Puzzles

We love puzzles around here! We have been able to pull out our big 1000 piece puzzles since we moved because we have a place to leave them set up. It has been fun to work on them again. The last time Joey and I did them was in our first year and a half of marriage! :O The kids have also been working on their own puzzles.

Josiah has proven himself to be quite the puzzle genius!

Katie Jo does fairly well, but she doesn't last long. :) This is her newest puzzle.

Eli brings in smaller puzzles to work on at the same table because he makes pieces fit. LOL  This is his newest puzzle that he worked on with Dad. :)

When we started doing the puzzles, we knew there was one with a piece a missing. I was pretty sure I remembered which one, so we started with the other one. Then, we moved on to the one with the missing piece. Joey said we would throw it away once we were done. Then, we finished; and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. The missing piece...

It is so much like our lives! We have a missing piece.

The puzzle looks perfect and then you notice the missing piece.

The missing piece is physically absent (sometimes barely noticable), but the colors that are within the missing piece still run throughout the puzzle! The puzzle needs every piece to look whole, but you can almost picture it there because the colors run thru the rest of the puzzle.

Janie Beth is our missing puzzle piece. (Represented by her pink lamb. :))

She isn't physically here, but her presence it still here.

Her colors run through the rest of our puzzle because without her our lives wouldn't be the same! Her colors are present in the rest of our lives!



Joey's Present

Today is Joey's birthday!!! :) We made him pancakes for breakfast. We washed his car. He grilled steaks for lunch (yes, we made him cook on his birthday :)).

I also gave him a present. It was a stick that I peed on!!!! ;) Who could ask for a better present than that!?! God is filling Joey's quiver. We are blessed! We are growing!! Isn't that our word for the year! Who knew the amazing ways God had in store for us to grow.

Yes, we are excited! Yes, we know how it happens. Yes, we are trying to make our own sports team. ;) God is gracious and we are thankful! We will bring in the season of Spring with new life! Joey got to find out on his birthday, and I just might get an awesome birthday present too! :) (My b-day is April 4, and we should be due April 15-20 or so.)

As always, your prayers are appreciated. Pregnancy draws me closer to Janie Beth because the majority my memories with her are pregnancy memories. I am so thankful that God saw fit to fill my womb again. He has called me to the high calling of Mother. There are no words to describe how that makes me feel. I am blessed beyond measure. I didn't realize just how blessed I was until I had Janie Beth and felt the true calling of motherhood upon my life.

Joey Karr, thank you for being my beloved!!! Thank you for being an awesome Daddy to our kids!! Thank you for letting God have control. I wouldn't want to walk this hard, but amazing journey with anyone else. God is big and doing awesome things in our midst. I love you!!! I am so glad He formed you in your mother's womb. :) Hard to believe that God even thought of me while He was making you. He is amazing like that!!

Born Again

Josiah was born again into the Family of God on July 4, 2011!!! :) God is good!!! He was baptized 2 wks later on July 24. We followed church with a cook out at our house for immediate family members. It just so happened that Joey's oldest brother, John, and his wife, Suzanne, happed to come into town on the 23rd; and Joy, Heather, Sam, and Eliana were in town too!! We were only missing Judy, Niles, and their clan due to church responsibilities. I had no idea my house could hold 25 people!! LOL We had a good time.

Joey and I are so proud of Josiah. We are excited to see what all God has planned for his life. He is very keen on whether you are going to Heaven or Hell right now. :) He even pronounced to Eli that he was going to Hell. I had to explain that Eli is only 4. ;)

Dear Jesus, I thank You for dying that Josiah might have life! I thank You for writing his faith and opening his eyes. May You continue to mold him and prepare him for Your calling on his life. May the fruit of the Holy Spirit begin even now to be sown and grown. May Josiah fall head over heals in love with You and live a life of wholehearted devotion for You. Lord, may he be a godly witness to his siblings and all those around him. May You always be there to support him as his name says, Jehovah supports. Lord, I place him in Your amazing, loving, capable hands. May You make Josiah into a man of God after Your own heart. Thank You for calling me to be his mother!!! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Here are some pictures from his baptism...

Joey had the honor of baptizing him.

 Waiting

Thank You Abba for saving my first born son!!! We love you, Josiah!!

Long Lost Picture

Yesterday I was pulling up the internet to let Josiah play on pbskids.org, and Eli saw a long lost picture we didn't know was lost!

I had a blog up that I wanted to write some things from and this picture was on it.

He exclaimed, "Is that Daddy a long time ago when he was a girl"? LOL!!!!!


The night before we were at dinner and Eli said the blessing. These are his words, "God, please let this food go somewhere. Amen"

A bit later at dinner that night I was singing that God has a plan for us. Joey says I wish He would show us. To which Eli replies, "but He isn't". HA!

What would we do without Eli!?!

It's Awesome!

I count it an honor, a privilege, and a blessing to get to watch God's magnificent work in my hubby's life!! I never could have imagined the ways that God was planning to change his heart. Is he perfect? No. Does he make mistakes and mess up? Yes. But, don't we all! I am excited to see what all God has in store. God is molding and re-shaping Joey, and I am so thankful that He has allowed me to be a part of it. I pray that He will mold and re-shape me into the wife I am to be for my Beloved. God truly does do "exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Eph 3:20) Our God is good!!! Our God is an awesome God!! :) Joey Karr, I love you and I am so thankful that God brought you into my life. My heart swells when I think of you. It is my privilege to be called your wife! 

December 31, 2009 and Joy Michelle

That morning Janie Beth's hands had loosened up. I thanked God so much because I was able to get her prints and trace her hands and feet. I think I almost cried! It was a special morning just Joey, Janie, and I. I gave Janie Beth a bath and then rubbed her with lotion. I used the lavendar scented wash and lotion from the NICU. I now keep lavendar germX at home because it reminds me of Janie Beth. :) There are times I want to smell her or be reminded so I go GermX my hands. She was dressed in the dress that Katie Jo picked out and wrapped in a pink blanket.

We had a wonderful nurse that day. She asked questions about Janie Beth and genuinely cared. I loved that she wanted to know! We even joked a little before we left.

The thought of calling the funeral home and having them come get Janie Beth wasn't sitting right with Joey and I. It was a call we just couldn't bring ourselves to make. Thankfully, someone told us that we could transport her ourselves because she was so small. There was peace in that decision.

While Joey loaded the car, I sat with Janie Beth and sang and talked to her. I cried more than I had the entire stay at the hospital. I wanted those moments to last forever; to soak her in completely.

I was allowed to carry her out to the car. I walked instead of riding in the wheel chair. The nurse did have us go down the staff elevator. I kind of felt for the food guys in there, but they already knew because they were the ones that brought me my food earlier. It felt good to be holding her and carrying her. We even freaked out a lady when I got in the car holding her in the front seat. :) The security guard had to tell her it was ok. That brought laughter to Joey and I.

I am thankful that we got to take her on her first car ride. We still got to do "firsts" with Janie Beth, just not in the normal way.

Then, we pulled into the parking lot of the funeral home. We drove around back. Joey came around the car to get Janie Beth. I hugged her so tight! I held on a bit longer. This was it; the last time I would hold my precious baby girl. As I watched them go inside I just cried. I held my pink lamb and cried. Joey carried her in and laid her on the gurney himself. He said it was one of the hardest things he has ever done; that and being with her when she was disconnected. He came back to the car and we cried together.

We both had on shirts that we had put Janie Beth's footprints on. We went to Arby's to grab a bite before going to pick up the other kids. I wondered if anyone wondered. Here we were with shirts that had footprints and no baby. I am not sure if we talked much while we ate or not.

Even though the day was really hard, it was filled with peace. The peace that only God can provide. He was in control. We let Him guide our steps, and He blessed our time with her! I am so thankful!!!

I put "and Joy Michelle" in the title of this post. I put it there because this day a year ago is affecting me with Joy Michelle. You see, I have not left her with anyone except Joey while at home, or once now at my mom's on Christmas when Joey and I went to the cemetary. I feel like God is calling me to the choir at church. I have peace that that is His desire. I love to praise the Lord in song!! I have missed singing.

But, in order to do that, Joy Michelle will have to stay in the nursery. Now, I have never had a problem with this with any of my other children. I was the nursery for the older 2, so I didn't deal with this, but Eli did stay in the nursery. Everytime I think of leaving her I want to cry. I know she will be fine and that they will take great care of her, but I still want to cry. I realized a week or so ago that the last time I left my baby with someone other than Joey or my parents was at the funeral home. I feel as though this is another step God wants me to take in my healing. A hard step, but a step nonetheless. I will start in a week or 2 and leave her only during the worship service. She will continue to stay with me during Sunday School at first. I would gladly sing in the choir with her strapped to me. ;) But, that might be a bit distracting for me and others. I know that God will give me strength for everything that He calls me to do, and I am excited to see the blessings He will bring through this, but for now I am praying for God to prepare our hearts for leaving her for that short little time.

This day was a blessed day last year, and it will be a blessed day spent with family today. We are  stepping into a new year. We are leaving behind the first year of Janie Beth. It hurts! We are stepping further away from her memories. Yet, we are stepping closer to seeing her again. It is bittersweet.

I am excited to see what God has planned in this new year of 2011. 2010 wasn't all bad; Joy Michelle joined our family, and God has done amazing things in our hearts. I know God has some big plans, and I am just going to hang on and enjoy the ride! 

Really??

Are you sure this is my life? Do I really have a huge piece of my heart in Heaven with a precious little girl that I didn't get enough time with? Was she really in my belly? Did I really feel her move? Did I really hold her? Did I really see her and feel her? Has it really been almost a year? Was part of my Christmas really going to the cemetary? Is this really my life?

Right now, my life feels surreal again. I have kept myself pretty busy the last several days. They were fun days spent with family playing games, but then I would come home and there was someone missing. The ache is so deep it takes my breath away at times. It hurts that a year has gone by. She is getting further and further away! My memories are fading, and there are so few. I worked so hard to make tangible memories with her last year, molds and imprints, that I forgot to really cherish her. That breaks my heart!!! I want so much to hold her and talk to her. I miss her so much!!!

Christmas Eve I had to go to Wal-Mart. (I got there at 8 am so that I would beat the crowd. LOL I had a few ingredients to get.) I was going to check out and then remembered that I needed infant Tylenol. As I walked to the other side of the store, I had to pass the flowers. I felt drawn to the flowers. After getting the Tylenol, I went back to the flowers. I picked up some pink roses. There were 3 in that bundle. They were dark pink. Then, I saw the ones. The ones Joey had given Janie Beth and I at Christmas time last year. Those were the ones! They are light pink with dark pink around the edges. I bought a dozen. I told Joey I want him to buy them for me every year at Christmas! They make Janie's presence a little more real. We took one of them to her grave on Christmas Eve. It was the lightest one in the dozen. It was perfect for her.

Whatever day it is, my mind is in last year. Those days just keep re-playing in my head. I am so thankful that she was still here at Christmas last year! But, I knew our time was short. I wrote that in my journal the week before her birthday several times. Little did I know just how short our time left was!

Has it really been a year since I went to the doctor and saw my baby girl on the u/s one last time? Her chest was still small. I asked him to check me because I thought things were happening down there. You should have seen the look on his face when he checked me! He was quite surprised. I was 4 cm and 60-80% effaced. He told me to get dressed and come to his office. He was going out of town, of course! We set up an induction for Jan 6 because we didn't want her head to get too big. It was already measuring 38 wks or so, and I was 34 wks. He told me who would be on call and that he would tell them about me. (How sad that the docs had to be forewarned about me!) He offered to induce us that Monday morning, Dec 28, but we had a few loose ends to tie first. I started contracting after that appointment and did for the rest of the day. Joey went to the funeral home and set up things with them. I have to say they were fabulous! Then, he went to the cemetary and set up things there. I am very thankful that he took care of those things! He did good taking care of his baby girl!! She is very proud of him!

Abba Father, I need you!!!! My heart aches so much. I am sorry that I have neglected my time with you! I have been trying to do it on my own, and we all know how that goes. I guess I felt if I didn't get with You it wasn't real. Please go deeper than my pain. Write my faith for the days ahead. Be strong where I am so incredibly weak. May You be glorified through this journey. May You show us how to celebrate Janie Beth's birthday and Heavenly birthday. Will You tell her how much I love her. Fill the hole with You and Your love, Abba. Be big in my life and through my life. Her life was for a reason. I will believe. I love You! Carry me, Lord God Almighty. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Re-Cap of the week

Last week was so busy! Yes, even when on bedrest there are times you must leave the house.

Monday started with check-ups for Katie Jo and Eli. They are looking good. :) Katie Jo is 40.5 lbs. Eli is 33.5 lbs and 37 in. Eli will be evaluated for his speech just to be sure he is good since Josiah and Katie Jo both had speech troubles. I have to say, I LOVE our new doctor!!!!! We also got new epi pens for Eli, and we are looking into whether to re-test now or wait a bit. Josiah had a soccer game that night.

Tuesday we did school. I went to the doc. I was 3-4cm and still 50% effaced. I am to continue taking my meds when I need them and continue to keep off my feet. Katie Jo had a soccer game that night.

Wednesday we went out and about. The kids have been wanting to see where D-Daddy (Joey's dad) was buried, so we took them out there. Then, we went and saw Janie Beth. After visiting her, we went to the mall and the kids built Joy Michelle her Janie Beth bear. We are calling her Little Janie. :) I forgot my camera in the L&D bag. :( We ate lunch and then headed home to rest. Some wonderful ladies came over to visit and brought us some things for Joy Michelle. That night was choir for Josiah and Katie Jo at church. Eli and I hung out at home and watched Funniest Home Videos. :)

Thursday we got some school done again! YAY for 2 days! Josiah went to the doctor that afternoon for his check-up. He is 47lbs and 47in. He has a dislocated knee cap. He was running rather goofily (my made up word) at his game Monday night, and we brought up his leg at the doctor. He also mentioned some double vision from time to time, so he is set up for a full eye work up on the 25th. He will also be re-tested for his speech just to be sure he is all set and not having anymore issues.

Thursday night was my semi-annual consignment shopping night. If you ask Joey, he will tell you that I plan my entire year around my Kid's Market shopping trips. :) I buy everything for the upcoming season and usually some birthday and Christmas gifts as well. We borrowed an electric wheelchair from some new friends for me to use while I was shopping in order to not be on my feet much. I got in bed about 1:00am.

Friday I had to be up and at em by 5 because Gwyn would be at our house extra early since my sister was having a little procedure done. God graciously gave me strength for the day! Katie Jo, Gwyn, and I went to a MOMs club baby shower for 4 mommies, us included, who are due in Nov with girls. It is just a chance to get together and celebrate. We got a little basket with some goodies in it. That morning we looked at the $1 movie theatre schedule. Nanny McPhee Returns is playing. We decided to take everyone to see it that afternoon since we don't know when Joy Michelle will make her appearance. It was a cute movie!! The kids all enjoyed themselves.

Saturday was full of football! As is every Saturday during college football season! We ROLL the TIDE at our house. :) Although, Josiah has become a rebel and now cheers for the Florida Gators. Katie Jo has been a rebel since last season when she decided to follow her Nana and cheer Geaux Tigers. :) We cooked out with my family that night.

Sunday I ventured to the worship service and then the church gave us a shower for Joy Michelle. I must say I was blessed beyond measure!!! We have not been here very long, and they have welcomed us in.

We spent lots of time outside throughout the week as the weather here has been lovely.

I am hoping for more than 2 days of school this week as it is a slower week. Tonight I get to celebrate Joy Michelle with one more shower with friends. :) Tomorrow is the doctor and 35 wks, and both kiddos have soccer games Tues and Thurs night and Sat morning. This ends our soccer season!!! YAY! I am ready for our evenings to be back. We are really looking at dwindling down our schedule and asking God what He wants us involved in.

Sorry for no pics! I hope to get some up soon. I have several posts I want to type up as well. We shall see what the schedule allows. :)

I must also send a shout out to my Beloved!!! He has been doing an awesome job at the laundry and kitchen duties!!!! There are also several wonderful people who have brought us dinner. :) God is providing and blessing!

9 Months

It was 9 months ago today, on January 10, 2010, on a beautiful afternoon that we celebrated Janie Beth's life and buried her precious little body. It was a cold day! We decided not to go to church that morning and instead we went to breakfast at Ryan's. We just spent the morning together as a family and had a little rest time before going to the church.

It was a beautiful ceremony! We praised God and celebrated how Janie Beth had touched out lives up to that point. I can close my eyes and picture it all like it was yesterday. I will never forget watching Joey carry Janie Beth's casket everywhere that it went. He brought it in the sanctuary, he carried it out, and he carried it to the grave. She was very proud of him, and I know she still is.

My heart hurts for her today. I long to hold her and kiss her. I miss her so much. Her 9 month birthday and heavenly birthday snuck by me in September, so I am aching today for my baby girl.

I cannot believe that it has been 9 months. It had not occurred to me that the 10th would fall on a Sunday again. her birthday and heavenly birthday have both fallen on Tues and Wed, but this is the first time anniversary of her celebration has fallen on the same day of the week. This coming after attending Joey's Dad's funeral this week in the very same sanctuary.

Jim's funeral was not as hard as I thought it might be. The hardest part was going into the sanctuary and seeing the casket open for the family to see and say good-bye. I was flooded with seeing Janie Beth in her casket and it brought tears to my eyes. The other hard part was walking out behind the casket. Thankfully, we did walk down a different aisle, and this time I got to hold Joey's hand since he wasn't carrying the casket. Of course, singing the couple songs got to me because they brought Janie Beth so close to my heart. Singing does that to me! It also brings me closer to God. There are not many Sundays that go by that I do not have tear stained cheeks. :)

This Sunday, 9 months later, I sit will my belly swollen and moving with another precious little one. I am at home and not in church as we are trying to keep Joy Michelle in my belly for a bit longer. I had a nice quiet time with God, and He is once again teaching me and molding me. I am excited to see what He does in my heart! There is a Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep balloon release this afternoon for the families that have used them over the last 2.5 years. This year is not my year to get to go. I long to be there among other families that know the ache in my heart, but I believe our family is going to head to Janie Beth's grave this week and have our own little balloon release as we did not too long after she went to Heaven.

I know that in God's time He will open doors for me to reach out to families that sit where I sit. He isn't done healing me and changing me yet. I am amazed at how this pregnancy has been hard and healing at the same time. God is a Big God!!! He is so patient with me. Thank You, Abba!

I want to share a few pictures from January 10, 2010. A day that will forever be etched in my mind. A day that God blessed despite overwhelming sadness.

Joey's Dad

I thought I would update that Joey's Dad, Jim, passed away around midnight Sunday night. Joey is on his way home now. :) The funeral will be next Tuesday. Thank you all for the prayers during this time.

This will be my first funeral since Janie Beth and it will be in the very same sanctuary with some of the same people participating. I really am not sure how this will affect me. I believe I will be fine during the ceremony, but I have a feeling my mind may wonder back to Janie. I think it will be draining for me, but I know my God is awesome and He will carry me through!

I will update with more details as I have them.

Some Hard Times

We are going through some hard times right now.

Joey is flying out to CA this evening to see his dad one more time. He, Jim, came home Monday with Hospice from rehab. He is tired of fighting, and is fading extremely quickly. He is not expected to make it to Thursday. Joey's mom passed away in 1998, so Jim is his last living parent. Please keep Jim and the family in your prayers over the days and week to come.

We have also been having major car issues. UGH! We are currently driving my mom's van and she has Joey's car because we cannot fit in Joey's car. An amazing man came and picked up our van yesterday and thinks he knows what the problem is. Praise the Lord!! We are still praying for God to provide a bigger vehicle in his time that will hold 5 carseats because my sister's baby girl, Gwyn, will be staying with us during the day starting next week. But, I know God is fully capable of meeting all of our needs.

The first mommy friend that I have that shared her news of being pregnant after Janie Beth just had her baby girl a week ago. It really hit me harder than I expected. Due to our car issues I haven't gotten to meet the newest addition to their family, but I know in God's time. I pray that in God's time it will get easier to watch others have babies. I really am happy for them because I don't want them to sit in my shoes, but it still hurts my heart for my journey to be different.

Being past 28 wks has put me into a cherish every moment state. I am in the time frame that I was trying to cherish every moment I had with Janie Beth. I miss her so much as I feel Joy Michelle kick and move around. I miss her as the cool mornings are coming. I miss her as we prepare for Joy Michelle to prayfully come home.  I miss her as we approach 9 months since we held her. But, I also rejoice for the time I had with her! I am thankful for the life growing inside me.

We even got a peek at Joy Michelle last week. :) She looks just like Janie Beth and Katie Jo, which means she looks like Eli too, but we are only going to talk girls. :) She is measuring great! I can't wait to meet her and hold her!!!

I am trying to leave all my fears in God's hands! As we approach the end of the pregnancy and the death of Joey's dad, I fear someone else getting sick or dying. I fear Joey not making it home safely. Every little ailment in my children I start to head down the road of something major being wrong. I have to constanly take my thoughts captive! I am learning to let go and trust, yet again.

I miss God. I haven't had as much time with Him over the last week or so as I usually do and I long to get back. That is my prayer, to have some quality time with God this evening once I get the kids in bed, and then for Him to wake me in the morning for quality time before the kids get up. I know He is here and I know He is carrying me and being my strength and my faith. As I miss Him, I also feel close to Him, as crazy as that sounds.

I have several posts in my head, and I hope to get them typed up in the coming days. I also want to upload the picture we got of Joy Michelle at our appointment. :)

TIME

Time has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been meaning to blog about it for over a week. I also have another post that I hope to get written today or tomorrow because God touched me yesterday! But, the kiddos are up this morning, so only time for a short thought. :) I know, short thoughts and Michelle don't really go hand in hand, but maybe I can do it. :)

Time meant a lot at the end of my pregnancy with Janie Beth. I was doing my best to cherish every moment. I was trying to make a lifetime of memories in what turned out to be 6 weeks.

Time seems short as we search for a job. As we watch the bank account diminish, we wonder when this time in our lives will end.

Time makes my memories of Janie Beth not as fresh. I cannot feel her in my arms anymore. I have trouble bringing to mind how her little fingers felt around mine. It hurts my heart, but it also makes me realize time keeps going and I can't stand still as it moves.

Time is watching my children grow. I cannot believe Josiah is almost 7!!! Where has the time gone!?!

Time goes too quickly! And it only gets faster the older I get.

Time has brought Joey and I closer than we ever were almost 8 years ago when we got married. Has it really been that long already!?! Once again time ran away from me.

Time is nearing the end of Joy Michelle's pregnancy. I am cherishing every moment just as I tried to with Janie Beth. I do not take these movements for granted. I love the hiccups. I long to hold her, but I know she needs more time to grow. Her time to enter the world is not here yet.

Time will show what God's call is for each of my children.

Time, Time, Time! We will be learning about telling time this week as we school. The second hand just keeps on ticking.

God reminded me last week that His view of time is far different from mine! Here I keep asking Him to provide soon, but to Him soon could be a minute or a thousand years. I have to trust His time! His time sees the entire picture. His time works all things together for good. He makes all things beautiful in their time!

This journey we are on has not reached the point of beauty in God's eyes yet. I believe He is making Janie Beth's journey beautiful by changing me and my family. We are not who we were last year. Time is molding us into God's image and a family after His own heart.

Once again, I am called to change my perspective. I must look at what time has done for me instead of what it seems to be taking away from me.

I will look for the beauty from ashes that time is bringing. I will not think about the time I have missed, but look forward to the time that is here and coming. Without time I wouldn't be who I am. Time isn't always easy, but that is when I grow. Faith comes in the hard times.

Time may be diminishing my memories, but it is making my heart fonder. I realize the beauty of time and I strive to cherish every moment. I will allow God to mold me into someone that uses time as an ally and not an enemy. I will not ask for more time; I will make the most of my time each day.

It amazes me how God has changed me over time! I do not even recognize the person I was 10 years ago, and I am thankful!!

Thank You, Father for the time You have spent on me and continue to spend on me. I need Your touch and molding. May You continue to refine me and use this time in our lives to draw me closer to You. May my focus be You and using my time for Your glory instead of my own. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

50

God graciously blessed me 50 years and 1 day ago by allowing Jo Karr to give birth to the amazing man that I call my Beloved and Friend!!!

The day didn't quite go as planned, but we were blessed by time together as a family. We hope to celebrate more this weekend. Of course, our lives aren't really where you would want them to be as you celebrate a milestone birthday, but instead of looking where we aren't I am going to look at what all God has done in Joey's life.

I know that God doesn't allow us to see what all we do with our lives because we would take credit for it, but He does allow others to see. :)

Joey has been in the ministry for 30 years now. Only God knows the impact he has made on the kingdom by allowing God to work through him. God has graciously given Joey glimpses through the years because He know pastors need it from time to time to keep them going, but overall we have no idea. He has helped several churches re-vision and it is wonderful to look at those churches now and see what God is doing. He has a deep desire to disciple God's children and spread the word to those that don't know. He has no problem with working hard and meeting people where they are in order to reach them. I am excited to watch him in the ministry position God has ordained for him!! Some say being a pastor isn't really a job, but having God for your ultimate boss (which He really is no matter what your job!) makes it pretty demanding. God doesn't call the lighthearted into ministry, there is a lot of junk in the ministry. God has brought Joey through a lot in these 30 years of ministry, and I know and believe that it has all been to prepare him for the years of ministry to come. God is awesome like that!! There is nothing that has happened in Joey's life that has been a waste.

Joey has written some amazing studies, and God trully speaks to him in amazing ways. God's word trully is alive!!

I must say that Joey's most awesome accomplishment is fathering 5 precious children. His 3 kids that are here love their Daddy more than anything!! His sons want nothing more than to be just like Daddy. :) His daughter wants Daddy to be her kind. He loves Janie Beth and her journey has changed him for the better! She has prepared him for ministry that he never could have done before. I am excited to watch him with Joy Michelle!!! God is molding him into the man He has called Joey to be, and in doing that God is molding our children as well.

He is an amazing husband!! We have had our trying times, who hasn't, but God has brought us closer than we have ever been, and I love him more now than I did almost 8 years ago when I said "I do". He helps me and cares for me. He loves me as Christ loves the church. I am thankful to have the privilege and honor of being Joey's helpmeet!

I love you, Joey Karr!!! I do not want to imagine my life without you in it! God did a good work August 17, 1960 when you entered the world. And to think that He knew I was coming along down the road a bit makes me go WOW! God really does see the big picture! If you hadn't done anything else with your life, you have brought me closer to God and for that I can not say thank you enough!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my Beloved and Friend!!!

With his 2 look a likes. I can totally see Joey popping in a picture at Eli's age in the exact same way. LOL

 Doesn't he look good!?! :)

 The awesome stocking my sister Abby gave him. She said he needed a big one. :)

 So, I didn't chose well on the sparkling grape juice. LOL

God is good to me!! Joey is good to me!! I am thankful for the many things he has done in his 50 years and for the road that God has brought him on because it lead to me. :)

Preggo Pic Comparison and Update

I have always compared my preggo belly pics. I will usually compare them to try and figure out the sex of the baby. LOL It is amazing to me to see how my girl bellies look exactly the same, just bigger each time. LOL So, I thought I would share with you all, not that you really care, but here you go anyways. :)

Josiah at 29 wks

Katie Jo at 26 wks

Eli at 23 wks

Janie Beth at 24 wks

Joy Michelle 23 wks

Joy Michelle seems to be doing very well. Joey and Katie Jo both felt her for the first time Saturday. She is a mover. LOL You can already see my belly move around. I do pray she gets some meat on her bones because she feels very bony right now. :) I love feeling her!!! It is probably one of the things I missed the most with Janie Beth. It is hard to believe we will be 24 wks on Wed. I go back to the doctor on Thursday. I have several questions for him and some things to talk about. I really need to right them down so I don't forget!

Maybe I will do one of the pregnancy questionaires this week. We will see. Time is of the essence now that school is going!

19 weeks and Yesterday

I can't believe I am already 19 weeks!!! I have the privilege of feeling this little one move lots! You can even see my belly move if you happen to be watching during a kick. It is amazing! I can't wait for Joey and the kids to feel, but every time I try to feel on purpose, the little pill gets still! I am excited yet anxious for our appointment next week. I am blessed no matter how it goes! I am hoping to get a belly pic this evening to share tomorrow. I am trying to really enjoy this pregnancy, and cherish every moment. According to our plan, this will be our last baby, but God's plans don't always coincide with ours. LOL

Thank you for the prayers yesterday and today! This has been a difficult milestone. It has worn me out! I have had trouble getting up in the mornings. :)

We enjoyed our day yesterday as a family. We headed out about 11:00 and went to visit Janie Beth. (Eli calls it Janie in the mud. :)) Then we popped through Burger King's drive thru and headed up on the mountain. We ate and then the kids played on the playground for a bit before a short hike and looking out off the mountain. It was beautiful. We took the long way home and stopped for ice cream/popsicles at a gas station. We just chilled for a couple hours before dinner, and then went out and Joey mowed the grass. I got the hose and let them play to cool off, and I somehow got wet myself. :) The kiddos were in bed at 7:00 and asleep by 7:30. Joey and I sat in bed and played on the computer until about 9:30.

There was a peace throughout the day. I missed Janie Beth a lot, but I felt my love for her too. Joey mentioned that she would be cheering the loudest next week when we have our ultrasound. I love to picture that in my head! When I wrote on facebook that I held her for the first time as she breathed her last breathes here on earth, I couldn't help but remember that I held her as she breathed her first in heaven. And she did it perfectly there! It warmed my heart. She is perfect and healthy in heaven. Thank You, Abba!!!

Here are a few pictures from our day yesterday.

Ok, it was more than a few. LOL I was going to take my picture with my ice cream, but I accidently pushed the power button instead of the picture button. :) You will just have to imagine me eating my strawberry shortcake on a stick. Yummy!

My Beloved, My Friend

WOW! It has been a long time since I posted. VBS wiped me out last week, and I believe I am still recovering. We have just hung out the last couple days except for going grocery shopping. Today we have some errands to run and we are praying hard for God's will in our family.

If it weren't for my dear beloved husband, I wouldn't have made it through last week with any clean dishes or clothes! I love you, Babe!!! He has taken over the dishes at night after we go to bed. It is so nice to be able to just put away the food after dinner and wake up to an empty sink/counter. :)

I am so thankful that God chose Joey to be my husband! I wasn't looking in his direction, but God changed that. LOL We have been together for 10 years. AH! We have grown a lot, especially through the trials of the last 2 years. We are closer now that we have ever been and I love him more now than I ever had. I pray that I continue to love him more and better and that God will continue to draw us closer together in Him.

I get the privilege of learning what God is doing in Joey's life. :) He has been doing amazing things in his life in 2010!!! We are learning, growing, and stumbling together. We aren't sure what God's plan is for our lives, but we know that they are good, and we are ready and willing to go wherever and serve Him wholeheartedly!

Joey is growing as a Daddy as the kiddos grow too. The joy on his face the night Josiah was born was amazing! He never thought he would have kiddos, and here he is with #5 on the way. God fooled you! :) Katie Jo has him wrapped around her finger! Eli is just like him, in looks and personality. He got excited about Janie Beth before I did, and he loves her dearly. He wanted this new little one after not wanting anymore.

God has re-newed our love for one another and for our family. Janie Beth has changed him as a man, husband, father, and minister. He has changed me as a woman, wife, mother, and servant of God. We strive to enhance one another. I love our late night talks! I enjoy sharing with him what God is teaching me and listening to the amazing things God is doing in his life. We like to play golf together, when I am not pregnant, so I haven't gotten to go too often. LOL We like to watch movies together and play a computer game together. I love when we watch our kids together!! Eli had us laughing so hard the other night we were barely breathing. LOL And he didn't even know we were laughing at him. :)

Joey Karr, I am glad that I ruined your weekend!!! God has blessed us and I am excited to see what lies ahead on the journey of the Karr's! I love you!!!