Planting A Seed- A Garden will Grow

Planting A Seed

A Garden Will Grow

Ruthie and I planted our first ever seeds into pots of soil. She carefully filled each pot with soil, added some seeds, and then covered them up with more soil. Each day, we've been watering them and waiting. The other day we went to check on our plants and we noticed some buds- we grew with excitement. Today- after a week of sun and then a night or two of rain, we have a little garden! 

Our little experiment with planting reminds me so much of life. Every day, I plant seeds into my childrens lives. Each day- I watch as those little tiny seeds grow into a beautiful garden. 

My two beautiful children- you are loved. You are so very special to your mommy and daddy. We are so thankful you were given to us to "water" each and every day. Continue to blossom into beautiful flowers. 

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Ruthie and Her Garden

Jonathan's A Master

Masters Program

COMPLETE

Celebration All Summer Long

Next Up for the Stubes...

Doctorate Program

That's right everyone! Two years have come and gone by so quickly. We enjoyed these last two years soooo much that we figured... what's another three years?? Well- we shall find out! It's pretty neat to think about where we were at when Jon signed up for the Masters Program. We just had Ruthie! 

She was only a few weeks old when Jon took the GRE.  

 She was 4 months when we learned that he made it into PSU. 

 (PSU won the NIT 2009)

She was 8 months old when he started the program!!! 

And Ruthie was 2 years 5 months when Jon completed his Masters Program

So here we go... oh :) :) :)

And we had a son!

 Here are a few pictures from the special day!!!

 (Jon and Dr. Trusty)

 (Ruthie reading through ALL.... the names)

 (Jon receiving his Masters Degree)

 (Marshall's & Stubes)

 (The Stubes)

 (So proud!)

 (Great Grandma Yingling with the Master)

On to the Doctorate Program

Jon made it official when Brayden was 3 months!

Here we go again!

Brayden- test test tests!

Brayden

Test Test Test

Brayden and I went to the doctors yesterday afternoon to follow-up on his ear infection. I am so thankful for our doctor- he is really really great even if I don't like what he's saying!  Dr. Jarvie checked out Brayden's ears and said they looked great- but ... he started asking more questions. Brayden was weighed with clothes on and gained 3 oz since his last visit which was not impressive. Because he hasn't gained much weight, Dr. Jarvie wanted to do a simple toe prick to make sure he wasn't anemic. He also asked about his diapers and again, I struggled to answer whether or not Brayden has/had mucusy diapers.

Dr. Jarvie returned shortly after to notify me that the blood they tested came back anemic so he wanted a more accurate test to be done. Since he was going to have blood work done, they also decided to run a test to see if he has a dairy allergy. We find all the information out on Monday.

It was a terrible hour. I left in tears. Apparently, baby veins are normally very big an easy to find, but Brayden apparently was having his mommy's luck and his veins were very difficult to locate. The nurse thankfully comforted me as she searched for his little vein. They found it on the first try and he quickly filled one of the three vials. When they went to start the next vial, they lost the vein. They had enough blood to do two of the three tests and offered a heal prick for the last one. :( My choices were the heal prick or come back on Monday to take more blood- I quickly said "prick". Ugh! So my poor little guy was pricked three times in the hour. It was terrible. I felt so hopeless and so bad. I held him and rocked him to sleep before putting him in his carseat and heading home.

So- for now- all I know is he is anemic- where I go from here- I'll find out more Monday when we have exact results. I will also know if he has a dairy allergy and can figure out where I go from there...

Rough Friday- but I'm praying we can figure things out. All I want his a healthy little boy. I don't care about anything else- we can figure it out. Oh- for the first time, I can't wait for Monday so I can know!

Brayden Timothy Baptism and Dedication

 Brayden Timothy

Baptism and Dedication

What a beautiful packed weekend we just enjoyed. With Jonathan graduating from his Masters program in School Counseling we thought there was no better time to baptize our little guy and also have his baby dedication at PVCC. 

May 14th was a beautiful day. At 11:00 am family and friends surrounded our son as his Opa baptized him at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church. 

We chose Joseph Knight as Brayden's Godfather for so many reasons. Joe has been a great friend throughout the years. Joe is faithful and is going to be a great dad someday and we couldn't imagine a better Godfather for our sweet son.  We also chose Kathryn and Blair Drake as his Godparents. Kathryn shared the birth of my son with me. She was there through my pain and witnessed Brayden coming into the world and taking his first breath. She has been such a special part of my life and is an amazing mama. Her along with her husband mean so much to our family.  Blair has been a faithful friend to my husband and is a great dad to our beautiful Goddaughter, Ava Grace.  Thank you Joe Knight and Kathryn & Blair Drake for faithfully praying for our little man and taking such a huge responsibility as his Godparents. 

We are so thankful to have such incredible family who love our little man. Thank you everyone who came out to witness such a special moment.

On May 15th at PVCC Doug Williams dedicated Brayden Timothy. We chose Ephesians 1:5&6 to be read during Brayden's dedication. Jonathan has been memorizing the book of Ephesians for the past few months and felt that this verse was perfect for our son. 

he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—   to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

we like it because it reminds us that Brayden's true father is God and our role is prepare Brayden for relationship with Him. It also reminds that as wonderful as having children is, it is all "to the praise of his glory." Brayden does not exist for our glory, but for God's.  

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Three beautiful words ... Happy Mother's Day! Or as Ruthie said often today "Happy Birthday Mommy". Life as a mom can be so great. It seems funny to be recognized for something I've wanted ever since I was little- but yet, so great to feel completely loved on for one beautiful day.  

This Mother's Day- the day before, the family got to hang out with our friends Blair, Kathryn, & Ava! We had a wonderful time hanging out, eating dinner, and after the kids went to sleep- sitting around the fire pit and eating smores. Yum! It was a very nice, relaxing evening. A night to catch up on our lives. Kathryn and I are usually caught up to speed ;) but it was nice to have our men with us and catching up with one another. Oh! And Jon surprised me with a dozen beautiful red and white roses!!!

Mother's Day morning I woke up early early to feed my little man, but Jon took him back to bed and then I got to sleep in until he was ready to eat again. I got to take a nice bath while Ruthie had her breakfast and Brayden took his early morning nap. We went to church and then ordered subs from Brothers on our way home. I had great plans to either work outside on my garden or run out to Starbucks, but Jon talked me into a mid afternoon nap and I'm sure glad he did. :) We all woke up just before 5 pm and then headed over to Eric and Pinky's new house for Mother's Day Dinner. We had a great time checking out their new house all put together (very very nice!) and just enjoying each others company!

Legacy of a Godly Mother

Hannah

1 Samuel 1

Legacy of a Godly Mother

As a little girl, I can remember being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.  

Simply stated- I wanted to be a mom.

On December 4th 2008 and February 10th 2011 my dream came true.

I am a mom.

A mom to two beautiful children.

My life has changed.

Today at church the pastor started a new series on the Legacy of a Godly Mother. And I must say, I am inspired. Not to BE the perfect mother (or wife for that matter) but to raise my children to know the Lord. 

What a special gift. And also, what a huge responsibility. 

God spoke to me this morning. I want more than anything for my children to come to know Christ but how do I show them God's love when I have two children, one whining the other screaming because he's hungry? When Jon returns home from a long day of school or work- how do I teach my children to greet him with open arms when I just want to (and often times do) scream at him? 


I want to be a mom who loves on my children even when I'm having a bad day. 
I want to pray for and with my children often- not just at bedtime and meals.
I want to show them how to spend time with God.


As Mother's Day quickly approaches- I want to thank my moms for being Godly Woman.
For setting such amazing examples.


Happy Mother's Day

Ruthie's 1st Swim Lesson

Ruthie & Ava's

1st

Swim Lesson

(Best Friends)

Today is the day we've anxiously been awaiting... Swim Lessons! We were not sure what to expect, but excited! Ruthie could barely keep from bursting as I tucked her into bed last night and told her that tomorrow we'd be going to the pool with Ava for swim lessons! We got out the door this morning without too much hesitation. She wasn't sure about her swimming suit- she kept circling her hips and touching her stomach and saying "shirt" "mommy shirt". 

(Ruthie & Mommy)

What I am excited about the most is that a lot of this class directs children to listen to their mommy's and to sit pool side until their mom instructs them to enter the water. Being that I just purchased pool passes for this summer, I expect to be at the pool a lot this summer and I need Ruthie to be able to follow my instructions at the pool. I think we are off to a good start :) - she's always been very obedient and loves to please. 

So- today, we got in the water, splashed around and just got used to the feeling of the water. :) Ruthie is a fish in the water. She loves to splash around and kick kick kick! It was fun to play in the water with her- and I cannot wait for her to learn some basic swimming moves to get ready for this summer! Ruthie's favorite part (and mine too) was her jumping into the pool into my arms. She had no fear to trust me and jump with all her might into my arms. It was a wonderful time together had by all!

 (Blowing Bubbles)

 (Our Besties)