cam scores a goal

Cameron had another soccer game today.  This league is so different than the other ones he has played in.  Today we were the only family there from his team watching the game.  There is very little excitement and yelling going on since most of the players drive themselves to the game, play and then go home.  It is different though with us there, because we bring 8 fans and WE are excited :)  It was fun to go to the game today and I am glad we all get to watch Cameron play and cheer him on as much and as loud as we can!

daddy says

It's not over yet.  Sickness has been living in our house since November-ugh!  Leah has had a cough for 2 weeks or more.  It got gradually worse until I finally took her to the doctor.  Asthma makes me nervous and it's no fun sitting up with a little girl in the middle of the night just watching her breathe, making sure she can get enough air.  The doctor diagnosed her with bronchitis and possible pneumonia.  Poor little thing. :(

The morning after she went to the doctor, when she got up and came downstairs, I asked her how she was feeling.  She looked as serious and grown up as can be and said, "Daddy says I'm feeling much better".  

I thought about that.  A lot.  Seems like she really trusts her daddy.  Seems like she trusts what he says about her more than she trusts her own assessment of the situation.  

A lesson for me?  I feel like God was teaching me something through my little girl.  Why listen to myself or my own feelings?  Why judge my situation on my own?  Instead, why don't I trust my Father?  What does He say?   

I think I know.
So, if you ask me, I will say to you what He says to me.

• I am not feeling anxious about anything, because I have presented my requests with prayer and thanksgiving to God
• I am feeling like a conqueror through Jesus
• I am feeling total peace because He is my peace
• I am feeling loved with an everlasting love
• I am feeling confident that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it in me

Get the picture?  So, instead of assessing my situation based on my feelings, I will trust God's assessment and "feel much better".  :)

little cheerleader

sweet and sour

God has been helping me in my journey to be content.  Our pastor said something in his sermon a couple of weeks ago that has given room for lots of self-examination in my life.  He said that good memories from the past can sour the present.  I was convicted that I was allowing that to happen in my life.  I have so many sweet memories of family and friends in NH and I have allowed those memories to make me sad, homesick and basically discontent.  I am working on that! 

Today we would have celebrated Devan's 13th  birthday.  In my time with the Lord this morning, I realized that the opposite of the statement I have been reflecting on can be true as well.  Sour memories of the past can sweeten the present.  Although God chose to take one of our children, he has blessed us with many more!  Matt and I both value life so much more as a result of losing one.  Even our babies' cries are appreciated in the light of our "sour" past.  Today, I will remember our boy who is in heaven, look forward to the day that we will see him again and be so very grateful for Brianna, Cameron, Alissa, Caleb, Andrew, Leah and Micah.  What joy they have brought us!  God is truly a good God who "daily loadeth us with benefits".  (Psalm 68:19)

prayer requests

I will be trying to update my prayer request link every Wednesday for those who want to pray specifically for our personal family requests :)

this and that

Cameron is playing indoor soccer right now and we have been going to his games.

Here is Leah cheering her heart out for the boy in the red socks.

 Not quite sure what's going on...just thankful to be with Mom :)

 Upward!

 Movie night on Alissa's birthday

happy birthday alissa!

Alissa turned twelve.  

She was looking forward to her birthday and had everything planned out.  Brianna made her homemade french toast sticks for breakfast.  Matt and I took her to Panera for lunch and I made her shepherd's pie for supper-making the mashed potatoes with cream cheese and garlic.  

Matt and I had a very special time with her at lunch.  She is a really sweet and fun loving girl.  She makes all of us laugh with her wittiness and spontaneous sense of humor.  What a joy to our family!

(I love this picture of her and Matt!)

 She is so good with Micah.  She can really make him laugh...it is so cute!

We are thankful beyond words for our sweet Alissa Ashley.  Happy 12th birthday Ali!