10:31

10:31. October 31st. The day I was born. I can't tell you how many time I see a digital clock & it says 10:31.
I feel like it's God's way of telling me how much He loves me.
I was saved from my sins in 1996 when Jesus Christ became a real person in my life. His death on the cross became very real to me. His love for me became very real to me. What did I do to deserve this love? Absolutely nothing. What did I do to NOT deserve it? Lots and Lots. Lately I have been filled with such gratefulness and thankfulness in my life. I feel like God has given me so much. He didn't need to bless me. He doesn't need to lavish love on me...but He does...and it hasn't stopped.
Going through this trial with Bill losing his job brought me to my knees. I have not prayed this much in my entire life. And guess what! He has heard my prayers and answered them. He has closed doors and opened one door. Opened it wide and as we walk through we receive confirmation that "this is the way, walk in it". We can't wait to shout it out and tell everyone what He has done!!! But for now we wait  a little...we wait till the papers are signed and an announcement is made. So in the mean time I rejoice and I rest in God's loving arms, in awe of how He loves His children.

Daddy's Love

The scene: Gymnastics Championships. 

Adrienne Elise just finished performing on floor. 

She did the most beautiful round-off backhandspring all by her self for the first time.

Running over to her dad (coach Bill) yelling 'I did it!!". 

This picture was taken by a friend. It brought tears to my eyes.

A Nice Surprise

It's Monday morning. I just finished Bible, Geography & Science and was giving Madison her spelling test when I heard honking outside. When I looked outside I saw the Hip-Hop van and shouted "Daddy's home!" He & Christian appeared on our front porch...my husband with these beautiful flowers in his hand. My immediate thought..."I don't deserve these flowers".
The past couple weeks have been very difficult for Bill & I. He has literally been working non-stop...games, reading programs, open practices, etc. He has had no time to be home with us...and honestly...it stinks. He's beyond exhausted. Me...well lets just say being with the kids 24/7 can wear on you a little. We miss him. Adrienne cried last night because she "missed daddy". "I miss him too", I told her.
I always wait up for Bill after his games. Partly because I know it blesses him and partly because I can't sleep until I know he's home safe. Last night he got home and our conversation quickly went downhill until I was taking out all my frustration of the day on him. It was not pretty & he in no way deserved my rant. I was angry at him for having to work so much. (You would think in moments like this I would remember that he works so hard so that I can be home with my kids!!!) He was patient with me & waited for me to cool down & I eventually apologized...but I was sad that I behaved that way. This home is our haven...a safe place, a place Bill enjoys coming home to after working all day & all night...and I want to keep it that way. So thank you honey for blessing me today with the visit & flowers...it meant so much & reminded me of God's grace to me. Instead of getting from Bill anger, opposition, sarcastic comments, guilt trips, bitterness, and the silent treatment...he gave me flowers.
This is love...and I am overwhelmed by it today.

This Smile Makes My Heart Melt

My little man...Oh how I love him so!

Real Men Fold Laundry

Yes...real men...men who love their wives unconditionally, men who are considerate, men who are diligent, men who are patient, and men who are kind.

This photo would be me...if not for my man.

Thank you Bill...for folding laundry. Thank you that even though you work hard all day long & deserve to plop your body down on the couch and veg in front of the tv...you fold the clothes.

THIS is LOVE!

Thank you honey...I owe you...BIG TIME!!!

13 and 20

Happy Anniversary to my biggest blog fan & follower!
Together for 20 years!!! Holy COW! That is more than half of my entire life!
And married for 13.
I'll never forget that day.
I never smiled more than on that day.
And I never felt more beautiful than on that day.
The weather was perfect.
The church was small...but perfect too.
Pastor Weed read from Ecclesiastes 4:12 "a threefold cord is not quickly broken".
It is true.
Thank you Lord...
You took our relationship which was tattered & torn
And you made it new.

I love you Bill...for the man you are & the man God is making you.

Why I Read & Thoughts on Marriage

I was never a reader. My mom would tell you. I would rather be doing something else. I always wished I could love it like my sister & my mom. Just sit with a good book in my lap and devour it happily. The reason for this is probably that my comprehension of what I read is pretty poor, so I have to slow down and really focus. Otherwise I end up reading the same paragraph over & over again. As I grew older I learned how to cope. In PA school I learned how to skim my medical books and highlite the important info I would need to learn for the test & actually was very successful doing this.
After I became a Christian and began reading the bible I realized that I had been missing out on alot of wisdom. The bible was full of it. Other books too. So now when I read I really want it to count. A good fictional book that has a great life lesson in it or one that makes me cry in the end...I love those. But mostly I read books that I can use to encourage me along as a Christian. To help me be a better wife to Bill and a mom to Mad, A, and Matthew. I want to grow & learn. I hate feeling complacent and stuck...so I read.
My girlfriend Barb gave me a wonderful book on marriage called Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. The title says this, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than happy?" Interesting concept huh?
In Ch. 2 the author says this: "Strong Christian marriages will still be struck by lightning- sexual temptation, communication problems, frustrations, unrealized expectations- but if marriages are heavily watered with an unwavering commitment to please God above everything else, the conditions won't be ripe for a devastating fire to follow the lightning strike. If I'm married only for happiness, and my happiness wanes for whatever reason, one little spark will burn the entire forest of my relationship. But if my aim is to proclaim and model God's ministry of reconciliation, my endurance will be fireproof."
Some really important pieces of wisdom right there. I'm grateful for the little reminders God gives me when I read. And here's the amazing thing. As I strive to become more holy as God calls me to...in His strength & grace...He gives me JOY!!! WOW...pretty amazing!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

We love you!

A Daffodil For My Mom

Happy Mother's day Mom...here's a daffodil for you...your favorite flower.
I am blessed to have a mom who dedicated her life to her kids, and continues to do so.
Thank you. I love you.
To my mother-in law , who did an amazing job raising an amazing man...my husband....and who is also a huge blessing in my life.
To my sister, an example to me, a passionate & dedicated mom to her beautiful girls, my neices.
To my sisters-in-law Amy & Jen, and my dear friends, Paula, Tracie, Barb, Wendy, and all my girlfriends from church....Happy Mother's Day!
I am a better mom because of all of you!

The Girl I Used To Be

"She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be...
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;
Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as I spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

As I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be."

Author Unknown
Poem taken from "Womanly Dominion" by Mark Chanski

The Pets We Love

My mom & dad just had to put their favorite cat Chloe to sleep on New Years Eve. She was a sweet cat & the softest I've ever know. It was really hard for my mom and it made me think about Oreo. Some may remember our Oreo so I thought I would do a post about him. We got Oreo in 94-95 when Bill & I were living together in Philly. Bill's brother John was working at a home for boys with no families and wasn't able to keep him since it was not a good place for a pet. So John drove him to our appartment and it was not an easy beginning. He was cute and fluffy and quite loveable...until we realized he was not trained and began pooping & peeing all over the house. Eventually he improved and we moved into another apartment where we introduced Oreo to our new kitten Pina. Oreo loved her, helped her up the stairs, let her play with his tail & bite his ears. He was so patient towards her, they soon became best buddies. Bill and I moved a couple more times, got married, and found our current house.

Soon babies arrived and Oreo was not a priority for us. He still remained loyal and loving to the kids. He would check on them in their crib if they cried and sit right by my side when I nursed. He really loved Bill and was a great pet. It was not easy though. At times I yelled at him for barking at the mailman everyday & waking up the kids at naptime. Oreo's life was not without trouble. During one trip home from Atlanta Georgia where Bill worked for a year, Oreo got out of his crate and ran across the tarmat at the Philadelphia airport and was hiding in the long grass where Bill had to retrieve him. He was also sent to Pittsburg by accident during another trip....poor guy. He certainly had an exciting life.

In the spring of 2007 we knew it was time for Oreo. He started "denning" or hiding behind our shed. He stopped eating and drinking and began losing bladder function. Tests showed his kidneys were failing. We took some pictures, hugged and kissed him alot, talked to the kids, and handed him off to Bill. Bill had him sit on his lap, Oreo's favorite place to sit while in the car, Bill rolled the window down and Oreo stuck his head out one last time. Bill said it was like he was enjoying this last gush of wind in his face. Bill held him and whispered in his ear what a "good boy" he was and what a good dog he was. He kissed him goodbye & cried. He came home & told me what happened, and the days that followed surprised us both so much. We cried and cried and cried! This was so hard! We never thought we would feel these emotions of deep saddness. We thought the burden of having a pet would be gone, it would be a relief. In some sense it was but the saddness we felt is still felt...even now as I type I am crying. Now I completely understand how it feels and can relate to those who are sad from losing a pet. They become a part of your family. Here's a tribute to Oreo...miss you buddy!

Papa's Rainbow

My Papa died yesterday morning of Congestive Heart Failure. My dad called me to tell me the sad news. We were all anticipating it so it didn't hit me right away. When Bill got home from work he said we were going out to eat. As we were getting into the van, we saw a huge rainbow. Bill said, "That's for Papa" and then it hit me. We went to Wendy's and sitting next to us were two little old guys just chatting away. As they got up to leave, the one man looked at Matthew, smiled and asked him how he was doing. They both chuckled as they left. Bill and I both started to cry. I just wish my Papa had more time with his great grandson. We will miss you Papa.

11 Years!

Happy Anniversary to my honey. It is officially on Saturday. I remember the day so clearly...a beautiful sunny day. Pastor Weed prayed for me as I got out of the limo before entering the church. Walking down the short, green carpeted isle, holding on to my dad's arm, and seeing Bill waiting for me with his lip quivering & tears rolling down his face...I could not stop smiling. In my heart I knew I was doing something big, something God had orchestrated from the beginning...this was a day the Lord had made. Bill whispered to me and said I looked like an angel...and that day I felt like one. Pastor talked about 3 strands. "3 strands are not easily broken" he said...Bill, me & the Lord. We lit candles, prayed, sang songs & kissed. Honey...I love you even more today than I did that day. I am so thankful to God for his blessings...for I am very aware that our lives would not be this way if He didn't redeem them and save the both of us. Happy Anniversary...I love you.

My Little A

Well the doctor visits will continue this morning at the Roth home. It looks like Adrienne may have Strep throat. She's been running high fevers all weekend & began complaining of a sore throat & swollen glands since yesterday. Her throat is bright red with a few little white spots...also called "exudate" on her tonsils. White spots do not always mean strep but because of her high fever, I'm assuming it is. She has a 10:30 apt. today at the pediatrician. Please pray for our little "Sweet Cheeks" as we call her if you get the chance today & have a great week!!! (Can you believe it's August already!?...Come on summer...slow down!!!)

Lloyd and Amy

We are so excited for our good friend Lloyd who is marrying a beautiful girl named Amy. I thought I would tell you a little about Lloyd and the impact he had on our lives.

Lloyd and Bill were partners in crime in high school. I've heard them tell some funny stories about their time in Chemistry class. Lloyd is also responsible for teaching Bill how to dance...have you seen Hip Hop break it down lately?!

I met Lloyd when I was dating Bill in college. We hit it off right away. His fun-loving personality was infectious! After Lloyd became a Christian he chose every opportunity to share the gospel with us. One time he came to visit us at our apartment in Philly. He questioned & challenged us and loved us by sharing truth we so desperately needed. Lloyd even sufferred through sleepless nights on a horrible pull-out couch with a bar sticking in his back and our new kitten Pina attacking every foot movement he made. (Now that's loving your brother for sure!)

I also remember Lloyd bringing me into a room at the Roth's home, sitting me down and posing the question "Christina, have you thought about whether you would be in heaven if you died tomorrow?" At the time I said..."Sure I'll be in heaven. I'm a good person!" It was then that God began to do a work in my heart.

So thank you Lloyd for loving us and sharing the precious gospel message with us...for it is our greatest need...salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. We will pray for you & Amy as you start your life together as one, reflecting Christ's love as you love one another.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

My Grandma

My mom called me today to tell me the very sad news that my grandma died this afternoon in her sleep. I wanted to post a little picture of her & my Papa. I have many fond memories of her mostly from when I was younger. She was always so happy to see me & my family and never hesitated to tell me that she loved me. Meals at her home were so big that I could never eat past the first course...macaroni, but always seemed to have room for dessert...(only having difficulty deciding which one.) Hospitality came easy for grandma, and she was never satisfied until she knew you had atleast 2 helpings of everything. Grandma also loved seeing our kids...even in the end when she had trouble remembering their names. I will miss my grandma and I am grateful to the Lord that he showed her mercy in her last days. We will be traveling home to Grand Island Tuesday night for her funeral.

My Boys

Yesterday was a difficult day for Bill. Unfortunately I was not much help to him, so this morning I wanted to make him smile & I knew this shot from our recent trip to Great Wolf Lodge would do it.

I love you honey. I'm sorry I was unaware of all that is going on at work, but I want you to know that I will be praying for you all day today. I am blessed to have a husband who loves me & his children passionately & who will always put the best interest of his family before all else. Your parents named you well...William means "Determined Guardian".

Have a great day honey!

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12