Some pictures of the past few days!

Eyebrow + coffee table= 5 small stitches


Watching the services through the nursery windows.

The mass choir... aaah, it is quite heavenly... I have always had a thing for the mass choir!

You may wonder... "well, in the previous post you said you would change some things about last week if you could, what would you change?" I believe I would have brought my double stroller and a child leash... I don't care if people would have looked at me strange for leashing my child... it would have been MUCH better than loosing them!!! I NEVER EVER want to go through that again!!! These next few picts were taken RIGHT BEFORE Charity disappeared... during my panic over loosing her, I lost my camera, but later (after the Children's Choir was over) I found it. As you can see, she was already hyper!

The littlest princess with her pizza.

Another living room picture.

Digging for a tape to listen to... lunch still on her face.

The Cook family schoolroom.

Working away.

That plus an escalator story pretty much sums things up!

Lost, fussy, and stitches

Let's say that I am glad last week is over, and I do wish I could change some things!

I wish I could say that I did not loose a child during IHC, but that would be a lie! It was very frightening to say the least! Fortunately, someone found her and brought Charity to the main desk! It only took a moment for her to disappear into the large crowd right before she was to be on stage to sing... I found her in time for her to join the Children's Choir, but Faith did not appear on the stage, which I was concerned about... just to find out that she never was in the choir, because some little boy(s) shoved her on the floor (so I was told) and she refused to go up on stage... so much for all of the hard work I put into dressing her up and trying to encourage her to go! Because they often left the doors open to the nursery, I had issues there too! Hope escaped without my knowing it, and a GBS student found her in the hall (having three children in the nursery with open doors was not easy! I was shocked to find she was able to leave without my realizing it... in the past, I have been tough on parents whose children were not under control, and would not even notice their child leaving them... but, I was humbled last week majorly! When Charity was found, I cried! But, because she kept trying to wonder away after warning her, she received needed discipline when we arrived home... if only she realized what could have happened if someone with evil intentions had found her! It still scares me thinking about it!

Hope has been sooo cranky... not sure why, but I am suprised at the displays she has been putting on... which I am quickly trying to put a stop to. She can be such a sweet, lovable, and huggy baby, but when she doesn't get her way, WATCH OUT! Don't worry, she will not be allowed to behave this way... it just is surprising to see a child with two such very different possible attitudes. She is in the "trying momma out to see if she means what she says" stage. Fun-fun.

Then, Faith had to be taken to the hospital Friday evening for 5 stitches. If you remember back about 16-17 months ago, she had fallen onto a coffee table and got a cut above her eye glued. We had removed the coffee table from our living room to prevent further injuries, but when we moved into our new home I wanted to put it into our living room... after all, what are the chances of the same accident happening twice?! Bad decision. My girls still love to dance in our living room, and, well, you guessed it! It is a wooden coffee table with rounded edges, looking very safe, but alas! Same spot above the eye, too! Sigh!

Life, isn't it fun!

Odds and ends/ Easter

Excuse the strange order of these pictures.

Our oldest princess.

Say "cheese"

THE LOOK from Baby Hope.

The lilies purchased as memories or in honor of someone as a youth fund raiser.

The side profile of the bus.

All ready for Easter morning.

I put a shirt under this dress for church, but I thought it was cute to see those chubby baby arms. She lost her headband before we even got into the van!

Mommy was camera-happy!

Yes, she has a cold-sore,

Nay, but thou shalt see three posts in one day!

A continuation of trailor pictures.


The bus painting in progress!

Me, being strange!

The main bathroom... messy, I know!

A bathroom.

Two posts in one day! A sign of a special day!

Random pictures! The above is Charity and Hope.




My other little girl, Faith, showing off one day while on a youth trip!

Well, I WAS hoping to share with you pictures of the bus... but, I am not sure where that disk is located... and, I hope to get the pictures of our vacation on a CD so I may share them with you, because I had to use a disposible camera due to my lack of memory! GRRR!

Hope you enjoyed these random pictures anyway!

Have a wonderful Easter!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Charity!

Mimi Cook made the cakes, bought the balloons, tableclothes, and probably half of the presents.
It was nice to have so many of Charity's little friends join us!

At our home, looking so very sweet!
This is strange, but my pastor's wife told me recently how much Charity looks like her daughter when she was her age... she even brought pictures to church to show me... and, she is right! They do have simularities! Faith looks simular to her friend, Molly, and now Charity has a look alike! Now, we have to find a twin for Hope! If you go to our church, ask Sister Manley to show you a picture of Clarissa when she was two or three... We've already tricked at least one lady in our church, who when asked who was in the picture, she said CHARITY! HA!
I, once upon a few pounds ago, was mistaken for a friend of mine, who now lives so far away and is incredibly thin! I felt like laughing! It was a new person or a visitor or a neighbor to our church, who obviously had not been there much, because my friend is tall and thin and incredibly talented, and I am the opposite!

I love Cherry's hair like this!

I was pretending to be a photographer today, and was actually pretty pleased with some of the results.

For those of you who were horrified about the spelling errors on the previous post, you were not alone... so was I... those things happen to me sometimes! Sareeeee 8-)

A Cook Vacation

What a vacation that was! We've been back since Sunday night, but we've been a bit busy.
On our vacation, which was at Pike Lake State Park, I took the girls for a few hikes... some were very rugged, and you should have (or, rather be gldd you didn't) seen me carry a 25 1/2 lb baby on my hip for about 1.3 miles up a rugged hill and over huge fallen trees and down a steep embankment, while watching and guiding 2 and 4 year olds how to carefully hike the trail... you should have seen how very, very excited Charity was... though she fell many times, she thought it was extremely fun! They enjoyed my nature lessons as I explained various tracks, nuts, some plants (which I really don't know much about... I just tried to explain what I could), what makes our voices echo in the hills, etc. Ron gave fishing lessons one day, and I brought these Bible story videos that the girls had here at home, but have not been able to watch because they are VHS's... they served as attention keepers when we were in our cabin... since we certainly didn't want them watching TV and one day it was too cold for the to spend much time outside. It was a special treat.
Ron had a terrible bout of tendonitus in one of his legs, Faith came down with a stomach virus, and Hope fell off a chair and busted her mouth badly... but, purposing in my heart that our vacation would be worth it all, I did the hikes, playing at the park, did a worm hunt (yes, we dug for our own fishing bait, etc.), went fishing (though we caught no fish, and was being pursued by some hungry and hopeful geese), picked wild flowers, ran up and down a huge grassy hill, grilled out some, and enjoyed our cozy cabin.
Sunday was enjoyed with some friends (the poor lady of the house got her leg talked off by none other than me... poor lady). Ron was scheduled to preach at their church... the tough part was that Faith had became very sick in the previous night, and had vomited over and over, and that day, she came down with a nasty fever of 101.9 axillary! So, that evening, while the family, Ron, and Charity, went to church, I stayed at the folks house with Faith and Hope. The morning service, I had to take Faith, because I wasn't sure what else to do, and we put the vomit bucket under our van until after church(not thinking about the fact we were deep into the country)... the bucket (which actually was the bottom section of a potty chair) was GONE when we came out! Perhaps some dog?! Gross!!! Fortunately, we have another potty chair available here at home (I like to travel with one on long trips with little people). How none of the other children came down with fevers and vomiting is a miracle!
Well, in the past few days, I have been learning a few lessons... one is... don't go on feelings... good or bad... you can't trust them... I thought something was going to happen, that did not apparently, and I was a bit disappointed. I am not sure how faith plays into this, but I just know I have been wrong alot when it comes to feelings.
Secondly, it seems I have been kicking a few habits that I have gotten into a rut with... got a few more to go. I am realizing more and more how certain foods, thoughts, activities, ect, effect me, and I am trying (though not very hard) to break some habits (little things) that don't do my family or me much good.
Well, I would love to share with you pictures of our trip, but I had to use a disposible camera due to my forgetting my digital... it was lots of fun, and Ron wished it could have been longer... he found it quite relaxing (minus the leg pain at night).
Our family doctor gave Ron an anti-inflamatory medication, and it REALLY helped him last night! The girls all saw the pediatrician yesterday... Faith was a sick appointment, and Hope and Charity went for well check-ups... Hope and Charity are healthy little girls, and Faith put up quite a fight for the doctor, but she will be fine... just a "stomach flu." Hope is 25 1/2lbs, Charity is 30 lbs (she will be three Saturday, and is my very thin child right now), and Faith was 40 lbs (she has been around this weight for a long time).
Faith had her second piano lesson today, and the teacher said she did very well.
Next week is IHC, and I am hoping to get my two oldest children to sing in the children choir. Faith did it last year... and, I just loved watching her up there! Maybe I am a little proud, but I think my girls are so very cute, and I am proud of them.

I am not sure if I will post again for a while so let me say something to my little girl who is about to turn 3!

Charity Ruth (Cherry),
Mommy wants you to know how very much I love you. You have brought so much joy and laughter into our home. You are beautiful, intelligent, and funny. You have beautiful big blue eyes and a gorgious smile (how did you get perfect teeth?). You crack us up when you hear a crinkle of wrapper and just know there must be a snack nearby and start asking what we have. You have a radar for gum, you can smell it a mile away, I think. Ha! I remember how you used to look down with your face, but up at us with those eyes... and, you would make us want to laugh! You were so very shy for a long time, but you seem to be coming out of that a little. You are growing up on me, yet you are so tiny and snuggly, and I am very happy you are my little girl.
Always follow Jesus... there is no other way to Heaven. Let Him be Lord of your life, and allow Him to work out His special plan for your life!
Hope your birthday brings lots of good memories and smiles!
Happy Birthday
Love you lots and lots with sugar on top!
Mommy

Cheered!

I am amazed at how healthy I feel now after visiting a couple of blogs... blogs with fun and funny posts! One blog I occasionally visit... well, I don't even know the lady, but I can count on feeling happier having visited her blog... she has a perspective of things that might make others sad, she makes it rather funny! I needed that dose of humor! I seem to have lost mine somewhere under a load of stress and fears... some founded, but most not... strange that imaginary problems can do that to a person!
If I don't post for a while, don't you worry, I am just having fun... Ron is off the rest of this week, and we are out of here!!!
See ya later!

Happy day!

My thyroid counts are fine, and although one angle of my thyroid nodule looked bigger, another looked smaller... it could be because of the different ways a tech does the ultrasound... not a big deal... it is up to me if I want to keep the nodule for a while, and I think I shall. It may be annoying, but I think having my throat slit right now isn't something that fits nicely into my schedule.. if the tests turned out okay, I am not so creeped out about it... until the next time a test comes, then, I get all worked up about it! I did have a doctor yesterday tell me that I need to loose weight... nice!
Faith did well in her first piano lesson with Sister Stroup today. She is a sweet lady, and Faith said she "was not shy of her." (I think that means she was not afraid of her.) I was a little concerned Faith would cry for me (like a child on their first day of kindergarten), but she did just fine (I went to the nursery in order to not distract or interfere, which was a good plan!). Faith seems very happy about learning piano, which is quite different to what she originally thought.
You know, it is interesting what worry can do to a person! I have learned that today. Here I thought I had serious issues with my thyroid, and got myself all worked up about it. Faithy had been concerned about being without Mommy and having to learn piano. The fears were shot down today, and now I have a headache! When will we learn to just trust Jesus?! You would think I would have mastered that now, but nope... after all He has done for us... I go around whining and living in fear like the children of Israel in Moses' day... seeing God do miracles, then wondering if He would or could deal with the next issue. Lord, help me to grow up!
I have a feeling that God has more miracles and joys for our family coming... no matter what happens, Lord, help me trust Your hand.

Super Woman!

That is how I feel right now! You would not believe the work that I have gotten done the last couple of days. If I sound a little proud, it is because I am a little proud! The girls' room got tackled, and looks awesome! The only room (besides a bit of clutter in the computer room, which is not overwhelming me, and a bit of laundry) that needs serious cleaning is my room. My husband motivated me by making a deal with me... I know that sounds silly, but it really worked, and I power cleaned this house like a mad woman yesterday, and shocked even myself!!!
I also have managed this week to round up some items that belong to other people and the library... still need to get some more things together... it has been a bad habit of mine in delaying returning items. That is embarrassing, but it is a habit that needs broken, and I am working on that presently.
I also have planted flowers and tomato seeds in some pots, and cleaned out some of the flower bedding outside. Faith and Charity helped with the potting, and Faith helped me throw grass seed today in our little lawn. Have I ever mentioned how I feel about the outdoors, flowers, etc. It makes me feel so cheery! I am looking forward to getting some mulch to dress up the "yard" a bit.
Besides all that, I went and had bloodwork done today, and have doctor appointments the next two days. I am also battling a cold or sinus infection or something that is making breathing through my nose impossible... so if you see me walking around with my mouth gaped open, I am okay, just stopped up in the head.
I MUST take pictures of the church bus' new paint job to show you all the difference! It is awesome!!! It has been transformed! You will LOVE it! Lots of work, and a good deal of money went into getting it done... but, I think it was worth it!
On the other hand, my van has been transformed today as well... on the bad side! I sort-of had an accident! Why does the church and the church's apartment have to be so close together?! I totally misjudged the distance between my vehicle and the church! That brick wall did a number to the side of our old van! I wonder what the neighbors thought if they heard me outside the church at 6 or 7 something in the morning (long story!) crunching the side of my van against the corner of the church! Faithy was sitting in the seat next to the wall be crushed, and was afraid that the glass was going to break... Mommy couldn't think clearly how to get herself out of the dilemma, so she continued to scrape up the ole' van! Sorry, Ron! I am definitely not the first person to mess up their vehicle in this spot! I can name at least one other... but, maybe I should keep her name from being added to the reckless drivers' list... HA! Actually, that was sort-of my fault, since Ron and I lived in the apartment at that time, and my daughter was sitting in her highchair facing the window and distracted my dear friend's driving!
On the good side, we have found a piano teacher for Faith, and she starts THIS THURSDAY afternoon! I have heard great things about her, and I am very excited about it!
Lots going on here, so you will just have to keep stoppin' by!
Your over-caffeinated blogging friend,
me

Ultrasound...

If that didn't get your attention, I am not sure what would!
No, this is not the fun little baby ultrasound... sorry!
I had a follow-up ultrasound on the thyroid nodule today. Unfortunately, the tech was unable to tell me anything, and it was difficult to figure out what was happening on the screen... I did see some measurements, I believe. I think one measurement was 48. something mm, which is definitely bigger than before. I do know that one view of the nodule, it was very large on the screen (which doesn't necessarily mean anything), and it was VERY round like a ball. Of course, I do have a habit of assuming, so I could have been wrong... so, smart me, I come home, get my sewing measuring tape and pressed on the nodule to feel the size and then did my own measuring... the 48mm seem right... why had I never done that before, I don't know. Maybe because I have a life, and enjoy other activities.
I do seem to be having symptoms of a thyroid problem... remember those whacky emotions, fatigue, weight gain, and (not that you would know this) my temperature is usually low... maybe 96 something, and other little physical issues. The other day, my temp actually got up to 98.6, and I felt like I had a fever! Our bodies can be so strange sometimes. Of course, I still have that annoying lump-in-the-throat feeling... the feeling that food is stuck in there. My appointment with the endocrinologist is next Thursday. I kind-of wish they would just take that thing out! It gives me the creeps!

What does the Cook family do?

The bus ministry... this bus is presently receiving a face lift and is being painted and lettered.




A huge tree Ron has been cutting down.




Working to reach little children for Jesus. I'm the bossy lady in the back row with the black and leopard. I had alot of helpers during my shift in Children's Church, and it has been a great blessing!


Having fun with Children's Church.


A little hike on family night.


A work in the making... the girls' room!


My artwork in the girls' room. You may not be able to see this in this picture, but some of it is outlined in glitter glue.


Doesn't she look so snuggly in her jammies? She's getting to be such a big girl!






Two of my favorite people with their Mommy.


Part of my living room.


This is my Kitchen.
Okay, I would like to show you more of my house, but this is a very slow process with dial-up, and it keeps stopping. How do I stop the big spaces between entries? It takes so long to correct those. Well, maybe I will share more in a future post.

Reasons to be thankful...

Well, the thingy that I needed to upload pictures has been located... but, since hubby used the camera tonight when we were out on a family evening, I don't know where he put it, and I am not waking him up to ask him. So, tonight you will get a thankful list from me... is that okay for now?

1. I seriously believe I (this house's queen) am married to a man after God's own heart. He has a passion for the things of God... loves his family, loves to share the gospel anywhere he goes, loves me, loves prayer, loves to work hard, and hates sin. He endeavors to walk carefully before God, and loves the way of holiness.

2. For God's hand of protection over my little flock
...Faith when she got accidentally kicked in the nose by Charity, and had a very nasty nosebleed the other day. It is incredible how panicked children become when the "red stuff" is present. The bleeding was easily stopped once Mama (this house's nurse) showed up on the scene, pinched protesting child's bleeding nose, and calmed the poor, wounded child down.
...Charity when she decided to mess with electrical outlets the other day (I was unaware of how she got injured until I (this house's private investigator) saw the evidence a few minutes later)... that was scary! There was not really any marks on her from the shock, but she said something about her finger, and showed me where the scene of the crime was, and said it scared her. She had unplugged the phone, and the answering machine was half unplugged, so I put the pieces together in my mind, and came to the conclusion that her finger was hurt by playing with the plug-ins. I remember messing with an outlet as a child, and it was a very bad idea!
...Hope when she decided to chew on some stuff that the guys used to work on the floors... Ron had the stuff out today to move it to the shed, but baby thought it looked edible before it got there. Glad that expandable foam doesn't come out easily... she just got a tiny taste... then Mama (this home's substance abuse police) showed up on the scene, and snatched away the "snack", and examined the baby, went outside to talk with daddy( who was cleaning out shed, and knows more about the substance than me), just to find that no harm was done, and baby way unable to get desired contents out of tube. Whew!
These things could have turned out badly, but they didn't, and I thank Jesus for that.

3. For a very good revival that we just came through, and that I (this home's cook, maid, home-health-aide, childcare supervisor, and teacher) survived the busy week. The sermons were challenging, and the music uplifting. It was wonderful! Though, I did have to walk out often with a fussy, tired, teething baby, and two little girls who, of course, needed to go to the potty quickly. (Ron has tried to make them wait it out before, and well, you can guess what happened!)

4. That God is speaking to me about some very big things... I imagine this has never crossed your mind, but, I actually am not perfect... I know, it comes as a shock. Take a deep breath... Relax. Yes, it is true, I, Sarah, have issues.
Can you guess what they are...
I, Sarah, am a quiter. I start something, then, when it gets tough or boring, I quit. I start a diet, then I quit. I start a quilt, then I quit. I start cleaning THAT PILE, then I quit... are you getting the picture? Yes, that is something I was praying about tonight... where is that backbone and persistance... I am a whimp! Yep... it is true. I also have shown a lack self-control... you know, that fruit that helps you say "I will not be angry about this, and throw a fit like a baby" or "I will not eat any cookies tonight, because I know that I am overweight, and I need to get healthy." You might be thinking... "So you are thankful that you got a spiritual spanking tonight?" Well, my answer is YES! If a parent loves their young child, they will train and correct the child's attitude and behavior... sooo, if God corrects me, then, He loves me... right?! Yep, I am thankful for Him speaking to me about this.

5. For praying family and friends. And, I have a request for you... being that I am human, I suffer some "ouchies", and I am having problems with an "ouchie." I am not sure this makes sense unless you have had a simular situation, but sometimes the whole ordeal with Ron's cancer will strike me at very strange times. Say, for example, we are out for a family night, and we have had a good time, and we are on our way home, when "wham" this feeling, or whatever, hits me, and the weight of it all slaps me in the face. It sometimes still seems like a strange, bad dream that I am waiting to be awakened out of. Maybe, you are thinking, "Come on, Sarah, it has been a year and a half, and you still think it is just a nightmare?" Well, I can't really explain it. We'll be having a great time and then it just happens, and I still fear loosing him, even though he seems to be doing quite well. Could you pray that God will help me rest in Him when those feelings come? Thanks, I knew I could count on you!

Well, I still would love to share pictures with you, and you have been so very patient... thanks... hopefully, I will get to it someday... just keep stopping by.

Have a good night!

He missed it! How sweet!

Yesterday I forgot to put a note in Ron's lunch... I was too occupied making Rice Crispy treats before he left... yes, at 5 something in the morning (I had promised the girls some for breakfast anyway), and, was trying to hurry so he could have some in his lunch. In the meantime, I forgot to put a note in his lunch. We talk often for a minute or so on our cells as he makes his deliveries, and yesterday, he told me on the phone that he missed my note. Ooops! So, today, when he went to Cincinnati to do some work, and to drop off our messed up van (might be the transmission again! Grrr! The ancient van might just have to kick the bucket), I put two notes in his lunch. We'll see if that fixes things up a bit (can't much talk to him today while he works, because he is doing some tree work, and well, talking on the phone when you are in a tree with a chain saw is not a good idea!)
On another thought, I am rather disturbed! frustrated! angry! something! I am upset about the President trying to allow embronic stem-cell research! They don't need to use innocent babies!!! My hubby's treatment used his OWN stem-cells, and if he needed it again, he would use an adult's cells... there is no ethical, moral, decent reason to kill an embro in research. We believe life starts at conception, and whether that life is lived past birth is to be GOD'S decision. I have had a "failed pregnancy" (blighted ovum, I think it is called), and I mourned my loss greatly... I loved that baby, and was very broken when it did not develop. How can people just use babies as lab rats!?
Then, there is the deal with the same-sex marriage. People vote against it, then the government tries make it legal when the people say NO! God is sooo very able to free people from homosexuality... I have had friends that were converted from that kind of "life-style." They are free!
Yes, there are many wicked things going on in our country, but I think we could even look into some our own lives, some churches... some folks are being "lulled to sleep." Things we wouldn't have done years ago, things we were convicted about, we are slowly allowing to creep in. God has been speaking to me about some of these things. Some attitudes, personal convictions, etc, that need to be turned around. I have been shocked at some of the things I have seen or heard. The music and activities that are now labeled "Christian" seem nothing like what I would see or hear in Jesus' presence. I can't imagine those "songs" being sung in Heaven. I can't see how dressing like a heathen in the name of "outreach" is an attraction that will bring people to true repentance. I have received mail from some "outreach" organizations that have pictures of activities that look like they are dragging God's name through sewage. The interesting thing is that they are convinced they are really doing good. What attracted me as a teenager to Christ was the sense of peace, holiness, love (lots of it), and purity that was present in God's people... I would have been totally turned off by someone who was trying to mock the world and Satanic activities to pull at young people in the name of Christ. It seems it all starts with a little giving in to this, and a little giving in to that... tiny things... like Eve's forbidden fruit... looks so innocent, what is so wrong with it? Like... what is wrong with watching this show? with going shopping at the mall on the Sabbath? with dressing in whatever I want to? in "talking" about this person... after all, it is true, right? with saying this slang word, "god", afterall it's just words, right? Not according to the Bible... we will be held accountable for our words, actions, attitudes, motives, etc. Yes, I am preachy today, aren't I? I know that works do not save someone, it is God's grace, but if you love God, you will want to obey Him and live your live to carefully model Christ-likeness. Our pastor talked last Sunday about hurting God's name, and that really spoke to me.
Okay, I know that some people don't like to read "philosophy" or "people's opinion's" on blogs, but to me, my blog is a chance to share hope and truth with just a few more people. If I can't be on a "mission field," then I will make my community, relatives, people at laundr-o-mats, stores, and even my blog to my "field."

Okay, the next time I post, I hope to have found the thingy that I need to put pictures on here of our family, etc. I am making great progress in the "settling in" of our home. I want to share some picts with you. Maybe I won't preach next time ;-)