Please, welcome...

Princess! The newest member of our family. She is a dwarf bunny. She is probably about 10 weeks old, and so sweet! The girls are so in love with her. Unfortunately, I did not do things the right way, and ask permission from the trailor court to have her first, so I need to tell them today. I am hoping they will approve since she is not a cat or dog, a disturbing pet, and so far, she is not even stinky. I like non-stinky pets. Pray that they will say I can keep her, because my children would be crushed if we cannot... and, it would be all my fault for not asking first. She is an indoor pet, and you really ought to see her, and hold her. I love her as much as the kids love her! I think she will be the most spoiled bunny in the world. I wanted a gentle pet, and I did consider hamsters, but those little fellas bite. Princess has licked all over my hands, and did nibble on my clothes. I need to get her a salt block, nail trimmers, and maybe a little collar... HA! She already has a nice sized cage, a toy, has had plenty to eat, and has been held and petted alot. The girls get a kick out of her. She was hilarious last night, it looked like she was showing off, hopping all over the cage in huge leaps.

Last night was an interesting one... Faith and Charity were "camping" in their bedroom... they got sleeping bags the other day from the thrift store. They were going to sleep on their bedroom floor in their sleeping bags, when I heard an outburst of crying. It was one of those cries that said something was really wrong, not just a "she is on my sleeping bag" type of cry. Into my room comes Faith with blood all over! It was on her face, hands, arms, and eventually legs. Ron and I were put into the "OH, NO!" mode, until I asked Faith what happened, and can you guess what caused such a mess? She said she was picking her nose... HA! She was not in pain, she was scared because of all the blood. The more she cried, the more it spattered. Gross! I did the regular pinch the nose and tip the head down... it took a while to stop. Let me tell you, I think that should help the girls to stop that habit of nose picking! All the correction in the world would probably not work as well as that did last night to get their attention! I must say, it was a messy way to learn! Now, I have to wash those sleeping bags AGAIN!

In case you cannot tell, we got our income tax return... hence the money for the bunny and thrift store shopping, and we now have our own cell phone again, since Ron is back to work... it is a different phone and plan... more affordable... the other plan was out of the question! The mobile home is paid off, and we have the title... YIPPEE! No, we didn't strike rich, but it covered the bills and we enjoyed a little extra. We usually pay for the next year's schoolwork, too, with our income tax return. We are still trying to make the best decision on that right now. By the way, you should have seen the deals we got at the thrift store! We saved tons of money for very nice nice items! I can harldy believe all we got for such a small amount of money! God has been so very good to us!

Ron seems to be doing better, for those of you who were praying for his lungs. He will get a chest CT March 2nd, to further evaluate the situation.

The children are all healthy again. So, glad for that! They have plenty of energy, and I will be glad when it gets warm again, so they can get that energy out by playing outside.

Revival is this week at our church, starting Wednesday night, but, I do believe REVIVAL has already begun! God was moving in a very special and powerful way in yesterday's services... starting in the hearts of individuals who had already begun to allow God to prepare their hearts for a Revival. It was an exciting, yet convicting, atmosphere in the services yesterday.

Well, that is the update here at the Cook house!

Rising in technology

Well, dear ones, I must say I am rather excited about something we are getting very soon.
I must admit, when it comes to technology, we aren't completely all "up to date." Yes, I have 2 computers, one is mostly used by the children for educational purposes and for some fun. The other is my laptop, and this I am really attached to... it is often my "connection" to the world outside my house. I don't have alot of the latest gadgets, but I do have a digital camera... another item I greatly appreciate! But, would you believe that I don't think I have ever text anyone on a cell phone! I don't have some of those really cool thingies that tell you how to get somewhere... though I may eventually look into it... if you know me well enough, you would probably know that it would be a wise investment. The new thingy we are getting HIGH SPEED INTERNET... Whoa! I am so excited! I mean, it won't take hours to upload a few pictures, and I can watch church service archives without it stopping and starting every few seconds. I can watch fellow blogger's video clips. I don't have it yet, but I am just thinking of the possibilities! It won't take all night to upload a video clip! Unfortunately, the price is supposed to change in 6 months. That is the down-side.
The latest on the sick toddler:
She is sleeping much better, and does not seem as croupy. She still has the yucky cold symptoms. Runny noses and little girls are a nasty mix. If you don't keep her hair pulled back, well, you get the picture! Ewww! Charity has a cold now, too. How could she excape? They play together all the time. She has a cough, but it doesn't sound brassy. Now, that just leaves Faith. Daddy has something... he crackles when breathing out, and that is very unnerving to me... he is getting anti-biotics. I think Mommy started it all... not sure, but I think I should have been more careful when I felt I had a cold a while back. :-(
Well, I will plan to try to give y'all some good pictures once I get high-speed.
I have a special unspoken prayer request that I would appreciate y'all praying about. I feel I cannot share right now, because I just don't understand.
Well, until next time...
Sarah

Winter pictures... in no certain order

A little Boz

A little snow... make that ALOT of snow! I found a nice way to keep them warm without using tons of clothes (laundry)... just put on two zip-up blanket sleepers, coat, scarf, hat, mittens, and snow boots... no socks, extra leggings, shirts, or whatever, those sleepers serve as coverings for all! They had fun! I didn't let Hope play in the snow, due to her illness.

Before croup... yummy chocolate Rice Crispies!

Charity's hair is getting sooo long, and I just love her hair!

All smiles and ready for Valentine's Day.

Faith, Charity, and I worked together on these Valentines.

Valentine boxes they made in their SS class.

Helping Daddy shovel during the 2nd snow storm in a week's time.

Charity thought the snow was deep.

Making snow angels.

Sick toddler. She saw a doctor the other day, but since it is viral, they didn't give her any anti-biotics... she just has to be treated with home remedies.

One of the Valentines we did together.

CROUP STRIKES AGAIN AT THE COOK HOUSE

If you'll remember back to the end of October 2007, when I was supposed to be on "bed rest," couldn't go to Youth Challenge, Ron was secretly getting checked out for some symptoms that were not cool, and my children both got croup! It was like I was living in a nightmare! I just knew Ron had some terrible disease, and there was no way I could rest with 2 very sick children. Croup is a very frightening sounding cough with a loud sound when they breathe in, that is worst while child is trying to sleep... they are frightened by their struggle to breath. I remember those breathing treatments and having a child sleeping in my room so I could be there if they had a "fit." Well, now it is not Faith or Charity, and I hope they stay this well! Poor little Hope is having a tough time with it, though. She had about 3 fits in the night last night, and it was so sad. I tried the freezer thing, but she just coughed all over everything. I tried several things, but on the last fit, I finally wrapped her up and took her outside, like recommended, but not for long... maybe only 2 minutes. It worked, I guess, cause her coughing stopped. The hard part is when she gets frightened and getting upset just makes it worse. They say it is like a cold, but I think it is horrible. I was hoping noone would be looking outside through the snow in the middle of the night and would see me standing on my porch with a toddler in a blanket... they might think I was insane... but, that is actually what the doctor info page says to do when the child has trouble breathing, and it works... just make sure the child is warmly wrapped up. I actually wore my hubby's shoes outside... not sure how I managed wearing a size 15 men's shoes, but I was in a hurry.
Pray for the little one tonight, would you? Ron, Hope, and I all had a rough night due to her croup... we could use a good night's sleep tonight.

Reflections (a little late, I know)

Last year, 2009, marked ten years since graduation from South Webster High School. Did you ever have to write a ten year plans/goals/ dreams for school? Well, I think I had to write something like that for a Home Economics class. Well, I am sure that my plans weren't exactly matched, but I have done a whole lot since then.
I was invited to a 10 years reunion, but I didn't make it.
I would like to reminisce a bit, if you don't mind, of the happenings between May 1999 and May 2009. Ages 17-27. My birthday is July 29th, so you are going to see alot of "almosts" due to it being Summer that often splits one journey and the next.
Graduation (age 17),
dating,
in the hospital,
went to GBS (age 18),
got involved with ministries and made lots of friends,
loved college,
graduated with an AA in Missions for Nurses in 2001 (age: 19, almost 20),
have worked as a house cleaner, as a baby-sitter, at McDonald's, and at Wendy's.
went to nursing school... bla... maybe some other time,
moved to New Mexico (age: almost 21) and
worked full-time with missionaries in the land of the Navajo Indians,
loved working in the school and church ministry there,
made good friends,
moved back to Ohio,
got married (almost 22),
lost a pregnancy (22),
had three cute and busy girls (almost 23, 25, and 26, I believe),
cared for hubby with cancer (age 26-current),
lived 4 different places since marriage,
helped one year part-time in Christian school in Dayton (22),
did home-health care for a short while (22),
became a stay-at-home mama,
helped in various church ministries,
started a blog,
met lots of people,
mended some broken relationships,
gained an incredible amount of weight,
made lots of mistakes,
apologized alot,
purchased first home (27)... our mobile,
learned how to change diapers... I am an expert now... should have a master's degree in it,
laughed,
cried,
smiled,
mourned, and
still loving being a Christian!
It has been a busy tens years... whew! Makes me tired just thinking about it. Do you think I could fit something else in there?
I don't think I had all that on my to-do list in high school, but I like the way God writes things better that how I do! He has been good to me!
I do apologize that I didn't get this done in 2009, but, hey, better late than never!
I am over half way done with the 11th year... it has been a year of difficulties, yet seeing God's help and presence.
Pressing on toward the mark!

Your home is where your heart is...

As I hop around in Blog-land, I sometimes feel that familiar old feeling of jealousy creep up. Do you do that, too? Yep, it is one of those things I have to try to have some Scripture ready in my mind to quote in order to combat its blaaa-ness... that is a new Sarah word. I see other families doing happy things, looking beautiful, having fantastically gorgious houses, adorable decorations, and fine furniture, and then the comparison game begins in my mind.
I think, "Wow! Here I was excited because we are about to pay off our mobile home... but, look at what these folk have! What is so exciting about a mobile home?" Well, let me answer my own question...
"Sarah, in most of the world's eyes, you are rich! You have a warm, dry, comfortable home with plenty of furniture and supplies. You have food to last for several days. Everyone in your home owns an abundance of clothing. You have nice decorations. Your children are highly stocked in the area of toys. The mobile home is well cared for. You have vehicles that run (at least most of the time), and you have a husband (who took you on a date tonight) and children. Most of all, we have Christ in our home. So, no, Sarah, you may not have an extravagant life-style, but you are not in debt, and you have everything you need. You get told, "I love you" alot. So, put that poochy-lip away, and be thankful that you are not in the cold like those poor homeless people you passed today. They would be really happy right now to be in your shoes!"
Sarah now replies to herself... "Self, you are right. This is best place in the world! It is home! And, home is a good place to be yourself! Thank You, Jesus, for everything!"
Yes, I do talk to myself... I am nice company to myself. HA!

Oh, happy day!

We received awesome news a few minutes ago, but I cannot tell you all until we are more certain. Let's just say that it is enough to make me want to shout!
Got a busy day ahead. Faith has a piano lesson. Ron and I are actually going on a date alone, and it does not have anything to do with OSU Medical Center... ha!
Ron spoke at church last night, he goes back to work tomorrow, and he is going to a youth outing tomorrow evening.
You know, it kind-a feels like we got off a highway onto the wrong side of town for a couple of years, and are finally making our way back onto the highway. Does that make sense? It wasn't by accident that we got off here, for this is where we were supposed to be at the time... Ron's cancer has helped us grow and learn and reach people purhaps in a way we wouldn't have if it had not happened. We have also seen how beautifully God provides and cares for His children, when they cannot do for themselves. He has been so very good.
Hope everyone else is having a happy day!

Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In This Place

Last night, I enjoyed a good time in prayer. Just the other day, I confessed to some friends that I sometimes don't feel I even know what I am doing as a parent. It is a tough job, and trying to figure out how to deal with every situation is absolutely exhausting. The problem was that I was trying to do it in my own strength. My faith was low concerning Ron's healing and how to handle the stress from the past few years was weighing heavy.
Last night, I was reading a biography of a wonderful missionary lady, and I was convicted of my lack in excitement for Christ and how worldly my thinking had become.
God was moving right there in my room as I read that book, then I decided to respond. I felt compelled to pray. I annointed every room of my house and prayed over them. I annointed each of my children (while they slept) and prayed over them. I even annointed myself, then my husband (while he slept). God met with me, and reminded me of some wonderful things He has shown to me the past few years.
I want so badly for God to be glorified in my family. He has been so very good to us. You have no idea just how good, unless you could see all His handprints stamped in our lives. His fingerprints are EVERYWHERE! I regret that I have taken those blessing for granted. When the fog is cleared, I see the beautiful way God brought Ron and me together, led our lives, showed mercy, taught us new lessons, gave us fantastic little girls... they bring such great joy to me, provided our every need, gave Ron a beautiful gift of sharing Christ with others, and spared Ron's life so far, and hopefully for many years to come :-). We will be married 7 years this coming Summer, and I would like to add 70 more. Marriage is tough, but it is especially tough if someone isn't praying the way they should (that was me), and I know that life is busy, but in our brokenness, we cannot afford to slack in prayer. It would be an incredibly long post if I told you every place His fingerprints can be found. He is so good. He will be good, even if He takes Ron... He knows what He is doing. He isn't guessing what is best, He is God! He simply cannot make mistakes. I can trust Him.
May God help us to pray... see our children saved... glorify Christ... do our work heartily as unto the Lord... and, do it all with a smile :-)
I require my children to smile...
Good things today:
1. Hope is using her potty.
2. Faith and Charity have busy with their schooling and with chores.
3. I had devotions.
4. Ron is at the jail visiting and sharing Jesus' love
5. I got to hug my husband this morning... you all can take that for granted, but I have nearly lost that blessing several times.
6. Hope is begging for me to read to her a book about monkeys... children who love books are bound for a brighter future, don't you think?
7. I have figured out how to make a fantastically delicious coffee drink, and I am enjoying my own recipe... and, I don't have to pay $3-$4 for each cup either! You want the recipe? Okay, first make your coffee (I have to be careful about drinking too strong of coffee too often because my tummy doesn't like it, and neither doesn't my skin... so mine may not be as strong as yours), then pour a large cup of it, add one packet of hot cocoa, stir in a little chocolate syrup, add a couple tablespoons of French vanilla creamer, spray some whipped cream on top, and a little chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream. Yes, it is rich and will probably make you fat if not careful. It is a nice treat... not healthy, but it is yummy.
8. My husband is planning to go back to work on Friday.
9. We should have our home paid off in a few weeks.
10. Faith has a loose tooth... okay, I think I am the only one excited about this, but I think little children are adorable when they are missing their front teeth... makes me want to have pictures done of them. It is her bottom teeth and I check them often, much to her displeasure. I can hardly wait! I am weird, huh?
That just about wraps things up.
Thank You, Jesus, for everything!