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!!!