Steve's 24th Birthday!

My husband recently turned 24 on April 3rd. This is his first birthday as a husband, and I wanted to make it extra special.
He wasn't feeling well the entire week, so I decided to go to Milwaukee to see him at the last minute. Had he come to Madison, Gerald (his best friend) and I were planning on surprising him at a restaurant with all of his friends from the area. We were disappointed, but I was excited to see him.
We ended up going to Bonefish Grill, a fantastic seafood restaurant chain we discovered on our honeymoon last year. We were joined by Steve's friends from law school, and had a great time.

Steve and I at the restaurant

The Birthday Boy with his HUGE Brownie N Whipped cream Dessert

Blowing out the candle

My dear husband is the most important person on this earth to me. Praise the Lord for saving you, for bringing us together for His Glory. Thank you Lord, for giving my husband another year on this earth.

I love you so much babe! Happy Birthday!

Benjamin Harrison Lee Gensler

Steve and I were honored to become godparents to Benjamin Harrison Lee Gensler, born on July 9th, 2008.

Steven and Amanda, before the baptism

Proud Parents Steve and Nina Gensler with little Benjamin, with Godparerents Steven and Amanda von Horn, and Father Howard.

Ben's mother, Nina, is on of my dearest, closest friends. She is my non-biological big sister, and matron of Honor at our wedding, though she couldn't make the flight as she was 8.5 months pregnant with her second child. I called her on the day of the wedding, just a few minutes before I was to walk down the aisle of the church to my future husband. I was so emotional, I burst into tears and may have warbled out a sentence or two. She, being wonderful, said "you're marrying the right man. God has given you a good strong man in marriage. " That cut me. I needed to focus on the great, godly man to whom I am pledgying my earthly life today. And I did. Nina is the rock in my life, other than my husband. I am so blessed to have a "big sister"like her.

Gabriel Alexander Cox

Steven and I are the proud godparents to Gabriel Alexander Cox! His baby dedication was this past Sunday, October 12th, at Calvary Gospel Church in Madison, WI. Proud parents Gerald and Yvonne Cox.

Yvonne getting her corsage.


The Precious Child.

Gerald introducing everyone.

Mommy and son.

Dedication of Gabriel to the Lord

Dedicating the parents

The happy family! Gerald is almost incapable of taking a normal picture.

MOB guys with the MOB baby.

Steve and Gerald, who is crossing his eyes. Weirdo.

The Mark Family

My cousin Andrew has been battling tongue cancer since 2007. He has since undergone many surgeries as well as two rounds of radiation and chemotherapy (they usually recommend only one round of chemo and radiation, because of the long-term risks for other cancers).
Today, October 8th, he and his family will find out results of the PET scan he underwent because of some discomfort in his throat and mouth. I ask all of you to please pray, and pray fervently for an accurate result, that the scan showed absolutely no trace of cancer in his body. Please pray for complete healing at the hands of our Lord, the greatest Physician. Please pray for encouragement for his family, his wife Grace (my cousin on my mom's side), and their two beautiful children AJ and Gracie. Pray for the Lord to make His will for Andrew's life clear, and that they will accept His will with joy, knowing that Andrew's cancer is being used to glorify God.

Andrew and Grace have been keeping a blog at www.graceandrew.blogspot.com which documents their trial with cancer. They are both incredibly gifted writers, who are so transparent in their struggles. It is so beautifully humbling to read every post.

Wedding pictures

As Steven and I look back on our wedding, we realize how blessed we are to have been surrounded by our closest friends and family when we took the most important vows of our lives. We hope all our guests had fun!

Amanda w/ Mom and Dad SR



Putting on the dress

Walking down the aisle



Amanda & the Groomsmen

Ceremony



The Bride and Groom with their Parents



Bride and her Earthly King


Beautiful.


Empty Reception room

Welcome!

The Lord has been so good to us. Praise Him for creating marriage.