Saturday, April 27, 2013

Veggie Tales LIVE




Just plain AWESOME!!!  The kids were ecstatic!
Our church group was even drawn for pictures with Bob & Larry, too!  :)

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Easter FAMILY Blessings

    
    
     One thing I have learned in this life is that the definition of family isn't just mere biology & not necessarily found in like DNA.  Our FAMILY is much greater than that.  It's the people who you are close to, know you inside & out, know that you all may carry around differences of opinion yet still choose to love you.  It's the ones that know our kid's likes & dislikes~knowing who loves to read & who could care less, knowing who is tender hearted & who is more care free, seeing them pick up new talents thanks to their encouragement, watching one of them completely get out of their shyness & now enduring the constant singing, knowing who would rather just christen the floor with a wet mess as to stop & go to the potty, realizing how IPs & night-nights save my sanity & that "milk" isn't just milk, & rejoicing with us in every milestone as one rolls & scoots all over the church.  It's who lets us call you crazy names like Soup that seems to have stuck.  It's mine knowing who will give them their way & who may not.  It's also playing church at home while imitating, "Say you verse!"  It's those we celebrate with.  It's those we sell way too many cokes & candy bars with so we can take our children on fun times together.  It's those we are with several times a week & puts up with our kids in services & restaurants & ALWAYS offer a helping hand.  It's those who send us cards & check in on us faithfully.  It's those who feed us even though there are 7 of us & know we eat like little pigs.  It's those special people we trust our kids to go home with.  It's those that stand by each other's side through thick & thin.   It's those we can trust & have confidence in to help us through the heat of the battle.  We laugh together, cry together, worship together, pray together.  It's all those together times that makes us the rock that we are.  Aimwell Calvary Holiness Church is a huge part of our life & our family!  I never knew we would grow so close in 1 year!  We love you!
Our Aimwell Kids

& YES there are tons others that fit this bill also!  Close friends, you know  who you are!  I couldn't pick who to type about first so I just went with old fashioned ABC order. Aileen, I couldn't say enough about our years of friendship!  Amy, I can always call & know you'll listen, understand, encourage, & pray!  Crystal, you haven't even been here very long yet our girls are awesome friends!  Our poor baby boys have lots of "minding their sisters" in store ahead of them!  Ellie, I can always tell you ANYTHING & never fear to hear of it being repeated.  That's hard to find these days!  Gina, you are the strongest woman I know!  Your strength amazes & encourages everyone that knows you!  Jennifer, you are an awesome friend for the funnest of times!  During the serious situations, you are the BEST at never being judgemental & always understanding.  You have a HUGE heart.  O how our kids are such great friends!  Julie, you've made it your home here recently too yet no one is any more practical or helpful than you!  Kendra, what else could I say?  I call...you call.  Life happens in between.  You are so trustworthy, honest, & unreal strong!  You have helped me see the best of some crisis situations.  Mary, you always show such great faith!  You are truly a prayer warrior!  Your heart for young people inspire me!  Michelle, you've been the pastor's wife I needed!  You've been that advisor of greater knowledge than I!  Teena,  you are my mom & homeschool encourager!  You always pick me up when I am down.  You have such a huge heart for helping others!  Teresa Leigh, we have been friends since Pre-Algebra!  We go a long way back!  My kids adore your boys, & we cherish all of those fun memories we have make together!  The Gentry's, y'all have come into our lives at the exact moment we needed you.  Thanks for all you do!  We are behind you 100%!
 
I could cry tears from missing seeing y'all! 
 
& a HUGE shout out to "Aunt" Marsha!  You are all of the above & more!  I could never sing your praises nor thank you enough!  Yes, you & your family are our survival!  Who else is so real?  Who else understands?  Who else have I cried with when the battles were raging?  Who else would babysit 5 kids at a moments notice?  I never have to worry a bit about any of them either.  You all know them just like I do, & we love y'all to the moon & back!
 
Now that's a REAL family!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Happy Birthdays

Our Marianna Jewel Turns 7
 
    

     As I tell Marianna all the time, she is our favorite middle girl! ;) She was named after both families.  Most people don't know my daddy's first name is Marion, & Nathan has the best Granny in the entire world which also happens to be our neighbor.  Her name is Ruby Jewel.  There could never be a more precious, special person to pass down a beautiful name.  Marianna has her same big heart & sweet spirit.  She loves animals (especially dolphins) & playing dress up.  She decided this year on a Fancy Nancy theme inspired by the books she loves.  We pulled off a huge surprise by her BFF Mallory coming!  Both girls are full of giggles & enjoyed themselves being all "fancy" together!  It was truly a special day!

 
& Clay Walker Turns 2
 


    

     Having our boys was our special surprise gifts from the Lord.  Clay has brought new life with his extra spunk & JOY to our family!  He always flashes his beaming blue eyes & sly little smile.  He keeps us on our toes & is such a blessing!  We couldn't imagine living a moment without him!
     With our first, we started taking every child to the zoo when they turn 2.  Clay LOVES Diego so that worked out well with his jungle theme.  Once we got to Jacksonville, it rained.  Instead we ended up at St John's Center, The Cheesecake Factory (a family favorite), The Museum of Science & History, & a few other activities.  The kids had a blast downtown Jacksonville.  Being together & focusing on them is what counts anyways.  We'll have to catch the zoo another time soon!
    
  A special thanks to EE for the beautiful cakes, Meme for the parties & everyone who celebrates with us!  & of course the kids love the way too many awesome gifts! 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Playing Catch-Up

Our Christmas was filled with such wonderful excitement & many blessings! 
Right after New Years, we lounged at the BEACH!

 On Valentine's Day we were skiing hard in Snowshoe, WV~even little Miss Raegan! 
Our two little boys also loved the snow!

 
 
Other than that, it's been our usual~family & friend get togethers, church activities, & everyday life!
 
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Thanks To Faithful Followers!

     Can't believe you are still checking in on us!!!  I appreciate it!  Our computer had to go to the "hospital" for chronic illness & ended up in the graveyard.  :(  So every time I am near one, I have to pay bills or look up something pressing.  The positive is that I've been able to read some great books!  I do miss posting & reading my favorite blogs!  I am now borrowing mama's laptop for a short while.  Hopefully we can buy another one soon!  Then, I should be up & going again!  I'll try to catch up my blog & reading!