Unexpected Blessings

 James 1:16-18 "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."

 So yeah- these two pictures of Jonathan at the fun fair we went to while in Florida - describes what it is like to get an extra Blessing.  One you don't deserve...and one you didn't expect.....but God chooses to give it to you anyway!

Sometimes we cringe thinking- I don't need this gift- I can do it on my own.  But when we realize that every good gift is from the Father.  We need to check our pride at the door!  We need to be thankful and respond with graciousness.  To say- Thank You!  To realize that God WANTS to give us good gifts.

I am NOT of the mindset that we all deserve good things and an easy life- THAT IS NOT PROMISED BY GOD!!!  All you have to do to know this is look through scriptures, but He does love to surprise us a lot :)

Well today as we are standing in line at Wally world :) doing the usual.  Getting a few items so we don't have to make another 45 minute drive into town this week......I was concentrating on our kids (as Jason had taken some of the boys to the bathroom).  The cashier said don't sign the slip.  I was confused...and I am sure my expression showed that.  Then she said don't slide your card.  I thought something was wrong with the machine thingy.  I saw a woman behind her talking to her in whispers, but just thought she knew the worker?

Come to find out she wanted to pay our bill and run off without us seeing her.  She was a lady from our church.  I didn't really recognize her at first because like I said I was paying attention to our children- and the fact that Elizabeth just slammed down our eggs in the cart- yikes :)  Since my card had already gone through before she told me not too and I had signed there was no way to cancel it.  The person working went to get the wonderful lady and told her.  She then came over.....and said well give me a gift card- And put the exact amount on it.

What?  I was dumbfounded.  Thank you Lord!  Thank you for allowing her to give, us to receive, and for YOU TO GET THE GLORY!  What a beautiful blessing!!!!!

 Don't you just love this picture of GG with Joanna- me too.  I totally missed this the other day during the post I did about GG.  It is perfect.....great grandma and great granchild meet for the first time.  There are no preconceived notions with babies.....they just love.

 This is my aunt Jane and her newest grand daughter- my cousin's baby girl Jessa.  I mean does it get any better?

Oh yeah- it does.... I mean look at this cutie pie pic.  Yeah I know.....it isn't fair on other people's babies.  That's what we say here in our home anyway.  Of course when she is older she will hate me for this pic, but I mean who could resist??? 

****If you haven't read my blog for a bit.....please scroll down to last post- The Loux Family is now having to fly back and forth from Kansas City to St. Louis - parents switching every 5 dayish to be with sweetie Mattie.  Mattie needs prayers....and the Loux Family needs prayers for safe travels- for being apart which is very hard on the family....and money to help them be able to do this for Mattie.  Pray as well for Mattie's continuing fight of the severe staph infection, and other possible health problems.  That God will heal him completely!
You can donate on the paypal button on their blog.  THANKS!

Loads of PIcs- vacation fun :)

 So our trip to Florida consisted of lots of rides, giggles, smiles, and fun :)

These guys were incredible bouncing around on stilt- spring things! 

 

Then there is our favorite ride- Sheikra- that drops down at an almost 90 degree angle- TWICE- love it.  

And the kids love the fun splash areas- great way to cool off and play :)

 Look what I got daddy- daddy? 

 Don't know if you can see it, but it is a tiger in the water.  It was soo neat to see the tiger swim around. 

 The mouse ride, and the upside down boat ride.......

 Hang out fun.....there are many times when we have a switch to make with what children can go on what rides- depending on height, and desire to ride.....so we try to make the best of it.  Great time to have conversations with your children and laugh together. 

 And of course Bush Gardens has lots of wild animals to view!  From hyenas, to elephants, to lions, hippos, and loads and loads more.  The viewing area for the lions what this jeep- I think our kids liked the jeep more than seeing the lions.

Just a fun view of all that we got to do while on our vacation. 


***More URGENT prayers needed for precious Mattie Loux!  He has been flown by helicopter to another hospital in St. Louis that can hopefully do more.  But we know GOD IS THE ULTIMATE HEALER!  Please join us in prayer for this wonderful family and their son!

Visits with my GG

 Ok this has nothing to do with my Great Grandma, but it was a silly picture that I took at Mark & Heidi's home.  They had some "big kids" messing around and someone put it up there....they had forgotten about it, but I spotted it.  I gave them fair warning that it would end up on my blog :)  he he he- this must be the real mighty mouse!!!! 

 On to our visits with GG.  My grandma is now in her chair.....to many accidents to still use her walker.  So she has another readjustment.  She is now in a nursing home instead of assisted living another adjustment. 

 So we crashed her pad and had some fun!  She absolutely LOVED holding Joanna.  Wish Joanna wasn't going through her "stranger danger" thing right now.  Oh- don't get me wrong it is a good thing, but I would have given any amount of money so that Joanna would have "stayed" with her longer.  She just longingly looked at her the entire time. 

 All our cuties and GG! 

 We were thinking that our crew in a small room doesn't mix so we enjoyed the warm Florida outdoors instead. 

 Baby girl crashed in daddy's arms.  Yes my man is AMAZING!!!

 This was one of those sweet moments......when your heart melts.  Andrew offered GG a smartie candy.  Awwww.....so sweet!

 My aunt Jane came part way through the visit too, and of course our girls had fun with her :)

 Another pic of GG taking in the baby.....wish we lived closer!

 Our second visit we went out front where they have ducks.  We asked the food service people if they had any left over bread...and they had a few hamburger buns left over from lunch. 

 So the kids had some fun feeding them.  There were some ducklings that were very cute following their mommy and the kids all said look there are 8 just like us!  :)

 My GG  :)

 So the second visit this melt my heart moment happened.  Sarah came up to give GG some flowers.  She was so excited.  Then she said I call you Princess G G.....you know if you have younger girls that Princess GiGi is a cartoon, book, etc. that is about a young girl that wants to be a princess and finds out she is because she is the daughter of the Heavenly King. 

 Elizabeth follows suit giving more flowers. 

Saying goodbye.  To our sweet GG.  We sang to her...shared some stories...listened to her....met some of her nurses......and shared some memories.  My GG has been an inspiration most of my life!  She is not perfect....she loves the Lord.....and she will always by my sweet grandma who always offers hugs and kisses every time you see her.  Who has and continues to pray for us through all of our ups and downs as a family.  Love her!!!!!!!

A few prayer requests......one is an unspoken
Another is Mattie Loux.....and his family.  Tracie is the one that was a stepping stone to help us find our Joanna.  Mattie is their newest addition through domestic adoption.  This is what Tracie posted today on facebook. 

Mattie is being treated with antibiotics for an infection in the blood in his spinal cord, and it appears that he also will be treated for transient leukemia at some point. Please continue to pray for healing for our precious boy.

So please lift her and John up and their kids as well this is hard for mommy to be at the hospital while daddy is home with the other 6 kids.   

Will try to get back up and running for my posts......  :)  We had a great vacation....and great time to relax now back into the swing of things........