Spring Break

For Spring Break we had the opportunity to head down to Florida to visit my parents.  They recently moved to Spring Hill, Fl. and it was great seeing where they live and spending time with them. The boys enjoyed the pool right outside their sliding glass door.  It was a relaxing and great time!

 My uncle also lives down there so it was fun to have the boys get to know him a little.  Most of the time he had their full attention!

 We had some fun days at the beach as well.  Leave it to Chapman to find something.  He is known for finding the most random things where ever we are.

 Our last day we enjoyed a boat ride down the river that leads to the ocean.  It was kinda late in the season but Matinee hang out in the natural spring during the winter months.  We were able to see a couple.  

Amazing animals!

 Cousin Diego

Mom and Dad...our wonderful hosts!  We appreciate all they did for us to make it possible to come.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with some of our family.  We decided since Sunday is such a busy day for us, we would have Scott's family over on Saturday for dinner and an annual egg hunt.  

 Some were more obvious than others:)

 Kids getting ready to hunt.

 Always a great time to be with cousins!

 I tried a new recipe for baking a turkey.  You can find it here.  I enjoy this blog and have used many recipes from it.

 We also celebrated Hudson's birthday that week.  So for dessert, Grandma Yoder brought his favorite...Peanut Butter Pie.  Can't believe he is 14.  He's a great kid and we love having him in our family!

Remember the little segment on Sesame street?  Which one of these is not like the other??  We now have a 'girl' around once in a while.  This is Reis' friend Haley.  She's a wonderful young lady and its fun to have her hang out with us.  Although she gives the boys a run for their money in competition!

Guess what?

 This week we found out that our baby is a GIRL!  It's still a little hard to believe.  I had totally prepared myself to hear "Its a boy!" as I have heard 5 other times now.  But not this time!  We are overjoyed, overwhelmed and so excited.  My sweet friend gave me this beautiful "pink" bouquet this week to celebrate.  Let the fun and frills begin!  Although she will probably be quite the tomboy with 5 older brothers...that's ok:)

 With an addition to the family...we will no longer fit in a mini-van!  God was so good to us by giving us a buyer for our van (that I miss by the way) and after much searching, he bless us with a great vehicle.  I'm so proud of  my hubby who spent a lot of time looking for just the right one.  Its been a great vehicle so far, with plenty of room!  Its got so many perks inside, we never imagined we'd have.  We are so thankful!

 UGH!  With a massive vehicle comes a massive fuel bill!  I finally found a gas station in town that won't cap me off.  Although its a  big chunk, its nice to fill the tank at once.  Praying for gas prices to fall:) God is in control and He provides for us!

16 weeks

Pregnancy update:

I am 16 weeks along and I feel great!  I had a few weeks of feeling sick, a couple of the days were

 pretty bad but not much to complain about.  I say it gives me a glimpse of what some of my friends 

feel their whole 9 months.  

For those of you who don't know, we have decided to have a home birth this time.  I am VERY excited about this opportunity.  We have been recommended to a midwife about 40 minutes from here and I really like her.  She is very down to earth (but not too down to earth, as some are:).  She provides great prenatal care as well as post and well baby care.  Some have asked why we have chosen this and there are many factors that played into the decision but most of all, I love the fact that I will have the one on one care and KNOW she will be there to deliver my baby!  I think only 2 of my 5 deliveries were actually with the doctor/midwife I saw each month.  Davis was actually half way delivered with out anyone in the room but Scott and I.  I anticipate a very natural delivery in the comfort of my own home.  Another question people have asked is what we'll do with the boys...we honestly don't know yet.  We look forward to them all being there soon after the baby is born and we are cleaned up and decent:) but as far when I am laboring, we'll see how that goes.  There are many unknowns as always with having a baby.  I see it as yet another opportunity to place my trust in my Savior who is in control of it all and has a perfect plan!

Jeremiah 29:11

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God is blessing

I am overwhelmed with how God is blessing our church body in so many ways.  First of all, people are coming to know Christ!   Over the weekend our church hosted a marriage event called the Art of Marriage.  Its a video based seminar that we have enjoyed over the last year.  This was the third event over the last 12 months that we as a church have done.  Between  those 3 weekends, approximately 95 couples have attended.  Many lives were changed and marriage's recharged.  This past weekend in particular we were able to see 3 people put their trust in Christ for the first time and 2 others rededicated their life and marriage to the Lord and many others who testified of life change.  It was SO exciting to be a part of!   Another way God is blessing Crossroads is bringing individuals and families to church who are seeking!  They may already have a relationship with the Lord but they are seeking growth and a church body to serve at.  It was overwhelming yesterday to be on stage and literally see just about every seat taken... in both services!  This past week, the church staff added close to 35 extra chairs because over the last few weeks, we have run out of seating.  Scott and I are overwhelmed by God's goodness, His desire to bless the ministry here and His grace that He grants to the leadership.  Over the last 14+ years of full time ministry, we have been a part of some wonderful churches.  Churches that taught us so much about trusting in Him and the importance of discipleship, evangelism and leadership.  But it is so exciting to be a part of something so BIG! 

 Something that is so much bigger than us.  We are truly grateful for how 

God is blessing and we are praying everyday for wisdom, grace, guidance etc.

More pictures

Life has kinda been crazy so I haven't taken as much time to figure out new things on my camera.  This morning we woke up to this beautiful snowfall.  Although it was too warm to last, and it became rather sloppy and slushy by mid-morning, it was pretty to look at early this morning.

 I of course wanted to stay warm in my PJ's in the comfort of my house,  so I took these from my bedroom french door.

 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the

moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is

 man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you

 care for him?

The Number 6

 Hmmmmm.... the number 6.  The number 6 has become quite popular in the Yoder home over the last 2 months.  You see...that is the number of children God has decided to bless us with. 

 Yes, you read that right.  I am pregnant and due mid-August.  Scott and I were surprised with this news the week before Christmas.  What a special Christmas 2011 will be remembered as!

We realize that this is truly a GIFT from God.  Although it may have surprised some...it did not surprise HIM!  We are very excited and anticipate the birth of this precious little baby!

Christmas 2011

I can't believe Christmas 2011 has come and gone.  We crammed a lot of fun into a few short days!  Here is a glimpse of what our week looked like.

 Our annual Christmas lights and Krispy Kreme trip.

 Lots of vacation time for Scott which means mornings spent by the Christmas tree drinking coffee and relaxing.  You can tell by the color of my coffee how much of a creamer drinker I am!

 A total of 4 batches of Christmas cutout cookies...came and went!

 A great night with the Yoder side at the Farmstead Inn in Shipshewana.  

Even made time for a few family pictures.

 Annual Bingo game

 Reis pretending like he's excited to have won a Webkins

 Lots of swimming in the hotel pool

 Fake responses for mom with the new camera

 Baby Brogan enjoying Reis' new headphones

 Fun times with cousins

Couple of days with the Craiger side down at the Farm playing games, eating, talking, and of course...butchering a pig!

Birthday boy!

 Happy Birthday to me...Happy Birthday to me...Happy Birthday to me...Happy Birthday to me!

Its always a challenge for us in trying to make Davis' birthday feel special.  December 29th he turned 6. We went out to eat as a family.  We asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he couldn't think of anything.  So we offered him money.  He's deciding what to do with his cash.  He is richer than me at this point.  Which isn't hard!  Here are some pics I took last night as we sang to him with his cake ball.

Singing to himself...

 Being silly...

Davis is such a blessing to our family.  He makes us laugh and most of all reminds of what a 

child like faith in Christ looks like.  We really can't believe his 6.  He can no longer use one hand to tell us how old he is.  Time has flown!

Check this out!

I'm just so excited and...well frankly, my family is tired of me showing them what I'm learning:)!  My camera has a color effect setting that will bring out any color that is in the frame.  Below is the color red.

 Above is the color blue and below...gold.

This is my good friend Sarah and her daughter Reagan and her soon to be here... baby.  Love the pink lips:)