Orphans of God

I was listening to the radio yesterday, and the song, Orphans of God, by Avalon, started to play. I've heard this song a thousand times before, but for some reason, this time, the words of this song hit me like a brick. Recently, we had three precious children in our church lose their parents and I could not get them off my mind. Can you imagine how they must feel? Lonely. Scared. Helpless. Confused. I just pray they KNOW & FEEL the love of our God in such a real way. I pray they grow up to feel valued and important because THERE ARE NO ORPHANS OF GOD!!! I hope you'll take a second to watch this video and really listen to the message. All I can say is WOW.

Aren't you grateful for the consistent love of a faithful God who looks past your faults and loves you for YOU? I am thankful I don't have to try to be someone else or try to meet certain expectations--He just loves me for who I am! No pressure, no exceptions. I drove down the road with tear filled eyes overwhelmed with a grateful heart. I am a child of the King and NOTHING will ever change that! I hope this will bless your heart as much as it did mine. And please, please pray for these three children as they deal with the loss of their parents. They are so precious to the Him!

Avalon - Orphans of God - Front Row Live - Gospel Music Chan

6 Months Old Already?

Today my baby boy is 6 months old! Can you believe it? It just blows my mind how the time has flown by and to think that in another 6 months we'll be celebrating his 1st b-day is CRAZY. It seems like just yesterday I was leaving the hospital with Jesse, but at the same time, I can hardly remember life without my precious boy. I am incredibly grateful to be a mommy...nothing has ever made me happier than the two boys God has given me!

Father's Day 2009

Since I wasn't able to blog yesterday, I wanted to be sure to wish my wonderful Dad a Happy Father's Day!! And why do I love my dad so much you might ask? Well, I'll be happy to tell you. :)

1. He's such a good listener. When I was in college, my dad and I had a date night every week and we would sit and talk for hours. I always walked away feeling like I could take on the world and what meant so much to me was that whatever I was talking about, whether stupid or serious, I knew it REALLY mattered to him. These talks are some of my most treasured memories and it gave me a confidence that can not be taken away.

2. He's an encourager and has always wanted what is best for me no matter what. Now that I'm a parent, I know how hard it must be to see your kids grow up, become more independent, and for some, move away. My dad has ALWAYS encouraged me to follow God's plans for my life no matter what that meant. I remember when I moved to Charlotte and was leaving him in Lynchburg, he didn't hesitate to let me go because he knew that's where the Lord wanted me. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for him, but that's what a good dad does. He taught me how to be independent, but most importantly, he taught me to be obedient to the Lord.

3. He's a giver. He taught me by example how to be unselfish and to put others before myself not expecting anything in return. This is not always easy...especially when the people you love hurt you...but I've learned that doing what is right is not always the easy thing to do.

Thanks dad for loving me the way you do--I am SO blessed to be able to call you "DAD". I LOVE YOU!!!

I also have to say Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband who celebrated his 1st Father's Day yesterday!! Not only did the Lord bless me with a wonderful dad, but he blessed me with an a wonderful husband who is an incredible dad to our little boy. Thank you Joshua, for being the amazing dad you are. Jesse will grow up knowing how incredibly blessed he is to have a dad like you. We love you so much!!!!!

Bradley turns 2-4!

Okay...I just have to say that I was blessed with the two most wonderful brothers in the ENTIRE world. They are just plain cool. :) And even though we live so far apart and aren't able to see eachother every day, we still have such a close bond that I will forever be grateful for. TODAY is a very special day because my baby bro, Bradley, turns 2-4! I always tease him because he will forever be 5 in my eyes, but what an amazing man of God he has turned out to be. He has a heart of gold and God has blessed him with such a humble spirit that makes everyone want to be around him. He has a laugh that is contageous...and boy can we laugh! Just wanted him to know today how very happy I am that he is MY BROTHER! I'm a lucky girl. :) Hope you have a very happy b-day today, B! I love you very much!

Here we are...way back in the day!

And here we are laughing...

More Laughing...haha

The Handsome B-day Boy!!

Happy B-day Mindee!

My cousin Mindee is celebrating her b-day today and so I thought I would wish her a GREAT day!! This girl is really the complete package--fun, a family girl, beautiful on the outside, but most importantly she is beautiful on the inside. I love you girl and I pray that you feel SO special today...because you are!

We Can Roll Over!

Our Jesse boy is rolling over on a regular basis now...here is a short clip I got last night and please excuse him fussing @ his frog. I'm not exagerating when I say they have a love/hate relationship! :)

Chick Magnet

Okay, even if he is a "Chick Magnet", it won't do him any good because he's not allowed to have a girlfriend until he's 30!!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

I know this is late, but better late, than never! :) We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend...I looooooooooove long weekends like that and I appreciate them that much more now that I have a child. We spent the majority of our weekend at my in-laws house on the lake. It was relaxing and we always have such fun with our friends and family.

Jesse with Michael's (Joshua's cousin) girlfriend, Sarah! We love her.

I LOVE this hat!!! haha


My fav :)

Mommy & Jesse

Daddy & Jesse watching the boats!


One of my best friends here, Jennifer, and her little boy, Eli, came to hang out with us! Jennifer is expecting another baby right around Jesse's B-day! YIPPEEE...we are so happy!!



We broke out the mini motorcycle and all the boys (young & old) had a blast with that. Umm, and yes, Phillip even took Mahala...but he went easy on her. :) Look @ her eyes in this pic...cracks me up!!!


3 HANDSOME little boys...they are getting so big. :(


Jesse also had his 1st hair cut (or trim I should say) on Memorial Day. I know he is still little, but his hair has grown so quickly and all those wispys were completely out of control, so Aunt Mandy came to the rescue and trimmed it up a bit. She did a wonderful job!!!





My handsome boy after his 1st trim...thanks Aunt Mandy! I love you.



That pretty much sums up our Memorial Day Weekend...family, friends, lake, LOTS of food, haircut, & fun. I always walk away from those weekends feeling really worn out, but recharged at the same time. Funny how that happens. :)

And last but certainly not least--the reason we celebrate Memorial Day--THANK YOU to all who serve or have served our country so bravely!! We are so grateful for all you do and continue to ask God to bless you and your families in a very special way.

What's this Stuff?

I was fixing dinner a few weeks ago and Joshua called me into the family room to see something. I sat there and cracked up as I watched Jesse study Joshua's facial hair. It was so sweet to watch but I don't think he knew what in the world to think. ;) I jumped up to get my camera and I'm so glad I did because these pics are just so priceless. I love them!