A Duck and the Devil...

This is a cute story about forgiveness I received as a forward...

A little boy was visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target Getting a little discouraged, he headed back home for dinner. As he was walking back when he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes.' But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.' Then she whispered to him, 'Remember the duck?' So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.' Sally just smiled and said, 'Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.' She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.

Thought for the day and every day hereafter . . . Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done . . . and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face . . . (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) . . . Whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved. Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend, and always remember: God is at the window! When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!

Happy First Birthday, Son!

(I realize I'm posting this a day late, but better late than never.) Happy First Birthday, Ethan!

Ethan finally got to taste some of his birthday cake. He tasted the "E" block from the top of his cake. I say "tasted" because he didn't eat much, he just mushed it between his fingers. Here is a video if you want to watch him - "in action." If you just have dial up, it may take quite awhile to load. (The video is 3 minutes, about 11 mg.) Otherwise, below are a few pictures to give you a quick glance at him. Remember he has a major "texture" issue. He is doing much better and eating more things, but still quite slowly. He likes chewing foods, but he doesn't like to swallow them.

(On a more serious note...)

Ethan, you truly are a gift from God! You were a miracle when you were conceived and it was a miracle to experience you come into birth! Only God could ordain such fulfillment! We prayed for you to join our family for many years. God brought you to us in His timing and in His plan. I am still in awe when I consider the goodness of God for blessing us with you. To look back and remember your coming into this world brings tears to my eyes. You were a long time in coming, that Easter Sunday. We went into the hospital early in the morning around 2 AM. My labor progressed slowly as I anxiously awaited seeing you for the first time and holding you in my arms. The hospital and nurses were great in working with us. We shared your miracle story with each one of them as well. Finally at 6:12 PM you entered this world by God's grace, a healthy, happy, beautiful baby boy! All of the nurses commented on how beautiful you were. (Yes, it is possible for a boy to be beautiful.) Your first visitors included Grandma & Grandpa Haase, Nana & Papa Glupker & Uncle Lance, Uncle Brian, Aunt Renee, and cousin Andy. They all came to see you that first night in the hospital. You were prayed for by each of them as well. The next day, Uncle Mark, Aunt Kristin, Aunt Alisha, Uncle Chadd, Aunt Sarah came to visit you. Pastor & Nancy, Mr. & Mrs. Domagala also came up to visit you. We got to bring you home Tuesday around 1:00 PM. Grandma Haase stayed at home with us the first week to help Mommy, and to see you of course. (Mommy was not getting around yet very well that first week, due to a strained pelvic bone.) Grandma left Saturday morning. That afternoon Great Grandma Glupker, Aunt Judy, Nana, Papa, Uncle Lance, Uncle Chadd, Aunt Sarah, and cousin Hayden all came up to visit you. Nana stayed with us that next week through your baby shower at Rollins the next Thursday evening. There were about 45 ladies in attendance that night. Most of them had all prayed for your arrival before you were born also. You were showered with so many nice gifts! Meals were brought to us by many friends also. Your birth touched many lives! At times I wish I could go back and hold that sweet, newborn baby to remember that feeling of the first time I saw you. Yet, I am amazed to see how you have grown and developed already. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! God is working in your life even now. I know he has great plans for you. We are praying for you daily, that you would come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior at a young age, and live to serve Him. Thank you Lord Jesus, for this awesome privilege of being a mother! It is a high calling. Thank you for allowing me to be Ethan's Mommy!

1st Birthday Party!

Here are a FEW (believe it or not) of the pictures from Ethan's party this past Saturday.

Guests included: Great Grandpa & Grandma Fogle, Great Grandma Glupker, Great Aunt Judy, Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Papa, Uncle Jason, Aunt Heather, Taylor, Emily, Hayley & Hudson Mack, Uncle Lance, Aunt Alisha, Solomon, Caleb & Ellie Korringa, Aunt Kristin, Kaitlyn, Jeremy Haase, Mommy, Daddy & Ethan of course, for a total of 25 people!

Ethan visiting his Grandma Hall (who is 100 years old) on Friday, before the party.
Ethan "found himself" at Grandma Hall's.
And ... of course... glass calls for ... blowfishes!
This is Ethan's poster that I made to have at the party to remember the day he was born. (The big page in the top middle has a picture of Bart and myself at 1 year old on the left side.)
All decorated for the big #1

Papa having some "Ethan" time.

Nana & myself working hard on the cake Friday night. (I know... bad hair day... I forgot my curling iron!)

The finished product! Phew!

Ethan checking out his cake before the party.

We had LOTS of food! Menu: Rice, Hawaiian meatballs, taco salad, mini-muffins, strawberry pretzel Jell-o salad, applesauce Jell-o salad, veggies, mini cookie tray, cake, cupcakes, ice cream, and strawberry slush punch. YUM!

Some of the cousins eating dinner. Oh yeah, we had hot dogs for the "little ones" too.

3 more cousins (The Macks) eating dinner with their party hats on.

9 of Ethan's 10 cousins were at the party. Hayden lives in Minnesota, so he couldn't come. He's 20 months old. Ellie, Ethan's youngest cousin (3 weeks old) was there, but she didn't make it in this picture.

Ethan checking out his new ball, with Hayley close by.

The cousins all patiently and eagerly watched Ethan open his gifts. I was very impressed with their patience! (Great-Grandpa Fogle in the background.)

Ethan opening his gifts. Gifts included: a ball popper toy, clothes, 2 Baby Bibles, a new booster seat with toys, an umbrella stroller, a couple of balls, more new books, a frog bank, money, a stuffed "Mr. Horton", etc.

Ethan "blowing" out his candle on his cake. No, he did NOT eat cake yet. He was not in the mood to sit any longer. He wanted to get down and run. He'll get a taste tomorrow on his birthday. We'll see how he does.

Hudson enjoying a cupcake and ice cream.

Jeremy with a chocolate mustache.

Ethan's newest cousin, Ellie and her mommy, my sister.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day on Saturday! It was sunny and over 60 degrees outside! The kids all went outside to play after the party. Nana & Papa's neighbors have horses, so the kids got to go feed them. They were so excited! (My niece had never seen a horse in REAL life before. She was SO excited that she got to pet them and feed them. She LOVES horses now!) :-)

Ethan "driving" his first car.

Crashing on the way home! He slept for about an hour on the way home, but then just waited patiently and looked around the rest of the way home. What a good boy and a good rider he is! Sweet baby!Ethan opening a gift from a friend at church, another new book! He LOVES to read!

Checking out his birthday balloons!

Ethan's "birthday wall" at our house! This is Ethan's poster surrounded by all of his birthday cards (and balloons).

There's a GLIMPSE at Ethan's party so far. His REAL birthday is tomorrow! More then.

Ready or not, here we come...

Ethan, are you ready to go to Nana & Papa's house?
(Finally THE Picture, I've been waiting for!)

We're getting ready to head down to G.R. for "The Big Party" this weekend. That's right, Ethan's big #1 birthday party is happening Saturday at Nana & Papa's house. We're looking forward to seeing both of our families all together for one big "shin-dig". Ethan's been extra tired and a little more cranky this week. He's cutting his top front left tooth, just in time for the party. Hopefully he's cooperative for a couple of hours anyway.(I don't think he realizes that he's too big to sleep sideways in his crib now.)

This is how I feel after such a busy week! As always, going away always seems like WAY more work than it should. Not to mention, planning the Very Special First Birthday party for Ethan! More pictures after this weekend.

One year ago today...

One year ago today, was Ethan's due date (according to the doctors, not God of course.) This was me last year at this time, anxiously awaiting our new little blessing.

This morning I was reading through the story of Abram & Sarai again in my Bible Study. I am reminded again how God shows his kindness and goodness to us many ways, but for me specifically this one. To Sarai, He gave a son, the promised son to her at the age of 90! (Boy am I glad, he didn't make me wait that long!) I can partly feel the pain Sarai felt as she went through her infertility. Except that in those days if was a little different. Then not having children meant not having someone to pass on your legacy and inheritance to. If you have not experienced infertility, I don't believe you can fully comprehend the goodness of God in giving children. "Children are a gift from God." God is the author and creator of all life! A lot of people don't see that. They think that life is something to be played with, and planned according to our time table. I, for sure, have a different view, having experienced infertility for about 6 years. I could read this story before I got pregnant and was somewhat comforted, but not really. God had promised Abram a child and descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky and grains of sand on the seashore. He never promised me that. I would pray and ask for God to hear my cry, while trying to believe it COULD happen if God willed it, I was never comforted KNOWING it would happen. Yet, it must have taken great faith on Abram & Sarai's part to believe it could happen after SO MANY years of waiting! I cannot tell you what joy & fear I felt as we found out we were expecting. That fear quickly gave way as the Lord blessed me with a wonderfully healthy pregnancy. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for hearing my cry and granting my heart's desire in having a child. I Samuel 1:27, "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him."

Phase 1 "Busy Bees"...

We began updating our "Busy Bees" classroom (for 1 & 2 yr. olds). We will also be putting in new cabinets, a counter top, storage bins for the toys and paint the walls. Today, they built a new back wall, insulated it and drywalled it.

Phil & Ed, framing in the wall.
Jason helped run some new electrical outlets.
Bart, putting in new ceiling tiles.
Karl & David also helped with the drywall.
Melissa, myself, Karl IV, and Ethan cleaned the toys and chairs. Well, okay, Ethan didn't help too much, he just played with the toys. We are on our way to a nicer room. There's more to do next week, so stay tuned.

Home Haircuts...

"Uncle Mike" came over and gave Ethan his 2nd haircut yesterday. He basically just trimmed it up on top, over the ears, and around the back. Ethan did very well, and was very patient, as long as he had something to chew on. Thanks so much, Mike, for making a house call, too."Hmm, this looks like it will taste good."
"Okay, let's get this over with, so I can get down, run around and play."
"Just a little off the top, please."
"Woa, wait a minute. You're getting awfully close to my ears."