Guess What?

I have no new pictures to post. Shocked? So am I! haha

My poor family has been sick for the past several days. George has been sick the longest and I think it has hit him the hardest, as well. Grace was sick Friday and Saturday. Ben was pretty much just on Friday. I have not been sick at all. Which is a very good thing since someone needs to be upright around here. The guys stayed home from church today, while Grace, Ryan, and I went. It was a good service. I really enjoy Pastor Paul's preaching. I think he's one of the best pastor's I have ever had. I get so much out of his messages.

I can't believe our church has been...well, a church for two years now. It seems like just yesterday it was just our family going over to the Hardin's on Friday nights. It's so neat to be able to look back and see God's hand in our lives. He is so faithful! When you feel lost and all paths are dead ends, leave it to our God to create a new path! Thank you, Lord, for our amazing church! I never would have dreamed I could have a church like this here.

Have you ever had poison ivy? Do you have any remedies? I have no clue how I got this. It's unbelievable how bad this itches. I suppose this is what I get for teasing mom so badly when she had it a few weeks ago. Humph!

Benjamin had his 15 month check up on last Thursday. Poor baby had to get four shots! And if that weren't bad enough, he had to get blood work done as well. It was supposed to have been done at his 12 month check up, but since we came like two days before his birthday, they couldn't do it. Blah! After we did all that, we went to Starbuck's and hung out for a while. Ha! My sister, Jacqueline, works there so we visited with her when she wasn't too busy. It was good to see her and spend at least a little time with her.

Well, I am trying to renew my goal of reading the Bible everyday. I know...you would think that would be something I would do no matter what...but...I don't. Anyway, that's where I am off to now. Anyone care to share your favorite scriptures? Click on the comments line just below here and leave me...a comment.

Good night! Sweet dreams! Say your prayers! (Grace and I say that to each other at night)

Oh Ben!

Tomorrow Ben turns 15 months old. That's so hard to believe! The first year after Grace was born went by quickly, but Ben's first year has simply flown by. He is such a funny little guy. One minute he's sweet and loving...giving hugs and lots of kisses. The next minute, he's down on the floor wrestling with Grace, trying to get one of us to chase him, or climbing on everything! He's such a boy! And I love every bit of him. He is currently cutting at least six teeth that I can tell. And he's being such a trooper! He's hardly fussing at all. He just wants to be held all the time. And that's okay with me. Benjamin just has the sweetest temperment...from the very beginning that was evident. We had some bumps in the road...like at five days old having to be readmitted into the hospital to be put under the bili-lights...or troubles with nursing and supply (which were overcome, thankfully!)...or other common baby "problems". But thankfully, they were all minor and quickly overcome. We have been so blessed. I have been so blessed. I have two gorgeous children that I am able to stay home with everyday! How great is that?!?! I have a wonderful husband who supports me in almost everything! He's always there to encourage and love me. I am just so thankful, Lord.

I want my children to know that no matter what...I love you! We are going to have our problems...we won't agree on everything. I will say no when you want me to say yes. I will discipline you even though you beg me not to. It won't be always perfect, our relationship. We will certainly have our shares of ups and downs. BUT...know this...no matter what...I am your mother and I will do ANYTHING I can to be here for you. I will listen no matter what the topic...small or large. I will encourage you because I know you are capable to do WHATEVER you put your mind to! I will hold you and wipe your tears away when your heart has been broken by people who dont' cherish it as I do. I will fight for you and what I believe is best for you even when I am being pressured to go another way. I will always do my best to reflect Jesus for you. I will teach you to pray. I will do all I can for you, but I will still fail you at times...but I will teach you that Christ is there NO MATTER WHAT...and He will NEVER fail you. That is the most important job I have as your mom. If I fail to lead you to him, then I fail as a parent. And that is simply not an option. Please know that your father and I are always in your corner. We love you, Ben and Gracie! To the moon and back!

Can you believe in 15 short months, Ben has gone from this...

To this:

And here is how Grace has changed in the same time period:

It's amazing isn't it?

Thank you for indulging me in this "reminiscent and introspective" mood I am in tonight.

Have we got a show for you!

So last night we took Benjamin and Gracie to the Veggie Tales Rockin' Tour LIVE show that was held at the new ginormous Immanual Baptist Church in Little Rock. The kids had so much fun! I'm sorry that some of the pics are blurry and dark...we weren't allowed to use our flash. :( It really was a great show and a fun time for us. If the show comes to your city, you really should try to go see it. It's well worth it!

Easter Sunday

We had a wonderful Easter. It was a beautiful day to celebrate our risen King. We had a lovely service at church. It was good to be reminded of Christ's gift to us.

After the service, the kids all had an egg hunt. Fun was had by all! :) Oh! Did I mention that we had a visit from the Easter bunny? I'm not thinking that either of my kids really enjoyed it...what do you think?

Hunting Eggs:

Grace and her future husband:

Thank you, Lord, for ALL of your wonderful gifts!!!

I've been busy!

So, it's been a while. I know. There have just been more important things to do lately. The weather has been so nice lately, so we've been spending a lot of time outdoors. We were also trying to spend time with Travis since his trips home are rare. It's hard to believe he's not even been gone a full year. It' seems so much longer.

While he was home, he bought a new car...a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's really nice and he got a great deal on it. Trav and his friend left yesterday morning to go back to Ft Bragg. They got in pretty late, but safe and sound.

Kerry was also home for the Easter weekend. We've heard from Michael...apparently he didn't turn in his cell phone when he was supposed to? So he's been using it. If he gets caught, he will be in so much trouble!!! We haven't heard much from Amon...at least I haven't. Others have, but I haven't. But that's okay...I will remember this... :)

Last Monday, Travis, Grace and I went to the zoo. It was a PERFECT day to go. The weather was warm, but not hot or humid. The zoo wasn't that busy. It was just such a wonderful day. Grace really had a good time. Well, so did I for that matter. The pelican you see in the pictures below was hilarious! As soon as we walked over to that area...it came right for us and put on a show. It stuck it's beak through the fence at Grace and gave her a scare, but she got over it pretty quickly. Want to know what I think her favorite animal was? The fish. You know, the big huge ones that you can buy food for? She thought they were so neat! Oh, and in case you were wondering where Ben was...he has been such a grumpy boy lately that I decided to let him stay home with Daddy.

Giraffe and Grace:

Grace and some Chimps (or is that Travis?)
Attack of the pelican:

Other than that, not much has happened. It's been a nice week and a busy one...but nothing you'd really like to hear about. :)

I will post about Easter and other ongoings tomorrow...Take care!!

Fun with Travis

Today, we had an amazing service at church. I really felt God reminding me of His amazing love. He really is there with us every step of the way...even when we don't feel Him. I sometimes lose sight of that. Or wonder why he would continuously love and forgive me...even after all the horrible things I have done. But He is simply an amazing God. Nothing shall seperate us from His love. How amazing is that. I am so unworthy...even on my best day.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your grace. And thank you for your indescribable gift...your life that you gave for mine. Thank you that you blotted away my sin with your blood. It is so unbelieveable that you would do that for me...and you do it daily. I am so glad you did. Help me to appreciate that gift more each day. Help me to realize the sacrifice you gave upon that cross and to not take it for granted. It is so precious.

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After church, we went out to eat in Conway. Can I just say what a stinker Ben is becoming!! Where has my easy going child gone? The one who is not easily upset. The one who is content to just be held and cuddled? WHERE OH WHERE HAS HE GONE?!?!?!?! We could not eat our meal because Ben was all over the table. All over the people sitting behind us. Squealing at the top of his lungs. Banging the blinds against the window. Pulling the decorations off the wall. It was crazy! We were one of those families people ask not to be seated by. Unbelieveable!

Later, we played with the kids out in the yard. It's been so beautiful lately. The kids are so much happier when they are outside. Which means, so are we! Ben still isn't walking, but he has no problem getting to where he wants to go. It is so funny to watch him improvise different ways to accomplish his goals. It is almost as if you can see his mind working.

Grace found some butterfly friends. She got such a kick out of them! Then she and Travis played a game of chase. She is crazy about him!

Reading back over this post, I am aware that I am basically rambling. My apologies...it's late.

This is just a pic I like of Kerry and Travis. That's all. :)

Travis is home! He got home around 4:30am Fri morning. It's so good to see him. Kerry is coming home this weekend from school. It will be good to see them both. It happens so rarely these days.

Oh, and George's brother Jason is up here in the North Little Rock area...so he will be here this weekend as well.

Family Reunion! ha!

And I am just going to throw this out there...Why is it that even though my intentions are good...I still manage to always mess up. I seem to often fail to think things through. Blah...

I hope you all have a great weekend. I think we will!

God bless!

I know...I know!

I haven't been faithful in updating lately. Part of that is due to our pitiful excuse for internet.

You see, we live in such a rural area that high-speed internet (dsl, cable) is not available here. However, with George's work, dial-up is not an option. He has to be able to remotely connect to clients computers and servers which requires a fast connection. We have what is called line of site. (Okay...I think that's what it is called...I COULD be wrong.) Basically, there are a few towers throughout our area and we have an antennae (that looks weird) here at our house that allows us to receive a signal to connect. We seem to have the worst problems with this. First of all, it's not ever as fast as dsl or cable. Second of all, it is so not reliable. We are constantly saying...we will do such and such "if the internet is up." Unfortunately, we have no other option. I mean...if we wanted to invest another four to five hundred dollars in set up and spend $60/month plus for satellite...we could do that. But no. So you see our dilemma, right? Poor us! ha!

In other news...Travis is coming home this weekend. It will be great to see him. He's com ing home on Friday and doesn't have to be back until the 24th or so. From what mom said, he wants to buy a car while he's home and drive it back to Ft Bragg. I think she also said something about him wanting to go to Ohio for a bit while he's on leave. Grace is already constantly asking where Uncle Fraff is. She's excited to see him. :)

Speaking of brothers...Apparently George's brother, Jason, is in North Little Rock for training. He's full time in the Louisiana National guard. Hopefully, we will get to see him this weekend. Maybe he'll come out here and spend the day with us or something.

Let's see...I think Michael is leaving today for the Army. Don't really know...haven't heard from him much. I think he's going out with Dad today for lunch to say his goodbye's. Good luck and God bless, M. I hope you get what you want and need out of this experience.

The pictures included in this post are just some random ones taken over the past week or so. One is the view we enjoy from our backyard. That is Petit Jean in the background.

These two are from a year ago...last Easter, actually. Time goes by SO quickly! I can't believe how much they've grown and changed in a short year. It's amazing. I am just so crazy about these two. They are the greatest blessings to George and I. We have so much fun with them.

OH....I can't believe I forgot to share that we have a building for our church!!! I am so excited about it. No more setting up and tearing down. It's almost on the corner of Kiehl and JFK...It is where Mercy's Cross is meeting now. They are relocating. We start meeting there on the 30th and share it for about seven weeks. Then it is ours! Yeah!!