Wedding of the Lamb...and two precious angles!

Yesterday was an amazing day for our family! Anli and Virginia Grace were asked to be a part of a wedding symbolizing how we are the bride of Christ as the church. A lady in our church, Tammy, was in charge of transforming our sanctuary into the most beautiful wedding I have seen! She did an amazing job! The girls were "princesses" since their Father is the King of Kings!Anli and Virginia were beautiful flower girls! They wore tiaras to show that they are daughters of the King! Tammy even bought these gorgeous dresses for each of them with matching baskets. I tell you, this ceremony was absolutely gorgeous. We took time all week to talk to the girls about the symbolism of this ceremony. That it is a picture of how much Christ loves us and that we are in a real relationship with Him. And one day we will see our groom face to face! I can't wait!

Virginia and Anli were the flower girls that sprinkled the white rose petals on the ground to symbolize the purity of Christ.

Ravenn and Lexi were the flower girls who sprinkled the red rose petals to symbolize the blood of Christ. It was a gorgeous way to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! Here are the girls together. Aren't they beautiful? They were amazing...since they had to do this in both serves and arrived at the church at 8am. They also sat through the both entire services since they had to come back up at the end of each service too. They did so very well!

Here they are...with the addition of the ring bearer...aren't they precious?

The girls play for a while in between services. They all had to stay in the pastor's reception room so that it would be a surprise for the congregation when they came down the aisle.

Here are the girls with the Bride's maids. The bouquets were so neat because they were white carnations with three red roses in them symbolizing the trinity. Tammy thought of everything!That afternoon, we went to Northside hospital to see Nicki and Steve. We really had a great time hanging out with them for a little while and hearing about the girls and getting to see them on video. Since Nicki is still pretty sore and recovering from 4 weeks without touching the floor and a c-section (cut both ways), we didn't go see the girls in the NICU because it is really an ordeal for Nicki to get to see the girls. She has only been to see them 4 times since they were born.

So, I couldn't stand leaving sweet Nicki in the room while we went to see HER babies! So, we watched them on the video. It is a way that Nicki can see the girls more often until she can get around a little better.

The girls are doing normal for 25 week old babies. They are both back on vents and Sarah Kate is a fighter! She wants to breathe OVER the vents...but that causes damage to her little lungs so they have sedated her so she will let the vent breathe for her. But, I love that fighting spirit...just wait until she's a teenager!

Callie is a little sicker. She has a little hole in her heart that is allowing the oxygenated blood mix with the non oxygenated blood...not a good thing. They are asking that you pray for little Callie today. Her oxygen levels are low...but better today. She is the smallest and the more "relaxed" of the two. You can always check the Caringbridge site at the top right of the blog for the most up to date information.

It was so great to be with Nicki and Steve. Nicki goes home tomorrow, but the Sarah Kate and Callie will be at Northside until July at the very earliest. That will be hard since Nicki, Steve, and Campbell live in Rome...about an hour and a half away. Please pray for them as they find a new normal in this difficult situation.

Here is a picture of their tiny footprints, sunglasses (for light treatments...we laughed that they were little tanning bed glasses!), and diaper...which swallows them. You have no perspective on how small these items really are! But, the cards that BOTH their footprints are on is only about 5 inches long...and the diaper is about the size of my palm. They are smaller than my children's smallest baby doll! The girls can fit in your hand with their feet on our wrist!!!

They are so beautiful and they have the BEST parents in the world! God is shinning like a beacon in that family and His grace is overwhelming. It is a hard road, but He is our light for today.

The Hunt girls have arrived!

Here is the update from Linda Campbell, Nicki's mom. We got a call from her around 1:00pm and were asked to pray. Please keep them in your prayers as we wait to hear how "the girls" are doing. I am grateful that I was able to talk to Nicki last night and I pray that she is recovering well, even though I know she is an anxious little momma to know about her little girls!

We have two babies girls that arrived shortly after 1:00 pm. After an ultrasound this morning, the doctors decided that it would be better to take the babies in a controlled situation, rather than to wait and be thrown into an emergency situation later today. Nicki had C-section and is doing well and the babies are in the hands of the experts. Steve and Nicki got to kiss them before they were carried to the "best place in the world for a pre-term baby." Thanks you for the prayers, please keep them going. The doctors will be updating Nicki and Steve in a couple of hours and we will report more details. Love, The Grandparents

Thank you for all your prayers for this family. We hope to see them tonight or tomorrow sometime. As always you can check the Caringbridge site often to keep up with their journey. But, I wanted to share this news with you!

Happy Birthday Paula...and a few updates!

First, Happy Birthday Paula! She is on vacation, or maybe coming back, in Orlando this week for Spring Break...so she won't see this, but here's wishing her a great birthday today!

Update on my grandmother, Honey, who has been in the ICU for the past 3 weeks (this time). She is at her own home now with help around the clock. But, I was able to talk to her for the first time in...forever...and she sounded really good. I am named for her and we are VERY close. We are going to see her tomorrow and visit my family for a while. This is my grandmother and the 5 kids together! We all look very much alike...I'm like a carbon of my mom!
Update on Nicki: I was actually able to TALK to Nicki last night! YEEEHAAAW! It was great to hear her voice, but we were discussing a struggle our other very close friends are going through right now. She was about in tears because she had just found out...always thinking about the struggles of others (while she lays at a 30 degree angle all day every day!). She is doing much better.

They have moved her from the OR rooms to the floor full of women just like her. She told me that God has been so amazing and that she has been able to use this as a witnessing tool to all the doctors, nurses, food delivery, housekeeping, etc. She told me, "If it ends tomorrow, it has been a miracle." WOW! What a woman of God! She does have some infections and other things that give her some pain and are of concern, but overall she is doing much better!

Update on Parker: His tests came back that he has a disorder where his spinal chord is fused to this a part of his brain? I don't really know, but it has NOTHING to do with his head size. He is a stage one of this disorder and many people have it and never even know it. They do go see a pediatric neurosurgeon on the 28th so we should know more then. But, so far it seems that it is nothing to be overly concerned about at this time. Otherwise...he is just a cute, active, normal little boy!

Update on Wanda: We went to see and take dinner to Wanda after she had started her first chemo treatment last week. She is amazing! She has such strength in God and looks absolutely gorgeous! She is really giving God all the glory and just showing that when we are weak...He is strong. You can't help but see the glow of God in her face! It was great to see her!

Sewing up a storm!

OK, my friends can verify that I have never been a sewing kind of person. I always thought it took WAY too long and the glue gun could get the same results much quicker. I am known as the "glue gun girl" this side of the Mississippi!

But, about 6 months or more ago, Jay bought me a sewing machine. At the time we were preparing to go overseas for a few years and knew buying clothes would be a challenge for my tall, skinny girls. So, we bought a nice machine and I found a great pattern for capri pants. So, I tied it a little and made a cute pair of PJ pants for Virginia, while trying to understand patterns, winding the bobbin, threading my machine, and other things that seemed like a foreign language to me.

You see, my mother does NOT sew. And that isn't be mistake...it is by design. She will crochet, knit, and cross stitch...but no sewing of clothes. My dad even bought her a sewing machine to entice her...but no way! So, I haven't ever really had a desire or a need to sew.

But, last week I went to Joann's and found the CUTEST fabrics and appliques that myself and the girls just fell in love with! So, we bought tons of fabric and the pressure was now on to MAKE something from all of this cute fabric. So, I dove in last Sunday and let me tell you I have now become addicted! I love to sew and I have an easy pattern that I can now crank out a pair of capri pants in about 20 minutes...and the matching shirt in about 15 depending on what kind of design I have done.

It has been a blast this week as Spring break has canceled ballet, church, Awana, etc. So, here is the proof of my sewing experience. I love it and have about 5 more pairs to go before we head to Myrtle Beach in a week and a half. That is my goal...and I plan to meet it too! I love being able to choose the fabrics I want and making cute shirts to match! And it CHEAP too.

Sorry, glue gun...you may have met your match. But, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for you, never fear.

Lion King

Jay gave me 4 tickets to the Lion King for Christmas, and last night we went to see it! I had seen it before with my mom and sister several years ago, but it was one I really wanted our whole family to experience. We absolutely loved it! The girls were totally captivated every minute and really enjoyed Timon and Pumba...who were hysterical! The music was awesome and it was a story that the girls were very familiar with.

My mom took the girls and I to see Cats about a year ago...and that story was a bit more unfamiliar than this one. So, they knew what to expect and could easily follow every minute!
We are so grateful that we are able to do wonderful things like this at times! What a true blessing from God that our family is so close and really loves being together no matter what we are doing. I know that my Anli is only a few short years from being a tweenager...so I pray that these times last and last!

Jay and are are going to see about seeing Oklahamo (my desire not Jay's) and Riverdance (both want to see this one) this summer. I am blessed that Jay and I love some very similar things. Broadway and plays are one of those things we really love going to. We have been to Cats, Les Miserable, The Phantom of the Opera, and the Lion King. There are several more that we want to see, but those were the big 4 in my book! It was a great time and the girls were so grateful that they never once even looked at the stuffed animals or cotton candy. That was my gift from them...excited grateful girls. Maybe there's a lesson in there for me too...God wants an excited, grateful girl who isn't looking around at all the junk stuff of this world and not even noticing there's a Broadway musical right in front of me!

Monday Morning Celebration!

Well, it is official...the Free Dining Plan at Disney was offered this morning to Disney Chase cardholders (Thank Goltz family!) so we are now officially going to Disney! We wait with bated breath as the days ticked off until this morning when my sweet friend Mary was on the phone on hold for TWO HOURS waiting to get our reservations for September! But, we were thrilled to find out the we were able to get a value resort AND the free dining which was a great thing for our budget too!

Our girls are asking just about every other day about Disney, but that is OK...secretly I will be counting down every day with excitement too! We are making our official countdown board today so that they have a visual of how many days we have left until Disney. What a blast!

This weekend was really fun for our family. We were so blessed to have been a part of a Mission auction a while ago and went in with a few of our close friends to purchase an authentic Hawaiian meal from a family who lived there.

Let me tell you it was truly a FEAST! I loved every single thing there! We tasted all sorts of neat new dishes (there were about 20 dishes if not more). By the end were were so full and were having so much fun!

We went to Joann's to buy some new fabric for the girls' summer capris and shirts. I got a sewing machine about 6 months ago and have made a few little things so far. But, I found a great, easy pattern for capri pants that I LOVE. I have already made several so far with cute matching tops. So, as we were there at the store getting new fun fabrics for the beach in two weeks, we came across these fabrics. The girls went crazy and begged me to make them "Hawaiian girl" dresses. Since it was SUPER easy...I said I would do it for them. Really, it was a hem and running a seam along the side and making some straps out of white ribbon. They literally took me about...30 minutes and that was making matching American Girl Doll dresses to match!

We started with soup and it was AMAZING! We found out that Spam is a very popular ingredient in Hawaiian cooking. It was a soup made with ramen style noodles and a great broth. We were able to put fried spam, dried cuddle fish, and shrimp on top.

We had some wonderful friend wantons that rocked! We had some wonderful dipping sauces. I grabbed one that I thought was soy sauce...but it was Liquid Smoke...don't try that at home kids it's terrible! But, the wantons were yummy!

The kids had a great time and loved eating with chopsticks! They all had on their Hawaiian clothes and had a blast playing together. We really didn't see them unless there was food around...especially when the desserts were served!

Ethan like using his chopsticks to eat his hotdog. They served the kids hotdogs in case they didn't want the other Hawaiian food.

My girls tried just about everything. They didn't love everything, but they tried it. Here Anli is eating some Mahi Mahi that was in a lime and cracker batter cooked on the grill...so good!!!

This dish is called Kimche (don't know the spelling!). It is basically rotten cabbage with spices. It was actually really good! It was a little hot, but other than that...it tasted like cooked cabbage. I like to try anything at least once and I make my kids do the same thing. I can't stand having regrets...so I try most things unless it will surely make me sick. But, this was a surprise that it tasted so good!

The star of the night was by far the Kalula Pork and rice dish. The Smiths had served us this dish before a year ago...and it was AMAZING! It is a great dish and I don't even like meat that much. But, this is about the best thing I have had! They even send us home with some and we ate it yesterday for lunch again. YUMMY!

A big thank you to the Smith family for having us over for such an awesome meal. There was much more to eat than I can even mention. It was literally a feast to end all feasts. It was great food, wonderful fellowship, and great conversation, and we learned a lot about Hawaiian culture too!

Another celebration is that on Thursday, Viringia got her expander off and no more headgear! We were thrilled and surprised! Though she is still a cute snaggle smile without many teeth, she is expander free. She is so happy. Dr. Jordan did tell us that we need to see an ENT for her airways. It looks like another of my girls may be loosing her tonsils. But, we'll see. Dr. Jordan gave her a bag full of the sticky goodies she couldn't have with her expander...yummy!Lastly, I celebrated finishing the girls a set of outfits yesterday. Since it is Spring Break the girls didn't have AWANA, so we had the day free to hang out at home. So, while everyone was resting, I made these two capri outfits for the girls...along with American Girl Doll skirts to match. They were very excited and they are soooo comfy. I have liked making their clothes mainly because I can pick the fabric...and they have input. Also, my girls are very tall and very skinny, so it is quite hard for me to find what I want in the right size...for a good price.

I don't do long projects...I am way to immediate gratification driven. So, one of these pants only took me 30 minutes from start to finish! Anli's shirt with the fabric added to match took a little longer...so the total time for both her pants and shirt were about an hour. But, I got them both finished in one afternoon with time to hang with the fam. I'll post more creations...we have a slow week because all of our normal activities are canceled due to Spring Break, so I hope to finish several this week.

April Showers...bring little flowers and ice cream!

Over the past two weeks, we have been enjoying the rain and enjoyable weather that reminds us that Spring is on its way. About 2 weeks ago, the girls and I hit the Dollar Tree for a shopping day treat. We ALL love the Dollar Tree and it always seems that I can't walk out of there with less than $20 worth of things. But, this day they had their spring planters, soil, seeds, and some really cute tools.

The girls and I picked out some really great planters, soil, and flowers then headed home to plant. It is during this time of year I do really miss my big yard at our old house...though I don't miss the work! So, since we have a sun room here instead of a patio...we have to settle for small indoor planters.

Virginia picked out a great planter with butterflies on the front. She puts the seed starter soil into the planter and then she chose to plant Morning Glories!

Anli chose Forget Me Nots for her planter...she chose one with dragon flies and flowers!

The plants are ready to go...what a pretty planter for a pretty girl!

We covered the planters with plastic wrap to give them a greenhouse effect until the seeds sprouted. It was only a few days until their plants were looking great...

So while we waited for our plants to sprout...we decided to enjoy some Spring weather at Kidstock playground. It was such a great day and such great weather. It wasn't more than 5 minutes until both girls were climbing and running with new friends. It was a blast!

Virginia doesn't go anywhere without her shades!

They made it to the very top...and it's really high! I climbed it once and was a little scared myself, and I'm not even afraid of heights at all!

A few days later and there are still no sprouts...so we decide to take a trip to Chuck E Cheese! That was this week's treat after they reached their goal this past week, we headed to the Cheese for some games. I had a coupon, so we got 100 coins for $12. It was 2 hours worth of fun! I only go to these kind of places right when they open...so we are always there at 10am to get in when there aren't any crowds and everything is nice and clean...I hate when these places get so nasty! We had a blast!

Virginia loves being a princess! This Chuck E Cheese had this ride...it was a first for her and she rode it several times!

Anli is all about the games and the tickets! She spends her coins in a flash and has mounds of tickets to turn in for wonderful (junk) prizes.

Virginia loves these flying pedal mobiles. She rides them over and over again. Hey, at least it's some good exercise!

Nothing like a little Mario Cart competition between sisters! Go girls!

The sprouts started to peak out and this is why I love my Anli. She is an amazing little girl in so many ways...so is Virginia for that matter. But, the moment Anli saw a little green head peaking out of the dirt, she hasn't let them out of her sight. She watches TV with them...

She eats a snack with them...

Then...here they are! We have PLANTS! This is why you garden and plant with kids. It shows them first hand the amazing plan of God for things to grow. It allows them to care for something themselves and watch it grow. It has been so exciting for the girls...really!

And we have had some April showers this week. I read my friend Ginger's blog and she gave us a great idea. She informed us that Brewster's Ice Cream offers a free second scoop if it is raining. So, we tried it out ourselves on Friday night and were hilarious standing with our raincoats, umbrella, and ice cream cones! But, it was YUMMY!

Thank goodness we were headed home to take a much needed bath! So, we decided to play in some puddles to make the bath well worthwhile! It was such fun and the girls loved running and playing in the rain for a while. It has been a fun week...but please keep praying for our precious friends are struggling. I am so grateful for the fun days were have as a family, but always aware in my heart that those close to me are going through some rough times. It keeps me praying without ceasing.

Please pray for Nicki

Here is the latest update I just received from Linda...Nicki's mom. If you haven't checked their Caringbridge site here is the most recent update. Please pray...

Hello Prayer Partners, Just a short update- After a new ultrasound and further examination Dr. Nathan, who has a title longer than I can say much less write, decided it would be safer for Nicki and "the girls" to be closer to the OR. If there is a need for a quick c-section, everyone will be prepared. We have so many awesome doctors, specialist and staff. Needless to say the accommodations are not as comfortable, but the benefit for Nicki and babies is the most important thing. We hope the need for this precaution is temporary. The words and deeds of love and support are so appreciated, Please keep lifting our situation in prayer. We know the Lord sees the big picture and He knows what is the best for everyone. Thanks again, Linda

You can go to the site at the top right of the sidebar to go to their site and read what has been going on up until now. Thank you for interceding for my precious friends.

Easter Pictures from Opp

Here are some of the photos that I got from Jay's dad from the girls' trip to Opp, AL for Easter. They look like they are having a blast! I am so glad that they have such a great extended family to enjoy...not to mention lots of wonderful space to run and around and enjoy. They love the horses, dogs, cats, and cows there too!

Virginia always seems to be a friend to any kitten, dog, cat, rabbit, horse...you name it and she loves it! She is the most gentle child with small animals. Her Granpa said that she help about every animal in Opp that would let her!There is always a lot of time to horseback ride in Opp. My girls have grown up with horses at my parent's house, so they have a huge love for horses. Both of my girls want to be "cowgirls" when the grow up! But, at least since they are apartment girls right now, they have family that has horses for them to ride and enjoy!Virginia enjoys watching the horses.Anli and Jamerson enjoy the amazing weather and take a little break from all the fun!

Virginia rides on Badger!

Hunting for eggs together! They were able to dye real eggs the night before and take them to church for an egg hunt. Then, they came home after church to have more egg hunts! This time the eggs had money and lots of candy in them! The girls came home with so many goodies!

Well, looks like they had a great Easter! We sure did miss them, but from the photos you can see how much fun was had by all. It's great to have family that invests in each other. It is so wonderful for them to experience family with and without us! We are really blessed!

Thoughts at 11pm...the night of our deadline

Well, like a typical English major...if I can't sleep I must write! About 30 minutes ago my sweet husband ended our day like every other day with an amazingly sweet prayer. Tonight we thanked God for His leadership and sovereign guidance in our lives. Then, as I tried to sleep so many thoughts came to my mind about the last 6 months of our journey through the missions process.

In 45 minutes it will be April 2nd. That means that we will have officially declined reactivation for ISC through the International Missions Board. In 45 minutes a dream that I have had for a long time (over 11 years at least) has been told to wait. In 45 minutes we are no longer considered in the mission application process for overseas mission.

But, over the last 6 months I have learned something very important about myself. I had a dream...yes, I know you are hearing MLK in your ears! I had a dream that one day I would be living in Africa with my amazing family working on the mission field. Through the years that dream, although sounding quite spiritual, began to be an idol in my life. It was getting in the way every day of my total surrender to WHATEVER God is calling me to do.

My thoughts were always somewhat on the time in our lives when "the real ministry" would begin...meaning mission work in Africa. But, slowly those thoughts grew into an idea deep down inside that the ministry God had for us here was lacking. That it wasn't the ministry I wanted to be doing. It was Jay's ministry...and I was just the compliant wife of a youth minister.

Then, about about 6 months ago, we applied to the IMB...my dream was becoming a reality. We both felt so strongly that we should apply. But, strangely enough, my words were always that God had called us to apply...not really sure He was calling us to go. As we started to apply, the first answer we got from the IMB was wait. Then, in January, the second answer we got was wait. And then when I emailed about a question...I never got an answer. Sounds like God is up to something, huh?

Meanwhile, Jay and I are fasting and praying like crazy because an unmistakable feeling was creeping over us both. We were not at peace with the timing. It wasn't time for us to go...but why? Why would God call us to apply and then not send us? I don't have His answer for that...only God truly knows the answer to that question I have surely asked 100 times or more.

But, the precious loving answer is...wait. For how long? I don't know. What are we to do now? I don't know. Where will Jay work? I don't know. Where will we be in the next months? I don't know.

"Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

God knows. He has my whole heart today on April 1st. Though it is hard to be disciplined for having an idol in my life, it is so wonderful to know that God is able to guard my heart which I have given freely to Him as my Lord. He is in charge of the future. I know whom I have believed and I AM convinced that He is able...to do what is GOOD...all the time.

Thank you to those who have fervently prayed for and with us through these months. Thank you for joining us as we seek God's path ever still...day by day. Thank you for allowing us to be honest and share our lives.

My mom and I talked yesterday and she said, "death of a dream is hard." We have all sorts of dream...things we expect out of this life. Healthy children, long lives, enough money for everything we want, happy marriages, good times and great friends. But, for most of us, we have experienced the death of one or many of those dreams. The place where we realize that we don't hold the dreams of this life, God does. His plans are not our plans and His ways are not our ways.

But, He is good and all He does is good...it's who He is! So, tonight as I should be sleeping, I am praising God that He is the one who holds my dreams. I am so grateful that I have a God who holds not only my life, but this entire creation with sovereign hands. What a glorious ride and what I have learned from an amazingly gentle God these past few months.

No we are not going to Africa in a few months...but we are on mission with Him day by day. May I join God today and every day where He is at work in this world, no matter where that may be! Thank you, Lord for loving me enough to say "wait".

Great Idea for the busy moms out there!

Well, I have had a broken toe for like FOREVER! I don't understand how something so very small can cause so much pain. But over the past 2 weeks I have felt much better and was even given the OK to let pain be the guide about working out. It has KILLED me to be out of the exercise world for the past 9 weeks. I love working out (weird I know) and I just feel blah not being able to work out a few times a week.

As I have been reading blogs of my friends and talking to girlfriends lately...the conversations are turning towards nicer weather...and getting in shape for those bathing suits in our closets! So, I wanted to share a great little secret I found last year...



Yesterday I went back to an old favorite workout program of mine. See, it's for those of us who simply can't seem to find an hour in our day to workout. I used to go to the YMCA, but with homeschooling, they don't have childcare at the times I can go...since I do actually want to see my husband when he gets home!

We have a workout room here at the complex...but there's a scary man...don't get me started on that one! So, I was stumped. What was a home school mom to do?

OK, for those of you out there that don't have time to travel back and forth to a gym, don't have a membership anywhere, can't get childcare every day, or just don't want to workout in front of other people here is a great solution!

Demand Fitness is an online gym! It offers like a million classes from step aerobics to kickboxing, to toning, to Pilate's! There are so many types of classes I could never tell you about them all. You pay by the week (I did this for a week to check it all out), month ($14.99), 3 month, six month, or by the year ($99).

This way you get any class you want, by a certified instructor, any time you want it...as long as you have an Internet connection. They even have added a toning schedule, beginners weight loss calendar, advanced weight loss plan, and more. This way if you don't know how to reach your goals and what classes to take they have planned it for you!

I joined from June to November of last year. Then with the move, holidays, and toe I have now reactivated. It's an easy, comfortable, and pretty cheap way to stay in shape. I love it and can do the classes I want (I am pretty picky since I used to be an instructor) when I want them offered...and when I have time to do them.

Anyway, if you are like me I just wanted to share an affordable, convenient option for getting back into shape. The link is www.demandfitness.com. Enjoy...