7 Quick Takes

This blog I like, Making Home, does "7 Quick Takes Fridays" which I think she got the idea from here. But anyways, I like it. You just write seven random things. Which is kind of how I think, so it fits me perfectly. So here is to my first "7 Quick Takes Friday" (on Tuesday).

1. We hired our first babysitter tonight. It went well I think . Kind of makes me laugh, I feel like I was just doing that; not being the old people who's house I was going to to watch their kids.

2. Chloe is finally eating and gaining weight. Her face is getting a little fuller and she is actually getting a little round belly. We are getting pretty used to the no gluten thing and it's working nicely.

3. I like to sew and wish I knew how more. I made Chloe two little cute bunnies from a Martha Stewart tutorial. Kathy came over and helped me a bit with the second one, and I found out I knew even less than I thought I knew about sewing. But they turned out cute, and I think she will like them.

4. Chloe said "Night-night" and "more" the other day. It was more like "nigh-nigh", but it was sure darn cute.

5. She also stuck her hands in Luke's little potty...not so cute.

6. We have been reading The Advent Book this month and I really am enjoying it! It makes the whole Advent season seem special.

7. Confession: I never knew what "Advent" was until last year. :)

Hi...this is my blog.

So...here I am. Blogging. The reason I haven't blogged in forever is just that. That I haven't blogged in forever. So I feel like I can't just jump in with something without covering past things. Which is why Chloe's birthday is posted a month late with nothing else after it. Which is also why I have emails in my inbox from friends far away from May, August and October. Because I feel like I can't catch up.

So here's to not catching up and just moving on.

Happy Birthday Chloe!

We had Chloe's birthday party at Litzenburg Memorial Park on her birthday. It was a beautiful day for a party! Warm and sunny. If it would only be that nice for her birthday every year we would always do it at the park.

So, I thought the new pictures I posted would go at the bottom, but they went to the top. So scroll down to read commentary on the cake. :)

A little help from cousin Gavin.

Luke was so eager to be a good big brother and help Chloe open her presents. He will be fun at Christmas this year!

Just taking a peak at Alivia...

Chloe loved her birthday cake! She is such a picky eater that I honestly expected her to not even touch it. Instead she did the "perfect" little one year old thing. Cute! She picked it up with both hand and dug right in!

Showing off her new walking skills. And with legs like that you might as well wear a mini dress!

Enough presents already mom!

Cute little headband thanks to Aunt Kate!

***Sales pitch***

If you are interested in adorably cute headbands click on Kate's blog to contact her!

9, 10, and 11 months

Before I post Chloe's birthday pics I ought to post her 9, 10 and 11 month pictures. As they get older it sure is hard to keep them from moving/ripping/eating their little sign!

So behind...

I have months worth of pictures to post on here. Dishes are done, living room is clean and kids are sleeping. We'll see how far we get...

To Him be the glory and honor.

"To Him be the glory and honor. Because in His hands are the depths of the earth, and the heights of the heavens are His." Psalm 95:4

What you won't see on CNN. Click here to read this article about the faith of the Chilean miners.

Thank you Lord that YOU AND YOU ONLY rescue and sustain. YOU AND YOU ONLY give grace and cause miracles to happen. May all shouts of joy and applause go to YOU AND YOU ONLY.

Luke and Alia

I'm not sure why I can't find/make time to blog lately so please look at my wonderful friend Renee's blog about our kiddos this summer. I had intentions to link up to it when she posted it...in August!

American History

I read this book last night and loved it! I guess it's for grades 2-5, but I learned more about our Constitution last night than I remember learning in all my social studies classes in school. It was interesting, funny and educational. Before I could barely have told you anything about the Articles of Confederation, The Virginia Plan, the First Continental Congress and all those other names you learn about in 5th grade. I would have recognized the names, but that was it.

The book is wrote in more of a story form than textbook form. SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING!! I now feel like a more informed American. :)

And Jake, you will probably be the only person who doesn't think I'm nuts.

The Centurian's Wife

If you like historical fiction I HIGHLY recommend The Centurion's Wife. I loved it!

First Word

Chloe said her first word the other day.

No, it wasn't "ma-ma" or even "da-da". Or any attempt at Luke.

It was "no-no-no-no".
Great. I could have probably ignored it as just babbling if it hadn't been said in the bathroom while in front of Luke's potty shaking her hand at it.

Yep, you're right Chloe. That's a "no-no".

Then yesterday she was sitting in front of Luke's nightlight doing the same thing.
Darn. It's her official first word.

And to not lead anyone astray on my amazing parenting, she lunged for the potty and pulled the nightlight cover off.
At least she took the time to tell herself "no" first.

Wow. What a long time!

I have felt like the last half of this summer has been nuts. And I was right. I have barely posted anything! Here's some things that have been going on (in no particular order)...


-My wonderful friend Renee has been here from Canada. Even thought we haven't been able to hang out as much as we would have liked it has been wonderful when we have!!! Please move back to Ohio soon!

-My aunt and uncle and cousins from Wisconsin were here. It had been 2 years since we had seen them last. Then my cousin from Indiana and my aunt from Florida came too.

-I'm going to go stay with Laura next week. We're going to Shipshewana. Fun! 3 hour car ride with Chloe, not looking forward to that.

-We looked at a huge house the other night and had to know in an hour and a half if we wanted it. Stressful! But we decided against it.

-We went to Marblehead for the Halupki Festival.

-Visited Rach in the hospital.

-Finished my "Believing God" Beth Moore study. A lot different from her other ones, but I still learned so much! And I know my faith has grown since 10 weeks ago. Thank you Lord for not giving up on me! And a little side note...You know that question "If you could meet any famous person who would it be and why?" Well I have always hated that question. I don't know. I've never been in to current famous people. And I picture meeting someone like Abraham Lincoln like this "Uhh...hello Mr. President...sir...uummm...I'm Amy Amstutz...uhhh...nice to meet you...Good job freeing the slaves...umm...I think your beard fits you well....ummm..." But NOW! Now, I have someone! I would meet Beth Moore in a heartbeat! I know she would hate to consider herself "famous", but she still answers my question! And I would hug the living daylights out of her too. And not be embarrassed about it. Her passion and love for the Lord and his Word is amazing! Really, I didn't know that was possible before. Lord, give me a passion like hers!

Chloe is awake now, so my little list has to end. But thank you thank you thank you to my friend Kara who is keeping my munchkins for me this morning!

Psalm 90:14

Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, Lord, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days!

Fun Weekend!

We had such a nice weekend! Rach, Matt and I headed up to Marblehead Thursday evening and stopped at Cheddar's for supper. I had to laugh because I am normally at home with kids in bed by the time we got our food. FUN! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Mark and Kathy for keeping Chloe and Pukey Lukey! Luckily he was only Lukey the rest of the weekend.

Friday morning the three of us headed to Cedar Point for the day thanks to Rachel's work! We had so much fun on all the rides and with our free drink wristbands. We got back in time to get a shower before mom and dad arrived with our kiddos. It was fun having a "day off", but it was sure nice to see them again! Matt and I were talking Thursday night and not sure how we will leave them for longer for our anniversary. **Side note**With the way Luke is whining today I don't really think it will be all that hard! :)

Saturday Matt went fishing with my cousin Matt and my dad. They limited out on perch in just a couple hours! They had a fun time and we had a nice fish fry that night. We took Luke to get ice cream that afternoon and then to the lighthouse. He had fun watching the waves and climbing on the rocks.

Sunday we were home for an hour and then headed to Matt's parents for a reunion/picnic. With brats, kickball and lots of cousins it was a fun afternoon. And we found out Jay and Cassandra's exciting baby news!

What a nice weekend!
Now back to dirty dishes, laundry, crying kiddos and unpacking. I'm glad the weekend was worth it.

How Adorably Cute!

So this little girl is the cutest and GOOFIEST little one I have ever seen!

(I know...I am a little partial!)

$0.94!!!!

I got all of this for $.94 the other week! Pretty much just tax!

Happy 4th of July!

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any others."
~John Adams


"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
~Thomas Jefferson


"For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [The Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests."
~Alexander Hamilton


"It cannot be emphasised too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
~Patrick Henry

Summer Evenings with Chloe

She loves being held up in air and hanging upside down. This girl is goofy!!!

Summer Evenings with Luke

He LOVED reading this paper from Grandma about Bengal tigers!

goofy boys

A Hilarious Post!

Please, please, please if you are up for a laugh read this post by Jamie the Very Worst Missionary.

If you haven't been in another culture it might not be as funny to you.

And here's to my sister...
*for knowing how large my personal space is
*for knowing how I am no longer a forearm caresser
*and for me knowing your boob-phobia.
You're going to love it!!!

Article on CNN

I ran across this article on CNN.com this morning. I found it interesting, true, a little funny and I really like the way the guy writes.

My Take: Why Christians are Jerks Online by Jonathan Acuff

Three Years!

This is what the Amstutzs can do in exactly three years.
May 11, 2007 to May 11, 2010.
We've been getting busy and keeping busy!
:)

De-Throned!

I am looking through some of my pictures from last month and found this one.
So long pink throne!

And A Few More...

A Little Mix & Match

This one cracks me up. Now I know, that my kid too, can be a Baby Gap model. It's all about the pockets. Surprisingly, I liked a lot of the other ones better. What two year old really stands like that???

The Story of a Cute Picture

My pictures tend to turn out like the bottom three, so I am thankful for the lady that persevered to get the first one!

Finally Our Shed!

Here is our completed (still needs painted though) shed! Now we finally have some place to put our things. Much nicer than trying to squeeze bikes, strollers, wagon, lawnmower and jeep into our one car garage. Yay! And it was custom designed and built by Matt himself. With some wonderful help from Mark, Rob and Greg. Thanks!

Song Lyrics

"So this is what it feels like to live life. This is breathing in for the very first time..."

Jimmy Needham, Yours To Take

Books!

I just updated my reading book list and I have barely read this year! Nine books!

Although I just looked at my goals for the year and I have wrote down to read 20 books this year. So I guess I actually am on track. I think I read a lot in January and February. I better step up the pace!

On my "Piling Up To Read" list are:
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
The PeaceMaker by Ken Sande
Feathers From My Nest by Beth Moore
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Giver by Lois Lowry

Any other suggestions?

Good Night Prayers

"Thank you for strawberries Jesus."

Yes, Jesus, thank you for strawberries. And for Luke.

The Fruit of His Labor

Matt has almost wrapped up his 9th year of teaching Industrial Arts at Elida High School. They had their awards banquet last week where the kids get to show off their completed projects. Click here to see Matt's school webpage and the projects his kids built this year.

What a talented teacher they have!

Growing up

For those of you who know Luke even a little, you'll also know his "nonny". The little blueish-greenish (depending on how old it is) piece of fabric that is his dearest friend. He comforts himself with it, he plays with it, he takes it on car rides, wagon rides, to church, to grandparents, friends and everyone elses houses. And he also falls asleep with it. EVERYTIME.

Not today.

Over the last month we have lost two nonnys at church, one at Gavin's house, one somewhere at our house and now today the very last two have disappeared. They are somewhere in this house. But for the life of me I cannot find them. He was just playing with them in the living room, but now they are gone.

So I had no choice but to put him down for his nap without one.

And my little baby is turning into a big boy.
He didn't even cry.

I might.

Our little lady

Thank you.

I am listening to my "Hungry" CD from Vineyard Music that I have listened to seriously probably 100 time or more. And I am just doing dishes and these words from "Your Name is Holy" just stuck out to me.

"In Your name, there is mercy for sin..."

Wow.

The Sovereign "I AM".
The pure spotless lamb.
The Almighty One.
The Christ, God's own Son.

I know this is what my faith is based on. That my sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus, but it just made me say "wow" all over again. Thank you Lord.

By the name of Jesus we are covered and cleansed.

Mercy: Compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power. (from www.meriam-webster.com)
Sin: a vitiated [faulty, defective, ineffective] state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God. (www.meriam-webster.com)

Mine

I just have to say that I think I have the cutest men in the world. They are outside kicking the ball together and they just make me smile.

Alivia Ann

Matt and I have our very first niece who arrived yesterday afternoon! She has beautiful dark hair and looks quite cute.

Chloe is excited to have a playmate now with all the boys running around. She even talked me into purchasing them matching dresses last night! Little stinker!

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday. Saturday night I found a message on my pillow from Luke and Chloe which contained a (super cute!) menu for breakfast in bed. I had instructions to deliver it to daddy when I had made my choices. I placed my order for 2 eggs, toast, bacon and a glass of juice.

Sunday morning I woke up to the smell of bacon, which to me is about the most wonderful smell in the world to wake up to. I think it reminds me of camping when we were little and waking up to that. Yum. Plus I LOVE bacon. LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE IT. So anyways...I just laid in bed for awhile and read some of my favorite verses I have wrote down and then the handsomest room service man you ever saw brought be breakfast in bed. And he outdid himself! I had dippy eggs, toast and bacon all laid out beautifully on my plate (which he had even warmed up!) along with flower petals decorating one side. Beautiful! On my tray was also a glass of juice, a bowl of cut mixed fruit and Beth Moore's new book! Yay!

I have to tell you I felt like a queen. Thank you Matthew (and Luke and Chloe of course!)