Idol Gives Back.

I am sure most of you saw American Idol last night. 
If you didn't, it was awesome.
They sang "Shout to the Lord!!!!!" That is not just a song that says Jesus. It is a full out worship song!! (you can download it on ITunes)
I was so shocked and surprised by this and totally amazed that they would even put it on TV. 
God is THE MOST awesome!!
If you didn't see it, it was the Idol Gives Back show. They raised 75 million dollars last year for children all around the world. The goal this year is 100 million. It is an amazing cause that involves several different charities. 
I was so moved by all of the footage of children suffering from poverty,AIDS, and malaria in Africa. They showed little babies in the hospital dying. Babies the same age as mine. Just like mine. Every thirty seconds a child dies in Africa. WHAT? I knew that things like this happen in our fallen world, but God moved and shifted my heart in a big way last night. 
They also showed horrible poverty in our own country. Children who have NOTHING. And I really mean NOTHING.
It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about the things that I complain about everyday. It makes me sick to think that I am worried about a new lamp, or a new shirt or whatever....when these children don't even have running water or electricity. I think most of us are so blind and naive to what goes on around us. I am not saying in any way that we should sell everything we have to feel their pain...unless God calls you to do that. I am just saying that I am thankful for shows like this and incredibly thankful for the life God has chosen for me! God used it to open my eyes and hopefully others. 
If you didn't watch the show, you can go to 
www.AmericanIdol.com
and watch some videos or donate if you feel compelled.
I am sprung to action. I am not sure how, but I am.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'  Matthew 25:40

Frightening.

I have been totally over Oprah for awhile now. The things she had been saying and endorsing were starting to be really scary to me. Of course, I mainly watched it for the makeovers and girly things like that. But now...THIS. This is total blasphemy and all I can do now is pray that others will open their eyes to this. I really never get all hyped up about things like this, but this is truly scary. I feel I have to take a stand on this.
Watch THIS video- it is a little cheezy, but exposes the truth. 
Umm Oprah, he is a "jealous" God because he wants us to put no other gods before Him.
God's living, breathing, inherent word tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And no one will come to the Father except through him.


3 Years!!!

Today is me and Cody's 3rd anniversary.
I would have to say that it has been a pretty eventful 3 years. We have already lived in 4 places, had 2 kids...the list goes on...
I feel like it has flown by and then, in other ways I feel like we have been married 13 years. 
I guess because "most" people are married for awhile before they have kids. "Most" people finish college before they get married. 
I know that everyone struggles, I just sometimes feel we are "the odd man out" because we are so young. (minus Laura and Preston) 
With that said, I am incredibly grateful for Cody. I don't know many almost 23 year old men like him. I don't know many men like him.....period!
He is strong. Strong in his love for me. Strong in his love for Cade and Chloe. Strong in his love for everyone else in his life. Strong in his work. Strong in his faith.
We have seen each other change in so many ways the past 3 years. We have both grown up a lot. And hello?? How could you not?
I have also really seen Cody come out of his shell. He has always been a little "shy", and I have seen him gain so much confidence and that makes me so happy because he is REALLY funny and no one knew that before. HAHA!
I have always been outgoing and he has made me a little more homebody. 
There is so many things I love about him and I hope many he loves about me.
We praise God for the past 3 years and for however many more he gives us on this earth together! 
We are actually getting to go on a date tomorrow night, which never happens, so we are super excited about that!
Happy Anniversary babe! I love you!

Has is been a month? Really????

I know, I know...
It's been a month since I have posted. Most of the time, I am so intrigued by everyone else's blogs, that I forget about my own. Hah!
Things have been crazy here at the Kaufmann house for the past few months. 
Lots happening...
We are still in the process of making some big decisions for our family. The main one being whether or not we are going to stay here in H-town or head out to the country...somewhere.
That is our goal. To get out of Houston. 
Not that we wouldn't miss our family, friends, church, everything terribly...but we want to raise Cade and Chloe and any future children in a slower pace of life.
Oh my word I never thought I would say that. Cody has ALWAYS wanted to move to a small town and I would ask him, "What would I do all day? Go to Wal-mart??"
Over time, my point of view has changed dramatically. I find myself wanting to stay home more often and finding fun things to do here. It is hard to get out with 2 kids! (can anyone back me up here? I know my girl Laura can!)
Every time we go see Cody's parents, I watch Cade in amazement. He has the best time of his life riding his Pop's tractor and 4-wheeler with his Daddy. Running around on 12 acres of land where he can roam free. Staying outside from sun-up to sun-down. He was born for that!
So, basically we are waiting on a job opportunity for Cody. There is a few scenarios that could happen. 
We are praying for CLARITY right now! That the Lord would make our path clear so that whatever decisions we make would be HIS WILL ultimately!
Hmm, what else?....
Chloe started clapping her hands and bopping up and down to music! She is truly our daughter!
She also has started waving when someone walks in the room. She is still not crawling but manages to get what she wants. Cade gives her crawling lessons everyday but I don't think they are helping. 
He is such a sweet brother. Today at the mall, he decided to just put his arm around her for a good 10 minutes while they were sitting next to each other in the stroller; and leaning over and kissing her head and saying "hey Co-e" in the sweetest little voice. I wished so bad a had my camera to capture that moment. It was priceless. Then, he grabs her hand and just starts playing with her little fingers and looking at it like he was just trying to figure her out. She was pretty annoyed at that point. Hah!!
Chloe will be 8 months old this week. WOW!
I will post on that later.
I hope everyone had an awesome Easter rejoicing in our Risen Savior!! We did! I just forgot my camera and we were at Cody's parents for the weekend.
Love to you all!
Here are a few recent pics...


We went to sing at Crier Creek a few weeks ago and got to spend the weekend in Columbus with our pals. The weather was awesome and Cade and Grace got to play on the splash pad at camp and had a blast! I know they are only 2, but they truly miss each other. When we see them, they hug in this long embrace. It is the most precious thing ever and makes Laura and I cry.


Here are Chloe and Fish. Still bound to the stroller. Before we know it, they will be running around too...



Here is Chloe, trying to get daddy's guitar...too cute!



This is what you look like when you get to the Livestock show and get to ride a tractor, see a bunch of animals and eat FUNNEL CAKE! His face is intense. He really thinks he is driving and believe me, he knows how.

This is what you look like after the Livestock show. Too much fun with Gammi and Pappi, too much funnel cake, and one too many pigs in your face. He missed his nap and fell asleep on the couch at 6 o'clock. Poor guy!

A couple more pics....

11:09 PM Posted by Amanda 0 comments
me and laura at adrienne and mark's wedding.

all four of us. 


A sweet one of Chloe!

Adrienne and Mark's Wedding...two months later.

My cousin Adrienne got married on December 21st. 
It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. So Christmas-ey and warm and wonderful. I was her Matron of Honor and it was a honor! She is such a special person in my life and I am so thankful for her. She married a wonderful, funny, sweet guy named Mark. We have gotten to know and love him well the past few years. I can tell you right now that they are going to be great parents. They love Cade and Chloe so much and they love them back! They say they aren't ready to be parents yet, though.  But that doesn't mean they won't be....LIVING PROOF HERE!
Most importantly, they love Jesus and have chosen to live their lives to honor Him. 
Anyhoo, the point of my post was to share a few pics from the wedding. 
The pics are by Glenna Harding. She rocks.
   My cousin Anna and Cade.
My cousin Megan and my brother, Aaron.
The Bride and Groom.
Me and Age.

A few more....

10:00 PM Posted by Amanda 1 comments

Me and my girl. She looked PRECIOUS.


She couldn't hold it together...

Bridesmaids....

My totally handsome boy.

My brother and my Grandmama.

Laughter.

Chloe has just recently starting laughing...i mean really laughing out loud. 
I love to listen to her laugh at her brother when he is being silly or playing peekaboo with her. Or when Cody or I tickle her fat little neck and she just squeals and giggles. 
I love to listen to both of my kids laughter. Cade can be quite theatrical with his laughter.
It brings such happiness and peace to my heart to know that they are joyful, happy children.
It makes me think how much greater is the Father's love for us. As his children, when we are joyful and happy in Him. No matter our circumstances, or what kind of day we are having; that we are finding our JOY in HIM and finding reason to Praise Him!

You have made known to me the path of life;  you will fill me with JOY in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.    Psalm 16:11

                                                           

PSALM 42

Since Cade has battled pneumonia over the past week and a half, my mind has wandered to some dark places. We praise the Lord that he has healed Cade's little body and he is well on the road to full recovery. We still have to be careful with him. I took him for a re-check yesterday and the doctor made sure I knew that I should not have taken him to church Sunday. He said his immune system is still down and he doesn't need to be in large crowds. Large crowds?? That's pretty much anywhere. This will be the second week in a row that he has missed preschool at Jenny's house.So, if anyone is healthy and would like to come over and play, we would love the company!! We may have to take him back for another chest x-ray because he is still getting out of breath really easily and there may be some fluid way down in his lung that is blocking his airway. If you are reading this, say a prayer for him. And that we would have wisdom to know whether or not to get the x-ray. (it is expensive..)
Anyways, the point and reason for my post was that I got a really comforting word from the Lord this morning. Here it is....
Psalm 42: 1-8
1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, My God.
2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed in me? Put your HOPE in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon - from Mount Mizar.
7 DEEP calls to DEEP in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.

He promises me that he is not just in the heights, but in the depths. The depths of my thoughts. "Deep calls to deep!" That I need to let him take me deep into himself. That he will give me peace there. And to keep on praisin' His name!!

In His Love,
Amanda

Happy "half" birthday to Chloe!!


Miss Chloe turned 6 months old yesterday! 
Here I go, sounding like a big fat cliche'....
It has gone by soo fast!!!
First, the stats.
She weighs 19 lbs. and is 27 inches long. TOP OF THE CHARTS people! 
I know she will slim down..and we are glad she is a healthy girl.
She is rolling around everywhere and sitting up with a little support. 
She is way more laid back than Cade. He was raring to go for everything. She just kind of sits back and chills. She's not in a hurry. 
She is sooo smiley and happy and absolutely loves her brother. He adores her, too. He gets WAYY up in her face and talks to her and kisses her. That makes my heart so happy.
Our prayer for Chloe is Colossians 1:9-13    
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."
We love you Chloe girl!!

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