Alec's First Haircut

Last week, Alec got his first haircut.

Before- You can't see real well, but there were about 1 inch long hairs over his ears and the long spot on the top.

gettting sprayed

so far so good
He did not at all like getting his neck trimmed, so Mom had to hold his head down while he was screaming.

We had to resort to giving him cereal to eat to calm him down.

Cutting off the long pieces- Andrew will be happy! ;)

Alec is the first little kid that I have done that is not afraid of the trimmers/clippers! Amazing! Usually, you have to hold them down while they are screaming and trying to wiggle all over the place!

the finished haircut- Much neater looking

He thought it was pretty funny to walk around with the cape on. ;)

~Amber~

Birthday Celebration

Last Friday night we picked up some Kentucky Fried chicken and went to Krape Park to celebrate our birthdays (Andrew, Anthony, and I).

getting ready to eat

The birthday cake Mom made for us.

lighting the candles

time to open gifts

Thanks Dad and Mom for a great birthday party! We love you!!!

~Amber~

Happy 15th Birthday Anthony!!!!

Today is Anthony's golden birthday!!! It's hard to believe that he is already 15! He has really advanced on the violin and piano within the last few years! It's amazing how much musical talent he has.

Anthony- "priceless, praiseworthy"
Michael- "Who is like God?"

Here are some of Anthony's favorites:

Hobby- reading
Restaurant- Culvers
Candy Bar- Reeses Peanut Butter cups
Meal- Chicken and Noodles
Board Game- Money Matters
Sport- swimming
Music- Christian & Gospel
Color- neon green
Book- Dragonkeepers Chronicles and Redrock mysteries
School subject- Science
Dream vacation- Scotland
Book of the Bible- Romans

Happy Birthday Anthony!!!!!

Happy Birthday Amber and Andrew!!!!!

Yes, Andrew and I share the same birthday, but we are not twins! I'm a year older than Andrew. It's hard to believe that I'm already 21 and Andrew is 20! Wow! Time flies! It seems like just yesterday that we were little partners in crime. ;) Anyways, Happy Birthday Andrew, my buddy!!! ;)

Now for some thoughts from the birthday girl. I don't feel any different turning 21. Today, as I look back on the 21 years of my life, I'm grateful that I have made it this far. God has allowed me wake up each new morning! Since I was turning 21 I got all the typical questions. Are you going to go the bar? "No, a bar is ungodly environment where sin is exalted, and as a Christian, I know that is not a place I should be besides the fact that I don't want to go to a bar." Well, are you going to drink? "No." Not even try it? "No, I don't want to even get started on something that could become a bad habit. I don't see the point in drinking, and I believe that it is something that God doesn't want me to do. People just drink for pleasure, and I don't understand that . I want to be satisfied in Christ and not use drink to make me happy." Why is that you are viewed as "weird" if you have no desire to party and drink? By the grace of God, I can say that is something I have never desired. God enabled me to go against the "cultural norm." All I can say is, "Praise the Lord."

I also get all the questions about a boyfriend. Why is so different that I have never had and never will have a boyfriend? That I am doing courtship and not dating? That I am saving my first kiss for my wedding day and am expecting my future husband to do so? Why do so many Christians question the fact that God will bring along your future mate at his appointed time without you seeking him out? Today, a girl's significance is found in that she can "get a boyfriend", and if you don't have a boyfriend, then you must be the most miserable person on earth. I struggle with that sometimes too, but God is teaching me right now that I need to be satisfied in Him. People will not bring me satisfaction! God alone is the one I can be truly satisfied in!!! By God's grace, I am waiting for God to bring along my future husband in His time. That doesn't mean that I don't struggle sometimes with waiting. My sin nature wants to plan my life in my own time, but God has taught me that His will and His timing is best. After all, He is sovereign over all! Why should I question him!?! God loves me and will do what is best for me even though I may not see how it is His best, but I can completely trust Him. I need to serve God where I am now. I should be using these single years for the glory of God and growing closer to Him!

This song has been really meaningful in my life especially during this season. Whenever I'm tempted to be disconnent, I start singing this song to remind myself to wait on God.

While I'm Waiting

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on you, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on you, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve you

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on you, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on you, Lord

Though its not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on you Lord

by John Waller

This song is my prayer right now. By God's grace and enablement, I want to wait on Him and be satisfied in Christ!

~Amber~

Birthday Bash/Labor Day Campout

On Sunday afternoon, we headed out to Grandma and Grandpa Gillingham's house for the traditional campout to celebrate all of the grandkids' birthdays. Everybody was there except for Jayson and Jennifer(who are in Germany) and Zach(who is in Washington, D.C.). Britt was able to come just for Sunday.

Campsite on Labor Day morning

Auntie Em's horses

Dad made applesauce doughnuts for breakfast.

Mom making scrambled eggs.

Gathering around to pray for breakfast

eating breakfast

Austin and Adam could hardly sit still to eat breakfast before they were playing again. ;)

Adam and Austin slept in the same tent.

The boys had a lot of fun with the four wheeler.

Aunt Emily and Rachel

The four wheeler was also useful for taking things and people ;) back and forth from the house.

Aaron had fun playing with the fire.

Rachel spit up a lot all over herself and Aunt Emily. Geuss the four wheeler ride shook her up too much. ;)

Ben, Mike, and Grandma

Alec and Aunt Emily

Grandma and Aaron

Mike

GrandpaBen

Andrew

Rachel- Babies look so sweet when they are sleeping!

Alec liked playing with Austin's bicycle tire.

Uncle Dan decided it would be fun to go through a muddy swamp!

Austin was pretty dirty!

Austin washed up while Uncle Dan took Aaron through the swamp.

Here they come! Let's see how dirty they are this time.

Uncle Dan

Adam

Aaron got extremely dirty!!!

Disgusting!!! He even had dirt on his teeth!

Cody went along each time.

Mike decided he wanted a turn.

Aaron went up to the house to hose off.

Back with Mike

They got dirtier each time!!

Adam tried to pick the mud out his hair!

Austin and Adam liked playing with the lawn darts(or missiles as they called them). ;)

opening presents

The sword Austin picked out for Adam

Anthony and Aaron got pencil sharpeners from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Phil. They were from Germany, so all of the writing was in German. It is pretty interesting!

Grandpa wrestled with Michael to try to put ice down his pants. ;)Aaron and Mike played Jenga.

They got it fairly high before Aaron toppled it.

Alec was taking nap, so he opened presents later.

Britt and I

the girls minus Jennifer

the boys minus Zach and Jayson with the cake

blowing bubbles

Austina and Adam had fun playing with bean bags.

Before we left, we gave a survival kit to Mike who will be leaving to go to Marine boot camp the end of September. We had a really fun time! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for letting us campout!

~Amber~