Mark Family

Great Times

2009-10-05T15:30:00.002-04:00

Over the last several months I have felt the Lord move in me great mountains. Thank the Lord for continuing to show me the way He would have me go. Sometimes we all get off track, but when we seek Him and continue to seek Him, He will bring us back to the right track that He wanted us on all along. I feel like that is what has happened in my life. I got off track, didn't stay on the track that He wanted me on, and now He has lifted me up, taken me back to the spot where I veered to the right, and put me back on the straight and narrow path. He is lighting my way down this path very distinctly. He has brought Katie and Micah into my life, showing me clear direction for our relationship, and I am so excited about what He is doing.

This last weekend I went to IL to visit Katie and the fam. I left IN Friday evening arriving in IL at 11:10 PM IL time (that's 12:10 IN time!). We had a great time Saturday doing a little garage saling, shopping and hangin' with the fam. One of two highlights for me was spending time singing and praising the Lord at the house. The piano, yeah, I bit out of tune, but the time singing was great! :0) We then went to CPC to have a Youth outing at Katie's church...I had blast getting to help Katie! We were able to spend time together working through our Devotions for Couples book, and praying together that evening and then I left to come back to IN Sunday AM really early. I had to be back in time to lead worship at our 11AM service.

As I drove back, I snapped a few pics of the sunrise on my cell phone. (I'll post them on my facebook, so check that out for the pics.) Again this week, the Lord kept me safe driving there and back. He kept me alert, didn't let me get sleepy, and I was able to drive straight through in less than 4 hours from Katie's house to the church. :) I spent those hours mostly in prayer and listening/singing praise & worship. The Lord brought people to mind that I needed to pray for, and one of those was our senior pastor and his family. I found out after I had been praying that his daughter had been involved in a car accident Saturday night and he was dealing with that while at the same time working on preparing for service. Gary was struggling to get focus, I spoke with him and continued to pray.

Praise the Lord for that time of prayer and worship on the drive back. His majestic beauty was evident as I drove seeing the sunrise, and He brought people to me that I should pray for. It was great, and just a beginning to my day.

I'll stop my rambling, but only after saying this...I cannot wait to have Katie here, and not be so far away from each other...however again I say "In God's Time" it will happen. :)

Blessings!
Mark

New Life Swells Up! :)

2009-09-22T23:42:00.003-04:00

New life is breathing inside of me. The Lord has been vibrantly showing me direction for my life, and He has brought Katie into my life. We've been dating now since July and it has been the most amazing time! I am praising the Lord for her, her son Micah and our relationship...He is bringing us together in ways that neither one of us have ever been. :) The boys are getting along fine...some sibling rivalry, but they are doing well. Keith has taken to Katie and so has Ray! He has prayed multiple times in the last week that he get to see "daddy's Katie" and "her micah" sometime soon. I love that kid! :)

New life is breathing inside of me thanks be to the Lord! :) He has given me new direction, and zeal for Him. Thanks be to the Lord! :)

Katie is just 8 days older than me...and I turn 30 on Saturday! :) She's amazing! She loves the Lord and her family. She is willing to help, and support me and others in whatever way needed to serve the Lord. :) I love her very very very very much, and know that in God's timing we'll be together forever! :) Keep praying for us! Thanks!

Blessings!

Mark

Some old...some new... :)

2009-08-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

So I'm back at school....that's old.
I'm officially divorced...that's old.
I've got full custody of my beautiful boys...that's new no matter what! :)
I'm dating someone...that's kinda new. :) read more if you want to know more...
I'm using Twitter now...kinda new...

The boys are adjusting to the new schedule, and I'm working hard to give them a consistent schedule. It may not get followed at mommy's house, but that is only every other weekend and 4 hours a week.

I've reconnected with a very close friend from my ICC & IYC days (Indianapolis Childrens' Choir and Youth Chorale)...Katie is awesome! I praise the Lord for putting her in my life. I know that in God's timing things happen, and God is in control...We (Katie & I) are putting things in His hands...we know that if we are to get married God will make it happen...We're excited, in love, and Praising the Lord together for what He has done in our lives... Katie is a youth pastor in IL and has a wonderful little boy who is 5. Micah and I have hit it off, just like Katie and my boys have already hit it off. Praise the Lord for the things He has done! Please continue to pray for us. Thanks!

Blessings to you all!
Mark

Kids these days...

2009-05-12T16:36:00.003-04:00

First of all you should know that our school does not allow cell phones to be on during school time, which includes detention. Secondly, as I start detention each day I remind them to keep their cell phones off and put away. Third, (and you'll need this one last) students are to work on school related work and there is to be no sleeping during detention.

So I'm sitting in detention with students who didn't do what they were supposed to do at school and I have a student start texting while he is in detention. I wait, and observe him doing this for a while to be sure he really thinks he is getting away with it, I mean it was only 20-25 minutes into the detention of which he had a 2 hour detention.

So, when I go to take his phone, he of course denies he had it out, then when I take it he asks if he can have it back at the end of detention. I decided that I would contact our deans' office since they were still here. They tell me that if mom doesn't come get it that it stays here at school and they are waiting on mom to call them back. Mommy calls and says what any good mother should have "Keep the phone and I'll come by tomorrow sometime and get it!" :) YEAH MOM! It was his second offense having his cell phone taken this year, so he is looking at 1 day In-School Suspension and he'll loose the privilege of even bringing the phone to school.

THEN, when you think it all couldn't get better...I have a student tell me that he doesn't have anything else to do and he is going to sleep the remainder of the time, almost an hour of his 2 hour detention! I had already woke him up 1 time to warn him about sleeping. The second time I woke him he said go ahead and write his name down for sleeping.

Wow, I don't understand why kids think they can get away with these things. Is there no discipline at home or WHAT? I'm open for discussion on this one!

Tired...

2009-05-08T16:49:00.002-04:00

This week has been one that would wear out anyone, that's for sure. Between finally getting my boy back, going to court Tuesday, finding out we have no agreement on file and to have NO agreement filed that day(ARG!!), getting yelled at on the phone, and a WHOLE LOT MORE I've gotten tired this week. I got to finish out my week (Thurs & Fri) reading the state of Indiana's "End of Course Assessment for Biology I" 5-7 times both days! Let me just say, "Oh the Joys!". I'm kinda glad I could do that because it did keep me a little busy, but I really missed being in the classroom.

I have really enjoyed working with Kelli, and look forward to next year (and ending this year!). Thanks for being a great friend and a great boss. Happy Mother's Day all and Happy Birthday (a little early) to Aiden! :)

Blessings,
Mark

Wild Ride!

2009-04-17T15:34:00.002-04:00

Well, let's just say that since getting all lawyered up it's been interesting. We had our preliminary court case this week and until we have our final court hearing in July the agreement that my wife and I had for the kids will remain, and has been approved by the court as an official agreement. Praise the Lord that things have gone so well for the kids. They still see mom, and spend plenty of time with me too. :)

I am doing well, and continue to improve my eating/sleeping habits. :) It's been a ride that I would never wish on my worst enemy thus far, but there are days when things seem to be going uphill rather than down it spiralling out of control. Keep praying, I know I am. There have been several songs that the Lord has spoken to me through in the last few weeks. You can google them if you'd like, but I've tried to put some links here for you.

The first is by Matthew West called "The Motions". I heard this the very first Sunday after we split. God really spoke to me through the song saying hold tight and fast, don't go through the motions as you go through this, let My all consuming passion truly consume you and I will guide you through this. In the video that Matthew West released, and is linked here, you see at the beginning a bit of the story behind the song for Matthew West. He had a potentially career ending vocal surgery, but had to rely on God fully to bring him through the surgery. Can you see where this song would speak to me. Check it out and let me know what the Lord says to you.

The second song that I'll share today is by Unhindered called "Father Will You Come". I took the youth group to Acquire the Fire (ATF) in Indianapolis and Unhindered led worship with this song multiple times during the event. My youth fell in love with the words to this song and asked if we could do it the next day at church. So, being the overachiever I am sometimes (LOL!), I went home Saturday night after ATF and found it, printed it, and learned how to sing and play it at the same time first thing Sunday AM when I got to church. We just did the chorus and bridge that Sunday, but then the next Sunday we did the whole thing. Check it out...the Lord really has spoken to me through it as well, let me know what the Lord says to you through it.

Well perhaps you see that I'm not talking much about what is going on behind the scenes...that's because at this point in time I have, I think, let go and let God, and I'm doing much better...of course until the next time that I take it back from Him and try to handle it on my own. Each time I do that, the song "Father Will You Come" comes ringing through my ears...Thank you Lord for your all consuming passion and continued presence in everything in my life.

Blessings to you all and keep praying! :)
Mark

Lawyered up...

2009-04-06T21:50:00.002-04:00

So I'm officially lawyered up. I met with my lawyer and paid him his retainer fee on Friday after talking 2 times to him on the phone during the week. He gave me some very good advice and things were going okay until Sunday. Sunday afternoon I got a call from my wife. She wanted me to come up to the house right then and get my things and only then would I be allowed to have the boys back. I told her I didn't want the boys to see the fact that I was getting my things, but that is not what I wanted to do at all. Basically that is all I was given for options and then was told she would NOT be meeting me at the VP at 4:00 as was scheduled and agreed upon.

I ended up going to the house, with parents (mine and hers!) and getting some of my things and the boys. I talked with my lawyer today and well...I have the boys. Who knows what may happen between now and Tuesday (next week) when we have the hearing. Hey boss..I'm gonna have to take at least the AM off Tuesday, if not the whole day, not sure yet. Hearing is at 9:00AM, sorry, my lawyer WAS going to change the hearing date, but after this weekend, he has decided to try to have it that day so that it is handled sooner since my wife is no longer wanting to do things the civil way.

Keep praying!

Mark

Short Update

2009-03-27T14:42:00.002-04:00

Just a quick note... I am talking with my lawyer tomorrow morning. I was supposed to be served papers this week, but I think her lawyer didn't do what she said she would do, OR my wife was just blowing smoke to see what I would say/do. I haven't really done anything...I now have my own phone contract with Verizon so that it cannot be shut off again...was on Monday, ARG! I will be talking with my lawyer about filing first thing Monday if she hasn't filed yet so that my lawyer and I can pick the judge, so I've heard that is the case.

Going to dinner tonight with my boys, my folks and the wife's folks. They want to see us, and the kids. :) It will be wonderful, and I'm praying that dinner goes well with me being able to eat.

It's been an up and down week for appetite, but not too bad. Just keep praying that it goes well.

Thanks for the prayers!
Blessings,
Mark

Prayer for Tonight

2009-03-18T14:55:00.000-04:00

Pray tonight...we're going to go to dinner tonight as a 'family' just my wife, the boys and I for Keith's 1 year birthday that is today...pray that I'm able to eat and things go well tonight.

Ray told my mom last night that the reason that we are living at my parent's house is because "mommy wants to be with "W" not daddy and "W" wants to be with mommy". I don't know if Ray came up with this on his own or if this was something that mommy told him...my wife and I had talked about not telling Ray anything for a while...trying to keep him innocent...but hey who knows why he said what he said, but he certainly has it figured out now. My heart broke last night when my mom told me that...

Thanks for the prayers and support.
Blessings,
Mark

Update...

2009-03-17T15:39:00.003-04:00

So I've decided that since I never really told a lot of people about my blog I'm probably pretty safe on here. I have a stat counter that shows me where people are looking at the blog from, and at this point, no one has, outside of the Indy area and a few outside of the state are reading/checking on the blog (people I know who follow this blog). I think I'm safe for now, I'll need some help on the preferences thing K, to change it so that people cannot search and find me, but other than that, I think I'm safe.

I need an outlet and this will be a small part of my outlet. I'll be careful what I say because I know that it can be used against me in court since it is in writing....but here is where I'll share my thoughts...I accept thoughts back, just know that I will follow what I feel the Lord telling me to do, not necessarily what you tell me to do. I have to do what I feel in my heart/mind is right in the Lord's eyes for my life, and that may not always jell with what you think. I respect each one of you and your opinions and look forward to hearing your thoughts/opinions on different things I post.

Please continue to pray for me to do and say what I should when I should with my wife. I've done OK so far, and know that the Lord has been with me each time. I would love to say that we're going to get back together, but at this time, I'm not sure what will happen. I know the Lord does, and I'm just going to have let Him take this one...He knows what needs to happen. I'm praying that He prompt me in the directions I should go. I'm considering finding a good lawyer, and believe I have someone in mind, but if you know of someone let me know. I want to be sure my boys are safe and secure for the rest of their lives.

My appetite is starting to get better, I think! :) Today I ate a Tenderloin, all but 1 SMALL bite, and didn't feel sick!! I'm doing better during the day with my moods, at least I think I am, and nights are getting better. I am starting to sleep a little better. The Lord is showing me more and more that this anxiety is stuff that I need to "let go and let God" on! I'm working on it, but it's a lot easier said than done.

Thanks for the prayers and support! I know that this has been a REALLY long blog...thanks for reading it all. :)

Blessings,
Mark

Name change...

2009-03-10T14:53:00.001-04:00

You might notice I changed the title to the page...I am not sure if it will help, but I wanted to change it so that perhaps others who I don't want to find this will not find it. Any ideas on good tracking system to see who is reading this?

Thanks,
Mark

OK....

2009-03-10T14:45:00.001-04:00

So the last 2 days have been some of the worst 2 days since my wife and I split. I hate seeing my 4 year old get upset because he is going to see mommy...he doesn't want to go, and yet I tell him "you're gonna have lots of fun with mommy! You get to see mommy and spend the night at the house." He says "but daddy, I want to stay here with you and mema and papaw." It just breaks my heart. I reassure him that we'll be here when he gets back and he will have fun with mommy, but he still resists for a while. He gets in the truck with mommy and turns on his brave face, I see it, I'm not sure that my wife does, but I do. Pray for him, and also please pray for my appetite to return...I know that the Lord is with me on this. In HIS timing...not mine.

Thanks,
Mark

Prayer...

2009-03-02T22:24:00.001-05:00

So my last post was about a roller coaster...well I think it is about to fall off the tracks and there is nothing I can do to save it but pray....so please pray with me.

Thanks,

Mark

Roller Coaster

2009-02-19T11:19:00.003-05:00

I hate roller coasters. I hate not having control, which is why I hate them. I also don't think it is natural to have your feet go over your head and your body flying through the air like that, but still I've riden a few just to see what they're all about.

I liken my wife and I's relationship to a roller coaster in a slightly different way though...more of a peak/valley kind of way. Right now, I feel like I'm on this roller coaster and I'm upside down in the valley of the roller coaster. I know that the Lord is with me, and that He will see us through this, but at the same time I'm in panic city because I don't like being upside down and that close to the ground and not in control. Right now, control is in my wife's and God's hands. My wife's because she can choose to love me and forgive me for not being there when I should have been, or not. God's because I've given it over to him, I keep trying to take it back, but I'm trying to keep it in His hands because I know that in His hands it is the safest.

I love my wife with all my heart, and I don't want to loose her. I know that we will make it through because we have God on our side. I am praying that the Lord continue to mold me into being a Godly husband. Please continue to pray. Thanks.

Mark

Alrighty then...

2009-02-18T10:51:00.003-05:00

So I posted yesterday about a personal matter. Today I post to say, I'm succeeding in my endeavor to lessen my work load at church. Last night I went online and downloaded/installed ProPresenter. This program ROCKS! It is going to make my life MUCH easier in the end, and I am looking forward to showing one of my SLT members how to use it, so that she can prepare and run it for worship. :)

I have also decided that the SLT (Student Leadership Team) will be taking on the task of deciding what needs to be talked about each month at their meetings. I will give them SOME materials to talk about, but they will come up with the rest. They will run the meeting, I'm going to try to take a back seat and just be an advisor.

Please continue to pray, but know that the Lord is with us, and continues to show his love and mercy to us daily. Thanks!

Blessings,
Mark

Back in the Saddle again...

2009-02-17T10:05:00.003-05:00

Praise the Lord for the good things He has done. And Praise the Lord for having my boss back! :) I know her return has been bitter sweet for her since she has to leave her BEAUTIFUL little boy at home, but I know I am glad she is back. My stress level has reduced. :)

On a VERY Personal note, please pray for me and my family. I have allowed my work at school and church to take control over my life far too often and I need to work to not work at home so often. No we are not that bad off, but this is a warning sign for all involved in ministry, including myself. Remember what the Lord has given you, and take care of your wife and family 1st. He will take care of the rest (others) and you will have time to do that when it is in HIS time. I have been taking care of my family, but not speaking the correct Love Language for a while. I need to be sure that I re-learn to speak the Love Languange of my wife, I knew it once and I know it still. I just need to be sure to speak it out loud and take time to do so. I have taken for granted too long that she will be there and I need to be sure to protect our relationship from further damage and repair what has been damaged from past hurts. Time will heal our relationship, and I know that the Lord will be there with us helping each of us heal.

Thank you for your prayers.
Blessings,
Mark

Yippee! - Warning Ranting a bit...

2009-01-27T11:35:00.003-05:00

Well, kinda. I took a day off yesterday to get some extra rest. I did not go to bed until almost 4AM, so I decided to take the day off. I got up around 9 and actually left the house! It felt really good to get some things done even if I was still VERY sleep deprived.

I get back to school today and things had kinda fallen apart with a couple students while I was out. I enjoyed the day yesterday, but wished all the while that I was at school because I was worried of something just like this happening. One student went awall and another decided that they were not going to go to class "just because". Co-workers and I try to handle it today, but I still felt a bit wrong... ARG! I'm glad I'm back today. I'll stop ranting now...Sure can't wait until my boss gets back! LOL! :)

Have a great evening!
Blessings,
Mark

Students...

2009-01-12T09:47:00.003-05:00

So I had a student, we'll just call her sparks-a-little ask me a VERY odd question today. She wondered if the men's room had the same "sanitary napkin" trash can next to the toilet in each of the stalls. It was an honest question, but I guess I just thought that it was a question that really didn't need ANY answer. I asked her for what she thought guys would use them and her response, "I don't know, I just thought maybe you guys would throw trash away from your pockets while your sitting down or something. I do that even when I don't need to use them for the 'normal' reasons." LOL! She starting laughing, I laughed, I cried... then she asked what was in place of the sanitary napkin dispenser in the boy's bathroom...

WOW, what a conversation. I kinda wish I was not around for it! sparks-a-little is great for comedy when you need it! :)

Puppies!!

2008-09-29T21:25:00.003-04:00

The puppies are here!! Grace, our pure-bred boxer had puppies on Thursday, and we are all excited to see them! :) We had 4 males and 1 female. They will be ready to be weaned sometime close to Thanksgiving! :) If you are interested let us know. We will be selling them for $200 for the males and $250 for the female. They are absolutely beautiful puppies, that's for sure!

Check out the pics at this link for all the pics. I've included a few pics here. :)

Pictures! :)

2008-08-20T10:33:00.004-04:00

Well I told you I would post pictures, and it may have taken me some time, but here they are. This week is going pretty good. :) Blessings! -Mark

Keith sitting up on our bed!!
Doesn't he look peaceful! :)

Ray can be pretty sweet. :)

Ray and mommy :)

Don't mess with me and my brother, or I'll take you out! :)

You can view more pictures at http://gallery.me.com/dalevillechristian and click on the "Landis Family Jun and July" album. :)

Back at school...

2008-08-12T11:26:00.000-04:00

I don't know how much I'll have time to blog, but I want to at least try to do it! :) I enjoy getting out some of my thoughts, and getting to brag on my kids. Ray and Keith are awesome! :)

Keith is now 4 1/2 months old and now weighs in at 8 pounds 8 oz. He is 27 inches long!! He is officially a big baby! :)

I must run now, but I will try to get new pics up. You can also check out the gallery page for more pics.

http://gallery.me.com/dalevillechristian

Blessings!

PICS! :)

2008-07-15T02:24:00.003-04:00

Wow is Keith getting big or what! He is about 20 pounds already if not more (we have difficulty getting him to stand on the scales!) LOL! J/K! We stand on the scale, weigh ourselves, then weigh ourselves with him in our arms...and we get about 20-22 pounds. Not sure how accurate, but it must be close. (Not that what we weigh is correct when I see the weight by myself!LOL!)

Here is him sleeping in his car seat at church.

Here is Ray with one of the youth group kids.

More pics soon hopefully. Mommy has been really busy, and so has daddy.

We've been staying with my parents to help out since my dad's surgery last Wednesday. He had his ankle fixed AGAIN, but this time by a new doctor that actually did it right this time! The last doctor messed it up and didn't fix everything that he should have fixed. So, we're busy taking care of our 2 kids, the 3 dogs, plus helping out my parents with chores that my dad normally would be doing, ie mowing the lawn and taking out the trash! LOL! :) It is a blessing to be able to help though.

Well, I'm going back to bed, couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd blog! LOL! Hopefully I can get to sleep now.

Blessings!

Mark

I know...

2008-07-03T13:33:00.002-04:00

it has been a long time since I posted. So, in just a few sentences I'll share what has happened since I last posted, and I will get some pics up here soon.

1. June 14th I broke my left foot riding on the Tour de Cure bike ride. In a cam walker until it is healed..hopefully soon! It makes it really hard to do a lot of things! :(

2. Church pulled me on full time and that is going great! We've had kids at the youth center every day we've had it open!! Praise the Lord!

3. Keith is getting huge, and stands up to the bottom of Ray's sternum already!! He is so tall!

4. Really busy at the church, but loving it.

I'll write more later, but I've got kids in the youth center already! :) Praise the Lord!

Blessings,

Mark

Almost...

2008-06-04T12:32:00.000-04:00

Well we're almost done with school for the year. Just 2 more days and we're outa here for the summer. I love my job here at school, don't get me wrong, I do, but I'm ready to be out for a while. Enough running around like a chicken with the head cut off. :)

As we come to a close on the school year I am reminded of some special people who I work with that I will not see again for a while. Kelli and Amy, whom I work with are awesome, and I appreciate their friendship greatly. Also Kelly is a great friend, and I will miss you over the summer too. Thanks to all of you for being there when I needed someone. :) Hopefully we can get together over the summer, but perhaps we all will be plenty busy this summer and if that is the case, see you next year.

2 more days!!
Praise the Lord!

PS I'm preaching tonight at church, so feel free to say a prayer that I make it there safely and it goes well. I have a detention until just before 6 and then the service is at 6:30. With a 25 minute drive I should make it in just enough time. :) Thanks!

Blessings,
Mark

Praise the Lord!!

2008-06-02T10:25:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I didn't get this written up until now, but it still is exciting news!! Starting June 1st (YESTERDAY!) I am full time at the church!! I will continue to be full time until August 9th when I will revert back to part-time status. This will allow me to focus fully on the youth this summer, and pour my heart into the ministry. I'm praying that the Lord leads in the direction needed to make this summer a productive summer. I would love to have some grants that I could write that would help the church open the youth center full time AND perhaps pay me so that I can continue full time next year. :) Would you join with me in prayer for that? Thanks!

Keith, Ray and Tina are all doing fine. I'll have some new pics up soon, I promise. This is the last week of school, so I look forward to finishing up the finals week and starting up the church full time. :)

Blessings!
Mark

Busy in pictures...

2008-05-11T23:12:00.003-04:00

Tina has been busy with pictures, and just in the last few days has taken 40+ pictures of the boys. I've uploaded just a few here, but as always you can go to our web gallery to see more. :) They are probably on the last page or so of the gallery, I'll set up a new gallery soon, I promise!

Smile for the camera!

I'm trying to go to sleep, but you keep taking pictures!

Another great smile for the camera!

Big Brother is still VERY helpful! :)

One last parting smile for the night!

Pictures...

2008-04-28T13:51:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I didn't have it done before the beginning of the day today, and I deserve to be yelled at, but I'm getting it done now. I had the pictures downloaded to the computer, just not uploaded to here.

So cute cuddling with daddy! :)

A little spit up, but that never hurt anybody!Here I GO! Holding my head up high! :)

TGIF!

2008-04-25T15:35:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I'm planning to post more pictures soon, but just had to say TGIF!!

The Lord has been at work in my life this week, and I've been relying on Him more and more to get me through the days. First thing in the morning and before going to bed, I've been diving deeper into the Word and spending time in prayer. It's amazing how God gives you the strength you need to make it through the day, even when you don't get enough sleep, when you spend time with Him more. Praise the Lord! :)

School is going well, I really enjoy my job, and love the people I work with. Today we said goodbye to one of our great IA's Gretchen. Gretchen found herself a new job and is moving on. She has been an IA for a long time, and she will be missed greatly! She has a heart of gold and will help anyone who needs it. Thanks for always being a great listener and making people smile Gretchen! :)

Please pray for Kelly B. from the school. She had a bought last night with her heart and blood pressures being extremely high. No word yet on how she is doing today, but hopefully she's doing much better, and has sought medical treatment.

I'll update the blog tonight or tomorrow and put more pictures on, I promise! And if I don't, you can all yell at me Monday! :)

May the Lord continue to bless you all!
Mark

Fun times we have...

2008-04-22T10:19:00.003-04:00

Sometimes in life I just have to laugh and have fun because if I don't I'll cry. The last few days have been full of those times but you just have to make the best of it.

I must say that my wife and I have been reconnecting since the birth of Keith, and are enjoying this time of reconnection. I've decided that until I'm full time at the church, I don't need to be putting in full time hours. I'm cutting back on the amount of time I spend checking e-mail and responding/writing e-mails. I'm trying to cut back so that I can have more time with my family.

I've come to terms with myself, and I believe that God has granted me peace with backing away from some of the extras I was doing at the church. I'm not letting them go completely, just not letting them consume me. I love my work at the church, and don't want to let anything go! :) My immediate goal now is to dive into the Word more often and pray more fervently for God to move in our lives.

Last weekend Tina and I spent most of Saturday just deep cleaning the living room and some of the kitchen. This weekend it's on to the kitchen table, the rest of the kitchen and the den/dog's room. Hopefully in the next 3 weeks we can have the house ready for the market and try to sell it. If you know of anyone looking for a 3 bedroom 1 bath ranch home on 3/4 of an acre in the country, overlooking beautiful Lake Placid Christian Campground and Lake, let us know! :)

May God continue to Bless each and every one of you. I'm so glad that you're all in our lives! :)

Blessings!
Mark

WOOHOO!

2008-04-14T22:46:00.002-04:00

While I truly enjoy the people I work with, going back to work today was not something I wanted to do. We had just finished up a week off for Spring Break, and I really enjoyed spending the day with the family. Tina, Ray, Keith and I would relax around the house, get some things done, visit the grandparents and just plain enjoy each other. :) Now we're back to the grind stone, and on the 28th we've got "midterms" for the final 9 weeks. What's funny is that from today we have 8 weeks left!! I guess, sometimes a 9 week grading period can actually be 12? I don't know how that happens, but it happened this year at HSE. WOW!

Check out Eddie and Martha Marie's page for the most up to date information, but please be praying for them. They have 2 children at home and Martha Marie has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. They find out Wednesday if it will be operable. Please be praying. Thanks!!

I'll post more pictures soon.

Blessings,

Mark

Friday Venting...

2008-03-28T15:45:00.003-04:00

So today I'm writing one of my venting blogs combined with an update....

First the update. Keith has gained back all of the weight he lost before coming home from the hospital. He had gone from 9 pounds to 8lbs 3 oz in the 3 days following birth. This is common, so the doctors weren't worried about it. Mommy's milk came in stronger and from Thursday when they released us to Monday when he went for a well baby check, he had gained all 13 ozs back!! Praise the Lord for a healthy baby who really likes to eat! Sorry mommy. :) Ray and Keith are still best friends, with Ray wanting to hold Keith every chance he can.

When Keith has his eyes open (is awake) Ray tells us, "his eyes are open dad!". He is so excited when he gets to see Keith's eyes! :) He is so cute.

On to the vent...
My brother-in-law (Tim) has 2 kids who live with his ex according to the divorce settlement. The kids are awesome kids and home life is not bad, but definitely not the greatest in the world. Long story short is this...we try to get the kids at least 1 time a month since Tim lives in SC and his ex lives in OH. This gives the kids a chance to be around our family and have a father figure still in their lives. My in-laws go get the kids and many times come up to our house to spend the weekend.

Well..This week is spring break for the kids (NOT FOR ME!), so Tina and I thought that we would have them come up on Thursday and stay until Sunday so that they got to see Keith, and spend more time with us. So the kids showed up yesterday afternoon as planned. Last night the 3 of them (Ray and Tim's 2 kids) were playing up a storm having fun. Part of the time they were going too far with their play getting FAR too loud, but kids will be kids, RIGHT?! They were not listening very well after dinner, and Ray had not eaten hardly anything.

My spring break is not until a week from now, so how am I supposed to get sleep and calm down for the night when they are yelling, screaming and playing really loud? I guess I didn't think ahead enough when I invited them to come up for the weekend. I guess I was just trying to be a nice uncle and let them have some fun, but I wasn't thinking that their fun would make me a grouch because I cannot get relaxed to go to sleep. I really hope tonight it not anything like last night.

Well, I best go, I have 37 kids in a Friday Afterschool 3 hour Detention I'm watching over right now. A little bit big of a group if I do say so my self, for 1 person to watch. Just 2 more hours to go!! ARG!

Blessings!

Home and sleepless...

2008-03-24T18:28:00.002-04:00

We are all at home, and enjoying having our new bundle of joy at home. The one thing that is difficult to get used to is that lack of sleep that is happening. :) Keith is not really sleeping through the night at all, of course we know that it is normal, but he has not allowed for more than 2 hours at a stretch to sleep. He is sleeping well during the day, but not so much at night.

We're praying that he starts sleeping more at night when mommy is off of the pain killers that are helping her get through the day and he is able to not having any in his system. :)

Ray is still in love with his baby brother Keith. :) He wants to hold his brother all the time, and enjoys getting to touch Keith's face and hands. He really wants to hold his brother when we get ready to leave the house. He says "can I hold him when we get in the van". We of course then just say, "Keith has to sit in his car seat and

you have to sit in your car seat, sorry buddy."

An update on Dad...

He is doing really well. He is putting more weight on his ankle each day. We keep praying that he doesn't put too much weight on it. Please keep him in prayer as he continues to heal. Thanks!!

Blessings,

Mark

Home at last!

2008-03-20T23:20:00.004-04:00

We made it home today (Thursday) a day earlier than what they told us originally. I hadn't planned on us coming home, so I was in Muncie without the correct vehicle to bring us all home, AND having left the car seat at home. SO, I had to make a quick trip back to the house to pick up the van and car seat. I wanted to make it as comfortable for Tina to get in and out of as I could, since I didn't know how well she would do to get DOWN into the car. :)

Tina is doing really well, and Ray is REALLY enjoying his baby brother Keith. :) Ray held Keith for a while tonight, so I've placed a picture on here of that wonderful event. :)

I need to learn how to get the pictures to go where I want, but I'll get that figured out some day. I just wish that they would upload and go into the place that I tell them to without any problems. :)

We're headed for bed, so hopefully we can get some rest tonight. Don't forget we have all the photos we've taken so far on our web gallery. You can check it out anytime and download from there. :) Enjoy!

Blessings,

Mark

He's Here!!

2008-03-18T18:30:00.005-04:00

James Keith Landis

Born 3/18/08

1:11PM

9 lbs even

I'm working on photos, but it doesn't seem to want to do what I want it to. I'll post a link to the photos on here soon. :)

Mom and baby are doing fine. :)

Here is a link to our web gallery of pictures. Enjoy!! :)

OKAY!!

2008-03-13T21:43:00.002-04:00

This is going to be really short...I am trying to make tons of calls right now too.

Tina's ultra sound went well tonight...baby is about 10 lbs 9 oz!! SO, we are planning a c-section for next week, but I don't know yet what day. Most likely Tuesday or Wednesday.

More later...

Thanks for your prayers.

This is it!

2008-03-13T14:22:00.002-04:00

So we were supposed to have information to share with you all early today as to how the baby is doing. BUT, due to scheduling problems that the doctor's office had, we were unable to have the ultrasound this morning. The doctor's office had us scheduled for NEXT Thursday!! Wow, if that isn't an oversight I don't know what one would look like. She measured 42 1/2 weeks MONDAY, waiting until NEXT Thursday what would she measure then!!! The doctor said it still has to happen this week, and worked to find a time that it could occur today.

So, I'll hopefully be able to post something tonight as to how the baby is doing and what will happen next. We have a new appointment at 6:15pm today for the ultrasound. I am hopeful that we will be able to get a new CD with pictures and video too! :)

Update more later!
Mark

still a bit ARG!

2008-03-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

Well, I just need to be okay with waiting until who knows when. Tina's appointment went really well today, but she has not dropped at all, and she is still measuring at 1cm dilated. She did however measure further ahead than she has ever!! She has measured 1 week ahead every week prior to now. This week, she measured 42 1/2 weeks, but her actual number of weeks is 38. SO, we have an appointment on Thursday AM to have another ultrasound done to make sure the size of the baby is going to be something Tina can have naturally.

WOW what a day, but I know that the Lord is in it all. :) I'll update more as we progress.

Talk to you soon!

Mark

ARG!

2008-03-10T10:07:00.003-04:00

First an update on Dad. He is doing really well and starting to put weight on his foot to balance. He is using the crutches more and therefore continuing to improve both in the ankle and back. Keep praying for his continued recovery.

Tina is doing well. She has experienced contractions every hour to 1 1/2 hours most of the weekend, but not consistent enough to go to the hospital. She goes to the doctor for her weekly check tonight at 4:15, so hopefully we'll have some news soon to share.

Personally, and I know Tina thinks the same, we're ready for the baby to come. The anticipation is really starting to get heavy, and we're praying that it happens sooner rather than later. WE would like for the baby to come tonight, but WE are not in control, the Lord is! So keep praying, it's going to happen. We're just really really ready for this baby to come and turn our world upside down! :) LOL!

Blessings!

Update on Dad...

2008-03-06T19:53:00.002-05:00

Dad's appointment went really well today. He is okay to put some weight on the foot for balancing purposes only. He has 7 pins and a plate in his ankle now, and the doctor was very happy to see how they all looked on the X-ray. Praise the Lord for the quick recovery so far. Continue to pray for his recovery, as it is thanks to the prayers that he is doing so well.

Tina's doing well today. She is continuing to progress, at least I think she is...she says her belly is getting REALLY hard every time she stands up or walks anywhere.

Later,

Mark

Getting into this...

2008-03-05T22:05:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I am just beginning to do this blogging world thing. I know that if I'm not careful I'll get really addicted to it, so I'm going to try not to do more than one a day. :) Here is today's updates and some thoughts I have running.

Tina- Still progressing. She has not had any more labor pains since Sunday evening's 1 labor pain. She has however continued to have a "tight" belly from time to time, so she believes it could just be a little light labor pain. We're continuing to pray for the baby to come and be healthy. We know that no matter what, that is the ultimate goal, a happy healthy baby. The room is ready for the baby to come home, and we have the laundry done to clothe it too! :)

Dad- goes to see the doctor today at 2:15. I'll post more when I know more. He is however continuing to do well with his wheel chair to get around the house and working more with the crutches to work his upper body strengthening too. He needs to continue to work his upper body so that his back will not hurt. Please continue to pray for healing as his ankle gets better. He also needs prayer for his back as he was not completely healed from the surgery he had just about a year ago.

Now to my ramblings...
Why is it that good people so often get taken advantage of? I've noticed in my few years on earth that when someone is nice to others many times they have taken advantage of that person. I've had it happen to me, and it makes you want to not help as often. The thing is that I know that I've been called to help, so I just have to lean on the Lord to give me strength and courage to help even when I've been burned before by the same person.

I love to help others, I really do. I look forward to helping my youth group kids learn more about who the Lord wants them to be. I look forward to helping them with school work and helping them to better themselves at school. Although it is not glamourous at all, it is the work of the Lord that I'm doing, and that is why I do it. To further HIS Kingdom, and for the wellbeing of the kids that I work with.

I guess the point of this rambling is this...help others even if they may have burned you once before, keep helping them and showing them God's Love, Grace, Forgiveness and Mercy! :) Keep on doing God's work! :)

God is good, All the time! All the time, God is Good!

Thanks for your prayers!
Blessings!
Mark

First try

2008-03-05T11:19:00.001-05:00

This is going to be many different things eventually, but for now it will be a space you can go to get updates on Tina and how she is progressing, as well as for my dad since his fall.

So far Tina is doing really well. At her doc appointment on 3/3 doc said that she could go at any time. So, we'll see!! I'm going home each night to make sure I'm not away if and when she goes into labor.

Dad...many of you may know this, but he fell last Monday 2/25 and broke his ankle. He had surgery on Wed 2/27 to have a plate put in to stabilize his ankle. This week he is doing okay. He is getting up and moving around some with crutches and a wheelchair that we are borrowing so that he can move around with ease.

Check back soon, for more! :) This is just a start!