Happy 12th Birthday Samuel

We can't believe it, but our son is 12 years old. We are so proud of the young man of God that Samuel is becoming. We look forward to see what the Lord is going to do with his life in the years to come.

We were in Kentucky for Samuel's birthday this year, so he was able to celebrate several different times. On the night before his birthday, he was given a gift from Memama and Grandaddy - a trip to New Mexico to attend my cousins wedding!!!!

Then early on Wednesday morning, his birthday, he received a phone call, on his own cell phone.

After breakfast with Mammy and Popeye we headed down the road again to meet up with our good friends, the Groce's at Dollywood, where we enjoyed Little Debbie's as birthday cake and sang (loudly) to him.

Then on Sunday night we enjoyed supper with Grammy and Big Daddy, The Adkins, and Aunt Amanda, Uncle Les and Seth for a wonderful Mexican dinner.

Happy 12th Birthday Samuel - we love you!

Nannie Rose

My Nannie Rose went to be with Jesus yesterday only a short week after her stoke (Sunday, June 7th). We traveled up to be with her and the rest of the family on Thursday. I have so much on my heart and my heart is heavy. But, I am rejoicing that she is in Heaven with her Jesus and with the One who gives me strength to face what is to come. I have been praying for several days that Jesus would take her on to be with Him and I am glad that He did answer my prayers, but my heart still aches that I will not see her again this side of Heaven. The Lord gave me sweet times with her and my entire family over the week-end and I will never forget the presence of the Lord in her hospital room on Friday evening.

I hope the Lord will allow me to put more of my thoughts together in the weeks to come and share them with you. But until then, thanks for all those who have been praying for her and our family. The Lord has heard our cry and answered them!

*I can not end this post without publicly thanking my husband for being my rock over the past week-end. It didn't matter what I or anybody else asked him to do he was willing to do it; he was the driver, the errand runner, the coffee getter, the anything he needed to be and yet at the moment I needed him to be right beside me and be there to hold my hand he was there at that moment too. Travis, I thank you for being an amazing husband to stand beside me no matter where or what. I LOVE YOU!

Red, White and Blue Photo Contest

A girl that Travis works with is having a Photo Contest on her blog and this is my entry of sweet kids. This one hangs on my wall and it makes my smile each time I see it!

What a Difference a School Year Makes

Yippie, School's out!!!!! All three kids have had a wonderful school with wonderful teachers. It has been a great school year with many changes for each of them and more changes to come. Samuel is on to 7th grade in the world of school sports, Hannah Grace is moving on to 1st Grade and Faith is heading to kindergarten (oh, my).

Looking at the the beginning and end pictures, I can see so many differences on the outside, but there as so many more on the inside!

Friday Family Funnies - Kentucky Stereo System

Last week-end we met up with Popeye and Mammy to camp for the week-end. We stayed at a wonderful campground that had family activities at night. One of those activities was a sing-along wagon ride with this stereo system.

Furious Faith

Faith was invited to a Pirate themed birthday party last week and was given the name"Furious Faith"

Don't you just love the "tattoo" Furious Faith the pirate has? It was her reward stamp from school, but it fits perfect in with the outfit.

One Last Game

Hannah Grace had one last T-ball game last night, it was a make-up game. She was scheduled to play eight games this season and at the beginning of the season, Travis thought he was going to have to miss five of her games, meaning he would only see three of them. He was not happy about that, but there was nothing we could do. But, the Lord was gracious and gave us rain a few Saturdays and he got to see five of her games and only had to miss three of them!

She played pitcher (they don't really "pitch" but they do play that position) last night and she is very good, but at supper we asked her what her favorite position was and she said, first base because everybody has to throw to first base.

Catcher Of The Day

Faith's Tap Routine

Sweet Times With My Kids

My Mother's Day week began with "Breakfast With Mom" with Hannah Grace at her school. Next year Faith will be in school too, so this was the last year I got to celebrate with each of the kids alone. I loved every moment with each of them.On Tuesday morning, I was treated to brunch with Faith. Ever since the first year, it is the event I look forward to the most of preschool. Again, this was another last; I have enjoyed my Mother's Day brunch for three years with Hannah Grace and Faith but their time is up at preschool (sniff...sniff). When I arrived to Faith's classroom, I was to knock on the door and she would come get me. I am so glad I captured her expression as she opened the door.

On the way home from church Travis and I were talking about each of the things I for the week with the girls and he chimed in "When do we get to have breakfast?" So Samuel and I got up Saturday morning and had a Mother's Day date at Chick-fil-a. I was so honored and thrilled that my almost 12-year-old wanted to have breakfast with me.

I enjoyed my alone time with each of them so much, I might just have to figure out a way to have a "date" with each of them the week of Mother's Day next year.

Hannah Grace Spring Photos

I thought before I shared with you our wonderful Mother's Day week-end, I would show you Hannah Grace's spring photos.