Travel Update

I talked to my parents this morning and Dad does not sound well. Mom is driving, they should be in Amarillo soon, they will be stopping at the VA Hospital. If he is admitted I'm leaving tonight to get the boys. Not sure if I'll fly from DFW to Amarillo or try and drive the 7 hours. I did tell the boys what was going on and they sounded okay.

I was on the phone with Tennille (my sis-in-law) this morning before talking to my parents, I wanted to let them know, Mom and Dad had left Colorado, Dad was not feeling well and may have had a heart attack. Also, that I was going to fly to Amarillo to help Mom drive home. About 4:30 this afternoon Mom called with an update. Dad was admitted to the Hospital and is in ICU after tests show he has had a "big" heart attack. T.J. called me. He said, "Don't fly, I can wait for you here, and we can drive up together... getting there about 2am. Or, I can leave now and get there before midnight. We'll get a hotel room for the night, I'll drive them and the camper back to my house tomorrow. Your boys will be safe with me." Thank you so much T.J. I love you, and we will see you all tomorrow!

Sherry (my sis-in-law) called to check on me and to offer her help. She told me, Tim (our brother-in-law) and Malia (Jeff sis who is in Neb. with him) found a flight from Nebraska to Amarillo non-stop! His cousin offered to drive him the 4 hours to the airport! Our parents are willing to pay for our flight. Several friends and neighbors have called or have stopped by to offer help. Jeff and I can't thank you enough. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends. Thank you for your prayers.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Just Us Girls

One week ago I was telling my boys good-bye as they leave for Colorado for two weeks. Today one week later I'm now telling my husband good-bye as he leaves for Nebraska. He's traveling with his brother and sister to attend their Grandmother's funeral. The plan as been that when this time comes Jeff and I and perhaps the kids would make this trip together. But, with the boys being gone, and the closest airport from Jeff will be 3-4 hours away... I need to be relatively close, in case of an emergency, to an airport. I've never flown before and will be somewhat scared, but would be on the next flight out. So, I am asking myself, am I crazy for letting my husband leave while our boys are in Colorado? The boys leaving was hard enough. I don't know. I do know that I'll be going crazy while he is gone. ;) Jeff really struggled with this decision because the boys are so far away, and he hated to leave his girls behind. After talking and praying we felt at peace with him going on this final trip to say good-bye to his Grandma.

I will be okay. Grace is so young and really doesn't understand. We are praying for peace and comfort for our little girl. She is already missing her brothers and talking to them on the phone has helped her know that they are okay. I couldn't be more thankful for cell phones then now. They have not just comforted her about her brothers, but they have also given Jeff and I a peace of mind that everyone is doing okay.Keeping myself busy has helped the time pass. I'm working on a new list of things to do this week. I think I'll start cleaning out from under our beds...;)

Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

{This was Memaw's favorite verse from The Bible, and is also on her memorial marker. I thought it was perfect for today's post}

Colorado Phone Calls

The boys called on Sunday and Monday, I'm not sure if they're getting home sick, because they both sounded excited. Maybe just wanted to call....maybe they're missing us...doubt it... but just maybe. On Sunday, Caden told me they were at a restaurant and about to eat lunch at the"The Pickle Barrell" Do they have lots of pickles to eat? He giggles, yea! He didn't tell me but told his Daddy, that Papaw almost drove off the side of the mountain! Really?! Yes, and Jared got pictures! Jared said they rented and got the jeep at 7:30 last night and we have it all day! We rode it up the mountain to the restaurant, and was bumpy. So bumpy, I came completely out of the seat!" WOW! You better hold on. (Being the Mom of course I said) Do the jeeps have seat belts? Yes, I think so. Well you might want to buckle up so you won't fall out. He giggled ....yea. Caden said it was a lot of fun! Jared said, he lost his crocks he thinks at Uncle TJ's Chick-fil-A in his parking lot. I'll look for them when we go there for Gunner, Grayson and Garrison's party on Sunday. It's okay son ,not a big deal. (He's worried over his $5 pair of shoes...I love him) Yesterday (Monday) they went to see the huge water fall. Jared was excited that Caden found a rock that looks just like our counter tops, and said he can bring it home with us! They told us they have taken lots of pictures....and the memory card is full. Wow! You have been taking lots of pictures (over 100 available on the card I gave him) thats good. I did tell him to take lots of pictures for me before they left ;)

In Loving Memory

Of Eva Cornett.

May 2005

A precious moment from a Mother and Son,

at her 90th birthday celebration.

October 1999

Her Grandson with his first child,

and her Great Grandson.

Spring of 2004

We love you and will miss you Grandma.

She went to be with the Lord tonight.

There is so much that I could say but just can't put into words right now. I'll always remember when she came to visit when I was a little boy, of us playing in the creek down the street, and how much fun it was and wished she didn't live so far away. How I loved her homemade pancakes...She never could understand why hers were so good. We all knew that it was because she made them with the love that only a Grandma could.

"Therefore you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." John 16:22

Fun At The Pool

Saturday we met my MOPS group at the pool for family day! With a few clouds and some thunder we were surprised at the turn out. We waited through the thunder with another sweet family from our group. We ended up having a wonderful time!

This was Grace's first time at the local pool and she was so excited!

The boys had a blast of course..

Swimming and the boys go hand and hand!

First jump off of the diving board...this summer. I'm always a little nervous when he jumps in, I guess because he has never had swimming lessons, aside from his dad and I teaching him. He always does a great job.

A few lanes were set up over by the diving board. Jared was showing me his favorite swim stroke...the breaststroke! Looked hard to me, but he said that it wasn't.

Yes, I still love you even though you cut your hair today!

Nana and Papaw, and the boys, are still in route..to Colorado. They are doing great!They have been traveling for two and a half days... but should be at their camp ground before lunch (their time) today! Yay! Last night, them, along with 20 other campers, pulled over for the night at a Wal-Mart parking lot. I asked Caden, how was it sleeping at Wal-Mart? He giggled, "It was kinda weird." Well, have you seen any mountains yet? "About 50!" Wow that's cool! I asked Jared, well, are you ready to get out of the truck yet? "Yes, we are going to climb and ride in the mountains! And Nana said we had to fish for our food." She did! "Yes, we are going to go fishing, and Papaw even brought the fishing poles!" Well that's cool!

Have fun guys! We love and miss you alot!

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7

Fun With Friends

On Sunday we got the chance to spend some time with good friends.

The kids really enjoyed the pool... they swam late into the evening. We are so glad D could join us, he was a gentleman and the boys enjoyed him being here. They had a blast wrestling. Jared and Andrew are about to try to and take him down. ;) D put a good fight, in the end (after several hours) they did succeed. ;)

Grace came in after swimming, she enjoyed helping Ms. Aimee prepare our fun Ice Cream treat.

We sampled and gave the ice cream a love it/hate it rating. However, after the first few samples we discovered that we were all using the Love/Hate chart differently, this was what we were discussing. Perfect for national ice cream day!

This was a lot of fun! Thanks for the great idea Ms Aimee.

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7

Already Missing Them

My parents have been planning a trip to Colorado. They called on Sunday and invited the boys to go! We dropped them off tonight at 9:30 (trying to spend all day together) they are leaving at 7:00 in the morning.

We didn't have a problem with them going but thankful we didn't have too much time to think about it. ;) This is the first time we have left them for so long. The longest we have been apart is 5 days, when Jeff and I took a cruise for our 10th Anniversary.

Here we are attempting to get a picture, before leaving them for 11 days.

We just couldn't get it right.. oh well we tried.

Daddy had to get one more "In" before they left. ;)

My favorite "I love you mom" is from yesterday.

We are nervous about being away from them for so long, but know that they are being well taken care of and will have a wonderful time and great memories with there grandparents.

Praying:

• Grace will adjust to the boys being away. She will miss her brothers and her playmates:(

• Got the call tonight Christi is in the Hospital and will not leave until the babies are born. She is 27 weeks. Please pray with us that she will be able to make it to 32 weeks.

• The Lord will watch over and protect my parents and my boys.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

First Hair Cut

On Saturday after using the scissors Jared thought he had put them back where they belonged. Well, a few minutes later I walked around the corner...

to see that Grace had cut her hair.

So we were off to JC Penney's to try and get her hair fixed. She did very well and she really didn't want to leave when it was time to go.

She now has bangs to help hide the ones that SHE cut. I just keep reminding myself... it's only hair, it will grow back. :) Birthday pictures will be taken a little late this year. ;)
 

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
 2 Corinthians 4:17

Picture of The Week

While Jeff and Jared were at swim class, Caden and Grace went for a swim here at the house.

They had such a great time playing together.

We were in the back yard when we thought we heard the sounds of an Ice Cream Truck! No, it can't be. We have lived here for 10 years and we have never had an ice cream truck come down our street. Wow. It really was him! But... by the time we got to "the curb" The Ice Cream Truck was gone:( We were all a little bummed. Hoping he will come back again soon.

Excited to find three little watermelons growing in our garden.

We got the news today, my cousins wife Christi who is pregnant with twin girls is now on bed rest. She is starting to dilate and the babies are not due until Oct. Praying for you guys and for those sweet baby girls.

My parents are going on vacation!! Where too?! I don't know... they wouldn't tell. How long will they be gone?... I'm not real sure. All I know is they are leaving on Sunday! I learned that I'm out of "the loop" I guess ;)

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19

A Laugh and A Tear

When your just sitting outside watching the kids play can sometimes make for the best pictures. I took this a few weeks ago and I laugh every time I see it.

Hilarious! The perfect snapshot of a moment in our children's day.

We found out last week that Jeff's Grandma is very ill. As of today she is doing better, but will most likely not get to go back home.

‘I will not leave you,’ because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you. Deuteronomy 15:16

One Hot July Day

Fourteen years ago today the temperature outside reached 106 degrees. Now you may be wondering why I remember or even why I'm telling you this. Well, it took every bit of my poise and grace to maintain my angelic composure on this very important day.

We have learned so much since this day. The meaning of support, respect and love for each other. The joy and the hardships that children can bring. The importance of keeping God in our marriage.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:7

A Family Tradition

For as long as I can remember my family has celebrated July the 4th together. The one year I was not there to celebrate with them was the year I got married. Jeff and I left for our honeymoon and they all headed to the lake after the wedding. ;)

My Memaw, who passed away a little over a year ago, had 5 daughters. They all married and had at least two children, who are now all married and have at least two children or two children on the way ;) which equals = a lot of people!

Okay.... these next few pictures I will need to explain. Several of us are looking through old pictures of the sisters "my Aunts" when they were babies. Now the Aunt in the middle is Peggy, she is a photo opp. waiting to happen. She is very animated when she talks and if pictures could express sound you would be laughing as hard as we were.

She couldn't miss the opportunity to give her sister Penny, who is standing next to her, a hard time about having pinchable cheeks.

We have learned that we never quite know what she is going to do next.

But you can guarantee she is going to have a good time.

We had a baby shower for my cousin Matt and his wife Christi who is pregnant with twin girls and due in Oct!

Some of the kids playing in the pool.

Lillian (my cousins little girl) and Grace are so sweet together. From playing in the pool...

To chattin it up on the boat while holding Bailey's hand. Very sweet.

This was Jared and Bailey's first time to inner tube!

As you can see they both loved it!

This is Caden's second year to go out on the water...

He loved every minute!

Jared sliding off into the lake!..

There goes Caden!

Grace jumping to her second cousin Katie.

Me, Caitlin and Caleb (my Neice and Nephew) Paddle boating across the lake.

Daddy taking the kids for a ride.

On Sunday we spent the day with Jeff's family! We recently, just in the last three years, started celebrating the 4th together. After a fun day at the lake for us and the Yancey family it's nice to have a relaxing visit at the Cornett's

Jared and his cousin Caleb

Caden and cousin Josh playing ball.

Grace and cousin Rachel watching the boys play ball.

The girls being cute...

The boys being silly.

Uncle Tim giving Grace and his son Jacob a ride.

Caden and his cousin Jacob just being cute little boys.

Sweet brother giving her a ride on the John Deer trailer.

Scott (Jeff's brother) and his family couldn't make it this year :(

Last night we set off a few fireworks and our neighbors came out to watch. We are so blessed to live in America where we are able to celebrate our freedom!

“In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4