sleeping pictures

Here's hoping that this blog will let me upload the pictures! I know the one of Esther isn't a sleeping picture - but she's so cute, isn't she?

just words

I had planned on blogging this weekend with pictures (that won't upload) about some good advice my dad gave me when we were less than enthused about our new arrival. Because life has been so crazy with 2 toddlers and a baby, we thought we were going to lose it! Dad said, "Go look at your kids when they're sleeping, then you know why you love them - and it's so easy." It' true. The most beautiful times as a parent are looking at your kids in peace, when they don't talk, scream or fight. However, in light of what has happened in our church family this past weekend, we have a truly new appreciation for every interruption, every middle-of-the-night cry, every time they do something that's NOT suppose to be funny, but is, and we have to laugh.

Our youth pastor, Tabor, and family were torn apart this weekend by tragedy. Julie and Taylen were on their lay to visit Tabor at a work project at the parsonage when she was hit from behind by a truck carrying milk. Unable to stop the truck pushed the car and crushed the fuel tank, causing it to explode. Sixteen month old Taylen was killed on impact, Tabor was the first on the scene to pull his burning wife from the car. Julie is now recovering at a local hospital and is unaware of anything that has taken place. Tabor is showing the true character of a man of God and being a shining example of hope and peace to others who are hurting. I write all of this to say that the lessons that we can learn from this horrific event out number the words I have. But here's what I do know, I hug my kids more, for a longer time, and tighter. I hug Josh more, longer and tighter. We tell each other, "I love you" more often, and with more passion. I take the time at bedtime to listen to Olivia babble on, when I know she should be asleep, just because I can. I let Garrett play with my hair whenever he wants, even when it pulls or hurts, just because I can. I pick up Esther everytime she crawls over to me, even though I know I'm going to spoil her, just because I can. Every moment is special, every word meaningful, don't waste a moment of time with your family! Don't be too busy cooking, cleaning, talking on the phone, watching the TV or playing on the computer, to play catch with your son, read to your daughter, have a family wrestling match, color a picture for extended family, eat a meal all together around one table, or gather around a piano, guitar, trumpet, etc and praise the One who makes life sweet.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Lord, this is my prayer, that you will restore Tabor's broken spirit. Your timing doesn't always make sense and we wonder if you knew what was going on. . .But I believe that in the midst of this tragedy Your glory will be made known. Maybe not today and maybe not a year from now, but you are still THE God and are enough! Thank you.

Daddy's Home!

I just wanted to take some time to let you all know what a great guy I married. With Josh working more hours at the church than we were previously used to, it's been quite the adjustment for the family! The kids love when Josh comes home and greet him with wide open arms and squeals of delight. For those of your who don't know, there will be one more Crisp kid to greet daddy at the door in about 9 months. This came as quite a shock - we were REALLY trying to prevent this at this time - but I guess our plans are small compared to God's. So we'll have 4 kids in just over 4 years - CRAZY!! God's grace is sufficient and that's all we can lean on right now! We'd appreciate your prayers as we try to adjust to the news! We are excited at the same time, because our kids are such a blessing, all children are - we just didn't think they'd be coming this close together. It's going to be one BIG party at the Crisp house for the next 20+ years - everyone is invited to come join the fun! The more the merrier!

Esther's new trick!

So, I've posted about the two older Crisp's and now Esther has something she'd like to say..."I'm getting soooooooo BIG!" She is 8 months old now and pulling herself up, cruising, and now using a toy walker to walk across the room. I am NOT encouraging this behavior, but daddy is! I do not need another early walker (G walked at 9 months).

Our little Photographer

Woodchips+finger
Look at this stud! We bought him these jeans and hat the other day - and he won't take the hat off! Even to sleep in! And for all of you who know him, (mr. I-have-to-play-with-hair-to-fall-asleep) you know that's a pretty important hat!
Soccer ball+finger
Garrett, like every other kid, has an obsession with taking pitures. Unlike is older sister, who only takes pictures of people, Garrett has a more creative eye and likes to take pictures of things. Do we have an artist in the making?? What do you think?

Smarty pants!

I don't know how many of you can sympathize with having a 3 1/2 year old who thinks she's 13, so here's a little insight. Slamming doors in anger and frustration is the #1 way Olivia communicates these days. Tonight she was giving me instructions on what was to go on the basement while we were practicing her letters. And speaking of letter writing, here's a sample of her work. She's been writing her name for almost a year now, so I thought I'd start teaching her the other letters of the alphabet, needless to say, she pick up on it really fast. We were writing in chalk on the driveway and I wrote CAR where the car gets parked, and without my help or knowledge of what she was about to do, she when a few feet up the drive and wrote CAR too. Pretty legible, hu?

Playin' in the rain!

So, this is my first attempt at blogging - hopefully I won't need to call Josh and have him walk me through it! Josh has been letting you all know how we've been doing and that's great - but here's a little look at my everyday life with the kids. Because we live out in the middle of no where (which, for the record, is the most peaceful, beautiful middle of nowhere I've ever lived), anything to keep the kids happy is fine with me! So, on this particular day I let the kids put on their rain gear from "Aunt Ange's store" and play in the rain. Olivia is the cutest ladybug I've ever seen and Garrett is ready to fight fire!

a blessing from God

we have been blessed by being here. the church had a pounding, which is where the people of the church welcome the new staff by bringing in groceries. we were so blessed that we wanted to show you how much they gave. not only that, but i also wanted to say that our cupboards will never be this full again.
we really love this church and though we are still getting our feet wet, we are trying to jump in the ministry with all of our hearts and we pray that God will use us in a huge way. not that it would be because of us, but because He chose to use us. we are willing to do whatever it is that He is calling us to do. All praise goes to Him, who is Holy!!! Let the Name of the Lord be praised!!!!

our other visitors

jess has been trying to get accustomed to all the bugs and critters that have been around our house so now she has taken to catching them and taking pictures. she caught this toad a couple of days ago and then this leaf bug was on our house this morning when we went outside.
garrett has been having nightmares (literally) about all of the bugs. he wakes up screaming about ladybugs! it's so funny! anyways these city folks are trying to get used to the way of the country. we'll get used to it eventually.
blessing!!!!

good morning crisp family

here are some wake-up pics of the morning with alllll the crisp kids. it was so amazing that they ate as well as they did and they didn't play like i thought that they would while the other crisp's were here.
isaiah still looks like he's still asleep doesn't he? we love having them over, because it keeps our kids busy and it's always good to catch up with my brother. we're looking forward to having more visitors in the near future. if your out in mi and you know our number, give us a call, we would love to have you. blessings!!

fun in the sun

eric and erin blessed us with their presence soon after we moved here because they were going to canada. so the kids had all kinds of fun while they were here. here's a question though, why is it that kids don't play in the pool when they are dressed for the occasion but when they are fully dressed they totally love to play in the pool?
then we have esther playing in the sun with a soccer ball that jess got me for my birthday. and then eli and olivia totally posing for the camera. there is more to come from this visit, but these are the pics from playing outside.

when we got back

as you know just two weeks ago we got back from vacation. we have also moved into a parsonage, so while we were gone the church was going to paint the house and do some things to update the house a little. when we got back, though, there was a little present in the back yard and we were so excited. (especially the kids) there was a swing set there and we didn't even know that that was part of the deal. we have been so blessed by being here for the 2 weeks that we have been here. God definately has a plan and we are excited to be just a little part of that plan.

we pray that all is well wherever you are reading this and just know that God has a plan that is going to be worked out for the whole kingdom and we get to go with it or against it. i pray that you will work with Him on that plan, to further the Kingdom of God. have a blessed day!!!

oops, i did it again

i may have had a little accident here, just hope that you aren't offended!! just laugh at me, it is all right!















just to let you know, this is just chili that i had spilled. i didn't really poop myself. just thought that i would let you know. i do have some friends that would poop themselves for a picture (i.e. nate kingsbury) love ya buddy!!!!

back from the shore

we had a fabulous time at the shore. we played on the beach and in the surf and none of us got burnt too badly. here are just a few pictures and i will post more later.
just keep us in your prayers as we make the change to burnips wesleyan. the other day jess (new jersey girl) was sitting out back and i think it was a little too quiet for her and she started to freak out. we went to holland later that day and she realized that she wasn't as far from civilization as she had first thought. anyway, it is hard for her because she has always lived in the city and this transition is a little difficult. she knows that we are where God wants us to be, but it sure is hard to remember that when your not comfortable with your surroundings, but i guess that paul got used to it too. i love you jess ;)

what's up

we are now in burnips, mi and we are very excited. we have been gone from ministry it seems like forever, because before we left new castle, i really didn't have any responsibilities and then we went on vacation right after we moved up here. we are so excited about what God has for us up here. we are nervous as well because it is all unfamilier and that worries us, but we know that God has a plan for us.
other than that there isn't a whole lot going on, we will have pictures soon of our vacation and i'll try to start posting a little more often. by the way if anyone was offended by my last couple of posts, i'm sorry but i think that kind of stuff is funny and the parents of those teens knew exactly what they were doing and they were alright with it.
pray for us as we get started up here and we'll be praying for you! God bless you all!!!!
(by the way, you can check us out on the web by going to www.bwchurch.com if you really want to know more about the church.)

gallon challenge: ryan

this is ryan in the gallon challenge. just a little note, he was the first one to blow, though he thought that he would be the last. guess your dinner just wouldn't stay down.

gallon challenge: corey

corey in the gallon.

gallon challenge: jordan

Jordan in the gallon challenge.

here are my beautiful kids, just thought that you all might want another picture of our kids. we are really busy right now, because we are moving to what jess and i consider our africa. michigan. you heard me right, we are moving to michigan. we are really excited but we have a lot to do before we move, so if you don't hear from us for a long time, and if i don't post anything for a long time it is because life has been sucked out of us because we are so busy. we appreciate the prayers from all of you that read this and just pray that all is well with you as well. God bless and we'll see you in the funny papers.