Daddy's day off!

I had to show Benner's face. The kids were surrounded by the annoying geese and I was running for dear life!

Here they come to get our food.



The perefect ending to a great day... a rainbow.

Aaron showing off the, "FINISHED PRODUCT"!

STUPID...

Have you ever been so committed to your own way that it makes you stupid?

Reading my cousin Maggie's post today made me remember that phrase from Dave Harvey's book, "When sinner's say I do".

Our sin blinds us, makes us dumb. (as Mag put it so well!!) I was reflecting over my day today and was freshly convicted of all the times I was irritated, selfish and just plain DUMB. Thank you Lord for your mercy's that are new each morning. Thank you that you died a humiliating death for me. Thank you that you have given me four little kiddo's to raise for your glory. Thank you for little smiles with peanut butter and jelly kisses. Thank you for dirty little finger nails, lighten McQueen under ware all over the house, pee-pee on the bathroom rugs(in EVERY bathroom), broken nail polish bottles, crayola crayons on the dry erase board and almost every door in the house, enough play animals for the entire neighborhood, American girl bobby pins, enough food under the dining room table to feed us and another family for a week, thank you that you are teaching me more about my own sin and my dependence on you and last but certainly NOT least...thank you for forgiving all of my stupidity!!

Mea and American Girl!

One of Mea's gifts was a little shopping spree at the new American Girl store in Atlanta. She had a blast! We went with Billie and Savanna and a friend and her daughter and mom. It was so much fun to eat at the bistro and to shop. It was doll heaven!! There are so many cute things. It took Mea a long time to make up her mind! She ended up getting matching pj's for her and her bitty baby, "Jacqueline J'nelle" and the hair care kit, Samantha movie and some trading cards! The food was really yummy too!

Happy Birthday MOM!! I thank God for you and for the many evidences of Grace in your life. I am grateful that God gave me a mom who taught me to love others and to have a forgiving heart. Mom, thank you for modeling what it looks like to be generous and for always perfering others to yourself. Thank you for loving my kids and for all that you do for them. Although we are 1000 miles apart, we miss you very much and look forward to our times together. We love you and hope you have a great birthday! Love- Aaron, Sara, Mea, Char, Benners and James.

Mea loves when auntie makes waffels with strawberries and cool whip!

Happy Birthday to my little princess! Mea daddy and I are SO grateful to God for you. From the moment we found out we were having a baby we loved you so much. The day God brought you into our arms is a day we will never forget. Daddy and Mommy cried tears of Joy and gratefulness. Daddy even used to dream that mommy was laying on you in my sleep, even though you were in the pack-n-play next to me. He would wake up and say,"Where's Magdalene"? Mommy would just laugh at daddy's silly dreams! Mommy was so scared you'd stop breathing. I put a monitor in your pack-n-play and you were sleeping right next to me!!
You were always a joyful baby and so adorable. I think you could speak full sentences from the time you were born!! You loved aunt sissy and would occasionally get the two of us mixed up!! You also loved your cousin Trevor and would always try to kiss him!! You are the only girl out of 8 grand babies for gramma and papa. That's why your the princess. I love you Mea and it's a delight to see how God is molding and changing you into a little girl who loves him. You smile, whit, generosity and your giggles all bring mommy and daddy much joy. We love you Mea. Happy 6th birthday!!

Beach day with cousin's and Auntie!

Amanda and I brought the kiddo's to the beach. It was beautiful and they had SO much fun. Cai did a great job and loved all the bird's. The kids loved swimming in the water and playing in the sand. We had such a great time with Amanda, Kris and the boys. Mea loves her cousin's so much!!

Virginia Beach...

Here are a few photo's from our trip to Va. I don't have many because my batteries ran out and I never bought more. We rode up with Josiah, Francesca, Mea, Aaron and I. It was a fun trip and a quick one too!! The wedding was fun and it was fun to see all of our family. We miss you all SO much.

Conversion

I thought it would be encourageing and fun to hear testimony's. I know for sure I haven't heard all of my friends testimony's and wanted to, so I decided to start a "Conversion Tag." Please join in and share your conversion and tell your other blogger friends too! I can't wait to read about the faithflness of God in the lives of all of you!! Love, Sara

I was born on a beautiful Michigan fall day in 1978. I was a shy little girl who loved Kermit the frog, Little House on the Prairie and the Atari game Frogger. My dad and mom excelled at laying down their lives for my brother, two sisters and me. My dad was a hard worker and tried to teach us values such as diligence, generosity, and laughter. My mom was the most patient mother I know. Never do I remember her getting angry with us when we were young, (and there was a lot to get angry about!) instead she consistently gave away her time, money and laid down her desires so she could serve her family. From the time I can remember my parents told me about God and how he sent his perfect son to die on a cross for sin. My family would go to church on Sunday, play in the church softball leagues, and occasionally attend the Sunday school services. To me church was something we did on Sundays, not something we built our lives around. My thoughts about God were selfish and full of pride; “What could he give me.” “How could he make me happy.” I thought to be saved you had to ask Christ into your heart repeatedly and you just never knew if you had lost your salvation. I remember thinking things like,” If I don't repent of my sins (from that day) the second before I died than hell was my final destination.” My obedience to mom and dad was out of fear of man, not a heart that loves God and desires to glorify him in all things. Growing up I would have said I was a Christian. My life was nominal, at best. As I got into the teen years, rebellion in my heart started to deepen and express itself outwardly. I loved the world and believed the lies that it is where happiness was found. My life was characterized by fear of man and selfishness. I was street smart and knew whom to please by telling lies and telling them what they wanted to hear. I was a hypocrite; I would say one thing and then do the opposite. I was a liar and idolater. My heart longed for worldly pleasures and pursued them at great lengths (worldly music, impure relationships, ungodly friendships, and a party lifestyle). I did not love God. Looking back my life actually revealed a heart that hated him. When I was 17 years old, my parents began the process of a 2-year divorce. Anger, rage, deceit, self-pity, and unbelief were permanent residents in my heart. I hated my parents for getting divorced but I loved the freedom it brought me.

In the kindness and sovereign hand of God, he gave me a family member who was faithful to share the gospel with me. I moved out of my home at 17 and into the home of my aunt Jenny and uncle Joe. Although I was not regenerated, God began to soften my heart and used their family to draw me to himself. Aunt Jenny always told me about God and what it means to surrender your life to him. Not only did they preach the gospel…they lived the gospel! They did not make compromises but always tried to glorify God with their lives. That was attractive to me because they were always filled with joy, and actively serving others. They did not look like the world- they were different. My heart remained hardened. In the spring of 1997, God also used Aaron's sister and future husband to continue to draw me to him. Aaron and I were in their wedding and could not help but notice that their friends were different. They loved Jesus and were joyful and fun. They were having a great time and were not even drinking. That was foreign to us. After the wedding, Aaron's sister asked us to return something for them while they were on their honeymoon. While we were driving back home Aaron asked me to put on my seat belt. In my pride I responded, "If I die, I die.” Not realizing that if I died my soul would have been eternally in hell. I fell asleep thinking I was in control of my life, I woke up knowing I was not. Aaron had fallen asleep at the wheel and we totaled his mom's van. We walked away distinctly aware of the mercy and kindness of God to save us not only from injury but to take care of our greatest need by sending his prefect son to die on a cross for sin. He made us alive to Christ and aware of the desperate state of our hearts. He opened my blinded eyes to see that I was in rebellion against him- a perfect, just, and holy God. He opened my heart to the knowledge that he sent his one and only son to live a prefect life and to die a humiliating death...for me. In that moment, God changed my heart. He began to take away the desire to live for myself. He replaced those desires with desires to know him and to glorify him with all of my life. Once all I thought about was how I could be served but now I wanted to serve Him and others.

How grateful I am that God chose me...a sinner and changed me forever

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now received reconciliation." Romans 5:6-11

Our new adopted daughter...Berta!

Charlie dressed Benners up as a girl. I thought he looked soooo cute!!

Happy 8th Anniversary, Love!!

The letter Aaron wrote me the day he asked me to be his wife. It was raining so he put a note in a plastic bag and stuck it under my windshield at work.

Happy anniversary love! You have made me the happiest and most blessed wife ever! I love you so much and each day of my life with you gets better and better. I loved you the second I first saw you. You have captured my heart my lover and friend. Thanks for laying down your life for me. Thank you for being a hard worker and for providing for our family. Thank you for giving me 4 beautiful children who are adorable just like you. Thank you for asking me to be your wife.....there's nothing I rather be than your wife!! Most of all thank you for loving our savior with your whole heart and for pursuing him with passion, diligence and integrity!!

I'm loving you always---Scuba

Boundry lines and Blessings...

Sometimes I think that just getting dressed and making it through the day is all I ever accomplish. "Isn't there something more that you wanted me to do today, Lord?" Finally , I hear that still, small voice. I may not have found a cure for cancer or conquered world hunger, but as I soak in my tub, God gently reminds me of what I did accomplish today. I had the privilege of listening to the hopes and dreams of a handsome young man who thinks I'm the greatest woman in the world. He stands just over three feet tall and only gets really excited over Lego's and pizza, but he is funny, charming, and never boring. Author-Ginger Plowman (from her book, "Heaven at Home")

God kindly reminded me of this pg. in her book. I have been struggling with grumbling and complaining a lot the last three days. Quick to anger with the boys (Ben and Char) and quick to look around and see all that isn't done or things that are done that shouldn't be. I am so thankful for a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 86:15) May this truth pierce my heart today and may I rejoice that God has not only given me four blessings and a wonderful husband but He has taken care of my greatest need by sending his one and only Son to die on a cross for my wretched sins....Thank you Lord Jesus!!

Hose fun...

I finally bought the right batteries for my camera. Here are some pictures of the kids playing outside yesterday. It's finally not 110 degrees outside so we can go and play for more than 10 minutes!! BTW...Benners is doing a great job potty training!! He goes all by himself and will come out of the bathroom and say, "mom, I went peep. Can you put my undies on?" He's so cute!! I noticed someone (I knew it was Ben)colored on the wall today and I asked the boys who did it. Ben said Mea then said Char and Char said, "mom, go ask God." He's been saying that a lot lately. I've been trying to teach him that even if mommy and daddy don't know exactly what happened or who did it that God's eyes are everywhere and that we MUST be truthful always. So...all that to say he now will ask us to go ask God!!

No, No Jimmy!!

My camera has dead batteries so I decided to post a video!! Love you all and miss you so much!!

Crazy August...

Lizzy, Aaron and I went our to dinner in the city. It was a blast and we so enjoyed out time with Liz. What a kind God to give such a great friend who will take time out of her busy schedule to come and hang out with me and my CRAZY kids!! We love you Lizzy!!

I had Nina and CeCe spend the night when Aaron was gone. It went pretty well (except for Cece peeing on Mea's couch and floor!!) The kids watched Pipi Longstocking and ate brownies!! And stayed up until 11pm!!

Benners is offically potty trained!! I trained him while Aaron was out of town this week. He was sooo easy! I had forgot to put a diaper on him at lunch (after the pool) and he said, "mom, can I get down I have to go peep.(that how he says Pee) After that it's been great. He still wears a diaper at night. I took them all to the Disney store today and Ben got to get some new CARS underware. All the kids wanted to try them on.

'