New Music Video

I know this looks like the making of my boys' first music video, but it's not. Believe it or not we were at a restaurant!! Thankfully we were the only ones at the restaurant. It's hard to hear on this video, but the music was really loud and I could not get Isaiah to stop so Judah eventually joined him and I decided to video it. With a strong-willed toddler, the saying sometimes applies "If you can't beat em' join em.' "

Boo at the Zoo

Saturday we went to Boo at the Zoo in Baton Rouge with the boys and
some friends of ours. This is when all the kids go to the zoo dressed
up in their holloween costumes & get candy at several different booths
while visiting the zoo animals. It was the first time I had been to
the Baton Rouge Zoo. Of course it can't touch Audobon, but it was
cute. This year my boys are all superheroes. Gabe is Superman, Judah
is Batman, and Isaiah is Spiderman. The whole day Isaiah wouldn't let
me call him by his name. He kept telling me, "My name is not Isaiah.
I'm Spidermaaaan!" So I had to call him by his real name, Spiderman.

Changes

Most everyone knows the big news and all of the changes in our family but just in case you've missed it Baby Vogel #4 is on it's way! We waited a little while to tell everyone this time, so I am already almost out of my 1st Trimester and totally showing! Because of the baby (due May 13th) we have decided not to go to Florida until after the birth which will be at least May, possibly through the summer. We will continue to pastor the youth at Life House Church until then.

At first this was hard for me to accept. Not that I didn't want to stay, but because I'm the type of person who gets a plan set in my mind (from God or myself) and I don't want anything (including God sometimes) to change that plan. I know, that's total pride. Am I God or is He?

So I had to release MY plan to God and trust His hand in all of the changes. He's the one who created the baby and did it at this exact timing for a reason and He knows all things. What He wants from us more than anything is our trust and obedience.

The Bible says that Noah consistently followed God's will and he enjoyed a close relationship with Him. Trust and obedience came before a close relationship with God. Sometimes when God asks us to do something, we don't always understand. Obedience can unlock understanding. It isn't until after we obey that we see why God asks us to do something. Sometimes we may never understand. Either way, He is God, I am not. I will choose to trust and obey His wisdom and guidance, not my own.

"The Lord is pleased with those who worship Him and trust His love." Psalms 147:11

"Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5

Big Hunting Day!!

This morning we were up at 6:30am to get Gabe and Judah ready for their big hunting day with their second favorite guy (next to their daddy), Jesse. Actually the first big hunting day was a couple of weeks ago. Jesse took Gabe to get his first camo gear & they left around 4:30am to hunt for dear. Unfortunately none was seen that day but they had fun. Today is Judah's first big hunting day and they are going hunting for squirrel. It is yet to be seen what poor little squirrel has a slow morning.

Surprise visit

This weekend my in-laws took Gabe to visit his great grandmother,
Busha, in Wisconsin. They drove for two days & surprised her. She has
lived up North her whole life so we don't get to see her very often. I
think Gabe was around 18 months the last time she saw him. He is being
spoiled rotten with his grandparents & having the time of his life!
Then he will take a plane back home on Wednesday, which he has been
dying to do for years! What a great memory they will all have to
treasure forever.

Orange Beach Mini Vacation

We just got home from a little mini vacation with our favorite family,
the Marix. We spent 3 days at a condo in Orange Beach, AL. The weather
was perfect, but a little too cold for the pool. Thank God for indoor
ones. Here is a pic of the dads relaxing in the hot tub with all the
kids accept Gabe (there are six kids in all!!). The following are a
few more pics of our trip. Enjoy!

Aaron was able to get his beloved custard.

25 cent rides. My boys love em!

Here we are at a Race Track. This year Gabe was finally big enough to ride the go-cart by himself! This was the highlight of the trip for him.

The boys enjoyed a few kiddie rides.

We also did a little shopping, ate at a few restaurants, saw a movie (yes all of us), and collected shells on the beach. We had a great time together!

Saints Game

Gabe went to his first Saints game this past Sunday with his daddy! He was so excited. He wore his new straight leg jeans and the only black and gold shirt he has. He looked like such a big boy. He wants Saints gear really bad. His love language is quality time so I know this meant a lot to him. Aaron said he chirped (talked) the entire way home. Unfortunately the Saints lost, but I don't think Gabe even noticed that. He has the memory of an elephant so I know he's going to remember this day forever.