I'm still here!!!

Wow where do I being, it has been waaaaay too long since I updated my blog, so naturally there is alot to discuss!!! February has been a month full of celebration.....overcoming trials....staying completely busy.....and wonderful family time! I turned 27 this month and turning a year older came with way too much chocolate as well as lots of internal evaluation. The girls and I have stayed busy searching for the perfect flower girl dress for my brothers wedding. Brett and I have been busy searching for affordably and beautiful bathroom fixtures for our new bathroom. And we all have been searching for opportunities to get outside!!! We are definetly ready for spring at our house. With all the errands, celebrations, and running around I'm reminded to slow down and be still before the Lord to give Him honor where honor is due!! We have been so blessed not only with things like Brett getting a new job, provision for better health care, and birthday gifts.....but my sweet Heavenly father has blessed me with unseen blessings in my marriage and family! Even amongst the most whirl wind of times, God whispers His sweet love to me and I'm so thankful!!! Here are a few pictures to catch you up on the past month.

The beautiful flower girls!!

Ava is just getting so big!!!!

Ellie always love an opportunity to snuggle Macy

Ava looking way to serious with her soccer ball

Ellie and our friends son, baby Neil

Daddy reading to his girls

Christmas Joy!!!

I know this is a bit late but I wanted to share some pictures of our wonderful Christmas!!! The weeks leading to Christmas were filled with trials and pain. The girls were sick, Daddy Gob passed away....it was long and lonely. But the Bible tells me that joy comes in the morning....and that He will turn our tears of sorrow into tears of joy. The Christmas season reunited us with loved ones and brought so much joy and laughter! Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!!

Here is our sweet Ava in her Santa Hat

Ellie opening up some of her presents

Ava enjoying her new slippers and pillow seat

The girls and I are all snuggled up to watching the Grinch..a Daddy Gob tradition

Brett read the First Christmas story to the girls

I thought this was an adorable picture...my girls love books

Sweet sisters

Thanksgiving

The Fam!! Thanksgiving 2008

I know this comes a little late....but I wanted to post a blog about the most bitter and the most sweet holiday I think I've ever had. There was much anticipation to this years Thanksgiving, which was spent with my wonderful family in VA. It had been almost a year since Brett was able to be there so it was to be quite a good time catching up with loved ones. But I had to prepare my heart a bit, knowing that my sweet grandfather....aka Daddy Gob, was laying on his death bed waiting for the Lord to take him home. I had done my best to prepare my heart for what I would find in VA , and more than I could have anticipated, it was pretty difficult. Thanksgiving day was filled with such joy and laughter....eating amazing foods, spending much needed quality time with my amazing husband and precious girls......and playing hillarious games with my extended family!! We had a great time!! Probably the most fun I remember having at a Thanksgiving Day celebration. All the while I was continually reminded that a time of mourning was near. I find comfort knowing that my Daddy Gob has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that I will be with him again some day in my Heavenly home, but my heart still aches at the idea of him not being there. He has played such a huge role, not only in my life but in the life of my eldest, Ellie. Most of the games that she and I play before bed time are Daddy Gob origionals. We continue to wait for the phone call letting us know that he has been taken to be with His Heavenly Father. I'm sure it will be soon, and I know that God will give me the Grace and Mercy I will need to face the heartache. His word says that He is close to the broken hearted! And I know that Joy comes in the morning!!

Speaking of Joy....lil Miss sporting her TN spirit!

Being a wife

I've only been a wife for 4 years...which is long enough for me to know that I need alot of help!!! I've had wonderful examples before me to watch and learn...namely my mother, and my mother in law! But I'm also thankful for Biblical wisdom that continues to teach me in my role as Brett's wife. Submission has always been difficult not only to understand but to carry out. I read this passage earlier today that brought me such comfort and hope and I just wanted to share it with you. I pray it brings encouragement and insight!

"The true woman is not afraid to place herself in a position of submission. She does not have to grasp; she does not have to control. Her fear dissolves in the light of Gods covenant promise to be her God and to live within her. Submission is simply a demonstration of her confidence in the sovereign power of the Lord God"

I just love fall in Tennessee!!! It reminds me of God's grace....His amazing creativity and just how much He must love us to create such beautiful sights! Now that the leaves are falling we have a lake view from our driveway, and it just blows me away every time I drive down the road! Growing up in northern Ohio there were very few breathtaking views. God is just so good to me to have placed my family and I in our beautiful home! I'm trying to be patient and actually wait untill after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas...but I just couldn't resist adding a few holiday touches to our front door!!

I've been trying to find some creative things for the girls to do, especially since the weather has cooled off...and going out side is just not quite as fun as it used to be! I bought a book that a friend reccommended called "The Toddler Busy Day Book". It is filled with ideas for young children and immediately I was drawn to the idea of a "Dress up Box!!" I bought a small plastic container and decorated it with its Dress Up Box title, along with lots of hearts and flowers...(I just became very aware of the fact that if we are blessed with a baby boy in the future he will be surrounded by lots of girlyness....) The girls had a great time dressing up and running around the house pretending to be "Mrs. Sneedgrass" and "Princess Pumkin Patch" I must admit that I had a great time too!!! Enjoy the pictures

Ellie looks very confused in this picture but make no mistake...she had a blast!

A romantic getaway

Well it finally happened!! After years of soccer tournaments and a short date nights, Brett and I finally had a whole weekend just to be together! We spent two nights in Gatlinburg and enjoyed shopping, visiting art gallaries, walking around and just being together! We were able to look back on the past four years of marriage and reflect on the way God has shaped us both individually and as a couple. First of all we were just thankful that our marriage has survived thus far!! In the past four years we have had two unexpected blessings that we like to call Ellie and Ava.....lived two years with my wonderful parents.......and successfully obtained a bachelors and masters degree. It certainly has not been easy, but God's Grace has been present every step of the way. This weekend was a wonderful reminder of the amazing man I've been given! Brett is a true servant leader....never fourceful and always prayerful. When I think about my past, and all the mistakes that I have made it never ceases to amaze me that the Lord blessed me with a man like Brett. My favorite part of the weekend was being able to discuss our future! We were able to pray about expanding our family (probably this time next year) and we had a great time disputing boy names! Feel free to give suggestions!!!