Happy 6th Birthday, Pierce

Six years ago today, God gave Ryan and I a precious gift of a baby boy! He made his appearance early, according to my due day, but as long as he was healthy, we were o.k. with it.  It was all in God's timing! He entered this world, December 16, 2004 @ 3:53 a.m. It seems like yesterday that you were so little. 

Pierce, it is so hard to believe that you are six already. Time is really flying by!  You have been such a joy to momma and daddy, as well as everyone else in the family.  You have turned out to be such a clown!  You love to be silly and love to get everyone's attention.  The more attention you can get the better.  (most of the time anyway).  You like to play shy but there really isn't a shy bone in your body, especially once you get to know people.  You started kindergarten this year.  Oh how bitter sweet that was.  I cried when I walked out of the room.  It was exciting to see you in your room and meeting new friends, but bitter sweet because that is just another sign that you aren't a baby anymore! You have loved every minute of kindergarten so far.  You love Mrs. Tuttle and Mrs. Jennifer.  They are precious women, that love what they do and are making sure that you have a great start to your education.

You are a big Daddy's boy!! Always have been, since I was pregnant with you!  You love me and everyone else, but there is a connection between you and daddy that no one will ever be able to replace!  It is so sweet and melts my heart! You are a momma's boy when you don't feel good and then there are times where you just decide you'll be a momma's boy.  I could go on and on about you.  You have blessed our lives so much in the last 6 years.  My prayer for you is that you will continue to grow up healthy and have a great loving relationship with everyone.  I pray that you will grow up to be a Great, Mighty Man of God, who has a heart to serve the Lord.

Happy 6th Birthday, Pierce Ryan
Momma and Daddy Love You So Much!

Pressing Forward

I finished up this semester of classes last night.  I took my final in A&P I.  Man, am I glad that this semester is OVER with!! It was challenging to say the least.  My online classes were a little more than I expected, but I got through them with A's! Now the waiting game is on to see what my final grade is in A&P I.  I have to wait until tomorrow after 10a.m. Torture!
I had forgotten how challenging it is to be in school, work full time, and have a family.  It had its bumps in the road but I got through them.  But I didn't get through them by myself by any means.!

All the Glory and Praise goes to God!!!

I would have never made it through this semester without relying on him!! He has called me to do the nursing school, so I am following him.  And I had to completely trust in him!! God has been my rock and will continue to my rock through school and for the rest of my life!!I also have the most amazing husband in the world. He is my other rock!  He is always there to pick me up, listen to me whine, cry, fuss, and he always reminds me why I am doing this!  He is a great motivator and he loves me even when I am irritable about school, or anything for that matter!! He always reminds me why I am doing this and reminds me that if God called me to do this then he will see me and us through this. I can never thank him enough for being so loving, caring, compassionate, selfless, hard-working, providing, encouraging, and many more things!! I also have the greatest family and friends that have always been there for me too.  They are always reminding me that I'll do great and that I will succeed.  They are always reminding me why I am doing this and that God is always there guiding me and directing my every move, thought and is always there for me! I can't say enough about my fabulous support system that I have.  They are always there to take care of the boys if I have class or if I need to study. God has TRULY blessed me!!!

I look forward to pressing forward in my journey to nursing school.  I am excited to see what God has planned for my life and for my future in this field that he has called me too!

Brotherly Love!

Here is proof that my babies do really love each other and like to be around each other.  It is hard to tell that sometimes with the way that they act and treat each other.

 I LOVE these boys!!!!

My prayer is that Ryan and I can raise them to be Great, Mighty Men of God! I know with God's guidance and his love pouring through us that we can do it!!

Be Still and Know

This past month God has really being working in our lives and really making his presence know to Ryan and I.

• At the first of November, Ryan hurt his back.  We thought that he had just pulled a muscle and after a few days he would be better and able to move and walk better.  After 3 days of not getting better and not being able to do anything but lay in the bed, we went to the doctor.  He had herniated a disc in his lower back. We were referred to a neurosurgeon to see what the best options were for Ryan's back.  We were told that 50% of people with herniated disc heal on their own with time, and the other 50% have to have surgery.  The dr. told us that it would take at least 4 weeks for his back to heal.  Ryan was told to come back and see him at the end of 4 weeks for a follow up.  So we decided that we would wait and see if his healed over time.  In the mean time, we were praying and believing in God for Complete healing in Ryan's back.  The Sunday after we found out about his back, 2 friends of mine and myself prayed for Ryan's back and for complete healing. This week Ryan started to be able to do more, he was walking better, able to get up and down out of bed without hurting, he was back to helping me around the house, picking up the boys.  Which means that 2 weeks after he hurt his back, and the same week that my friends and I stood in the gap for Ryan and prayed for healing Ryan's back was HEALED!!! God is amazing!  Ryan didn't have to wait the 4 weeks to feel better and be healed!  God heard our prayers and answered them, PRAISE GOD!!

• Ryan has been looking for a second job for several months now.  He is doing this, so when I get accepted into nursing school, we will be able to live, since I will be quitting my full-time job to go to school full-time. He has tried several places and it always fell through.  Since we are humans, we started to really stress and really worry about what would we do and how would we survive while I was in school and not able to work.  We know that we can't live off Ryan's 1 full time job.  We would try and think of another option, only for us to realize that wouldn't work, or that wasn't going to be right and many other different things.  We finally realized that God was testing us.  He was testing our Faith and Trust in him!  We weren't trusting him by worrying and fretting about Ryan finding another job.  We weren't allowing God to provide for us.  I believe that all the times that jobs didn't come through for Ryan or ideas for jobs didn't pan out the way that we wanted them to, was God telling us that we will fall if we try to do this on our own, but if we would completely trust in him and stand on faith that everything would be fine and we would be taken care of and provided for. He kept reminding us that he wouldn't call me into Nursing and get me a quarter of the way into it and then just leave me there all by myself.  He would always be there for me/us and we had to trust in him.  He will always fulfill his promises.  So Ryan and I prayed about it and we put it in Gods hands and trusted in promise.  Shortly after that, Ryan was able to get an interview with the Gluckstadt FD.  (They aren't a city, so they don't have a full time fire department.  They pay Firemen to be there during from 8am-6pm.  They they rely on their volunteer guys to cover at night.)  The interview went well and Ryan was told he would hear from them in a week or two.  So we prayed about it and left it in God's hands.  We knew that if this was the right place for Ryan and this was God's timing then he would get the job.  If it wasn't God's timing or Gods will, then something else would come up at a later time.  Last Wednesday night, Ryan found out that he got the job! He will start in January.  God showed out again!! PRAISE GOD!! 

We are ever more thankful for God always taking care of us and reminding us that we can't do anything in this world without him!! We have to put him first and foremost and then let him guide us through our life!  I pray that God will continue to work in my life as well as Ryan's and reveal himself more and more to us! 

"He says, Be Still and Know I am God.

I will be honored among the Nations.

I will be honored in all the earth."

Psalms 46:10

Thankfulness

The holidays are fast approaching and I wanted to take the time to list some of the many things that I am thankful for.  We always say we are thankful but do we every really take the time to sit down and Thank God for all the many blessings that he has given us? 

Thanksgiving:

• I am Thankful for a loving, merciful Lord and Savior that sent his only son to die on the cross for my sins
• I am Thankful that God's Grace is more than enough for me
• I am Thankful that God is always patient with me and loves me UNCONDITIONALLY, even when I have done wrong, taken the wrong path, have not so nice thoughts, and many other times!
• I am Thankful for being able to completely Trust in God for everything and know that he is taking care of me and my family!
• I am Thankful to live in a country where I can openly and freely declare my faith and love for God
• I am Thankful for our Soldiers (past and present) that fight for my right to live in a free country 
• Thank You Uncle Mid, Clay and Lee for all that you have done and continue to do for our country by serving in our Military!  There have been many sacrifices ya'll have been through, but you continue to give it your all for your family and our country!
• I am Thankful for the best husband that I could ever ask for. He is so selfless, giving, caring, protecting, encouraging, loving and generous! He amazes me everyday with his loving kindness
• I am Thankful for 2 handsome precious boys that God has given Ryan and I to raise, I can't imagine my life without them! They are my world!
• I am Thankful for the best family and friends.  They are always there for me when I need them in the good and the bad.  They are supportive, encouraging and very loving.
• I am Thankful for the jobs that Ryan and I are blessed to have, especially during the economic hard times this country is facing.
• I am Thankful that I have a place to call home, that keeps my family safe and warm.  A place where many memories have taken place and will continue to take place.
• I am Thankful for the opportunity to be able to further my education to better myself and  my family.
• I am Thankful for the love for others that God has given me!

There are SO many things to be thankful for!  So many times I take things for granted and then I am reminded of all those people in the world that have far less that I do and it puts things in perspective!

Count Your Many Blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving and may each and everyone of you be blessed in all that you do!
God Bless!

Transformation

There are times that I have prayed for things that I felt like I never got an answer from God.  I know that he answers them in his time and not mine, but as humans, it is easy to get impatient and want to rush him.  The truth is, you can't rush God.  He has a perfect plan, and things will go according to his will! 

A lot has been going around our house.  I am taking classes in preparation for nursing school.  Ryan is looking for another full time job so that I can going to nursing school.  The boys are in full swing with school.  There has been a lot of worrying about money and worrying about if/when Ryan will find another full time job so that we can start saving for me to quit work.  Time and time again, I have worried and tried to figure things out on my own and with Ryan.  And time and time again, God has brought me back to these verses:

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which

exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

Man, that makes you really stop and thing, after he brings you to these verses.  He is reminding me that he is in control of everything and I need to put my complete faith and trust in him!  There are times that the enemy tries to tell me that I can do it on my own, but I have to remind myself, that I am completely trusting and believing in God to see me through all the good times and the bad times.  I am told as a christian that I am to trust in God. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will

make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Everyday he reminds me that he has everything taken care of, I just have to let go and let God! 

I have also been praying a lot for my family.  I didn't like the way that things were going with us.  Don't get me wrong, I have a great marriage and 2 precious boys.  I just didn't like what I saw within myself as a parent and the way that I have been doing things.  So I started praying for a changed heart and attitude when it came to my children.  I want to be able to show them what love really is.  Love isn't hollering at them, or being quick to anger at them.  It's not about being ugly about something they did wrong.  Love is about loving them unconditionally, guiding them in the right direction when they do something wrong, its about letting them see God's love through me and my actions.  And as hard as it is to admit, I haven't always done that.  It is something that God has really been convicting me on and reminding me that I need to seek him for guidance in raising my children.  He reminds me that his Grace is enough for each one of us and there is nothing that we can do, that will make him stop loving us.  He has been reminding me that when I do wrong, that he isn't quick to anger at me, or he doesn't say ugly things to me.  He gently picks me up, dusts me off, puts me back on my feet and guides me in the right direction!  WOW!!  I am to do the same thing with my boys.  God has entrusted me with 2 precious boys for our time here on earth, and I am to raise them to be great Might Men Of God! I want them to be boys/men that have a heart for God, to seek him, and to allows follow him! I want them to think of others first!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when 

he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I am trusting, believing and claiming the many great things that God has done, is doing and will do in my life as well as in my family!  I am contending a breakthrough in all these areas!

Gracious heavenly Father, I want to thank you for all the many blessings that you have given me.  Thank you for your mercy and grace.  Thank you that your Grace is ENOUGH for me! Father God, I want MORE of you!! I want to seek you more and know you more! Help me to seek you with my everything! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Coming Soon in June 2011

We'll be welcoming a new addition to the family in June.........

Lucretia and Kyle will be welcoming their first baby to the world around June 9, 2011!

We are all excited.. and we are determined that it is going to be a G-I-R-L!! Well at least everyone but Cretia and Kyle.  They are saying its gonna be a boy.  But when you want something you have to speak it.. so I am speaking it.. It Will Be A G-I-R-L (and if not.. I'll still love it to pieces!!!) It would be nice though, seeing that we have TONS of rotten little boys.. so a Rotten Little Girl would be great!! It will be a lot of fun to be an Aunt/cousin to a precious baby!! I can't wait to spoil her and send her home to her momma and daddy!!!

We love you and are so excited for ya'll!! Ya'll both will be Fantastic Parents!!

 

And the selection is in......

Ole Miss now has a new mascot:
I introduce to you:

Truthfully, I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I am a supporter of Colonel Reb for sure!  I am thinking we have been 7 years without a mascot, so why have one now?  Whether it is my choice or notI'll embrace the new mascot just like every other TRUE Ole Miss Fan!!!  Col Reb will always be our mascot in our heads and hearts but we'll march on and we'll learn to love being the Rebel Black Bears!!! (should be interesting to see what all the shirts from Rebel Rags will start looking like now)

HOTTY TODDY!

2 Little Monkeys

Boys will be boys!! This is what they have done all weekend! Climbing in Crape Myrtle Trees!  Too bad they don't have big trees to climb in. 

Come as You Are

I was listening to KLove this morning on the way to work and they were talking about a survey that Duke University did on peoples view on God.  And like they were saying this morning, it is really sad what American's think about our MIGHTY God!  I'll share with you what they said:

56% of people view God as Authoritative
37% of people view God as Benevolent
33% of people view God as Critical
18% of people view God as Distant

God is such a mighty God that is right here with each one of us.  He is always listening to us and answering us!  He is always guiding us in the direction that he has planned for us!  He is tender, passionate, ever forgiving, patient, merciful, LOVES US PERFECTLY and many more things!  It breaks my heart to think that others don't know this about our God!!

After talking about this they played this song and it is perfect for this discussion! 

Come As You Are - Pocket Full of Rocks!

How Marvelous

We have been in the same grove as always with school, work, chasing boys.  But I won't post about all of that because I always do that.  So I'll add some pictures since its been FOREVER since I've done that.  I am really slacking in the department of pictures lately!  Mainly because the boys (including my Big Boy) have decided that they would boycott pictures!  But they are learning that momma is going to get her way and get her pictures one way or the other :) hehe

Anyway, Clay was home last week for one night.  He was on his way to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for 2 months of training.  He got his MOS changed due to his back, so he has to have training.  Daddy came down to visit.  Of course Grandma and ReRe cooked up a storm and we had a GREAT meal and visiting.

Here is Daddy with some of Clay's gear on!

 Colton at the Brandon game (along with Cuz and Wesley 

in the background) 

 Love this picture of us! Again at the 

Brandon game

Pierce hanging out at the Brandon Game (this sweet

sitting down and watching the game didn't last long

he found a friend and they were running like crazy

the rest of the night)

We found this kitten in my neighbors engine

Sat morning.  The boys have played with it

all weekend! 

This kitten has been a BIG issue at our house this week!  They wanted to keep it but we couldn't bring it inside because of the dogs! That wouldn't be pretty at all!!! So I told them they could keep it outside.  The problem with that is, it is starting to get cold at night and he/she is a little thing.  So I had a towel all bundled up outside for it to curl in and it has been doing that.  Colton was so upset at the thought of something happening to the kitten, it broke my heart!!!  Yesterday when I got home from work, one of the neighborhood kids said that another little boy had come and gotten it and taken it home.  Not sure if it was his to start with and it got lost, or what, but we no longer have the kitten at the house.  I really thought that it would be melt down city at my house one they heard that but the boys were really good about it.  They told me that they had sent a message with one of the little girls, to tell the little boy to bring the kitten back and that was the last that we heard about it.  Shockingly! So we'll see.

No Master Chef here

It is official!!!  I am NOT the cook in our house!!  Thank Goodness Ryan likes to cook and is Good at it!!  Not that I can't cook but he seems to be better at it.  More times than not, his food turns out good!!  There are certain things that we like to eat that he would prefer me to cook, and I do!  (cause I am a good wife ).  I have really been wanting Chicken and Rice for the last week, so I decided we would eat it for supper last night!  So I decided I'd try it.  I have made it in the past and it didn't turn out good.  But I couldn't let it defeat me again! So I boiled the chicken, started the rice and then I combined them and finished cooking them in the oven!  I was excited, thinking that I would get it right this time!!!  NO, I did not!!  Ryan and I ate it because we knew if we made a big deal out of it the boys wouldn't eat it, and then when I someone else cooks it the right way, they wouldn't want to eat it either!  My sweet boys said it was great and they ate all of theirs!  I love those boys!  So, the next time I want chicken and rice, I am thinking I will just be the spoiled rotten responsible adult that I am, and call Grandma and ask her to cook it for us one night! After all, nothing is better than Grandma's cooking right?? 

So from now on, I think I will stick to letting my sweet, handsome, loving, great cooking husband cook for us!!

I can't do this alone

"Lead Me" is a song by Sanctus Real.  I LOVE this song and it touches me every time I hear it.  I blogged about it not long ago, you can check it out here. I was looking at Sanctus Real's website last week, and I found this devotional that was an inspiration for the song and I wanted to share.

"Lead Me"

Lead me, Father:

• Lead me that I might lead these children whose lives and hearts you have entrusted me to me for a season
• Lead me daily to the well of grace, that as I nurture and instruct my children I would find my own weakness, selfishness, and pettiness replaced by Your abundant strength, generosity and kindness.
• Lead me to listen and consider the thoughts and emotions of my children before I speak.  Give me unusual insight into their hearts and lives. Guide me that I might guide them in th emidst of the decisions and storms they will face.  Supply me with wisdom to prepare them to live as agents of grace, redemption and mercy in a fallen and broken world.
• Lead me into a great love for your word and truth, and into a greater hunger for you, so that my children might grow up in a home where your presence is known, learning by example what it means to seek you with all of their hearts.
• Lead me in the wisdom and sensitivity I need to be a nurturing steward of the gifts you have placed in my children.  Let me see beyond the paths of my own life, that I might be open to the unique purposes and plans you have for them.  Lead me to release my agenda for thier lives, and to embrace and facilitate Your dreams for them instead.
• Lead me to diligence, discipline, and creativity in my work, that through the labor of my mind and hands your provision for the physical needs of my family would flow.  And in seasons of sickness or unemployment, give me yet an unwavering faith in You as this family's Provider and Protector. 
• Lead me to live each day with eternity in view, so that the ways in which I invest the time, talents and treasures you have loaned me will be an ongoing witness of Your infinite worth before the watchful eyes of my children.

Above all, lead me to the cross, the place where I might receive the grace required to humbly model for my family what it means to follow in the footsteps of Christ, loving and serving them as Christ loves and serves his church.
I bow my heart before you in recognition of my utter dependence.  Leading this family requires more wisdom, selflessness and strength than I possess.  But as you lead me, I now that you will show me the way to lead them.
It is in this hope and this promise that I expectantly pray.  Lead me, Father. Amen.


Man, this touched me just as much now as I was typing as it did the first time I read it.  It really reminds me that I can't do anything without God leading me and directing me!  Praise God that he loves me perfectly.  I love my children with all my heart, and my prayer everyday is that I am guiding them in the right direction, so that they would be God Fearing, God Loving, God Serving Men of God!!

Nothing More and Nothing Less

I get emails from Proverbs 31 Ministries and this is today's.  It really spoke to me. 

Nothing More and Nothing Less

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." Matthew 5:5 (MSG)

Lord, how can I become content with just who I am, nothing more and nothing less?

I'm certainly prone to want to be more, or less, than I am. To be smarter, prettier, funnier, fitter. To be more productive, perky and high energy. And then also to be lower key, calmer, more level-headed and focused.

I want to have better self-awareness, and yet I want to be less concerned about what others think of me.

I want to be a better cook, to sing beautifully and to keep th e house neat without so much perceived effort. And did I mention fuller, thicker hair would be nice too? I want to be a better writer – one that's both highly creative and meticulously organized. And I want fewer propensities to run late, slack off or procrastinate.

Yes, I want to be both more and less of me.

Jesus shushes my endless listing of the things I want to change about myself – to improve about myself so I can have what I'm sure would be a better life. He asks me instead to humbly make peace with it all. To lay down my notions of a better woman and a better life by letting Him be the judge of that. To simply take what I'm given and offer it back to Him, in service and surrender. Willingly assuming that I am enough – I have what it takes to live a great life. One that pleases God, others and self.

Today's key verse is among several in the Bible that fuels a core convi ction I hold: When I stop striving to create a life for myself, I find the life God creates for me. This, my friend, is a powerful truth, a divine secret. His life for me begins precisely where mine ends. My life ends in my sin and striving and begins again in God's grace and power. His empowering indwelling affords me everything I truly need and nothing I truly don't.

Do you too long to be content with just who you are in Christ – nothing more and nothing less? Jesus addresses us both in Matthew 23:11-12, ""Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." (MSG)

Amazingly, God's grace humbles a woman without degrading her, and His favor lifts her up without inflating her. The life she finds in Him makes her the proud owner of everything money can't buy – a life of contentment.

Dear Lord, help me to quiet my critical, striving spirit today and gratefully accept who I am and where I'm at in this moment. For You are here, ready to invisibly empower my life to count for plenty right where I am. Help me also to seek and hold your definition of "plenty" – nothing more and nothing less. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

What A Day!

This week has been a stressful week.  Ryan is working 72 hrs straight and then on Thursday he is taking a general knowledge test and a PT test to get back on full time with Reservoir Fire Dept so I can go back to school.  I had an A & P test Monday night that I was stressing over and on Tuesday I had the ACT to take.  I'm not sure how the A & P test went, seeing that half of the stuff on the test we DIDN'T go over in class.  And of course I have to wait until next Monday night to see how I did on the test. Praying for a great test! The ACT was yesterday.  I started out my day by going to the dr. and finding out some not so great news, but it will be ok, I am trusting in God to take care of me and to Heal me!  I BELIEVE he will! My friend Stephanie was with me to help me cram last minute for the math part of the test.  The math part is the score that I had to pull up so that I could even apply for Nursing School.  (Dang carefree attitude in high school is catching up with me). I had to take Steph home before going to the test.  We were getting ready to leave the house and I had locked the door and got in the truck.. Low and Behold, I had left my keys inside! GREAT! There was no way to get in the house, so I had to call Ryan.  Ryan was at lunch and it would have taken longer for him to leave the restaurant, go back to the station and then come to the house, time I didn't have! So Mrs. Carolyn, the FD secretary was a sweetheart and brought me Ryan's keys. So finally I was off to drop Steph off and head to Raymond.  I had decided that on my drive to Raymond I would not think about the test at all.  Instead, I would turn up my Crossgates Live CD and worship while I was driving to Raymond.  That was the BEST thing ever!  I was so calm and at peace when I went in to take the test!  I took the Hinds Residual ACT, which is only good for Hinds, so they were able to grade the tests after the test.  I had to wait 45 min after the test to find out the results but it was well worth it.  I ran to Sonic and got something to drink and just chatted on the phone.  I was a little nervous when they called my name to give me my scores.  I needed to pull my math subscore up by 3 points to be eligible to apply for nursing school.  And the moment arrived that I got my scores:

Science Reasoning: 22 (pulled up by 2 points)

Reading 22 (same as first time I took it

but higher than the second time)

English 26 (pulled up by 6 points)

MATH 20 (pulled up by 5 points) 

PRAISE GOD!

I was so excited.. I immediately called Ryan to tell him, he is my biggest fan and supporter!  I couldn't do any of this without him! Of course I couldn't do it without my family and friends support either!  Man I would be lost with them!! So after calling Ryan, I made several other calls sharing the great news!! I thank God for giving me the calm spirit and peace of mind to get me through the test!  I thank him for always being with me every step of the way through everything!  He called me into Nursing School, and I know that he will provide every step of the way, so that I can fulfill his calling in my life!

To everyone that has given me support, love, encouragement and distractions to keep me from going cray, Thank You so much!  It means the world to me.  I have a long way to go before I am finished but I know I can do it!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Phil 4:13

It's a "W" for the Rebels

 Ole Miss 27 - Tulane 13

 We can't say that it was a pretty Win for the Rebels Saturday night in the Super Dome, but after the opening game against Jacksonville State, a Win is a Win!  We still have lots to work on.. When you see a beautiful pass from Masoli to M. Summers it makes you smile.

M. Summers running for a TD after catching a BEAUTIFUL pass from Masoli

The play below.. wasn't so pretty! Well at least for the Rebels! This just added to the awful time we were having in the 3rd quarter!  Masoli threw this pass and somehow the Tulane guy caught it. Hard to explain unless you could actually see the play!  It was a great catch regardless!

We got lots of work on the defense, as well as the Offense, but you win some you lose some. (OH how Ryan would NOT be happy with me for saying that --Love you baby)
We aren't fair weather fans, so good or bad, we'll still be Rebel Fans till the end!!

HOTTY TODDY!

We'll Never Forget!

I still remember what I was doing when I found out about the World Trade Center.  I was working for the Brandon Police Department and I was driving to work on I-20 when it was announced over the radio.  I will never forget the feelings that I felt.  I had recently found out I was pregnant with Colton, and I remember thinking to myself.. I will never get to meet my unborn child.  I know that was very extreme, since we don't live anywhere near ground zero but that was the thought that kept going through my head all day!

I got to work, and within a few minutes, one of my bosses was hollering for me to come here.  So I went to his office, only to see the second plane hit the second tower!  What an awful feeling! We listened to the radio and had the news on all that day.  It felt like it was all a dream!

After listening to all the information on the radio and TV I really started to get worried.  My brother, Clay, is in the military and I knew that they would be activated and I was concerned for his safety.  Even the little sister worries about her big brother!  Clay has served 2 terms overseas in IRAQ, and for that Clay, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  You have sacrificed so much to make sure that our country is safe and that we have our freedoms! We Love you!  Thank you to all of our soldiers that have scarified so much and so many have sacrificed their lives for our country!!

To my Sweet Husband, Ryan. Thank you for what you do!  Not just anyone can run into a burning building to save lives and to put out a fire!  The boys and I appreciate everything that you do for us and what you stand for as a Fireman!!  343 fireman lost their lives that day! 

Let this Country NEVER FORGET!!

So many innocent people lost their lives that day!

God Bless!  We have so much to be thankful for!

Random Thoughts

So much is going on.. yet at the same time.. nothing worth really talking about, besides the things that go on in every day life, day in and day out.. So I thought I would just post on some random thoughts.

• I'm still disgusted that Ole Miss lost to Jacksonville State last weekend, 49-48
• I am looking forward to the rest of football season even though the opening weekend wasn't what I was hoping for..
• I'll always be an OLE MISS REBEL even in the bad years! 
• My husband has turned me into a complete Football Fanatic  :)  Love you baby!! (and truth be known I wouldn't have it any other way)
• My sweet boys melt my heart more and more everyday!
• I am still trying to find a way to stop the boys from growing up so fast.. its going WAY TOO FAST!
• I am enjoying school.. I guess I would be considered a "Nerd" or whatever.. I couldn't be a professional student if I had the money (gasp for those that know me and how my grades were in high school.  I could have cared less about school)
• I am loving the fact that the weather is, slowly but surely, starting to cool off.
• With cooler weather comes the fair, which I love! 
• Ryan, the boys and I enjoy curling up in the bed together at night and watching America's Got Talent and Minute to Win it!  Melts my heart!
• I am still trying to figure out what I did with my USB cord for my digital photo frame, the pictures I have on there now are from last winter.. OH MY.. time to update
• By looking at my desk, you'd never know that I heart my boys (all 3 of them)..:)
• Can't believe that there are 15 weeks until Christmas (yea.. your reaction is probably the same as mine was.. SERIOUSLY???)
• I read 2 chapters in my Sociology book before I realized that I had the wrong book, gotta love those kind of moments.
• I am feverishly trying to cram my brain for the ACT that I am taking next week.. Man its been a LONG time since I have done algebra! 
• Is realizing that I am slacking in the picture taking department.. The problem with this is.. the boys (Ryan included) have decided that they don't like pictures, therefore give me a hard time about pictures.  I informed them last weekend, that they would have to get over it.. cause Momma's gotta have her pictures!  
• Anyone else curious if the Saints will have another Great year like last year?  Only time will tell!
• Has the best family a girl could ask for!

What a Powerful Song!

Would you pray for this family and what God is calling them to do!

This couple is on our Sunday School Class at church and we have gotten to know them over time.  They are sweet, fun people who are earnestly seeking God's plan for their lives.  They are following his calling to adopt another child from Ukraine.  They adopted a son about a year or so ago from Ukraine.  And they feel and believe that God is calling them to adopt a daughter this time.  It is expensive to adopt, so they could use your prayers for favor in money and other things in this adoption.  We know that God is Mighty and can do anything, all we have to do is ask. 
Please visit their website and pray with and for them, as they follow God's calling in their lives!

www.fumia.blogspot.com

They are having a pancake breakfast fundraiser this weekend.  It will be at Applebee's in Brandon.  It is August 28, 2010, 7:30am - 9:30 am.  Tickets are $5.  Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a ticket in advance. 

Thank you in advance for your prayers for this family!

So hows school going?

Today marks the second full week of school for the boys!  So far so good!  Praise God!  They are doing well.  Pierce is adjusting well to "big" school.  We've had 2 small bumps in the road, but I know that it is all about testing the waters and getting a feel for "big" school!  He took speech last year at Ms. Mandy's and did so good.  He started that back this week too. He seems to like his teacher, Mrs. Hagan, as he has asked every morning this week if he is going to speech today!  I am thankful that they make it fun, so that he enjoys going.  It is doing him wonders!

Colton is adjusting well to 2nd grade!  He wasn't sure at first cause he doubts himself a lot!  But we know that he is very smart and will do great!!  We remind him that we believe in him every day and it seems to be helping a lot!  Praying before school also has made a HUGE difference.  The Power of Pray is AMAZING!!  No other way to put it!  He has done super!  He had his first "real" test today.  I say real because in Rankin Co. School District, you don't start getting number grades until the 2nd grade.  Up until this point it has been N's, S's and U's.  So this year he'll get real grades!  Ryan and I, along with Rere, have helped him this week to prepare for the test.  He told me this morning that he didn't know it but I knew otherwise.  Momma had to pull out the positive reinforcement, to remind him that I knew he knew the information.  I heard him and Ryan going over it this morning, while I was getting dressed.  And he knew it! 

Colton and Pierce, I know that ya'll both will have a GREAT year and learn so much!  Momma and Daddy are SO proud of you and Love You Very Much!!!

As far as my school goes, I started this week.  I have 1 night class and 2 online classes.  The night class started this week.  And I won't even lie, I panicked when class started! Why you ask?  Well my teacher started talking and none of us could understand what he was saying.  He is from Africa so he has a strong French accent.  Seriously??  Yep.. scary knowing that you are taking an already hard class, and then to throw a language barrier in there, makes it worse!  I thought about it, talked to family about it, and prayed about it, and decided to see if I could switch classes. I wanted to make sure that I took care of myself and put my best interest first, so that I can do the best I can in this class.  (By the way, this is A & P 1). I took off work early yesterday to go and try to get a new class, and after 2 hrs of waiting I was able to get it changed!  Praise God, and thank you God for being in the business of answering prayers!! My online classes start next week, and I'll start my new A & P 1 class! 

First Day of School 2010

My boys are growing up so much!!  I am loving this age they are, but at the same time it is so sad cause they are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before leaving for 1st day of school

My Handsome 2nd Grader :)

My handsome Kindergarten :)

(is he really old enough to start big school??)

They had a great first day, Pierce LOVED it, which is such a relief.. I was a little worried that he wouldn't like it but he loved it and was ready to go back this morning.  Ryan and I got to walk in both the boys  yesterday and this morning. Tomorrow is the big day that Pierce has to walk in all by himself.. which will probably make me cry! Colton is used to it, thankfully so that won't be so hard!  Man they are growing up too fast!!

Thank you God, for 2 precious boys that you have given us to love and raise!!  They are our lives!!!!!!!
Momma and Daddy love you both!!!

A Look Inside the Cavern

View from the walk down to the entrance.  At the bottom we had to listen to a lady tell us about the cavern and the rules of the cavern!  The Main Rule was DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING!!! Ok, no biggie, there are only 4 kids with us.. ha :)  They did great!!  Even though you could tell it was killing them not to touch anything, heck I wanted to touch it too!  The reason you can't touch any of the rocks in there is because the oils on our skin mixed with the rocks will make them stop growing. They have 1 rock at the beginning that you could touch but after that it was hands off!

The entrance

Do you know the difference between a Stalagmite and Stalactite?

Don't worry I didn't remember any of that from school either!

Stalagmite "might" grow to the top

Stalactite hold "tight" to the top

(Thats the way the tour guide explained it.. easy to remember)

Make sure you don't touch it, CP!

Isn't Gods Handy Work AMAZING!!!