A Night I Will Remember!

Last night everything around the house was stirring about as normal. Joslyn was practicing on her flute, Allison was finishing up her homework on kitchen table, Moriah was climbing onto the kitchen table chairs (she recently figured out how to get onto the chairs and will climb onto the table top) and I was talking on the phone with my mom. My neighbor came over and asked me if I would like to go out for a evening walk with her. I gladly accepted the invitation! While we were on our walk her dog got off the leash and attacked another, much smaller puppy. The puppy was rushed to the emergency vets office and the Military Police were called. A report was made. After information was given and information was taken I came back home. I shared the story with the girls. I walked to my room where Philip was. I was telling Philip about what had happened during my walk with the neighbor. Joslyn and Moriah were behind me and Allison was in the shower. Moriah was trying to make her way into Joslyn's room (we do not like Moriah in Joslyn or Allison's bedrooms, because she gets into everything and always finds something small to put in her mouth). Joslyn closed her bedroom door not noticing that Moriah's little fingers were in the the crack off the door, where the door hinges are, and the door frame. Joslyn closed the door on Moriah's pinkie finger. I open the door and scooped Moriah up into my arms. I took one look at her finger and saw her finger was smashed flat! I was horrified! I was screaming at Philip, I did not know what to do. I opened the phone book and looked for the phone number to the ambulance. When I called the number of course a local German answered the phone and only spoke German, so I hung up on him. I grabbed a blanket, wrapped Moriah up, had Joslyn grab my purse and car keys and Joslyn and I took Moriah to the ER. I wan't Joslyn to come with because she was so scared and so upset that she closed the door on Moriah's little finger. I wanted Joslyn to see that Moriah was going to be okay, and  I did not want Joslyn to have to stay home and worry her little heart away.
I prayed the entire way to the ER.
When we arrived at the ER the doctor came out right away. I explained to him what had happened. The Doctor had the X-ray Technician come  in and she took Moriah and I around the corner into the x-ray room. She took 2 x-rays of Moriah's finger. We were then escorted to a bed to wait for the results. Less than 5 minutes later the Doctor came in and let us know that her finger was not broken! I was so relieved! Through out the ordeal I tried to reassure Joslyn that this was an accident. I told Joslyn I loved her and everything would be okay! I was happy Joslyn was with me when the Doctor confirmed that her finger was not broken. The nurse tried to wrap Moriah's pinkie in a bandage wrap, but Moriah pulled it all off with in a minute of it being put on her. The Doctor told us everything was just fine and I could give her tylenol for the pain. We were then released. We were in the ER no more that 30 minutes! AMAZING! God was all over this situation!
When we got home Moriah and I laid down with Joslyn in her bed and I prayed over Joslyn. She was so shook up from what had happened. I wanted to help give her peace. I prayed out loud over Joslyn and Moriah fell asleep while I was praying for Joslyn. I took Moriah and placed her in her crib. I then climbed back into bed with Joslyn and ran my fingers through her hair until she feel asleep.
I am so thankful for the many blessing God blessed us with in this situation. He is wonderful! I thank you Lord for holding Moriah in your hands and keeping her from great danger!

Happy Fall Y'all!

It's been a little hard for me to get into the Fall spirit. With Fall comes shorter days (it will start getting dark at around 5pm), less sunshine, and winter is just around the corner. I don't like the winter over here at all! I bought a couple of candles. One is a Spiced Pumpkin scented candle and the other is a Autumn leaves scented candle. I'm still not much into the Fall spirit even when my home smells like things of fall! I really like the "fall weather" in San Antonio. It's not too cold in San Antonio and I don't have to worry about snow and the bitter cold of the winter that hits most other states.
On Thursday our family recorded our Holiday Greeting that will air on local TV channels across south TX  beginning Thanksgiving day and show through  New Years Day! 
Allison and Joslyn were finally able to see the movie Ramona and Beezus at our local movie theater here on post last weekend. They really enjoyed the movie. It was a cute little flick.
I started a new bible study on Sunday morning called Apologetics  for a New Generation . From this study I hope to learn how to better defend my faith and become more effective in my witness to others. To become salt and light to others. We are reading chapter 2 this week.

Joslyn, Allison, their friend Alisha and I went to see Kris Allen in concert. Kris Allen won season 9 of American Idol. He is on a Support the Troops tour and Schweinfurt was one of his stops! Philip stayed home with Moriah.

Thursday night we went to Philip's company meeting. Everyone was encouraged to wear a costume (however the FRG leaders who encouraged everyone to wear costumes did not wear costumes themselves. I thought that was strange) The company raffled off a few pieces of crystal. We didn't win any :( I forgot to take pictures of everyone in costumes, no worries though. I will take lots of pictures on Halloween night. Philip and the girls are off this Monday in honor of Columbus Day. I am not sure what we are going to do for the 3 day weekend other than church and bible class of course. Maybe I will go shopping for some Fall decorations or a Fall like center piece for the dinning room table.

Let Me Catch You Up!

Joslyn recently had her hair cut and has bangs now! It took a few days for Joslyn to adjust to the huge change in length. She looks very pretty!

A few days ago the girls (I helped) made cupcakes for after school snacks. The girls separated the cake batter, picked 5 different colors and made rainbow cupcakes!Joslyn colored the frosting teal. The cupcakes were deeeelicious!! They were only around for about 4 days and then all 24 cupcakes were gone!

Moriah is exploring EVERYTHING! She really enjoys holding her baby doll and covering her baby doll with a blanket. Moriah also enjoys scribbling on paper with a pencil or pen. Last night we had Moriah doing a photo-op for us. We were encouraging Moriah to say, "cheese" for the camera. A few times we were sure we heard her say it!

When Philip came home from work today Moriah spent a while cuddling with Daddy on the couch! Moriah put her baby doll on Philip, covered her baby doll with a blanket and then laid down with her baby doll on Daddy's lap!

Yesterday my friend and I went to a Zumba class. The Zumba class is 1 hour long and it is a fun way to work out. Zumba is offered every Thursday at a local German gym. I plan to go every Thursday with my friend!

PWOC Fall Kickoff

This morning PWOC (Protestant Women Of the Chapel) had the annual Fall kickoff at the chapel. Everyone was introduced to the new board members of PWOC. We sang praise songs, prayed and watched a skit.
All the ladies were then divided into small groups for a devotional. Each group was given a type of light (neon light, candle light, flash light, porch light). My group- Cathy, Ashley, another Denise and myself -had the Warning Light.  In my group we discussed how a warning light is similar to God's Light. We thought of a light house. A light house keeps ships from danger. Captains of ships keep their eyes on the light house while at sea. We stay focused on God's light- The Word.
For the next few months we are going to learn more about being "salt" and "lights" for God in this world.
Shine in the Light of His Glory!

We were all given cute gifts as well. A candle and a book mark! Looking forward to next Wednesday and the start of our new study!

Labor Day Weekend of 2010!

On Saturday our family drove about an hour and a half to the Nurnberg Zoo. I packed a lunch for every one and we had a nice picnic lunch just outside of the zoo.

Everyone had so much fun at the zoo. I think Joslyn, Allison and Moriahs favorite time at the zoo was feeding the goats.

Sunday the girls and I went to church (still praying that Philip will join us for church again) Because of the Labor day weekend Sunday School was not offered :( After church we came home and had lunch. Moriah and I laid down for a nap while Joslyn and Allison went outside to play with their friends. At about 7pm we all went out to eat with our friends, Kim and Jarrad. They are expecting their first baby in about 4 months!!
Monday was a really relaxing day. The Joslyn and Allison spent the day outside with their friends. Philip and I took Moriah to her to play at one of the parks in our neighborhood. She really enjoys climbing up the slide and then sliding down the slide all by herself! She is getting so BIG!!

                    Daddy wanted to slide down the slide with Moriah ( he really does not fit on this slide)

Back to School

Last night I sat on Allisons bed and prayed with her. We prayed for her teachers and her classmates. I also took Allisons request for her Back to School hairstyle. We picked out the jewelry she would wear.  After I tucked her in and kissed her goodnight I went to Joslyns room. Joslyn was so nervous about statrting middle school. I tried to calm her nerves by reminding her that everyone was feeling the same. I sat on Joslyns bed with her and we prayed. Joslyn and I prayed for the teachers, the students and her nervousness. I also took Joslyn request for her Back to School hair style request and helped her pick out the jewelry she would wear.  I tucked her in and kissed her goodnight.
This morning Joslyn and I were up at 6am. I plugged in the curling iron, and began to curl "just the bottom part of my hair mom" Joslyn reiterated to me. At 6:45am I woke up Allison. I pulled her hair back into a ponytail with a white ribbon. I was instructed to curl her ponytail and have 2 curls hang from the sides of her face.
The weather was very bad this morning. It was raining and in the 40's. Joslyn insisted on riding the school bus with her best friend Mia. Mia called the house at about 7:10am. Joslyn and Mia made plans to meet at the corner of our street and walk to the bus stop together. I wanted to drive Joslyn to school especially since it was raining and cold. However I knew Joslyn and Mia really wanted to ride the school bus. So I sent Joslyn on her way with a kiss, "God bless you" and an umbrella.
Allison and I left the house at 7:45am. I drove Allison to school and I walked her into her classroom. Allisons 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Sizemore moved up to a 4th grade teacher and moved all her students from 3rd grade up to the 4th grade with her. So Allison knows her teacher and all her classmates. However there are a few new students and some of Allisons friends did move away over the summer.
Allison told me all about her day at school and after dinner tonight we will call Grandma on Skype and the girls can tell her all about their 1st day.
Joslyn called me after school (from one of her friends cell phone) and asked if she could go to the Teen Center with her friends. The Teen Center is right next to middle school. They have a lot of different activities for the middle school aged kids. So Joslyn will ride the shuttle bus back to our post from the teen center. I am looking forward to Joslyn coming home so I can hear all about her first day of middle school. However when Joslyn called to ask permission to go to the Teen Center she did tell me that she has every class but 1 with Isiah (a boy she likes).

Last Few Weeks of Summer Break!

On Saturday August 7th Allison and I decided to volunteer in our community. With just a few other people, Allison and I walked around our neighborhood and picked up trash (Joslyn decided to stay home with Philip and Moriah). All volunteers were asked to meet at the commissary at 9am. We were all given a trash bag and gloves. Allison and I picked up trash for about 1 1/2 hours. I was proud of Allison for showing interest in volunteering and flowing through!

We celebrated Joslyn's 11th birthday on Saturday August 15- Sunday the 16th. She had 2 of her friends over to help her celebrate. Joslyn planned her celebration. She new what she wanted at her party. The girls made pizzas for dinner! Joslyn made her pizza with mushroom and pepperoni toppings.

Joslyn made a request for her birthday cake. She wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. She also wanted mini marshmallows mixed into the cake batter. I bought a small tube of blue frosting (blue is Joslyn's favorite color) and decorated the cupcakes. After dinner we sang Happy Birthday to Joslyn and ate the cupcakes! They were pretty good. The marshmallow idea was great!

Joslyn's best friend Mia gave Joslyn 4 snow globes (Joslyn collects snow globes). Two snow globes had pictures of Joslyn and Mia inside of it. The 3rd snow globe had a picture that Mia drew. The last snow globes is empty and Joslyn can draw a picture to put inside the snow globe. Dianna gave Joslyn 11 dollars (1 dollar for each year). Allison went shopping with me the day before Joslyn's party and bought Joslyn a game for her game system. Philip and I gave Joslyn a kids coupon book. She has MANY cool coupons! Just a few examples of the coupons; Get a Free Pass on Eating Your Vegetables at Dinner Tonight, Turn in This Coupon and Mom and Dad can't tell you to clean your room for 1 week... It really is a cute coupon book.
At about 10pm we all went outside. Philip got the fire going in the BBQ pit and the girls roasted marshmallows in the fire. I bought chocolate bars and graham crackers so the girls could make smores! They had a BLAST!! It was also cold outside (in the 50's) so being around the fire was comfortable too!!

After making smores the girls came back inside and watched a movie. They were soon fast asleep. In fact Dianna was the only one who watched the movie in its entirety.

Sunday afternoon Philip and I took all the girls (Moriah, Allison, Joslyn, Dianna and Mia) to the indoor/outdoor swimming pool. They all had so much fun swimming, jumping off of the diving boards and sliding down the water slide!

Joslyn's actual birthday is the 18th of August. We took Joslyn to the bowling alley with her best friend Mia. We had dinner and the girl's played one game. We all came back to the house. We sang Happy Birthday to Joslyn and ate ice cream cake! She opened a present from her dad, Philip and I. Joslyn really wanted an Ipod (a personal music player) It is very expensive, but with a huge contribution from her dad Jason, we were able to buy it for her.

Last Saturday our neighborhood had a Back to School Splash Bash. There was a live band, food, challenge course, bounce houses, a swimming pool and so much more! Allison complete a challenge course while Joslyn had fun just hanging out with her friends.

Yesterday Philip turned 30 years old! Welcome to the 30's Philip! I planned a night out for just the 2 of us. No kids!! I wanted to keep it a surprise, but I couldn't. I was too excited and had to tell Philip. The girl's and I decorated the house...

The girl's wrapped the presents they bought for Philip and set them on the table. When Philip came home from work we got dressed, dropped the girls of at a friends house and went to the movies.

After the movies we went to eat dinner at a Greek restaurant....

When we came home from a wonderful evening out. The girls and I sang Happy Birthday to Philip, he opened his presents and read his birthday cards.

It was a great night and Philip really enjoyed it!!
Now I am finally caught up on my posts! Allison's first day of 4th grade and Joslyn's first day of 6th grade (middle school) is on Monday August 30th!! We are all ready for school to start however I think I am more nervous about Joslyn going to middle school then she is!