Merry Christmas!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and another wonderful new year in 2008!
Its hard to believe that 2008 is just a few days away now. 2007 was one my favorite years due to the birth of our son Edward. John and I praise the Lord everyday for such an amazing blessing and gift. I can't help but think on James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." The best gift from above, was the Lord Jesus Christ. He came in the form of a small helpless baby to die for all who believe in Him.

This Christmas 2007, PONDER (think over, reflect deeply, contemplate) what the Lord has truly done for YOU personally.
Romans 8:32 - "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Free 8x10 Photo

Walgreens is offering a FREE 8x10 photo today only. They are so VERYNICE.

BABY????

I'm just wondering if there is any news on the birth of Josh and Brooke's little baby girl. If anyone knows anything, please post soon or let me know ASAP. I've been praying continually throughout the day. If she's already arrived, CONGRATS to you both! We are all looking forward to pictures and news soon.

This week in review....

Just a couple more pictures from last week.

Last week in review

Monday: Can't remember, too long ago.

Tuesday: First trip to Hidden Acres to unpack and prepare for the wedding, helped clean my parents house in prep for the wedding. Run in and out of Target looking for coupons and finally finding them in the ice and snow outside, ahhhh!

Wednesday: Set up tables, chairs, and decor for wedding reception at Hidden Acres. Start cleaning my house. Katy and Caleb arrive from Chicago, John arrives from Detroit. The party begins.

Thursday: Back to Hidden Acres for more decorating of the reception area and begin hanging lanterns and candles for the Chapel. Continue cleaning house, make the eighth trip to Wal-Mart for necessities. Daniel arrives from Emmaus, Nanny and Pappy arrive from Little Rock.

Friday: Bridal luncheon at the Cafe with both brides. Make chocolate covered strawberries and special baskets for the B's & G's. Start the process of getting ready for the rehearsal around 2ish. Finally finish around 4:30. Pack the car and head to the rehearsal dinner at Hidden Acres. Great time with family and friends!

Saturday: Breakfast with Johnny, John, Bobbie, and Edward. Off to Hidden Acres, (How many times now? Who's counting?!). Final touches on decorating. Kiss the brides, hug the grooms. Make-up, nails, hair, dress-up. Late for pictures. WEDDING!!!! RECEPTION!!! Home and in bed by 1:30AM.

Sunday: So tired that I hardly remember. Church, lunch, rest, pizza party at our house, watched Surf's Up, gave Edward much needed attention, SLEEEEEEP!

Sorry if I bored you all. Here are some pictures from the week. They are the only ones I actually took, sad I know.

Showers of...

Rain, sleet, ice, snow, and gifts!!!
We celebrated Katy and Abby's personal shower at my house on Dec. 1st. It just happened to be the first big ice/snow storm of the year. Thanks to those who weathered the storm and came regardless of the dangerous roads.
Just ten more days until the wedding. We are praying for good weather.



John getting used to Iowa winters

The boys

Double Wedding

Two of my sisters, Katy and Abby are getting married in just a couple weeks. The countdown is on for December 15th, we can't wait! You can visit their website to see some pictures. I am especially excited to FINALLY have some siblings married. I've been waiting seven and a half years. We look forward to adding Caleb and Josh to the family.

Little Rock

We made it back from our week long trip to Little Rock. It was wonderful seeing family and friends again.

John with Greta and Edward

All the Heller boys together in Branson, MO

Sarah and Michelle

Pappy and Nanny with Edward

Best bud Jonas Cook Madison

Ready or not...

HERE WE COME GRANNY AND PAPPY and AUNT MICHELLE and UNCLE SCOTT!!!
We are leaving this weekend for a week long vacation in Little Rock. The last time we were there was when we moved at the end of April. Edward is especially excited to see his G & G, A's & U's, and cousin Greta. Praise the Lord for wonderful family! We truly feel blessed for each member.

This is how he prefers to sleep

Oh the light!

One of those young drivers, watch out!

Harvest time

Bath time

I couldn't resist adding this video. He is such a little ham. Hopefully there isn't any incriminating footage.

Shivaree

My Aunt Lois and Mom put together a shower for Katy and Caleb. The theme was a Shivaree. Here are some pictures from the fun event. There was pumpkin carving, painting, gourd games, a hayride, cookout, and an amazing bonfire. Thanks for all the hard work Aunt Lois and mom!

Praise the Lord!

Here is what my Aunt Lois wrote on our family web page just a little bit ago in regards to Marcie. Praise the Lord! However, Keep praying for her and her 12 week old baby.

Praise the Lord, the surgery went well- She did have an appendectomy!
Seth said maybe she was going to have a sort of "local" anesthesia,
but wasn't sure.
What a relief!
We will update this as we know anything else, but the baby is fine!
Thanks everyone for praying!!!!!

Prayer

Please pray for our dear Marcie. I don't know many details other then that she is in the hospital for severe abdominal pain. We are praying for you Marcie and hope to hear good news soon.

Just a few more pics from camp

Uncle Keith and Edward

The boys and Greta

The girls and Edward

Camp

View of the lake

The cousins together again


All bundled up for a walk around camp

A special moment with Granny Heller

We made it back from camp late Sunday night. I have been running around Iowa since then trying to help with wedding plans and such. FYI - its less then two months until the double wedding. We can't wait!
Anyways, for those who were wondering, Story Book Camp was wonderful. It was great just being there again. We enjoyed rest, relaxation, the beauty of camp, smell of pine trees, wonderful teaching, family and friends. These are just a few of the things we enjoyed while at camp. It was especially great getting to see and spend time with Granny and Pappy Heller and Uncle Keith, Aunt Sarah, and cousin Greta. Things were certainly different due to little Edward. Nevertheless, it was wonderful and so much fun.

Heading North

Edward and I are jumping in the Expedition with Jenica, Andy, and the kids and heading North to Storybook Lodge Camp for the weekend. Due to work, John won't come until later this week. We will also get to see Granny and Pappy Heller, Keith, Sarah, and Gretta, and Brian, Sarah, Ella, and Myra Young. We can't wait to see everyone!
I am excited to go back after approx. eight years. Its hard to believe that its been that long since I was last there. There are so many great memories from all the times I spent at camp. One of the best memories is that John and I actually met and noticed each other at Storybook. Yes, it was the camp that brought us together...well sorta. Anyways,Its now time to take Edward. We will post pictures once we get back. Have a great weekend one and all!

New BLOGGER!

My dear cousin Kaci has begun a blog. Check it out sometime soon. Yeah!!!!

Help!

I have a couple questions:

1. For some reason, I can't figure out how to make a direct link on my posts.
2. Is there any way to change my settings so that I get an email or notification when all my dear friends post something new? I tend to just scroll down my friends list whenever I have time to look. There must be an easier way or at least a faster way.
3. I have also tried updating my blog decor. Where do you find all those neat backgrounds and how do you add music, (Josh)?

I just switched over to Firefox, its so much easier already. I have also noticed that I have many more options when posting.

Book giveaway!

Thanks Rachel for the link. It looks like a great book and I am ready for a new book.
If you are interested in this book, sign up for the giveaway at Biblical Womanhood

Encouragement

Have any of you had a discouraging day and then something happened that turned things around?!
I had one the other day.
It all began when John and I went for a little shopping to the local mall in Des Moines. As many of you know, I had Edward six months ago. Thus, things just don't seem to fit as well as they once did. I tend to feel frumpy and just ugh most of the time. Due to pregnancy, I held off from buying anything new, (that wasn't maternity). Well, there was the occasional high necked, long length shirt. Otherwise, i've been living with my old wardrobe that shockingly holds some items from Jr. High, ahhh.
Anyways, back to my shopping day. It went horribly... for me. I didn't find one thing and honestly, I mainly only looked for Edward and John.
Moving on, I got home that night and opened the mail. In a large envelope with a New York, New York address was a $50.00 gift card for Steve and Barry's. I couldn't believe it! John probably thought I was a crazy woman due to my reaction. Anyhow, I was ecstatic. Guilt free shopping for myself, yeah.
If you want to know how I got it, I had watched Rachael Ray one day and she had given the audience one and offered the same to some "lucky viewers." I just happened to be one.
More then anything, I thank the Lord for knowing my sad heart and giving me a special reminder of his continual love and care. It didn't have to be a monetary item though, He always knows how to encourage each one of us. A lot of times its the small things that really mean the most.
So, in accordance with what Michelle and Grace have mentioned in their recent blogs, GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS!!!

My little six month old

Edward is growing "like a weed." I can't believe that he has reached the six month mark already. I am so very thankful to the Lord for giving me each and every single day of his life. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to give me time with him and that he will soon know the Lord for himself.

Free

We can all appreciate when something's free. However, most things that are free aren't really that wonderful. Anyways, I just read that the company Dale and Thomas is giving away FREE samples of their AMAZING popcorn. If you haven't tried it yet, this is a great opportunity. John and I love this stuff. We got it last year when they advertised the same offer. Just get on www.daleandthomas.com/free068 to get your yummy popcorn samples.
Yes, it does cost $5.90 for shipping... so maybe its not really free, free. Regardless, its worth every penny and you get not one but two samples.

Puppies!

Well, the last litter was supposed to be the last. However, due to matters that we couldn't control, we now have five adorable chocolate labrador puppies. Edward seems to really love them... if that's possible for a five month old. We missed out on their birth this time since we were in Tulsa visiting many of our dear family and friends.
Speaking of Tulsa, we had such a great time seeing everyone this weekend. The time flew by so fast. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in putting the weekend together. Maybe we can try to do this on a more regular basis.