Blessed



From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. -Luke 12:48

I have been blessed in my life with much.

This year left me feeling more THANKful than ever.

But also with my faith growing stronger I felt more

of the GIVING need than ever before.

Christmas is always a time to give, but why only once a year?

I came across an idea that I really loved.

Blessed to Bless bags.

Mainly because of this crazy man in my life,

who is the best role model for giving and love.

I never like passing a homeless person on the street

without giving them something.

But I worry, what will they really spend that cash on?

Do they really appreciate that #1 value meal I just gave them?

But this guy, he never questions.

He just gives anything and everything he has

to every

homeless person

he comes across.

Kind of drives me nuts sometimes,

but also another reason I love him.

So that is why I was so excited about making our bags.

We were going to make it "our" project but

decided to invite others to share in the giving.

So on Thanksgiving we put together our bags.

Giving thoughts and prayers to those less fortunate.

And sharing some of our love

and blessings with others.

We look forward to making this a yearly

(and maybe more often)

tradition. 

Teaching our children the importance of

what Thanksgiving really means.

If you would like to initiate a similar event,

here is a list of ideas for the bags.

There were 6 of us, so we made 12 bags,

2 for each car.

Each person signed up to bring as little or as much

as they desired.

1 gallon Ziploc bags
1 Juice box
Throat lozenges
Trial size Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
hand sanitizer
hand or face lotion
packaged hand wipes
lip balm
soap/shampoo
Small selection of ready-to-eat protein rich food such as:
Cheese and crackers
Power bar
Tuna in a bag (no cans requiring an opener)
Vienna sausages
Beef jerky
One sweet item such as canned fruit or pudding
Plastic utensils and napkin
Washcloth
Small bible or bible tract
Bus Schedule
Prepaid phone card
Gloves/ knit beanie
Resource list for the homeless
Pair of men's socks

There is no set amount to spend,

or limits to what to put in your bags.
The day I purchased my bag "goodies"

I left Wal-mart, passing 2 homeless men

asking for "anything".

We look forward to having these bags to give

the next time we run across someone in such need.

We also spent our fair share of giving Thanks!

Thanks for

Cousins to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade with!

Family to love and cuddle.

And FOOOOODDDDD!!

And rest.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness.

Let the whole world know what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Love, the rockinryans

All I Want for Christmas....

Are my two....

well ONE would do!

And this big bad boy is FINALLY making its appearance,

remember when it began?

Yeah, it definitely took its sweet time!

But look, on the horizon,

possibly 3 more to follow shortly......

(if you call 7 weeks short anyway.)

Come on teeth, my little man really wants a potato chip!

Love, the rockinryans

22 weeks

Our second babe

is already

keeping us on our toes.

Once again,

too much unwanted

anxiety at our 22 week appointment.

The nurse picked up the heartbeat

quickly, 153.

But listened longer than usual.

Babe wouldn't sit still (big surprise).

Again, another unwanted sound picked up,

besides the kicking and turning.

I held my breathe, knowing

this wasn't normal.

She got the Dr.

He tried to pick up the heartbeat,

but this time babe

was even more mad.

I tried to smile at my stomach bouncing.

There can't be anything wrong right?

Look how strong babe is!

But inside, worry, scared.

Please lay still babe.

They put us on the babe "EKG" monitor

for 15 minutes.

In order to get a good tracing I basically had to

press the monitor as hard as I could into babe,

holding the squirming little one in place.

I prayed the entire time,

these appointments usually take 5 minutes.

Nothing is ever wrong.

That wouldn't happen to OUR family.

We have become so comfortable that for only the second time

ever

Jake and Trent didn't come with me.

I had already been there an hour.

I realized I missed them more than ever.

I realized how much I was taking everything for granted.

If there is a problem with your heart babe,

its OK,

we love you.

But please be healthy.

After 15 long minutes,

a mind and heart filled with thoughts and prayers

and two very sweaty palms,

the tracing came back normal.

A sigh of relief.

A prayer of thanks.

Fighting back tears to make it home to hug

my boys.

But then a smile as I realize

Trent will be the calm one in the family.

Wow, that is hard to believe!

But this little babe,

already causing so much mischief

will definitely keep us

on our toes.

As I get older,

I look forward to Thanksgiving

and what it means

more every year.

What about you?

Love, the rockinryans



20 weeks

Another mover and shaker!

This little one does not sit still!

Active the entire time, kicking and moving its feet

so much, she couldn't get pictures of those!

Finally, smack up came a hand, 5 fingers, yeah!

Then the little one reached up and started sucking its thumb.

We thought that was pretty amazing

and it melted my heart to see this active little one

able to do all these actions already!

It made all the nausea, heartburn and exhaustion

worth every second.

Even though we see the pictures, and have been through it before,

it is still unbelievable that there is a new life

about to join our family.

I named the blog after Trent because he never held still

while in my belly.....or now!

But now, I am at a loss as to what to name the blog

and the new baby for the next

19 weeks.

I feel bad calling it "It", "Number 2" or as Jake says

"That thing".

So, if anyone has any suggestions for both or either, let me know!

I think their noses look a little different, but mouths the same.

Jake thinks they look exactly the same.

So, he has started calling the baby "the twin".

Note-all these are blurry because they are action shots!

Trent's sono~

Are they twins??

Love, the rockinryans

Happy Hallo-BOO!

He has been looking at this pumpkin

and loving it for a few weeks now....

not so impressed with Dada

cutting it up...

This is as close as he got to "helping" carve!

He panicked in his Batman costume so wore his

very adorable

glow-in-the-dark skeleton

his Aunt Alicia gave him.

There was absolutely no time for pictures!

Lets go!!!

But once there...

not so sure about what to do...

But after only 2 houses, caught on very quick!

Clapping for himself after getting candy.

Not able to say "Trick or Treat" yet,

he would say "Boo" instead.

He received a little extra candy for that!

The best part...

sorting through

and eating

your goodies!

Then it was time for more fun and food with friends and family.

It was a fun filled day!

Trent finally passed out around 9:30

complete with an M&M smeared face,

orange pop sticky fingers

and still dressed as the skeleton.

BOO!

Love, the rockinryans

FFA

FFA training in action:

Step 1-study and make a plan.

Step 2: After inspection, load onto equipment.

Step 3: Harvest!

Step 3b: Always be mindful of your tasks.

Step 4: Never let any go to waste!  Pick up all strays!

Another job well done boys!

Love, the rockinryans