The Most Wonderful Gift

Our family received the most wonderful gift last night. Our friends, The Groce's, gave us this picture frame. I had seen a similar idea in Family Fun Magazine a few months back and thought it was a great idea and I have a folder on my computer with a few pictures, but their wonderful family took it to the next level. You see, each letter is from a place that is special to our famliy and theirs.

The "Sp" is from Sugar-n-Spice, where we went to eat on day at lunch, trying to get Gwen to go into labor.

The "a" is from our church playground.

The "r" is from Firehouse Subs where we go together many Sunday Nights (kids eat free on Sundays)

The "k" is from Krispy Kream Doughnuts, which we took to their family the night before Gwen went into the hospital to deliver sweet Ashlinn.

And the other "s" is from Boiling Springs High School, where Travis graduated from and where our kids will attend High School.

We are so blessed to have The Groce Family as our friends and we pray that the Lord allows our friendship to grow in the years to come.

Light Up Inman

Our sweet Faith danced at "Light Up Inman" on Friday night. She dance a beautiful dance in the window of her dance studio. We are so proud of her!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Friday Family Funnies - I'm not a Baptist

I haven't done a Friday Family Funny in a while, but that doesn't mean that my three kids have not been doing and saying funny things - it just means they have been doing so many funny things, I haven't had time to stop laughing to write them down!!!

A couple of Friday nights ago we were at a Woodruff football game and Grammy and Big Daddy had gone with us. Woodruff had just scored a touchdown and they were playing music over the loud speaker. Faith was jumping and dancing around in excitement and Grammy asked her, "Faith, I thought you were a Baptist, you're not suppose to be dancing." Faith reply was: "I'm not a Baptist, I'm a Ballerina!!!"

That same night, Faith also said she was going to call President Barack Obama and tell him to make it a law that you couldn't "boo" the other team.

You Keep Me Spinnin'

Faith participated in the Inman Harvest Festival a couple of week-ends ago. That was her "Hip-Hop" routine, He Keeps Me Spinnin'.

Here are a few more pictures:

(I had put lip gloss on her, and she was looking at herself in the mirror)

Travis was out of town so we splurged a little bit and got face painting and a fried snickers bar.

Are you looking for us?

We're not gone...just having fun! We'll be back soon!

09.09.09

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful friend, husband and father!

Runnin' with the Dawgs

Because Samuel went to the Bruce Clark football camp this summer, he had the wonderful opportunity to run out on the field with the Boiling Springs High School Team this past Friday night. It was extra special because it was Coach Clark's first game back since being in the hospital since earlier summer.

Samuel's football season with the Boiling Spring Jr. High School Bulldogs begins this Thursday. I don't know who is more excited - Samuel or Travis.

Stay tuned...

A Surprise Visit

A couple of Friday's ago, we got a call that Uncle Eric and Aunt Kristi and their kids were in town and did we want to meet for supper - of course we did, we didn't want to miss the chance to visit, so all 16, with half of that number being kids, took over Fuji.

That next morning, the gang came over for brunch at our house and they brought the newest member of their family, Jubilee. My kids loved her!

The girls played dress-up all morning, Steven played his new guitar and Shepherd, tried to keep up.

It's A...

Thanks for praying for our friends that were expecting an addition to their family. They have a beautiful...well, I let their boy's tell you:

The girl's best buddies, called them to tell them about their new baby sister. It was so sweet to watch both girl's talk to their friends as they got to good news.

*We were sent a picture of their baby announcing her birth and Faith got so excited when she saw the picture that she burst into tears. It was wonderful to see her that excited - they can't wait till she is old enough to join in on the fun!

Mommy and Me Tea

This past Saturday, while Travis was away and Samuel was with Grammy and Big Daddy, the girls and I spent the afternoon at Flying Saucers (now Hearts of Clay) having a tea party and painting tea cups. I think about 6-8 others had signed up to be there, but no one else showed up , so it was just me and my girls, which was so much fun! We talked about school and friends and church; I hope they will always talk to me about those things and I guess one day I hope they will talk to me about boys!

My Baby Goes to School

That's right, my baby girl is off to school.

Faith stated kindergarten this year and is loving it! She was so ready to go to school, me on the other hand wasn't too sure. She's the baby, my last one "at home", even though I have been working the past couple of years and she has been in preschool, there's something different about sending them off to "big" school. But, it is something that has to be done and we survived with no tears from her and only a few from me!!

Jr. High

Samuel begin seventh grade this year, Jr. High School. Talk about not believing...we can't believe our son is in Jr. High School. A different world from anything else - a world of eight classes, more lunch choices, more teachers and Bulldog football! We are so proud of the Christian young man Samuel is becoming and we see it more and more each day. We look forward to see how God is going to grow and use him.

There he goes...

First Day of First Grade

Hannah Grace started first grade this year. When Travis and I went to meet her teacher, we said this is "real school" now; we can't believe she is old enough to be in first grade. She is doing great and loving it. She has already had two spelling test and thankfully, doesn't seem to be taking after her Mommy and Daddy in that subject.

Hugs for Bubba

Our Young Lady

Looking for her name on her desk

"Found it!"

Waiting in EXPECTation

Today, our family is waiting is EXPECTation for a phone call from the Groce Family letting us know it is time for the newest member of their family to be born. We have been praying for and with them for over a year now. From the day of asking the Lord to open Gwen's womb and then praising the Lord with them when He indeed answered our prayers to this morning when I again approached the Lord on their behalf for the baby to be born today. Gwen and I talked last night that we talk about God being in control of when someone passes away and that gives us comfort, but we sometimes forgot that He is in control of the beginning too. At the same time, I ask you to join us in praying that His time would be soon. Gwen's due date was this past Thursday and her and Brian desire to deliver as nature as possible and would like to have the comfort of "laboring" as long as possible at home before going to the hospital.

This picture was taken at Gwen's baby shower. They are lovingly calling the baby "four", so Travis was able to get a #4 Upward Jersey for the baby.

The girl's gifts are waiting too...which will it be - GIRL or BOY?

I look forward to posting a picture of the sweet baby soon! Thanks for your prayers!

Don't Worry

Don't worry folks, The Sparks Family is doing well, we have just been enjoying our summer and haven't had much time to update the blog. I'm not making any promises, but one day soon, I will try to update you on what's been going on with us. In the mean time, feel free to email, call or just drop by and see us.

Friday Family Funnies - Don't Let Go

We went swimming last night with Grammy and Big Daddy and Aunt Amanda, Uncle Les and Seth. Seth was swimming with his Uncle Travis and as you can see, Seth is not too sure of the swimming pool this year...

Happy Birthday to My Two Dads!

Today is the birthday of my Daddy, Mike (Popeye) and my Step-Dad, Eddie (Granddaddy). Growing up I didn't think much about their birthday's being on the same day, but when I met Travis he informed me that that was weird. I guess it may be a little weird, but to me it's great! Wanna know why? Well, I tell you...

I have been blessed in m life with two dad's and I love them both the same and my Daddy loves me and Eddie loves me as if were his own, so why shouldn't they share a birthday - My Dad's Birthday!

I am so very thankful that my Daddy is around to celebrate this birthday this year. The Lord spared his life a few months ago and I can not thank HIM enough for allowing me to spend a little more time with my Daddy and for my kids to spend a little more time with their Popeye.

And for Eddie, I am very blessed to have him as my step-dad. I want to share with you one (of the many) reason I love Eddie. Eddie is such a man of God; at Nannie Rose's graveside funeral once the pastor's were done, Eddie asked if he could say something. He stood up and told how much he loved his mom and how hard a two weeks it had been and how he would miss his mom but he KNEW where she was, -she was in Heaven with her Savior, and he shared that everyone there could KNOW they could spend eternity in Heaven with Christ if they would accept Him as their Savior. He did not want to miss a chance to share his faith with those he loved the most. I pray that moment will stay with me the rest of life to remind me that no matter how hard a circumstance, I must share of the love and salvation of the One who gives me life!

I love you Daddy and Eddie - Happy Birthday!