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!

Butterfly Kisses

While we were away, we took a day to spend just the five of us and we visited the Knoxville Zoo. My favorite exhibit was the Butterfly Garden. Enjoy!

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!