8 Things.....

Thanks Hannah- I got Tagged!

Eight things I look forward to...
1. Helping with Bible Blast this next week.
2. Summer heat being gone.
3. Getting our new puppy- hopefully
4. Having health insurance- Aug 5 baby!!!!
5. Going on a date with my hubby- it's been too long
6. Sammy being potty trained
7. Getting slurpees with Sammy tomorrow
8. Having grass in the backyard

Eight things I did yesterday...
1. Went to church
2. Ate a yummy lunch at Farmer Boys and had a few sips of an amazing oreo shake :)
3. Went on a wild goose chase for costume supplies for Bible Blast
4. Didn't eat dinner until 10:30 pm
5. Got my skirt lifted up a gazillion times- come on, who really wants to see my chones?
6. Went grocery shopping- always Vons, Fresh and Easy, then Staters
7. Signed up for flylady.net. I heard about it from a friend of mine, helps you wrangle in your cleaning
8. Learned that Iodine dyes better than coffee grounds

Eight things I wish I could do...
1. Potty train Sammy (seeing a theme?)
2. Go back to Disney World
3. Go to Maui and see our great friends the Mendoza's. Man, we miss them so much and it has been way too long :)
4. Buy our house- currently praying for that one.
5. Be debt free-again
6. Travel just about anywhere please :)
7. Go to the beach, we haven't been all summer
8. Find time to redeem a massage that my boys got for me a couple of years ago- I'm so Lame!

8 Shows I Watch (in no particular order):
1. Jon and Kate Plus 8 (although that might soon come to and end- it makes me so sad)
2. 18 Kids and Counting
3. Army Wives
4. Deadliest Catch
5. So You Think You Can Dance
6. The Office
7. Phineas and Ferb- Thanks Sam!
8. The Bachelorette

I tag....
1. Brandee
2. Danielle
3. Brita
4.Melissa
5. Beth (you can do it in my comments section :) )
6. Alissa
7. Michelle Rodman
8. anyone else who happens to want to :)

Andrew Bryan Cross
4.11.1983 - 6.19.2009

I just recently got back from North Carolina, for Andy's funeral. I have so many emotions running through my head right now. I am so sad for his family. The anguish that I have seen my Aunt and Uncle go through burying their son is just gut wrenching.

I am also so absolutely amazed by the hospitality that I encountered while being there. For 5 days, there was always a hot meal ready for all of us. The friends and neighbors will never know how much their love has touched our family during this time. I'm talking hot meals at dinner everyday, and various goodies throughout the day- I was always speechless when the next shifty of well wishers came through.

Respect for the Military- I tell you the reverence that a military town has for their soldiers is just unreal. During the procession to the cemetery, people were just stopped in the middle of the road, in love and respect for a fallen solider. No one was eager to get around the next person, or irritated that they had to sit and wait, well not that they had to, but they did.

I am so thankful for people who are not afraid to speak the truth in a hard time. I have been hesitant in giving any details of my cousins death because it is a delicate situation. My cousin died from an accidental overdose. They are still not sure of what kind of an overdose it was. Andrew suffered from PT SD (post traumatic stress disorder). He has faithfully served in our military for 8 years. I have said before how much I appreciate our military and how they truly give their lives for our country, and unfortunately this was one of those cases, where even though his life was not taken in war, but it was in another war- the war that goes on in a soldiers head after the return home. A couple of years ago while serving in Iraq, Andy's best friend, one who he'd grown up with and somehow made it through boot camp with, and somehow got to be fighting right next to each other, was killed in the line of fire. Andy was never the same after that. We were able to get a glimpse into his head and how he was feeling. The torment that he went through on an everyday basis just breaks my heart. Please do not get me wrong, I am not justifying his actions, but it just gave me a glimpse of what he was living with. The funeral started with a few military persons, and presenting of medals. After all the military stuff and a few friends sharing memories the pastor stood up and really just gave a message of hope. He upset a few people, so I hear, but honestly it was straight forward and to the point of not drowning your sorrows and hurts into frivolous things, but the only way to fill that void is with the Lord. He spoke with great compassion and empathy, as he had lost his brother when he was a teenager because his brother chose to drive drunk and got into a fatal accident. He felt the anger towards God, that many that day were feeling, he felt the pain and the emptiness, but he just laid it all out there that it's not the way. I so appreciated that. I will continue to be praying for the seeds that were planted that day.


Please continue to pray for my family. I know it will get easier for them as the days go on, I saw that, but they are still all so broken hearted.

Our debt to the Heroic men and Valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices
(President Harry S. Truman)

Update:

I got the call a couple of hours ago that my cousin has passed away. I really have no other words right now other than to ask if you could just be praying for his mom, dad, sister, and brother. Also please be praying that we can find some cheap flights out to North Carolina next weekend. Thanks for all the prayers so far.

Prayer Request

Hey all. Just wondering if you all could please be praying for my cousin Andrew. He is currently in ICU on life support. As of right now, it doesn't look as if he will make it. I am just so broken hearted about it. Please pray the the Lord's hand will be upon the situation, and that his peace, mercy and love will just pour out to the family. In all of it may HE be glorified.

Memorial Day

I just wanted to take a minute to introduce you to two of my hero's right now. I have a huge place in my heart for anyone in the military. I love their willingness to give their lives to protect those of us who are home. I have heard that the military is not a very God friendly place to be, but both the these guys have held fast to their faith and continue to not only serve us and our country, but also the Lord. Most of the time being that bright light in such a dark place.

Sargent E-5 Jonathan Tulcus

My dear brother in law. He has faithfully served our country for 5 years, with 2 tours to Iraq. The following picture is of Jonathan's tattoo that just speaks volumes to my heart. These are the names of 14 men in Jon's company who gave their lives for our country, fighting to allow me to sit here and write about it. Jonathan- I am so amazingly proud to have you for my brother.

This video means a lot to me. Like I said I am just a sucker for all thing Military because of the respect I have. Not ever having to face anything close to war combat, this video really makes me even more thankful for all that our service men and women do to protect us. *This video was made by Jonathan after returning home from Iraq. All the footage is of their company. it might be a bit graphic for some*

Specialist E-4 John Gomes

I am so proud of John, he really too a huge step of faith joining the army. John has served our country in Korea and is planning on being deployed out to Iraq in December.


Thank you to all the Men and women who have given their lives to serve our country, whether losing their lives in battle, or just being there, They will forever be changed. I am forever grateful for their sacrifice.

Family Pictures

While Danielle and Jonathan were out we decided to all get together to take some great family pictures. My friend Hannah is an amazing photographer (as you can see) and she agreed to come along and bless us with these amazing pictures. Hope you enjoy! (Sorry about the underline, I can't seem to get rid of it)

Long Time Coming

I can hardly keep up with myself these days, so I apologize for slacking in the blog updating area.

This morning Steve and I were laying in bed and he told me that he was doing some calculations last night and I was not 25 years old. "what do you mean I'm not 25!?! Didn't we celebrate my 25 birthday last month?" Well yes we did celebrate my 25 last month, and last year! Oops! So I am now officially 26, I really feel ripped off, but I guess 25 for a month wasn't that bad, but 26 is so much closer to 30 :(

Now for what you really came to look at:

My Sister and her family came out for a week at the beginning of April. I was so great to be with them and see sweet baby Brycie.

We went to the beach and met up with my Mom. The beach was very nice, and the Daddies even played in the water a bit.We took them up to Oak Glen. Is was crazy cold and drizzly, what a change from the beach the day before.BBQ at my cousin Amber's house

We decided to renew our Dland passes this year and have gotten great use so far. Sammy got to go on a Dland date with Aunt Melissa. They had a blast

Isn't he growing so much? He is developing such a funny personality.Sammy decided to go back to his baby days and take a bath in the sink. Hannah, Matthew and Ana have invited us to play at some really fun parks. Our park outings are becoming a very popular activity.