Happy days...

Happy days...

Autumn has arrived! However, it is still "summer-like" here in Reno. In fact, we are making temperature record highs for the past couple days! Whew! The nights are cool...here in the high desert, the temps can fall easily 40-50 degrees from days to nights. It should cool down to the 70's and 80's by the weekend...a little more normal. :) I so badly want to make some hot, homemade soup to savor...but the weather just doesn't fit that bill right now. :)

Busy, busy, busy! We welcomed our fourth daughter into the family on the 16th and life has been a little sweeter. :) Summer is our sweetheart and we love her! Addie has practically tried to take over being her mommy. LOL! She even likes to change diapers. Yay for me! I thought my life was busy before...well, it is even more busy...if that was even possible! LOL! If I could make two of myself, it would help tremendously! :)

Keeping up with home schooling...preparing for my mom's visit next week...church duties and services...hosting church family and friends at our home. It is all a whirlwind of life...a wonderful whirlwind!

I hope to post more often...have a great night!

Summer Lyn Tastet

Today our baby girl is one week old! :) I feel so blessed every time I look at her. I want to savor every little minute of this time...every moment is truly precious!

I love you, Summer Lyn!

*These photos were taken by our talented friend, Shannon Traynor. :)*

Life...

A new week...

Monday started as a regular Monday...I had things planned out...school, doctor appt. for Summer, Wal-Mart then home for a relaxing evening. Until my husband left for work and only made it partly down the road because of truck problems. :) I ended up having to drive him into work then come into town later for Summer's appt. and to drive him to his next job. I didn't make the errands I had needed to run...but that was OK. I enjoyed the extra little time driving in the car and talking...sometimes we are so busy that life just flies by us. So take that extra time when things seem to be going wrong...and flip it! :) Instead of doing those errands, we just took a short trip to the thrift store. We had fun doing a little browsing...I found the cutest dress for Addie for church...and a GAP jean skirt for me - priced at $7.99 on sale that day only for $.99! Yay! I think God needed a little boost for my spirits. :) Isn't He good like that?

My husband also did a few sweet things that day...one time he called just to say "I love you". He told me he doesn't tell me that enough...I love that man! :) He also thought about me and asked his boss (he works at a medical supply delivery company) if he would allow me to use a breast pump from their company for free and he said yes! I thought that was so sweet of my husband to think of the needs of his wife...I never even knew they delivered those products from their company. He thought of me and took it upon himself to take care of it for me.

Today, he has the day off. One of our church members is helping him fix his truck-PTL for helpful mechanics! :) Eric took him out for lunch and then we hope to go celebrate our daughter, Autumn's 5th birthday tonight as a family. She will turn 5 yrs. old on Friday.

I hope you are having a blessed and happy week!

Update from Sunday...

Sunday was a very busy day. :) My sweet husband tried so very hard to find a replacement for a piano player for our church...even posted an ad on Craig's List and calling our local college...but had no luck. He really wanted me to stay home and rest...I was grateful for his consideration. :) So we all headed to church together with our newest church member. :) I told him we can now coin the saying for our family..."Our four...no more! :)" We had a good day in our services with three visitors. I did miss my husband's message because I had to leave to feed Summer...so I was a little discouraged about that. I really enjoy hearing my husband preach every week!

After church, we had many friends and neighbors stop by to say hello and congratulations. Shannon (church member) brought over our Sunday dinner - a roast, mashed potatoes and brownies. She also stayed and took pictures of Summer - she has her own side photography business. Terri-Ann (friend of family) and her daughters stopped to visit. She brought a homemade mac and cheese casserole for our Monday dinner. Jake (church member) stopped by and looked at Eric's truck - he has been having trouble with it lately. Trish (neighbor) stopped by and brought some clothes for the girls that she had bought as well as some peanut butter cookies. The Wiltermoods (neighbors) stopped by and brought a baby gift and card as well as some homemade banana bread. Dad Tastet stopped and brought a small dish of food.

So many people have spoiled us in this time with a new baby and we feel so blessed to have so many friends that love us!

Life Is Sweet...

It is good to be back home...back to a normal routine. :) I am a home body and love to keep things the same so even a few days out of sync...I am ready for everyday life again.

Friday afternoon, we were released from the hospital. We picked up the girls on the way home (thank you to the Traynor family for taking care of them Thursday night :). Eric had to go in to work for a short evening shift. I got the girls their baths and ready for bed early and we all had an early bedtime. :) Well, I tried anyway. As soon as I turned out the light, Summer woke up to eat. LOL! Even with a newborn, I enjoyed getting more rest than I was able to in the hospital.

Today, my husband is back to work. The girls are finishing their school day and the two youngest are napping. :) I was able to get some housework done this morning...and we have a sweet church couple dropping off dinner for our family this afternoon. Isn't that a blessing? It is to me at this time! :)

Summer is a wonderful, sweet baby and we are so proud to have her as our new little addition! The girls love her and want to help with everything!

That is our Saturday update. What a sweet and blessed life God gives!!

Our new arrival!

The Tastet family is pleased to announce the arrival of our fourth daughter...Summer Lyn Tastet! She was born at 10:50am this morning...on September 16, 2010. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 1/2 oz. and was 19 3/4 in. long. She has dark brown hair, dark eyes and the Tastet nose. :) She is adorable and we are so happy to have her finally join our family!

"It Fell On A Day"

"It fell on a day..."

These words are from a passage from II Kings chapter 4. My husband preached a sermon on this subject with the above title a few weeks ago. I wanted to pass the thought along to you.

We have heard it say how someone's life was changed in just one day. How true that statement is!

I think of the day my neighbor was saved...her life was truly changed in just one day! In fact, it was eternally changed! PTL!

I think of the day that I headed off to Bible college...I truly believe that day changed my life. It pointed my life in the right direction and helped guide me on the path of righteousness and serving Jesus that I had already chosen to take as a young person.

I think of the day that I married my husband! What a wonderful day and I hope to always be excited and even more in love than I was on that day!

I think of the day soon...I do not know the exact date yet...but that we will have our fourth daughter born! My due date is just 8 days away and often I find myself thinking...how my life will once again change in just one day! Just like it has changed three times with our three daughters already...it will yet change once again and I am pleased to announce this day soon! :)

I can not tell you what day may be coming in your life that will change your life. It may be good or it may be sad. It may be a blessing or perhaps feeling like a curse.

Always remember that God is control of your each and every day! Give each day to Him and you will never need to fear what a day may bring forth in your life!

"It fell on a day..."

Overreact? Definitely!

By the sound of this title...you are probably confused! LOL! Usually you are told...do NOT overreact! And that is usually true.

When your husband spends more money that you thought he should...do not overreact!

When your kids decide to throw all their toys outside of their bedroom window...do not overreact! (This really happened to my sister! :)

When your dog decides to chew up the TV remote...again...do not overreact!

When your husband shows up home late without calling...do not overreact!

Get the picture? :) I know you are thinking of your own illustrations as you read...

Now, when do you overreact?

I have heard my husband give this illustration from our marriage. :) This past summer, I decided to repaint the living/dining room. I worked very hard and was very proud of the job that I had accomplished. When my husband came home, he didn't compliment...he merely pointed out that the baseboards now needed done...a spot that I had missed...the ceiling beams that needed touched. I won't lie. It hurt. I just wanted the hard work that I had done to be noticed...and appreciated. I use this illustration not to bash my husband because he will tell you the same illustration. :) He will tell you that he learned something that day. There are some times...people just need you to overreact!

When do you overreact?

...when your child does their best on their school work!

...when your husband preaches or teaches a great lesson/sermon at church!

...when your lady friend sings a heartfelt special at church!

...when your neighbor brings you homemade cookies or something from their garden!

...when someone gets saved at your church!

...when your husband does something around the house to please you!

...when your child gives you a homemade gift or card!

Let us all learn to overreact! You may not have a personality that is outgoing or bubbly. You may be a shy...quiet...and perhaps just a laid-back person. It may not be "you" to overreact to a gift or a story or to a person. Please realize though...that your spouse, your child (even adult children!), your parent, your sibling, your church member, etc. need you to overreact!

What will this show to the other person? That you TRULY care. You may say..."they know how I feel. I don't have to say it. I don't have to exclaim over it." Yes, you do! People can not read your mind.

It is time that we step out of ourselves to make others feel special. They need it!

What can you overreact to today? Who can you overreact to today?

Sunday's Latest Update...

Sunday Update...

Just a short update for this Sunday! We had 42 in attendance this Sunday with four new adult visitors this week! As I always say...God continues to amaze us every week!

My husband preached another amazing sermon...this was from the life of Paul...the story from Acts 27. "And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land." His ending thought to the sermon was this...

The problems and circumstances that brought the tragedy in this story...the storm that actually broke up the ship...gave them the means by which they were saved...the broken pieces of the ship!

I just loved this thought and enjoyed the sermon so much!

After the service, Bro. and Mrs. Traynor had a Teen Fellowship at McDonald's with 9 teens present. My husband and I are also hosting our next teen activity this Tuesday at our home. We will be having a bonfire in our backyard...roasting hot dogs and making s'mores...along with side salads made by our church ladies, chips and cold drinks. We are then having an "Old School Nintendo Tournament" with the teens.

Lastly, I last posted about being able to lead my neighbor, Trish, to the Lord on Thursday evening at our home. On Saturday evening, my husband was able to lead her husband, Tom, to the Lord at our home! On Sunday, their son, Nathan, and their friend's daughter, Ronnie, who are both 11 yrs. old and in the 6th grade were saved! Amazing! Praise the Lord!

Free Gift! Click to Accept! :)

"I was in church every Sunday morning and night, Wednesday night and for every function my entire childhood and into my early adult life. I have always known the Lord and known He was my Saviour. I understood that He died on the cross for my sins, and that He rose from the dead, and that He was the key to my salvation.

But I was struggling with everything, every aspect of life it seemed, like I just wasn't getting it. I was missing something. No matter how hard I tried or prayed. I wasn't getting it and I was missing the biggest thing!

I learned last night (at almost 31 years old) that salvation is a gift from God. Just because I believed it, and I knew it was for me, until I took or accepted it from Him, He still possessed it, I didn't have it. (You have to actually accept a gift to have it, not just know about it or believe it is there. :)

Thank you again, Rebekah and thank you, Lord for putting the Tastets in my life, for hope and for my eternity, Amen."

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On Thursday, Sept. 9, I had the privilege of leading my neighbor, Trisha Enk, to the Lord! Their family has attended our church since the beginning date of June 20 of this year.

Like many people out there, Trish has had many things in her past that have weighed her down. She feels many feelings of guilt and couldn't seem to get victory over any of it. She wanted to work on her marriage, her walk with the Lord and being a mom. She just wasn't having any success.

Trish asked if she could come talk to me and we set aside a time in the evening after the kids were in bed. She expressed all her feelings...cried...and spilled her hurt.

Through God's help I knew that we needed to get her salvation settled. The words above are actually what she had wrote on her Facebook page after that night.

She was a good person...who just needed to realize that Heaven is a free gift...but you do not only have to believe it...you have to ACCEPT it!

When I explained this, the light bulb went on as they say! She knew that is exactly what she needed and I helped her pray and receive her own personal gift of Heaven!

What a glorious and wonderful thing! Salvation! Heaven!

There is no greater joy in this earthly life than to be a part of God's family...and then to share it with a friend.

"A Beautiful Masterpiece"

"All of life is a journey, a pilgrimage from the heart from the things of this world to the heart of God himself.

God tells a unique story through each journey.

He is the Master Artist, painting a masterpiece with color and texture on the canvas of our lives, bringing glory to Him for the world to see.

When the canvas allows the Master Artist to paint the picture using His oils, His tools and His genius, He creates something amazing and wonderful that has never been seen before.

He puts that masterpiece on display in galleries of His own choice to influence others so they will allow Him to work on the canvas of their lives as well."

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Wow! What an amazing message! One of my Facebook friends invited me to a 30 day online Bible study and this excerpt was in the introduction.

Many times, we have circumstances in our lives that we would not have chosen if we were in charge. Financial difficulties, relationship difficulties, perhaps health difficulties...no, if we had our way, we would not have chosen that design on the canvas of our lives.

However, just like a parent knows better than their child, and makes the decisions for them...God knows better than we do for our life.

Have you ever seen a very talented painter, perhaps on TV, start from a blank canvas and just start making paint strokes here and there. I remember that man on PBS who I believe has passed away who painted the beautiful scenery pictures. His talent was truly amazing! All those dark strokes and lines...would suddenly become a beautiful painting!

To the untrained eye, we had no clue how he was going to make a painting out of that canvas. But to the Master painter, he knew exactly what he was doing!

Last week, I went through a circumstance that I had no clue why. I don't know why God chose for this to happen in the way it did...but I just asked God...please show me how this can make me better. I can not change the other person's mind involved...but I can determine what good it can do in my life.

No, I haven't figured out the complete answer to that question yet. But I will.

I think that perhaps it is happening so that others in my life that I am able to influence...will see my response...and allow God to paint on the canvas of their lives as well.

I do know for sure.. if I let God choose the strokes...let God choose the design...let God be the Master Painter...I will become a beautiful masterpiece...for HIS GLORY!

Labor Day 2010

Hello friends! I hope you are having an enjoyable Labor Day holiday! :)

My holiday has been quiet...and I have enjoyed that immensely. :) I slept in with my hubby...until I heard 3 certain little girls! LOL! We had a day off of home school...the girls watched some cartoons on PBS and are playing in a tent they have made in the living room.

My hubby has gone to meet three of the young men from our church to go golfing. While he has been gone, I have done some paperwork. Paying bills, updating checking accounts, filing, organizing. I kind of planned not to do anything but I figured I might as well be productive while he is gone. :) I am enjoying a cooler day...sitting at my dining room table...with the sunshine streaming in the windows.

For dinner, we will have roast beef sandwiches on the big, yummy kaiser rolls (it has been cooking in the crock pot all day:) with broccoli-cheese soup. And I will enjoy cuddling with my husband and just being with him.

Oh yes, I just had a yummy brownie for a snack with a big glass of milk. :) I am also starting a 30 day Bible study with a Facebook friend.

Love to you all! Have a wonderful Monday!

Labor Day and more...

Sunday night...looking forward to a new week! :)

Last week was very, very busy! My Saturday was eventful to say the least. LOL! We started out with school and pretty normally. I dropped them off at a friend's house for a birthday party and was ready to run some errands! I started at the DMV to get license plates for my new van. Thinking it would not take very long...I got in line to get my number. After waiting 10-15 min., I got my number and realized...wow...there is 96 people in front of me...just in my category!

Needless to say, I spent over two hours there...getting back late to pick up the girls. Then back into town to buy groceries, etc. for Sunday...making copies for the church service...picking up prescriptions...

Pretty tired but just thankful we had a wonderful day at our church ahead! Sunday, I just love my Sundays! This Sunday was no exception! My husband preached an absolutely amazing sermon on loving people! I was struggling with some hurts that had come our way this week...and his sermon helped me tremendously! We had 43 in attendance with two new adult visitors! After the service, we had a church Labor Day picnic. We had such a great time of fellowship and lots of great food! After the picnic, my husband was able to spend some time with two new couples that have recently joined our church. All I can say is the ministry is amazing!

Please pray for our church as we are considering options of moving our meeting place. We are meeting in the conference room at the Hampton Inn but are filling the capacity already! God is so good! Pray that we will find the right place for our church at the right price!

Only 2 1/2 weeks to go in my pregnancy! PTL!

Have a great week!

Church Activity: Reno Aces Baseball Game

After eating cotton candy...

And two hot dogs with ketchup and mustard...

Cortney Brown, Danyelle and David Zimlich...Love these people! :)

Papa Vern and his lady friend

Casey and Lisa Maxwell and Jacob and Megan Allen :)

The Reno Aces ballfield

I just loved this picture! Cortney and Sierra!

Me and the hubby!

On Tuesday evening, we had a Teen/Church activity to the Reno Aces baseball game. We had 38 people attend which was amazing! It was just so much fun! Our church is so very new...we have only been in existance since June 20. We are thrilled to have activities like this and have so many people be a part of it!

Our church is becoming filled with young people, young couples and young families. It is amazing! We tease Papa Vern that he is the only "old" one in the church. :) He loves to be the Papa though of our church!

It was $.5o hot dog night...so we were all full of hot dogs and popcorn by the end of the night! :) And great fellowship with the wonderful people of SVBC! Pastor Eric and I love you all!

Second Field Trip-Nevada State Fair

For our second field trip of the school year...even though it was in the same week...we went to the Nevada State Fair. This year, the fair has added many new things in the theme of the Wild West. Nevada has great wild west history and I thought the fair could be a great as well as fun field trip for the girls.

We attended six shows for the evening...the opening ceremonies, a black bear act, a family fiddler act and more. The girls loved watching and listening to them all! We also enjoyed garlic fries and sweet tea (I can not go to the fair without them! :) and cotton candy. We walked around the Civil War encampments. We talked about all the neat history things we saw.

We had a fun night together...just the girls! :) (Sorry, I didn't get many pictures because we went in the evening when it was cooler and it was too dark .)

Field Trip-Sacramento Zoo

Last Monday, we took our first home school field trip. I took the girls to the Sacramento Zoo in California. We met up with my friend, Shannon, and her two boys, Thomas and James. Shannon just started home schooling this year with her oldest in K-5.

We had a fun day seeing the animals and then visiting Fairy Town Land after the zoo. We ate our sack lunches with lots of yummy fresh fruit and zucchini bread. On the way home, we stopped at McDonald's for a sundae.

Smile Through The Stress!

Whew! Again, half of the week has passed...tonight I will try to catch up on my blog! :)

Sunday turned out to be quite the eventful day! We had a new family of 6 visit our church in the morning! What was neat was that this family lives an hour away from our church. They found our church on the internet and decided to visit this Sunday. They have recently moved here...they are a military family. PTL!

After we returned home from church, we found something wasn't quite right. It had been raining that morning but when we got home, we found that our Border Collie, Max, was just caked in dried mud. Our little Westie, Belle, was not. I told our daughter to put Max in his cage while we ate dinner. Addie then said, Mommy, it looks like blood on Max's neck. Eric took him into the bathroom and gave him a bath and found many bites and cuts around his neck and ears. We knew then that something had happened while we were gone at church.

After investigating the backyard, we found a part of our fence that had been broken...a large hole in the fence and someone had propped up a cinder block in front of it. There was also a strange leash left in our yard.

Long story made short...we found out that our neighbor's pit bulls (yes, the same ones that broke into our yard before and attacked our dog and broke into our neighbor's yard and killed their dog just that Monday!) had this time broke through two fences, came into our yard and attacked Max again.

We called Animal Control and Reno Police Department. The two adult dogs were taken to the pound to be euthanized. My husband had to take Max to the vet. We are now working on getting our vet bill paid and the laws to be tightened for our area for dog ownership and situations like this.

That was my Sunday. :) I am grateful for great, supportive neighbors who have rallied together to get this situation taken care of. I am grateful for my husband who took care of this situation. I am grateful that my dog was not hurt more badly or even killed like our neighbor's dog was.

Smile through the stress! You never know what a day may bring into your life.