So I realized today as I sat at my desk at work that it has been a while since I last posted anything on this blog.  About a month and a half to be exact.  There are so many "things" floating around in my head that it is hard to get everything in order.  While I love this life, this life is also extremely hectic and crazy, and I thank God daily for the blessings he has given us.
  Jaret has settled into his position as Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor and usually keeps pretty busy.  AfterGlow (youth group) has grown amazingly in the past months.  We are averaging 30 - 40 teens on Sunday nights, Praise God!  Please don't think it is about the numbers because it is not.  Each one of these special teens has a wonderful heart for God, some stronger in their walk than others but each of them supporting one another in their walks no matter how new or how experienced.  There has been so much going on with the group and I am so proud of the group as a whole.  They support a young girl from Columbia (through Compassion International) by the name of Yorsireth and they are working hard to keep up her support.  We are getting ready to send her and her family a gift for Christmas.
 As far as family news......... The kids are doing good in school and they are enjoying their school year.  Back in July we added a new puppy to our family, Thor who is a French Bulldog.  On Sept. 30th we had to put our 2-1/2 yr old English Bulldog, Frankie to sleep.  He had been sick for about 5 weeks and it was just to hard to watch him suffer any longer.  While we could have taken care of the blockage they found in his lower intestine, we didn't know what to do for his extra thick stomach lining and the vet would have had to do exploratory surgery.  At the time of our decision Frankie had not eaten anything in a week and was becoming increasingly week with each passing day.  While it was a very hard decision for Jaret and I to make because he was a big part of our family, we know that it was the right one for his sake.  I only have about 2 months and 1 week left till I am able to quit working for the school district.  I am planning on working with Jaret at Central Community, being home for my family, and helping out at the kids school in their classroom for parties and such.  The kids are so excited to have their mommy at home and that really warms my heart.  I thank God daily for the opportunities He is giving me!  Jaret is starting school through Moody Bible Institute the end of the month.
  October brings the fall, I love the fall season!  It also brings back so many memories.  October is SIDS/Infant Loss/Miscarriage Awareness Month.  On October 22 it will have been 11 yrs that my son Peyton went to Heaven because of SIDS.  Each year has gotten a little easier thanks to a loving / caring God, supportive family, and a husband who can just hold me and let me be upset when the moment hits.  While I miss my Jellybean greatly, I take great comfort in knowing he also helped to save a life in the midst of our sorrow.  God knew what he was doing when he sent me Peyton for almost 7 months and when He gave Maddie Grace his heart.
  I am going to try harder to post more often.