Goggle fun

Silly girl found these goggles in her closet and has decided she needs them all the time-in the shower, around the house, in the pool...I think they are as big as she is! :0)

Friday Night fun with Friends

It was SO MUCH fun to hang out with our friends Jill and John and the kiddos.  Prior to kids, we use to get together EVERY.SINGLE.THURSDAY night!  Since kiddos came and work schedules got a little crazy, we don't get together near as often as before.  Tyler and Caroline played well together while Nori entertained us.

Tyler taking Caroline for a piggy back ride

Nori's ready for bed.  Look at that hair, reminds me of Caroline's at that age. :0)

down for the count

Silly girl sleeping

I love that our girl has SO many options for sleeping...guess she can sleep anywhere, anytime, anyway!  Notice she is sleeping sideways in her bed while her bears are at the head...

A special day...

About this time last year PCUSA (The Presbyterian Church USA) made some changes to their book of order that went against the authority of scripture.  Many members of our congregation were upset by the changes and felt like it was time to move in another direction.  Members of our session have spent many hours working on this and guiding our church in the way in which they felt the Lord was leading us.  A few months ago our session voted to leave PCUSA for ECO-A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.  Yesterday our congregation had an opportunity to vote on the issue and voted 502 to 52 to leave PCUSA and join ECO.  Praise the Lord!  We are very excited to see what the Lord has in store for us as we begin a new journey.

Once the congregational meeting was over, we moved over to our newly renovated sanctuary for the first time...oh it was beautiful!  As if all these things were enough for a truly mountain top experience, it was also ordination and installation Sunday for our newly elected deacons and elders.  Just so happened that my sweet hubby was being ordained as an Elder in our church.  I listened carefully to the oath in which he was agreeing to take...what an amazing opportunity the Lord is providing him and what an awesome responsibility he has in the life of our church.  There were many other neat men and women standing beside him! 

Looking forward to the exciting things that are to come in the life of our church!

The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference

Some of you may remember a few months ago I had a HUGE yard sale to help raise money for my trip to Orlando, Florida for the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference.  While I was exhausted, it was worth every crazy minute of cleaning out, pricing, sweating and bargaining! :0)

We left at 7am Thursday morning to head to Orlando.  We stopped about half way there and had a picnic lunch, which was great.  We were back on the road to finish the trip within in an hour.  We arrived around 3, checked in and headed to the lazy river!  It was AWESOME!  Later that evening, we registered for the conference and enjoyed a scrumptious dinner outside by the pool.  It was the perfect evening.  The temperature was mid 80's...So much fun to sit with the ladies in the group and catch up.  It's funny how our paths cross but there never really is any time to sit and really chat.

Friday morning I slept in till 7:30!!!  Yes you read that correctly, I was super proud of myself and it felt great!  I think the total room darkening curtains really helped.  We hung out in our room and drank coffee until around 9:30.  (my sweet friend Susan brought her coffee pot from home along with some yummy coffee and creamer!  thanks Susan)  Then we enjoyed a brisk walk outside before coming in to get ready for our conference.

The conference started at noon with Tim and Cathy Keller, then DA Carson and John Piper!  The Keller's spoke on marriage and our role in marriage.  He reminded us that real love is sacrificial love.  When we think about the fact that Jesus stayed on the cross even though he looked at me-sinning  and hurting others-he stayed.  Therefore we should honor our commitment to our spouses and stay even when it's tough.  Tim's wife Kathy spoke as well.  She posed the question "what should people be able to tell about our Christian walk by our marriage?" 

Don Carson (also known as DA Carson) spoke of preserving the Gospel based on the scriptures of 2 Timothy.  John Piper spoke on "The Search for Joy and the Supremacy of God in the Gospel."  He defined the gospel as "the great work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  He removes every obstacle in the way of you enjoying eternity in which he becomes the object."      WOW! Brain overload right there and that was just the pre-conference!!!  Sadly I left my camera in the room because I could have gotten some great pictures of my dear friends-the Kellers, Carson and Piper our seats were so good!!!!

The actual conference began Friday afternoon around 4.  The Getty's lead us in worship and were WONDERFUL!  (again our seats were awesome!!!!)  We heard Tim Keller again and then Paige Benton Brown. Tim Keller's topic "On the Mountain: The Terrifying and Beckoning God (Exodus 19)  One thing that he said that I especially loved was "no one was ever told they were a sinner and changed, they had to be shown."  Paige Benton Brown is a mom of 3 YOUNG children and spoke on "In the Temple: The Glorious and Forgiving God (1 Kings 8)  She said God doesn't forgive the sin, he forgives the sinner.  He paid the price for our sin by going to the cross.  Jesus life wasn't taken from him...no he FREELY laid it down for US.  We finished up around 10:30 Friday night and headed up to our room for an early night.  However, we someone managed to find the Gamecocks on ESPN and stayed up till midnight!

Saturday's worship began around 8 and was amazing.  We got to hear John Piper again as well as Carrie Sandom.  John Piper spoke on "In the Throne Room: The God of Holiness and Hope Isaiah 6)  He listed 7 glimpses of God:

1. God is ALIVE
2. God is AUTHORITATIVE
3. God is OMNIPOTENT
4. God is SPLENDID
5. God is REVERED
6. God is HOLY
7. God is GLORIOUS

Carrie Sandom's topic "From a Miry Swamp: The God Who Comes and Delivers (Psalm 40)  She focused on two things-The Lord's unchanging character and The Lord's enduring promise-his deliverance will come!

Shew...what a morning! Thankfully I remembered my camera and got some fun shots with friends as well as MR. JOHN PIPER!!!!!  Look at that!

Dottie, Laura, (Beth) Ellen, Susan, Charissa, Alexis, and myself

Unfortunately we had to leave early in order to get home in time for some church business. Thankfully the sessions were videoed and will be posted on the TGC's website in a few weeks.  We were about half way into our trip when someone held up a sign on notebook paper that said "your left front tire is FLAT!"  Being the calm, cool and collected person that I am, I PANICKED!  Thankfully my friends (Beth) Ellen and Susan knew exactly what to do!  We bought a tire gauge (which I thought I had but didn't) and went to work.  A really nice guy traveling with his family, who happened to be a mechanic, came over to help us.  He checked the tire out and didn't feel like there was anything in the tire, maybe just a slow leak.  So he gave us instructions and sent us on our way.  I was still a little freaked out but thankfully it all worked out fine.  We stopped every hour to check and had to fill with air about an hour from home.  There were so many "God" things that happened with this particular situation that we couldn't help but praise him...

1. we left early enough that it was still daylight when someone saw the tire
2. we made a wrong turn which detoured us about 5 or 10 minutes, otherwise the car that told s about our tire may have never saw us
3. a mechanic  (who was driving an old Toyota) just "happened" to be there and was nice and honest while the gentleman driving the nice BMW SUV, seemed to be a little put out when we asked for help...

Thankful that the Lord's plan is perfect and that he loves us so much to care even about the little things in our life.  I learned a little more than theology the trip home... :0)

checking the tire pressure

last pit stop-gas, air for the tire and a bathroom!

What a gift to spend 3 days with these amazing ladies!  I love sharing life stories and learning form others.  I loved my time away to reboot, refresh and come home ready to serve my family!  I think Caroline grew up while I was gone-she looked a little taller and spoke a little clearer!  What a joy to walk this journey with other believers!

fresh veggies

have i told yall how much i am LOVING our garden!  things are really becoming to ripen and i am loving it! 

this particular tomato bush is taller than i am.  we bought the tallest stakes that lowes has so i don't know what we will do next.  they are hanging over the top and continuing to grow!!

 just a few more days and this is gonna make a YUMMY tomato sandwich!

 caroline and daddy picking the grape tomatoes

 earlier this week, i made a yummy garden full of goodness lasagna.  i found it in a old southern living magazine.  however, there are way too many ingredients for me to type on here.  so i found the next best thing-paula deen's recipe.  it's pretty much the same except my recipe was double and made two lasagna pans.  works great since you are already making a mess, why not make one for the freezer!  i had plenty of lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes so i made a scrumptious salad to go along with it. 

don't tell the hubby but i am loving this gardening thing!  reminds me of my childhood.  a meal full of garden goodness!  i could truly pick up tomorrow and move back to the country, live on a couple acres of land, plant a huge garden, raise some chickens, oh man!  so wish my daddy was here to see all this...all those years i complained about working in the garden and here i am with my very own "very little" garden and loving every minute of it!

What a difference 3 years makes!!

While we were at the beach, I was going through some of my older pictures of Caroline and came across this picture below.  This is one of the very first pictures I took with my digital camera.  I LOVE IT!  I have it on my fridge and in other places but just don't have the heart to delete it...as I was looking the picture on my camera, I realized that it was exactly three years ago from the day that I took the second picture.  It really is amazing how much these kiddos have changed in 3 years!!

June 7, 2009

 June 7, 2012

Happy 9th Anniversary Sweetie!

I can remember as a child always thinking it was crazy that my parents couldn't remember "how long ago" something happened...well now I am right there with them although it's a little different.  I am great with dates however, 10 years ago seems like just the other day.  I moved into my own place a few years ago, ok maybe 13... :0)

So when I think about the fact that Andy and I are celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary, it seems like it was just a few short years ago.  Dates/milestones are always a time of reflection for me...I think about where we are and what has happened over the years.  This milestone is no different.  I think back to when we got married.  Andy had just received a HUGE promotion and we were living the american dream-young, married, lots of money to spend!  I thought I loved my husband. I also thought we were strong in the word and walking with the Lord.

I have learned several things:

• We soon learned that with the great money came LOTS of long hours and time apart.  Andy was working an average of 60 to 70 hours a week.  We never saw each other.  He was off on Tuesday and Wednesday and of course I was working those days.  I was enjoying spending the money he was making because what else does a new wife do when her hubby isn't home???  After about a year, we made the decision for Andy to go back on his seniority.  It cut his income by almost half but we were happy!  We were able to spend weekends together, go to church, have dinner together, etc.  It was a great lesson that helped prepare us for the decision to stay at home.  You only spend what you make, you learn that some things aren't important and most of all, money can't buy true happiness!
• Yes I loved my husband in the only way I knew how.  I knew that he loved me and wanted to make me happy.  I thought that love meant always being happy.  Today I love my husband because he is the head of our household and he loves us as Christ loves the church.  He takes his role as my husband and Caroline's daddy seriously and works hard to provide us with the things we need.  Not just material things, but physical, emotional, spiritual things.  The love I have for Andy can't really be put into words.  We aren't always happy and we aren't always lovie dovie but by george we know that we are in this thing together for the long haul!  And when the going gets tough, we've got each other and the Lord and that my friend is all that matters at the end of the day!  
• We started going to church together shortly after we started dating.  We attended church pretty regularly but it was ok if we woke up and didn't feel like going to church.  In 2006 we joined a bible study and began to realize that we weren't really walking with the Lord.  We weren't giving him the very best we had-time and resources included.  We began to see God changing us and our hearts.  Andy began to understand what it meant to be the head of his household, to truly serve Caroline and I, putting our needs above his own.  And boy has his answered that call!  Three years ago Andy was nominated to serve as a Deacon in our church and just this year, he was nominated to serve as an Elder. I am so proud of him and the man God has called him to be.

I am so thankful for the wonderful man God has placed in my life.  I couldn't imagine walking this journey alone or with anyone else.  Happy anniversary Andy!  I love you!

Swimming fun

Yesterday was a water packed, fun filled day!  We started the day by joining  Grace, Ruth and Helen at the pool after their swim lessons.  Caroline was so excited so see them that she never asked why I didn't have my swim suit on!  (missed me can't you tell!)  The girls thought it would be fun to take Caroline on the diving board.  I wasn't so sure about it but she had on her puddle jumper and there was a life guard stationed close by!  The kid had a blast!  She jumped a bazillion times and never got tired.  The girls were trying to teach her a few tricks which I was very thankful she didn't learn right away.  Otherwise this momma might have had a heart attack for real!

Caroline

 Grace

 Ruth

 After that, we took Grace home and stayed for our swim lessons.  At first Caroline wasn't too sure.  She wasn't thrilled and I was worried maybe she was "pooled out."  Nope, with a little help from Mrs. Barbara, she was ready to swim the day away!

Mrs. Barbara truly has a gift with kids and swimming!  Worth every penny!

jumping in

 swimming to the other side

 moving those arms

 coming up for air

 woo hoo she made it!

 ready to go again!

 look at those arms

 Mrs. Barbara teaches the kids if they ever get in trouble-jump in without floaties, get tired of swimming, etc. turn over on their back and float.  Maybe i am the only person who has ever thought about this...so stinking clever!  Mrs. Barbara counted over 60 seconds that Caroline floated on her back by herself.  That's my girl!

So thankful for another year of swim lessons with Mrs. Barbara.  So thankful that Caroline isn't afraid of the water and is a very quick learner!

guess what i found...

As you have have guess, this would be a strand (or maybe several strands) of Caroline's hair.  Last Sunday while washing her hair for church, this just sort of "fell" out.  I have a good idea that someone used some scissors to cut it but she said that bear cut his own hair while she was sleeping...crazy girl.  We had a long discussion about the fact that only Mrs. Crystal or Miss Jennifer cut her hair-not mommy, not friends, not Caroline!

Beach day with ADPi girls and kiddos

A few days ago I got a FB message from a friend declaring today, ADPi Beach day.  Several sorority sisters were on vacation at the beach and one lives at the beach.  We figured out a time that worked for all of us and decided to meet at the beach club where one of our sisters is a member.  It was the absolute PERFECT day!  There were 9 mommy's and oodles of kiddos (somewhere around 16 or so).  The kids had a great time and played so well together.

arriving at the beach

Amanda and Ava

thanks Amanda for making it all possible!

Amanda's little boy Austin was SO EXCITED!

Caroline immediately fell in love with Amanda's niece Emily.  She was attached to her the entire time we were at the beach!!

trying to be like the big kids

me and my doodle bug

~thanks Angie

Tyler-Angie's handsome little man

having fun in the surf

Jules, Laura, Austin and Tyler

Emily, Caroline, Ella and Ava found the large dead crab on the shore.  They spent the better part of the morning looking for crab parts...they were so proud!  We washed their hands really well before lunch!!!

After almost 2 hours on the beach, we headed to the pool.  The kids had so much fun jumping off the blue box.

Jules and Jayce waiting for lunch

Enjoying the kiddy pool

After almost 4 solid hours of fun, Caroline looked at me and said "mommy i'm tired, i want lovey and i want to go home."

ready for the ride home

Needless to say it was a QUIET ride home...

So thankful for sweet friendships that have lasted so many years!  Sororities often get a bad rep and I know many people told me I was "buying" friends.  Well 13 years later, I am so thankful I "bought" those friends.  :0)  We have enjoyed weddings, baby showers, girls trip and lots of other fun and exciting things together.  We have also been there for each other during hard times, like the loss of a loved one, sick children, ill parents, etc.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these girls would be there for me no matter what!  What a gift that is!  While we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, when we do get to hang out, it's like we never missed a beat!  And although life at the beach looks A LOT different than it did 10 or 12 years ago, we wouldn't have it any other way!

Today was one of those days that I wanted to pinch myself because I was so excited and so incredible thankful for all the many wonderful gifts God has blessed me with.  What a blessing it is to be with great friends!!  So thankful for my wonderful husband who works so hard to provide for us so that we get to enjoy fun days like today! :0)  Until next month...

fresh blueberry cobbler...YUM!

One day last week Caroline and I picked fresh blueberries at our friend Mrs. Susan's house.  I put several bags in the freezer for later and kept some out for us to snack on.  Yesterday while the house was quiet, both Caroline and Andy were asleep, I deciced to make a blueberry cobbler.  Oh my stars, it has been several years since I made one with fresh blueberries (well just cobler in general) but it was so yummy!

Happy Father's Day

We enjoyed a calm morning at home before heading off to church.  Caroline placed Andy's card under his pillow and then work him up.  "Daddy look your present is under your pillow!"  She was so excited.  Poor fella couldn't hardly see... :0)  We are so thankful for the wonderful daddy that he is.  No matter what, he always makes times for his girls and works so hard to provide for us.    Thank you Andy for knowing what it means to be the head of our household and working so hard to be the man God has called you to be.  We are blessed!