A Prayer For Gracie Jean

Father God, you know this beautiful, perfect in so many ways, little girl that you created. You know the many people that love her and care about her. You hear the many voices, likely around the country right at this very minute. Some are at Duke University Hospital, where Gracie is resting in preparation for her surgery tomorrow morning, some are many states away, praying with their families for the miracle only you can provide. Lord, just as you have created her, you can heal her. The doctors are human, that is all. You have the power to remind them of exactly who You are through this. Gracie is a fighter. She has proven that over and over again. She still has lots of fight left in her, so if you give her half a chance, I'm sure she will come out of that surgery fighting.

Father, I also pray for her family. For her mom, who has longed to hold Gracie and kiss her without the constraints of a breathing machine and monitors. For her daddy, who just wants to look forward to all the things Daddy's Girls bring to a daddy's life. I pray for her big brother, who I'm sure has no idea the magnitude of what he is going through, but from experience, I know this is something that, no matter the outcome, will change his life forever. I pray for her Grandparents, who have been so faithful to Gracie, whether traveling many miles and hours, or simply helping out around the house so mommy and daddy could be with her. And her Aunt Michelle, who has worried and prayed endlessly for her since the day she was born, as well as many others in her extended family, too.

Lord, I know that your will is perfect, and that Gracie's life is not a mistake, nor is it without a purpose. I pray that you will be glorified through what is to come for Gracie Jean.

God is Good!

Amen!

Gracie's second heart surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, early... like 6 or 7. Please pray, as the doctors are saying she has a 10% chance of survival. We know God could care less about statistics! Here is the link to her website

Drew!!

This kid, I tell ya! He's something! I just can't put into words how I feel about him most of the time. He is so funny/silly, so caring, has a very tender heart, but can also turn into what appears to be a demon possessed child in a matter of seconds. Like when I say, time to put the skateboard away and go to bed, or you can't play playstation right now.

For about the past 2-3 months he has been talking about wanting to be Baptized!!! What an awesome and exciting time! While there have been a few baptisms at church during that time, we have just been talking to him about it and trying to make sure he knows what he is doing. At first, as badly as he knew he wanted to do it, he couldn't really put into words what it meant. But the past few weeks, it is all he talks about. He's been asking lots of questions, and it is all coming together for him. Last night, he and Nate spent a lot of the evening going through scripture and a few lessons the church provides for kids to help them understand. It was an amazing time to hear him answer questions with such maturity. Who is Jesus, Nate asks... "The Living Water" Drew replies, and "He is God". Listening to him read from the Scriptures is so comforting to me. I could listen to him all day. I also said, it seems like yesterday we were going through this same study with Taylor. That was 3 1/2 years ago! She has been a big encouragement to Drew as well. And as I pray with Toby every night, and ask God to guide him until the day when he can choose to ask Jesus into his heart himself, I fast forward... maybe another 3 1/2 years, maybe more, maybe less, to the time Toby is going through this study!! God is Good!!

But on a lighter note, though Drew can be serious, and is very serious about his relationship with Jesus... he can be pretty darn funny, too. I just had to share this little video of Drew at his first Soccer game. This should bring a smile to your face. Watch as the GROOVE begins in his feet and moves up his body... all while he is supposed to be playing a soccer game!

God is Good!!

Thank You

I have no idea who you are, or if you read this blog, but if you are the person that left an envelope on our door today... THANK YOU! And Praise God!

God is Good!

Soccer and a Violin!!

Well, despite the pouring rain we had two soccer games today! Taylor played in North Olmstead. After realizing our directions took us to Olmstead Falls instead of North Olmstead, we quickly stopped at a gas station and got on the right track. We got to the fields just in time to sit and wait, as several others were lost as well. While the girls lost again, they continue to improve and fight until the end. I just know we are going to win one soon!
Drew had his first soccer game today. His first "actual" game, on a team, not just a little scrimmage. He was so excited. All week he wanted it to be Saturday. He is playing for Smithville, so he can play on his best bud Braden's team. Also, Uncle Michael is coaching. We were late to the game coming from Taylors game, but we got there before halftime and got some great photos. Thankfully, Drew went to Braden's and they took him to the game to make sure he was there on time. Looking back at the photos, I notice that my son sticks his tongue out when he plays. Mouthgards may be in his future.

Funny, though... his cousin Braden also plays with his tongue out, too! They played amazing!! They won 4-2 and our "family" scored 75% of the goals!! Braden scored 2 and Drew scored the final goal!! How exciting!!

And of course, we owe it all to the coaching of the one and only Uncle Coach Michael!!
Then, after the games, Taylor and I had to head to the library. While we were in town, I thought it would be a good time to stop at the music store and check out Violins. Taylor starts band/orchestra next week, so we have to get the instrument this week. She was debating between the flute (which we have already) and the violin (which we would need to rent/buy). Well of course she picks the violin. I am actually very excited. I think she is going to love it. So far, she does. Just look at this photo of her as we left the music store!!

God is Good!

Pray Pray Pray

There is little more to say. This beautiful baby is a niece of a friend of ours. Please pray for her and her family.

Here is the link...

Gracie Jean Lockyer

God is Good!

County Fair and a BUS!!

It is that time of year! Back to school, evenings are turning cool, leaves are starting to dust the ground, and the Wayne County Fair is in full swing! An even that can't be missed! If you want to know what kind of people you'll see at the Wayne County Fair... here is a good read! We took the kids Sunday evening and we worked in our church's booth. That was a lot of fun! We saw lots of the people that Josh wrote about in his blog walking by. We pretty much left right after our time working was done. We had had a busy weekend.

Then came Monday! Fair Day!! All the schools in the county have the day off to visit the fair, and I think 99.9% of them showed up this year. The place was PACKED!! We arrived around 10:30 and my dad came with us. The kids loved hanging with Paps, and he offered to buy them wristbands to ride rides. That's how this photo came about. While this was a spontaneous photo, it was not the typical attitudes of the day. I'm glad a got a shot of it to prove to them that deep down, they do love each other!

Here they are on their first ride. Taylor was a little big for it, but she dutifully rode along to make sure Toby got on and off okay. However, it does look like she is enjoying it!
The boys loved the motorcycles again this year! They were a huge hit last year, and once again, they wanted to ride!
The two boys rode the little ferris wheel. It was so cute seeing them smiling so big!
And Taylor had her first experience on a "Big" ride. You'll have to ask her about her wait to get on. It was long and grueling

And this year, the special feature at the fair were the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses. They are certainly impressive.
After the show, we took of for home to eat a little dinner before heading back for the evening. I know, we're cheap... and broke!! So we before we even left the parking lot to head home for a half hour or so, this was Toby!!Following his 20 minute nap and 30 minute scarf down for dinner, we headed back to meet up with some friends and some more fair fun. Here, Toby is enjoying being with his buddy Aidan.
Then... TODAY!! Was Toby's first time heading to school on the BUS!! He has been so excited for this day. I on the other hand have been dreading it. And I guess I understand now why! The bus showed up at the sitter's house at 7:55!!! YIKES!! That is way too darn early!! It was rainy today, but it was still nearly dark out! I called the school and complained. They said to give it a few weeks and they hope it will be a shorter trip once they have the route figured out. They said he got on the bus like a champ!
And the bus ride, ONE HOUR BUS RIDE, begins!
Sadly, there were issues on the ride home as well, and Toby had a one hour ride home. I was a wreck today! I was sobbing! I'm sure at work they thought my best friend had died or something. I had to walk out and go sit in my van for a while. I guess it was just all hitting me, working, being away from my kids, feeling totally helpless that my baby had spent 2 hours today on a bus. While he seems none the worse for it, I am still recovering. We will just continue to pray that they work this out and that he doesn't have such a long ride in the future!

God is Good!

Check this out!!

You have got to check THIS out!! An absolute MUST HAVE for all the die hard fans!

Toby's First Day of SCHOOL!!!

Do you think he was excited? This was right before we went inside. The entire way to the school he was wining and crying that he didn't want to go. But then when we got there, his mood changed!

We first looked for his Monkey. He colored this at the open house and I knew that this would help remind him of the fun he had that night. Sure enough, he turned and ran in the door!

Ms Michelle helped him find his name and hang up his bookbag!

Then they found the Alligator with his name on it. I believe this was for attendance.

And finally, before I left, he was working on a worksheet. I was very impressed as he quickly drew the lines, just like his teacher told him to do.

When I went to pick him up, he was telling me stories the entire way home. He was talking about riding the bus when he goes next time. I can't imagine this little guy climbing up onto a bus. I guess that is a good thing about me working, I don't have to do that! The babysitter will take care of it for me.

All in all, he had a great first day of school. Mom was a little blue all day, knowing her "baby" was in school, but I am so happy that he had fun and had a wonderful day. They grow up too fast, don't they?

God is Good

Fun at the National Air Show

Our Labor Day weekend was planned in a way that we would be doing... NOTHING! We had so many things to get done around the house, so we thought we would just stick around home and do chores. Well, Saturday and Sunday were pretty much that way, but we had some wonderful, dear friends offer us some free tickets to the Cleveland National Air Show, so we decided to do that today! It was SO MUCH FUN!!

I had never been there before, but it has always been something that after I hear about it on the news, I think... "we need to do that next year". But then 365 days later, I have forgotten about it. So when we were offered these tickets, I jumped on it. Nate was not quite as enthusiastic. He is a home body! But I know he knew it would be some good family time, and that's exactly what it turned out to be.

Call me crazy, but I have a very soft heart for our military men and women. I rarely see a uniformed soldier, whether at Wal-Mart (rarely) or on TV without my heart being filled with gratitude. I'm not exactly sure why I feel so strongly, but my grandfather, and father, and sister, and brother-in-law have all served selflessly, some even in wartime! While I was never an "Army brat", my dad was out of the military before I came along, it is part of who I am. And I am so proud of this amazing country, and we owe that all to those that serve/have served to keep it as great as it is!

So, being up there at the airshow, watching these fighter planes fly with such precision, and the sky divers jump with no fear, nearly brought me to tears. The Blue Angels left me speechless... I know... hard to imagine!

Without further delay, I have lots of photos and videos to share. If you think there are too many, sorry! I can't leave anything out! It was all so wonderful! (And for those of you that may be, or have been in the service... sorry if I get any of these branches/aircraft wrong! I tried)

Nate and the kids inside a US Airforce (I'm pretty sure it was AF) cargo plane

The kids and I enjoying lunch. Nate tried to get a photo of the ShockWave jet truck, but couldn't get close enough. That thing was WILD! Check out the website.

This is the Ohio Air National Guard C-130 Hercules
I'm sure Toby's arms are tired, because this is how they stayed the entire day!
A photo of the kids inside a little plane.
This is the B-17 Yankee Lady aircraft! They did a bomb "demo".
This is a closer look at the same aircraft. Taylor was trying to count all the "guns" - good luck!
This was a very touching performance. It was called the "Heritage Flight" if I'm not mistaken. I believe it was an F16C, F15 and a P-51 Mustang WWII Plane (Yeah, I got those from the website, you don't' think I really knew that do ya?). It was just a neat display of planes from various wars/periods.

This is Sean Tucker (no relation, though I wish he were, maybe he'd take me up with him) doing some aerobatics - very talented!
This is the US Army Golden Nights Precision Parachute performers. They had several perform, then they called it off because of the high winds. These two were "passing" a baton between them while free falling.
Then they opened their parachutes, and landed perfectly.

US Navy C-130 Blue Angels Demonstration. This thing was HUGE, and could MOVE!
The BLUE ANGELS... need I say more...
I could have watched these guys all day!

My heart stopped beating every time they did a maneuver like this one! If these guys have wives, I'm sure they can't watch!

One Final move!

There were so many more, but I couldn't get photos of all of it! Check out the website for more! And plan on heading up next year! It's a great day!

Tonight, as I was praying with Toby while tucking him in, as is the case every night, I prayed first. I thanked God for our family time, and for the beautiful weather we had today, for the service men and women who were away from their families for our entertainment, etc. When I was done, it was Toby's turn. Usually he prays for Watermelon, and daddy and his blankie.. but tonight this was his prayer "Loud planes, Bad Aiwpwanes, loud planes, Bad. Amen" We had earplugs for him, but it was still very loud, especially when the F16's were flying by at 400+ miles an hour!

Then I reminded Toby that he starts school tomorrow! He was very excited. Talk about crying, I'm going to be a mess tomorrow. But I promise to take photos, and share them all with you, whom I love so much!

God is Good!