tuned . . .