Samantha Lake's Baptism

Samantha Jenelle Lake's Baptism Day
Sam's Great to be Eight Donuts

Samantha was more than willing to make a promise to her Heavenly Father and she wanted to follow him with all of her heart,
but having to be dunked under water to do so was a terrifying proposition.
Samantha faced her fears and "took the plunge"

Dad and Mom

Gramma and Grampa Browne

Gramma and Grampa Cady

The confirmation circle
Grampa Cady, Dad, Uncle Jonathan, and Grampa Browne

Sam and Sam
Sister Nickles has been serving in the Bowling Green Ward for quite some time.
In fact, she was in their ward when Gramma and Grampa Cady were married.
I inquired about the length of her stay, and she replied "yeah, really I'm not even technically on my mission any longer. I just can't let my mission experience go." She was joking of course, but she had me going for just a moment.

Aunt Linda

The Lake Family

Vivi and Sam

My Parker, how you've grown!

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Maria

Samantha and Britain

Sailor and Luke...Two peas in a pod
Congratulations Samantha!
We are very proud of the choice you have made.

No Power

Last night, Mother Nature sent us freezing rain. Limbs began to fall off trees, roads were hazardous, and electric lines began to blow. At 11:10 pm last night we lost power. Everyone else was asleep, so we just went to sleep for the night hoping that the electricity would be restored by morning.

At 5 am I was awakened by gun shot like noises. I looked out the window and could see the electric transformer up the block blowing and releasing a huge bolt of light. At this point we knew there was a slight likelihood that the electricity would be returning back on for some time.

After a lot of thought and prayer, Jonathan and I decided the best course of action would be to pack everyone up and risk traveling to Bowling Green to stay with my parents. We had confirmed with them that they still had electricity. We knew that we could probably rough it, but Gramma would never be able to tolerate being in a home with no heat or electricity.

The kids were pretty excited for the adventure of going to Gramma and Grampa's, knowing full well that we would make sure their needs were cared for.

The snow started as we headed out their way. Once we got settled in, and warmed up, Grampa asked if Dylan would like to go out and use the snow blower to keep up with the snow fall.
Dylan didn't even hesitate to be willing to serve.

Dylan looking pretty cool after he finished snow blowing.

This was the results of all of the snow

We were so grateful to have somewhere we could go to be warm, fed and loved during these difficult times. We gained a real testimony of appreciating the smallest of our blessings.
We are so grateful to have family that we can count on.

My Valentine!

I had to work Valentine's Day Night, but Jonathan didn't want me to leave without knowing how much he loves me.
He went to The Elephant Bar and got one of my favorites...Mongolian Beef

I asked him where my candle was for my Candle lit dinner, and he shrugged said "I don't have a candle, but I have this"...and put the flashlight between us.
I love him, and his humor.

When I said "I do"... I meant "I will"...And I mean it FOREVER ♥

Baby, you're the perfect ending to any day ♥

My thoughts on what true love is

At this Valentine's time of the year, when "love" is in the air...I had a friend inquire on "what real true love is?" She wasn't getting the answer she was looking for, so she asked a few different times about other's perceptions on "real true love". This left me laying awake in bed, pondering what I believed "real true love" to be? When I was a young girl, I dreamed of love. I loved watching any movie, reading any book, or hearing any story that spoke of love. I dreamed of the day and longed for the opportunity when I would be able to experience "real true love." I couldn't wait for my turn in love! But in order to experience "real true love", it is important to understand what "real true love" is. I have done a great deal of searching to find the answer. Through the years, I have found a conglomeration of thoughts and opinions on the matter, but my favorite theorist of late has been Thomas S. Monson. I have discovered many poignant thoughts on "love" from President Monson, and I hope to demonstrate through sharing some of his wisdom, what "real true love" can really be (at least from my own perspective).



"Remember who you are and what God expects you to become" ~Thomas S. Monson...We've all heard the adage that "someone else can't love us, unless we love ourselves first." I actually think this notion is mistaken. Others are quite capable of loving us even when we don't love ourselves, but what we ARE incapable of when we are in a state of self loathing is the opportunity to believe the possibility of, trust in, or even begin to grasp the concept of that love. How can we even attempt to experience "real true love" if we aren't first loving ourselves?



So who am I? That IS the first great question! Do I recognize the wonder of who I am? That I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me? That no matter what has transpired in my life or the pains I have endured... that just that simple knowledge might be enough to testify I deserve love and happiness? Do I treat myself with the same thoughtfulness, love and tenderness that I would expect from another? Do I attempt to show love to others and do I allow others to love me?



"May I share with you a formula, that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality...First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love." ~Thomas S. Monson.... Anyone who knows me, knows that my journey in the acquistion of "real true love" has definitely been replete with lots of experimenting and mistakes along the way. As much as I had dreamed of finding "real true love," often times it was my very actions that kept me from being able to experience this love. It wasn't until I was inspired by the concept of "The Love Dare" portrayed in the movie "Fireproof" that I really began to feel like I could truly put words to what I had already begun to believe about "love". The message portrayed in the book and movie consist of ...fix our thoughts, attitudes and actions about ourselves...improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father... and nourish our love with others each and every day. We can create the greatest change in our relationships by first changing ourselves.



"Everyone can be discontented if he ignores his blessings and looks only on his burdens." ~Thomas S. Monson...I had a very poignant experience with this concept in my marriage. Jonathan and I started our relationship with lots of love, but our relationship also possessed a great deal of dysfunction. We wanted to love one another, but often times fell short of demonstrating and cultivating that love toward one another. I found myself falling victim to the thought process of "if he loved me...he would..." or "if we were meant to be togther...we would..." This is a malignant thought process to engage in while in a marriage, because what we end up doing is allowing ourselves to focus on the negative in our relationship rather than seeing the great beauty that is there. Before we knew it the love, respect and trust that had once resided in our marriage had completely dissipated. I would lay in bed wondering "how I could have possibly gone so wrong in choosing the wrong person to spend my life with?"



"Choose your love, love your choice." ~Thomas S. Monson...We were on the verge of a bitter divorce. Many harmful things had been said and done between us. As we neared the finalization of our upcoming divorce, I laid in bed realizing how incredibly miserable I had become...without any hope of ever being lifted from that misery. As I lay there, wallowing in my sorrows, a thought occurred to me "How much of my/our troubles were based on my own perceptions? Am I the cause of this marriage failing?" Through further reflection, I discovered that my perception had a great deal to do with why our marriage was indeed failing. I didn't/couldn't believe that I was truly worthy of being loved completely by a man. I had always fallen short in my love relationships in the past, maybe that's how it would always be? (WRONG!) Second, had I given Jonathan a fair shot? Through expecting that someone couldn't truly love me, I tended to focus on the negative. Jonathan could do a hundred wonderful, loving, thoughtful things and I would immediately dismiss them...but let him have one insensitive word or thoughtless action and there it was in front of me... the proof of why he couldn't possibly truly love me and why we were "wrong" togther.



"When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish stiving, the power of God brings to pass his purposes." ~Thomas S. Monson...I began to wonder what might happen if instead of focusing on what I considered to be Jonathan's faults, that rather I focus on his positive qualities? In a matter of days, our whole relationship began to transform. I was still "Maria" and he was still "Jonathan". We both still possessed the same virtues and defects. But when I allowed myself to see the good in our relationship, I allowed myself to trust in Jonathan's "real true love" for me and began to want to nourish and cultivate that "love."



"The good you have done, the kind words you have spoken, the love you have shown to others, can never be fully measured." ~Thomas S. Monson... Our relationships are what we make of them. Whether it is in a marriage, with a family member, or with a friend...we should think of the other, pray for the other, selflessly serve the other. Then there is never a question in their mind of our love for them. Love is more than just words...it IS actions! We will never believe someone's proclamations of love, if it isn't followed up with their actions...nor can others believe in our love for them, if we do not show it in our actions toward them.



"When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be." ~Thomas S. Monson...Jesus Christ was the perfect example of showing us "real true love." Love cannot reside when unkind words, bitter accusations, and thoughtless deeds are employed. We HAVE to be nice! We HAVE to be kind! We cultivate our relationship when we treat those we love with our best, rather than our worse. We nourish our "love" when we look for the positive, lovely, and of good report in others. I make sure that I remind Jonathan often, exactly why it is that he is the "perfect" one for me. Is he perfect? Absolutely not! Neither am I. But when I remind him of my gratitude and my deep abiding love for him, I reassure him that our love is "real" and "true".



"Find joy in the journey" ~ Thomas S. Monson..."Real, true love" is what we make of it. Love can be EVERYTHING we ever want it to be. What it means to me, may be entirely different from what it means to another. Our Heavenly Father has taught us many things about "real, true love" and how to find it. It starts with us...and ends with us. The only changes we will ever be able to make will ALWAYS begin with us.



My wish for all of you is to experience "real, true love" in your life. It isn't easy to attain, but very worth having.

Gramma comes home

As we rang in the New Year this year, Gramma has been wanting to do less and less and complaining of extreme pain in her legs. It has been frustrating, because she has basically just "given up". In her "giving up" she has become a total care. Being difficult to even move her in her bed, and even do the basics with her.
A little over a week ago, I brushed across her foot with my hand and she yelled out. Perplexed at her reaction, I removed her sock to discover a necrotic area that had formed on her big toe. I was immediately concerned, especially with the fact that the necrosis had developed without there being any source of a wound there first. I knew immediately that this indicated a severe lack of circulation in her leg.
I called her doctor's office and asked them what they would have me to do? They said I should take her to the ER. I had to call the Paramedics to get her to the hospital, because I wouldn't be able to do this on my own. We spent the entire day in the ER. At one point (halfway through the day), they spoke of discharging us home and having us follow up with Vascular outpatient. I refused informing them that it would take too long to get in with the doctor, and we needed to do something now. So, they admitted her. Taking their sweet time in doing so. It was 4:30 pm before I had her in her room and I was rushing home to get ready for work that night.
The Vascular doctor, Dr. Piggott saw her and after extensive testing determined that they would need to perform an Angiogram to clean out her arteries and place stents.
The surgery was Tuesday evening.
I had to work this night as well, so I was able to be there during pre-op, but then had to head home to get ready for work. Dr. Piggott called me to let me know how the surgery went. The surgery was a great success! Dr. Piggott thanked me for my perseverance in insisting that she be admitted and seen. He let me know had we waited 2 more weeks, she probably would've lost both legs to amputation...her circulation was that severely compromised. Her outlook now looks very promising!

Friday was Gramma's day of discharge. I started early in the morning calling trying to get the ball rolling to get her discharged and at home. Jonathan and I had plans to go on our Valentine's Day Date tonight (since I have to work on Valentine's Day), and I wanted to get Gramma home and settled before we left. As always, our plans were thwarted in the delays that occurred at the hospital. As we decided to go on our date and pick up Gramma afterwards, the phone rings and the nurse informs us that she is ready for discharge.
We head over to the hospital to pick up Gramma, only to find that she wasn't as "ready" as they had indicated. It took 2 hours to get her discharged. Eating into our date time. None of us were thrilled to say the least.
Out of boredom Jonathan began to fall asleep in the chair.

I wasn't happy at all and "Pouty Maria" started to show herself. Nobody likes "Pouty Maria"!
It gets so frustrating when things just won't go the way I plan.
We just kept telling ourselves, how happy we were able to do something to help Gramma and optimistic of what the future holds.
We were finally able to get Gramma home and go on our date.
Better late, than never.

The Last Simons Pinewood Derby

Nicholas is a Webelos this year, so this is our very last Pinewood Derby.
Jonathan has quite a reputation for being a "force to be reckoned with" at the Pinewood Derby.
We have placed in many of the Pinewood Derbies through the years.
This year's Pinewood Derby was re-scheduled due to weather.
As a result, I was unable to attend because of my work schedule.
Jonathan forgot to take the camera. So this is our only picture.
It was a good race.
Nicholas placed 2nd!

Poor, poor Preston

Just a little over a month old, and Preston was transported from Wood County Hospital to The Toledo Hospital on Sunday, February 6th for RSV.
Luckily, I had to work that night so I was able to go up and see Laura and her little guy.
Nicholas had RSV as a little one, so I had great empathy for what she was going through.

The next day, I came up to see our little guy.
They discovered that he not only had RSV, but Pneumonia too.
Keep him in your prayers.

3 month old Puppies

We've been having quite the winter this year.
Church was cancelled due to the severity of the weather.
The puppies just recently turned 3 months old, so we wanted to show them off.

They are both very lovable, but Riley is definitely the lover out of the two of them.
She would much rather be with us, cuddling and being pet then doing any other thing
(Okay, okay...she probably likes eating more :D)

Nicholas is holding Ashes
Look how big they've gotten.

Riley playing with a toy

They love being together
and are usually on top of each other in some way.
It has been quite an adventure having two puppies at once.
They have been really tough to potty train.
They are coming along, slowly but surely.
The kids have been difficult to keep them involved on the upkeep of the animals.
The main responsibility definitely falls to mom and dad. No big surprise there!
We are looking forward to some nicer weather to enjoy walks and outdoor playing.

Double Date

It's been a while since we've been able to go out.

We decided to double date with Kenny and Sarah

They had never been to Sakura's or had sushi, so we thought we would introduce them.
Then we introduced them to Ritter's Custard.
It was a very yummy night!

The essence of Jonathan

Our last Pinewood Derby is tomorrow.
I worked last night and this is what I awakened to today.
Jonathan had made a test track to test the Pinewood Derby Car.
You think he takes this a little seriously?

When I had something to say about the track running through not only my living room but also my family room,
Jonathan's response was "just be glad it's not draped over our bed."
That Man!
I sure love him!