Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch with Anna Grace, Reid, Lily, and Gage this weekend. It was so much fun and it gave Breisch and I some GREAT memories with our niece's and nephew.

We had a great time. We went on a hay ride and saw some cows, goats, zedonk (Zebra and Donkey), and pumpkins.

Gage's favorite thing was the corn box, not a sand box but a corn box. ha ha.
Lily liked it too but not as much as Gage.This is a picture of them all on the hay Stack.

Here is Reid and Gage wait on the girls to pick their pumpkin.


This was a really cool swing and Anna Grace really had fun on it. In fact, we liked it so much we tired to figure out how to make it.

This is on the way back from the pumpkin patch.

Here is all of us right when we got on the Hayride.

Perfection!

What a amazing day the Lord has made. First, I want to thank everyone for praying for our family. We felt them all! It was a great day and Layne is doing well at the time. The goal is to get her home and stable, so she can live out her life with her family. Eventhough the length of Baby Layne's life is unknown, we all know who is ultimately in charge. I mean, after all, the doctors did not think she would make it out of the womb. God has definitly shown the world a miracle through sweet baby Layne, and I am so honored to be a small part of her life.

Bows and more Bows

Please go visit my friends blog. She is starting her our business and is so excited about it. Thank you in advance for your support. http://littlebowpeep-bows.blogspot.com/

New Beginnings

Ok, I know I talk about Small groups a lot, but it has impacted both Breisch and my life so much that it is hard not to mention. If you do not know what Small groups are, please let me share. It is a group of people that meet once a week that share life together and grow stronger in Christ personally and together as a group. Small groups do a lot of different things through out the year. In the past, our small group has gone on trips together, worked services projects together, laughed together, and cried together. Most importantly, we are in the Word together every week. If this sounds like something you would like to do please contact me, and I will lead you to a person that will plug you in a group that is if you are in my area.

This Sunday our church is kicking off small groups again, and Breisch and I are so excited about starting a new group. Do not get me wrong, I LOVED our last group and we made some amazing friends, but if you know me at all, you know I enjoy meeting new people and cannot wait to get to know this new group. There are many small group leaders this week that are starting a group for the first time and I am so fired up about what God is going to do in each of their groups. Please pray as these group start because God is going to do an amazing work in each of them.

Now it is time to share a few pictures over this past week.

I know I have said that Gage likes wheels but here is another example of how he plays with them. If it has wheels in a matter of seconds it is turned over so he can see how it works.

Gage also likes to do play hide-n-seek. I will go hind and say "where is Gage" and Gage will come find me. Gage and daddy were playing hide-n-seek with frogger. It looks like he found him. Gage loves his frogger and kisses it and hugs it all the time. That is why it is so much fun to watch him find it.

Last weekend we went to Lily's (my niece) birthday party. While we were there Gage played with Reed and Lily outside. He is so much fun to watch and his cousin love him. It looks like this picture was staged but it wasn't. I just got my camera really and called out his name and this is the result. Isn't it cute!

Family Visit

My sweet sister and her family came in town last weekend. It was a great visit and as always I HATED to see them leave. Here are a couple of pictures of the weekend.

Laura Beth teaching Gage how to count to five.

This was us trying to make them look at the camera.

We got out of the house for lunch and we went to Chick-Fil-A. Laura Beth loved the slide.

Gage played with Gran most of the time. He is really into wheels or anything that spins, so he went straight to the wheels on the Chick-Fil-A's playground.

Laura Beth cheesing for a picture.

Lastly, here is a picture I took before church. He is so much fun in the morning so that is when we take most of our pictures.

First Day on the Job

Thank you all for your sweet texted and phone calls wishing me good luck on my first day at work. I am so thankful for all of you, and I felt all the prayers. Today went smoothly. Breisch and I got up together to make sure we were both able to get out of the door on time. He is such a great husband and this morning was no different. He even took Gage to school so I could make sure I got to work on time. Gage is teething really bad so I was kind of worried, but he did great. Tomorrow, I will be praying he does good too because he has already gotten up twice tonight. I really dislike this teething phase. It is hard to watch.

Pictures to come of the weekend with my family!

Prayers Please!

Last Thursday my sister-n-law went to her normal check up. She is 29 or 30 weeks pregnant. It was sugar test time, and the doctor also took a look at the baby. The doctor shared some concerns with her after the sonogram saying that Sweet Baby Gaston was measuring 3 weeks smaller than normal. The doctor sent her to a specialist that day to see the baby with a sonogram machine that gives more detail. The specialist ran some test and told them to come back on Monday, which was yesterday. Well, the rain came down yesterday when they discovered sweet baby Gaston has Trisomy 18 (T18) also known as Edwards Syndrome. Please pray for the Gaston family as they process this information and prepare their family for her arrival. I also would like you to pray for the entire family as we support them on this journey.

Gage Reading

We have been trying to get this on video, but you know how kids are. Every time I would get the camera Gage was on to the next thing. We got lucky on Saturday and although it is not perfect it gives you an idea of how much time he spends with books. Please excuse me talking. Breisch was the camera and I was the coach.

Let's get together...Continues

Tonight, Gage had a friend/2nd cousin come visit for dinner. As you can see, Gage was already ready for bed. He is a early sleeper, but he also gets up early too. Here is a picture of them getting to know each other once again. It was so funny to watch them interact. We took so many pictures of them, but I tried to pick the ones that told the best story.

Them meeting ....

Gage ready for bed.....
Gaines entertaining himself, because Gage only lasted a short while.
Even though Gaines was so tried because he stay up a little later then normal, he was so good and so much fun. He has changed so much since the last time I saw him and I loved playing with that sweet man.

Lastly, I thought I might throw in a first moment ... Gage is now brushing his teeth. I have been doing it with a finger brush, but now Gage is brushing his teeth with a BIG boy tooth brush.

Let's get together...

This weekend was suppose to be a family weekend at home, but I have to admit I love it when things don't go as planned. Those times are the best. We got together with some friends this weekend to celebrate a family expecting a baby and my new job. It was so great! We have not got together since July 4 and that is a long time for us. Below are some fun pictures of the evening. With all the changes going on in our lives, it was great to talk to some girls about all that was running through my head. Thanks girls for loving me and helping me through this transition.

Below is a picture of the kids minus Cade and Cloe. They are all looking up and to the right because that is where 3 mothers are clapping and jumping around trying to get them to sit still for one second so we can take a picture. I am sure most of you can relate.

Here are a couple of pictures from today. Such a short time ago Gage loved this door jumper. He never really jumped in it, but he loved being independent, and he loved spinning in it. We thought with him being more mobile he might do better at the jumping. He did like it, but he still did not jump in it to much, however that did not stop him from posing for a picture.

Gage also got some one-on-one time with daddy today and I have to say they BOTH loved it.

I am sorry but I am going to have to start another post to finish out our weekend.. I always forget to post my pictures first and it is a pain to move these pictures around. Ha ha

A New Chapter Starts

A lot has been going on at the Stallings house. If you can recall several posts ago, I told you that God was about to do something BIG. Well God is still working on that one, but He has opened up a door that is exciting and oh so scary all at the same time. I am now employed with Waste Management as a outside sale rep., and I start August 16. Breisch and I decided that I needed to look for a job about a month ago, and God has confirmed that decision every step of the way. It only took four weeks to get an interview and 2 weeks to get an offer. When we decided to start looking, so many concerns came to this little mommy's mind. My first thought was where is Gage going to go, and low and behold God provided yet again. Every daycare in the Madison area has a waiting list a mile long, (If anyone wants to make some money OPEN A GOOD DAYCARE) but a friend told me that she thought she saw a daycare off the beaten path one day when she was driving to work a different way. She said she did not know anything about it, but it was worth checking out. I went that day and checked it out, and I truly hope it works out as well as I think it will. It was so great to go into a daycare where people sympathize with how you parent. When I walked in the daycare, I had such a peace about it and loved that all my questions were answered. Now I only pray, and please join me, that Gage transitions smoothly and loves his new school and friends.

I feel like last month God was preparing me for this change the entire time, because as I read the book of Proverbs last month this verse stuck to from day one me. "But he who listens to me shall live securely. And will be at ease from the dread of evil." Proverbs 1:31 He has given me a secure feeling about the daycare and about the job, and I am so thankful for his word and guidance.

Before I go I will leave you with some sweet moments of Gage this week.

Fun Moments this week

I know I have mentioned it once or twice in my last posts, but last week was VBS sports camp. I truly think the coaches had just as much fun as the kids. We worshiped, played, and most importantly we learned how to honor God with everything we do, even in our SPORTS! I think the kids were really receptive and learned a lot. That, my people, is what makes it so much fun!

Here is a picture of the skit on stage at worship.

On another note: For the past 3 years, we have celebrated with some of our closest friends on the 4th of July. It has become a tradition, and I am sooooo glad. All of us were expecting at the same time, and we have just had a great time doing life together. Here are some of the pictures of the great event. Grant and Gage playing. I know it is hard to believe, but Gage is the baby in this group. Grant was born April 30th, Cade, May 13th, Barrett, June 23, and Gage, September 28. (Cade and Barrett are not in the picture).

Gage testing the water. This was the coldest water he had ever been. We were in the shade, so he did not stay in there long.

Here is Grant, who wanted to get in the car. We loved watching him figure out how he was going to get in it. He decided that the door was way too easy, so he was going to do it the Duke's of Hazard way, through the window. Ha ha

Here is Grant again enjoying Mrs. Cathy blowing bubbles. His face was so surprised every time he saw a bubble. He was to cute to watch.

Here is sweet little Cade. You can see Mrs. Cathy behind him blowing bubbles. Cade loved that stick. He would not let anyone touch it. It was really funny to watch him try to protect it.
Again, here is Cade and again here is the stick. He held it the entire time he ate.

In the below picture is Cade, Anna Claire, and Gage. Let me give a formal introduction to Anna Claire and her family. She is a new addition to the group, and we are so glad. First of all she is the oldest, and second of all she is the only girl. We are all so excited that her parents are now apart of our circle of friends. They are such a blessing.

I also want to say, where in the world is Barrett! In all my pictures, I have none of Barrett, so I decided I would put a picture of him at his birthday party a couple of weeks ago. He is so active that I guess my camera could not get a shot of him this weekend. They all had a blast, and by the end of the night they were looking for the pillow. It was a great night! I think we all said it at least once last night. "Man, things have sure changed since last year!" Well, I would have to agree things have changed, and I would not want it any other way.

Lastly, I would like to share a challenging verse I came across as I was reading Proverbs this week. "How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing. And fools hate knowledge?" Proverb 1:22. Serving God is no simple minded task. Following Him is a way of life that always contradicts the world.

9 Months

This is Gage at nine months, right after his bedtime bottle. Since he has learned to pull up, you almost never see him just laying there, so Breisch thought we should take a picture of him being still for once. Ha

We went for Gage's check-up Tuesday, and the Doctor said he was healthy growing boy. God has blessed beyond measure. We are so thankful for a great report from the doctor. Going to the doctor was not the only thing we did this week. Gran came to visit, like I said in a post before, to help out while I helped out with VBS at our church. Gage loved playing with Gran. She is a K-5 teacher so she loves to play almost as much as Gage.

Tomorrow night is the last night of VBS. I have to say I have enjoyed every min. of it, and I loved watching all the cheerleaders having the time of their lives cheering. The goofy cheerleader looks and the jumping around was all wroth it in the end. Even though I felt way too old to be jumping around and sporting the LOOK, it was easy when I reminded myself what I was doing it all for. Seeing God work through the coaches at VBS has been an honor. I truly feel like I got more out of this week than the kids did, if you know what I mean. May GOD be the glory of it all!

Keep talking

So yesterday I posted about fear and how the world makes us uncomfortable when we follow after God, and today I draw my sword (the Word) and fight back. "Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because you , O Lord, have helped me and comforted me." Psalm 86:17

Happy Father's Day, Daddy

Daddy, we thank God for you everyday, and we are so proud of the way you love the Lord. Thank you for your desire to love and protect us. And we thank God for your heart that wants to extend a great legacy that our Father's and their Father's Father started.

Fears

Today was the first day of our new commitment to truly seek God's will for our lives (see post below). It was a great day. Everything I did seemed to bring my mind to our decision. I am sure I have wore out my husband with everything that came to my mind today. I was so excited and overwhelmed. When Breisch and I took Gage (our 8 1/2 month old) to run a few errands today, I was looking out the window saying "God, what is it. What is this unsettling feel you have given me. And Lord, please give us the strength to walk through those door when you reveal it to us." I mean He can be calling us to so many things, and there are so many things that I am so scared of doing. The thing is, right now my life is comfortable; it is easy. To think that God is calling me to something out of my comfort is a little uneasy on my heart, but "God has not given us a spirit timidity, but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7. My prayer today is to not anticipate what God is doing in our lives, but to continue to pray, and seek His direction through His word. All day Satan created doubt in my mind, and all day I kept saying "Lord, help me to follow through when the time comes."

Tonight I feel better about where I am on this journey. I felt like my fears where getting the best of me, so tonight, Breisch and I sat down and made a list of all the things we would be scared of if God called us to do them. Some of the fears were: Living in a different culture, moving out of the country, giving more than the standard gift, adopting, being foster parents, and relocating to another state. After I wrote them down, we made a decision to pray. Pray for God to open our hearts and pray for God to break these fears. And the Journey continues.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seek him." Lamentations 3:25

Delight in following HIM

I started this blog for the most part to share our family moments with our close friends and family. Most of the time, that simply meant I just post pictures, because to be brutally honest, I truly dislike writing. Why I am sharing that with you, I will never know. If you visit this blog at all, you already know I am not a fan of writing. I am writing now because I feel like something needs to change in our lives, and as I read some of my friends' blogs tonight, it has encouraged me to seek even harder for what that might be. I am confident that God is about to show Breisch and me something great, so I thought I would share it before this journey (whatever "it" is) begins. There are a couple of reason for this. One is so that you can pray for us as we seek out whatever it is that God is starting to unveil to us. I also thought, by posting what is going on now, it would be fun to look back and see where God has taken us. Accountability is the third reason. I hate to admit this but the "follow through" is definitely not my strong suit, which is why I married my husband because he is so good at it.

This all started at the beginning of 2010 year. I felt the Lord calling me to serve in the preschool area. I knew the preschool area needed help and knew my heart wanted to worship the Lord in way of serving there. Although I love my two-year-olds, my heart is still unsettled. Going forward to spring, our small group, along with many other groups in our church, read the book "Crazy Love." It is a great book and very convicting. If you really want a model of a true follower of God, I encourage you to read it. Through this book, Breisch and I felt God pulling us, but as bad as it sounds, the world's noise was detracting us from seek HIM. Breisch and I realized we were not in a place to hear God's word, so we started to pray for the desire to want God's plan for our lives. Man, how the world pulls us! We prayed all spring and nothing or so we thought but God does not unfold his plan in our timing. It is and will be in his perfect time.

In May, we went to a marriage conference by Family Life called a "Weekend to Remember." It was a great refresher on the role of the marriage in God's eyes and what a special gift and awesome power God has given us in marriage. This conference is where God started to stir up something in both Breisch's and my heart, but WHAT? At the conference, God led us to our next small group study that begins in the Fall. We will be leading a completely new small group, and we are so excited about the confidence we felt God has given us in the Home Builders Study, which is based off the "Weekend to Remember" Conference. We also felt God still telling us that there is something bigger. During the weekend, Breisch and I went to the meeting to possibly work for Family Life to see if that might be what God is calling us to do. We did not really think God was calling us to change our jobs, but we also did not want to close any doors either. As of right now we are still praying for our desire to seek after Him, and we hope through our community, prayer, and studying his word that we discover our next steps.

So here we are in the middle of this journey not sure where God is going to take us but know there is something special just around the corner. Right now we are asking for prayers.

Prayers to continue on this journey without fear of failure and the unknown. Prayers for patience and prayers for our eyes to be open to WHATEVER God has in store for us.

"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." Psalm 119:35 (My sister shared this verse with me in my mother's day gift and it has been a verse my heart has just clung to.) What a great example of how God works in the little things. Thanks, Lizzie.

6 month pictures

Here are some pictures we had taken in February. He was almost 6 months old here. I have had them about a month now, but May has been so crazy I am just now getting to share them.