Christmas 2009

We left in the afternoon of Christmas Adam (Dec. 23) and headed over to the Grand Rapids, MI area. Around 6:30 p.m. we arrived in Hudsonville where we spent a few hours with Aunt Kelli and cousins Caleb and Hannah. Gift opening began that night with gifts that Aunt Kelli had brought back from her trip to OK. The girls had gifts from Gramma and Papa Bill, Uncle Kirk and Aunt Tamra, and from Aunt Kelli and kids. It was fun BUT UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAMERA AND AUNT KELLI TOOK ALL THE PICS.

Christmas Eve we attended Christmas Eve service at the church Kevin grew up in as a child. We went with Grandpa Sheck, Uncle Jim and his family, Aunt Kerri and her family, and Uncle Paul.

After the service we went over to Uncle Jim and Aunt Sunde's house for chili, pie and games. Cousins Jimmy and Christina joined us. Unfortunately Uncle Tom and family weren't able to make it due to the very icy roads.

Christmas Day the girls woke up to finding stockings filled by Santa. Thankfully this year they were more thrilled about being with family then opening gifts. Sofia actually slept until 10 a.m. that morning and was in no hurry to check her stocking. We had a fun-filled day with most of the family coming over to Grandpa's for a ham dinner and gift opening.

After-dinner activities included lots of game playing and for some...a winter's nap. Sofia "taught" her uncles Glen, Bruce, Paul, and cousins Aaron and Ben how to play Creatures & Features. Selah enjoyed playing with cousins Jordyn and Hayley.

Late Christmas night we made the 4 hour trek back to Illinois. Saturday morning the girls woke to find the gifts Santa left at our house. Sofia couldn't believe she really got a Barbie doll. It was fun watching the girls play together with their new toys. They also had a special time of eating pancakes on the couch and watching a Christmas show.

More than anything this Christmas we enjoyed being able to share with our girls the true meaning of Christmas. It is a gift to us to see them act out the Nativity during their own play time and to gain a step of understanding in knowing that Christmas is a time for us to celebrate the birth of Christ!!!

"Edith Bunker" Practice Session

First piano lessons, then maybe voice lessons will come later.

Sofia's 1st Piano Recital

We're proud of our little girl!

Making Disciples - Sometimes Humiliating, Always Humbling

This commercial is hilarious, but it also packs a poignant punch. The clueless guy with the huge stain had no chance of being heard by his interviewer because the stain on his shirt spoke volumes.

About fifteen years ago, I went golfing with a guy who the Lord had brought into my life to help disciple. To make a long story short, I ended up using a lot of really nasty words at the foursome behind us that really dishonored the Lord. Thankfully, the guy I was with, was far enough along in his walk with the Lord to pray with me, forgive me, and to this day still loves the Lord, and me! But, oh, how humiliating!

I wonder if we Christians, who are called to be disciples of Christ, and commissioned to make disciples of Christ, couldn't learn a lesson from the shirt-stained guy in the commercial? I wonder if the reason our witness for the Lord, and efforts in discipleship fall on suspecting deaf ears, really has nothing do with other people being deaf after all? Perhaps those we are seeking to disciple hear just fine, but perhaps our lives are filled with unchecked stains of sin which speak volumes above anything that we might try to teach others?

The way I see it is that we have two options really. We can give up on our commission, and many have, or we can evaluate ourselves humbly and seek God's grace to train us to renounce ungodliness and worldliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12).

The evaluation process is truly humbling, and never really ends on this side of heaven, but it is the most rewarding course.

The belly's growing!

Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year, many waistbands expand. Mine is not an exception. But thankfully it is because of Baby Sheck #3!!!

Tomorrow marks week 17. Unbelievable. Baby Sheck #3 didn't let me forget, however, that he/she is growing and making themselves comfortable in my belly. From week #6 to week #15 I experienced morning sickness every afternoon and evening. Some evenings were really bad. A couple of times I struggled trying to take care of the girls and prepare dinner for the family so by 4:30 I was calling Kevin to come home. Can I just say that I have a most amazing husband.

Then poof! Last Monday I woke up with this new energy and have yet to experience nauseousness. Oh it is a wonderful feeling. I've also noticed this week that my regular size clothing is beginning to get a little snug. No doubt come January I will be moving onto maternity clothes.

But for now I am enjoying the belly expanison...a wonderful reminder of the miracle that is taking place in my body. God is knitting together our child.

We look forward to our child arriving around Memorial Day Weekend.

Is Santa real or fake?

According to Sofia we believe in the fake Santa. I guess this means that she knows he isn't really real but he used to be real because he helped people know that they should give gifts. You see, Santa Claus, or St. Nick, was a man who desired to show people love. He desired to show love just as God did by giving us a gift...the greatest gift of all...His Son Jesus Christ. So St. Nick began to give gifts to show love.

The belief in Santa continues to be magical in our household even if he is fake (but she really does believe he is real). This past Monday night we took the girls to see Santa. Selah actually wasn't scared this year and went right up to Santa and said, "Merry Christmas". Sofia on the other hand was nervous to see Santa. Her reason was that she had been naughty that day (no arguments from mommy).

At dinner time Sofia had shared that she wanted to tell Santa she wanted a Barbi for Christmas. But when Santa asked what she wanted, she just kept saying, "I don't know." Finally Santa asked, "Would you like a Barbi?" WOW!!! How did he know? Maybe Santa is real.

Here is a pic of the girls sitting on Santa's lap.

Then they snapped this pic while the girls were giving their hugs.
And then Santa called mommy and daddy over for a family pic.

P.S. Santa pics are free at Bass Pro.

Winter Play

When you live somewhere cold it is so much easier to accept when there is snow. Of course, this comes from a stay-at-home mom who doesn't have to get out and shovel or drive on precarious roads.

Snow decorates the outside with a beautiful white blanket. So lovely to look at and so lovely to enjoy when the wind isn't blowing. Yes, when the wind isn't blowing. Yesterday was one of those nice snow days when the temps were around 34 degrees, the snow was lightly falling, and the wind wasn't blowing (at least it was this way for a couple of hours in the morning). And when it's like this....that means WINTER PLAY.

I bundled the girls up in their snow suits and we headed out for about an hour. They had so much fun and I loved seeing them enjoy making snow angels and having snowball fights.

After a walk around the subdivision we headed to the beach. I was surprised to see five swans swimming across the lake. Maybe they were getting one last swim in before the lake totally freezes. The lake's edges are already beginning to do so.

Snow fun!!!

Gift of (Learning) Music

We as parents don't necessarily know whether or not our girls have the gift of music but we do know that we can give them the gift of learning music.

Sofia began piano lessons the second week of September. Now just three months later, she played in her first piano recital.

I've attached a couple of pictures (and will try to post a video later).

This is Sofia at her very first lesson with Mrs. Hibdon. Mrs. Hibdon by the way is the most talented piano player and teacher. She teaches 65 students each week, is organized, patient, and fun. Mrs. Hibdon has a great love for the Lord and for music and seeks to pass both loves on to her students.

The recital was held at The Piano Co., a local piano store that has a Java Cafe' attached that served as the concert hall. On borrow is a 9 ft. Sauter piano worth $250,000 that the students were allowed to use for the recital.

Faces of Thanksgiving

The day before Thanksgiving we made the 4 hour drive to Sparta, MI to be with the Sheckler side of the family. Each year Uncle Jim (Kevin's oldest brother) and Aunt Sunde host the family gathering. It is always such a fun time of eating, playing games, and telling of stories.

This year Sofia was official photographer. She captured the faces of those who were able to make it this year.

Top L: Greg (Aunt Sunde's bro) Top R: Kevin's Aunt Dorothy

Middle L: Aunt Sunde's 93 yr. old mom Middle R: Kevin's Aunt Joyce

Bottom L: Kevin's Uncle Ron Bottom R: Kevin's Uncle Bob

Clockwise from left to right: Uncle Paul, Uncle Glen (who was busy cooking), Uncle Todd, Uncle Jim, and Uncle Bruce and Aunt Kerri

Clockwise from l to r: The girls watching Grandpa make dressing then stuff the bird; cousin Aaron, Aunt Sunde sporting a moustache acquired during one of the games; and cousin Ben.

Family. We are so thankful for family.

The day she turned 5!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We are so grateful for the many knees that bent and prayed for our five year old on November 6th.

Sofia enjoyed her birthday very much. If you were to ask her what she did for her birthday she would tell you she had a Hello Kitty party. Reality is that she didn't have a party but we had a fun day of celebrating.

Sofia awoke to her Hello Kitty presents sitting on the breakfast table. She was so excited. After breakfast mommy took her to the doctor for her 5 year old check-up. Boy did I get hasseled. First by daddy then by the nurse and doctor because at this check-up she had to get 5 shots. No fun! I do feel so bad. I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway, Sofia grew 2 1/2 inches this past year but only gained one pound. She is now 43 inches tall and weighs 35 pounds.

Following the drs. visit Sofia had a special lunch at Noodles & Co. then to the bakery to pick up her Tinker Bell cake.

Friday night is our normal small group night so it worked out very nicely for us to have sweet family friends celebrate Sofia turning five.

GO BLUE!

When you marry a Michigan boy you learn real quick that the only team to root for during college football season is Michigan (or whoever is playing Ohio State).

So on game day, the cheerleader outfit is donned, the ponytail is decorated with a blue ribbon, and the somersaults and cheers begin.

Now, if only Michigan would actually win. Especially today since they are playing Ohio State.

GO BLUE!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Sofia!

This gorgeous brown-eyed, full of energy little girl is a gift to us. She loves to dance, sing, and colour and more than anything just be with people. Her understanding of who God is and her compassionate spirit at times humble us.

FIVE years ago today she came into this world. Today we invite you to join us in celebrating her life through prayer.

Pray that…

Sofia will continue in good health and grow developmentally.
Sofia’s love for books will continue and that one day she would find great pleasure in the Word of God.
Sofia will continue to be curious, and that someday her curiosity will be satisfied by knowing Jesus.
Sofia, whom God put on this earth for His enjoyment, will bring glory to God by enjoying Him.

This is a picture Sofia coloured a couple of weeks ago. It is her and her little sister, Selah.

Halloween = Imagination time!

Halloween has simply turned into a wonderful time for mommy and daughter to be creative. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, right before Sofia turned three that we began putting her in costume. And the reason we did was because Sofia gave us inspiration.

That first year we dressed her as a mouse. The inspiration was her facial expressions. Sofia would crinkle up her nose and mouth and so we went with it.

Last year Sofia knew she wanted to be a Christmas present from November 1 on. Don't ask us where she got this idea but she stuck with it and we had a lot of fun last year putting this together.

This year was a bit more difficult. Sofia kept changing her mind. One day she wanted to be a chocolate chip cookie, the next day a princess. One day she even said, "Mommy, why don't I just be myself for Halloween."

About a week ago, Sofia gave us the inspiration for this year's costume. She kept walking around the house in this certain character. She had the voice, the arm movement, and the walk.

So this year she was a....ROBOT!!!!

And Selah. Let's just say it wasn't worth the tears. Maybe next year Selah.

She scares us.

Yes we realize that last night was Halloween but that was no reason for Selah to give us a scare.

If you are a faithful reader you know that Selah does not like to stay in her bed nor does she like to keep her clothes on at night. Last night was no different.

About a half hour after putting her to bed Kevin went in her room to check on her. What he found was Selah naked and standing by her changing station pulling out wipes. He soon realized that she had stripped in bed and without a diaper on proceeded to wet it.

The crib is still in the room so Kevin simply re-dressed her and put her to bed in the crib.

A couple hours later around 10:30 Kevin went in to check on her one more time before we settled in for the night. Selah was sound asleep BUT....

Selah was naked. And Selah was on top of her changing table. THE CHANGING TABLE. THE TABLE THAT IS A FEW FEET OFF THE GROUND. THE CHANGING TABLE THAT ISN'T VERY WIDE. And yes, Selah was sound asleep. YICHS!!!!

This is a scary feeling as a parent to know that your baby could have seriously injured their self. And we are so grateful she didn't. Our prayers seeking protection of our girls are strengthened.

And Selah...please don't scare us like this again.

A family of FIVE!

Six years ago on October 18, Kevin and I began our journey as the Sheckler family. We had no idea what God had in store for us. We knew that following Him with trust and faith, seeking to give Him his due glory was how we were going to go about it.

In November 2004 our first child Sofia was born. After a miscarriage in 2006 we were excited to have Selah join our family in September 2007. And once again, following a miscarriage this past Spring we are so pleased to announce that our family will welcome into this world child #3 in May 2010 (due Memorial weekend).

Here is a recent picture of our girls.

And this is the first picture of child #3. Today I had an ultrasound and wow!!!!! It was so amazing to see the heart beating and to watch as our child was VERY active (now I know why evening sickness has been so prevalent). Our God, the giver of life, has His hand on each of our lives and already knows the details of our little one.

Thank you Jesus for the precious gift of life. We give praise for who You are. We praise You for being our Creator. And thank you for our family, a family of five.

Stories about Selah.

Selah makes us laugh. She is quite the character. Here she is on daddy's shoulders. No doubt her FAVOURITE place in the world. Every evening when daddy returns home from work she runs to him, turns around in front of him, and says, "On your head, daddy". And she does not like to take no for an answer.

Now the picture below is how we found Selah one night after we had put her to bed. Notice that she is not in her bed and that she does not have any pants on her legs. A couple of weeks ago when the night temps dropped into the 30s we pulled out the winter footie pajamas. Selah did not like wearing them. It took us a couple of nights but on the 3rd night when we woke to her crying at midnight (which she never does) because she was naked (she had also taken off her diaper), cold, and lying in a wet bed, out the door went the footies and were replaced by onesies under some sweats. But these too are taken off many a night and getting out of her bed has become the new trial.

I don't have a picture for the next couple of stories but I have to share.

Selah does not like mommy and daddy to show affection to each other in front of her. Whenever mommy and daddy hug or kiss, Selah will say, "No, no, no, NO!!!!!!" Then proceed to cross her arms across her chest and stare us down. She will run to us and say, "My mommy; My daddy." Oh, our Selah. She is a character.

One of her favourite ways to get a laugh is to ask you to come sit in a chair. Then right before you sit down, Selah jumps into the chair instead and begins laughing. She thinks she is so funny. And she is. At least mommy, daddy and Sofia think so.

And this picture is simply to show off her cuteness.

Ooh Rah!

Twenty years ago I became a Marine. Despite my ignorance, and often reluctance, the Lord used the USMC to accomplish His purposes in me.

God alone is Semper Fi.

Our second home

This is our second home for a couple of reasons. The first being that we spend a lot of time here. Crossroads Church is where we worship and serve as a family.

Sunday mornings Sunday School and worship service

Sunday evenings Play & Praise (a choir for preschoolers)

Monday evenings every so often Kevin has an elders and staff meeting

Tuesday evenings Kevin plays basketball with the guys

Wednesday mornings Keri attends a women's Bible study

Wednesday nights the whole family attends AWANA

Of course, Kevin is at the office Monday through Thursday 9 - 5 and sometimes for a few hours on Friday or Saturday making sure things are good to go for Sunday.

Then, of course, there are the potlucks, church picnics, family nights, training nights and special events. Needless to say we have meltdowns such as this pic every so often. :)

The most important reason, however, why Crossroads Church is our second home is because of our church family. We are so grateful for those who love us, encourage us, help us, and simply walk alongside of us. What is that saying? Home is where the heart is. Our hearts are at Crossroads Church.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today was a day that I (Kevin) would have liked to have picked up the phone to call my mom. I would have liked to have told her about the happenings in my daughters' lives, how cute Selah is getting and how talkative she is, and how Sofia is practicing piano and doing really well. I would have told her how pleased I am that Keri and I are in sync with so many things and doing really well, and what a great mommy she is. I would also have liked to have been able to share with my mom some of the burdens that I am carrying, and receive from her the sweet attentiveness and caring words that she would so often offer. Of course, today I would have liked to have called my mom and told her "Happy Birthday!" My mom would have been 77 today. As some of you know, my mom went to be with the Lord in May 2003. I didn't get the opportunity to call my mom today, but I'm thankful for the many years the Lord gave her to my family, her friends, her church, and to me.

Thanks so much, Lord, for my mom. She was so loving and caring. She modeled you in many ways because she belonged to you. May I give up my life for my friends, like she did for hers, and the way you, Lord, did for yours.

40 sweet things about you.

Your captivating smile.
Your brown eyes.
Your love for God.
Your love for the nations.
Your love towards me.
Your love towards our daughters.
Your love towards your family.
Your love towards my family.
Your love for our church.
Your hospitality.
Your creative mealmaking.
Your love for scramble.
Your consistency.
Your laugh.
Your enjoyment of watching sports.
Your jourgaling (journaling+blogging).
Your love for traveling near and far.
Your pleasure in dancing and watching it endlessly.
Your uncomfortableness toward giving and receiving flattery.
Your down to earthness.
Your appreciation for uplifting music.
Your ability to teach.
Your contagious energy.
Your ability to move on.
Your enjoyment of simple things.
You're very low maintenance.
Your beauty.
Your tears fall at appropriate times.
Your being rightly admired by many.
Your being a light and salt in this world.
Your grace toward me.
Your enjoyment of crossword puzzles.
Your creative moves while having dogs and cats around you.
Your grillin' skills.
Your frugality.
Your pursuit to continue to grow.
Your worship of God in all of life.
Your quick thinking.
Your cuteness.
You're my wife.

Join us in praising God!

In May 2008, Kevin, along with some others from our church ministered in Japan. Here is one of his updates:

May 27, 2008

Today (Tuesday) was another good day. We spent most of the day at another park in Tokyo. We had several encounters with people. We did a combination of sharing tracts, sharing our testimonies and sharing our smiles with the people today. Amazingly, even though there is often times a language barrier, God has given us plenty to talk about with people. We met a gal named Sakura today. She is a Japanese college student. She rode her bike up to Dale (a summer intern) and me, and asked why we were visiting the park. Talk about fishing and having the fish jump in the boat! We shared our reasons for being in the park, and had an opportunity to share with her about the Lord. We invited her to lunch with the whole group and everyone seemed to have had a turn at sharing their story and/or witnessing to her. She stayed with us for a long, long time! To make a long story short, she is coming to our Friendship Party on Thursday night, and she has said that she would like to study the Bible with an IMB journeyman here. Please pray that Sakura, which means Cherry Blossom in Japanese, will bloom magnificently in the Lord by God`s saving grace.

Today we received a message that Sakura accepted Christ!!!!! Praise God!!!!

Pop. O's Visit

My dad came to visit during the week of Selah's birthday. While he was here, he and I took an afternoon to go down to Wheaton and visit the Billy Graham Museum. We both enjoyed it a lot. You couldn't help but leave wanting to go tell someone about Jesus!

I was thankful for this time with my dad. It's always amazing that you can continue learning things about your family. While at the Billy Graham Museum, I learned that my dad's parents (my Pop O. and Gramm O.) attended the very first Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles. There were about 6,500 people who attended that first crusade.

Here are a couple of pics of the family with dad (Sofia and Selah's Pop O.)

Thank you for the prayers!

Thank you for praying for Selah on her 2nd birthday. As parents, this is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our daughters.

Selah celebrated her birthday with family. Aunt Kelli and cousins Caleb and Hannah drove over from Michigan. Pop. O. flew in from California. We had homemade pizza for dinner and an ice cream cake! She loved having everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

The day after her birthday was Selah's two year old check-up. She stands tall at 33.5 inches and weighs in at 24 pounds 13 oz. Her blond hair is slowly coming in and we think she may be in the beginning stages of cutting her 2 yr. old molars.

Selah's most favourite person in the world is her big sister, Sofia. They play quite well together (but yes, they do fight) and are very lovey-dovey with each other. It is sweet to see them interact as sisters and as friends.

A couple of months ago Selah went from talking like the teacher on "Charlie Brown" to saying full-sentences. She still surprises us with her words because like most second-borns she didn't need to talk. Her big sister did it all for her. Sofia still continues to be our interpreter when we can't quite figure out what Selah is saying.

Selah is a very active little girl. She recently learned to do a somersault, LOVES to jump both up and down and off of platforms of any kind, and tries her hardest to do a cartwheel like Sofia. She LOVES to slide, run, and her most favourite spot to hang out is on her daddy's shoulders.

We love to listen to her sing. She will bust out with "Jesus Loves Me" or the "ABC's" anytime and anywhere. And you better watch out? If she is riding in the car, she wants HER songs in the cd player. She loves her Kids Bible Songs. She sings along to "Father Abraham", "Do Lord oh Do Lord", the calypso version or "Just As I Am", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and many others.

WE LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL. She is fun, mischievous, and sweet. We daily pray that our little girl will someday ACCEPT the greatest gift of all...JESUS CHRIST.

Again, thank you for praying!

Happy Birthday, Selah!

This beautiful, precious girl is a gift to us. She is our fiesty, loves-to-sing, "I can do anything my big sister can" daughter.

Two years ago today she came into this world. Today we invite you to join us in celebrating her life through prayer.

Pray that…

Selah will continue in good health and grow developmentally.
Selah’s love for singing will always be a sweet sound in our Savior’s ear.
Selah will continue to be curious, and that someday her curiosity will be satisfied by knowing Jesus.
Selah, whom God put on this earth for His enjoyment, will bring glory to God by enjoying Him.

Psalm 121

This summer we as a family memorized the first four verses of Psalm 121. Every night at the dinner table we reviewed the verses together.

We as parents beamed the first time and continue to beam each time Sofia speaks Scripture. What we didn't expect was Selah (not quite two) to not only take in the Scripture but to speak it as well. But in her condensed version, she knows it!!! Our hearts are so thankful for this gift.

Memorizing scripture is a great family activity. We encourage you to do so if you don't already.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come.

My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-4

This is what I got to do.

Yes, this is me. Keri L. Sheckler in the water with water skis. Those of you who know me well know that I'm not the most, how should we put it, athletic person around. And it's not that I'm just not athletic, I just don't enjoy doing very many physical activities.

But water skiing. I love it. I first learned to ski when I was in college. Last year I went skiing for the first time in almost 20 years. So needless to say when the offer came to go out and ski this weekend, I was quite excited.

Here I am putting on the junior skis. The boot of the adult ski wouldn't go small enough to fit my size 5 1/2/6 foot size.

Okay....I think I'm ready to do this.
Am I going to make it up the first time?
YES!!!!!!
It's such a great feeling.
My form may not be the best but who cares? I was skiing.
But alas, all good things must come to end.
Here's to next summer!!!!