Fall is here!

Fall is here and it is beautiful.  I have made it a tradition to wait until the tree in our backyard is the perfect shade of red and the fresh leaves have fallen.  Today was the perfect cool, Autumn day to take pics of our boys once again.  I thought it would be fun to look back at some old Fall photos.  

OH how our family has grown!

2007

2009

2010

  2011

2012

2013

Count your blessings name them one by one!!!

  I can think of 4 :)

Lead by the Holy Spirit.

I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember.  There has never been a question in my mind whether God created the universe or whether He has a plan for my life.  He did and He does and I've always known that.  I never fought the temptation of drinking, drugs, or smoking (well I tried smoking once only to say I did it).  I PRAY that my boys are the same way and it has been such a blessing, but.....  I have to say, my innocence leaves me without a very effective testimony in my opinion.  I have seen God work in my life through how I met my husband, how he got his current job, and most evidently, I can see God in the miracle of my kids.  But I have felt a little empty, needing to be filled by the Holy Spirit.  And I have never truly understood what that was like (besides feeling the tingle of His presence through worship music).

That is, until last night.

I decided to make a new recipe I found on Pinterest (oh how addicting that site is!).  It was a chicken pasta bake.  Nothing spectacular, but sounded good to me and relatively easy.  I started making it and was pouring the creamy pasta mixture into a 9x13 glass dish.  Oh boy, I had a ton left after filling that sucker and filled yet another casserole dish.  (I am famous, with my Hubby mainly, for making WAY too much food when trying pasta or rice recipes)  So, the thought of taking the extra food to a couple in my church crossed my mind. The husband has been fighting cancer and was undergoing hardcore Khemo treatments.  He could stomach chicken and pasta dishes, I was told by his wife weeks earlier.  But it was a new recipe and I was automatically feeling self-concious about my cooking.  I brushed the thoughts aside for a while, but was later bombarded with the feeling that I needed to share this food.  

Without further thought, I private messaged his wife on Facebook and asked her if she had Supper planned.  (I was thinking it was a fat chance sense it was already 5pm)  But, she said she had NOT planned Supper yet.  I took a leap of faith and said, "I will bring the food over in about 25 minutes".  No looking back now!  This may seem so small, but God was truly pushing me beyond my comfort zone (I had provided meals for people before, but only after lots of plans and preparations). But I knew this was exactly what I was suppose to be doing.

About 25 minutes later, the pasta and garlic bread was ready to take over.  I got in my van and headed over to their house.  My friend opened the door and he looked like the dear fellow I had known before his diagnoses (minus a few pounds, plus a full beard).  They were so thankful for my meal and he told me how good it smelt to him.  I told them to have low expectations and that my food needed salt (haha, I told u I was very self-concious and there is no hiding it).  He proceeded to show me the art work he had been working on (amazing) and we briefly caught up.  He had been scheduled to get a khemo treatment that day, but wasn't able to because of sickness.  He normally would still be at the hospital recovering, but instead he was home to receive my meal.  (no coincident if u ask me!)

As soon as I got in my car, I started praying that my food would hit the spot for him, strengthen him, and even heal him (I was praying BIG).  After that, I knew they would enjoy my food, all my anxiety aside.  God was in that food, and I knew it.  

Minutes after I got home, my cell phone rang.  It was him, and the first thing I heard was, "Not only is she beautiful, but she can cook too!"  I can't even begin to tell u how much of a blessing that was to hear.  Not just because he liked my food, but because I knew that God had heard me.  As small as that was, it felt big to me.  I was lead by the Holy Spirit to bless that precious family with the comfort of knowing that God is working in their lives during this hard time and He is there walking right beside them.  I would not have done it otherwise.  

Please keep the Jesfield's in your prayers.  They are faithful followers of Christ and need His strength every hour.  God can heal, God IS big enough.  The Pyle's love you, LeRoy and Wanda, and we are praying for a miracle!

My Four Boys.

What can I say about my 4 boys?  Well, they challenge me everyday and honestly make me reevaluate my purpose in life.  Why did God choose Tyler and I to raise these crazy, rambunctious boys who take me to the very edge of my sanity some days (or most)?  Not sure I will ever know why, but what I do know is, I love these boys and they make this Mama mighty proud.   Here is a bit about each one of my little men.

Jacob David, almost 7

What a ball of attitude!  He sure knows how to push Tyler and I's buttons.  He is persistent, does not let things go, and thinks he is the coolest, smartest, most talented kid alive (Humility would not be a strong suit for this boy as of yet).  He is a chatterbox, has to have the last word (I have no idea where he got that from...), and tells us "no" more often than not when asked to do something, but he has a very good heart.  Every morning before he walks out the door to go to school, he gives each of his brothers a kiss from oldest to youngest and kisses and hugs me before he walks out the door.  Then he proceeds to yell, "Adios!"  He insists on having us all stand at the door and wave as him and Tyler as they pull away.   Jake does not go a day without telling me he loves me.  He will make a girl swoon one day.  He will always have my heart...  My Jacob David.

Zakariah Tyler, 4 1/2

What a ball of energy!  He loves to play video games and computer games which keeps his attention for hours if I let it.  He snacks constantly and drinks like a camel.  He is often in his own little world and I have used the phrase, "Earth to Zak!" a few times in his life.  He has inconsolable fits some days, and he has brought me to tears more than once from frustration.  Usually after Supper, he gets tired which unleashes the bull in the china shop.  He becomes destructive, irresponsible, and darn right insane!   When he finally settles down and gets to sleep, he will sleep in until the late morning.  I can see it now, my teenage boy sleeping in until noon!  But he is also my sensitive sweetheart who tends to be my most generous kid.  He shares the best out of his brothers and enjoys drawing pictures for others.  He loves to watch his older brother play video games and misses Jake when he is at school.  He loves hugs and kisses, although he always wipes mine off... little booger.  Zak is a tough guy, but is mushy gushy on the inside.  The day I found out I was pregnant with Zak was one of the best (and long awaited) days of my life.  Can't wait to see what is in store for my Zakariah Tyler.

Thaddeus Wayne, 3

What a whiney butt!  He has been a "half empty" child from the very beginning.  He wakes up most mornings whining to be held and stays that way for most of the morning.  And you say, "just hold the kid then, it will help,"  but it doesn't!  I will struggle some mornings holding him (He is a nearly 30lb, 3 year old) while making breakfast and packing Jake's lunch thinking he will cheer up with a little lovin'.  Thaddeus wants my attention 24/7.  Poor kid.  He is a middle child and is good at it.  He is VERY stubborn and is a hard kid to break once he has made up his mind.  I once left a crying Thad to go to the store for a half hour and returned to a crying Thad who stood by the door until I got home.  His persistence will pay off one day I imagine, but for now it is challenging.  BUT when Thad is happy and smiling, it absolutely makes my day.  He has the sweetest grin in all the world and is my little helper.  He has a great sense of humor and is a total goof (Not to mention he is a handsome little fart).  He is my little Buddy and will do something very special one day I believe.  Love me some Thaddeus Wayne.

Malachi Gabe, 1 1/2

Mr. Mischievous!  Mal is great at playing the ornery little messer who can't be left alone for a second!  If it is quiet, Mal is up to something!  His specialty right now is toilet water splashing with the toilet brush and toothbrush dunking (you can imagine where).  He has the pouty/frown face down pat and knows how to use his cuteness.  He has also developed quite the attitude.  He is a busy boy, but he has been a ray of sunshine sense the moment he entered the world.  He is our happy boy who wakes up jabbering and giggling.  I always told Tyler, he may be our preacher one day.  He has the attitude and spirit for it.  He is one special, cuddly boy who makes us love parenting on those not so lovable days.  Mal may have been an "oops", but he sure completes our family.  Love my baby boy, Malachi Gabe.

Sometimes I feel like I am just trying to survive another day, but I am learning to cherish special moments with these young boys.  They are all healthy, smart, handsome, and lovable.  How did we get so lucky?  Why did God choose Tyler and I to raise these 4 boys?  Well, my guess is, He loves us so very much and He knew we were the best for the job.  God's plan is a mystery to this gal, but I trust it whole heartedly and look forward to seeing more of OUR story unfold.