Soul Patrol

Autumn-top Hannah-bottom

singing their hearts out!

Autumn-top middle Hannah- bottom left

FRIENDS WHO PRAY

Lately, I have been awestruck that anyone would would actually take the time to pray for me. A simple one sentence e-mail from a friend that said "I am praying" has humbled me greatly. In my own personal life as I walk through the day I will see certain people and whisper a little prayer for that person. At night when I pray a list of names come to my mind and i will pray for different people and different situations. But to think that people actually pray for me and my family-- well, that just blows me away. I mean, I know I have a church family that loves me and I guess I always had a "head knowledge" of the fact that people prayed for me because that is what they were "supposed" to do, but to really GET that people care enough to pray for me because they love me, well, that is a different concept altogether. A concept that I really need to grasp. This glimpse of love is just a teeny-tiny fraction of how great our Father's love is for us.

So, friends, during this Thanksgiving Holiday, I am thankful for you!!

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24

The Lord restored the furtunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.
Job 42:10

Nothing to say?

Well, I usually have something to say, but I haven't been saying it.
Robert has been recovering from hernia surgery. When dad is home from work, there is no schedule. He is doing good.
God has been faithful to meet all of our needs. If only we were as faithful to Him as He is to us.
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches the skies.
Psalm 36:5

It's Official and she made the sign to prove it!

Flashback: Feb. 6 Austin went to Basic training.

Autumn: Can I have his room?

Mom: No (still holding on to kid number 1 leaving the nest)

A few months pass by:

Autumn: Mom, can I have Bubba's room?

Mom: (still holding on) No

A couple of weeks ago:

Autumn: Can I have my own room?

Mom: (finally facing reality) yes!

So, it is official. Austin has left the nest. Autumn and Hannah are enjoying their own rooms and their own messes. No more contests about who makes a bigger mess and why the other should not have to clean it up. I would say now that they have their own rooms, they are equally messy!

My daddy is the Commodore!

My dad is the Commodore for the 54th annual Waterfestival. He has worked very hard for many years for this honor. I realize that the Waterfestival is very controversial among many of my friends, and there are many activities that I won't attend; but I am still very proud of my dad. He is a very honorable man in so many ways.

So, Dad, I just wanted to pay tribute to you. I love you and I am proud of you . Thank you for being such a great dad!!

UNKNOWN ARTIST

Can anyone guess who this unknown artist is?
Here is her latest painting, that she so thoughtfully painted for Hannah's room. Very beautiful, for a girl that loves black she did a great job with the colors!!!! The lime green in the background is actually Hannah's wall color.

Identity revealed: Yes, it is the infamous
Brittany!!

'.....and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship; to devise artistic designs....'

Exodus 31:3,4

Modest Bathing Suits

It is so hard to find a modest bathing suit. http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/ has a contest going right now with http://landsend.com/. They have generously donated a $120.00 gift card for her contest. The bathing suits are very fashionable and modest. One of the best things is that you can find their bathing suits in all kinds of sizes. Their catalog has a guide telling you which suit is best for your figure. Please visit the homespun heart to participate in this great contest.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Happy 4th everyone!

Little birdies leave the nest

When little boys grow up to be men they have to leave the nest, BUT DO THEY HAVE TO GO TO HAWAII?? I guess they do when they join the Army.

The art of CVSing!

Finances have been weighing heavy on my brain for the past few weeks! So, I was very excited to come across moneysavingmom.com and be to be introduced to the art of CVSing. It is a lot of fun! Here is my first try. I think I did pretty good. Spent 10.00 out of pocket and earned 4.00 in extra care bucks which I used the next day. I don't have a picture of day two, but I bought a bottle of Tide and Excedrin Migraine for $1.19. That was pretty cool.

Mother's Day

Two days before Mother's Day I came home from work at 11 p.m. to a very special present.

Actually, this was my Mother's Day present. I was very surprised. I have wanted a new comforter for awhile. My husband knows how much I love lots of pillows on the bed! He did a good job! He even got rugs for each side of the bed.

'For I know the plans that I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'
Jeremiah 29:11

Graduation

• Big Brother
  
  Oops! Grinning in formation! This is one of my favorite pictures.
  
  
  
  Our American Soldier
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  This was the first time we got a glimpse of them. They came out of the woods and surprised everyone.
  
  

Austin's graduation from Basic Training

I cannot begin to explain how awesome the graduation was! The excitement and pride that his father and I felt, the pride and joy on our only son's face! I was just in awe of the stories that he told and the happiness that I saw in his eyes.

We survived the birthday party. It was a lot of fun! We had a great group of girls here. But I have to say, if my sister-in-law had not been here, the t-shirt painting would not have gone so well. Here are some of our creations:

Today is the day!! We are leaving to go to Oklahoma to see our son graduate from basic training. We can't wait. He called and said they have had some rehearsals. They had a concert the other night and they played Proud to be an American and Austin said a lot of people were crying(of course he didn't say he was crying!). A few weeks ago we were watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition (a family tradition in my house) and they were playing An American Soldier and I was crying my eyes out. My kids thought I was crazy!! This is a crazy, emotional experience for me. I can't wait to see him!!

Birthdays

Today is Autumns 11th birthday. I can't believe how time flies. We have a very busy day ahead of us. We are finishing our science project (last minute as usual) and cleaning the house to get ready for her slumber party tomorrow night. We are expecting about 10 little ladies. Let's hope we all survive! We have planned to make pizzas, decorate cupcakes, make beaded necklaces or bracelets, paint on t-shirts and make cookies, and as a very last, last, last resort, we will watch movies. Then Saturday morning you will find us at the ball field looking very sleepy!

Cute song about basic training!

Listen to sample mp3 here!!! http://www.erichorner.com/cieraAudioUploads/247.mp3