Light Of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."         

John 8:12

The following is one of my favorite Worship Songs! Enjoy!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Look Who's Driving!

 

Pregnancy Prayer List Update ~ Welcome Baby Hannah

Congratulations are in order for Jamie, on the birth of her new baby girl! Little Hannah Joy was born on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. She weighed 7lbs 5oz and is 20 inches long. Stop by Jamie's Blog and see the beautiful pictures of Baby Hannah and tell her congratulations!

Congratulations Jamie and Family! She is a beautiful baby!

 

Delicious Pumpkin Bread

For some reason, I have been wanting to bake a lot, more recently. My family  has enjoyed it, but it sure isn't good for the diet!

One of my most recent endeavors was Delicious Pumpkin Bread. I love just about anything pumpkin, so this looked yummy! I was very pleased on how it turned out. It was quite moist and tasty!  Since Hubby and a few of the kids do not like pumpkin, I was able to enjoy this treat for several days! I did make some Banana Bread several days later just for Hubby, but it was gone quite quickly!

If you like Pumpkin, then you will probably enjoy this Delicious Pumpkin Bread. You can find the recipe here.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

5 eggs

1-1/4 cups canola oil

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

2 packages (3 ounces each) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat until smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture.

Pour batter into five greased 5-3/4-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 325° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 5 mini loaves (8 slices each) . Bread may also be baked in two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans for 75-80 minutes. (I did the two 8-in x 4-in. x2-in. loaf pans)

Fresh out of the oven and still in the pan.

Large slices that are so much cheaper than Starbucks and a lot more yummier!

I Definitely give it 2 thumbs up!

 

A Visit With Faith ~ Updated

The past several days,I have been reliving the day that Faith was born, and the days that followed. It might be because this past Friday was Pregnancy and Infant Lost Remembrance Day, or maybe because on the 28th of this month, it will be Faith's 2nd Heavenly Birthday.

Probably Both!

For those of you who do not understand, Yes, she was born. I carried her for over 37 weeks and I saw her heart beating on the ultrasound numerous times. I felt her moving inside of me. She was full of life! She was just born still. I had to go through labor and delivery just like for any other baby.

I would have to imagine that losing a child would have to be the hardest thing anyone would have to face. I know that it has been for me. The next hardest thing in my life was when my son Tim was diagnosed at the age of 4 with Leukemia.

Tim spent 2 1/2 years going through chemotherapy. Yes, those days were quite difficult! The truth be told, the statistics were that he had a good chance of survival, but no guarantees. We became  familiar with other children at the clinic and then we would not see them anymore. We would learn that they passed away. It was very stressful and difficult. At the same time I believe God was holding us in the Palm of His Hand. He gave me a Peace in my Heart that I knew could only come from Him! Praise God, Tim is almost 22 years old and married Naomi this past January!   *  Updated : My hubby reminded me that Tim had T-Cell ALL and the survival rate was about 50% at that time. If it was the more common form of ALL,( I do not remember what it was called) the survival rate was about 60-70%? I do not know if those percentages have changed since 1993. They probably have but I am not up to date on any of that information at this time. I am not sure what I was thinking when I wrote this. I guess since so many years have gone by my memory is not what it used to be. The Point is, Tim is healed and doing Well! Praise God! *

I have mentioned before that Faith is buried in Virginia, where I am originally from. My Mom still lives in the same house I grew up in and my siblings live anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours away. Sometimes I wonder if we made the right decision to have her buried there, but overall I am content with that choice. She is buried at the foot of my Father's grave which I am so grateful for. The hard part is that I usually only get to visit about once a year.

In September when we visited my Mom and the rest of my family, we were finally able to go visit Faith's grave. This was Mike's first time to actually see her stone in person. He was not able to go with me last year when we went, so all he saw were pictures.

We all loaded up in the van and went over for a visit. My Mom rode along with us as well.  Mike and the kids had all gotten out of the van as soon as we got there. I  took a little longer as I was talking to my Mom. When I finally got out and made it over to Faith's grave, I saw something so very sweet. Anna was cleaning off dirt and grass from the stone. She was doing this all on her own, without anyone saying anything about it! It brought tears tears to my eyes. She was taking care of her baby sister the only way she could!

Anna was overjoyed when she found out that Faith was a girl.  She was so excited to finally have a little sister! She had big plans for this baby sister! When she found out that Faith had died, she cried for probably an hour straight. Each of the children have dealt with the loss in their own way, but I would have to say that I see how deeply it has affected her.

This first picture is right after Faith's Memorial Service. I found Anna just sitting and crying. I had to go over and hold her!  It still brings tears to my eyes every time I see this picture.

The rest of the pictures are when we visited Faith's Grave in September.

Anna Cleaning Off Faith's Stone

Micah joins in to help Anna clean the Stone



Anna sitting and lingering over Faith's Stone



I hate that my children have had to experience the pain of losing their baby sister, but it is so wonderful to see their love for her. She was so wanted and loved by us all!

 

Remembering ~ Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We are Remembering all the babies that were lost way too soon from Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Loss. 

I am remembering my sweet babies that are now Safe In The Arms Of Jesus!

My Two Babies lost due to Miscarriage in 1985 and 1992

And

Faith Evangeline  ~  Born Sleeping on October 28, 2008.

I also am remembering so many other Babies that went to Heaven Way Too Soon! Sending Hugs to each of you that have experienced a loss or losses!

 

Vacation 2010 ~ Part 2

OK, I know that I have been a very bad blogger recently! Sorry about that! Since returning from our vacation, I have been busy getting back into the swing of real life! I am working on getting my priorities straight on being a wife, mom, and teacher. My family means the world to me and I want to keep them my priority right after God.

This post has been in the making for about 2 weeks. It has been a bear to edit! Some days Blogger would not cooperate at all, and some days I just can't figure it out! There is one picture that is not centered and for the life of me I cannot make that happen! This will be the last post that has so many pictures.
(Update: My Dear Hubby who is a genius with computers, got all the pictures centered for me!)

After our week in Myrtle Beach, we went to Virginia to see my Mom and the rest of my extended family. We usually only get there once a year, so I like to get in all the time I can just visiting with my family.

One day we took a trip into Washington DC. Most of us rode the metro (subway), but my brother drove my Mom because she needs to use a wheelchair, so it was just easier.

My niece Corrie, (who just happens to be the sweetest person in the entire world!) is loved by everyone but especially by all of her cousins. My kids look forward to seeing her! She is a lot of fun and she tries to do things with us whenever she can!

I was 14 years old when Corrie was born, so she is more like the little sister that my parents would never give me!  It was her Mom that just died in August. It was less than a month later that we were visiting, and she was trying to  keep up entertained!  She is so thoughtful and gives of herself, more than anyone could ever know!

Anyway, Corrie planned out this day trip to DC. She is a great tour guide and knows how to get places!

Here is eight of my kids with Mike and my niece Corrie waiting for the train.



Sammy still waiting!

And then there is Josh texting while waiting!

Matthew, Rebekah, and Luke still waiting!

Anna and Micah with Corrie

Micah found a feather and wanted me to take his picture with it!

The train  is finally coming!

All Aboard!

Micah and Matthew on the train.

Sammy with Corrie and Victoria behind them.

Looking at the map after we arrive!

Our family with the  Capitol Building in the background.

We turned around the other direction and now the Washington Monument is in the background.

A Stop at the National Museum of American History

My family entering the building.

They had a wonderful exhibit of the Star Spangled Banner. This was the outside of the exhibit. We were not allowed to take pictures inside this particular exhibit.

They had a section that had things from Popular Entertainment. I believe the kids enjoyed this part the most. Here are a couple of pictures from that area.

Kermit the Frog



Fonzie's Jacket and Minnie Pearl's Hat

 

After we were done with the American History Musuem, we had a Picnic out on the Mall. We had a lttle visitor that just wouldn't go away!



One crazy squirrel!

He was not afraid of us at all, but we were a little wary of him!

Here is part of our group eating lunch.

Standing at the base of the Washington Monument looking up!

The Washington Monument



Anna and Rebekah standing by the Washington Monument.

Sammy



Corrie and Micah. My Mom's oldest and youngest grandchildren out of 23



Another view of the Washington Monument.


Anna with Corrie



Micah and Luke with my Mom.



World War II Memorial
    

Another view of the World War II Memorial.



Looking toward the World War II Memorial, The Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial.


As we were walking, I zoomed in so that I could get a picture of the White House

We had a great day in Washington DC. We did a lot of walking. Next time I hope to take the kids to the Air and Space Museum. I believe that they would really enjoy that!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Pregnancy Prayer List Update ~ Congratulations Traci!

Another Sweet Baby has been born! Traci from Just The Ten Of Us , gave birth to a little girl on Friday. Traci had a bit of a difficult pregnancy and this little girl was born at 32 weeks 5 days . Praise God she is doing well and breathing room air. She is in the NICU though, so please pray that she will continue to do well and go home as soon as possible! Go over and visit Traci and show her some love! Traci, we can't wait to know her name and see pictures of your sweet baby girl!

Congratulations to Traci and Kenny and family!