5 Years...

Joel and I just celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary. Joel surprised me by taking me to the restaurant where we had our first 'real' date - The Melting Pot. The actual Melting Pot where we had our first date closed a few years ago.. wow, we are old! However, it does not seem like it was that long ago! In 5 short years we both managed to graduate from college, begin working a real jobs, buy a house, begin an ever-expanding ministry, and create two babies! We cannot help but think of how incredibly blessed we are! I am able to stay at home (for the most part) but also work for our FCA ministry and help my husband while attempting to cultivate godliness in our children (pretty easy for the littlest one - he/she is very obedient!). And of course my husband gets to do what he loves, for an amazing purpose, and also earn a living while doing it! We are so incredibly thankful and we pray that during the wonderful times but also during the tough times we will continue to praise God for who he is!


Here is a pic of us the day we found out we were expecting #2, and a pic of Joel III waking up from a nap with 2 legs and 1 arm stuck in the slats. He is laughing about it because I was laughing hard enough to go get the camera. Also here is a video of Joel III laughing/crying when observing a toy doggy http://blip.tv/file/3363007

So much to report...

Hey all! It's been too long! Joel III is 13.5 months old and the new baby is 12.5 weeks along! We had a very busy February and one highlight was our trip to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, which I briefly blogged on earlier, (click here) Each year Joel is graciously invited back to the Wuerffel Trophy Banquet and festivities. Recently Joel, Ryan, and a Wuerffel Trophy committee member, John Watts, have been scheming to turn this visit into a ministry trip as well by adding area assemblies and Comeback Concerts. The evening Concerts went very well and we have huge plans to continue ministry in the FWB area with even more events next year. The pic above is of former Wuerffel Trophy winner, Rudy Niswanger, Joel, Ryan and a student from Crestview HS at an FCA breakfast in FWB. Here is a quote from a FWB HS Student who attended the concert.

"Thanks for coming and speaking, my little brother has been struggling a lot and I am praying for him and have been for the past 3 years. He rededicated (his life to Jesus) tonight"

After the assemblies and Concerts, we had an awesome time getting to know Rudy and his wife Patricia a little bit better. Patricia is pregnant with twins and is due in early April.

Here are some more pics from Florida - Joel and Rudy acting important by signing some items, Joel with his favorite dirt-bike-riding friend, Jon Wuerrfel, and of course, us.







Joel III has been challenging lately, we have had to up our discipline efforts, and we are hoping (for his own sake) that he learns to obey quickly! Here is a video of Joel going down the stairs, a new accomplishment (Joel going down the stairs). Here is another video of Joel III and Mommy having a pretend phone conversation (phone conversation). I know looking at this sweet face below its hard to imagine that he has been whining and throwing fits, but sadly it's true. Please pray for wisdom as we learn to parent him and teach him to honor and obey so that one day he can honor and obey God.