Look at these!!

Okay,  here are a few pictures.  Yesterday, Mimi and KP came with a photo back drop for us to play around with.  The pictures turned out great and we have some blackmail ones for future use if we need them.  Thanks for all the hard work Mimi and KP (and for staying to help paint the bedroom and watch the kids this morning!!)

Do you even know how hard it is to get all 4 kids looking in the same direction--let alone smiling all while keeping the dog out of the picture!!

Growing up way to fast!!

Where did my little boy go?

Okay, doesn't she remind you of Little Bo Peep?

She picked this dress out all by herself and she would put it on every day if we would let her!!

This is not Landon's Easter outfit but it was such a cute picture that I wanted to use it.

Around the house

Okay here are a few things that might make you smile this morning.

We survived last week--no that on is not funny just a statement!!!!

We got all 3 (yep count them-1,2,3!!!) vehicles in our garage at the same time and yes you can still get in and out of them and walk!!!!  That is great.  Guess what, if Steve leans on the counter with his keys in his pocket he can push the panic button on his key fob!!!  This works early in the morning when NO children are up yet and it takes a minute to figure out how to stop the horn from blowing.  It is also very loud with the truck in the garage and the garage door down!!!  It's a MONDAY for sure!!!

Casey wanted to know yesterday "Why are all these cars in our way!!!"  This was on the way to church.  We sat in line in the drive way for a looooonnnnngggg time just trying to get into the parking lot!!

I think I'm taking advice from my cousin and leaving dirty diapers open and on top of our trash can for the thrash guys this week--maybe.

I've heard the count down now for 2 months and guess what----Macy is coming on Wednesday!!!  We are so excited.  But wait for it--it gets even better.  The Rooney's are coming on Friday and staying for the weekend and Josie is going to stay until Tuesday!!!!  We are so looking forward to everyone being here.

Casey had the best song yesterday.  It was all about Granny, Grandpa and Jesus dying.  Not that I think those are funny things but her song sure was.  Wish we had a recorder in the van.  Did you know that Jesus had a broken arm?  He didn't but Casey has been fascinated with His nail scared hands and thinks that His arms were broken and nothing we tell her changes her mind.  As we talked about Christ and what His death on the cross did for each one of us, I was a little surprised that she didn't ask when Granny and Grandpa would come back.  I am chalking it up to faith of a child.  Even at 3, though she doesn't understand all of this, I think she realizes the difference.

Okay, that's all I can think of right now.  I am going to have to start saving what these guys tell me during the week b/c sometimes it is soooo funny.  

Happy Easter!!!

I hope that all of you have had a wonderful day.  I hope to have some pictures up later tonight but we will see.  We had a wonderful day at worship today.  We went to the 3rd service and there was standing room only--even in overflow!!!  We should have that problem every week.  I wanted to share with you my notes from the sermon today.  If you would like to hear the sermon for yourself, click here.

Then just scroll down and the sermon is on the left.

Points for Easter

1.  Jesus always has the first and last word about everything in life.

John 11:1-4

God's word is stronger than what we see or feel.  That's enough.  We need to stop looking elsewhere--stop going on how we feel, what we can see and what we hear the world telling us. We need to be in God's word and listening to him!!

2.  God's love is different but/and it's better!!!

John 11:3, 5, 36

Our love is immediate--we run to our family and friends when they need us.  Sometimes, God makes us wait.  Waiting does not mean that God doesn't love us but that He is working--there is most likely something we need to learn so we must wait.  NOW does not mean best!!!!

3.  You  need to turn on The Light

John 11:7-9, John 8:12

Do we see the light that God has for us?  Jesus was not afraid because He knew there was an appointed time.  He lived by a light that could not be put out.

4.  Jesus' words remind us that God is always at work

John 11:11

God is not surprised by anything.  Sometimes, God lets things get so out of hand that we realize that we can do nothing and we turn to God, step back and watch him work.

5.  Life is found ONLY in Christ!!!

John 11:21-22

John 11:17 Honesty mixed with faith--this is where God will do something.

John 11:35 Jesus understands our pain

John 11:39 don't trust feelings and/or others--only what Jesus says

We shouldn't be amazed that Jesus is the only way we should be amazed that there is a way.

Blessed

Sometimes it's very difficult to find the words for our feelings.

Blessed

Overwhelmed

Honored

Those are 3 that would describe yesterday.  But really, there are no real words to describe all of the emotions from yesterday.  We love all of you and are blessed to know each of you.

We were so blessed to have friends from everywhere we've lived (almost) be present at the funeral.  It is an honor to know all of you!!

Mike (and Keri)

Thank you for taking time and coming from Asheville.  Keri, thank you for praying with me.  It meant a ton to me.  You know that Asheville holds a very special place in our hearts.

Jennifer and Lance,

Thank you.  I know it was a long day for you guys also.  We love seeing you even under less than happy times.  Thanks for the calls and listening.

Jeff,

Thank you so much for coming.  You know from personal experience what this is like.  It meant a lot that you would come.

Vonda and Chris,

What can I say.  We love you guys and you have followed us all over the place!!!  Hey you finally got to meet all of the people we cheat on you at cards with!!

Jeff and Rebecca,

Wow.  I know you had a long day.  Thank you for blessing us with a wonderful breakfast yesterday.  Thank you also for making the drive to be a support for our family.  We should have let your drive our van home!!  It was a long ride back home!!!!  But we wanted you to be our friends after yesterday!!  

Mimi and KP,

Thank you for taking the kids.  Thanks for allowing us to visit with people we don't see often enough (including you guys).

Thank you just does not seem like enough but I'm sure what else to say.  

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to us over the past week especially!!

Now we just need to get all of you back together because we want a picture of everyone together.  So I'm thinking cook out here one day this summer.  Who's in?  We've got plenty of room!!!

Grandpa

Yesterday, Steve's dad, Grandpa, died.
We got the news while we were at church.
This post has been nagging at the back of my mind since then.
Grandpa loved flying and taking pictures. He enjoyed movie (the old ones) and loved playing online checkers. I didn't play checkers with him very often since I don't like being beat like a drum!!!
He had a severe stroke the same time that Drew was born and that changed his life drastically. It also changed things for those that loved him, Grandma especially. She has taken care of him for the past 13 (would have been in August) years.
Grandpa always wanted to make a movie about strokes and how it changed his life and the things he had to learn--new ways of doing things.
Yesterday, we spent some time looking through pictures. We found some great ones and it was nice to take a quick stroll down memory lane. Not only did we have a chance to remind our selves of times past but we learned a few things along the way.
One thing Steve and I talked about on the way home was taking pictures. Take lots!! Take them of daily life--don't wait!! Take them of everyone!! The moments we have here are precious and not promised!!

Drama Queen in the making....

Casey while cleaning up the blocks said "I can't clean up because it makes my heart sick" She has it down pat because her voice was just dripping with weakness and sadness!!
When I told her that it did not make her heart sick to clean up, she said "well it makes my tummy sick." However she went on and picked up the blocks.
Shelby better watch out--she may be on the way to loosing her title!!
Steve and I--well may be on the way to loosing our minds!!!

Heard around our house....

With the four wild ones, I hear some great stuff. Here are the top 2 from this week--both compliments of Casey!!!

Me (on the phone to Mimi): "we're cleaning house today"
Casey: "OH NO not yet!!!" (said with tons of drama)

Today when getting ready to go the store:
Me: "Casey, come here so I can come hair."
She comes and I start misting her hair:
Casey: "why are you wetting my hair?"
Me: "to make it lay down."
Casey: "Is it tired?"

Okay that was the funniest I've heard her say. She was so serious!!