Adding to it all.....

Well, sit down... Are you sitting???? OK....


We are expecting!
Baby #5, yes, #5, is Due in mid to late December. Tim and I have had yet another lesson in the Soverignty of God and His ways are higher than our ways. We are excited to have this blessing, and hope to be found faithful to God in parenting 5 children. Please pray for us as we prepare for this new one, continue to raise the 4 others in their various stages of life, and still be sain! God is gracious in His provision, so we trust in Him!

One year, already

This past weekend we celebrated TJ's first birthday. It was a great time. We had a small party here at the house on Saturday with a barnyard theme. Farmer TJ had a great time playing, opening presents, and Oh, how he loved the cake.

This little man has been such a blessing, as all our children have been. TJ, being the only boy in the house, has brought a new element of fun and excitement. We have to think differently of how to raise a boy than our girls. We have the joyful responsibility of teaching him how to be a leader in his own home some day where with the girls we are raising them to be helpmates someday. It really is different.

We look forward to what God has in store for us in the next year with TJ and all the many new things he will do. Pray for wisdom for us both as Tim models leadership and I model being a helpmate. Oh, how we desire to fully understand our roles God has for us so that we can teach them to our children so that they may know and
understand all that God has called them to.

Gearing up for summer

Another year of home schooling is complete. Praise be to God! It is only by His Grace and Mercy that this task is even possible. The girls have done very well, and are learning so much. The studies we have for them are quite challenging, requiring them to think outside the box in a lot of cases, and to apply logic to their answers rather than just memorize and recite. Brenna is headed into the 8th grade, and Taylor into the 6th. To me, that just seems impossible. It was only yesterday that they were Kara and TJ's age. It is even harder to believe that TJ will be one at the end of the month. Wow...

As Summer days are quickly approaching, I am realizing that finding time to breathe will be the challenge of the season. May has always been busy with birthdays, anniversaries, special events, graduations, and more, but it seems these days that it has extended itself into the months of June, July, and even August. It is all good though. God is teaching me that it isn't necessarily about having peace and quiet all the time, but sometimes managing chaos. Having kids in different stages of life has many blessings, but its challenges as well... Mainly logistics. I am looking forward to what this summer holds for us. Some of those things are:

Tim and I will begin teaching in Youth again. (11th and 12th grades)
Brenna will be accompanied by her Daddy for her first mission trip. Mission Arlington is the destination where they will do apartment ministry in July. (It is gonna be hot!)
Taylor will be doing choir this summer for a special music program our church is doing. She will have several practices and a day camp to attend in July.
VBS is going to be exciting this year. I am going to be the director for 2nd grade, Brenna is a helper in the pre-school area where TJ and Kara will be, and Taylor will be a student in VBS for one last year.
Somewhere in there we are trying to schedule a trip to Texas to see family and friends.

Before we can blink, August will be here and school will be back in full swing.

Playing Catch up....

Needless to say, our lives have been a little bit more than busy lately. Winter has finally lifted its heavy hand upon us here in West Plains, and Spring is in full swing. Living life with an almost teen, a pre-teen, a toddler, and a baby has been incredibly challenging in so many ways, but still a blessing. I must admit that there are days when life would seem so much easier if I had two in school, one in Mother's Day Out, and only one at home to lug around, but I know that we are where God wants us to be for now, so we will continue to walk in the light that we have, trusting in Him, and counting our blessings.

We took a family road trip to Nashville, TN in early April with a family from West Plains. We had a blast! We visited several museums and parks along the way and had a great time with the Lewandowski's. We got a flat tire on the way home and had to drive 55 mph almost the entire way home. It took forever, but we got EXCELLENT gas milage!

Tim has been traveling quite a bit since his job responsibilities have shifted some. He is still doing a fantastic job, and his efforts are apparent in the companies continued growth. I know that it isn't Tim that is responsible for this, but God is , and is using him in this field to encourage and assist his fellow co-workers in growing business. Tim at the Great Wall in China, December 09
Brenna is very involved in the Youth ministry at our church and is looking forward to her summer mission trip to Arlington, Texas where they will participate in apartment ministry. She still loves tumbling, and is continuing to develop those skills. Watching her long legs flip around is quite beautiful. She has made some new buddies at our home school co-op, and is enjoying developing those friendships as well.

Taylor had oral surgery mid April, and is healing up so well. I praise God that she has recovered from this much better than I did when I had the same thing done at almost her same age. It is amazing how well she has done, and we know that is all because God heard our prayers! She LOVES tumbling, and is so athletic. She has no fear when it comes to doing the tricks, and is doing so well. She has enjoyed co-op as well, making new friends and spending time with old ones too.

Kara is.... well... Kara... she is growing so fast. Her vocabulary has gone from words and sentences to paragraphs and dissertations. She loves to play outside on her slide, blowing bubbles, and picking up rocks... yea, rocks... She is doing so well with her potty training and we hope to soon be 100% diaper free soon. She still wears them at night. She loves to be with her sisters, and loves to mother TJ. They have really started interacting more, playing together, and laughing together. That sound just melts my heart.

It is hard to believe that TJ will be one year old in a short month. He is such a joy. He says mama, dada, ba-ba, bye, hi, and has the signs down for "more" and "all done". He loves to smile, laugh, give kisses, and play. He is already "all boy", as I say, in his need to tackle, throw, and play rough. He is almost walking, and I think hasn't done so yet because he has his sisters who will pick him up when he reaches up for them.

As for summer, we don't have any specific plans yet. And I am ok with that for now. With everything that has been going on in life, it would be nice to have some down time. Reality is that I know we won't have that for many more years to come with our kiddos in 4 different directions. Until then... this is the season.

Brenna, Taylor, and Kara, April 10

"The little man" TJ Easter morning, April 2010

Long time, no blog....

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything on here. And per mom's request, I am doing so now. To say it has been crazy in our lives would be an understatement. Between Tim's work, home school, church activites, tumbling, traveling, and raising 4 kids, it has been something almost non stop. The holidays have been good. Mom came back with us after Thanksgiving since Tim had a somewhat last minute trip to China the first two weeks of December. She has stayed through Christmas, and will return home to Houston on Jan. 2. I don't know what I am going to do... I have gotten very spoiled to having her here. Tim and I even had a chance to get away to St. Louis to see the Texans play the St. Louis Rams. We spent the night in downtown St. Louis. I found myself sitting, staring into space, in awe of the lack of someone to take care of or something that had to get done. It was wonderful. Thought I would include a few pictures from the holidays...





Praying that each of you has a blessed New Year and a year of seeing and savoring God like never before!

TJ is three months... where does the time go? (and other ramblings)

I can't believe TJ is already 3 months old. It just seems like yesterday. Heck, it just seems like yesterday that Kara was born... I guess that is what we get for having two in 15 1/2 months... Anyway. TJ is a joy. He has been such an easy baby. He is never really fussy, and when he is, he is easily consoled. He LOVES to "talk" he just coos all the time. His simle is the most contagious thing ever. He loves his sisters so. He watches them play around the room, and loves it when they want to snuggle with him. Kara just loves to hug and kiss on him. She also thinks the needs to have a pacifier and burp rag at ALL times. Brenna is the typical "little mommy" she has been with Kara, and Taylor has really taken a liking to him too. She will actually change diapers now. (But not if it is poopy) She has a special touch with TJ. She can always make him happy. What a blessing.
Actually, God's timing is perfect. We kicked up home school to include all subjects this week, and it has been very tiring. It is His timing that I sat down to post this blog so that I could remember how blessed we are to have these children, when just a little while ago I was ready to ship a couple of them off.... :) In the grand scheme of things, God uses these kids daily to teach me more about myself, and more importantly, Him. His mercies are new everyday! Praise God. And He is mercifully teaching me patience and steadfastness in parenting.I hold fast to the verse "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." He isn't done yet.(thankfully)

A lot of catching up to do...

Well we finally have internet back!!!! It has been a month without it. It has been good and bad. Good, because I have not spent a lot of time on the computer, and more time reading and studying (not to mention taking care of 4 kiddos), and bad because I have felt so disconnected from so many of my friends and the world news.

Let's see... what has happened in this past month.... Well, we are settled in our new home, and I love it. We feel so blessed. We have broken the house in with small group meetings, visits from Uncle Micah and Aunt Heather, dinner with the Hirsch family, a Birthday Party for Brenna, and last night a slumber party. Whew..... I don't think I would have had time for the internet, even if we did have it before now.

I have a ton of pictures to post, and will get that done as soon as I can.

The little man is here!

On Sunday monring, May 31, at 1:26 am. God blessed us with Timothy James Igo, Jr. "T.J." He weighed 6lbs.12 oz, and was 19 in. long. He is a joy. His personality, so far, is very laid back. Brenna, Taylor, and Kara are all adjusting well and love to hold and kiss on him. Maw Maw is still here and is quickly turning TJ into a MawMaw's boy.

Tim and I are just in awe of God's blessings in our lives, and honored and challenged at the same time of the task that he has given us to raise His children for His glory. More pictures will be posted later.

update

Ok, I know it has been a while since I have posted anything....Things have been a bit busy these past few weeks.

I celebrated my 34th birthday. (I got a wii and wiifit, and I love it!) We celebrated one of my BFF's 30th birthday's with a sup rise party in Branson, I went and had a mani/pedi (sat next to a very weird individual, male, in his 60's that talked without ceasing), celebrated Mother's day, had a baby shower last night. During all of this we have been moving out furniture for a garage sale and packing up things that we don't really need out until we move into the new house.

The house is coming along great. They are putting in the wood floor as I type, and then the trim, doors, cabinets and counter tops will be going in next. It is really going well, and I think it looks great. Every time we go over there, I am thankful to God for his provision for this house and how He is working everything.

Tim has been working so very hard at making sure EVERYTHING is taken care of. He has really taken on even more since I am some what limited in my energy and ability. I know he is really going to need a good rest when we get settled into the new house. He has also been very busy with work and church as well. He is currently serving on the Budget and Finance team, and is in the process of being accepted as a deacon at our church. His business is doing well in spite of the economy, and he is making sure everyone has everything they need to sell the products he is in charge of.

Brenna and Taylor have finished school. PRAISE THE LORD! We are finishing up some math before we REALLY take a break, so that they will not start next fall in the last 2/3 of something from this year. They have worked so very hard this year, and I am very pleased with their progress and achievement this year. It has been a blessing to home school them.

Kara is growing like a weed! She is talking more every day, and we have so much fun with her. Her independent personality is really coming out now, along with some very funny OCD tendencies. She loves to dance and sing and play with her big sisters. It will be interesting to see how she does when her brother arrives, as I am sure she will not really understand that she is the only one that gets held anymore. I guess it is an early opportunity to teach that love is not making much of someone, but doing what is BEST for someone.

Baby TJ is set to arrive here in the next couple of weeks. The doctor said yesterday he was pretty certain I would not make it to my original due date. I told Tim this morning that I wasn't sure it would even be two more weeks. All of it is in the Lord's timing. I guess I should pack a bag for the hospital. (even though it is about 4 blocks from our house)

I have rambled on long enough - You can see God is busy in our world, as I am sure He is in yours. Just make sure you take the time to see where He is working and thank Him for it, even if your circumstances are not that "comfortable" right now. I know I have to remind myself of that all the time. God is God all the time, and He is GOOD all the time.

The past week....in a collage

Picasa is a really neat program! I have come to like it A LOT. It is easy to create and share collages, movies, and pictures. THis only took a couple of minutes to do. Believe it or not.

 

Holy Week - and a little bit of my ramblings

I think that Easter has become my favorite holiday. It is such a joy to celebrate the Risen King! More than that, I can call Him MY KING! It is really a whirlwind of emotion week too. Thinking about the Passover and the immense honor it is to remember God's faithfulness to His people is so humbling. Remembering the pain and anguish Jesus endured on the cross as he paid the price for all men's sin is painful. Celebrating the empty tomb is an overwhelming joy. Not just these events, but their meaning and how they point to God and His character is what is really hitting me this year. God is more than good. He is more than amazing. He is more than any adjective anyone could come up with to describe His worth. It really makes me long for heaven when we will bow before our King and praise Him in all of his glory. You know, I have had some pretty amazing worship experiences in my life, and I count them as amazing blessings. But they are just a mere shadow to what is to come. I can't even fathom it! WOW!

God has been teaching Tim and I some amazing things lately, and we are so thankful for how he is revealing Himself.He has led us to cast out some idols in our house (satellite TV) and he has blessed us tremendously from that. Our family time has been so sweet lately. I feel like we are more focused on the things that really matter, eternal things, rather than just being together watching a movie. I have discovered that for us, that is not really "together time". I am so thankful to have a husband who I can see growing in the Lord and desiring that for me and the girls, and trusting in God to lead him to lead us. I am thankful that God is teaching me how to be a better "helpmate" to Tim and what being a godly woman truly is. I am thankful that I can see God working in Brenna and Taylor's lives as they learn and grow into young women, and how God is always reminding me that they are His daughters, and ours is the job to show Him to them.

We are entering into a CRAZY busy time for us. Having a baby, building a home, moving into said home, and adjusting to a family of 6! WOW... It can seem overwhelming, and I must admit, I have felt that way at times. But, God is good. He is leading and we are following Him. We are constantly reminded of our need to rest in Him, His Grace and Mercy, and His provision.

We have SO much to praise Him for!

Louisiana Vacation

Last week we had the great opportunity to spend the entire week with Aunt Heather, Uncle Micah, and baby Lora in LaPlace, Louisiana while Tim had to travel to Texas on business. We had a great time! It was good to be with Heather and watch her with her first baby. We went to the French Quarter one day, to a plantation on another, and did some shopping while we were there too. We didn't go and do stuff all day every day because that is hard to do with a toddler, a newborn, and a pregnant woman, so it gave us good opportunity to just sit and talk. Taylor found a new passion while she was there too. Golf. She spent hours in the back yard hitting golf balls onto the course behind their house and into the pond. She loved it. Brenna, poor thing, fought allergies/cold symptoms while there, so she didn't go outside as much as Taylor. Our last night there, Micah and Heather treated us to a crawfish boil (YUM) where we sat and ate 20lbs of crawfish. Come to find out on Saturday morning, the mosquitoes enjoyed munching on us while we munched on crawfish. I am the only one who seems to have a ton of bites, thankfully the girls were spared. Kara even enjoyed the mudbugs with us. She and Taylor were eating them as fast as we could get them pealed. Taylor helped out as best she could with her one good hand, and discovered that she could pull the tails off and make a pile for me to finish pealing for her. It was nice to get to wear shorts and such for a bit, since we came home to chilly weather we had to put those away again for a few more days.

Kara playing in the chalk on Aunt Heather's back porch

The four girls outside Cafe Du Monde

We love beignets

Kara enjoying the warm weather!

Kara's Kazoo

Kara learned to play the kazoo today. I just had to share this... it is too funny.

Firsts... the good and the bad

We had a weekend of firsts in our house. On Saturday, it was SOO beautiful outside. The big girls were rollerblading on our neighbor's driveway since they are out of town and their driveway is really big. Everything was just great, then, all of the sudden... it happened. Taylor took a spill and fell on her left side. In spite of her protective gear everywhere except her wrist, she managed to get "road rash" pretty good on her left hand. Everything seemed ok, and she didn't seem to be in a lot of pain. Sacred, yes, pain, not so much. We didn't notice any abnormality in her hand, and no swelling happened that day so we thought, maybe just sprained and the scrapes. Sunday evening, the top of her little hand started swelling and she started complaining about her thumb and pointer finger hurting. We wrapped her up, gave her some Tylenol, and we went to bed. Monday morning when she woke up, it was still swollen and still painful, so Tim and I decided to have it checked out. God was so good through it all. We went to the walk-in clinic just up the road from us since our Doctor's office was slammed for the day. (They really miss RT). I prayed as we got close to the clinic, "Please God, don't let this place be packed." He is good. We literally sat in the lobby for maybe 3 minutes. They took the pictures they needed and they had the doctor on call at the main clinic (who happened to be another friend of ours) take a look. He referred us to the bone specialist, and he said he needed to see her. To make a long story shorter, by 1:00 yesterday afternoon, we had seen two docs, had x-rays, a hot pink cast, and a sucker (Taylor's favorite part of the event). We even got to come home for lunch and get a bit of school done in that time too. There are some great benefits to living in a small town.


The other fist is a short story... Kara had her first PB&J sandwich on Sunday evening. SHE LOVED IT! It may not come through on the picture so well, but she was wearing a good bit of the sandwich since she wanted to put the pieces in her mouth herself and dropped some on her shirt as well. She is talking SO much. She has her first sentence, "hold me", which she loves to say, along with a miriad of other words. She also loves to do the chicken dance! She folds her arms like wings and says "bock bock". It is really cute.

Preparing for the little guy...

We have not done too much to prepare for the arrival of our little man yet, we have about 14 weeks still. We did, however, find the perfect bedding set for him while on a trip in Springfield while mom was here. I thought I would share it with all of you since it is so cute, and we are excited to be actually buying little boy stuff

Pray for the Jeter family

Last night, a couple whose husband works for the Master's Craft (Tim's employer), gave birth, and lost their baby all in the same night. The baby had complications that the family knew about ahead of time, but in their belief in God and trust in Him, they continued with the pregnancy rather than terminating. Please be in prayer for the Jeter family as they deal with the loss of their child and continue to raise their two little girls. I can't even imagine the emotions they are going through, but we have witnessed them profess their trust in Christ through this, and know that His plan is greater than ours.

Happy 10th Birthday, Taylor!

Saturday we celebrated Taylor's 10th birthday party with a 10 pen celebration at the local bowling alley. She invited 10 friends, but only 9 could make it. We had a good time bowling, eating, and playing games. Other than not having a voice from my allergies, it was easy too! Taylor even got 4 inches of snow on her birthday!

Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next level!

Birthday pictures

Kara and her favorite pig, "Hamlet"Her new pig, "Homer"The little rascals from the partyShe wasn't quite sure what was happening here...
But then she figured out that cake is GOOOOOOD!!

Turning one and having fun!

We celebrated our third little princess' birthday on Satuday, February 14th. We had my mom, a few friends, and "extended family" over for burgers, dogs, cake and fun. Kara enjoyed everyone here and was constantly scanning the room. She didn't seem too interested in presents until she opened the one from Uncle Michael and Aunt Holly which was her 3rd stuffed pig. Her pig collection is now complete since we have the 3 little pigs. Sunday morning she woke up and I guess decided she was done with bottles. We offered them to her on Sunday and Monday, but no interest, so we are done with those. This has been the easiest transition yet. Mom said if she potty trains as easy as coming off the bottle, we have got it made. I guess God knows how much I can handle, and he is being gracious to me knowing that another little one is on the way. I will post more party pictures later. I had camera issues, but thankfully Lynette was there with her camera to take tons of pictures. I will get those from her to share with you all.