Random Pics

Here are some pictures that I took before we left for our trip.  These are just classic examples of Reagan imitating her older sisters.

HHI

We just finished our final family vacation of the summer.  My parents generously took the entire Schaefer side of the family to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  We stayed in a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house and we packed it full of people.  There were 13 of us total, 8 adults and 5 kids under the age of 4.  However, I pointed out to George that this was the only vacation I went on this summer in which the adults out-numbered the children.  We were within short walking distance of the beach and had a pool in our backyard.  I failed to take any beach or pool pictures with my camera.  



Reagan and cousin, Will, playing together.  It took about a day for her to get over her jealousy of him, especially if someone was holding him.



George and I took our 3 to a local park.  We didn't stay too long because it wasn't incredibly Reagan-friendly.

And the following are pictures of the cutest little 14 month old (now 15 months) that I know.  I discovered that she was cutting her two bottom molars, making that a total of 5 teeth she has coming in.  Ouch!!!  This little girl thinks that she is the same age as her older sisters.  I couldn't keep her out of the ocean.  And I mean, she was running into the water and not stopping.  Sure, she'd get knocked over and then get right back up and run into deeper waters.  Maybe that's why I didn't get any beach pictures...I was constantly running after Reagan.  I gave up taking her to the beach after the 2nd time.  Too exhausting!  I actually found her tonight sitting at our card table in one of the folding chairs trying to put together a 100 piece princess puzzle.  I don't even know how she got on the chair.  She definitely keeps me on my toes, but it's adorable to see her try and imitate her big sisters!

She learned how to say, "Cheese" anytime there was a camera pointed at her.  It came out, "Eeeeee"

We also spent some time boogie boarding and shopping at the outlet malls.  We found some cute back to school clothes and shoes for the twins.  Yes, we are officially part of the back-to-school crowd.  Hannah and Kate both have their teachers' names and school supply lists.  I already have a bag full of school supplies.

4th of July

We enjoyed a very small family get together on the 4th.  We barbequed a little and then spent some time enjoying the pool and the great outdoors.

Kate showing off her new goggles.  Hannah's reaction to getting goggles was, "Now I can breathe under water."  That was so funny!

Reagan refuses to sit in a baby float so she just wants to be held in the pool.  I think she got that from our swim lessons.  Either way, it's much easier to let her play in a kiddie pool.

And then, Hannah, Kate, and I went to enjoy some fireworks.  Since we had to get there early for parking, Mommy decided it would be a good idea to stop and get some ice cream while we waited.  Daddy and Reagan opted to stay at home.
 

Hope you had a fun day celebrating the freedoms we enjoy in our country!

Live!

"Then I passed by and...said to you, Live!"       ~Ezekiel 16:6

 It has been a long time since I've posted something other than simple events around the house.  There are some times though when the Lord just excites my soul and I feel like I can't help but share the good news of the gospel, especially with the precious people who read my blog.  I'm not even sure how many read it anymore, but I know that this is a message that I can't share enough.

I was reading in my quiet time this evening a devotion from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening.  He started with the above verse.  He noted many points, but the one that spoke most loudly to me was that Jesus Christ has called us (me) out of our sin to eternal life in Him.  How stinkin' amazing is that?!?  God himself came down from Heaven to save a sinner like me and gives me life.  My soul is just so excited over the fact that when I die one day, Jesus will welcome me into heaven and give me the command to live! 

What happens to those that haven't chosen to accept God's free gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus?  Jesus will turn you away because He never knew you and you will spend eternity in death in hell.  John 14:6 says, "I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  Jesus has given us the way to heaven through the cross and blatantly pointed out that He is the only way to get there.  You can accept that truth or not, but there will be no excuses acceptable to Him come judgment day.  And it's not fear that should draw you to Him (although the thought of spending eternity in hell is pretty scary); but unconditional love, endless mercy, and complete forgiveness. 

For when you accept God's free gift of eternal life, Christ sets you free from the bondage of sin.  So not only do I get to live in Heaven, but I get Life here.  John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." 

Charles Spurgeon writes, "In our text, we perceive a sinner with nothing in him but sin, expecting nothing but wrath; but the eternal Lord passes by in His glory; He looks.  He pauses, and He pronounces the solitary but royal word, "Live!"

What a blessing to lay my head on my pillow tonight and sleep in peace because He has given me life!  What's your choice today?

Final Leg

The very last night we were there, the girls got to enjoy a short horse ride.  It was fairly windy and the horses get a little anxious when it's windy.  These horses were beautiful!  They had 5 females.  

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Pretty is her name

H & K did a great job riding the horse, but Reagan wanted nothing to do with her and we didn't want to spook Pretty any more than she actually was.

While trying to avoid a huge mud pit while we were 4-wheeling, I actually got stuck.  George got out the camera and proceeded to videotape it.  Nice, sweetie, thanks, really.

We only had 3 flights on the way home and they were rather uneventful.  We had more action in the airports.  Our first stop was in Calgary.  I had taken the girls to the bathroom and on the way back, Kate decided to hop in front of me and I ran right into the back of her Croc.  Owwww!  I heard a couple of pops & snaps in my pinky toe.  It started to bruise and swell rather quickly.  I thought that I had broken it, but it turned out to be a bad sprain.  It still hurts and is a little swollen, but I think I am on the mend.  I probably should be nursing it a little more, but I've been away from the gym for too long and am unwilling to remain unactive any longer.  And our last plane was delayed an hour and a half in Chicago.  We arrived in Tampa at midnight and got to bed around 2 a.m. 

We had an amazing time and are so grateful for the time we had with our family!