Goose Egg x2

I think Caden just had the worst day of his life so far. Here's why:

• He is teething and has fluid in his ears
• I took him the the Doctor Thursday and was told Caden has strepp throat
• The antibiotic for strepp gives him diarreah
• The diarreah has given him a terrible diaper rash
• And last, he fell twice on the concrete and hit his head in the same spot twice and once in another spot.

He is a truper and is handling it all with stride. He is still as cute as ever!

Future Star

My neighbor let us borrow this piano. Caden loves to put on his "hat" and "sing" into the microphone. Well when I told him to sing into the microphone, he thought it was a telephone. I love kids! They are so literal. He is so fun to be around. Being a mom is the best thing I have ever done. It is humbling to think that God chose me to be Caden's mom. Why me? Why do I get the privaledge of raising such an amazing little person. God is so good!!! I know I have not posted anything lately. I did not think it was going to be as busy as it is adding another child to watch. I now have Caden, Lauren and have added a 6 month old named Paige. All of the kids are so good that it is not hard just time consuming. But I would never trade this time with my son for anything in the world.

One of Caden's many girlfriends

My friend Mandy came over with her little girl Emma. Emma is two months younger than Caden. Caden and Emma love each other. They walk down the dark hall in our house and kiss and hug. Emma gets this "love struck" smile on her face when Caden kisses her. I know we think it's cute now but I'm not sure I will think it's so cute when he kisses girls 10 years from now.

Too cute!

I just had to share a picture of Caden. He is such a blessing. He is a good boy! He is so loving and loves to snuggle with me. He also likes to hug and kiss Paige, the new 5 month old I watch now. He now loves to play with Lauren's Barbies and doll house. So I bought him a fireman and trucks hopeing he would not want to play with the barbies and dolls and dress up necklaces as much anymore...but now he takes the fireman and plays with the fireman in the doll house with the barbies. Oh well! He still loves to play outside in the sand and loves to play with his animals and trucks, so I am not too worried.

Shoeboxes

A couple weeks ago, I sent out a letter asking people to think about buying things to fill a shoebox. Many people gave donations and bought toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and more. We then gathered together last Friday night and put all of the things together and wrapped then filled the shoeboxes. Four hours later we had filled 76 boxes!!!! My goal was 50 but God is such an amazing God that we were able to make 76. I can't wait to do this again.

Neat picture

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3,4

Rebekah and Justin live next to a lake and wanted to take some pregnancy pictures there. They turned out really nice. In this picture I like how you can see the rays of the sun. God is so awesome. He is such an artist. The world has so many "pictures." Some times I forget to sit back and enjoy the nature God has given us.

North Carolina

My friend Rebekah and her husband live in North Carolina and are expecting their first child the first of December. Caden and I went to visit them last week. We also visited with other good friends that we have up there. We love North Carolina. It is a beautiful state... and they have seasons! It was nice to get away from hot South Florida to enjoy cool weather. Caden loved seeing some of his friends while I visited with some of mine. This was also Caden's first plane ride. He was a trooper. He stayed in my lap the whole time and played and played. He only fussed a little on the way home. I think he was worn out from the vacation.

Pumpkin Patch

I took Caden and Lauren to the Pumpkin Patch last week and they had a great time. This year Caden could walk around by himself, which he thought was cool. I think he thought the little ones were balls because he kept throwing them. Anyways, here are a few pictures.

Eternal Life starts Now!

I know we all know or have heard this verse before but read it slow this time:
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~Jesus~ in John 3:16
The other night I was reading and came across this verse:
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." ~Jesus~ in John 17:3,4
Heaven is just a part of eternal life. When we lived in NC I remeber someone talking about this and they said eternal life is now. So many times we,I, think of it as heaven but in these verses, Jesus says that eternal life is getting to know Him. Some ways we can do that are by reading His word, meditating on scripture, memorizing scripture and prayer. Sometimes I find myself getting caught up in all of the things of this world. When Jesus made it so clear: get to know Him and bring Him glory. Nothing of this world matters accept getting to know Him and bringing Him glory.

Fun with friends

Today, I got together with some friends and had such a wonderful time. We talked about all kinds of things while the kids just had a blast "playing" with each other. Caden especially likes Emma. He would walk down our dark hall with her and then try to kiss her! It was funny...but I think I should keep an eye on that. I don't want him to get in that habbit. It is great to get together with friends to talk about life. Thank you girls for listening, talking, encourageing, giving advice and making me laugh. I am so thankful God put you in my life.

Fun in the Sun

Yesterday, Jody took some of the kids from Chick-Fil-A to Busch Gardens in Tampa. My friend Jamie, and her husband Bradley, were going to be on vacation in Clearwater Beach this week. So Caden and I rode over with the group and met up with Jamie. They have a 19 month old son Zekiah. He is so cute. Caden had a blast paying with a little boy. You see, all his friends here are girls. It is so nice to catch up with your friends. Even though I don't get to see Jamie all the time, when I do see her it's like she never left. You pick up right where you left off. It is wonderful to have friends like that!

Who Knew ESPN was so Biblical

This past Saturday I was watching college football on ESPN when this commercial came on. I don't think the purpose of this video is suppose to have Biblical meaning yet it is so right on. While you are watching it pay special attention to two things: One, what Drew Breese says about why he can't get through the gate and two, the symbolism of the vehicle that Drew Breese is in. Now tie the two together and there lies the truth behind Matthew 7.13.

You Have To Watch This

This is one amazing video. Christa and I both cried! We serve an amazing God. Why do we try to do it without Him. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!
The video is a little slow at first but keep watching.

Octoberfast

I sent an email to some about Octoberfast but I watched a couple of the other videos from World Vision. They are worth checking out. I am not trying to harp on this but this is just what God is teaching me about right now so maybe He can teach you something also. I am not trying to be grim or depress you, but it is real. People are starving not just of hunger but for the Bread of Life. Please pray how you can help.
Here are the links. They should take you there. If not just go to youtube and look in the World Vision channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MSDDiCX2HY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX8mmJ3o80Y

Follow Me

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." ~Jesus
Luke 9:23
I read this today and the word that really stuck out to me was daily. Not when I want to, not later, not when I am older, not on just Sundays, not after the game, not after my show but daily. I don't think that means just a devotional every morning. Which we should all be doing. But every minute of every day we should be giving up what we want and following Jesus. I know that totally goes against what the world says. Just turn on the TV. There is nothing on anymore that's worth watching. The world says we need that car, that house, that toy, that book, that vacation (well, we all probably really do need a vacation). Try focusing on Christ and denying yourself. I find that when I do I stop thinking about what I "need" and start thinking about what I can give and do for others.
So how do we do this all day everyday. Well, flip over to Romans 13:12b and 14. "So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
We have to fill our minds with Christ and God's Word. I wanted to turn on the TV so bad today during nap time...but I didn't. (I am not watching it during nap time for Octoberfast). God wants to talk to us so we can fill our mind with Him and not what is on TV or the internet or the radio, but on Him.
Take time out and ask Him how you can deny yourself and follow Him daily, or hourly, or by the minute or maybe even by the second. Hey, we can at least try.

Laughter is Contagious

I am trying to get this video thing right. I think I have got it. Caden loves Lauren and for some reason he can just look at her and laugh. Oh if life were this simple.

Practicing his Pitching

Caden can throw the ball!!! Uncle Ryan and Uncle Justin will be so proud to know that Caden has started practicing baseball early. (Both Uncles played baseball). Here is a video clip. He is the cutest boy I have ever met! Just a side note:
I was apparently holding the camera wrong. So you have to tilt your head. Live and learn. I guess through trial and error I will hopefully get the hang of all this. Hopefully, I will get the next video clip right.

Voice of the Martyrs

I added a new link to Voice of the Martyrs in the column to the right under Links to check out. When you have some time, I would encourage you to check it out. You have to sign up but it is free. The sight gives you information and updates on persectuted Christians all over the world. You can also sign up to recieve newsletters in the mail. Please pray for Christians all over the world. You can also get information on giving money, clothes, supplies and materials, and even Bibles into other countries. Living in America, I forget how free we are to worship and pray and meet together.

We are still here

So I know what you are thinking, "Will they ever update the blog?" Jody has been so busy with work and school that he has not had time to update. Now, I am not as good at using the computer or at writing things for others to read but I will try.

As I said, Jody is now taking classes online with Liberty and he really likes it. He just go a 100 on his first test!!!! In September, we took Caden to Disney again, with my parents. We all had a blast. It is really nice to get away and spend time with family.

Grammy, my mom, and I took Caden to the beach and he loved it. It is so pretty in South Florida. There is tons to do. Caden gets together with some of his friends and we have play-dates at the library, water park, park, or at someones house. He is the coolest little boy I know. He is growing so much.

• He loves to play with his trucks. I think he was born knowing how to make the sound for his trucks.
• He thinks Lauren's hair clips are toys for him to pull out, much to Lauren's dismay.
• He now has decided that everything Lauren has he should have. So he has now learned how to do the "grab and run" technique which works well until Lauren catches up to him.
• He flirts with girls now. He tilts his head, flutters his eyes and gives the ever so cute bashful smile.
• He loves to play outside, play hide and go seek, take walks without holding any ones hand and roll all over Bella.
• He is very good at giving hugs and kisses and has mastered picking his nose.
• He knows where his eyes, nose, ears and mouth are.
• He is happy almost all the time!!!
• He is a blessing from God! God chose us to be his parents and I am so glad He did!!!!!!!!!

Please check in often. I think I know how to do this now, so I will try to update it often.

Bed Head

One of the many laughs first thing in the morning from Caden. We hope you enjoy it half as much as we did!!!

Testing Out the Sea Legs

Yesterday Caden had his first experience on a boat out in the ocean. Christa went out with Grammy, Papa, Ryan, Great Granpa, and Great Aunt Ruth. They had a wonderful time and he loved every minute of it. After a short boat ride they anchord on a small strip of beach where everyone went for a swim and Caden was able to try out his new life jacket.




Pictured to the right is Caden taking a break from swimming where he entertained everyone with his adventures on the beach.

Being Naked is Terrifying

The other day I was leaving work and heading to Strabuck’s. As I was walking down the service hallway I took my nametag off (as I do every time I leave work because I personally can’t stand nametags). When I took it off it hit me that the reality is that we all wear nametags. Each and every one of us wears a nametag whether we realize it or not. Just the other day when I was at a birthday party a lady asked me if I surfed. Um, do I surf? Why the heck would she ask me that question I thought? I mean why didn’t she say, “do you basket weave?” Why did she ask if I surfed? Well, she said that the board shorts that I was wearing and the “dry-fit” shirt I had on was what surfers wear and that is why she asked.

The more I thought about these two incidents I began to wonder what nametags we all wear whether we realize it or not. I constantly hear people talking about themselves and what they think they are but know in reality that they are far from it. Why is it that we as humans put on these fronts? Why is it that, like me, we can’t stand wearing certain nametags? When I am at work I have no choice but to wear one, but the minute I leave work I can’t wait to take it off. Sadly though for a lot of us there is no leaving work and even worse we can’t take our nametags off because it is who we are. But why, oh why do we hate who we are? I mean let’s be real, if you are reading this I am sure at some point in your life you weren't (or aren't) happy with who you are? Do you like the way you look? Do you wish you were more like someone else? I know its true, we all wish we were something or someone else; if we could only be this or that, or if we could only do this better. Why is that we long to be something other than who we are? Is this the way life is suppose to be? What if we could make our own nametags for ourselves? What if we could decide who and how others defined us?

I personally have been struggling with this issue my whole life (as well as many others, they just won’t admit it). I honestly don’t think this is something that has an easy answer. I honestly wish I had the answer. I do think that a lot of times we put to much weight on what others think of us. I mean read Ephesians 1 and there should be no reason why we should think lowly of ourselves. Society pushes on us what and how we should be but the reality is that God made us all special (ok He made me extra special). We shouldn’t try to be like others but strive to be the one that God created us to be. This is hard to do when we are trying to be a “surfer.” We waist so much time trying to be something were not and the whole time all it is doing is leading us down a road that will end up empty. We have to come to the realization that God created each one of us the way He did for a reason.

I personally believe that we don’t do this because being naked is terrifying (ok not literally naked). We are too afraid that if others find out whom we really are than they may not like us. One of the funny things about Jesus is He always showed people their nakedness. It was through this nakedness that people became free!!! Did you hear that, FREE. Jesus of all people knows that the enemy’s biggest goal is for us to never figure out who we truly are because once we do that than we will find freedom from this life. We will find true Life. God created us for each other. God created us perfect but along the way we have messed up. We all live with struggles and a nature that longs for self fulfillment. It is only when we allow ourselves to get real will we begin to discover who we really are and why God created us. If there is one thing I know, there is true Life and Freedom in confession and sharing life with others who long to search for this nakedness.

The Stud!!!

Today Christa and Grammy took Caden to get his first haircut. Here is a picture of him with his new look. He is so adorable!!!

Swimming Pools Hold More Than Water

This past weekend Christa, Caden, and I went to a birthday party for one of our friend’s daughter who was turning one. They had the party at their community pool where we ate some great burgers and went swimming. Most of the kids at the party were between 9 months and about 3 years old. The people who were hosting the party had several little “kiddy pools” off to the side so the little ones could go swimming (ok, I went in them too but who wants to grow up). Anyways, Caden got bored with the “kiddy pool” and wanted to move on to the “big daddy” pool (this would be the normal adult pool for those who aren’t of Generation X,Y, or Z).

I got into the pool with Caden and held him close. He loves pools and shows no fear (I’m so proud). After taking him around the pool several times I took him over to the steps where he was able to stand up on the first two. I let go and allowed him to walk back and forth on the second step while keeping a watchful eye and my hand just under the water to catch him if he stepped off. As I was watching him it was as if I was seeing how God watches over us. I want what is best for Caden but at the same time I know I can’t “baby” him. I must allow him to explore and find out things on his own. I love him so much that I am willing to watch him slip and fall so he can learn his own lessons. I want Caden to have the freedom to live his life and make his own decisions. I in no way want to show Caden everything or raise a robot because failure is one of the greatest teachers. We can be taught things thousands of times, but it isn’t until we fall do we realize the truth about things.

I think that God is like this. He is sitting there in the water keeping a watchful eye on us, allowing us to move around in life and explore. He allows us to make our own decisions, whether good or bad. He allows us to make these decisions because He wants to give us that freedom. God doesn’t want robots. I also think that God’s hand is in ultimate control and that nothing happens that He isn’t in control of. Just like with Caden, there is nothing he could have done while I was watching him that I didn’t have total control over. Unlike me, I could have taken my eye off of Caden and something could have happened outside of my control, but I don’t believe that is the case with God. It maybe in this freedom that God gives us that we confuse His love for allowing “bad things to happen to good people.” What if Caden had fallen and hit his head? Did that mean that I didn’t love him because he suffered a consequence for making a decision to explore? No. A lot of times in life I think it is this freedom that we want to use to “accuse” God for allowing “bad things” to happen.

The other night Caden was crying and Christa went into his room. She picked him up and rubbed his back. Within seconds he quite crying and went back to sleep. I truly believe that God’s relationship to me is the same as Caden’s and mine; I just don’t think that I have the humility to see it. Caden truly needs me to survive, so he is grateful beyond measure for what I do for him even though he doesn’t know it, he just trusts me. I think that maybe this is what Jesus meant when He said we must have faith like a child.

The Ladies Man

I guess it comes naturally...boy are we going to have our hands full later.

1,000 Words or More

Caden found out that his bath towel can double as a cape.

The Kiddo's Family News

Things here in the Kiddo's household have been pretty normal. I did get accepted to Lee University and will be starting on-line classes at the end of August. Caden is continuing to grow more and more. He is walking all over the place. He can walk around the house without assistance and only falls about 10% of the time. When we go out we allow him to walk as much as possible. He really likes to go to Home Depot with me (we're starting him young; Uncle John would be proud)!!!! The past couple weeks have been filled with birthday parties, trips to Grammy's, visits from Mimi and Popop, and his first ever visit to Dubois Park in Jupiter. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful and wonderful son. Caden is a constant reminder to us that there is a God who designed us for His great joy.

Don't be Suprised that Black is Black

The other day I overheard a conversation about how all three major sports are dealing with some “morality issues." They were talking about how football is dealing with Michael Vick and the dog fighting issue, that baseball is dealing with Barry Bonds and the steroid issue, and basketball where there is a referee who is accused of gambling on games that he referred.

As I thought about what they were saying I just couldn’t help but think, “what else do you expect?” I mean to me it is like saying, “did you hear that the color black is black?” Um-well duh, of course it is. I guess what I am trying to say is why is it that we get so excited when sinful people do sinful people things? Just take a look at history: Watergate, Enron, Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, OJ Simpson, Hitler, and Sadam Hussein just to name a few. I just have yet to understand why it is such a “shock” that these people are doing the things that they are doing. What is the point to get all up in arms when a sinful person does a sinful act? The funniest part about it is when we (I) as Christians get all upset and then begin to judge them for their acts. Who the heck are we to judge or look down on them for their behavior? When I hear Christians (and I am guilty myself) do this I think of the story that Jesus told about the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee goes in and thanks God that he is not like the tax collector. The tax collector on the other hand can’t even make it down to the front but falls on his face, beats his chest, and ask God to be merciful on him.

We are all born sinful. We all continue to do sinful things, even when we are “saved.” Jesus loves, died, and has forgiven Sadam Hussein the same way He has done all three of those things for me. I think that when we (I) judge someone like this we are putting ourselves in the shoes of the Pharisee and totally forgetting about where we came from. It is only by God’s grace (oh how I wish we could grasp that) that He chose to draw me to Himself, it is nothing that I did. I remember a couple months ago I was in a conversation about Barry Bonds and the guy I was talking to said that he thought Barry was an “A--Hole” I immediately thought to myself, “well so are you sometimes, and if we want to be real, so am I.” If we all can be “A-- holes” every once in a while how does that make us better than Barry Bonds? I mean if I lust after a woman how does that make me better or my act less sinful than what Bill Clinton did? (Matt. 5:27-28) Here again black is black, there is no way around it.

I just got done reading Blue Like Jazz (which I think is a good read) several weeks ago and in that book Donald Miller talks about how he and some friends set up a “confession booth” on a college campus. When he expressed the idea to friends they thought it was dumb, “were not Catholics, and why do these kids want to confess.” Donald Miller went on to explain that it wasn’t that type of confession but it was the exact opposite. It would be their confession to their peers about how they have sinned, about how they have been judgmental. The minute I read that I thought, “Isn’t that the truth.” We (I) as Christians need to confess to the people around us for living in this “social elite” club that we have made. Just because our “sin” isn’t brought out into the public doesn’t mean it hurts God’s heart any less. So what should we (I) do? I think it is time to be real with people, to love people right where they are. If you think about how Jesus talked with people he never beat around the bush but was quick to truly get to the point. He never was hesitant to be intimate with someone and get to his or her core issues. He saw through their behavior into their heart to see what they Truly needed. We need to be more like Jesus (wow, that might be a good idea). We need to let each other, including the lost, know that even though we are “saved” it doesn’t mean we are this super human but that we are just like everyone else. We struggle with the same things everyone else does, and just like everyone else, we fail…we aren’t perfect so we should stop acting (thinking) like we are. We (I) need to humble ourselves (myself) confess our (my) sin and well, just read James 5:16 or 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Take 2 and Call Me in the Morning

The other day Christa took Caden to the water park with two of her friends. That night I noticed that she had severe sunburn on her shoulders and upper back. She didn’t think much about it until we came home from dinner with my parents and mentioned it to my mom. I love my mom, she is great, but some how she has this knack for knowing these “fix all remedies” I kind of think it’s a mother thing. Well, my mom’s suggestion was to put Colgate toothpaste on Christa’s sunburn and I think that was to make it better (honestly I didn’t hear the rest because I began to think about God and life).

The more I thought about these “fix all remedies” the more I began to wonder about God, life, and existence (which is something I think about a lot). Why can’t real life be like these “fix all remedies”? Why can’t we just take 2 pills and call the doctor in the morning to tell him that we are fine? Why is it so complicated? I mean growing up so many people made God, life, and existence seem so simple. I even believed that it was so simple that I began to doubt my own beliefs because I wasn’t “getting it.” But what if you never get it? What is “getting it” anyways? As I grew up it seemed that the more people I tried to talk to about God and life the more confused I became. It was as if they had a “5 step program” that if I followed it I would “get it.” I had (and still have) all these questions and people just wanted to put a simple answer on it. The older I got the more I realized that some things in life just don’t have answers. I learned that God is bigger than anyone thinks He is and that He is more involved then we want Him to be. I learned that tradition is a tool that the devil uses to miss lead people from knowing The Truth. I learned that life sucks, its hard, and bad things happen to people who don’t deserve them. I learned that innocent kids grow up in homes and situations that will scar them for the rest of their lives and yet they had no say in the matter. I learned that there are some easy answers but for the majority of life there are none or they are just really hard to find. I have also learned that it is ok to not have answers and that just because you don’t have answers your not messed up. I know there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way I do but are too afraid to admit it for whatever reason. We are all hurting inside, we all have huge questions that we want answers to but when we try to find them we just end up with more. I have learned that there is times when no Bible verse or song can make me feel any better. I also learned about this guy named Jesus who lived a long time ago and had a lot of bad stuff happen to Him, yet He still had so much love and compassion for the very people that were hurting Him. I learned that I found more answers to life the more I come to know this Man named Jesus. I learned (and am continuing to learn daily) that He might just be the reason behind life and existence. I have also learned that life was never meant to be done alone, but that we need each other. If you are reading this and can relate to what I am saying please know that I deeply care for you and pray that you too can find out who this Man is named Jesus. It won’t be easy and it will take all you have.

I know I am only 28 years old but I know two things: one, Truth is out there and two, life doesn’t have simple answers.

No, that isn't a Man Bag

If you have read some of our other blogs you will know that Caden got his first "man bag" from his Uncle Don. Unfortunately Caden isn't old enough to know the difference between his "man bag" and mommy's purse. This is a picture of Caden picking up Christa's purse and looking at it a little confused thinking, "this isn't my man bag, where is Snoopy?".

Man's Best Friend

I find it funny that of all the toys that Caden has he finds the most enjoyment out of the ones that are simple. Some of his favorite toys are from the kitchen. He loves to play with wooden spoons, plastic storage dishes, and pens. However, his favorite toy is Bella. I think he likes playing with her the best because she is the only toy that will lick him back. One day Christa came walking down the hall to the sight of Caden holding Bella's ears while Bella was licking the inside of Caden's mouth. Its funny how all the technology that we have today it is the simple things that make us the happiest.

A Point to Ponder???

Christa and I read Galatians 1 today and as I was reading verse 4 a word just seemed to stick out that makes me wonder. Verse 4 reads, "who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." The author uses the word, "this present evil age" which at first may seem obvious what he might be referring to but after taking a second look maybe there is more to this than the obvious. But before I go into what I see as the deeper meaning let me give you a little background about myself.

I grew up in the conservative Christian Baptist church and I must say I was taught more about Heaven than I was about following The Way (and by the Way I mean everything that makes up Jesus). Over the past 5 years I have studied the scriptures and have found that Jesus never called people to Heaven but called people to Himself. He spoke more on living a Life or a Way more than He talked about where people would spend eternity. So I began to question why in the world growing up we put so much emphasis on Heaven as opposed to following this Way, this Man. I even found that Jesus never asked the question, "if you were to die tonight do you know where you would spend eternity," or "if you pray this prayer after me and really mean it you will be saved." Actually I never even found this "magical" prayer. What I did find blew my mind. I found this Man who lived a life of selflessness all because He loved people so much and wanted them to know that He knew a better Way (do you see a theme here with the word Way?) to live. I began to realize that Jesus was trying to show people a Way to live; The Way that God designed back in the garden.

So what does this have to do with "this present evil age"? Well, Jesus is the one who rescues us from "this present evil age" (the life that is here on this earth). Hell is now!!! Hell isn't (just) when people die. People who are Christians can live in a marriage that is hell the entire time. People who go to church every Sunday can be living a life that is a Hell and never realize that it isn't suppose to be this way. Jesus didn't die so we could pray a prayer and then live a life of frustration, confusion and an ultimate hell. Jesus died so we could be connected to the One who created us, our Father. Like it or not life is all about God and Jesus came to live a life, a Way, that was the example of God's original design. Jesus is trying to save people from hell now!!! Not (just) when they die. I am learning that salvation is about being saved from myself and the life and the way that "this present evil age" is trying to make me live. Salvation is about being connected back to who I am in God's eyes and no one else. Salvation is about being and KNOWING who's son I am. Eternity, well that is just a mere formality.

Happy 4th of July!!!

We hope all of you had a very enjoyable 4th of July. I had to work but Christa was able to take Caden over to see my sister and her family in the afternoon. Then in the evening Christa and Caden went over to "Uncle Dale and Aunt Deb's" where they got to hang out with Grammy and Papa. The picture to the left is Caden in the pool with Aunt Sandi. The picture to the right is Grammy giving Caden a bath in the kitchen sink (Dale, thanks so much for letting us use your sink for a tub we won't let you live it down!!!).

Saying "Good-Bye"

This weekend we helped pack up and send off Stephen, Kelly, and Kate to Atlanta (you can see their blog to the right). Kate is the 20 month old in the picture with the pink shirt that Christa watched throught the school year. Over the past couple months we have been blessed to get to know the Burton's. Stephen, who worked at Maranatha Church for the past seven years, moved on to be a school Chaplin at a private school in Atlanta. We enjoyed being with them and wish them luck.

The Man Bag

Caden is sporting his new "man bag" that he got from his Uncle Don for his birthday. Caden puts his toys in it and carries it around with him throughout the house.

Some More Firsts!!!

One of the neatest things about having a child is their "1st's". The first time they smile, the first time they laugh, the first time they walk...I think you get the idea. Well, just this past week Caden had two "1st's". The first one was eating spaghetti for the first time and the second one was giving kisses. Christa stripped him down to just his diaper and bib and set the spaghetti right on his high chair. He went at it. In the end we think he had put more in his hair than in his mouth but in the end it was so much fun watching him enjoy himself.

The other day Christa told Caden to give her a kiss, he opened his mouth all the way and gave Christa a "big kiss". We were ecstatic that he linked the two together and to know that he used his mouth to kiss. Ever since then we have been having him give us kisses. He hasn't figured out to use his lips but just puts his wide open, wet mouth on you, its great. He doesn't do it every time but he is getting better. So, the next time you see us make sure you ask Caden for a "big kiss"!!!

Catching Up With The Times

Hello everyone!!! Christa and I have decided to get up with times and have our own blog. Our good friends Justin and Rebekah Rhodes started one over a year ago and we thought it was such a great idea to keep up with them.

As most of you know we have been living down here in sunny south Florida for over a year now. Caden just turned one and is walking everywhere (we can't keep him down). Over the past couple of months we have been throwing the idea of me going back to school to finish my degree, which is something that has been coming up continuously for the past several years now. With much thought and prayer for wisdom, we feel that is what we need to do. We are currently applying to schools and will know a little more in weeks to come. We hope that you all will catch on to our blogs and it will be a very convenient way to keep up with us. We love you all and look forward to sharing our lives with you.