New Patio!

The Penuels enjoyed a fun Memorial Day weekend working around the house. It all started with an eternal trip to Home Depot to get the supplies to build a patio in our backyard. We had bought some cute red chairs & found cushions at Target, but we wanted a spot where we could sit & enjoy being outside. While we were at the Depot, I wandered around the garden center trying to decide what flowers I should plant in my front yard. I would love your thoughts??

David went to work & laid stones to make the perfect place for us to relax in the evenings. It was really hard work, but he was a champ! It turned out to be just what we wanted...you will notice in our pictures that Chapman's Exersaucer makes a wonderful centerpiece!

In the evenings, we enjoyed a few nights of grilling out w/friends, playing Wii, & watching the 1st 2 Indiana Jones movies (which I, Alli, had never seen!) in preparation for the new one.

All in all, such a great weekend with my family!! I also threw in one fun picture of my small group girls - love them!

Click here for some pictures.

Victory & Death

It was such a weird night last night at our house.

Alli and I had some friends over for the American Idol finale and we were genuinely surprised and so happy for David Cook when he was announced the winner. David shared his victorious experience with his family and it was obvious that the joy they felt was even more pronounced because of the sadness they also share with David's brother Adam who is suffering from cancer. I jumped right on the emotional roller coaster with them.



Next, we turned on the Nintendo Wii and started enjoying some games of Mario Kart with our friends. In the midst of our relaxed, playful fun I received a few messages relaying the news of the tragedy that hit the Chapman family. Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest adoptive daughter, Maria, died in an accident at the family's home around 5pm on Wednesday evening. I have great respect and admiration for Steven and his family. I've been so influenced by his life and music that I actually named my first son Chapman. I was greatly saddened by the news and my heart feels for his family right now.

After quickly reading the article online about what happened, I kicked back into "host" mode and the games continued on the Nintendo Wii. Isn't that odd how we ride these roller coasters of emotions? How life is going on all around us and every moment sees some experiencing the greatest joy of their life while others experience the greatest sadness?



To deal with the mixed emotions I'm feeling, I did the only thing I know how to do in moments like this. I opened up the word.

1 Corinthians 15:53-56
53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a necessary reminder for me to dwell on what God says true victory is. David Cook's triumph on stage doesn't hold a candle to the victory that little Maria is experiencing through Jesus Christ. What happened to her must happen to all of us and, for those who trust in Christ, our death will be swallowed up in victory.

Click her to meet & remember Maria Chapman.

Mother's Day Weekend

The Penuels had a busy Mother's Day weekend that kicked off Friday night with the Watermark Volunteer Appreciation Night. It was such a fun night filled with good food, fun people, the staff dance number, a really funny comedian & yummy desserts. I was really blown away by how many people are serving as volunteers in our church in countless ways!

Saturday we headed to Jack's 8th birthday SPORTS PARTY at the park. The boys played hockey, football, soccer, etc. Chapman chilled on a blanket attempting to stay cool.

On Mother's Day, I got a sweet card & gift from my boys in the morning before church. We got to enjoy lunch with Grammy & dinner with Marmi. I am so thankful for moms & I sure love being one to Chapman!!


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Crawling! Swinging! Hat Wearing!

This weekend was a fun one for the Penuels. Chapman has become a bit more adventurous with his crawling...exploring the kitchen, under the table, etc. We loved watching him scoot around. Pretty soon, I feel like we will be chasing him all over the house!

We also bought a swing to put in our backyard. Chapman loved being outside in the beautiful weather & so did we!

Click here to see some more pictures.