The Sweetest Little Boy...

Justus is scheduled for another endoscopy May 4th...please pray that all will go well and that God will strenthen our family through this trial. Thank you!

Justus...

I'm sorry I haven't had the time or energy to keep up on my blog lately. Please pray for our family, especially Justus. I don't have the emotional energy to update right now, but here is the link to Justus' website. Thank you so much for your prayers.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/justus

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Happy birthday buddy! It's hard to believe it's only been a year, it seems like you've been in our lives forever. We are so blessed to have you as a part of our family and God has taught us so much through you. We pray every day that God will make you a mighty man who loves Him with all your heart.

A Day In The Life of Gideon...

"My Bones Must Be Pretty Strong"

That was Gabe's response to my question "What did you do to your brother??" (And yes, that is blood all over Gideon's smiling face! )

Once Upon A Brother

Once upon a time, there was an adorable little boy sitting on the floor reading his story like the cutie pie that he is.

Next thing you know, his brothers Justus and Gabe appeared on the scene (that always means trouble if you're trying to read a book).
Justus surprised Gideon by "dropping" in to say hello while Gabe ate the rest of the pretzels from two weeks ago that he found under the couch.
Poor Gideon decided to make the best of things and continued to read the book with his brother on his lap.

The End.

Why Do The Clouds Blow?

Gabe: "Why doesn't God have a body?" Me: "Um...because He's a spirit...." Gabe: "Can God hear me when I pray?" Me: "Of course He can!" Gabe: "How can He hear me if He doesn't have ears?" Me: "He doesn't need ears, because He's God." Gabe: "Can He see in the dark?" Me: "Yes" Gabe: "I can see in the dark too, I have a flashlight!" Gabe: "Why do the clouds move?" Me: "Because the wind is blowing them." Gabe: "So God can see us from heaven?" Me: "No, God can see through the clouds." Gabe: "Why does the wind blow them?" Me: We'll have to ask daddy when he gets home." Gabe: "I think 'cause they're following us to Grandmie's house."
Gabe, I love you!

Real Food and Other Encouragements

Praise the Lord, Justus has started to eat real food without gagging! That is such an answer to prayer. We go again tomorrow for chemo and we'll find out then if he has started gaining weight yet. Please pray for that. The next wonderful thing on my list is crawling!!! Wow, I'm so grateful that he is crawling around again and playing on his own. It was VERY difficult to get much of anything done with him stuck to my hip and I was getting a little overwhelmed, but now he's crawling again! :) I'm so happy!
And last but not least, Justus also had his first trip to the zoo! It was so much fun to get out and see all the animals, the boys had a blast! We spend almost the entire day there and Justus was all smiles. I'm so thankful to God for all of these blessings. We have had many "good" days lately and they are a HUGE encouragement. Blessings are overflowing!

We Definitely Have Oxen

Ben often reminds me of Proverbs 14:4 "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox." So, yes, today my house is a mess. Their new favorite thing is making a boat out of the couch...and yes, something spilled on the cushion, but I'm pretty sure it'll come out. :)Gabe is a jaguar and Gideon, a puppy. They're on a "boat" surrounded by sharks who are ready to eat any poor soul who happens to be in the "water"!There's plenty of room for a jaguar and a puppy, but when the Lion-Piggy joins in things get a little tight! (He requested to be a lion, but the boys wanted a pig - poor Ben!) ;)
After a very long adventure on the high seas, my jaguar and puppy were all worn out. My house looked like a tornado had blown through, but it was worth it. One day the "oxen" (aka: puppy and jaguar) will be gone, the house will be clean and I'll wish for some animals to come mess it up!

Whate'er My God Ordains is Right

Whate'er my God ordains is right: Holy his will abideth; I will be still whate'er he doth; And follow where he guideth: He is my God: though dark my road,He holds me that I shall not fall: Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate'er my God ordains is right: He never will deceive me; He leads me by the proper path; I know he will not leave me: I take, content, what he hath sent; His hand can turn my griefs away, And patiently I wait his day.

Whate'er my God ordains is right: Though now this cup, in drinking, May bitter seem to my faint heart, I take it, all unshrinking: My God is true; each morn anew Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate'er my God ordains is right: Here shall my stand be taken; Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, Yet am I not forsaken; My Father's care is round me there; He holds me that I shall not fall: And so to him I leave it all.

Written by: Samuel Rodigast, 1676. Music: Severus Gastorius, 1675