The fun continues, even in the rain!

Today was a rainy day at the Gulf, but we didn't let it stop us!

As is tradition, we went to Lambert's!  (they wouldn't hold still for a picture)  These 6 had a blast sharing a table together!

Eli flubbed up one throw, but for the most part everyone caught the "throwed rolls".  This guy was even sweet enough to hand Maddie one as she was scared to ask him to "throw" it! 

Then he showed off a bit too!

(Can't tell by he's juggling 3 rolls, while our kids look on)

With the rain it was also a great day to check out the shops! Another tradition - picture in the sharks mouth! :)

 

Still having fun and tomorrow we worship together and hopefully get on the beach before our family Christmas!

Gulf Shores

We made it through the 14.5 hour trip and we are finally on the beach!

Surprisingly they were happy most of the way, hope I can say that on the way home :)

 Sunny, white sand and lots of beach!  

Having fun enjoying the beach.

Cousins having fun with the water and sand!

Even enjoyed some fish and shrimp tonight!  YUM!

Eight Years Old

 Today Eli turns 8!  It's hard to swallow, my little man is getting big!   He's as handsome as ever.  He loves to dress up and was excited to wear a new birthday shirt and tie (from my mom and dad) to celebrate his birthday!

We have celebrated his birthday for a week now.  Last week with my parents, yesterday with Ron's parents and then today.  Eli wanted Gravy and biscuits for lunch.  Ron and I got to work as soon as we got home from church and we finally sat down to eat.  By the time we finished up this little man had waited long enough for gifts! 

Before presents Eli poses in his new Coon Skin Cap (from Ron's parents).

While we were opening he added a birthday hat!

Silly boy!

One thing he had specifically asked for was a ski mask to stay warm this winter!

We had fun celebrating our little man! 
Love the contagious smile! 

By the look on his face, he liked the soldier battlefield cake!

So today we celebrated our little man!  Eli, you bring a smile to everyone we meet!  We love you so much and are so proud of the young man you are becoming!  Continue to seek Jesus and desire to be His!

Happy Birthday Eli!

Eli = 8

Today Elijah Wesley is 8!  Doesn't seem possible!  Our little man is growing up!  I'm sure I say this yearly, but he really brings such joy and laughter to our family!  Such a fun and loving little man!

more pictures to come as we celebrate!

A Year Ago...

One year ago this morning, I woke in a hotel room in Circleville.  My in-laws just next door (with half my kids).  We had said our final goodbye's to Ryan Nathan...yet there was so much more to be said!  The grieving process is one I do not claim to understand.  I am learning that while a process, it is different for everyone and yet so similar.  The emotions of the past 12 months are long and difficult.  To loose someone so young, so early.  There was so much more to say.  We know he had more to say.  As we communicated for the last time in a hospital room just hours before he was put on hospice care and sent home - he wanted to talk.  He wanted to communicate and yet everything was cut short.

Ryan was not only an amazing man.  He was a loving uncle.  Always a smile for his niece and nephews!  He was a devoted daddy, He loved and was so proud of his four girls.  He was a passionate husband - he loved Holly unconditionally.  He was a son, one of only 2, the youngest, the baby of the family.  He was a brother - full of competition and admiration for his big brother!

He was a nephew, a grandson, a cousin, a singer, a friend, hard worker, a learner, a talented man, a craftsman, there are so many words that could describe Ryan.  Most importantly Ryan was a lover and follower of Jesus Christ!  He believed very strongly and he would tell anyone about his relationship with Jesus.  He desired for everyone to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Jesus!  He had dreams to build the kingdom!

Now as we are a full year from saying our last good-byes - the grieving continues.   The pain..the loss  a life that was  taken way too early.  A life that had so much more to live and give.  It's hard to swallow, yet I know if Ryan were here today he would say - Love Jesus, Live each day for Jesus!  He lived it - He desired it for his children, his family, his friends, everyone he met! 

We are not guaranteed our next breath in this life.  Are you living each moment, each breath for Jesus or are you just living and hoping to get that all sorted out in the end? 

We continue to grieve.  We continue to go through the gamete of emotions!  And we continue to trust in the only One who knows our pain and sorrow - JESUS!

Memories

Today we're sitting at lunch with the "babysitting kids" and Maddie when I asked Ron to get a clementine started for a little guy I watch.  "He can peel it once it is started", I said.  Well Ron grabbed it and the memory started.

"I remember when my brother (Uncle Ryan) and I would have a competition" (it's a brother thing) "to see who could peel an orange without breaking the peel" (in other words - keeping it in one piece).

He had the kids attention then and he proceeded to peel the orange and tell how Ryan and he would compete with each other on who could get the farthest.  It took some time, but he got it - one piece! 

Memories!  I took a picture so the boys could share in the memory too!

Busy Weekend - Piano Recital and Musical

This weekend was full!

Yesterday my parents came.  They came early enough to watch the "dress rehearsal" of the kids Musical.

Then we spent the afternoon together before going to the boys piano recital.

This was Eli's first recital and the 2nd for Ronnie and Nathaniel.  All three were a little nervous, but did great!

They all had solo's then Nathaniel had duets with both Eli and Ronnie!

Dawn is their teacher and a fabulous one at that!  She is a very talented lady who loves Jesus and loves the kids!  I'm so thankful she is teaching and working with the boys to develop their musical talents!

Then this evening our Ney church kids put on the Musical, "Fifth Grade Scrooge".  19 kids from Ney UMC put on a fabulous musical and just did so well.  They didn't even appear nervous with over 100 people in attendance.  

My pictures did not turn out well - bad photographer!  But we have some VERY talented young people!  

Maddie and her friend, Marissa, held hands, swayed and sang Silent Night beautifully! (This picture was taken right before as they practiced, they were swaying so much I didn't get a clear picture during the performance).  They were both so great!  Very proud!

The cast led by Barb Vance, piano, who does so well with the kids.

Eli played the part of Mr. Bah T. Humbug - so out of character for our lively happy little man.  He admittedly struggled to stay in character as he sang, "Who Needs Love".  In his words, "it's hard not to smile while I sing."  He was great!  

Fabulous Weekend filled with lots of talent!

Volunteer Friday's

Every other Friday, when Maddie has school, I get off from babysitting and go to volunteer in Maddie and Eli's classrooms.

There are lots of benefits and reasons I like these days!

#1 - I get to take the kids to school.  Usually Dad is the chauffeur, but on these days, I get to drive! (don't worry Ron I was stopped at the light when I took this).  We get in the car and start our ride with prayer.  Each of them praying for another and then me praying for their day!  Love it!

I enjoyed volunteering too!  I get to do a lot of 1-on-1 with Maddie's class (worksheets, reading, etc.) and that is right up my alley.  Love that age, although in public school I'm realizing how broad the spectrum is among 5 and 6 year olds.  Maddie is flourishing in her classroom and loves her first year teacher, Miss Keil!  I so enjoying seeing Maddie in her classroom and am thankful for that opportunity.

After a couple of hours with Kindergarten I get to go to Eli's 2nd grade class.  Although, I'm not in the classroom.  With his class I pull each student out for a timed read and so I get to interact briefly with them 1-on-1!  Don't really get to see Eli in his classroom much, but I do see him and have gotten to know more of this classmates.  I enjoy this time too!

Another bonus to these Friday's off is that I am finished at about 11:15/30'ish and I have gotten a fun lunch date.  Wish I had pictures to show, but take my word for it, my date is a hottie. :)

Ron and I had gotten several Applebee's gift cards recently, and we have been enjoying our Friday lunch dates!  (not sure what we will do when the cards run out)

So, I have enjoyed my volunteer Friday's.  Love being with my kids and with Ron!