SOYC 2015

The last Monday through Friday of June has been reserved for youth camp...literally, all of my life.  We just had another week camping + experiencing God in such a real way.  Matt + I could not be prouder of our staff + students.  They worked hard, played hard, + prayed hard.  With me being 7 months pregnant this year + toting around an infant + toddler, I was extremely nervous of how it would all go, but let me tell you J + E loved every minute of it.  Jude would probably love living in a camper all summer long...me, not so much.  Haha!  We were extremely blessed when our neighbor gave us a wagon right before camp and that thing is definitely a game changer.  The boys were so content getting around the campgrounds in the wagon.  It is like a playpen on wheels with an awning!!!  Seriously, it's the best invention for toting little ones around.  However, back to camp this year...there was such a great presence of the Holy Spirit in the services + students receiving Christ + forever being changed by the power of God...nothing like it.  Another year for the books.  Oh, and if you wonder where I'll be at the end of next June, right back at this dear place, Southern Ohio Youth Camp.

Ezra Goes Creekin'

School's out!!!!  Finally, I am getting to spend some time with my babies for the summer.  One of the best things I like to do in the summer is take Jude to the creek.  It was one of my favorite pastimes growing up + I just want to carry on that tradition with my kiddos.  Now, we have a new fella to introduce to the creek.  With Ezra only being 7 months and just learning to sit up on his own, I knew this may not be the best event for him.  He proved me wrong, by loving putting his feet in the frrrreeeezing cold water + attempted to eat much sand + many rocks on the shore (giving me nothing short of a heart attack).  Jude + I tried our best catch minnows, but we weren't too successful this trip. He did enjoy play with his construction toys on the shore after being bummed about not catching wildlife. :)

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day...a special day to remember those who fought + died for our freedom, but it is also the signal for summer to begin.  Since summer is my favorite season, I am not mad about this notification to get things started.  We have already started having summer-like weather, so this just prepares us for more of it.  We spent the weekend going to graduation parties, visiting OTR in Cincinnati, and putting up our American decor.

Hello Again + An Announcement + Our Disney Getaway

Dusting off the cobwebs of the dear old blog today.  To our readers, a big thank you for being patient as a lot has been going on lately {and that is probably an understatement}.  Now, if you follow Matt + me on IG, Twitter, or FB, you are most likely aware of some of the happenings going on.  The greatest joy in our life right now is...

WE ARE HAVING BABY #3!

This was very surprising and welcoming news.  We have always had our heart set on having at least 3 children and since we have had fertility issues in the past, we thought it best to try right away.  So, when I was feeling completely exhausted for the first part of the year, I never dreamed it was due to being pregnant.  We found out when we were a little over 11 weeks along...almost through the first trimester!!  This week we get the joy of finding out the gender of this little one.  This process is very familiar, yet so exciting even still.  We truly appreciate all of the love we have received from all of our family and friends already concerning this announcement.

In other news, Spring Break happened to be a pretty exciting week for us too.  We were able to take the boys on a family vacation to Orlando, Florida.  Our time included staying with our our friend, Robert {aka Uncle Robert}, going to Disney's Magic Kingdom, and visiting the ocean.  All of it was a bit of fantastic whirlwind.

Magic Kingdom was every bit of the magic and more.  Jude loved it so much.  To a boy that loves boats, cars, trains, and Mickey, well...it was a moment that he won't soon forget.  Actually, he brings up Disney World almost daily and our trip was over a month ago already.  The most precious moment of the day came at the very end of our time there.  We got to meet Mickey Mouse himself.  Jude pretty much jumped out of his daddy's arms to hug Mickey.  The excitement and awe he had in his eyes during that moment was just so special.  

The visit to the ocean was also a very noteworthy occasion.  It was Ezra's first time to the beach.  Since he was born at the end of October he has never experienced the sunny, warm weather like we did there.  I think it was love at first experience for him though.  He would just lay in the sun without one cry of discomfort and even took a nap on his beach towel.  As far as the ocean goes, it certainly was not warm water, but he loved splashing in it nevertheless.  Of course, this is Jude's 2nd time at the beach and he was rather pro at it too.  Building and digging in the sand seems to be his specialty or even chasing birds around.  

All in all, the vacation was well-spent and most enjoyed.  Here are some of our captured moments. :)

JAN/2015...Family Photos

We are back to taking family pics, but as a family four.  Yay!  The temperature rose to 50 degrees on Saturday, so why not get out, enjoy beautiful scenery, and capture the moment while we are at it.  Afterward, we went to a hibachi grill, because that experience is always a memorable and tasty one.  Jude decided he would be a chef the rest of the evening.  Thankfully he doesn't have access to real knives. :)

Ezra's Dedication Video

We had the formal dedication of Ezra to the Lord this morning at our church.  It was such a sweet and blessed day.  A special thank you to all of our family and friends that were there to support the blessing of our sweet fella.  Here is a video we created to share at the dedication.  Enjoy.

Ezra James Wilson's Dedication

Happy Twenty Fifteen

Happy New Year!  Are you into goal setting?  I am.  I like dreaming of what's to come, planning to make it happen, and actually working to see the dream come to pass.  No, every new year resolution is not always accomplished, but some are.  Those successes are what keep me planning and scheming.  In prayer and meditation, I have felt as though the Spirit has been birthing this verse in me for this year...Matthew 16:25- "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  Honestly, in my walk with Christ I have found my greatest struggle to be with SELF.  I wrestle with trying to make myself happy versus pleasing God.  This year I want to be intentional in overcoming my flesh and living a life spent completely for Christ.  In every area of my life...as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, leader, etc.  I am planning on finding true life from living for the glory of God solely.  Yes, I have other goals which I will not go into, but with this as my base I am hoping to see much fruit.  Here's to hoping 2015 is the best yet.