The Adventures of Our Family

It Takes Two!

2007-03-30T21:22:00.000-05:00

Over the past two weeks, I have been home by myself (well, my brother Aaron lives here - but he's always gone) while Caleb has been in Peru. It has certainly been an Adventure and I cannot wait for Caleb to come home on Sunday! Everything changes when there is only 1 parent around - it certainly gives me more understanding and a better ability to pray for those families who only have one parent. I was going to recap everything that happened over the last two weeks, but I can't really think of anything. It's all....mush. OH! We had the Maranatha Mardrigal choir at our church last Sunday morning and it was wonderful. It was great to see Dr. Budhal since this was his last tour before he retires. What was NOT quite so great was realizing that I was in that same choir on our spring tour exactly 10 years ago. OUCH! We also had our TRUTH TRACKERS program on Sunday night at church. My little Tiny Trackers (3, 4, and 5 year olds) were a hoot! They (yes, Levi was involved) were yelling at each other during the main song. Caleb Coleman was singing his little 3 year old heart out and Levi began yelling, "You're singing too loud!" Caleb said, "NO I'M NOT!" And, well, you get the gist of what happened for all 3 minutes of the song. Everyone was cracking up - I'm convinced that comic relief is the only reason pre-school age children are allowing to do anything in front of the church:-)

Now, on a more serious note...
Have you ever felt like God was trying to get a point across to you? I've had it happen where something happens and then the next day you read the most appropriate thing for what just happened or I've had it where I've read something and then the next day I think, "Wow! That's why I read that in my devotions yesterday." Well, for the past two weeks, I have been surrounded with the story of Joshua. I've been going through the Old Testament and I'm into Joshua now. The Beautiful Spirit bible study had things about Joshua in it. The Junior High Sunday school lesson a couple of weeks ago was about Joshua and Caleb. And there are other instances. While I've enjoyed it and really tried to dig in, I feel like I'm not getting the "big picture." So, I guess I'll just keep praying and digging and see what God has in store for me!

Not a Little Boy Anymore

2007-03-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Who knew that my world would change when Levi turned 4 years old? No one warned me about this. It seems that at the age of 4, the world decides that my little boy is no longer a little boy. He now goes to Sunday School, Junior Church, Wednesday evening children's program (which he started at 3), and the big one...sits in the Sunday evening service. "Is he in school?" "Where will you send him to preschool?" "Is he doing T-ball?" SLOW DOWN! He was just born a few months ago...he can't possibly be almost ready for his driver's license. I love that little boy so much and I can't imagine the next 4 years going by as fast as the past four have - I need to take more pictures, write more blogs, spend more time with my little man. Anyone else feel this way or is it just me? (I'll have pictures from Levi's birthday up soon - they were taken with Pop-Pop's camera, not mine).

I'm a Slacker!

2007-03-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

That's right! I know! I know! I am such a slacker. So much has been going on in our lives over the last month - I really am excited to share it all with you. Levi had his 4th birthday, Jared was very sick, Caleb and I went and saw some beautiful concerts, and God has been working in our lives and our church! On Sunday, Caleb leaves for Peru for 2 weeks. I am planning on catching up with the blogging world while he is away. So...stay tuned for posts! (though it will be a lot of catch-up at first).

LOVE

2007-02-20T23:20:00.000-05:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
I am thankful everyday for the wonderful husband God has given me. We have been together for 10 years now...I can't believe how fast the time has gone past. Caleb is a constant spiritual encouragement to me and I am thankful that God allowed me to be married to a man in full-time ministry. Though, I must say, that our beginning was not as "pie in the sky" as it may sound. Basically, I didn't like him at first - he was too determined and I didn't like it. BUT...as Caleb always points out...he was right and I did marry him. After he asked my dad THREE times. It really is a much longer and funnier story, but I'll have to say the full scale rendition for another time. I am just thankful that even under the pressures of ministry and two children under the age of 4, Caleb still treats me like his girlfriend.

Happy Birthday Jared!

2007-02-20T22:56:00.000-05:00

Should have been posted February 10th:
Jared turned 1 today and absolutely devoured his cake! He is such a blessing to us - we can't imagine our lives without him. God has been so good in His care of him and especially when he was just having a rough time at the beginning. It's amazing to see how defined his character is already...and he's only one! He is an easy-going baby who is delighted (and tormented) by his older brother. He laughs at anything and is over all super pleasant. He does tend to run a little like him mom though and has a quick temper. When he gets mad, we all know it. It's very convicting when you see your own bad habits (and pure sinful tendencies) passed down to your kids. BUT, on the other hand, Jared is very smart. He will already mimick us with words (can say mama, dada, hi, up, no-no, dog, cat, and cup)and is very attentive. He will watch us work something and then copy it exactly. He likes to look at books and play the piano. I don't know what God has planned for my little-ist man, but I am excited to see what He will do in his life. Now we just have to get through the molars and then MAYBE I will get a full night's sleep...maybe...just one night...

Five Little Known Facts

2007-02-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

This should have been posted two weeks ago:
1. I once played the role of Annie on Broadway. No, not really, but it would have been cool to be a red head! Okay, I'll start again...
1. I cannot stand bridges or cellophane. I guess I should have thought this through a little more before I moved from Illinois to the East Coast. So, worst way to die...falling off a bridge wrapped in cellophane.
2. I once shot a possum with a rifle. Not once, not twice, but 18 times...just to make sure it was dead and THEN I made my brothers (who were 10 and 7) go clean it up!!!
3. Caleb and I auditioned for Wheel of Fortune. We spent all afternoon in a convention center answering questions and waiting for our numbers to be called...too bad - we could have had BIG MONEY!
4. I once ate goat and cow's heart all in the same day. We were in Peru and they were both rather tasty!
Because I couldn't decide between things to pick the last one, you get a couple bonus facts...
5. My life's motto and my blood type are the same: B Positive. (ha,ha,ha)
6. When Caleb proposed to me at the airport, it was on the evening news - which was really cool and we still have the video.
7. One time in high school, my best friend Angie and I switched drivers while going 60 mph. Don't ask questions...but it is possible.

Pictures of Titus

2007-01-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

Titus Abram - what an adorable new nephew! Those cheeks - I love it!

New Baby!

2007-01-29T19:42:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, my brother-in-law Simeon and his wife Bonnie had their second child, Titus Abram. He was 20 inches long and 8 lbs, 4.5 oz. We are just praising God for His goodness, since there easily could have been complications due to a rare pregnancy-induced liver disease Bonnie had...but God is good and both mom and baby are doing fine! I'll post pictures as soon as I get my hands on my new nephew!

First Snow, First Steps

2007-01-23T21:32:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked our first snowfall of the year. Don't be fooled by the pictures of this great looking snowman though (go Cubs?); we only had about an inch on the ground...but Caleb and Levi were determined and after much scraping (with a trashcan lid), they were able to put together this guy! Yesterday also brought Jared's very first solo steps. He's been such a chicken cruising around the room with 1 finger on everything. We finally were able to send him back and forth between us by himself. It won't be long now! As for me, well, it's the beginning of the year and there are always so many things to "organize" for the upcoming year. And for those of you who know me...I love it and hate it all at the same time. BUT, I have been convicted lately in several areas of personal service and proper time management - I guess that's just a nicer way of saying that I'm sometimes selfish and lazy. I've been reading through Numbers in my devotions and it's very interesting (and shall I say scary???) to see how upset God was when his people complained about His provision or bucked the authority God put in place. Let's just say it is a good study for me!!!!

Don't Mess With Texas

2007-01-08T23:12:00.000-05:00

After Florida, Caleb and I went down to Texas to see Caleb's brother and family. After two days, Caleb and Luke ditched us (for good reason - class in Dallas) and left Liesl and I with 5 kids - age 4 and under. There are times in our lives when God shows us how unsanctified we really can be - and well, this was one of those times. We had so much fun with them...including making crafts (the homemade glasses were unfortunately all the creative juices I could muster)and watching the eerie display of "like father, like son". Both Caleb and Luke, then Elijah and Levi were playing video games minutes apart from each other. Funny stuff! Oh - and I can't forget that Jared's two front teeth decided to make their own grand entrance in the cow patty land of Texas!

Beach Boys?

2007-01-08T23:07:00.000-05:00

How is that we as an extended family decide to go to Florida for Christmas this year to avoid the snow and cold of the midwest, only to get there and be in for four days of gray, rainy, and cold weather? No beach boys for us! Instead, we spent some time with my family and just relaxed...okay, not really, but it was nice!

It's finally time for Presents!

2007-01-08T22:57:00.000-05:00

Since I just figured out how to get my pictures here - here are Levi and Jared on our Christmas morning (which was really 12/23). Levi is definitely at the age where presents are a huge deal...and the smallest gift gets the great response of "This is the best present in the whole wide world!" Works for us - we'd like him to remember that when he's 12.

New Year Resolution

2007-01-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

Well, besides many serious and spiritual resolutions of this year, I am determined to keep up with this blog. I have not kept in contact with many of the people that I would love to - and it seems that blogging is the easier way to do it! It's like a mass mailing that people seek out instead of deleting it! Besides, what better way to see the two little boys in my life. Caleb and I finally got our digital camera functioning and as soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from the camera to my blog (that really does tell everyone how old I am), I will load up several from Christmas and our trip to Florida and Texas! More about Texas and 5 cousins under the age of 4 later! Please visit me and write me and I will desperately try to keep up with you all! I know Liesl will by my blogging Holy Spirit and "convict" (nag) me until I write something new!

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2006-10-24T14:26:00.000-05:00

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Levi2

2006-10-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

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Crack the Melon

2006-10-24T13:55:00.000-05:00

Well, it only took two days from the start of this blog, to have a new adventure to share. On Wednesday, October 18th, Levi got his first stitches. A friend and I took all of our children (ages 4, 3, 2, 8 mos, and 1mos) to the mall for play and lunch. Levi was running around an open area in the mall (where Santa and the Easter Bunny visit) and fell and hit head-first into the only metal in the whole area - the metal railing. The blood was flowing, I was holding his head shut, someone was dialing 911,...it was...interesting. Praise the Lord that it just seemed worse than it actually was! He was more afraid of the overly-comforting and energetic paramedics ("It's okay Buddy, you're doing great!) than anything else at the time. The worst part was at the hospital. When the doctor said, "Okay, we're going to wrap him up in a sheet now" - I knew that was my cue to exit the room. Caleb stayed with him, but I could hear his screams all the way down the hall. They gave him several shots directly into the wound to numb it. It was an adventure - and probably not my last! If I can figure out how to post some pictures, I have two pretty good pictures of his head! I was just thankful they didn't have to shave his head!

My First Adventure

2006-10-16T18:35:00.000-05:00

Well, I've finally taken the plunge - and joined the world of bloggers! Hopefully, I will keep up with this better than I have with email and phone calls...but with the constant daily adventure of raising two little ones, I'm not holding my breath!