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So Who Am I, Anyway?
Born and raised in Iowa, I left the corn-state (which I love) to attend Taylor University in Indiana. In 1996 I met my future husband, Cameron on a blind date. In 2000 I graduated in with a BA in Social Work and Political Science. We were married two months later. After settling in Nashville, Tennessee, where my husband was raised, I was hired as a Child Counselor. This position involved working closely with foster parents and troubled foster children (aged from babies to 17-year-olds) with a wide variety of physical and emotional issues. I loved my job and loved my foster kids. Cameron and I are praying that soon we will be able to sponsor our own foster children, eventually adopting them into our family permanently. In 2003 we moved to Wisconsin, and have been enjoying the snow ever since. (Especially my husband, who was excited to purchase a monster-horse power snow blower...for our 20 foot driveway. "It's to help the neighbors." and, in all fairness...it has helped the neighbors...) We have seen God's hand of blessing in this move. We've become involved in God's purposes by attending CrossWay Community Church, engaging with other believers in our Caregroup, and learning more and more about truth and grace through podcasts, books, and conversations (LOTS of conversations!). You can see some of those so-important resources here. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may what is the hope to which
he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,
according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the ded and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly
places...
~ Ephesians 1:16-20 Our Lauren...Our first, Lauren Brooke, was born on October 29, 2003 at a tiny-teeny 6.5 pounds. She's six now (did I just type that?) and is in Kindergarten. We are homeschooling this year (it's a long story), which has been interesting.
 Besides dancing, singing is her second favorite activity. Lauren's made-up songs are legendary in my extended family. Her key to success? Repeat the phrase over and over again until you can think of something else. In this picture, she's showing off her first missing tooth. My father informed her the Tooth Fairy would pay her 5 dollars for her tooth. So, obviously, she was very excited. (Thanks Dad...the Tooth Fairy is sending you a bill...)
In a stroke of genius, my husband informed her that the first tooth was worth the most, because it was the first. After that, the going
rate for well-brushed teeth is $.25 a pop. (whew!)
Our Elena...Our second, Elena Marie, was born on March 3rd, 2007. She's an incredibly spunky 3-year-old. Right now we are learning to identify our ABC's and obey Mommy right away. The latter is by far the harder at this point! (To me, the three's are much worse than the two's.)
 She is the ham of the family, cracking jokes with her little lisp left and right. Having discovered recently that Mommy hates "thpiders", she constantly pretends to find "thpiders" everywhere, and then laughs uproariously when I overreact, which, of course, I do each time. Who knew that those nasty, hairy, long-legged disgusting arachnids could bring me such joy? ;-) A little piece of her personality can be seen in this photo. I have no idea where she dug up those goggles, but she wore them almost all afternoon, even through dinner. Our Bella... She has started smiling and laughing, which pleases her sisters. They love to get on the floor and put there head right next to hers to see what she sees, play with the dangling toys and blow raspberries on her cheeks. She takes it all in good stride. So far, I've been completely blown away with how easy-going she is. Finally! A personality from my husband!!! God knows I couldn't handle another strong-willed child like me! She doesn't cry during baths, she doesn't cry when I'm sucking stuff out of her nose...it's amazing. However, be a little late with lunch and she'll bring down the rafters with her sreaming. At least we know her priorities!
I love those little cheeks! In fact, just typing about it makes me want to go up there, wake her up, and shower her with kisses...but then again...
maybe I'll wait until naptime is over.
Our Perrin... He is the closest thing my husband will get to a son (at least for now) and he's meeting all my boy-expectations. He's incredibly hyper, refuses to cuddle, and runs around in circles in the living room. He destroys my tupperware by chasing and barking at it around the house, and barks at everything even appears to be coming within 5 yards of the front window. Yet, he is adorable (as the photo attests), potty trained (YES!), and the girls think he's hilarious. Every now and then he'll even calm down enough to let Cameron brush out his hair or me to rub his tummy.
He's definitely a blessing and a wonderful part of our growing family.
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Y! MyWeb
is an entertaining-yet provocative book that everyone (including Chrsitians)
should read.
~ What could be better than to start with this? We love this Bible. It the most comprehensive study Bible ever published, and
has over 2,752 pages of accessible Bible resources. This version was edited by much-respected theologians like Dr. Wayne Grudem and J.I. Packer. It's
also a favorite version for John Piper, R. Albert Mohler, Randy Alcorn, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
~ An old favorite that explains the amazing transformation that occurs when you accept Christ's sacrifice for your (and my) sins.
Wonder why "Christianity" isn't working for you? Perhaps you're not looking at what "Christianity" really means. This book started a MAJOR
paradigm shift for Cameron and I in regards to our walk with Christ.
~ Another fun-yet-helpful book that we've used in our marriage to strengthen and sustain us through the difficult
times and provide an outlet for praise and worship in the good times. Since we're ALL sinners, everyone who is married or thinking of
getting married, can benefit from this book.
~ for when your baby gets a little older! God has used this book so much in helping us learn how
to "train our children in the way they should go, so that when they are old, they won't depart from it." There is such sweet happiness in a life lived
according to God's perfect will.
~ this teeny tiny book (only 58 pages) has had a HUGE impact on how Cameron and I consider our...wait
for it...duties as parents.
