Sam's Dedication on Father's Day

I probably should have done this a few days ago, but you know the saying, "better late than never!" So, here's my HAPPY FATHER'S DAY message to all you dad's out there! :O) No, really, I want to express our love and gratitude to Brian, the best Daddy my kids could have! He works so hard and takes such great care of us! Thank you Brian for being a wonderful Daddy!

Can't you tell how much they love him?!?!

Last Sunday, not only did we celebrate Father's Day, we also had the privilege of dedicating Sam in our church. What a blessing to stand before our own families and our church family and dedicate Sam to the Lord. We will continue to pray that one day Sam will trust Jesus as his personal Savior and walk with Him forever and we praise God for entrusting us with such a wonderful little man! 

I also just had to share what a talker little Sam has become! He just cracks me up...you just know he knows exactly what he is saying! I love my conversations with my boy! Oh yeah, he likes to climb things too!!!

Sammy Talks! from Sarah Giere on Vimeo.

Hot summer nights...gotta love em'!

Since Brian was out of town last night, the kids and I decided to head to the "sprayground" for our first time this summer. We arrived around 4:30pm and it was perfect...hardly anyone was there, it was hot and humid and the kids had a blast! And, the best part about all of it...I didn't even have to put on a bathing suit!!! :O)

Let me know if any of you want to join us, it's the perfect, FREE summer activity! (except on Friday mornings...we've learned from experience to avoid Friday mornings! It's WAY too busy!)

Oh Ellie

Ellie has often been called, "the girl with all the looks" or something along those lines and amazingly, I think I just about captured all of them in one sitting! Check out that messy face...and her many looks!

We're happy

I don't have a whole lot to report right now...life is good. We're loving the summer weather (when it's not raining, but even that's nice once in a while) and enjoying time with friends (now that we're all healthy!).  Here are a few pics of the kids doing what they love to do...play, play, play and eat! Enjoy!

Hannah and Ellie are enjoying some quality morning playtime. Don't these sisters look sweet?

I swear (except that I really don't!) that Sam is getting bigger/taller every day! Look at this big guy!

Sam met his first avocado and as you can, he thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Ellie has a little boo boo on her forehead, courtesy of a little run in w/ the baby swing that she was pushing. Let's just say her depth perception isn't that great yet! But, hey, she's still only 2 (for only 2 more months!). :O)

I love this picture for some reason...my precious firstborn, looking more and more like a little lady.

Sam's new OBSESSION....SAND!!!!! He cries when I pick him up to take him out of it!! 

 

God-Honoring Support

This is Brian writing. I wanted to express how amazing my mom has been through the Grego's ordeal (my Uncle Ron, Aunt Chris and Ronnie). Her support and love especially in a time like this has shone through so clearly. God is truly using her in a powerful way and He is ultimately receiving the glory. It is a great thing to witness the selfless love that we are each called to share, especially in such a tough time as Aunt Chris and Ronnie are going through. I love you, mom.

Thank you for your prayer for the Grego family. Praise God for His sovereignty and that Uncle Ron is now home with Jesus. Please continue to pray especially for my Aunt Chris and Ronnie.

Resting in His Peace

With Aunt Chris by his side, Uncle Ron passed away this morning at 9:15am. He was at peace and in no pain. (see post below)

Please visit The Grego Blog to watch a special video that my sister-in-law Heidi put together of Ron. Thank you for your continued prayers for the entire family.

Family in Need

Brian's Uncle Ron has been battling a rare form of leukemia for over a year now and has recently taken a turn for the worse. We know his time here on earth will be over soon and we would just ask for prayer for him and his entire family. Recently Brian's Aunt Chris, Ron's wife, was also diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer. How does this happen? Spouses both battling the same horrible disease! It's almost too much to handle! While Chris' initial reports looked good, she will be undergoing additional surgery and treatment in the coming weeks. Please pray for her! The circumstances she is in right now are beyond words...only God and His infinite mercy and love will uphold this family during this time. Please also remember their son Ronnie...he is an amazing man with his own burden to carry and we just love him so much! Praise God for the Hope that Chris and Ronnie have in Him and we pray that Ron has that assurance as well...he will see Him soon!

You can read more about the family at their blog here: The Grego Blog

Please also keep Connie, Brian's mom and Chris' sister in your prayers. She has been an amazing support for them, being with them as much as possible and I know this is taking a huge toll on her as well. We love you mom!

What a trouper!

Sam did great this morning and, it was a good thing we were there! The doctor told me that there was so much think fluid in Sam's ears that he had to suck it out! (apparently they don't always have to do that?!) 

We were home in a little under 2 hours from start to finish...isn't that great? Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

This picture is obviously pre-op! He was so stinkin' cute...all of the nurses kept peeking in on him, Oooing and Ahhing...they couldn't keep their eyes off of him! 

An Earful....of tubes

Tomorrow morning (Wed, June 3), our little Sammy boy will be having ear tubes put in both of his ears. He has been plagued with ear infections all winter and after a visit to the quirky ENT doc last Friday, we decided it was time.

Please pray that he will respond well to the anesthesia and that the procedure goes well and goes quickly. Brian and I are thanking God that we have a peace about Sam having this done and that He will protect our little man!

Bye Bye Preschool!

Hannah's last day of preschool was a couple of weeks ago and sadly, I'm just now posting about it. Sorry H!

She had a wonderful time with Mrs. H and Mrs. M this year and of course all of her friends! She was actually quite sad on the last day, shedding a few tears, saying that she was going to miss them all so much! Of course, it was nothing a trip to a little friends' birthday party couldn't cure! :o)

Here are a few pictures from her last field trip (the day before school ended) and then the last day with the special chapel program.

Field Trip to Red Oak Nature Center

Mrs. Holmes talking about the bees. Eek!

H and her little friend looking for the Queen Bee.

Our big girl with crooked pig-tails on the observation deck

overlooking the 'glorious' Fox River! :O)

Hannah's class and teachers

Last Day of Preschool looking all grown up!

Waiting one last time in her cubby to go home.

Good-byes

Hannah and her teacher Mrs. Holmes

Once again, our little princess poses for the camera...even in the front of church!

We are so proud of you Hannah!!!