Mr. and Mrs. Antrikin

Sean and Madison got married this weekend we started out with a great rehearsal and dinner from Famous Dave's BBQ (one of my favorites). Jonathan officiated the wedding and Jennah was the flower girl and Joel and one of Madison's nephews who is a week younger than Joel were the ring bears. Jennah is an old pro at being a flower girl and she took control of the younger boys, it was so cute. This was Jack's first wedding to be an usher. He did a great job. Everything went very smooth and it was a beautiful wedding.

I also celebrated my 28th birthday on Wednesday.

Joel's 3!

I'm a little behind on posting. We have had so much going on the last few weeks. After getting the kids off to school starting on the 14th that Saturday was my mother's family reunion and Joel's birthday. So we had a very busy day and the next weekend was my youngest brother's wedding. Joel's birthday party went well and the weather was just perfect. He had a great time and thanks to everyone that came. I can't believe my baby Joel is a big three year old.

Back to School

Today started Jack and Jennah's 3rd and 1st grade years. Jennah was very excited, but Jack not so much. This is always a hard time for me. I have trouble letting them go. Jack made it harder on me by deciding at the last minute he wanted to ride the bus to school today! I wasn't prepared for that and really didn't want him to but Jonathan said he thought it would be good for his self esteem. Jennah has no trouble in area of self confidence, but Jack on the other hand is a little like his mom and dad. So reluctantly I agreed to let him ride the bus. I did okay until the bus drove off. No tears just a teary eyes and the realization that he is really growing up so fast and the responsibilities of the kids getting older runs through my mind and heart. All the things we need to be teaching them as they are getting older and how to be Christians set apart from the world but still living in it and how to deal with that daily. How to influence others with the kindness they show. I pray for these beautiful gifts God has given us and I pray He gives us the wisdom and knowledge to raise them to be soul winners for His kingdom. Having babies is such a special time in life and I never thought there could be anything sweeter than holding a newborn baby, but this feels just as sweet. I am able to send my children out into the world and know that they will be just fine because I have taught them what they need to know to be successful. We still have a long way to go, I know. I am sure these next ten to fifteen years will be hard at times but the things they will accomplish and learn will be so sweet. I'm excited for this new chapter in their lives and what new things they will learn and new friends they will make. So here we go!

My Little Beat Boxer

Joel learned this from big brother Jack. Every time Jennah starts singing Joel starts beat boxing. It is so funny. Enjoy!

Beware!!

I just want to share this with everyone so if this happens to you at least you'll have a plan. Yesterday afternoon about 12:30 our house almost got broken into. With me and the three kids there! It caught me so off guard I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to share this but I think I needed to warn others to be on guard.

I was fixing lunch and the kids were very loudly playing in the living room and the doorbell rang. I never go to the front door when it rings I always go to Joel's room and see who it is and if it is a labeled car they are driving. This guy was wearing a "wife beater" and his boxers were hanging out of his pants about six inches. I thought, I will just let him ring the door bell until he just leaves. I gathered the kids up and took them to my room and told them to sit quietly. The guy just kept knocking and ringing the doorbell for maybe 3 minutes and then the car that was parked across the street and two houses down moved in front of my driveway and two more guys got out and came to the door. They all began ringing the bell, beating on the door, and jiggling the door handle. I yelled at them "I'm not going to open the door!" I don't know what I thought that would help. I didn't know at that time I could call 911 for that type of situation. I know now that is perfectly fine. I also could have set off our house alarm but it is in the small living room directly off the entry and we didn't have blinds over that window. For some reason I didn't want them to see me. After what seemed to be an hour but was actually about three or four minutes they kicked the door really hard and then ran off. We didn't realize then but later when the police arrived to take a report he noticed when they kicked the door it busted the door frame if the dead bolt had not been set they would have been in my house at that time. Even with the dead bolt the police man said it would have only taken one or two more kicks. I felt so helpless to think ten more seconds and they would have been in MY home with me and my three kids. What would I have done.

I am writing this not to scare anyone or make you lose sleep for fear, but to empower you to be prepared should anything like this happen. Please have a plan!