Lenny, Luke & Hawaii

When I realized I hadn't blogged since May 17 I actually thought about just dumping my blog but then I remembered how much I enjoy looking through them each year, as my blog is a great way to document the events in my life.  So here goes.  First, on June 29 we picked up 8 week old, Lenny.  Mike really wanted another puppy.  He actually wanted two puppies but I told him that was a hard No.  I said I would NEVER have 3 dogs again and yet here we are.  Our beloved Cole is just getting to be an old man so we decided we'd go ahead and get Lenny.  Lenny is the sweetest puppy but Cole and Walker are not amused by him.  It's been a lot of work but nothing I wasn't prepared for.  Mike and I pretty much decided to shut out summer down and devote the rest of the summer to training Lenny and getting Cole and Walker comfortable with him.  I am confident that by September things will look much better.  God willing Lenny will see Mike and I into our retirement and he will be our last puppy so I am loving on him big time.  

Vizsla's are truly the cutest puppies.  They want so much to please you and thankfully they are smart breeds.  

In other big news, Luke made a confession of faith to join his grandparents church two weeks ago.  Glenn and Sharon are wonderful people and they are bursting with pride to have their youngest grandson join their church.  Kim, Craig and Lauren go to Song and Sword with my family.  I love that Luke made this choice.  He has such a heart for Jesus.  

And finally, our trip to Hawaii.  The best part was seeing Mike bond with the girls and really get to know them, especially Hannah.  In this picture we had just finished an ATV ride with our 4 kids.  Hannah got the muddiest and Mike thought it was hysterical.  

One moring, Mike and the kids got up and drove to the Napali Coast where they hiked.  The views were beautiful! 

A picture of the 8 of us.  This picture is classic!  Everyone is cracking up and having a good time! What a blessing family is! 
 

Time with Faith

 How blessed am I that last weekend I got to spend with Jenny and this weekend I got to see Faith?  Faith and I did our traditional old fashioneds at Reality Bites then we went to Jay's house.  We hung out on Jay and Hannah's patio.  It was delightful.  Jay is holding Hannah's dog, Rocco.  My sweet niece, Lauren and Kim came also. 

52 and Mother's Day

Well I'm 52 today.  It is also Mother's Day.  It's been a whirlwind weekend.  Jenny flew in on Thursday and has been staying with us.  She flies back to TX today.  What a wonderful treat it has been to spend my birthday weekend with her.  On Friday night my girls took me out to my favorite restaurant, "Reality Bites."  

Last night I hosted a family birthday dinner for Nick, me and Kim.  Here I am with my dear boys!  Love them so much.  

 I had 17 people at my house last night.  I didn't get any pics with my mom or Kim last night.  They left early to get mom back home.  What a blessing it is to have my family and friends surround me on my birthday.  

Easter

We had such a nice Easter this year.  The sun finally came out after days of rain.  We met at church then we had brunch at Kim's.  My boys and Hannah were at church with us.  Rylan went to her church with her family.  I was able to catch up with Rylan later in the day so my heart was full seeing Jay, Hannah, Nick and Rylan.  The picture above is mom talking to Jay about all things happening at L.O.  

Kim and Hannah!  I just love Hannah!  She's been a part of our family now for just over a year and we all just adore her.  

I always invite Uncle Steve to our family get togethers.  He never says No.  I am thankful for relationships with extended family.  John and Judy are still in Florida but are slated to come home in early May.  

Nana and her grands minus Nick.  After church Nick went with Rylan to her familys gathering.  This morning as I got up I was reminded that God's mercies are new every morning (thank God for that) and the song, "Thank you Jesus for the blood" keeps going through my head.  The older I get the more I realize I am such a wretch.  I will keep running my race until the day I see Jesus face to face.  Thank you Lord for the gift of eternal life, thank you for making a way.  One day when I stand before God and he asks me why I should be let into heaven, it will have nothing to do with anything I did but all because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.  If you ask me that alone is a reason to celebrate and worship our Lord and Savior each and everyday.  
 

A visit with Faith

Sarah and I were blessed by Faith last night.  She came to town and we had dinner with her.  We poured into her, encouraged her and got caught up on all things.  

 

March For Life

In 2024 the Lord placed it on my heart to become involved with C.W.A.  I had never heard of C.W.A. until Dec. 7, 2023 when I listened to a podcast featuring the CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, Penny Nance.  I was so inspired by the values of CWA and the Lord so clearly had been doing a work in me for years which He knew would lead to where I am today.  On Jan. 9, 2024 I applied to be chapter leader and by May 2024 I had my first meeting in my backyard with just me, Mary (of course) and Kelly.  Nearly two years later my niece (pic above) is an active and involved member.  Next to Mary my sister has been my biggest cheerleader, agreeing to host meetings when it became apparent that it was going to be easier to hold meetings in town vs having them at my house.  On average I have about 5 women at each meeting.  Five may not seem like a lot but as I keep telling the Lord, I'll keep throwing the net out if He provides the fishes.  What is so beautiful about this group of women is their commit to CWA, it's values and our purpose.  It may not feel like we are making any head way some days but when twelve women from central to northern Illinois took off work, showed up, encouraged one another and marched for the most vunerable I am reminded that if we stay on course and rely and trust God, He is faithful.  

Here is my small but mighty group.  Mary, Lauren, me, Jen and Shannon.  Once I was approved to be a chapter leader I spent from January to May dragging my feet.  I had never been a leader before and to this day I still laugh over it but I have learned God doesn't call the equipped he equips the called.  As long as I have breath in my lungs I'll continue to go where He sends me.  Thankfully He always knows exactly what I need and sent me Mary!  I joke that I'm Moses and affectionately refer to Mary as my Aaron.  She often gives me a voice when I have nothing to say.  She gives me ideas when my brain has turned to mush but more than anything she's my encourager.  I'll get ready to ask her something and before I can even finish saying, "Hey Mary, how," she responds with Yes (often before she even knows what it is I'm asking her).  

Watching my niece being involved with CWA has been a true gift.  She is an old soul, quiet in nature but always taking in everything around her.  No doubt the Lord has big plans for her and I pray that every second she has spent involved with CWA will stay with her into adulthood and help mold her into the young woman God desires her to be.  

Here's the entire crew from Illinois.  Many of these ladies drove 3 plus hours one way to the march.  A handful of them went to D.C. this last September.  What a blessing it is to know them.  

 

Weekend with Lindsay

 It was a busy but very fun weekend.  First Mike left on Thursday to visit Mike Ausili in Texas.  I hosted bible study on Thursday night.  On Friday night I went out with Jay's friend parent group - the group of friends Mike and I have had well since Jay was little.  It was nice to get out on a Friday night and socialize.  On Saturday Lindsay came for a visit.  Kim, Lindsay and I went out to dinner and then they spent the night with me.  I always love seeing Lindsay but this year it was really good for Lindsay too.  Her mother is not doing well and it was good for her to break away for a bit and enjoy time with Kim and I as we laughed and just relaxed.  Mike got safely home last night and it was back to reality for both of us this morning.  Sadly we got the usual last minute snow storm last night.  However, the rest of the week looks a lot better.  To say I'm ready for warmer weather is an understatement!