Mark, Jennifer, Ethan, Emily

This blog is about our family, who have dealt with the loss of two sons with Muscular Dystrophy, the adoption of a son diagnosed with Agenesis of Corpus Callosum and the birth our a healthy little girl. It's a crazy life, but we are loving it.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Share A Laugh Sunday (Easter Edition)

Happy Easter! Christ the Lord has risen today!! And I am so thankful for what my Jesus has done for me!

While at church this morning, the first song we sang was "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" and while singing it, I was reminded of this video. And the more I thought of it while singing the song, I laughed and laughed, to myself, of course!

So I thought I would share the following video... enjoy!



Oh this poor guy! Thanks to the internet, his goof will live forever.

But in all seriousness, I am truly thankful for God's son, who came to this earth, lived as a man, died and rose again. He took on death for mankind. He took on our sins and made them His own. I will never be able to express how truly thankful I am for that, and I am His, and He is mine. Because of that, I will never walk alone.

If you don't know the one and only God, I beg you to seek Him. We are all in need of a Savior, and only Jesus can save us from our sins.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Valentines Day 2013

Here's our Valentines Day pictures. Better late than never.

Here was Emily's Valentine's Day Cards we made.

Here was my entry way table.



My lantern.


I made some goodies for the kid's classes.

Pretzels, Kisses & M&M's with sprinkles.

Chocolate dipped Marshmallows

I got the kids a few little things for Valentines.






Emily loves Nutella.





Some of Ethan's Favorites.
It was a really sweet day and I'm was very thankful to be able to share this holiday with them and give them a little extra loving.


Share A Laugh Sunday

Been there... done that, unfortunately!


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Share a Laugh Sunday

I think everyone could use a silly, cheap laugh! I know I could.  Enjoy this NASCAR prayer from a pastor in Tennessee who I think is more than enthused to be at this speedway. Enjoy!




Thursday, March 7, 2013

So far, 2013 has been a tough year.

First, we lost our Taidy, my grandmother's husband of 20 years. He was 94 years old and had led a wonderful, long life. But we still miss him terribly. We had a great Christmas with him, but shortly after he got sick and developed pneumonia. After that, he went down hill quickly. We will miss you, Taidy.



Next, we got a knock on our door around 11pm one night. Talk about scaring the fool out of me! It was the sheriff's office notifying my husband that his father had died. Mark hadn't seen his dad since he was a teenager, so this was a shock. Mark had no idea where his father was. He tried several times to locate him, but to no avail. He always assumed his dad was in hiding or already dead. Long story, but his father was found dead in his home in Arizona. The police sergeant told Mark that he had a hard time finding the next of kin. There was no clues in his home or wallet, so the only way they found Mark was through a family tree Mark created in Ancestry.com. Crazy! So Mark flew out to AZ a couple of weeks ago to try and wrap some things up and see if he can find any clues as to what his father has been up to for the last 25 years.

Then we lost a very sweet, sweet man who attended our church. He had once been in the Air Force, so they did full honors at his funeral. Once they started that, I lost it and I couldn't stop the tears.


Lastly, we have been having a lot of issues with Ethan's behavior. I don't know if he's already becoming a moody tween or what, but sheesh, I'm over this behavior already. Ethan has always been a handful. Since he was a toddler he's been so strong willed. I realize being strong willed can be a good thing, but I don't like the defiance that is currently rearing it's ugly head. I know that all kids try and rebel or will be defiant from time to time. But I don't know if his behavior is due to his genetic make up, his ACC, or his diagnosis of ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder or a combination of them. But, there is one thing I do know, Ethan has been given parents that are prayers and who love the Lord.  God gave Ethan to our family for some reason. He ordained it. God knew what He was doing when He brought Ethan into our lives. He will give us the strength and wisdom to get through this valley.

Isaiah 55:8-9

New International Version (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I will not be discouraged. I am standing on God's word and I will not give up praying for my kids and my family. I would appreciate your prayers as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing