A VERY Eventful 4 Days

It all started with Thursday...the day that this Momma's heart wept on it's own as it realized that her mothering of babies days were past. Luke slept his first night in his big boy bed. And this bed is very sentimental to me. It was my bed that my Momma and Daddy bought me when I first moved in with them, so I have had it since I was 13 years old. Of course the mattresses are new. We bought them when we moved Belle into it about this same age. I cried then...I cried harder this time. You can click on the photo page at the right to see more photos, but here are just a few.


Taking down the crib...be still my heart...


Putting up the big boy bed


I'm no Martha Stewart, but here's his room!


Ahhhh...sweet little boy asleep in his big boy bed.

Friday my little girl did the sweetest thing for her Momma. She told her Daddy she wanted to surprise me by washing my car (all her idea) because, "She is the best Mommy and she deserves it and the other washers are tired of washing my car." So, they snuck out after we got back from the store. After about an hour she came in completely soaked and said, "Are you ready to see your surprise? Tada!!!" It was SO sweet of her, and don't think she has let me forget. In the middle of nothing she'll pop up with, "Man, I sure did work hard on your car Momma!"


You Go girl!

Saturday...Belle was invited to a friend's birthday party where they had a petting zoo and pony rides. Belle really enjoyed it all. Luke just ran around growling at all the animals. Here are just a few of the photos (the rest are...you got it...in the photos link)


That cowgirl wink!


Feeding the animals


Growling...again


Guiddy-up Horsey!

Last night after church we had a great surprise...Aunt Becky came in for just a few hours. We drove to Rose Bud to see her and her family. The kids were very happy to see her.

I Want to Be A Part of It!

New York! New York!!! I would just like to say I am so very excited about my upcoming trip. Yes, ma'am, I am! I do not like green eggs and ham. Sorry...a little off track there.

It's a work trip that I take every year, and I've never really been excited except for last year when LeeAnna from church went with me. I work nights while I'm there, so the days were always just eating a Snickers bar in the big king sized bed with the TV on while I slept on and off during the day. The first time I went I woke up early to go to the Wednesday matinee of "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway. Fan-tas-tik!!!! Then, last year, LeeAnna and I actually toured the city during the day, which was tons of fun, even in the rain. And going with LeeAnna...I now know what it means to "shop 'till you drop". And girlfriend knows a bargain when she sees one, let me tell ya!

Ever since I started going to NYC, Belle has haggled with me (usually at least 3 or 4 times a week) about when SHE will get to go to NYC. At 3, I was able to work my way around it. As she got older (and I got to take LeeAnna) she became adamant. When I told her she needed to save her money in order to go, she started right there. Her piggy bank is now full! We can actually use her piggy bank as punishment now. She gets it taken away from time-to-time and is crushed! Anyway, this year Alison said she wanted to go with me. That got me excited again. But we were both bummed that Belle couldn't go, as I KNEW she would be when she found out Nana was going. Then, when we found the tickets SO cheap, Alison decided that would be the optimal Birthday gift for her.

The Overstreets got on board and for her baptism bought her tour bus ticket so she can for sure see the Statue of Liberty like she has always wanted (among everything else that city has to offer).



The Barbers also joined in and for her baptism bought her (and I...thanks Momma and Daddy) tickets to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. Yippiee! I'm just giddy with excitement.



So, either this Sunday or next Sunday (depends on if I decided I can handle 1 or 2 weeks of "Is it THIS day we go to New York?") she gets to find out that she is going. Alison wrote her a book that is called "The Surprise" that tells her the story of a little girl who always wanted to go to NYC with her Momma. I can't wait!!! I'll post pictures of her finding out as soon as we decide when to do it.

I also ask for your prayers. Pray for our pilots, flight attendants, smooth (non-scary) travel, protection the entire trip, and even for great weather. Also, Lukey will be in Ashdown having a severe spoiling session with his grandparents during that time. Pray we can fix him when he gets back! The trip is August 12-16th. Thank you in advance, and I praise God for this wonderful opportunity I have to share with my baby girl...who isn't so much a baby anymore...

** Side Note: Please don't tell Tiffany any of this. As far as she is concerned that week, I'm only going to be sick and that's why we can't see each other. She almost got to go with us, but at the last min she couldn't...so she's quite bummed. So we don't talk about it...Tiff...my throat is getting a little sore...

Whom The Son Has Set Free...

Is FREE indeed!!! Last night was such a blessing for us and our families and our church family. Two new beautiful young ladies made their declaration to everyone that they were no longer bound by this world, Glory!!! The night began with the worship team leading us all in a little "Heaven's Jubilee"...(Oh, what singing! Oh, what shouting! On that happy morning when we all shall rise!)

Don't you just feel your toes 'a tapping right now?

Then Pastor preached about the importance of Baptism and what it symbolizes for the Child of God.

Then came time for this...are you ready?



Yup! My baby girl on stage singing "Take my shackles off my feet so I can dance!" (See earlier post for the full rendition!) We put the words up so everyone might actually catch a word or two of what she was saying. She eats the microphone when she sings (not quite like Ritche Sambora, but close) so I knew folks might not exactly understand her. I was so proud of her! She has been goin' all diva on me for months with that song in the car and she finally got to share it with others.

For those of you who do not know, I grew up traveling around with my Momma and Daddy and their bluegrass band. So, naturally, I asked them to come and sing us a little ditty or two for the occasion. My Momma was due to bring her big upright bass, but alas...she couldn't fit it in the car. My Daddy had to swing by Benson pump and pick up some tanks and there just wouldn't be enough room. Priorities. I know. (Don't you feel refreshed knowing all of this?) Anywho, Belle sang with us. How special! Three generations together. Singing. Praises for what God has done. Brought us ALL to His saving grace. Whew!!!


Singing "He Set Me Free"!


"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found! Was blind but now I see!"

Coming from the sweet little voice of the Miracle God blessed me with...inside brought this Momma to her knees!

Now came what we had all been waiting for...witnessing Belle symbolizing becoming a New Creature! And what a blessing that David got to do the honors. Here are the rest of the pictures.


Old Creature Belle


New Creature Belle


The Barber Bunch


The Overstreet Bunch


Luke Gettin' Jiggy Wit it (Check out his shirt: I'm with Handsome)


Celebrating with Daddy and Mrs. Debbie


Cousin Ayden was There Too!

What a blessing! I think we will all remember this day forever!

Amen, Sister!

"Because, you see, God's will for us is easy. Our own will is so hard. And sin is bad. Sin tries to take us out of God's will. If we will just praise Him and listen to Him we can stay in God's will that is easier. He loves us so much, Momma."

--Belle