I Will Praise You in This Storm

I'm writing this post with a heavy heart, but I feel it's necessary to share this. Most of you have heard the news by now. Last week at about 7 weeks of pregnancy, I miscarried again. We were blessed to see our baby and its heartbeat on an ultrasound before the miscarriage. Anyone who says that it's not a life at this stage or any stage after conception is fooling themselves, but I won't go there right now.
We've been so blessed with friends and family praying for us, bringing us meals, helping with childcare during my doctor visits, and calling or stopping by to check on us. I'm really overwhelmed with all the support we've been given and all the people God has put into our lives to lift us up during this difficult time.
I know God has a plan and that plan is perfect, but in my humanness, I want to make my plan fit into His and have control of my life. It's hard during these times to trust in Him, but all week I could feel Him saying to me "I know the plans I have for you." I know He's with me and holding me now. He's the same loving God, no matter where I stand or what I'm going through. So I'm going to trust Him with all of my children, those I'm blessed to have with me and those who are with Him. I know we're going to be ok, because we have the Lord, and He gives us hope and a peace that "surpasses all understanding." Without Him, we have nothing.

I felt compelled a few weeks ago to post a song on Facebook for anyone who was going through a hard time, which I'm sure is not a coincidence that now I need to hear it. I'll share the lyrics with you and here's the youtube video I posted if you would like to hear it too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2rLXr3cEU

Praise You in This Storm -- Casting Crowns
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Joshua Called It

This has been a crazy, but exciting week. Andy had to work late every night this week (so it's wonderful that he has a 3-day weekend to spend with us). On Wednesday night, while Andy was still working, the kids and I were eating dinner, when Joshua said, "I think this one's going to be a boy, Mommy."
"What, Joshua?"
"You know, the baby...in your belly. I think it's going to be a boy."
"You mean if God blesses us with another baby, you think it's going to be a boy?"
"Yeah...or a girl. But I think a boy."
"Ooookaaay"
That night, after Andy got home and the kids were in bed, I told him what Joshua said a dinner.
"TAKE A TEST!" said Andy.
"I already took one a couple of days ago and it was negative. I don't want to waste another test yet."
"TAKE A TEST!"
"Ok, I'll take a test."
And, of course, it was positive :) YAY!!!! Won't it be cool if it's a boy too! I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I figured out that I'm due September 21st, right between Brooke's birthday (Sept 15) and Joshua's (Sept 27). Our anniversary is also on Sept 29, so this is a big month for our family. It might have something to do with Andy having vacation time during the holidays every year :)
I am a little nervous about everything, because our last pregnancy did end in a miscarriage at 12 weeks. But as soon as we found out we were pregnant again, Andy told me he has total peace about this. He just knows that it'll be ok. I've been fervently praying that God will give me peace as well with whatever happens and that I'll trust in His perfect will and plan. So I ask that you keep us in your prayers too, because I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer...

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (Jesus speaking) John 14:13-14

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (Jesus speaking) John 15:7

.............................................................

Our other excitement this week came from the Steelers' big win tonight against the Ravens, which means "Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl...Here we go..." Will that song ever get out of my head again? Definitely not for the next 2 weeks. Here we go...

Back in Vegas!

Wow, what a trip! We spent a week over Christmas in Austin, TX with my family and then another week in Johnstown, PA with Andy's family. We all had so much fun and the kids were incredible for all the flights (6 of them total) and while visiting with everyone. Other than a few minor cold/coughs, everything went smoothly for this vacation. We didn't even have to pay for our luggage with Continental (a ridiculous policy in my book) because we had military leave orders. Our parents did have to ship a few boxes full of gifts home for us, but that just makes Christmas for the kids all over again when they get to open them.

Cousins having lunch around kitchen table at Nina & Grandpa J's.

It's Steelers mania in my house now with this past weekend's win against the Chargers. Joshua is wearing out all his Steeler jerseys (yes he got 3 of them for Christmas, including the Polamalu one from Santa) and new football helmet. The days have been filled with him singing the "Here We Go Steelers" song while throwing a football all over the house and backyard. If I have to yell, "Don't tackle your sister!!!" one more time, I'm going to lose it. We (and I do mean we) are very excited about the upcoming game against the Ravens, since a win would put them in the Super Bowl. I even decided to give our family blog Steelers colors to cheer them on :)

Joshua...I mean..."Big Ben" getting ready for the game.

(Pictures taken by his very talented cousin, Emma Stremmel)

Home for the Holidays

We're having a nice relaxing time in Austin with my family this week. The kids were great on both airplanes. It's always a good trip when there are no huge tantrums. Brooke did wind up soaking her pants on the last leg from drinking too much milk, but that was our only crisis. The day after we arrived, my brother's family had a children's party with a visit from Santa. Joshua asked Santa for a white Steelers Polamalu jersey. Let's hope Santa's a Steelers fan too...

Homeschooling & Scheduling

Here are some pictures of things we use daily in our homeschooling. I've put together a daily schedule using the book Managers of Their Homes by the Maxwells http://www.titus2.com/. We haven't actually followed it perfectly yet, but it gives me something to strive toward and teaches me self-discipline and to be a good steward of my time.

This is the Calendar Math bulletin board we use every day. I use it to teach patterns, odd/even, money, tally marks, place value, addition/subtraction, etc. The kids really enjoy it.

This is our white board. We memorize (short) Scripture verses once a week and do Build-a-word activities using a group of letters. Joshua builds the words himself on a table using some foam letters we have from a puzzle.

This is the schedule I have created using Managers of Their Homes. Each person has a color and activities are divided into half hour increments. Like I said, we haven't gotten there yet :)

Our First Blog- Holidays and Homeschooling

So here it is...my first post. Andy was a little unsure about this whole blogging thing, but I was sure that, being an Air Force family, this would be a great way to share our lives with family and friends. I was also inspired by all my Beale buddies' beautiful blogs out there. You can see them in My Favorite Blogs below.
Just to let you know what's going on with us...Andy is finishing up instructing in another 6-month Weapons School class. We haven't gotten to see him much over the past two weeks, so we're really looking forward to having lots of family time on our Christmas vacation. We'll be travelling to see my family in Texas and his family in PA during that time, which we're all excited about (except for the plane rides of course). If any of you have ideas on how to keep 3 young children happy (and quiet) on airplanes, please do share.
The kids have been doing great. They love to play at the park and visit with friends in our playgroups and church. I've started homeschooling Joshua for Kindergarten this year, which is a real learning experience for the both of us. It's mostly taught me that I need to be self-disciplined to set aside some time each day for "school." I'm using a great book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann. He's been doing really well and he's already completed 50 lessons. We also do Calendar math every day and some other fun activities on our white board. I'm not doing as much as I'd like to, but I just kind of add things as I find them. A great place to find the Typical Course of Study for each grade level is http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum. You can just check it off as you go when you know the child has mastered it. I'll post more tips as I learn them for those who are interested. I'm going to try to do some "school" with Joshua over our vacation, but we'll see how that goes.