Thanksgiving Holiday

We visited the Steeles in Illinois for the long weekend.  The St Louis Steeles and Hannah were also there.  It was wonderful as we were able to have great food, conversation, and relaxation.  (Well, minus the four preschool cousins playing WWF in the living room non stop.)  We went to Grandma Betty's house for Thanksgiving dinner and gained 14 pounds each.  It was totally worth it though.  Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn, Aunt Marilyn's homemade rolls...Mmm.

On Friday the guys set out to work on finishing harvest (this is the latest they have ever been in the field according to Rick.  It is very very wet.)  Things started out well but about the time lunches were delivered to the field the combine broke and all of the guys worked on fixing it the rest of the day.

On Saturday the situation was better as the combine was fixed and the weather was 60 and sunny.  They spent the whole day out working and Naomi and I went out for quite a while and rode along.  This was the first year that Isaiah has been able to hang with the guys all day and I hardly saw him.  He rode along in the tractor with Dad, combine with Grandpa, and also helped grandpa take grain to the elevator in the semi.  He came home both days tired and muddy.  I loved it.  He is getting so big.  Micah said he talked their ears off the whole time asking a million questions.

Baby Walker- the newest addition to the family- is such a cutie.  Naomi and Isaiah loved getting to be around him.  Naomi was super excited to be able to help feed him one day while Steph and I went shopping.

10 Years Ago

10 years ago at Thanksgiving I met Micah's family for the first time.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Harvest!

The kids and I made a trip to the Steele's a couple of weeks ago.  We love to go during harvest every year to get our combine and tractor ride fix and just enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of this time of year on the farm.  We were blessed to be able to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, Miriam, Cora, Steph, Walker (our precious new nephew), Hannah, and Grandma Betty.  It was such a refreshing time.

Our Children Are Blessed

These are some of the kids from our small group.  Just look at those beautiful smiling faces.  I can't help but smile myself and think of how incredibly blessed they are.

How Quickly We Forget

I spent the entire last week studying John chapter 6. In case you are not familiar with it there is a part where the disciples are in a boat and caught in a storm. Go ahead, break out your bible and read it.

On to the next part of the story: we got our LOA in the mail yesterday...

I wanted that LOA and I-800 back in the mail as fast as possible. Overnight! Between organizing all of the papers, making copies, and going to FedEx I was a mess. My dear husband asked "can't it wait until tomorrow?". "NO! " I was way too stressed over this. I realized AGAIN after acting like an idiot that God knows the exact moment when Levi will be placed in my arms and that I can't control that. I asked for peace and felt amazing comfort. Silly old me realized that I was at peace and was amazed by that. Then this morning I heard a voice saying "when you let me in the boat we immediately arrived at the shore".

How quickly I forget.

Letter Of Acceptance

We got our LOA call today and we are going to travel in 10-12 weeks. Crazy! I feel like getting my suitcase out but I will wait a bit on that. I had gone to bed weary from the waiting and then had a beautiful dream about Levi that left me joyful. All day I wondered if this would be the day and it was! Yay.

Pine Knoll Shores Vacation Video

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Click on the link view/download the picture video from this summer at Pine Knoll Shores.

http://micahsteele.net/Videos/PKS2009.wmv

Baptism Video

Back in March, during our vacation to Savannah, GA with the Steele family, Rick and Gwen were baptized by Micah and Joel in the Atlantic. It was an event we don't want to forget, so we've compiled a video to help crystallize the memory.

Baptism is an important symbol of God's people "dying" to sin, and being resurrected with Christ through faith. The credit for the blessings we have as a family go to Christ alone -- he has been so faithful and graceful to us.

For a high-resolution version to watch or download, click the link below.

http://micahsteele.net/Baptism/MD-Baptism.wmv

Family Theme Song

This is Isaiah before AWANA last night. He has figured out how to use our I Pod and tries to take it over so that he can listen to music. He turns the volume all the way up and then when he tries to talk to us he is yelling but he does not know it. He just loves Toby Mac and so does Naomi and they have a favorite song that they usually request. Here it is for your listening pleasure. Just imagine us all dancing around the kitchen since that is usually what they want us to do when we play it. I think it has become a family theme song of sorts.

Going to Bible Study

This morning Naomi informed me that she was going to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which is the bible study that we go to weekly. I noticed that she had put on my name tag, was carrying my bag, and was prepared to drop off her baby at the children's class. I was so thrilled to see her imitating me doing something that is so dear to my heart which is going to study the word of God. The kids love the classes that they go to as well.

Which brings me to my point...It is essential that we educate our children about their spiritual needs and address ours as well. So, I just wondered what you have done today to accomplish that? Yes, I am talking to you, the one reading this blog. What have you done to pursue a relationship with our creator by learning about his son, the one who came to rescue us all? He is pursuing you. Will you take time today to consider what He might be asking you to do so that you can live out His purpose for your life? Discovering His will is an amazing journey, folks. Trust me.

Nap Time

Whenever Micah tries to take a nap on the weekends he really has to fight for it. This is what the kids did to him this past Sunday. When I discovered him he was actually sleeping, snoring in fact.

Costumes

This is what the kids wanted to wear to do school on Friday. This is the best pic I got of them in their seasonal garb because Isaiah did not want to dress up to hand out candy on Saturday. We did have fun seeing what the other kids had come up with for their costumes. He was impressed at how many kids were dressed as "Dark Vader".

Dinner Time Conversation

We are working on helping Isaiah not to pick his nose so much. It's a new obsession. This is how a conversation went at the dinner table last night:

Mom: "Isaiah, I have not seen you picking your nose today and I appreciate that."

Isaiah: "That's because no boogers have come in."

Dad: "No new arrivals, huh?"

Naomi: (big grin) "No new arrivals in my nose either!"

(Lots of laughter)