God is our Rescuer

Today started like most days around the Whitley household. However, it did not turn out to be an ordinary day. Ben was in Oklahoma City so I took the boys to dinner at Chick-fil-a. When we got back, we did homework and the boys begged to go on a bike ride. We ride our bikes often on the trails in our neighborhood. Jack and Will always ride their bikes and I usually push the little two in the stroller. Tonight, Sam wanted to ride his scooter. We completed one trail and the two bigger boys wanted to do one more trail. I knew Sam was tired so I told the bigger boys that Sam and I would take a shortcut and meet them at the water fountain. Well, when Sam and I turned the corner, we saw Jack but did not see Willy boy. At that point we were not sure if Will went ahead and did another trail or turned around and went the other direction that he came from. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God sent a man to help us. He was riding his bike with his son. I gave him my address and described Will to him. Jack and I continued on the trail. We were hollering for Will and Sam was getting so tired. I ended up carrying Sam, a scooter, and pushing Max in his stroller. I was trying to pray "Help us Lord, Send Help, Protect Will..." It was getting darker and darker. We made it back home....no Will. So then we went back to the water fountain....no Will. We called the police and they said "stay right where you are". A mom cannot just stand around and wait!!! I drove down a main road in our neighborhood and a man said that Will had been found. It was just such a scary feeling and I felt like such a bad mom. Having four boys is so much fun but I need the Lord to help me every day. I need His protection over them. They are busy and I need about ten eye balls!! We just all prayed when we got back. Will said "I was scared, I was crying, and I was praying." I am so proud of him. I think this little man is going to get baptized in October and I am very excited about that. As I prayed to the Lord, I just told Him, "Lord I could never thank You enough. Thank You for rescuing and protecting my little guy."

School Days

Jack and Will have started back to school. We had such a great summer. We enjoyed swimming and going on vacation. I really enjoyed having them home. Now, a new season has begun. I can't believe Jack is in the third grade and Will is in the first. We have been praying for their teachers for the past year and I am hoping they will really enjoy their new classes. Lord, help them to walk with the wise. Help them to be a friend and make a friend. Help them to shine for You. Thank you for these boys Lord.

Sam turns Four

Sammy boy decided he wanted to have an Indiana Jones birthday. We had fun creating him Indiana Jones themed cupcakes. He has been waiting so long for his birthday. He is the last one out of the whole family to have his special day!! Now that he is four, he thinks that he can do everything that the bigger boys do...like have a few knives, ride his bike without training wheels. He thinks he is too big for Diego, Veggie Tales, etc. Sam is really sweet. He loves giving hugs and he is very competitive. He loves riding his scooter, riding bikes, reading books, and playing pretend. His questions never cease to amaze me. We love you Sam bunches.

Destin 2009

We had a great time on our family vacation. On the way to Destin, we stopped by to see Ben's grandmother and the boy's great grandmother. We suprised her. It was a great visit. She had never seen our younger too. We got lots of photos. When we got to Destin, we relaxed bunches. We spent time at the pool and the beach. We really just relaxed, watched tv, and soaked up the sun. It was the most relaxing trip I think we could have taken with four boys. I am very thankful that we were able to do it and we had great weather. Here are a few pics.

Jack's Birthday

Jack turned nine years old. He is such a blessing to us. He loves playing with his friends, riding on his ripstick, reading, reading more, and building with legos. He is smart, kind, and creative. We are very thankful for his life. He had a lego birthday party. We had lego contests and lego cupcakes. It was a lot of fun. May God continue to guide you, may you love God more each year, and may He use you in a mighty way. We love you. You can't get any older. We will not allow it. Ha!!

Daddy Time

We enjoyed spoiling Daddy for Father's Day. The boys had fun making him cards and taking him breakfast. We went to church and then had a little down time which was nice. Then we went swimming. He taught the older two how to do back flips off the diving board and he taught the younger two how to jump off the diving board. Then we came home and had a yummy dinner and homemade ice cream! Thank you God for Ben. He is a wonderful Dad. Thank you for how he is gentle with them, teaches them, listens to them, encourages them, and has lots of fun with them. We are all so blessed by having him in our lives!! On a side note I missed being with my Dad for Father's Day today. It just didn't work out for us to see him. He has gone above and beyond for me and I am so blessed by him.

Summer Fun

We are enjoying the boys so much this summer. Their favorite thing to do is swimming. They love to go every day!! I am so thankful to be at home with them. The summer days are jammed packed with activities and we are going to bed a little later. One thing that we are enjoying is our nightly reading. We just finished a biography on George Mueller and now we are reading Nate Saint. The boys love this. Ben and I find ourselves a little on the tired side but this is just a season!! We love these boys and they are such wonderful gifts. Here are a few pics from a splash pad in Tulsa town.