We're leaving on a jet plane!!

So this is a new adventure. I'm packing up our three kiddos and flying to Arkansas to spend a week with my amazing sister, Shelli, and her family AND I AM SO EXCITED!!! We usually see one another once a year at church camp and try to make up for the distance by talking almost daily on the phone. But the phone is NOWHERE near the blessing of being together. And it is NOWHERE near as fun, either!

Now, you may be wondering why I am embarking on this journey alone. Daryl is heading to Los Angeles for the Paintings and Coatings Expo. I will admit that I am a bit nervous about flying...not because I'm doing it alone with three kids under four. But because I absolutely LOATHE flying. Brayden LOVES it. Savannah is indifferent to it. And Sophia has never had the experience. But we'll all be together, like any other day, so it should be alright. And I do have many prayers being said for us! God is in control. That's all I need to know.

So, this is going to be a great week! My sister is a HOOT as is her hubby, and our two neices and nephew are so much fun. I'm so excited to see their new home, watch my neices and nephew play basketball, hear their funny stories about school, listen to Jaybird's stories from the job (in his most excellent Louisiana accent I might add), "cut up" with the family until all hours, drink up my sister's sweet tea, and stuff myself with her salad and cooking. She can "stir in the love" like few others! And I'm DEFINATELY stoked about introducing our sweet Sophia girl to her aunt, uncle and cousins who have only seen her in pictures. I'm just so excited to share life with them for a week. Brayden has talked nonstop about playing with his cousin, Leighton, since I mentioned the trip to him on Thursday. And Shell & the girls can't wait to get their hands on the girls for some lovin'! What a huge blessing.

Did I mention my excitement?!?! Whoo-hoo!

P.S. I'm certain I'll have PLENTY of pictures to post when we return!

An uplift worth sharing

My God is working right now all over the world in big and small ways. He's at work all around you just as He is me. If you doubt this for even a second or, better yet, if you believe this as strongly as I do then you need to check out this blog here called "Confessions of a CF Husband".

And have the tissues ready. You will certainly need them!

As you visit there, know that my prayer for you is this: that no matter what you are facing in life you know in your heart that God is bigger, is in control, and loves you more than anyone--ever. Reading this blog has touched me in the deepest areas of my heart and has given me a true example of what it is to praise God in the storm and in the sun--to truly lay it all down at His feet. It has caused me to hug my husband and kids even tighter, pray without ceasing, complain less, give more thanks for every day blessings, and gain some true perspective in what is important: faith, family, friends. In that order.

I pray that your life will be altered too. And that God will continue to get the glory!!

Fashionista??

Savannah is at the age where she wants to dress herself. For all seasoned parents out there you know that this can be a VERY interesting time (and quite funny, too). This morning she insisted on going independent in dressing herself. I was allowed to pick out a shirt and pants, but she did the "accessorizing". Here is the finished product. Not too bad, I must admit!

Note the boots on opposite feet and the hat courtesy of big brother, Brayden.

She informed me after appearing in her gitup that she wanted to go outside to ride her tractor! Hey--she'll be one of the cutest tractor drivers around, right?

6 months!

Our sweet little Sophia is 6 months old today! The time is FLYING the third time around. I don't like it :( She's rolling every which way now, still no teeth--but LOTS of drool, she's in love with her feet, is the Queen of Raspberries, loves to snuggle when going to sleep, sings the dearest "sleepy song" to herself, sucks her thumb and plays with hair, thinks her brother and sister are the funniest people on earth, and is the best ego-booster alive. All it takes is looking at her and she's all smiles with her legs kicking wildly! Nonetheless, here are some pictures I took of her today after we sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Enjoy her sweet little face!