Okay, this is going to be harder than I thought!

Hey everyone,
I'm sorry for not posting on here so much. I have been working on doing some research for a couple posts on the broken home. I've looked a couple things up, but I must admit; it is really hard reading all those statistics knowing how they point directly to me and my family. Please pray that I will continue to follow the Lord's will on this subject, no matter how hard it may be.
~Thanks!

Family Photos

Yesterday we went to GreenLane Park to get some family photos done by a friend of ours. It's been many years since we've had pictures taken of our entire family! So, this was rather exciting for us! Hope you all enjoy...

Most of us kids ~ minus the littlest one and Ryan

Sarah Mae

Stephen

Me and Mama <3

The whole family

Nana <3

Mama, Sarah, and Me

Sarah, Nana, Mama, and Me

The three boys

Mama and the boys

Three Generations

Stephen

Sarah


Timmy and Tony ~ They're just too cute! (GREAT picture Shell!!)

Me

Mama

Me, Mama, and Sarah

~~As you can see, being a camera hog runs in the family!! HAHA! We LOVE getting photos taken!

Upcoming...

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm going to be starting a new series of posts. I haven't given up on my music series, but I have put it on hold for a while. God has really laid on my heart to share something with you guys that I've never told before. I guess partly out of embarassment, and I never saw any reason to share it.

My new series is going to be on the broken home. Yes, I come from a broken home. When I was very little (just a baby) my parents divorced, And a couple years later my mom re-married. Four months ago my Step-Father left us. He really hasn't been around for the last three years or so, But about four to five months ago he packed his stuff and left. At this same time my Pastor has been preaching a series on Wednesday nights called "The Christian Home." These are the hardest sermons for me to sit through.

Okay, so you're thinking "I'm not from a broken home." But I would still really encourage you to read my future posts on this topic. If you're from a broken home, or know someone whos parents are divorced, going through a divorce, or even just seperated, please read! It's amazing how families in the church treat you so differently when they know you're from a broken home.

As you read these posts, try and remember some things;
1. I'm going through it all right now. I never would have thought it would happen to my family, but it did.

2. You never know what families in your church are hurting. Take notice of those around you, and encourage by being there.

3. Please, don't ever look down on families going through seperation or divorce. You never know what the situation is unless you've lived in it. It's so very painful to go through this, but it's so much worse going through it when your church family isn't there to support you.

4. You can have a broken home, and still have "The Christian Home" that others have.

I never really wanted to say anything on my blog, but I was talking to a friend who went through the same thing. It's amazing how being from a broken home can change how others look at you. God really worked on my heart, and I truely believe that He will use these future posts as a help to many. Please, help me pray as I ask the Lord what all He would like me to write concerning this topic.

Timmy in the kitchen ~

Those who know me know that I am not much of a cook...alright, I can't cook at all! :P But one thing I can make is egg salad. I had Timmy help me this time, He's such a big helper! Hope you enjoy the video!

Such a cozy time!

I know it's not the best picture, but I wanted to post a picture of our fireplace! We use both our wood stove, and fireplace to heat our house durring winter. Which means Stephen and I are bringing in wood to keep the fire's going...stacking, chopping, and loading...it's all so much fun! Then there's the smell! Ahhh, I love the smell of the wood in the fire! It's so cozy!

I think this is the first time that I was actualy excited about this time of year since we've been in our new house. (We moved in about three years ago, but time flies so fast, it's still new to us!!) But this year, when we started up the wood stove, and I smelt the wood again, and Stephen and I teased eachother as we carried wood into the house. I couldn't help but be excited! We're making good memories! It seems like so long since we've had some good memories to look back on. I've always told Mama "It's this house! Everything's got worse since we've been in this house!" Looking back now I can see that yes, some things got worse. But God is so good, and He's still leading us through those tough times. All the while He's bringing our family so much closer! Everytime I look at my siblings I am so thankful! They're so much fun, and what joy they bring to our household! Friday nights we spend "family night" together. Mama makes a fun meal, and we all curl up by the fire! I can't tell you how many times we laugh till we cry durring our family times! God has really brought our family so close together, and He's been providing so much! God is so good!

Just some Pictures...

Here's some pictures, hope you enjoy them!


There's my Tiny Tim!!!



Tony



My Nana!!



Sarah Mae



Me and my big brother, Ryan!



Some of the girls in my church...(left to right)
Katie,Lisa, Kate, and Me!



My big brother in Iraq! He'll be home for a month; December 13th til January 13th!! YAY!! I CANT WAIT! :))



This was a while ago! One of the activities at teen night at church...me feeding Stevo peanut butter crackers! Ya know, that boy can eat a lot faster at home! :P



Me and Lisa


At the park with some friends! Kate (back left), Lisa (Middle) and Me!

Wow, it's been a while!

Hey everyone! It has been so long since I've posted anything new...oops! So, I just wanted to put up a quick post to update everyone!

It's been pretty crazy around here lately, but it's amazing how even in the midst of the storm...there's a calm. Sunday September 13th my 8 year old brother, Tony accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior! We've been talking to him for a while, but he never was ready. He really struggled with the idea of being a sinner...I remember one time I was reading to him the story of the first sin out of the Bible. When I was done I gave him a simple comprehension quiz, satisfied that he had retained and comprehended everything I asked him if he knew he was a sinner. I had to burst out laughing at his reply "But Nay, I never take food when I'm not supposed to!" Oh, the things kids say! Praise the Lord! In Sunday School Tony got saved! It was such a great reminder from God that He's still working, even in the storm!

School has started back up, so once again we have books spread out across every flat surface in the house! I'm so proud of Timmy, my 7 year old brother, who is way ahead for his age! Mama and I have talked about moving him up a grade; his work is just way too easy. I guess he surprises us everyday, because he has Muscular Dystrophy, he can't talk. But he is one smart kid!

Please keep Tony in your prayers, I know I haven't written much on here the details about everyone in my family, but Timmy and Tony have severe medical needs. Tony has a lung disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Though we were told he wouldn't live to the age of two, he is headed for his ninth birthday this November! Praise the Lord! He's a little guy, almost nine and he's never reached 40 pounds. We're having a hard time getting him to gain weight. He's also had a cough for a while (not good for someone with a lung disease.) Please pray he'll pack on the flab (Hee Hee!), and be rid of this cough so he can get through the winter healthy!

Stephen is my (now) 14 year old brother! I must say, I am really enjoying watching him in his teenage years! I love having him around me and my friends, and being with him throughout the day. It's like having a friend to hang out with all the time, picking on him is fun too! :P

Sarah is 11, and growing up so fast! (Well, they all are!) She's a big help, I was surprised a little while ago. I gave her a basket of clothes asking her to fold them, I went outside to hang some laundry on the line, and when I came in...All the clothes were folded! YAY! Right now she's keeping her little sister entertained...so I can type this post (Thanks Sarah!)

And for the littlest one! Only 4 years old, and the princess of the family! She's our only foster child. (At the moment!) With a court hearing coming up soon, please pray the Lord will lead to whatever will be best for her.

Oh yea, There's Ryan too, still in Iraq. I'm so happy his tour will be over in 60 days!! YAY! After that he gets 30 days leave! I can't wait till he's home! Please pray he'll turn back to the Lord, and make wise decisions.

Something a little different, this year Mama started school too! She has started a sign language course. We've always picked up a little here and there, but Mom wanted to learn it fluently so she can teach us kids, and so we can talk to Timmy! What a blessing that will be. Mom's taking the course with a lady from our church, and they both really enjoy it! I can't wait to be able to talk to Timmy, could you imagine 7 years and not being able to express yourself? He's probably got so much he wants to say!

Well, I didn't mean to make this post so long! But it's been a while and I'm enjoying updating! :)) The seasons are changing, and the Pennsylvania Mountains are turning colors! I absolutely love fall! I'll have some pictures soon, maybe not all of the season change, but I have some pictures of the little ones that I'd like to post. See you all later! :))