Big News at the Kemp House.

All month long I've been a little confused by myself. The other night before bed I had to make a run to the grocery store to buy an orange and only an orange, because I could not live without one. I've eaten my weight almost daily in chips and salsa (which is totally not normal for me). I've had to make detours on our morning runs to go tinkle. I've almost fallen asleep just walking through Home Depot. So odd, huh? Not if you're PREGNANT! Yeah! Kemp baby #3 is on the way. We could not be happier. The boys are sooo excited. Luke called all the family to let them know that, "Mommy has a baby in her tummy!" and Ben is lifting my shirt and asking in question, "Baby come out there?" He points to my belly button....maybe he thinks that's where our little darling will come out. I only wish!! I'll just let him keep on thinking that. We think we are only about 4 weeks along and February seems so far away, but I know it will fly by. So, that's our big news!

Tonight as I was putting Luke to bed we read about Jesus healing the lady that touched his cloak and waking Jairus' daughter. So, as we said his prayers I prayed, "Thank you for being a God who heals us and does miracles for us" and I listed some of the ways that Jesus has healed Luke. Immediately, Luke sat up and said, "Mom, a long time ago we asked Jesus to put a baby in your belly! And He did!!!" Amen to that miracle. Lord, thank you for continuing to build my sons faith.

The Word of God

Luke's First Bible Verses

Father's Day

Today we loved celebrating the men we love most. The boys and I made a special breakfast for Patrick. Luke woke him up with a kiss and a call to come join us. After church Patrick's dad came over for burgers and homemade gelato...yum (let me know if you need a delicious recipe!) And then the fun began.....we filled up the boys pool and their amazingly fun daddy moved the little plastic fort over to serve as the water slide. Such a hit! We had hours of enjoyment in the backyard, all took long naps, more fun in the water, ate a quick dinner (courtesy of Patrick and the grill), and took a walk/bike ride to the park. As Luke was going to bed he told me that he wanted it to be Father's Day again tomorrow! And truthfully to him it will be. There is not a day that goes by that my boys do not celebrate their daddy. They adore him. He is amazing. He is so good at loving us and caring for us. Luke and Ben will one day have such an awesome view of their heavenly Father, because their earthly father is painting such an accurate picture. I've not seen a better dad than PK. I am so thankful for him and his giftedness at everything he does. He certainly deserves more honor than can fit into just one day. It was a great day. The only thing missing was getting to hang out with Dad-O (my dad)....we love you Dad-O!

Ben LOVES salad.

One more Henry Comment

When Ben woke up from his nap this afternoon we went straight outside to play. As he was swinging he realized that "Heighry" was nowhere to be found. He exclaimed, "Heighry!" Before I could comment Luke interjected, "Henry had to go to the Vet, he's sick." I simplified for Ben, "Henry went bye-bye." Ben said, "Back Heighry...Heighry Back." To which Luke replied, "No Ben Henry's going to heaven with Jesus and he's going to have so much fun there....he's not going to want to come back!" How true is that? I guess we've painted a pretty picture of heaven for Luke.

Good Bye to Henry

It is so hard for me to tell you that Henry is gone. We've remained so hopeful for the past several weeks, but little Henry's health has continued to decline. I guess it was last week that the Vet told us that it was only a matter of time until his body outgrew the function of his organs. We would know that this was happening if he began throwing up and having severe diarrhea. So, this past week we have prayed and prayed that we'd get to experience a miracle in Henry's health. However, yesterday we noticed that his bowel movements were not solid at all! He began to have mega problems everywhere (hope this is not too graphic) and today began to throw up his meals. He has not been himself for the past couple of days and would choose to lay on his bed rather than to play with us. He was beginning to suffer and we could not let him continue to deteriorate. Patrick just came home and took him to the Vet. We had Luke tell him goodbye before his nap and he cried and cried. He'd hold Henry and say it the sweetest voice ever, "Henry, I'm sorry you can't stay here with us." Our hearts broke. Luke and I had a long conversation on whether dogs go to people heaven or to a special dog heaven. His vote is on people heaven. He also thinks that Jesus should just fix Henry once he gets to heaven and send him back. I told him that I don't really think that is how things work, but it sure would be nice. We had a long talk about how sometimes bad things happen and they don't always turn out the way we'd like, but that is when we just ask God to comfort us and to make us stronger. Character is certainly being built at the Kemp house. I don't think Ben really gets it yet that Henry is gone. He'll miss playing with him the most. He loves him so much. mmmm. Anyway, just thought I'd update everyone since we'd posted earlier concerning sweet little Henry. Here are a couple of pics we took before Henry left. Isn't he cute?? By the way....I have just downed half a bag of chips and some salsa....is that called emotional eating?? What a great way to deal with things. :)

I AM a PROMISE!

This morning I kept a friends kids while she was at an appointment. Luke suggested that we have a "dance party" or you may call it a jammin' worship session. At all of our "dance parties" the room has to be totally rearranged to make way for an appropriate "stage" to worship on and this of course was no exception to the rule. Veggie Tales Worship was the music of choice and we totally rocked out. All 4 kids took turns on the microphone, on the guitar, on the stage and for those of you that go to church with us....Luke convinced the two little guys to take turns being "Pastor Marty" and sit in a chair on the side of the stage (hilarious). We sang and danced our way through all the songs on the cd. Worn out by the last song, I sat and pondered the lyrics......

I am a promise. I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital "P". I am great big bundle of potentiality. And I am learning to hear God's voice and I am trying to make the right choices I will promise to be anything He wants me to be. I can go anywhere that He wants me to go. I can be anything that He wants me to be.

I love it. I want my kids to know that they are a promise. I love that at 18months and 3.5 years they truly are learning to hear God's voice and trying to make the right choices. I long to see them go exactly where God wants them to go and to be exactly what they were created to be. My eyes fill with tears as I pray for them to be men who chase after the heart of God with everything that they are. There is so much potential held within these tiny adorable boys. As I contemplate I find myself begging the Lord to guide me. I am overwhelmed by the responsibility of stewarding these boys and of training them in the ways of the Lord. I so desperately want to portray the beauty of the Lord to them in an appropriate light. What a delicate job we have as parents. The encouraging part to me is that God's ways work. So, if we apply the principles that we study in His Word....then we will succeed at this amazing task!! I cannot wait to see everything that God wants Luke and Ben to be....but I am sure loving watching and helping them to learn to hear His voice and try to make the right choices! In fact, they are helping me learn to hear His voice and inspire me to try to make the right choices. AAAAhhhhh. What promises they really are!!!

Happiness!!