Random things

I tried to get all the kids to pose for a cute pic in our backyard. It didn't really go that well for me, but that was my attempt.
I took this pic at Nanny's house. I thought it turned out kinda unique.
We had a great time visiting Papaw Bill over spring break. Neal got to drive the tractor for the first time all by himself. That is a rite of passage at Papaw's house.
Baylee and the Easter bunny at the Spring Carnival at Rock Springs Church.
Brennan just kept warm in his stroller and Neal played in the maze most of the time.

Brennan's world

Brennan is doing great. He is so much fun to have around. He has learned how to wrestle with Dad and thinks we should all love the sport so much. Mom is not one for much wrestling. I would rather snuggle. He throws me a bone every now and again and gives me a hug or kiss. But he is all boy. He'd much rather wrestle.

Neal's adventures

Neal and John had a great weekend together. John came down to see us the weekend after Neal's surgery. We were not sure how it would go because Neal was not really feeling all that well yet. They both had a great time together. Nothing like a little video game competition to get to juices working again.
The three stooges, Dale, Neal and John

Neal says, "Peace"

John says, "Why do you have to take my picture?....ugh..."

This is Neal and Nanny, his great grandmother.

Baylee's latest adventures

Baylee loves her new animal. Her pet, Furry, named by her friend, John. She takes it everywhere and it looks real. We get the weirdest looks from people.

I went with Baylee on a field trip with her class to see "Horton Hears a Who" We had a great time.
Above: Baylee on her first bus ride

Below: Baylee and her new friend, Carla
Baylee's class

Being real

I learned a great lesson this week. There is a great price to pay when you are not real with people. Sometimes I pride myself on the fact that I am real, authentic, transparent, etc...then I find myself doing just the opposite and hiding, pretending and wearing a mask. Pride comes before the fall, for sure. I did something this week that was "mask wearing" for sure. If I had been real in the first place I could have avoided it all together. But I was not real and to my shame I hurt someone's feelings and it was a humbling experience to try and make it right. I do try and be "real" with people. Its so important to me in my walk with Christ because for much of my walk I was fake, a church pretender. I knew how to "play church" very well. I think God for his grace that he doesn't allow me to be a pretender anymore and that when I am, he shows up and points me in the right direction.

OK....enough of my thoughts and rants for now. I'll get some pics of the kids posted soon so we can see some laughter on here for a change. Enough seriousness. Where is the fun in the box? Apparently its in hiding to!!!

God Bless America

Flipping through the channels this morning I came to Fox News, which had live coverage of the Pope's visit to the White House. I only got the hear the tale end of Pres. Bush's speech, but I did get to hear all of the Pope's speech. I thought it was beautifully written and well delivered and I hope it will be well received by the Christian community in America. The greatest quote I heard was "freedom without truth and justice is not really freedom at all" AMEN to that. Even with all the nodding and AMENing going on in my head the greatest moment for me came when the US Army Chorus gave a moving performance of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" on the south lawn of the White House. I have to admit, I teared up. Not so much because of the performance, but because I was so grateful to live in a country where the lyrics, "his truth is marching on" can be sang in our Nation's capital at the home of our nation's President. Not all Christians in the world are so fortunate. With all of our faults and things we could improve on, we are still a great nation. God has indeed blessed our land! As Christians may we never take that for granted.

I'm Thankful

I was thinking of all I needed to do today to get ready for church tomarrow. Its a bit overwhelming sometimes. Getting three kids feed, dressed, and ready to walk out the door can take its toll some mornings. Oh, and then I have to get myself feed, dressed and ready. As I was going down the list of things to do, I just had to stop and remember why it is we even go to church. Sometimes I get caught up in the weekly grind and to my shame forget what its all about. Its about Christ, not myself or my kids. We go to church because we are called to. Called to meet with a community of belivers we can walk through this life with. And that brings me to another point I was thankful for today. We have (through much prayer)decided to move our membership to Rock Springs Church. I have prayed for a church like this one for a long time. I feel so comfortable and at home with these people. I feel like the people are real and the worship is genuine. I don't think there is a lot of pretending and "mask wearing" going on. Of course when you get a bunch of people together there will always be a certian amount of pretending going on, but for the most part I don't feel that happening a lot at Rock Springs. There is such an atmosphere of community I feel from these people. We are blessed to have found this church and excited about the things God has in store for us while we are there. By the way, I should go and start on my long list of things I have to do to "get ready". Which should start by reading my Bible and praying for the leaders of our church and the service tomarrow. And if you ever get a chance to visit Rock Springs, I got word that the new electric guitar player really rocks!!! (love you, baby) heehee.

New updates

Ok....so I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but here goes. Just thought I'd add some new pics of the gang.