Thanksgiving

We feel very blessed to have spent this Thanksgiving with our

family and friends.

Cousins Caden, Jacob, Christopher, Jared and Caleb...

...being silly boys! ;)

and enjoying several games of ball!

All the cousins about to eat the yummy Thanksgiving food!

On Saturday we enjoyed our day with my family. I was able to visit with Alycia, her husband Trent was killed just a few weeks ago. Her strength truly amazes me! Her youngest is 3 she was born just a week after Grace was born. Please continue to pray for this sweet family.

A few of us jumped on a off road vehicle to meet Uncle JC's new Mule!

The girls really enjoyed this!

Grace got to feed...

and "ride" on him too! As you can see, she loved it!

Caden and Grayson had fun building a tunnel through the sand! Garrison is putting his arm in ;) it was pretty cool!

Grace and Aunt Peggy going for a ride.

More outside fun!

Not sure how we missed getting a picture of Jared on Saturday...odd...he was there playing right along with all the kiddos. We had a wonderful week with family and friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!.. and our 200th post!

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Psalm 30:12

God's Plan

We live our lives thinking we pretty much have it figured out. Then there are the times when God steps in and reminds me who is really in charge of our lives. My life is not mine. And my kids really don't belong to me, they belong to Him. He only loaned them to me for a short time. I have to remember this. Two weeks from Thursday Jared woke up, throwing up. A few days later he was feeling better, but Grace was sick. Well on Tuesday she was sick again, even throwing up in the car at one point. Ugh. Not fun!

Wednesday she seemed to be feeling pretty good, but by Thursday she was sick again. And this time we were ready, we had a BIG bowl in the car just in case... and she needed it. This time the boys were in the car headed to school and they were so sweet and felt so sorry for her. They are going to be such awesome daddy's one day. Caden was sitting in the back seat with her helping her hold the bowl.

I gave him a wipe to wash his hands just in case of germs and I said,"You are such a good brother". And he said, "That was disgusting". "I know, thank you for helping her." He said, "Your welcome." I love that kid! The Doctor said if she gets sick again within a week or two this maybe something more serious than a virus, and she would want to see her. Yesterday she was better, but while I was Christmas shopping with a friend Jeff calls to tell me Jared got sick again. You have got to be kidding me?! Our prayer is that we will get over whatever this sickness is and we'll be able to have Thanksgiving with our families later this week.

When hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. Ecclesiastes 7:14

Weekend Recap

With Jeff working a lot right now it was nice to go out this weekend and spend time together. He surprised me Friday night with a date out on the town! Wooohooo!! ;)

After we enjoyed our dinner at Red Lobster we walked outside to find that it was raining, but here we are still going to attempt to take a picture of the ferriswheel behind us. :) Oops... he adjusted a setting on his phone. Didn't know it would take in black & white.

Still raining. But we try again, this time in color. Hmmm... still not too good. Oh well. I know we're dorks. ;) But we had fun!

Thank you Nenaw and Papaw for watching the kids for us!!

On Saturday when we went to pick up the kids, Grace was riding the BIG tricycle! I can't believe she is now big enough to ride it!

We also had the chance to spend some time over at the Akin's on Saturday evening. Of course we had a good visit. The last several times we have gotten together these two have enjoyed baking or cooking something in the kitchen.

This time it was yummy chocolate cake! The pictures that I took of the finished cake didn't turn out :( it was so cute.

Even though my hubby had to work, we still had a fun weekend!

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

Proverbs 27:9

Hair Cut

I have been thinking about it for awhile and decided that it was time. Today was the day! Grace's first real hair cut! As most of you know she went for a little trim back in July after cutting herself some bangs. Well.. thankfully those are now at a normal length. But we have had problems with tangles and it just not looking healthy. Poor little girl, she got her mothers hair. Because my hair was so thin, and fine, I had what was known as the chili bowl hair cut as a little girl.

Today, with Grace we didn't exactly do that same style ;)

but we did take off 6 inches!

She loved going to the salon..

and she seems to love her new hair cut!

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”

Colossians 3:2

Sweet Dreams

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Life

I can't believe it's been a week since I have been on here to post... I just haven't felt like updating this week. I agree with you Laura, sometimes it just seems like a chore. If I put it off though, I know I will regret it. We love looking back and reading old posts and remembering what life was like at the time. I'm sure most of you know by now that I NORMALLY have my camera practically on me at all times. I don't like to miss anything. I haven't even opened my case this week.....I can only think about Trent, and his wife Alycia and their three precious kids he left behind. They are members of our church at Fellowship. This was a very tragic loss for my cousin and his wife Windy, who I also consider my cousin. Windy and Alycia are sisters they are so heavy on my heart in my prayers. In spite of having sick kids all week I did manage to attend the funeral yesterday. The service was beautiful and Pastor Jim did a wonderful job.

I regret not getting pictures of my Memaws funeral a little over a year ago. I just wish I had taken one. I saw no one taking pictures at Rosewood Park so I got a few shots with my phone. Windy I will show them to you at Thanksgiving and will send them to you if you would like. While we were there I also walked by and gave Miss Hannah a big hello!

I took these last week. The kids and I enjoyed carving sticks in the tree house.

Jared and I made several tooth picks for their daddy.

Not sure how I forgot to post this one. A few weeks ago Abi spent the night and Caden and Grace had wonderful time! Here we are about to watch a movie together. Grace loved having another girl here in the house!

“ I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. ” Isaiah 57:15