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.