Noah is here!

I finally became a "great aunt" tonight at 7:10pm to Noah Rodriguez! He weighed in at 6 lbs. 11 oz. 21 inches long. The proud parents are Chris (my nephew) and Mandy. This is their first baby and boy was she lucky....only 3 hours of labor! Mom & baby are doing fine. I have not seen him yet, so I have no pictures. Hopefully my camera will work ok when I do get to see him.

I will post them later on.

Now we are waiting for the birth of my sister Lorraine's baby due in August. It's a surprise....we don't know what she is having yet, but Ed & I are the godparents. What an exciting year for us. Great Aunt & Uncle, Godparents and Grandparents all in the same year.....GOD IS SO GOOD!

Blessings.

It's been awhile!

I feel like I have not blogged in quite awhile. I started a "FaceBook" account and am getting hooked on it. If you do not have one, try it out it is alot of fun and a good way to keep in contact with some old friends. I think it is safer than MySpace.

On top of that my camera has been on the blink. I have been taking pictures but they are coming out pink or blue and with lines. I am very upset about this since I just got this digital camera in December. I have to find out what is wrong with it.

We are all well and getting excited about the school year ending. Peter will be working and learning how to drive this summer. We are also heading up to Michigan for our dear friend Pastor Cheri's ordination at the end of June. After that we will spend a few days in Virginia with my cousin and of course hit the Jersey shore....we never got to go last year. It was to hectic with the move, but this year I am going to take my kids to the shore and show them where I spent my summer vacations! "Joelle I will take pictures"!

Well, if you get a Facebook account you can find me there and leave me a message. To get an account just lot onto facebook.com and follow the directions. If I can do it anyone can....easier than blogging!

Talk to u soon.
Blessings

Almost 16!

My Peter will be 16 years old on June 4th! I still cannot believe it! Where did all these years go...anyway, as he turns 16 along with it comes many changes not only for him but for mom & dad to. Peter will start working at Shop Rite next week. He wanted to work so bad and we agreed that he needed to do something productive this summer instead of play on the computer all day. He will also be getting his driving permit once he turns 16 and wants a car. Well, honey you need to work for it like I did! So he will save (hopefully) and get himself something to get around in.

Ed and I are so proud of him and for the godly young man he is becoming. We look forward to seeing what God has for him in the next few years. Peter, we are so proud of you and blessed to have you as our son!

Worship!

For Mother's day, Ed had the ladies on the "Worship team" take a break and the men led in Worship. They did an awesome job and we sure did appreciate them taking over and leading worship.

Installation of new LBA members for 2008-2009!

A visit from Laurie & Frank

We invited Ed's sister Laurie and her husband Frank over for a nice Mother's Day dinner with us. They moved to Summit, NJ (1/2 hr. from us) in March. It was great getting together finally! Let's do it again soon.

Laurie & Frank

Matthew challening Daddy to a basketball game. We hope that Matt tries out for basketball next year. He is pretty good at it.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's day is usually a week long event in our house. Matthew came home on Wednesday from JAM (children's church) and made me this beautiful hat. At first I thought I had to wear it, thank GOD he said I needed to hang it up somewhere. So here it is in my bedroom right above my full length mirror so I can see it everyday. Brianna made me a beautiful bookmarker, coupons for a "back rub" (love that one) and a tear jerker of a card! You never know how your kids think or feel about you until they write it down. Don't take anything for granted, the prayers, the talks the laughter and fun all mean something to your kids and they appreciate it so much, even if they don't tell you every day how they feel. Love them with your whole heart. These gifts are so precious to me and I treasure everyone of them.

Today at my mom's church they had a "Mother's day brunch. Mom has been going for the past 4 years with my 2 sisters. Well this year Brianna and I got to go also. It was nice spending time with my mom & my sisters for the afternoon and to visit with some of my old friends from Stroudsburg Wesleyan. This was our first church Ed pastored at before moving to Michigan.

Brianna and my "baby" sister Lorraine. Lorraine is due to have her second baby in August. NO, we don't know what it is....it's a secret. But Ed and I are the "godparents" YIPPEEEEE!

Me and my sisters....Lorraine, LuAnn and me!

For the past couple of years Ed has been cooking dinner for me on Mothers Day. I hate to go out because everything is always so crowded. So he is cooking a nice pork loin with rice & beans, veggies on the grill, salad and of course dessert. His sister and husband will be joining us also. They moved about 1/2 hour away from us and this will be the first time we see them since about 3 years ago. I am looking forward to a great Mothers day with my family.

I wish all my MOMS out there a Happy Mothers Day! Enjoy your kids, hug them today and thank God for giving them to you! Remember your kids are watching everything you do, so set the example!

"PULSE" Youth Night!

Thursday night at youth, Ed had a pizza party and land mine volleyball. Basically there were about 55 eggs out on the grass and you had to play volleyball without breaking the eggs. Well after awhile it got alittle crazy.

Here is Ronnie my adopted son. Love this boy! He will be going to Bethany Bible college in 2 years to study to be a pastor.
So, after the volleyball game was over, the winning team got to crack the eggs over the loosing teams head. It did get pretty gross but the kids loved it. Parents were not to excited to get them into the cars though that night.

Softball Season

Brianna played softball for the first time ever this year and loves it! She does like basketball better though and plays better also. I was finally able to get to one of her games this week and take some pictures. Here she is with her buddy Arlene the "pitcher".

Bri playing 3rd base. Of course I was embarrassing her taking the pictures!

Bri up at bat.....when she struck out! Poor baby! Maybe next time!

There she goes finally looking at mom and I was quick enough to take the shot.

Bri started her new school year off by playing soccer in the fall. Then in the winter went on to play basketball which she loved. Now she is doing softball. The coach says she is a natural athlete....must take after her dad! I would rather go shopping for a sport! (LOL)!

What a Surprise!

Today Ed got a tex message from his oldest son in Florida that he was going to be a "GRANDPA"! Yes, a grandpa. I can't believe it either! Little Ed and his girlfriend will be having a baby in January. We celebrate with them on their good news and pray for a nice healthy baby.

I still cannot believe that I will be tecnically a "GRANDMA"?????? OH NO!!!! I am to young for that. But sooner or later I have to accept it. This will get me ready for when my 3 start families of their own. NOT FOR AWHILE PLEASE!!!

More later!

Our First Baptism at Faith Chapel!

Today was "our" first baptism here at Faith Chapel and the churches first "indoor" baptism! They have had many baptisms before usually behind the church in the creek. Last month someone donated money to go towards the baptismal so we can have baptisms in the winter months also. Our dear "Spike" was the first to go under. What a man of God! and what a testimony. Spike is in every Friday morning ready and willing to clean the church and do whatever Ed needs to be done.

Spike gives his testimony. Spike was baptized 30 years ago, but felt pressured at the time. He felt and wanted to do it again because "he knows now what it truly means to love & serve Jesus" with your whole heart! We love you Spike!

Sally also got baptized today for the first time.

We celebrate with Spike & Sally on their baptism today and look forward to many more in the future.