WOW! I cannot believe it has been a year (April 3rd) since our precious babies entered this world! Being a mom is incredible! It has been more than I could have ever imagined! Being a mom has helped me understand unconditional love like our Heavenly Father has on us (even though I'm not perfect as He is) and the price my mom and dad paid for years (and still pay to this day).
I can honestly say our children are incredibly easy! Yes, there are hard days, but I am grateful for the fun personalities, huge smiles, nights of sleep, laughter for no reason, bright blue eyes, kids reaching up for me, the sounds of "mama" and "dada", and new discoveries daily!
Ryleigh Belle you are our sunshine! You are so full of personality! We can already see the leader in you! Your eyes grab the attention of everyone around, and they sparkle with every grin. You have a take charge / go get'em attitude. We pray that God will use this personality to reach many for Him and minister to those around you as you grow older. You are pulling up on everything and can walk sideways while holding onto things. You talk constantly (no comments from daddy please) saying "mama", "dada", and "gah". You are learning to wave too. You no longer army crawl and can get around very fast on your hands and knees! We love you sweet girl!
Ave-man you are our cuddlebug! You are so laid back and take life in stride! You are so much like your daddy it is crazy! Your smile captures the heart of everyone around you! Your eyes sparkle too! We pray that God will use your love for others and sweet spirit to spread the love of Christ to all that you come in contact with as you grow older! You are starting to pull up on things now. Sometimes you are just content to stay on your knees, but if you want something you will go all the way to your feet. You like to say "mama" and "dada". Other sounds come out as well. You give the sweetest kisses! You get around pretty fast using the army crawl! We love you buddy!
We have survived a year! I know that there is no way I could have made it without first our God, my awesome hands-on husband that is very involved, my mom who watches the kids almost weekly, and other friends and family that pitch in to help! We are also so grateful for a wonderful sitter while I work. Deborah, we love and appreciate you!
Last Saturday we celebrated the kids' birthday with lots of family, friends, food, fellowship, and gifts! It was a great day!
4 Acres
Our 1 Year Olds!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
We serve an awesome God - in the good and the bad!
The last week and a half have been so emotional. I have felt so convicted over being in a crummy mood because snow messed up my plans the other weekend. So many people are facing extremely trying and heartbreaking times, and I was upset over missing a gymnastics meet!
Last Monday, one of my sister's best friends was admitted into ICU with double pneumonia. This young lady is usually a picture of health and it is still hard to believe she is so sick. The week was a roller coaster ride for her family and friends. As I sat with Dana at the hospital I was amazed at the faith this family has and how when things seemed to be crashing they still had their eyes on Jesus and placed their hope and trust in Him. She is still in ICU and needs our prayers. Yesterday the family got some encouragement from 2 doctors. Keep praying for this young lady, her parents, sister and brother-in-law, extended family, and friends. As a big sister I also ask that you pray for my sister Dana as you can imagine this is hard on her as she watches her friend struggle.
Friday evening Dana and Adam were coming over to our house for dinner and Wii. Rando got called out on a horrible chaplaincy call that would just break your heart. Not too long later we learned that one of our college students, Justin John, had passed away after a very long battle with cancer. The 4 of us were saddened, but also rejoicing in the fact that he was no longer in pain. Justin is now in the presence of our Lord.
On a positive note we had a dear friend and one of our former youth give birth to a healthy baby boy. We got to go visit with them and hold this precious baby Saturday night. Friday night some of our good friends told us they were having a baby girl!
I say all this because I have been reminded over and over lately that our God (the 1 true and holy God)never leaves us. He never changes, and He never loses control. We can trust Him in every aspect of life: sickness, death, parenting, work issues, ministry, and anything else we may face.
I do not understand how people go through life without Christ! If you do not have a relationship with Christ talk to one of us or a Christian friend/relative. He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you!
Last Monday, one of my sister's best friends was admitted into ICU with double pneumonia. This young lady is usually a picture of health and it is still hard to believe she is so sick. The week was a roller coaster ride for her family and friends. As I sat with Dana at the hospital I was amazed at the faith this family has and how when things seemed to be crashing they still had their eyes on Jesus and placed their hope and trust in Him. She is still in ICU and needs our prayers. Yesterday the family got some encouragement from 2 doctors. Keep praying for this young lady, her parents, sister and brother-in-law, extended family, and friends. As a big sister I also ask that you pray for my sister Dana as you can imagine this is hard on her as she watches her friend struggle.
Friday evening Dana and Adam were coming over to our house for dinner and Wii. Rando got called out on a horrible chaplaincy call that would just break your heart. Not too long later we learned that one of our college students, Justin John, had passed away after a very long battle with cancer. The 4 of us were saddened, but also rejoicing in the fact that he was no longer in pain. Justin is now in the presence of our Lord.
On a positive note we had a dear friend and one of our former youth give birth to a healthy baby boy. We got to go visit with them and hold this precious baby Saturday night. Friday night some of our good friends told us they were having a baby girl!
I say all this because I have been reminded over and over lately that our God (the 1 true and holy God)never leaves us. He never changes, and He never loses control. We can trust Him in every aspect of life: sickness, death, parenting, work issues, ministry, and anything else we may face.
I do not understand how people go through life without Christ! If you do not have a relationship with Christ talk to one of us or a Christian friend/relative. He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you!
GymDogs 2010
4 years ago for Valentine's Day Rando surprised me with tickets to see the University of Georgia's gymnastics team compete. He had no idea how expensive this gift would end up being. 4 years later we are season ticket holders and hope to add the kids next year to our season tickets. We love it (and yes I said we)! It is amazing how athletic and incredible these ladies are. They have won 5 straight National Championships and even though this is a rebuilding year we have posted the 2nd highest score in NCAA this year!
Before the season started we got to go to a Meet and Greet with the team. We took mom and dad with us because they are always so good to take us to fun things. A few years ago we took dad to a meet kicking and screaming and now he wants season tickets too! We also met my "second parents" Hank and Debbie at the Meet and Greet. It was fun to get to talk to the girls and get a behind the scenes perspective from the new coach. Afterwards we enjoyed a steak dinner with mom and dad and The Maxwells!
Most meets we are using as date nights, but on February 5th we decided to take the kids to their first meet. I was nervous about this b/c having 2 we do not have any extra hands when we go out just the 4 of us! They were exceptional! They both loved watching the people around them and the girls perform. During the floor routines they danced to some of the music. Avery who usually is not our waver waved at Hairy Dawg. Hairy came over and held Avery for a picture.
We are looking forward to many more years of making memories while enjoying some good gymnastics and cheering on the Bulldogs!
Before the season started we got to go to a Meet and Greet with the team. We took mom and dad with us because they are always so good to take us to fun things. A few years ago we took dad to a meet kicking and screaming and now he wants season tickets too! We also met my "second parents" Hank and Debbie at the Meet and Greet. It was fun to get to talk to the girls and get a behind the scenes perspective from the new coach. Afterwards we enjoyed a steak dinner with mom and dad and The Maxwells!
Most meets we are using as date nights, but on February 5th we decided to take the kids to their first meet. I was nervous about this b/c having 2 we do not have any extra hands when we go out just the 4 of us! They were exceptional! They both loved watching the people around them and the girls perform. During the floor routines they danced to some of the music. Avery who usually is not our waver waved at Hairy Dawg. Hairy came over and held Avery for a picture.
We are looking forward to many more years of making memories while enjoying some good gymnastics and cheering on the Bulldogs!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Babies' First Christmas
As a kid you think Christmas could not get any better. Well, it does! What a joy to see Christmas through the eyes of your kids! They do not understand the true meaning yet of course, but I pray that one day they will understand that we give gifts and bless others because we have been given the greatest gift of all - Jesus. He truly is what Christmas is ALL about.
The kids loved Christmas. They actually opened many of their presents and played with the toys. Of course there was some eating of paper and playing with boxes as well. We were blessed to get to spend time with both sides of our family and lots of friends! I can't wait until next year when the kids understand a little more!
The kids loved Christmas. They actually opened many of their presents and played with the toys. Of course there was some eating of paper and playing with boxes as well. We were blessed to get to spend time with both sides of our family and lots of friends! I can't wait until next year when the kids understand a little more!
Been a long time so I will back all the way up: November 09
During the month of November the kids found a new love: Hockey! Dad was given box seats for the Gladiators and we enjoyed a great night with family and friends! The box was perfect for the kids because there was plenty of space for them to crawl around and play. Ryleigh's eyes were glued to the ice though. We may have a future hockey player on our hands!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent some time at Rando's parents (mammaw and pappaw) and then rode over to Alabama so the kids could meet the rest of Rando's family. It was a great time to catch up! Of course the kids got spoiled and we ate some good food. We drove home late that night.
On Friday, the kids got to meet my Aunt Mae (actually she is my dad's aunt and my great-aunt). She has always been like a grandmother to us. Her son Ernie and his wife were there as well.
On Saturday, we enjoyed the GA/GA Tech game with some great college/20's students at church! Of course we enjoyed the outcome as well!
We closed out November with pictures with Santa. The kids did great! Avery got tired of Santa fast and Ryleigh stared him down trying to figure out what the deal was with the beard!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent some time at Rando's parents (mammaw and pappaw) and then rode over to Alabama so the kids could meet the rest of Rando's family. It was a great time to catch up! Of course the kids got spoiled and we ate some good food. We drove home late that night.
On Friday, the kids got to meet my Aunt Mae (actually she is my dad's aunt and my great-aunt). She has always been like a grandmother to us. Her son Ernie and his wife were there as well.
On Saturday, we enjoyed the GA/GA Tech game with some great college/20's students at church! Of course we enjoyed the outcome as well!
We closed out November with pictures with Santa. The kids did great! Avery got tired of Santa fast and Ryleigh stared him down trying to figure out what the deal was with the beard!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Weekend Getaway - Oct. 9-12
Back in August I surprised Rando with tickets to the GA/TN game. Included in the gift was a cabin in the mountains, use of my mom's convertible, and other bulldog stuff. It worked out that the Friday before the game ended up being a furlough day for me so we got to leave earlier to enjoy some time shopping in Athens and then riding through the mountains.
At the game we got to see Rando's Aunt Debbie and my brother and sister (of course we see the 2 of them a lot but it was still fun to hang out with them). Dana and Adam actually got to sit with us. We would have liked to have seen a bulldog win, but we still had a great time!
The cabin was incredible! It was nice to relax and spend time just the 2 of us. We love our kids, but we also know it is vitally important that we keep our relationship strong! We ate lots of good food and did some shopping. We also got in a game of putt-putt. On the way home we made sure to stop and eat at the Dillard House. Thank you mom and dad for watching the kids so we could enjoy this time!
At the game we got to see Rando's Aunt Debbie and my brother and sister (of course we see the 2 of them a lot but it was still fun to hang out with them). Dana and Adam actually got to sit with us. We would have liked to have seen a bulldog win, but we still had a great time!
The cabin was incredible! It was nice to relax and spend time just the 2 of us. We love our kids, but we also know it is vitally important that we keep our relationship strong! We ate lots of good food and did some shopping. We also got in a game of putt-putt. On the way home we made sure to stop and eat at the Dillard House. Thank you mom and dad for watching the kids so we could enjoy this time!
Halloween 09
Before I share about our Halloween I have to boast about my dad! Thursday at about 11:30 am he left Athens, GA on a bicycle (not a motorcycle) on a mission to ride to Jacksonville, FL! Several other HBC staff members joined numerous UGA Baptist Collegiate Ministries' students for the 2009 Ride for Christ - all proceeds going to send college students on the mission field this summer! Friday night dad pulled up to the Jacksonville City Limits still on his bike to a crowd of college students cheering him on! He rode 300 miles in 29 hours and 30 min. He was the only one to ride the whole 300 miles! This is a HUGE accomplishment! We are very proud of him! Of course Rando made sure we knew that he and Chip Cranford went 400 miles (in the support van).
While daddy, granddaddy, and Uncle Adam were enjoying (if that is what you want to call it) the GA/FL game Avery and Ryleigh transformed into Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They were precious! Ryleigh didn't like the getting dressed part, but she LOVED the attention later. Avery got tired of his costume after about 30 minutes at the Fall Festival. We just walked around and talked to people. Due to the rain the festival was moved indoors and the petting zoo animals didn't come. That was the only think that my kids could have done, but they enjoyed the people watching instead! They did get to see their friend Raleigh who was also Minnie Mouse.
Mickey and Minnie had fun with mommy, Aunt Dana, and grandma. After the festival we went to see Great Granny and Great Granddaddy Wynn! They gave lots of kisses to Mickey and Minnie!
It was a fun evening. Of course we wish the dawgs had won and that daddy could have seen them in their costumes, but we know he was helping raise money to send out missionaries this summer!
While daddy, granddaddy, and Uncle Adam were enjoying (if that is what you want to call it) the GA/FL game Avery and Ryleigh transformed into Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They were precious! Ryleigh didn't like the getting dressed part, but she LOVED the attention later. Avery got tired of his costume after about 30 minutes at the Fall Festival. We just walked around and talked to people. Due to the rain the festival was moved indoors and the petting zoo animals didn't come. That was the only think that my kids could have done, but they enjoyed the people watching instead! They did get to see their friend Raleigh who was also Minnie Mouse.
Mickey and Minnie had fun with mommy, Aunt Dana, and grandma. After the festival we went to see Great Granny and Great Granddaddy Wynn! They gave lots of kisses to Mickey and Minnie!
It was a fun evening. Of course we wish the dawgs had won and that daddy could have seen them in their costumes, but we know he was helping raise money to send out missionaries this summer!
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