Bloomington Trip

Nick and I took a trip to Bloomington a couple weeks ago. Our first stop was the Oliver Winery.

WOW! We were amazed by God's creation. They have an outdoor picnic area that is stunning.

We enjoyed their sampling stations and found that we really like their semi-sweet wine.

 Another stop during our trip was The Chocolate Moose. I heard this was a must stop place. It was delicious!!!! I ordered a carmel sundae that was made with homemade ice cream and caramel.

YUMMMMYYYY!

Nick ordered their extra thick hot fudge shake. He enjoyed his too!

Thanks to our wonderful parents for watching the girls. We have special parents that are always available to us. Thanks!

Overall, this was just what we needed.



Church Picnic

Tonight was our first time attending the church picnic. It was a lot of fun and the weather was PERFECT!

We enjoyed the large selection of food and fun activites.

Alaina and Melanie had fun playing the different games and obstacle courses.

 Nick took all 3 girls on a hay ride.

We left the picnic tonight feeling blessed and thankful for our loving church family.

Alaina conquered her fear

Alaina has been in school now for 1 1/2 weeks and today she rode the bus for the first time. She was very nervous but with the help of Daddy calming her down and talking to her last night she gladly got on the bus this morning.

Good job Alaina! I am so proud of you!

Thank-you Cindy for helping me feel at ease. I know you are a wonderful bus driver and Alaina is in good hands!

Fort 4 Fitness Training

Nick and I are both running in the Fort 4 Fitness this year.

http://www.fort4fitness.org/

Last year, Nick ran the 1/2 marathon for the first time and really enjoyed it. He is running the 1/2 again and I am running the 10K (6 miles). I have been attempting to train for last couple of months but I have had a tough time staying motivated. This morning we all decided to exercise together. We went to the Rivergreenway and went 2 miles together.

Alaina & Melanie rode their bikes and I ran with Emily in the stroller.

I love to see my children excited for the outdoors and exercise.

When we finished the girls wanted to ride their scooters a little.

 Daddy thought we would give it a try

I love you hunny!

God has richly blessed us.

Kindergarten Registration

As my kids get older, I realize more how much I need Christ's help because I can  NOT do it on my own.

Parenting is hard work!!!

Alaina will be starting Kindergarten in 11 DAYS at Adams Central. My role as trainer and instructor in her life is critical. These are my last few weeks of having her "under my wings" for the majority of the day! Oh, I cringe at the thought.... I take comfort in the fact that many mommy's have gone before me in releasing their first born to the BIG WORLD! I also am thankful that Alaina is extremely excited about going!

Today we went to AC to meet her teacher Mrs Dalrymple!

She found her desk!

My time now with my children is precious and I want to take advantage of raising them in the way of the Lord. It is my greatest desire to see my kids grow up with a passion for Jesus Christ and with a deep love for others.

Brooke

In the begining.....

After reading blogs for so long, I've FINALLY decided to start my own! The past couple of years I have enjoyed reading many blogs from friends. They have been inspiring yet convicting at times. I hope to do the same with my blog.

My mind is full of memories and thoughts that I would love to share with you. I will be blogging about family, friends, my children, daily devotions, money saving tips, coupons, my husband, our pets and everything in between. I pray that the Lord can use my daily life experiences to convict and encourage someone else.

Today was a busy day. Melanie and I took a trip to the Payton Manning Hospital in Indy for a difficult test.

For the past couple of years, Melanie has struggled with urinary tract infections. We did not think much of them until her cousin found out that she had reflux of the bladder and was told it was hereditary. Just to explain this condition a little.... when she goes potty her pee goes back up into the ureters towards her kidneys. This puts the kidneys at risk if the level of reflux is high enough. It also scars the ureters (tubes) causing more infections. Melanie has been on a daily antibiotic for over a year to help keep the infections away and to let her body heal. Well, I went down there with high hopes that maybe, just maybe, she would be healed. That was not the case. She still has level 3 reflux which is boarder line for surgery. Since starting the daily antibiotic she has had 2 bladder infections which tells us that surgery is needed to fix the problem. Melanie is scheduled for surgery at Riley Hospital in October. It breaks my heart to see her going through all of this.

I am confident that the Lord will take of her.

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

Prayer Points

• Pray for Melanie to feel safe and loved through all of this.
• Pray for us as parents to always be here for her and to be strong for her.
• Pray for guidance through the decisions that are yet to come.