God Stories

Peighton was getting ready for bed last night and i went to go get her some water. When I came back into her room, she was sitting on her bed paging through her devotional book, she got from school. I asked her what she was reading "God Stories about Peighton being healthy when she grows up." She just recently got over pneumonia with many nights of praying for her to get healthy. She was also talking to God asking that her friend Elizabeth be has healthy, too. Elizabeth also had pneumonia.
Every night as I am tucking her into bed and saying prayers, she always ends our night time rituals with "Jesus is in my heart, right Mom." How precious! It gives personal meaning to how we should have childlike faith! Lord, help me to have that childlike faith, like Peighton!
"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom belongs to such as these." -Mark 10:14

I am 16 going on 17

Young love through your teenagers eyes brings me back to when Brad and I first met. It is so sweet watching Preston be so respectful and fun loving with Kasidy. It is safe to say that he is whipped. Within 2 weeks he was looking at cowboy boots and bootcut jeans! She seems to bring out a lot of really good qualities in him, that I knew he possessed, but just needed to be found. Kasidy is such a sweet farm girl that shares a lot of the same interests as Preston. She can be rough and tumble and gentle all at the same time.
Preston just glows when he is around her. It is so fun seeing this young love! Preston gave up 3 days of hunting to spend a few hours with Kas instead...he is getting a lot of grief for that one from his buddies, but do you think he cares?
He is so into wanting to work, so he can save money for Christmas and her birthday. Too cute! Just a reminder that young love doesn't have to ever get old! Brad and I still share that puppy love!

Sometimes all you need is a little heart "tweaking"

Brad went to Dr. Darrell Carter in Granite on Wednesday and had lab work, EKG, and Echocardiogram done because he has been really tired, has low blood pressure and he feels a twitch in his stomach. All of his labs came back really good. He was fearful that he was developing diabetes, but all his labs work came back with excellent results...no diabetes! His EKG and Echo came back looking very good, too. Dr. Darrell made an appointment for Brad to see a Cardiologist in Willmar, which we sent to yesterday. After evaluation, it just seems like Brad's pacemaker just needs an little "tweaking". So today, Brad is in St. Cloud where they are going to adjust his pacemaker while using an echo for a really precise adjustment to make his pacemaker work at an optimum level. We were so thankful to hear that his ejection fraction rate has increased from 30% to 35-40%( a normal persons EF is around 70+%... it is the percentage of blood being pumped out of the heart)! That is a huge blessing, because that tells us his heart is improving!

Our Very Own "OchoCinco"

Paxton is playing tackle football for the first time. He has played flag football and soccer for years, but this is a new playing field (literally). Not only is tackle new for him, but so is everything else...school, friends, state, house, etc. He was reluctant going to practice and getting involved, because of all the news, but with some supportive encouragement and pushing to try, he has been doing well. He has made new friends, knows his way around school, and is feeling more and more comfortable with all the changes as each day goes by.
He had his first game yesterday against Montevideo. He plays running back on offense and defensive end on defense. He sacked the quarterback yesterday, which helped build his confidence. He also had a run in with a cleat, but for the most part he is conquering each play and not letting football and others conquer him!
We thought it was pretty funny that he ended up with #85 on his jersey, because one of his favorite football players is OchoCinco (aka Chad Johnson) for the Bengals. Now we have our very own OchoCinco in the family! Tonight he plays in Olivia. Can't wait to cheer on our OchoCinco for the YME Sting! Go Sting!

Peighton and Grandma Agnes

Grandma Agnes (94) and Peighton have a really good relationship. Peighton really enjoys going over to see Grandma and helping her when we go on errands or out to lunch with her. She will hand her her cane, take pictures of her with my phone, talk with the other residents at Prairie Meadows, and just sit in her room with Grandma and cuddle up to her! Grandma gets such a smile on her face whenever we come to visit! She radiates whenever she sees Peighton. I am so thankful for their relationship and the love they share. It reminds me of how close my Grandmother and I are to each other. I am so blessed and so is Peighton that Grandma Agnes has embraced her as she did me! I cherish every minute that we have with Grandma! She has been such a blessing to me in my life! She has taught me so much and I love that she is now teaching Peighton things and sharing part of her heart with her! Peighton loves her Great-Grandma with lots of hugs and kisses!

Heart Trouble...again!

Brad is currently at the doctors trying to get some answers as to why he feels like he is being choked and fatigued. I have been in denial that it will just go away. Inside I am trying not to be scared, but I can't deny that I am! I prayed yesterday for peace and comfort to calm my anxious heart and mind, which already has problems with that! I know that God is in control and I need to put my faith and trust in Him! I try not to let my mind wander and think of what it could be! He has an appointment tomorrow with a Cardiologist to check his pacemaker. I hope and pray that it is as simple as them changing the flow of his electrical pulses from his pacer. Until then, I will look to God to be in control and let His hands take over the wheel of doubt, concern, worry, etc!

Proverbs 3:5-6 I will put my trust and hope in You, Lord!

Minnesota Life

It has been such a long summer of transitioning and I am so happy to say that we are adjusting to Minnesota life and being in a routine again! Preston and Paxton started at YME last week. It was a hard first day with a lot of adjustments with a new school that is a complete maze! By the end of the week they were doing so much better...making friends, finding all their classes, and feeling like they belong!
Peighton started school today and so now we are all getting into a weekly routine! Brad has been working with his dad on a construction project for the last week, which is nice having him around every night. But now the fall home shows and festivals will be starting so he will be traveling more again.
I had a meeting at Granite Falls Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve and the president of the council regarding starting a Christian Preschool. They seem very interested and I meet with the board tomorrow night to share the vision! Granite doesn't have any Christian Preschool or any real preschooling except for ECFE classes and Childcare. This would be such an amazing opportunity to offer this community. I so want a new purpose and plan of God's in my life full of His guidance and direction.

Peighton's 1st Day of Preschool at Little Lambs

Peighton had a great first day of preschool at Little Lambs Preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Montevideo. She is in the M-W-F 4-5 year old class, even through she is only 3. I am so proud of her because she fully potty trained in less than a week. I had been really holding off because of all of our transitions with moving and vacationing.

She got right up this morning and was excited to go to school. After breakfast and picking out her clothes, and dressing herself, she headed right out the door with her backpack all excited to go! She went right to her cubby and put her backpack away and entered the class. She went right over to Miss Missy and started doing puzzles. There was no tears, not even from mommy! I am just so blessed to have found a Christian Preschool so local! It is going to be a blessing having her there!

I picked her up and she was still in her same clothes! She went potty all by herself at school! I was so proud of her. She said she had a really great day at school. We came home and had some lunch before she completely passed out on the couch after a fun filled morning!

My Pooped Preschooler

Picasso Peighton

We went to IKEA when we dropped daddy off at the airport. We found a really nice and inexpensive easel for Peighton to draw, paint, chalk, and dry erase on. She is quite the artist and enjoys expressing herself through all kinds of art medium. I am eager to enjoy her creations!

Our Princess is 3!

We celebrated Peighton's 3rd Birthday at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We had a small little party with family. She was blessed with some fun toys...Caillou Movies, Art Supplies, Princess CD player with microphone, Barbie Quad, etc. She had such a fun day and it was extra special celebrating with family.

Picking and Shucking Sweet Corn

Grandpa, Grandma, Preston, Paxton, Peighton, and I went out to Christopherson Farm to pick sweet corn to process and freeze. The kids had a blast riding inthe "Gator" through the cornfield and then walking through the corn rows picking the corn. After we got back from picking the corn, Peighty, Grandma, and I shucked all the ears, washed them, blanched them, freezing some on the cob, as kernel corn, and cream corn! It was a lot of fun and we have enough fresh corn to enjoy all winter long!

The End of Summer

Well, it has been a while since I blogged! So much has happened since my last entry! We moved to Minnesota, which took a while to find somewhere to lease. We didn't want to just jump into buying a home. There really isn't a lot to lease around here...plenty to purchase in town, but nothing rural that is what we want. We wanted to live in Granite Falls, but there is nothing there to rent or purchase! We had to lease a home in Monte, 12 miles from where we want to be. The boys will be going to school at Yellow Medicine East in Granite. I will be driving them to school everyday until Preston gets his license. Unfortunately, Minnesota will not accept his training from Colorado, so he will have to go through drivers ed all again.
After 3 months of searching for some where to live, we found a 4 bedroom rambler that is outside of the city limits. It is the biggest that we could find. We are very thankful to have found somewhere to call home for the next year, while we search for our farm.
Brad and Doug flew out to Denver to get our things. Out of all the people that we knew in Colorado, only one family showed up to help load...the Eden Family. I guess it doesn't surprise me with the type of people that are in Colorado. No one from our old life group came, our church, etc. I don't know why I thought they would anyway...too caught up in themselves and their opinions and judgements! So glad to be done with them! Life is too short to spend time investing in people like that!
We are very thankful for our new neighbors! They are so kind and giving and non-judgemental! The kids really like them and are having a blast getting to know their kids. They have a lot in common with them...outdoors, quads, dirt biking, hunting, etc. I am so thankful that they have already made friends.
It is nice to be close to family again. We see Grandpa and Grandma a few times a week and my grandmother every week. It will be great to celebrate holidays with family and be surrounded by them during our kids games and school activities and just be there for the simple things!
Peighton is enrolled at a Christian Preschool 3 days a week and I will be taking some classes and praying about starting a Christian Preschool in Granite Falls. Brad's business is going well in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Things are really starting to come together for us!
As the season starts to change with school starting and fall coming soon, a new season of our lives starts!

Summer Fun

The whole month of June consisted of 4 graduations and a family reunion plus 3 parades, a street dance, and rodeo in between. We have had a blast the whole month of June in Minnesota, with the acception of Brad's absence working in Indiana. The small town, rural feel is so where I am at in my life. I am tired of chasing life, I want to live in each day and each moment enjoying every step of each day! Isn't that what life is supposed to be about? Simplifying and enjoying the roses and all that God has created and blessed each day with?
We have had so much fun being around family and friends! Laughing and enjoying together. We have missed that so much these past 15 years being away from Minnesota. I almost feel sad that the kids have been deprived of this for so long. But I also know that we were right where God wanted us to be.
Brad has so many fun relatives that I enjoy being with, talking to, and laughing with. They are all so much fun and have great sense of humor! They love us and accept us for who we are. They embrace our kids like they know them so well and they embrace them back, which is what family is about!
I find myself anticipating the next time we will be together again. As we are seeking God's will to move to Minesota, I can't help but try to influence God's decision by putting myself and what I want in the picture. I need to fully surrender and take myself completely out of it and let God just do what He does best...reign in me!
This summer has been so full of family fun, memories, pool time, laughs, and tears! I feel so connected with our family like never before! I am so thankful for this crazy limbo and transition that our family is in, because in the midst of the trial and uncertainty, we are full of love and acceptance, no matter what. Thank you, God for summer fun with family and friends, for allowing me to see the simple, but important things that life brings about daily, and for being full of joy even though life is full of uncertainty! Thank you that you have called me your child and that I know that I am so loved and blessed by your hands! I know you have a plan for my family and I and I eagerly anticipate living it out for your glory and honor! Thank you for your unconditional love, grace, and mercy! Amen!

Being Still and Knowing He is God

We spent a whole month in Minnesota and we are now in Indiana at Dad and Shirley's. Brad has been working a lot of county fairs with the flagpole business, but these little fairs haven't paid off for all the effort he has been putting in. The last fair he and one of his salesmans fairs paid off on the last few days. Things are looking better as far as the business goes. He has some really good county fairs coming up before the state fairs start in a few weeks.
We have been praying and searching for places to live in Indiana and all doors to anything we find have closed in one way or another. We really are not feeling peace about living in Indiana. We are all uneasy about it, even though this is where Brad's territory for the flagpole business is. We are prayerfully seeking God's direction and plan for our lives. We really are beginning to feel like Minnesota may be where He wants us. Which we never imagined returning home ever. After 15 years, Minnesota sounds really good to our whole family. We want small town rural living for our children to grow up with. We have so little time parenting our children and we want to make the most of the time we have left with them under our roof!
We currently have people searching for farms for us in Minnesota in the Granite Falls area. 95% of our familes live in Minnesota and it would be so nice to be a part of their lives. We have spent so many holidays alone and the older we get the more we realize the importance of family and being close to them.
We are being still, knowing that God is in control of our lives and His plan and purpose is what we want our lives to be. I have been reading James and am now reading Job. If I could be a tiny portion of the God followers/faith believers that they were, I would be rich beyond measure!
Until we hear God's whisper, we wait at His feet and on our knees!
Prayerfully seeking His face!

Paving the Way

It has been a long week! Brad and his dad have been working every day on the basement, trying to get it all finished for Paul before we move. That leaves the packing to me...not my expertise! In between packing here and there, I am taking care of the meals, packing, laundry,packing, cleaning, packing, still working on stuff for NCA and their licensing requirements, packing, etc. There are not enough hours in the day. Brad wanted to leave on Saturday...it is now Sunday and we will be lucky to leave on Tuesday!
I can't wait to be all done packing, loading, and on the road. I want to just leave all of Colorado behind. We have really found that a lot of the people here are so caddy, clicky, judgemental, and very opinionated and love to share their opinions quite openly no matter who it may hurt! No one seems to be subtle and where is the kindness? The church experience here has been quite different from the churches in Arizona. We have not felt very connected here. Our hope and prayer is that God will provide the authentic relationships that we had in Arizona...fellow Chrisitans who will love you for who you are, not judge, be encouraging and supportive, and not intentionally hurt people's feelings.
In times of hardship and times of neediness you really find out who your true friends really are! We have had NO help from our church body, neighbors, or friends from PCCC with moving, packing, anything...a few calls from some of our journey group, and only one offer for help. It really saddens me, but I shouldn't be surprised, really. Our neighborhood has been such a disappointment. Most of these neighbors in our culdesac atttend PCCC and are even leadership, yet they show as little Christianity as I have ever seen...very caddy, clicky, nosey, judgemental, sharing no love of Christ with others, even their own church body that live right across the street. I have never experienced this type of neighborhood and definitely not this type of church body! It breaks my heart that this is representation of God and the church!
We have learned a lot since we have been here in Colorado, mainly how we don't want to be and how we don't want to live, especially when we are children of God, followers of Christ, representing the everlasting, loving Creator of the universe. It has been a reminder of how God wants us to be, how He wants us to treat others, and how He wants us to be used by Him for His glory and honor! I do thank God for these lessons, because it will help to build our character to be better servants of Him and for Him!
I am thankful for all that we have endured, because I know that God is refining each of us in our family to be what He wants us to be! Thank you for the trials of this last year and a half...in our weakness we are made strong in You!

God's Faithfulness

God has been so faithful to our family, especially lately. We have been prayerfully considering moving to Indiana for so many reasons. Since we surrendered that possibility to Him, He has really opened doors for us and has really directed our path to move forward. Yesterday I bought a for rent sign to post in our yard and within an hour we had a call, a tour today, and told it is a done deal an hour after the tour. We are so blessed to be able to get out of this lease and not be stuck in it!
We are really praying for a piece of property that would be a perfect fit for our family. It is a house an property on 20 acres of wooded land. It would be such a perfect place for us! We are hopeing and praying that this is God's perfect plan, but will be thankful for whatever He provides!
The next few weeks are going to be crazy busy as we pack, finish the school year, and finsih up loose ends before leaving Colorado.
We are going to keep looking to God for strength and direction! He is so faithful to us, even when we are undeserving!

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

We spent a family day at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. We enjoyed over a 5 mile hike over a 4-5 hour period. The rock formations and views were breath taking! If you don't have faith in God, that will make you come around! Peighton rode in the stoller and hiked and climbed up some rocks. She had a great time, but was a little bummed because of the lack of bugs we saw! She is a bug lover. The other day in the yard she collected 26 rolly polly bugs! Preston loved climbing the rocks. He is such an outdoor boy! Paxton just loves hanging with the family and making the most of it, like his mommy! Brad did incredibly well, considering his heart and the problem he endures with the elevation. We just took it nice and slow, so we all could enjoy each other and the beauty!
We are trying to enjoy some of the Colorado sites before leaving in two weeks! Colorado has so much beauty all around. We will miss the mountainous views!

The pink and purple bearded lady

So Peighton was coloring with her markers and when we least expected it, she colored a beard on her face with pink and purple marker. She then proceeded to the basement where Brad was working and pointed to her face saying "Peighton beard like daddy." It was so adorable. She did a really good job giving herself a full beard in the right spot.