Mothers Day

I have had an amazing day! Woke up to the kids making sticky buns. My mom over the years has taught the kids how to make these all by themselves!! It amazes me! I would like to say they made them without arguing...but you know...they are human...:) As long as they let Lauren be the boss all goes well! LOL!! They brought them in on a tray (actually a cookie sheet because we don't have a tray). Jaden put a rose on the tray and they made me coffee too. They had made a cute poster and got me one of those cards you record their voices. It was so cute to hear their voices on it. Jaden made me a PVC pipe cross...which if you know him..he loves to make things. I will post a pic. Lauren bought me 2 rose bush plants, and Brooke gave me a pot she made out of napkins with a flower to go in it. I feel so loved!
Last night they made my favorite chocolate cake!! You know the one on the back of the Hershey Cocoa box. OMG!! That is a little bit of Heaven right there! Me and the kids made it together. That was so fun. I love cooking and hanging out with them. That is the best gift I can ever get...time having fun with them.
For years I have told Matt I want a board to paint to be able to chart their heights on it...got the board, and we are going to paint it at some point. YEAH!! Last week I ordered my sister the coolest necklace with her kids names on it...I couldn't resist ordering myself one too and telling Matt is was from him..:) Don't you just love those gifts...but I am so serious when I say...get online and get you one too!! They are darling!! I will post a pic! I got my mom and mother-in-laws one for Christmas and I think they wear them all the time...like I plan too. The website it www.mommyjewerly.com Take a look! My friend Nicole got me hooked!
Matt preached today, which I always love hearing him so that was a gift for me today too. I miss hearing him every week like I was used to when we were in the youth. He has a gift from God to speak I feel like.
We had lunch at my parents with my sis and her kids. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to live close to them and be able to share these times with them. I love my family and can't imagine my life without them.
So I have just had the best mom's day ever I feel like. We have come a long way...there was a time when Matt wasn't so great at these things...God love em...one time he even forgot to get a card...YIKES! Just needed a little training..LOL!! Now I can honestly say...he is great at it! He tries really hard to make this weekend great and I appreciate him soo much! I have an amazing life...I am so thankful to be a mom of three and a wife to Matt. That's me..stephtmomof3 :)

Jaden's Cast Off!

Well after 5 weeks Jaden got his cast off! He was so excited to get it off! He has been very cautious and working his way back to moving it and using it again. We ended up with 2 full cast and one 1/2 cast. He did so well them all and learned how to write with his left hand thru all of this. He amazed me how he didn't complain or let it slow him down. I will say...he did enjoy letting us help him to the chores he didn't want to do!! LOL! So here is a few pics of his last 2 cast.
The pictures are actually backwards...the Top one is the last cast he got which was a 1/2 cast and the bottom one is the 2nd cast he got that went above his elbow.

Easter 09

Well for several reasons that I will explain later, I haven't had much time to update my blog. Several of you have asked me to update!! So here you go...here is my dad's picture from Easter with the kids. He is so good to us and we know and feel His healing power. We had a great day and celebrated Jesus with our family!! Our God Reigns and will forever!!

The Healing Power of Jesus

Easter is this weekend and so many thoughts are going thru my head. My kids and I have talked about Easter and what it is all about. I feel like they have a good grasp on what Christ did for them. This weekend it why it is all worth it for us as Christians, why we get to go to Heaven. When I truly think about what He did for me, it brings me to my knees in true Humility. I...one of the biggest sinners of all...He did it for me. The other day...I was losing my patience with one of my kids over something and as I sat there and thought about it...I thought...wow...the patience God has for me. I continually sin and He always forgives me.

I would like to share this picture with you. This is my dad, last year at Easter. We didn't know whether he would live to see another Easter with us. We didn't know at that time what was wrong with him. I don't even think He went to church that day if I remember right. Probably the first Easter he ever missed in his life. That journey revealed strength in our family and that strength was from the Lord. I am so blessed to say my dad is doing amazingly well this year and I will post a picture of him this year to show you the healing power of Jesus.

JESUS PAID IT ALL....ALL TO HIM I OWE....SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN...HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW...HE IS THE ONE WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD....AMEN...

Spring "Break"

The kids went to Matt's moms house this week for Spring Break. We got a few projects down around the house, but I have to be honest, I was kinda lazy this week! I took a few naps...which I really don't do anymore...I usually sit there and think of all the things I should be doing and can never fall asleep! But with the kids gone, I seemed to sneak a few in!

On Wed. Matt had planned a big date for us and as we were about to leave...we get one of those phone calls you don't want to get...Jaden has fallen and broke his wrist at the playground. Panic set in and we raced off to Stillwater. I was really trying not to cry or be upset, I knew it was just a broken wrist and I knew he was in excellent hands with Grandma and Grandpa Z. They are amazing and would go to the ends of the earth to make him feel comfortable so I knew there was nothing to worry about on that end. But just not being able to be there at the Dr with him, was really hard on Mom and Dad! I think it was the longest trip we have ever had to Stillwater! Atleast it felt like it to me. By the time we get there they have him back at the house...in a sling...boy little man! He was drugged pretty good by then...thank GOD!! Found out it would have to be reset and casted within 2 to 5 days. So we packed him up and headed home, got him Chinese, (he got to pick) and his pain medicine. He sleep with me...didn't do much sleeping actually. He tossed and turned all night and every time he moved it woke me up...thank goodness for those naps this week...see God is always taking care of me before I even understand why!! But I wouldn't have let him sleep anywhere else besides right next to me. We go to the Dr. on Thursday...they reset it...very painful!!! It took longer than they thought...it is a different break than they regularly see so it was tricky to set. The poor child was in so much pain, but didn't scream, just tears rolled down his face. The Dr. said he restored his faith in men because usually in that situation a man would have screamed. The Dr. apologized for not putting him out...probably should have been put out for that much pain. I thought...well if we ever have to do this again...you better put me out too! That was so hard to watch him do and I was about to pass out myself! I don't do well with doctors and pain and all of that! I could never be a nurse! When Lauren had her tonsils out...I almost passed out...seriously. So Matt has learned to watch me in these circumstances. It's Sat. now and he is doing so much better already, he has a camo cast and is letting everyone sign it. He is so independent and wants to do as much as he can on his own. Very brave boy! So proud of him! He is a lot like his daddy!

Our oldest is 12 and this is the first broken bone we have experienced. Which is crazy if you know our kids, they are outside all the time running around, not afraid to do much. So we are blessed this is the first time actually.

But it did get me thinking, how thankful I am it was "just" a broken wrist, it could have been so much more. I think about these moms who get a phone call..your child has been in a wreak or has cancer or many other things. I thank God for his protection and his love for us. I thank Him for his comfort and peace in knowing no matter what the day brings, he always brings the day. He is always there...in the sunshine and the rain. Let us give Him praise always. I am so thankful for Matt's mom and step dad. Joyce and Paul, thank you for taking such great care of my kids and for taking care of Jaden when he fell. It could have happened anywhere....anytime...but I knew he was great hands with you by his side.

Treasured times

This weekend Hannah and Sarah Troutt came down...2 amazing girls! When Hannah was in 7th Grade her mom, Susie, convinced me to take on this small group. Little did I know...it would be one of the biggest blessings in my life. This small group was filled with amazing girls...2 of which were Hannah and Lydia. These girls challenged me in my walk with the Lord by their knowledge and passion for Him. It brings me so much joy to watch them as they have grown into these amazing, Godly women, who will serve Him in every day. Having 2 girls of my own...these families have set incredible examples of how to raise Godly girls...sisters who love each other and who are best friends. I am so thankful for the Currans....the Troutts and the Hills as I have watched how their girls have been friends and have relied on each other and supported each other. I pray my girls continue to develop a strong bond with each other.

It was fun having everyone over last night...going down memory lane...listening to them talk about the Mexico trip that almost didn't happen. Listening to Matt and Derek recall how they felt when the van flipped. Wow!!

And Brett...you my friend are an amazing young man. We always laugh when you're around...you truly have a joyful spirit and make people smile! And Kelsey...you are truly beautiful inside and out...thanks for teaching me more about my MAC!! I am so thankful you and your mom came by...I love you girl!

It's times like Sunday night...I remember how much I miss you girls...how blessed I am to have you in my life...how you helped shape me probably more than I ever did you. How I have always had incredible girls in my small group...and how soon it is coming to an end...unless God shows me otherwise. Thank you Jesus for your love for me, thank you for the girls that you have allowed me to love so dearly...I hold each of them so close in my heart...

Me and my cute little MAC!

Well I finally got it! YEah! I subbed just enough days, plus did a wedding to buy this MAC! I had posted last month that I was saving for it and finally here it is! I have to tell you it felt really great to buy it with the money I had earned. And the cool thing is...my nieces fiance sold me his Ipod touch for $100 to go along with my Mac. Now I just have to figure out how to use all of these gadgets!

I am hoping to start posting more now that I have a computer that can handle my blog. Our old computer couldn't pull it up! I am going to have to watch myself...this thing could steal me away from the things I need to get done! It is addictive!

Well Here is a picture of my MAC...:)