A Bedtime Story for You, From Caden!

Caden wanted to share with everyone his new favorite story. The video is a little dark, but turn up the sound and he will read you a Bedtime Story!

Cat's Out of the Bag

Well I guess since Caden has told people... Yep, the rumors are true...there are two lines! We are expecting another little one sometime in September. Hopefully around the middle of the month. I will know more after the 1st ultrasound!

SUPER TUESDAY!

DISCLAIMER : Please don't get offended by this post, I am just trying to motivate people my age to do something! Get involved!~

As Super Tuesday fast approaches here in Oklahoma (TUESDAY, FEB. 5TH), I would like my fellow Oklahomans to be wise and informed about their candidate for President. Please take a moment to consider who you are going to vote for. Look up their campaign website and research their stances on the issues. Don't go in there blind, and please don't not vote. Care about our country and exercise your right to vote! Even if you disagree with my choice, pick another candidate! I will still love you, just ask my sister :)

Here is a little blurb about the man I pray will win.

I am supporting Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign. Mike was named one of America's top 5 Governors in 2005 by Time magazine, he governed Arkansas for just over 10 years and was a driving force behind the transformation of Arkansas' economy after the Clinton years.

I encourage you to visit his website http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ to learn more about his campaign. I encourage you to learn about Mike's stands on the issues, to read the latest news about his campaign and to get active on his campaign blog - a great place for people to learn about Mike Huckabee from his supporters!

GO VOTE!!!!

Kitchen Remodel - UPDATED WITH MORE PICS!

We are finally finishing the kitchen! We started painting when I was pregnant with Carter and it is about time we get this project done. I am tired of the nasty old school carpet that was in there, and I decided to light a fire under Cory's butt so we could get it done!

I was traveling to Enid for a couple of other reasons so I just researched what Lowe's had and talked to Cory and got the go ahead for the purchase! I brought it home and thought we would get started this past weekend. Well we just lucked out that my Dad was tired and wanted a little mini vacation with the boys. I thought he could watch them and Cory and I could get down to work. Yeah right, Caden said, "No Mom, girls don't work! Me, Daddy, and Pops are going to tear up the floor!" Fine by me!

So Dad got here Friday evening and they began the work. Demolition took all day Saturday and we are so grateful that my Dad was here. There was no way we could have this much done this quickly if it weren't for his help! THANKS DADDY, YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

Caden used his front loader to load the concrete!

Caden helping Pops take out a tack strip

Caden is dressed and ready for demolition, he just has his safety goggles upside down!Caden worked side by side Pops almost every second! We wore him out and he slept good each night! We are almost done, we had a few setbacks this week, but we should get it done this weekend! Here are the pictures of all the workers.

Caden was trying to be a backhoe and pick up the pile...crazy kid!

He had to have his head lamp on so he could see better

Here he is imitating Cory chiseling out some baseboard under the cabinet...good thing his tools are plastic or we would be in trouble!

Carter of course had to get in on the action. He loves to play with his brother's tools.

Crazy things Caden says

I should probably start a list of what comes out of this kid's mouth, but then I would be writing all day long. He talks way too well and way too much for a kid his age! I know where he gets it from so you don't need to rub it in :)

Anyway, we have discussed with him about saying stupid or dumb. He knows he can't call people that. Well of course now we can't use those words to describe anything. He corrects anyone he hears saying that word. Us, others in public, the television, etc. He is like the verbal police chief!

So get a load of a recent conversation on the way to Cory's game Saturday night.

Me: (some person or thing) was stupid for doing that.

Caden: Mom you can't say stupid.

Me: Okay Caden, sorry, that (person or thing) was unintelligent for doing that.

Caden: It was unintelligent for you to say stupid.

Are you laughing now...I hope so, this kid is crazy!

Another Request

There is another sweet family that needs your prayers today. Kenzie Stanfield is in labor with Baby Maddox right now. Please pray that all goes well and they can meet their little one alive and have some time with him. Check out their blog for more updates! Thank you prayer warriors!

UPDATE: Baby Maddox was born yesterday at 4:25pm and only took a few breaths before he went to be with the Lord. Please pray for Dusty, Kenzie, Deacon, and their entire family as they deal with things in the days to come! Also wonder over to their site and let them know you are praying for them. It really helps get them through!

Prayers and Praises

Here are a couple of updates I thought I should pass along...

Mary Grace was born on the 14th as scheduled. Praise the Lord she was born alive and her parents and sisters got to spend 7 hours with her before she went home to be with Jesus. Please continue to pray for the Summon's family as they deal with the details in the days to come. Check out their blog for pictures of the sweet angel from heaven they got to hold. Let them know you are praying for them!

Nathan blogs daily on the updates of Tricia and Gwyneth Rose. Tricia is coming off sedatives and waking up some. Gwyneth is getting stronger each day. He has posted some wonderful pictures of her! Praise God for that miracle baby! Please go to his blog and let him know you are praying for his girls!

Tristan Hostetter is alive and well today on Day 43! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. He is such a blessing to his family and those around him. Check on them at their blog and their updates of little Tristan each day!

I know some of you might think this is a waste of my time, but I feel led to pray for these families daily and to check on them! I know that God hears our prayers and when one or more are gathered He is there. I am telling you that there are several of us gathering daily for these and many others...won't you join us! God can do amazing and mighty things without us, but He chooses to include us and use us, come and get in on the blessing! It is wonderful!

Red River

Okay, here are the pics from the weekend...

We had lots of fun! The kids went sledding every day! The driveway is a perfect sledding hill, so we didn't even have to go to far! Saturday evening we rented snowmobiles and the adults minus Grammie went snowmobiling. It was great, a little too cold and fast at times for me, but great! The snow was beautiful and cold but we enjoyed it.

Kayla brought Guitar Hero and Kaci and Cory had a blast playing it!

Caden going down the mountain...

Cory got in on the action too! There were dear hanging out all over the grounds by the cabin. They didn't even run off when we were sledding!

Mary Grace

The last post had some prayer requests. Mary Grace was #5...today she needs to be #1. At 6:45AM her time, Kim went in for a C-section. Mary Grace is breach and must be delivered this way. Please storm Heaven's gates for this baby and her family. Also go to their blog and leave them an encouraging word! Prayer works people...that is why God gave it to us! Let's use it today for Mary Grace!

One more before vacation...

Okay, I posted some pics of each kid to tide everyone over until we return from our mini vacation. We are going up to the cabin with the entire Reid clan for one last trip before Cory's sister and her family leave. Please be in pray for the following things...

1. Safe travel up there, lots and lots of snow lately.
2. A great trip for all, no bickering, arguing, etc.
3. The kids to really enjoy each other one last time.
4. Kaci, Ryan, and the kids as they prepare to leave for Albania.
5. Also one of the moms on my prayer list, Kim Summons, will be having her baby soon, check on her and Mary Grace and say lots of prayers for them!

Thanks for the prayers! See you all when we return~!

My Two Workmen

Saturday the garbage disposal broke and my two worker bees got down to business. I am not sure actually how much work Caden did because he was too busy singing and playing, but the job finally got done! Cory is so handy around here, I love it!

These pictures are for Grandma Great...Cory used to help his Grandpa do all kinds of stuff like this, so we are teaching another generation!


Okay here is the singing part I told you about...it might be hard to see, sorry! But Cory had to take the shelf out under the sink to do his work. Caden thought it made the perfect stage. He also used an old piece off something as a top hat and was dancing and singing to his new favorite tune! He is obsessed with Bob the Builder, thanks Gigi! So here he is singing and performing to his new tune!

Carter loves to eat!

I am so amazed about what Carter will eat and how much he will eat! After Caden being so picky and not wanting to eat ever, this is all new to me! I busted open the canned spaghetti the other night and Carter went to town, he gobbled it up so fast! It was too cute, so I had to share!

More Prayers Needed

Someone commented on my Prayer Post about another family that is in urgent need of prayer. I began reading up on them and have now added them to my prayer list on the side. But I was made aware this morning that it is a HUGE and URGENT NEED today. The mother's name is Tricia and she has cystic fibrosis. She is pregnant and having some complications with her breathing. So far the baby is okay, but she is only 24 or 25 weeks so when they deliver they are not sure if the baby will make it. Please go to their site http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ and read a little about them. Pray for Nathan, Tricia, and baby Gwyneth! I am sure they appreciate it!

Prayer and What God is telling me

I have been hearing from God a lot about prayer lately. We have touched on it at church in various ways, I am daily reminded by a chart on my mirror to pray for my boys, and Cory even gave me the gift of prayer for Christmas. I think God is trying to tell me something, what do you think!

Anyway, so the last few months I have been blog hopping, because I spend way to much time on the computer, and found several people in need of pray. I can't even remember how I stumbled on to the first one for Copeland Farley but I did and I am so glad! Boothe, Copeland's mother, was getting ready to give birth to her any day. You may think no big deal, but it was a huge deal. Copeland had been diagnosed with Trisomy-18. I hadn't heard of this before so I read and read about it. I read about Boothe's journey of faith through all of the doctor's visits. I read about Copeland's birth and her brief life of 8 days. I read about the funeral and how God was speaking to them. I read, cried, smiled, and felt a touch from God as I read about how this woman was testifying about our Lord's strength, comfort, and guidance.

Her blog me to several other Christian families that are also coping with this disease. Some of these families are further along the journey than Boothe, but some are just now grieving the loss of their child. There is one family that had a son early in December who is still alive. There are a couple of families due to give birth soon. You are probably wondering why I waste my time reading these, but I don't think I am wasting time. I am learning more about our God. These ladies are all so thankful to God for the opportunity to have had these children, and grateful for the impact that these babies have had on their lives, and the lives of so many others. These women and their children have taught me more about my faith in the last few months than I have learned in a long time. These women are so open and honest about what they are feeling and thinking. They have grieved and shared the joy and hope they have all at the same time. They know that their children are in heaven with God and are healed. What an awesome and yet difficult thing.

There are a couple of other families on my prayer list that do not have children with T-18, but with other things like cancer. They also need prayer. I am not trying to sadden you today, but wanting you to join me in prayer for all of these precious families. I think God has enriched my life even in the past few weeks because I am becoming more obedient in prayer for these families and for others. Please take a moment if not to read about them, to lift up their name in prayer.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3 (NLT)

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. Romans 1:8 (NLT)

Questions about God

While putting Caden to bed tonight we read in his new God’s Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible. We started at the beginning and read about creation and the devotion was on taking care of God’s creation. We will be making pine cone bird feeders tomorrow!

Then we said prayers which sometimes he doesn’t want to do, so I just said them. I didn’t pray anything extraordinary just thanking God for the day we had and prayed for Caden to feel better and for good rest tonight. Then I asked Caden if he wanted to pray and here is how the rest of the conversation went:

Caden: no Mom, but did you hear God.
Me: What do you mean, just now?
Caden: When you prayed did you hear him?
Me: Well yes, I guess (lame answer I know, but he caught me off guard)
When you pray you are talking to God and He can talk to you too.
Caden: But did you hear him, because I didn’t.
Me: Well you don’t hear him with your ears, you hear him with your heart.

So then Caden pulls the collar of his shirt down and leans over to listen to his heart. He looks up at me and said: I don’t hear him yet mom. So I tell him he has to be still and listen and then he can hear God. I then kissed him goodnight and that was that.

He is only 3 1/2 and already asking these questions. It warms my heart to know he is so curious about our God, but also scares me to know that I need the answers to the questions he asks so that I can help him!

Dear Jesus, please put the right words in my mouth and help me guide this precious boy to you! Allow me to not confuse him by saying too much or too little. Also if I don’t have the answers allow him to feel comfortable asking his Dad, grandparents, or others in his life. Keep me close to you and in your word so that I am prepared for more questions like these! Thank you for his curiosity!