My run-in with the law

Had to share this story...

Yesterday could have been summed up by simply saying "It sure was Monday". My children have not been sleeping well, so they have been on the grouchy side. Monday is also my grocery day. So after breakfast, and getting everyone dressed we headed out the door. With Molly and the diaper bag in hand I stepped out the door and did not see Macy standing on the top step. Down she rolled the four steps to the black top below. I FELT HORRIBLE!!! After making sure she was ok, and telling her that she will get a sucker, she was fine. Grocery shopping went well... thanks to the suckers.

We get home, eat and get the kids into bed for a nap. I get the house picked up and the food all put away, get dressed and grab my keys and phone to head to the gym. I'm about to head to the door and I think "Do I need my wallet? Nah... I'm just going to the Gym", Hop in the car, drive about two miles and I hear the horrible sound of sirens!

At this point I am freaking out! I was checking Facebook on my phone while driving this whole time... I don't have my wallet, and my husband does not like things like this. I throw my phone down and wait for the madness to begin.

PO- Licence and Registration
Me- I was just heading to the gym and I didn't bring my wallet
PO- (takes paper out of pocket and gets my name) Do you at least have your registration?
Me- I think my husband put it in here (I begin to look, and luckily find it!)
PO- That is a lot of car seats
Me- Yeah, my twins are two and I have a 1 year old
PO- (takes registration and insurance) Ok, i'm just giving you a warning. Stay here, ill be right back.

PO goes back to his car, issues a warning and tells me to slow down

Lets recap...
Going 10 MPH over the speed limit, no licence, messing with my phone. And three car seats get me out of a major ticket? AWESOME!!!!! Thank you Jesus! And yes, I have slowed down!

The day didn't continue in such awesome, I made dinner and it was horrible. Then this morning I found Macy with a steak knife trying to open an orange, and Myla had a bad accident in her pants. This week is wearing me out and it is only Tuesday!

My bad...

Man, I am bad at this...

I'll try and give a quick update on everyone

Molly- Is walking!!! I don't think Life will ever be the same again.... three toddlers, I never imagined! Now her sisters really need to watch out, she is always trying to find them and see what they are up to.

Macy and Myla- Now can spell their first names, tell you their whole names, where they live, their birthdays, how old everyone is (the twins, molly, murphy, and daddy... with just a little help,) who thier twin is, and pray for their food. I am always amazed at how much they learn, and how quickly! If we could afford it, they would be Harvard bound ;)


Murphy- was recently caught with fleas! GROSS... so he got a good shave, a bath and a cool new sweat shirt. He looks so cute!

Andrew- Andrew just found a mens bball night to start going to. I think he is going to enjoy playing pick up again! Plus it is on Castle night, so I don't have to wait to Hulu it later in the week!

Me- Well, everyone knows how my big mouth never seems to stay shut. Just this Sunday we had a missionary couple through our church on deputation. She mentioned in our ladies Sunday School class that they will be taking their little one with them to Tanzania. I looked around for a child that I didn't recognize, didn't find one. Looked at her, she did not look like she was expecting. Maybe he/she was with Grandma. She later explained that she was expecting. That night we were enjoying dinner together when I said "I thought you had a living baby, you know an already out baby!" I'm such a dork!


Family- We had our family pics done a few weeks ago. I LOVE how they turned out!

In the last 6 weeks or so, I have been asked by 3... let me spell that out for you THREE  people ask me if I am expecting!!! Man! Is that a blow to the ol' ego?!? Two of the ladies I did not not know, and the other one I did know and she was kind about it. However... Not a cool question to ask anyone! IF YOU ARE READING THIS.... DO NOT EVER... EVER ASK SOMEONE IF THEY ARE EXPECTING!  You will crush their poor, gym attending hearts! So since then, I have not had pop, or much for sweets. Maybe this was God's way of just getting my diet on track?

That is all for now. I'll try to write sooner than 2 months!
Have a great Thanksgiving and remember... DO NOT ASK PEOPLE IF THEY ARE PREGNANT!

Looking forward to vacation

Over the past few days I have thought about what I am most looking forward to as our vacation draws closer.


1. We won't be taking our kids - I know what you are thinking "what an awful mom!" You know you would love a vacation with just your hubby too. And doesn't absence make the heart grow fonder?!?
2. I get my own suitcase! - I don't get a tiny bag with just the essentials. I get an ENTIRE suitcase, full of clothing options for each day... wonderful!
3. NO VEGGIE TALES SONGS!!!!
4. I get to wake up to sound of the ocean every morning!
5. My husband and I get uninterrupted conversations... it seems like it has been forever since I was able to just talk to my best friend without a toddler causing some kind of distraction.
6. We are driving- to some this might sound horrible, but I get to go into 4 or 5 states that i've never been to! GEOGRAPHY LESSON!
7. We get to see old friends. Our friends in Georgia, that we haven't seen since our wedding. Friends in Fl, that we haven't seen since Andrew's college graduation and our special friends in Southern IL that just had a precious addition to their family!
8. Water activities! I love being in water. I don't get to do it much, it is too hard to keep track of 3 little ones and we don't really have easy access to a pool. We are going jet skiing, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling... bring on the tans!
9. Being on a vacation with just my husband is like a 10 day date!
10. When I get home I will be greeted by three happy children who missed their Mama and Daddy!

The last time I was on the beach with my husband was on our honeymoon, 5.5 years ago. I am very much looking forward to just getting away and enjoying time with the love of my life!

Each one can reach one

About a month ago I had the privilege to lead a young lady in our youth group to the Lord! Since then she has grown by leaps and bounds. Always here for visitation, eager to be involved, inviting her friends to activities... everyone wants a teen like this in their youth group!

A few days ago I found out that she had the opportunity to lead her brother to the Lord! Praise the Lord!!! She knows that salvation is a gift to all and is willing and eager to share it! Her love for the Lord truly is convicting.

I look forward to what the Lord is going to do in her life... I know there are great things in store.

Every Youth Workers Dream...

This past Saturday I was honored to stand up for my good friend as she and the love of her life became husband and wife.

It was one of the most funnest days of my life! I will admit that I am not one for weddings. Secretly I don't like the attention on anyone else (You like it too) and am prone to criticize. However, I'm am getting much better and enjoy sitting through someones nuptials now.

Lauren was the most relaxed I have ever seen her, this truly was the happiest day of her life!

I am not much of a crier... however this wedding made me shed some wet ones! As Mike and Lauren stood before my father-in-law and looked into each other eye's pledging their love for one another my heart swelled up and couldn't help but pray for the teens that God has allowed me to be an influence over. I simply asked the Lord to allow our ministry to produce fruit like this. Teens / young adults who are pure and seek the Lord. Who wait for God's best, and not rush to find who they think is best. A couple who is nervous for their wedding night! I appreciate so much the testimony of my good friends. I will often use them as an illustration of waiting for God's best, and doing things God's way. 

We love you Mr. and Mrs. Keen and pray that your marriage is nothing less than God's best!

Our visit from Anga

While Andrew is away at camp Auntie Anga decided to come down for a visit!

We went for a train ride and got some frozen yogurt!

It was a fun little place! You pick your frozen yogurt flavor, and then add all the toppings you want. It was really fun!

After nap time we made some finger paint...

It started out so innocently...

Then, we just got crazy!

And then it turned into a paint Anga party

Macy even got a butterfly on her face!

Yeah, that lasted a day...

This week I was able to go up to Rockford to help host a wedding shower for one of my good friends! While I was there another friend asked me if I was still on my chocolate fast. I had a shamed face as I looked at her and said "yeah, that lasted a day..." I just haven't had time to get on here and tell everyone that it was a complete failure :-/

However I have lost 5lbs from giving up coffee, cutting out most of my pop and eating less sweets. Now... if I can just find the energy to work up a sweat!