School Pictures {Cade}

Well, I promised that I would have this posted yesterday.  And I had all intentions.  I even had a cute picture to show you.  After he was all dressed up, I opened his assignment planner to sign off on his homework, and there it was….a flyer mentioning that pictures were Friday (today.) 

Anyway, I think I should get extra mom-of-the-year points for being a day early.  It’s better than a day late!

Here is my handsome little man.

   

I’m not sure if this is Little Rob or Little Dexter.  That may be a post all in itself:)

School Pictures {SaraGrace}

SaraGrace had school pictures today.  I was so proud that I actually remembered, so she was dressed really cute! 

I forgot to take a picture before we left for school, but luckily, her sweet teacher took this with her phone and sent it to me…

Y’all…my children never grow.  I’m telling you, we wear the same clothes for several seasons.  Here is SG in this same exact dress, only 2 years ago.

  

I’m really glad she can still wear it, because I think she looks just precious!

Tomorrow is Cade’s picture day, so I will have even more cuteness to show you.

Letters to the Preacher’s Wife

Have you ever sat and thought about all of the advice that is sought from a preacher and his wife?  I know if Rob or I need some counsel, the first people on our list are our pastor friends. 

I want to share a new blog with you.  I was surfing the internet (just don’t tell the boss!) and stumbled across this…

This is a “Dear Abby” type blog, except that you don’t get “Abby’s” opinion, but Biblical advice to questions asked by us, the readers.   What a neat concept! 

I just thought I would share another great blog with you!

Have a great day!

JU-NAX-TIX & Cheerleading

As I mentioned on Friday, SaraGrace started her very first gymnastics class.  This is the first extra-curricular thing she has ever done.

She just looked so cute in that leotard.

 

She was so excited that she got to do cartwheels…

 

…handstands…

    

and backbends.  They even showed her how to do handstands and backbends against the wall.  I’m sure we will be picking out a new wall paint color in the next few months!

Here she is doing her cartwheel.

 

While a gold medal may not be in our near future, a broken arm just might.  Let’s hope not!!!

And since this post is all about SaraGrace, here are her newest cheerleading pictures.

SG and her partner in crime.

Here she is putting Elmo up in a “stump”.  For those of you who do not know cheer lingo, that would actually be a stunt. 

I even caught her trying to convince Cade to let her put him up in a “stump”.  Thank goodness he didn’t agree to her terms:)

Friday Randoms

I see everyone posting about random stuff, and now I finally get it.  There are just some happenings that are going on, but they don’t require a post to themselves.  So here is my random post:

• Progress reports came home this week, and Cade did not disappoint.  All A’s and one B.  He was so upset about having a B, but I told him we would work to get it to an A before report card time.
• Football is still alive and well.  We’ll be cheering on those tigers on Saturday.
• Rob and I finally booked a cruise for just the two of us.  We really need a vacation, AMEN?
• SaraGrace is so excited.  Today is her first day of “JU-NAX-TIX”.  In case you can’t decipher, it’s gymnastics.  I’m sure that will warrant a post on it’s own.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and GOOOOOOO GATORS!!!!

Passing Through the Waters

We have entered a chapter in our lives, where we will be experiencing all of the firsts without Faith. Last week was one year ago that we found out I was pregnant. All of these anniversaries will bring back memories, and the wonder of what she would be like. This is a different season of grief.

Truthfully, I would say this season is probably a little harder. Our lives have changed tremendously. And as it often happens with change, Satan has tried to wreak havoc on the fact that with change comes some uncertainty. Just when we feel like we finally have our heads above water, another wave comes crashing down. Or when we put out one fire, we find ourselves walking in another. We have felt extremely defeated at times. Every aspect of our lives has been affected by our grief.

Our devotion this morning was on Isaiah 43:1-2. I know the Lord heard my heart and gave us these words:

¹But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

²When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Our devotion pointed out that the Bible doesn’t say “if” we pass through the waters or “if” we walk through the fire. It clearly says “WHEN.” He also tells us that WHEN we go through these things, they will not destroy us, because we belong to Him.

Though this new season of our lives will undoubtedly bring some sorrow, they will also bring joy. And while some things here on earth may seem uncertain, there’s one thing that will always remain the same….Jesus!

When you’re passing through the waters or walking in the fire, I pray that you will know with certainty that you can trust in Him.

Football, Fear and Fans

Our weekend was CRAZY!!!  I feel like I needed to come back to work just to rest:)  We started out Saturday with Cade’s Pop Warner game.  I didn’t get but one picture, but it’s  really cute!!

Gracie with her pickle.

 

A funny story about the pickle….We walked to the concession stand at 10:00am.  She had just eaten breakfast, but insisted on a pickle too.  The nice lady opened the brand new jar of pickles, and pulled out the one on top.  SaraGrace asked her, “Ma’am, that one ain’t big enough, can I have that one?” as she pointed out the biggest pickle in the jar.  Luckily for her, the nice lady totally obliged.

After Cade’s game, we rushed home to get ready to go to the Swamp. 

Here’s Rob and me before the game.  I hate that this is so dark. 

 

I’m so glad Amy got to go with me.  This was a rare treat!  And this picture is even better!!!

Cade had to wear his Tennessee jersey, and he did it so proudly.  Grandpa Andy sent this to him so it is very special. 

Once we left the Swamp, we headed North to the “Hun-Tin House.”  We had to hang some lights and fans.

Cade kept busy sweeping all of the saw dust.  He did a great job!

   SaraGrace kept the snack schedule running tightly.  She even shared with Macy (the dog.)

Remember the lights and fans?  Well, I wanted to help, but I didn’t realize I would be spending the day on top of this.

See that death grip?  I kid you not, I have blisters on my hands, and I am pretty sure it is from hanging on for dear life.

I was able to let go, briefly, but just for a picture. 

“Look!  No hands!”

I did finally get somewhat comfortable and Rob and I hung fans and some of the lights. 

Here is a picture of the ceiling.  It looks beautiful!

And here are the fruits of our labor!  We have light!!!

 

Rob and Jon had to stay overnight and finish it up today.   Now that’s dedication!!!

There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are plugging along.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Lately

What have we been up to lately?  Well, we’ve been crazy busy both at home and at work, which explains the SEVERE lack of blogging lately.  So today, we will catch up on what has been going on.  Hold on, because this is going to be long, random and have lots of pictures.

Football has consumed nearly every moment of our lives lately.  We spend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the football field.  That makes for one tired Momma!  But Cade is having such a great time.

Here are my two littles after the game on Saturday.  Cade had a great game, as we played his old team from last year.  He even snuck in a tackle on one of their star players.  I was sooooo proud!

Let me tell you a little about Cade this week in practice.  He has had a pretty good week.  If he has a good practice tonight, he has possibly earned himself a starting position on the offensive line.  Did you hear that?  Offensive Line!!!  Um, just so you know all 47 pounds of sugar will be blocking some 90 pounds of something else.  I would say I may just be a little nervous.  But my little Rudy can handle it!!!

Little Miss Cheerleader is still going strong!  Here she is doing a toe touch during the game. 

Help me Lord as  I believe this just may be some payback.  At least that’s what my Momma says.

Here’s another “Hands on Hips and Smiles on Lips” moment.

And we can’t forget our attempt to do a split.  I’m so scared she’s going to split something that ain’t supposed to be split.  She is such a rounder!!!

 

Here’s all three of the munchkins!  Brinley is one of Cade’s biggest fans! 

After the game on Saturday, we met up with some friends and went to Rock The Universe at Universal Studios.

We had such a great time, and Rob and I enjoyed getting to spend some time together, worshipping the Lord with some of the greatest artists around. 

 

We had to take this picture for Cade.  Apparently, this is Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car, and since he is now SOOOO into Nascar, this was a must-have-photo.  He couldn’t believe we actually got to see something like this.  I’m so glad HE was excited:)

Our first order of business was to ride Shrek 4D.  The line was incredibly short, and the glasses were incredibly ridiculous!!!  Here’s Patty and me sporting these lovely accessories. 

We rode a couple of other rides, but then it was time to see one of our favorites…Third Day! 

   

They were amazing, as always!  Then it was time to see our all-time favorite, Casting Crowns.  They just don’t come much better than that!  The Holy Spirit was alive and well in that place, and I believe that revival took place.  They sang two of their new songs, The Well, and Jesus, Friend of Sinners.  Check these two songs out.  I promise they will bless your heart!

This was our first time at Rock the Universe, but we have been to Night of Joy several times before.  I must say how much I LOVED Universe because we were able to hear the gospel presentation shared with so many on several occasions throughout the night. 

Even though we have been so busy, we are so careful to keep our focus on the One who has granted us so many blessings.  Are you focused on Him?  He sure wants you be!  I hope you all have a wonderful day, and know that Jesus loves you!

Our Labor Day Weekend {Finally}

I’m sorry I am so far behind in blogging!  But hopefully I am back on track. 

We spent our Labor Day weekend in Amelia Island.  I am not a huge fan of the beach, but this one is sooooo beautiful that I could live there!

The weather was so nice.  It wasn’t too hot, and the waves were amazing!!!

Here’s Brinley sporting the sunscreen hairdo.

 

Rob and Cade had a blast fighting off the sharks  to swim in the crazy crashing waves.

 

It about killed Cade to come out of the water to reapply the sunscreen, but I’m so glad he did.  I was able to get this really cute picture.

 

SaraGrace, on the other hand, spent all weekend perfecting her cheerleading skills.  This is her new life dream!!

“Hands on hips, smiles on lips!”  If I hear that one more time…

 

We even had a little stunt practice on the shore.

 

Then Daddy buried Cade in the sand, and Cade thought it was so cool!

Of course Little Miss couldn’t be left out.

We had a great trip, and it was much needed time spent as a family. 

Thank you Lord for your bountiful blessings you have given us, both through your creation and our family.

I’m Still Here

I know it’s been several days (Oh my gosh!) since I have posted, and I promise I haven’t gone anywhere.  I have some pictures from Labor Day to post, and I can’t wait to share them with you tomorrow.

In the mean time, can I ask you to please pray for our family?  We are walking in the fire, and I know the Lord is molding and shaping us for His glory, but it’s been a tough couple of weeks.  I love my blog family and you have all been so gracious to love on and care for our family, and I want you to know how much you mean to us.

Until tomorrow,

High Emotion

He came home from school, his arms full of the everyday stuff a third grader would carry. He slapped his papers on the counter and hung his backpack by the door. He found his way to the refuge he calls his room to play videogames until football practice.

The counter in the kitchen had become a home for everything that didn’t belong there. I rushed to clean it off before Rob got home, and started hurriedly going through the stack of papers that seemed to tower over everything else. I came to the stack of school work that he had laid on the counter just moments earlier. As I fumbled through them, checking to see how he is progressing in school so far, I came across the drawing at the bottom of the stack. I couldn’t contain the emotions that began to overwhelm me. How could it be that such a little fellow could have such complex feelings, then put them on paper so beautifully. I knew I couldn’t throw this one away. He had put so much into this simple drawing, and I knew it would be something that we would treasure.

The assignment:

Draw something that brings High Emotion.

The picture: