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Happy Birthday Harrison!!!!!

You are such a sweet little boy and I'm so honored to be your Mom.

My Brother The Marine

Well we have all known for sometime now that Justin would be leaving us soon. But soon came this last weekend. I'll remember my 31st birthday as the day my brother Justin left for the marine corp. Words cannot describe just how much we will miss him while he is gone, and We will all be praying for his safe return quickly. He has wanted this for a long time and we are all so very proud of him. We had a farewell party for him and I had wanted to say a special prayer for him then, but I was overwhelmed with emotion and I couldn't get my thoughts out. So I want to take the time now to pray for him again; Dear God, Thank you so much for my wonderful family. As we send Justin off I ask that you place a hedge around him and keep him safe. I pray that you will always fill his heart with warmth of your love and presence even when he feels alone. Let him find your light in every dark situation that he will soon face. Comfort him in his times of need. Lord help me understand the sacrifices he is making for the good, and not the bad. I know you hear me and I thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for sacrificing your son for us. All this I ask in your precious son's name Amen.

Jaxon's Birthday

Harrison's bestfriend Jaxon's birthday party was last weekend and they had a sleep over. Michelle, Jaxon's mom, and my good friend had a great party for him and invited 20 kids to stay the night at their house. I think she's insane to do that to herself but they all had a good time, and I guess that's what it's all about.

The Aquarium

Genesis 1:20 "And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life...."

Brian and I took the kids to the Newport Aquarium today, it had been two years since we were there, Hagan was just a baby and I was newly pregnant with Haven. The kids had such a wonderful time. My heart just beats with excitement watching them run from tank to tank looking at the fish and sea creatures, as they scream " Mommy look at this" and "Mommy look at that" Being a Mom rocks. I love when Brian and I have time to go do things with our kids, it's so meaningful to make those memories together. Haven might not remember this trip but I'll never forget seeing her running and pressing her face against the glass and screaming some words in whatever that language is she's speaking in, along with sticking her finger in the air as if she's telling something really important. Thank You God for letting us have a good day and for giving me the privilege of being a mom to four awesome kids!!!!

Stitches

Well Leo has finally had enough of Hagan. On Thursday evening Leo took food away from Hagan and Hagan went to kick him and he snapped. He bit Hagan in the arm right above his elbow cutting his poor little arm wide open. We took him to the ER and he got several stitches. Did I mention it took four people to hold him down? God love his little heart, after it was over he sat up and said "Mommy I love you this much" then he stretched out his little arms as wide as they would go. Now we are finding a new home for the dog.

Cumberland Falls and a Wagon Ride

This summer has been so busy! Brian had two classes this summer and we haven't had much time off together to take the kids any where. So when his classes were done we took the kids down to Cumberland Falls and to Shelotwee Outfitters to go on a wagon ride in the woods. The kids were so excited, and I have to admit so was I. When we got there we loaded up on the wagon and off to the woods we went. The wagon went way down in the woods and it was a rough ride. But at the bottom we got the chance to get off the wagon and hike down this little path and see the Triple waterfall. When we got down there we notice that there was no water in the Creek bed so there wasn't a waterfall to see. We hiked back up and got back on the wagon and headed back to the cabins. Halfway back the sky opened up and it started to flood. The driver let us off near a little path that was a short cut to the cabin. We were wet but it was worth it to see the kids having fun. We waited inside for the rain to stop and while we were standing there Harrison and Hagan both looked at me and said " I think there is water in the waterfall now Mommy, can we go back and look?" I said "No" and they replied " Man! We never get to go and do anything." See you can't win for losing. Lesson to readers, even when you try to please your kids you just can't make them happy.

Independence

As this July 4th comes and goes, Lord I pray that you give me a constant reminder of what freedom you've given me. The freedom to love and be loved, forgive and be forgiven, dream and have dreams come true, and mostly live and have everlasting life. I love you!