Alison's sister has a friend who is over in Iraq and who is feeling a little down right now. So, in honor of the 4th of July, she is collecting "letters" to send to him and those he is with. If you would like to send one, just e-mail aross@arml.org and put in the subject: For Our Troops by noon on Thursday. She will send our messages of encouragement and appreciation on to them.
Here's mine:
Where can I even begin? What each of you do for me…as a daughter…as a wife…as a mother…as a Child of God can in no way be fully expressed into enough words of thankfulness. But still…for you…I will try…
You have chosen to leave your Momma and/or Daddy so that I can hug and kiss mine any time I want to.
You have chosen to leave your spouse so I can continue to celebrate my marriage and the love I have for my husband.
You have chosen to leave your children so I can stay here and cook dinner and play games with my two babies.
You have chosen to fight in a country who doesn’t want you there so that I can stay here and worship my God and teach my children about Him in the comfort of my local church.
You have chosen to fight for those who stay back here and only curse you and what you are doing. And for what? So they CAN curse you. I’m so sorry…
You have been chosen by me to humbly bow my head in honor of YOU…my protector of freedom…my defender of my country…
“Thank you” isn’t even appropriate for what you do for me, Billie, and my family. Honor you…pray for you…encourage you…that’s what I can do!
Please don’t give up! Please continue with the same resolve that had as to why you joined our armed forces. You are carrying a banner for all of us who can’t do what you are doing. It’s called the American Flag…wave it high and wave it proudly! Keep your head held high at ALL times…stick your chest out a little further and know that we couldn't be prouder to call you one of our own!
All Mighty God,
You are the Creator of all things. You made the reader of this…formed them in their mother’s womb. You know every hair on their head. Protect every hair on their head, Lord. You gave their heart the very first beat and I ask you continue to guard their hearts as they battle this terrible war. You gave them the swift mind that they have for this season of their life…Oh, Lord…give that mind a peace that passes ALL understanding! Above all, give them JOY in the midst of the storm they are in Father. Let those around them wonder what they have, and oh, I pray that it is You. That You shine above the hot sun to all they encounter. Thank You for them, Lord. Let them feel LOVE, peace, honor…even now at this very moment. SHOWER them with blessings beyond compare!
In Jesus’ Name…amen and AMEN!
Thanking you…honoring you…praying for YOU,
Billie
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Family Night Edition #3
So tonight was "Camping Night"! And boy, does my baby girl love to camp! I knew this might be her most favorite night ever simply b'c she asks to go camping...
...about 23.4 times a day.
So, Alison and I left the kiddos at school since it was water day anyway and headed to the house to set up the tent. Yeah...wished I had taken photos of that one. It was NOT our finest hour.
The end result turned out pretty good, though, don't you think?
Our get up! The family tent, some chairs, our suitcase with butterfly nets in it, some fans (this IS the south at the end of June people), sleeping bags, a chimnea (for our fire) and even my alarm clock that played frogs and crickets.
We are going for ambiance here, folks. Am-bi-ance!
One of my favorite parts that I was looking forward to for the evening was the scavenger hunt. I made 10 clues and hid them all around the back yard for Belle (and I had hoped Luke, but he was pre-occupied) to guess the "Who am I" clues to get to the treasure.
Pink clues were hidden on the swingset, the sandbox, the shed...all sorts of places that you'll see further down.
All lead up to this...X marks the spot hidden in the tree.
So, David picked up the kids and told him to call me when he was about 5 minutes away so I could finish things up. Belle walked in and immediately, her smile left her. She asked, "Did you forget about family night?" I bet her that I didn't and that she needed to go put the clothes on I had laid out for her and we would see.
This was her reaction when she walked out...
Here she piles up on the sleeping bag and asked Alison where she was planning to sleep.
Our family portrait! Don't we all look all "campy"?
Luke wasn't too fond of the tent. I think he likened it to the jumpy castle which in his mind was created for evil and sent to scare the tee total pee out of him. So, he pretty much had to sit in someone's lap while in the tent. As the wind blew in the tent we would hear, "No...STOP!"
But he sure did look cool! See me in his shades?
Catching butterflies...imaginary ones
Sissy even got to participate in this one!
See...isn't she beautiful? And SO in her element. She brought her Gussie out for the festivities as well. He even took a nap in the tent.
Lovin his hot dog
Chow time! We just had hamburgers and hot dogs...what you would typically have when camping.
My men!
After we ate it was time for the scavenger hunt! Clue #1: "I am made of wood and have colors of yellow, black and blue. You are always climbing all over me. Who am I?" (Swingset)
She wasn't quite sure about this at first. But she gets the hang of it...
And here she had just found a clue behind the american flag that read: "I hold your Daddy's 4-wheeler when he isn't using it. Who am I?" She didn't even say where it was. She just threw the old clue down and took off. That's Alison running after her.
Getting help reading the clue
She found another one "where you would sleep if you were really camping. Who am I?"
Luke...well...this is what he did the entire time Belle was hunting. Played Candy Land. I brought it out b'c you know...candy LAND...we are camping on the LAND. But he decided it was worht more than gold. So no pics of him on the hunt today.
Belle found something where "You want to climb me so bad but your parents won't let you. Who am I?"
Daddy lifted her up to claim her prize.
It was full of sour candy. She shared, though. And don't worry...Luke showed up REAL QUICK once he realized she found candy!
We ended our night by roasting marshmallows in the fire.
Just when I think these special family nights can't get any better, I turn out to be wrong. Tonight was wonderful! The Scavenger hunt was my favorite!
Look forward to seeing you all next week for another fun night!
PS--If you want some other great ideas for family nights, go here. Heather and Jacinda started this craze and you can look for any tags on their sites that say "family night". Other moms are starting to get on board and share their nights as well.
...about 23.4 times a day.
So, Alison and I left the kiddos at school since it was water day anyway and headed to the house to set up the tent. Yeah...wished I had taken photos of that one. It was NOT our finest hour.
The end result turned out pretty good, though, don't you think?
Our get up! The family tent, some chairs, our suitcase with butterfly nets in it, some fans (this IS the south at the end of June people), sleeping bags, a chimnea (for our fire) and even my alarm clock that played frogs and crickets.
We are going for ambiance here, folks. Am-bi-ance!
One of my favorite parts that I was looking forward to for the evening was the scavenger hunt. I made 10 clues and hid them all around the back yard for Belle (and I had hoped Luke, but he was pre-occupied) to guess the "Who am I" clues to get to the treasure.
Pink clues were hidden on the swingset, the sandbox, the shed...all sorts of places that you'll see further down.
All lead up to this...X marks the spot hidden in the tree.
So, David picked up the kids and told him to call me when he was about 5 minutes away so I could finish things up. Belle walked in and immediately, her smile left her. She asked, "Did you forget about family night?" I bet her that I didn't and that she needed to go put the clothes on I had laid out for her and we would see.
This was her reaction when she walked out...
Here she piles up on the sleeping bag and asked Alison where she was planning to sleep.
Our family portrait! Don't we all look all "campy"?
Luke wasn't too fond of the tent. I think he likened it to the jumpy castle which in his mind was created for evil and sent to scare the tee total pee out of him. So, he pretty much had to sit in someone's lap while in the tent. As the wind blew in the tent we would hear, "No...STOP!"
But he sure did look cool! See me in his shades?
Catching butterflies...imaginary ones
Sissy even got to participate in this one!
See...isn't she beautiful? And SO in her element. She brought her Gussie out for the festivities as well. He even took a nap in the tent.
Lovin his hot dog
Chow time! We just had hamburgers and hot dogs...what you would typically have when camping.
My men!
After we ate it was time for the scavenger hunt! Clue #1: "I am made of wood and have colors of yellow, black and blue. You are always climbing all over me. Who am I?" (Swingset)
She wasn't quite sure about this at first. But she gets the hang of it...
And here she had just found a clue behind the american flag that read: "I hold your Daddy's 4-wheeler when he isn't using it. Who am I?" She didn't even say where it was. She just threw the old clue down and took off. That's Alison running after her.
Getting help reading the clue
She found another one "where you would sleep if you were really camping. Who am I?"
Luke...well...this is what he did the entire time Belle was hunting. Played Candy Land. I brought it out b'c you know...candy LAND...we are camping on the LAND. But he decided it was worht more than gold. So no pics of him on the hunt today.
Belle found something where "You want to climb me so bad but your parents won't let you. Who am I?"
Daddy lifted her up to claim her prize.
It was full of sour candy. She shared, though. And don't worry...Luke showed up REAL QUICK once he realized she found candy!
We ended our night by roasting marshmallows in the fire.
Just when I think these special family nights can't get any better, I turn out to be wrong. Tonight was wonderful! The Scavenger hunt was my favorite!
Look forward to seeing you all next week for another fun night!
PS--If you want some other great ideas for family nights, go here. Heather and Jacinda started this craze and you can look for any tags on their sites that say "family night". Other moms are starting to get on board and share their nights as well.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A little more laughter in my life....
I have had a very bad day and came back across this video. Felt the need to repost:
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
See...TV CAN pay off sometimes....
#1...My daughter decided to write a letter to Duff (from Charm City Cakes on Ace of Cakes). Her Aunt Becky gave her the idea, so she did it...today...all on her own. I would have scanned in her cute little crayon letter, however, by the time I looked up it was in an envelope and sealed up. She just asked me how to spell words, but here's what she wrote:
Hi Duff
I'm Belle
I live in Arkansas
I watch Ace of Cakes and hope to see you soon
Love
belle
With a picture of a cake on it.
It's all about education here folks...ed-u-ka-SHUN!
#2...My son was sitting on his Daddy's lap and we realize he is actually doing this...
...all on his own!
Such a big boy! He watches "The Letter Factory" that teaches the sounds of the letters, but I never realized that my 2 year old has totally picked up on what they LOOK like!
I'm very proud!
Hi Duff
I'm Belle
I live in Arkansas
I watch Ace of Cakes and hope to see you soon
Love
belle
With a picture of a cake on it.
It's all about education here folks...ed-u-ka-SHUN!
#2...My son was sitting on his Daddy's lap and we realize he is actually doing this...
...all on his own!
Such a big boy! He watches "The Letter Factory" that teaches the sounds of the letters, but I never realized that my 2 year old has totally picked up on what they LOOK like!
I'm very proud!
Thank You, Lord!
Lamentations 3:19-31 (The Message)
It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God
19-21I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
28-30When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
31Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return.
It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God
19-21I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
28-30When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
31Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Family Night Edition #2
Thanks again, Heather (and various others) for some great ideas!
This time it was time to head out to "Under the Sea"! As much fun as last week's "Backwards Night" was, this one topped it. Maybe it was the water! Or maybe b'c this one was a complete surprise to my kiddos. I left them at school while Alison and I made a quick trip to the grocery store and I came home to get it all ready. Then, when the kiddos walked in, it was all ready.
Hope you enjoy "Under the Sea"
This is our "fishin poles" (pretzels) and "bait" (peanut butter)
Our under water adventure
We even had music of the islands!
Fun!
Here is more of our decorations. We plan to fish and watch "Shark Tale" as well.
What do you think of our "octopus dogs" and "shells"?
The centerpiece..."ocean water" with a cute turtle surrounded by fish for fishing later!
I just LOVE doing this stuff!
Walking into our adventure
Ready in her swimming suit with her "ocean water"
Thanks Mom!
Time to go fishin'
I'm tryin!
Belle got one
Our neighbors joined our watery night too
Belle fishin' for goldfish
Lukey eating his catch
Alison bought the kiddos a slip 'n' slide so we headed out to get under some water of our own. Belle has done it before and took right to it. Lukey, he was chicken-y and would only sit in the pool at the end. Eventually, though, he had a blast.
Me...what convinced me? Well, that would be the cheering section who were making fun of me for the Log Ride Debacle '08. Soooo...I did it. David got some video, but no one needs to see that.
For real!
Enjoy...
She's good at this!
I will spare you the photos that lead up to ME making it onto the slip n slide, but here we all are! Aren't we precious?
Lukey just wanted to play in the little pool at the end.
Daddy finally just threw the chicken (aka Luke) into it after about 40 minutes of just playing in the pool...
...And HE LOVED IT!
Oops! Occupational hazard...
We have only done 2 of these so far, but they have been some of the best experiences I've had with my family. We aren't out spending money to go somewhere and we are not only enjoying each other, but we are using our imaginations! Kinda makes you feel like a kid again, even thru the weight of the world we parents shoulder.
I challenge you...give it a try!
This time it was time to head out to "Under the Sea"! As much fun as last week's "Backwards Night" was, this one topped it. Maybe it was the water! Or maybe b'c this one was a complete surprise to my kiddos. I left them at school while Alison and I made a quick trip to the grocery store and I came home to get it all ready. Then, when the kiddos walked in, it was all ready.
Hope you enjoy "Under the Sea"
This is our "fishin poles" (pretzels) and "bait" (peanut butter)
Our under water adventure
We even had music of the islands!
Fun!
Here is more of our decorations. We plan to fish and watch "Shark Tale" as well.
What do you think of our "octopus dogs" and "shells"?
The centerpiece..."ocean water" with a cute turtle surrounded by fish for fishing later!
I just LOVE doing this stuff!
Walking into our adventure
Ready in her swimming suit with her "ocean water"
Thanks Mom!
Time to go fishin'
I'm tryin!
Belle got one
Our neighbors joined our watery night too
Belle fishin' for goldfish
Lukey eating his catch
Alison bought the kiddos a slip 'n' slide so we headed out to get under some water of our own. Belle has done it before and took right to it. Lukey, he was chicken-y and would only sit in the pool at the end. Eventually, though, he had a blast.
Me...what convinced me? Well, that would be the cheering section who were making fun of me for the Log Ride Debacle '08. Soooo...I did it. David got some video, but no one needs to see that.
For real!
Enjoy...
She's good at this!
I will spare you the photos that lead up to ME making it onto the slip n slide, but here we all are! Aren't we precious?
Lukey just wanted to play in the little pool at the end.
Daddy finally just threw the chicken (aka Luke) into it after about 40 minutes of just playing in the pool...
...And HE LOVED IT!
Oops! Occupational hazard...
We have only done 2 of these so far, but they have been some of the best experiences I've had with my family. We aren't out spending money to go somewhere and we are not only enjoying each other, but we are using our imaginations! Kinda makes you feel like a kid again, even thru the weight of the world we parents shoulder.
I challenge you...give it a try!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Oh, How He DOES Love Me
David and I are working on this song. I heard it a while ago and see where people play it in their churches everywhere, but we couldn't get our hands on the chord charts. We found 'em finally and I can't wait to do it.
...and neither can she...
...and neither can she...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Fun In the Sprinkler
Tonight Tiff came over and we headed out to the sprinkler. I found this silly thing at Wal Mart for something like $7.99. They love it!
And there they go!
My wet princess pose
My handsome little wet player
And there they go!
My wet princess pose
My handsome little wet player
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