five on Friday

1. I am thankful for a great time of sharing at our fellowship for Bible study on Thursday. I am in a very neat group of women. I feel blessed to call them my friends. My mom came up from Indy to pick up Andrew from school so I could host the group at my house. Thanks, Mom!

2. I actually went to a movie on Wednesday night. I saw Slumdog Millionare. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie! Apparently, the slums of India were shown true to form in the movie. What an eye opener for me. I take so much for granted! Thank you, Jesus for my many many blessings here in the U.S.

3. My very cool hubby bought me an MP3 player this week. I'm not exactly sure how to use it yet, but it will be fun tohave. I would like to start walking in the mornings after the boys go to school and now I will some music to listen to as I walk!

4. Even though Jarod was sick on Easter and we missed services at church, it was nice to have a relaxing day at home.

5. I am so thankful for the sun and this warmer weather. I was able to walk around Jefferson Pointe today. It was wonderful!

Random pics...

It's not every day that Andrew likes to be this close to his brother. I just love when Andrew and Jarod can sit together on the couch in their jammies and watch Veggie Tales. What a blessing to catch this rare moment!
I was able to spend some time with my dear college friend, Mary on Good Friday. She has a daughter with special needs and has been a great prayer warrior in regards to Andrew. Mary and I, along with Valerie, had a wonderful senior year at Huntington. We spent at least once a week talking, praying together, encouraging, reading scripture, laughing until we cried and crying until we were exhausted. Those were special times!

Mary and I just talked and talked on Friday. It was so refreshing! Andrew felt right at home in their house. He even found an apple in their refrigerator. Andrew also bonded with Mary right away and allowed her to hold him and pick him up. Mary was veyr touched by that! We both had tears in our eyes!

I walked in Mary's house to find that the little girl I once knew was now a beautiful young "tween". Nikole was the first baby born to the three of us college gals. Now she is in the fourth grade and has a very sweet disposition. BryAnna is now almost six. She was born on my brother's birthday. I can remember the day Bry was born and how scared everyone was. After some surgeries and therapies and two parents who pushed hard to fight the school system, Bry is a spunky, TALKING, tom-boy of a darling. It was so cool to see her without fear and trying to interact with Andrew.

It was a special time for me! I hope we can get together again soon!

Good Friday 5

1. First and foremost, I am thankful for the sacrifice of Christ for my sins. I am nothing without Him! What an amazing God we have!

2. I was able to spend several hours with my college friend, Mary today. It has been way too long since we have seen each other. She only lives an hour a way, but our schedules just don't match up. We had a wonderful of talking and laughing. Drew warmed up to her right away and even let her tickle him. Mary has a child with special needs and it always makes me feel refreshed when I'm with her. She knows and understands the trials and the joys of little successes.

3. Jarod received a great report card this week. I am so thankful that he likes school and has a great teacher. Second graders do not receive letter grades yet, so next year will be interesting to see how he does. Eric and I are always telling Jarod to just to his best; that's all we ask.

4. I love my hairstylist! I've been seeing her long enough now that I can tell her to surprise me with a hair color and she knows just how far to push the envelope that I don't freak out. I was fortunate to get a cut and color this week. I needed a pick me up! I am so thankful for her!

5. I am thankful for God and his promises, faithfulness, sovreignty, love, majesty, trust, control, and His son, Jesus.

Friday's 5

1. I am thankful for a great spring break! We went to Indy the first part of the week and spent time with the grandparents. We even braved all the other spring breakers at the Children's Museum. I love having the kids home and being on our own schedule instead of a school schedule.

2. It's Sharie's birthday today! I'm thankful for such a loving sister-in-law who fits so naturally into our family. She and my brother, Mitch are great parents to two great kids, Kylie and Trent! I just wish they all lived closer!

3. I don't like it when my kiddos are sick. However, it is nice to have snuggle time! Andrew's had a bad cold this week. Grandma even got to snuggle with Drew while he dozed off for a nap. Yes, Andrew took a nap! I am very thankful for that!

4. I am thankful for IHOP, Stake n Shake, Pizza Hut and other resteraunts in Fort Wayne that worked with Austism Speaks on Thursday night. They gave 10% of sales that night to help the cause of autism. Stacey and Cathleen: Thank you for supporting our family by eating at IHOP! You guys are such good friends!

5. I got to talk with Pamela the other night! I am so thankful that they made it to Hawaii safely and are having a wonderful time with Phil's sister. I am looking forward to being able to talk with Pamela regularly and face to face. it's been way too long! Just a few more weeks and she will be here in Fort Wayne!

Friday's five

1. I am thankful that God was watching over my friends who had a house fire two weeks ago. I can't even imagine what that must be like. They lost pretty much everything, but lives were spared and they are trusting in Him through this whole process.

2. I am thankful for the free tickets to a concert on Wed. night. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! In fact, I laughed so hard that I cried. Who knew that John Tesh was so funny!?

3. Andrew's teachers have written some great comments in his notebook the last week or so. Here is just a taste:

3/11 Today was a good day! Our normal routine was disrupted by pictures and gym, but Andrew was OK! He was anxious to get back to the room to work on " his" puzzle! He can complete it by himself now, but does allow friends to help!!

3/17 Andrew had a very happy day. Lisa (OT) commented how "chatty" he was today!

3/18 Andrew greeted Jimmy "Hello Jimmy" with a big smile and no prompts. Played for 5 min. with doctor props with Jimmy and Isaac with prompting from Mrs. Dark. Pulled Jimmy on scooter board in gym with hula hoop from 1 side of gym to the other with verbal prompts!

I am just so thankful that God is working in my little guy. We continue to see him growing in so many ways!

4. The boys have had 2 half days of school this week. It has been great having them home!

5. How wonderful it has been to be outside! I am thankful for the warmer weather! Andrew and I went to the swings the other day and just enjoyed being outside together!

my 5

1. I am so thankful for this warmer weather! I pulled out my flip flops and welcomed spring with painted toe nails!

2. I'm thankful that my 8 year old still wants to sit on my lap occasionaly. I'm not sure how much longer my lap will be able to accomadate a growing boy, but I until then, I will just enjoy those moments. What a blessing to watch Jarod grow and to see him trusting in the Lord.

3. My husband as planned dinner for tonight and tomorrow! Tonight we will be making our own pizzas and tomorrow he will make yummy chicken moo shoo. I am so thankful that Eric likes to cook and is willing to share the cooking duties. I will gladly hand that over to him anytime he wants it!

4. I'm thankful for sparkly jewelry. I bought some bracelets the other day and it just brightens my day when I put them on. I don't think Andrew likes the jingle sound the make, but I'm hopeful he will get used to them!

5. Andrew rode his scooter today. It was so fun watching him do something that he couldn't do about 6 months ago. Of course, all the way to the playground, he would stop and pick up a leaf that was in his way and put it in the grass. I am thankful him and the life that God has given him. What a blessing (most days...) to witness it.

A Hero?

Someone told me yesterday that I was their hero. She said that she couldn't do what I do with Andrew 24/7. She even got a little teary eyed.

I've been thinking about that a lot. I don't feel like I am hero. I do what I do because I have to as a mom, but also because I want what is best my Drew.

Me? Come on....really? I don't feel as though I do anything special or outstanding. Sometimes I even feel like a big fat failure.

I met with Andrew's speech therapist yesterday too. The early childhood coordinator was also there. They both said that I am such a great mom and that I know Andrew better than anyone. They are impressed with how well Andrew has progressed in this year and they account that to me.

Wow. I am so humbled. I can sometimes get a big head when I am praised, but this time is different. I've been thinking about how people see me. It's not enough for them to see me as a good mom or teacher, but as a Christ follower. I hope that these people see something "different" in me and that it allows me to share my faith with them. I haven't been in the Word as much as I would like this last couple of weeks. We've had some rough days with Drew and maybe that's why I don't feel like I am a hero or this great mom. In fact, I'm feeling pretty low this week. (I think it's the gray clouds).

However, even in the low moments, I am so aware of God's presence. These people have given me encouragement! And I am reminded of Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

the will walk and not be faint.

Thanks for letting me share my heart. Praise God for his promises!