10 Things About Michael

1. When Michael was a baby, born at 27 weeks and with multiple health problems, we were told he would probably never see, hear, walk or talk. He spent weeks at a time in the hospital. His formula came up almost as fast as it went down, we spent months smelling like spit up baby formula.  He showed little emotion, he stopped breathing multiple times, he didn't blink or respond when a hand was passed quickly over his eyes or brought quickly toward his face. But God had plans for him and they didn't include the doctor's predictions. Michael didn't walk or talk until after his second birthday, but once he did he took off at an astounding rate. Today he walks, runs, jumps, climbs stairs, climbs out windows,rides his bike,  talks nonstop, sees just fine and, since he has tubes in his ears, hears just fine. He's our daily reminder that God still works miracles. 

2. Michael loves to pray and thank God for all the people in his life, naming them one by one. This can make for some very long prayers but it's such a blessing to hear him.

3. He loves music and singing. We have a CD player we let him use and he has it running a lot of the time. When he's not listening to music he's often trying to play the guitar and sing. And he's a good singer. Some of his favorite songs are Use Me, Jesus Use Me, Our God is an Awesome God, and I Am Free. 

3. Like the other two boys, Michael loves to eat. And he has a habit of trying to sneak food which has led to some very funny mishaps - like the time he tasted the used coffee grounds in the coffee pot, the time time he poured half a bottle of green sprinkles in his mouth when I had my back turned, and even just today when he tasted a frozen onion ring from a tray that was about to go in the oven. 

4. One of Michael's favorite things to do is go somewhere. Anywhere, just go. Often his last question at night is to ask where we're going tomorrow, and his first question when he wakes up in the morning is if we're going somewhere today. And if the answers is "nowhere", well . . . let's just say it's not a good start to the morning.

5. He has a bad habit of scaring me half to death - like the time in our old house when he opened the window and screen in the second floor bedroom and proceeded to throw his sisters clothes out the window, leaning out to watch them fly, resulting in a totally freaked out neighbor running over to our house and pounding on the door to let us know our son was in danger of falling to his death. Doug fixed that window so that it could only be opened about six inches so that wouldn't happen again. Or the time in our new house when he opened the upstairs window and climbed out on the porch roof. And then there was the time when he asked to go to Grandma's house and I said no so as soon as I was distracted he took off walking and went to Grandma's house anyway. Thankfully it's only about a quarter mile away and we're not on a busy highway.

6. He enjoys using the computer and really, really wants one of his own. He likes to use Starfall and listen to music on YouTube.

7. He's a cuddler and a snuggler. I love that about him and am hanging on to these times because I know how fast this time will pass.

8. He's such a people person! He loves everyone and remembers names and faces. At church he's a busy little charmer, giving out hugs everywhere he goes, calling to people walking by, disappearing to say hi to someone he hasn't greeted yet. 

9. He has an incredible eye for seeing things that match in some way. One of the things I hear most often when we're driving somewhere (usually at the top of his lungs) is "Look, Mommy, it matches, it looks like . . . " And he remembers where things are that match something else. He told me ahead of time that on a certain road there was a car with wheels that matched the wheels on the car of someone at church. And when we passed that house he pointed it out to me. He also remembers how to get to places, often after only going that way once. 

10. Every day he makes me laugh, frustrates me almost to the point of tears with his strong will, amazes me with something new, reminds me how much I love him, and teaches me to never underestimate the plans God has for each us.

10 Things About Amanda

1. She's wonderful with kids and enjoys spending time with them, playing games, reading books and helping them with things.

2. She loves animals Her best friend is her little dog, Pepper. She volunteers at the SPCA and does a wonderful job with the animals there. She is especially good with animals who are frightened at being in such a strange place. She can spend a little time with them and soon have them calm and quiet and sleeping in her lap. 

3. She loves all kinds of pasta and is not a fan of vegetables. But she eats her vegetables anyway while saying "I'll thank myself for this 20 years from now." 

4. Her favorite color is purple and her least favorite color is pink.

5. She has the most vivid dreams of anyone I have ever known. Every night must be an adventure for someone who has dreams like she does. From ships at sea sailed by goats, to dancing cheese, each night is different.

6. She likes to read, play Solitaire, watch Little House on the Prairie, Heartland,  and Seventh Heaven, and sometimes she gets in the mood to sew and makes all kinds of creative things. 

7. She is not a social butterfly - she would rather be at home with her computer and her dog. But she loves her friends and family with all her heart!

8. She's quick to see it when others need something and step up to help. She's been my lifesaver more than once on those days that somehow veer a little out of control. 

9. She can be very loud and goofy and random and funny. But only with those she knows well. Most people would be surprised to know I affectionately call her my "Wild Child." 

10. She's a blessing to me in more ways than I can count and I'm so happy to have her for a daughter!

10 Things About My Husband

For the next five Tuesdays I thought it would be fun to help you get to know my family a little better by sharing ten things about each one of them. 

So this week I'm starting with my husband, Doug.

1. He has worked at McKee Foods Corporation as a machinest for the last nineteen years. 

2. He is an EMT and volunteers with our local rescue squad.

3. He teaches children's Sunday School and also is involved with the children's ministry on Wednesday night during the school year and teaches Summer Bible School.

4. He is a good mechanic and does nearly all the work on our vehicles and also works on a lot of friends' vehicles as well as small engines.

5. His idea of a good day is to spend it at home, doing work around the house and spending time with the kids.

6. He is calm, steady and reliable.

7. He's fun to cook for because he likes nearly everything.

8. He is seven years older than I am.

9.  He is the oldest of two boys in his family.

10. He recently became active with the Boy Scouts because Austin wanted to join and the Boy Scouts strongly encourage a family member to join with them if possible. 

Next Tuesday's 10 Things post will be about my oldest son - Austin. 

~ Linking Here ~

10 Little Actions to Help You Get Through A Stressful Day

Life, no matter how good you have it, is sometimes stressful. I wake up everyday knowing I am blessed beyond measure, and grateful for this beautiful life God has given me. But that doesn't mean that I don't sometimes feel stressed. That's just part of life and there's no point pretending it's not. However, there are a few things I've learned that help me to deal with those stressful times.

1. Pray. When I ask God to help me see the blessings around me my eyes are opened to so much I have been missing. And when I ask for strength or wisdom He always comes through.

2. Recite an encouraging Bible verse. Here are a few of my favorites - Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:14, John 3:16, and John 10:10

3. Smile. When I have a smile on my face, whether I feel like it or not, somehow things around me automatically seem a little better. 

4. Get outside - even if for just a few minutes. Breathe in fresh air, notice the color of the sky and the trees and grass around you. Even if you are in the city there is always the sky above and usually a few plants somewhere. See if you can find a blooming flower. There is something about taking a few minutes just to take in God's creation that always revives my spirit.

5. Read an inspirational quote. Quote Garden is one of my favorite places to go to find quotes on almost any subject. I can always find something inspirational as well as something to make me laugh here.

6. Take a short rest. I've found that just 15 minutes of sitting quietly with my eyes closed will often "reset" my brain and allow me to approach my day with a much better attitude.

7. Hug someone. Often kids give the best hugs, but a good friend or your spouse and other family members are also great people to hug. And you both get the benefits.

8. Turn on some music, whatever music you enjoy. Worship music and classical music are two of my personal favorites.

9. Drink a glass of water and eat a banana. Your body functions better and handles stress better when it is well hydrated. And bananas are a natural source of serotonin which helps to regulate mood. Plus if you eat a banana you are one serving closer to your five a day of fruits and vegetables.

10. Breath. Take ten deep breaths and thank God for loving you.

There, now don't you feel better already!