Florida 2015

We had the opportunity to go to Florida with mom and dad Tucker,  Kristy,  Luke,  Shari and Paiton January 2-9th.  We had a wonderful trip and made some great memories. 
One part of the trip we're trying to forget was the flight down. Maria worked 7-12, Jeremy also worked all morning,  got off late and Jones had the GI flu. On his way home from the babysitters he pooped through his outfit onto the car seat.  After being bathed and in a fresh outfit he was given a bottle and when he threw it on the kitchen floor it shattered with milk still in it.. we were already late leaving so I  just threw a towel on it to deal with when we got back.

We made it to Indianapolis in time and actually had a really smooth time at the airport. . Jones loved looking at everything...

Once on the plane Jones and daddy were having fun at first...

But then the flu hit hard: #2 all through his outfit- turns out airplane bathrooms are not so big.. we got him changed and back in his seat.. just to have him vomiting for about 30-60 seconds everywhere. . I didn't have another outfit on the plane :( he fussed most of the flight.  Poor guy. This was the next morning - he still wasn't feeling well.. but thankfully after a few days he got back to near normal! 

Our ride and handsome  driver for the week. 

Our snake friend who liked to park right in front of our door.. yikes!

Date night : Boston Lobster Feast: seafood buffet including all you can eat lobster...

Bubby loved relaxing this trip.. he really got his lounge on...

Double date with Dan and Barb : AL Capone's dinner show - so fun to watch dad and mom act like mobsters!!

Frozen dairy.. always a great idea!

He hated the swimming pool but loved his baths as usual. 

Bubby said "andpa" for the 1st time this trip.. still see the resemblance? 

Luke and Paiton playing :)

"Freanimies"

Jones flew home with just momma.. and did awesome! Praise the Lord! 

Bubby's 1st Haircut

Just another Saturday afternoon, unaware of what's to come...

Going OK so far, not sure why Dad's combing my hair but at least we're in the garage. I love the garage. 

Hmmmm....that's strange, they've given me a pretzel and I wasn't even fussing...

Back off Dad, stay away from my neck with that buzzing thing!!

Maybe a few tears will get them to leave me alone??

Forget tears, I'll try screaming.

Maybe a 10 minute whine will get me away from these villians and their scissors.

Finally done but I'm still gonna cry for awhile.

A bath, the parents first wise move towards earning back my trust and favor.

I think my new dew makes me look older, anytime now the 18 mo old ladies will come swooning....or at least my babysitters.

Proverb 30:32

"If you have been foolish,  exalting yourself,  or if you have been devising evil, PUT YOUR HAND ON YOUR MOUTH. "

Sometimes the simplicity of God's word is really profound and catches me off guard. 
Interesting that exalting yourself compares with devising evil.. I'm reminded that exhaling myself is often at the cost of downing /criticizing another...
Lord help me put my hand over my mouth!
M

Christmas Time 2015

Christmas time, are you listening? Thanks for stopping by, maybe you're a regular follower or here for the first time? If you're here because of our Christmas card, welcome. If you didn't get a Christmas card and would like one, comment below...

Realization: It's impossible to describe our last year in a short paragraph, this is just a short summary.

Feel free to check out the rest of our blog for past vacations, events, life, and opinions...we have a list of posts yet to make, hopefully coming soon :)

Jeremy

Still working at Milan Center Feed & Grain, I guess the theme of this year is change, although this is starting to look like a reality to our small business. The Agriculture industry is still exciting with a constant flow of new challenges but most importantly, new opportunities! 

Maria

She has just finished up a 2 year stint with Christian Community Healthcare and we cannot say enough how much this mission blessed our family. Providing free health care to the community has opened our eyes to the local need. Also a plug, this clinic is being run by a selfless board and operated by Dr.'s and nurses volunteering their time. If you're looking for an avenue to support a real cause, check them out. They can always use your time, financial support, and most of all prayers. She'll be starting at Dupont Hospital here in town this January.

Jones

This dude has probably been the most consuming and drastic change to our lives the last year. It's been an amazing experience to watch him develop, think, grow, crawl, walk, yell, and learn through his 1st year of life. We thank God constantly for a healthy, strong boy and for the opportunity to raise him for His purpose. 

Baby due April '15

Change number two...a shock that will most likely impact Jonesy boy. Maria is feeling "as expected" and so far all Dr. visits have showed good growth and a healthy baby. We don't know yet boy or girl and for now are planning on being surprised. We'll see if mama's patience holds out.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jeremy, Maria, jones (14mo), and baby (Apr. '15)

A decade seems like a long time..

Again this blog is probably more for the writer than the reader.. feel free to journey through Maria's emotions today  :)
Not a December 5th or December 11th goes by without me remembering 2004's December. It's different now that it's 2014.. 10 years since a sweet and precious soul entered life this side of heaven, for a brief but purposeful stay. I doubt that birthdays are very important in eternity.. but since I'm still bound by this thing called time- I found myself reflecting on Clint Lucas's little life today.. what would have been his 10th birthday.

19 years old, an EKG tech as a sophomore in college- I worked all night while my body was unexpectedly preparing to give birth to a little boy.. I had no idea that I was in labor until my trip home in the morning when I realized my stomach "hurt" every 2 minutes. That day was a blur- back to the hospital, shipped emergently to Akron Summa hospital (Akron Children's was a mile away)- after barely making it there, I delivered a sweet baby boy- in my mind he was going to be dead on arrival- I remember being shocked to hear a tiny voice- one little cry.. he was alive! They were able to intubate him and "stabilize" him enough to transfer him to Children's. "Name?" someone asked- "Clint Lucas" I said- still somewhat in shock that this was all happening. 12 inches long and 1 lb 7oz are not great measurements for a new life. For some reason I thought they'd just whisk him away.. but they got me in a chair and let me see him before the transport. (For some mom's that would be the last time their child was alive to be seen- so many things that can go wrong) It was one of the most precious moments of that whole week to come- A mother seeing her baby for the first time- so thankful he was alive.. I remember that moment very vividly, everything else went away and I was in love. So thankful to even have a moment to touch this sweet baby.. still numb to the reality of the situation, I knew I'd been given a gift.. moments with a soul who had been created in my womb by a God I was desperate to know better.

Clint was shipped to Children's then and I had to stay at the hospital I was at until later the next day. That night once everyone else left so I could sleep I remember weeping for what seemed like a long time. The exhaustion and reality of what was happening kind of found me that night. The emptiness in my life from not having Christ in my heart was probably more evident that day than any other time. I remember pleading with God for this little boy's life... my own heart full of questions and wanting peace that only the Holy Spirit can give.
Today, as I held my 13 month old, 25+ pound sweet Jones Theodore as he slept (I honestly cannot remember the last time he slept on mamma- but today was a really sweet day for that to happen) My heart was so full of thankfulness. Mostly for the PEACE in my life now- no longer an empty soul in need of redemption- I am evidence and living proof of the power of God. If He can redeem my life, he can redeem anything. It's good for me to remember what God has brought me through. I do not live in the past anymore- but at the same time our past has some things to remind us- for me this means remembering to be SO thankful for the grace and mercy I've been shown. I'm still desperately in need of Jesus on a moment to moment basis.. the difference is that he now has taken up residence in my soul. And Clint.. you can find him on the streets of heaven... I'd never wish him back.

Memorial Day '14

Sorry to you regular followers for the delayed blogging!!

May brought the first 3-day weekend and the official opening of the Thunder Lake cabin.

This was also Jones' first trip to the UP!

Kicking off the year right...on the trails.

Grand Marais, MI was our stop along Lake Superior. Town of roughly 3,000 people, this was the only place serving lunch since the other option was getting a kitchen remodel. Grilled burgers were excellent, almost as nice as the Lake  Superior view. Funny story: I was buying a new pair of socks, since my current pair got drowned in an earlier mud puddle, and I handed the lady my credit card and drivers license. She started laughing and turns out she grew up in Fort Wayne a couple miles from where I live now. Small world.

 

 

 

 

So it's the end of May, 60 degrees with the sun out and there's still snow on the ground and ice in the big lakes, pretty awesome. The DNR lady we talk to said that Lake Sup froze 96%...she's in her 70's and could only remember that happening 3 other times. Basically last winter was like our Indiana winter but 20 degrees colder, no thanks. The deer were running out of food and coming into town scavenging so the DNR let the people feed them, next thing you know the wolves followed the deer into town and started taking the women and children!! OK just kidding, but wolves in town was an issue...more for the dogs and cats.

The sand was warm and perfect for a quick nap after stuffing our faces.

Stroller rides are like warm sand...nap city.

Jones' first good look at a Northern Pike.

Triple Trouble.

A little Gma time.

The kids went swimming so how can any adult be sissy enough not to jump in?? It was so cold....like probably 45 degrees cold. Not kidding.

Campfire dessert.

Indian boot weather.

1st pontoon ride

The only picture of Faith we have where she's holding still.