Letters

A few years ago, I gave my dad a book to fill out. I think the exact title is "A Father's Legacy". In this book, my daddy had to answer a TON of questions about his life. All the way from toddlerhood to adulthood. Some of the questions were really tough and I wasn't sure my dad would remember all the answers. To his credit, he didn't leave a single question blank. I was so excited when he gave the book back to me and I got to sit down and pour through all his answers. I learned things about my dad that I never knew. There was wisdom given for life situations I may encounter as I go through my own life. It is a book that I will cherish always and one day pass on to my own children.

This morning in church, my pastor really hit home. He asked what we would do if we were ever given letters of instruction from our fathers. Would we sit down to read them? I immediately thought about the book I had given my dad and how anxious I was to read every word. Then, I thought about Joey. He would be ecstatic if there were letters tucked away from Ralph that he could read and share with Tripp and Makinley. We are always anxious for words of wisdom and guidance from our Earthly Fathers. Why, oh why, am I not as anxious for words of wisdom from my Heavenly Father? I have this perfect book at my fingertips every single day, yet I don't spend nearly enough time pouring through it and letting it fill me up. Every single word of that book could give my life new meaning. It's a book written over a period of 1400 years. It's a book written by over 40 different authors in all different places in their life. It's a book written for one purpose and about one man. A book written to give me guidance on how to have eternal life. But not only eternal life. It's also written so that my life on earth will glorify Him.

So, starting today, I will put renewed focus and energy into pouring through HIS Legacy just as I spent time pouring through my daddy's legacy!

It took 3 years....

but we finally got our kids picture made with UGA. Joey has been wanting to do this since Tripp was a baby. The first picture day after we had Tripp, they stopped giving out tickets about 15 people in front of Joey. The second picture day of Tripp's life, I was pregnant with Makinley so we decided to wait until she was here. Last year, UGA VI died, so they didn't have a picture day with an UGA . So, this was the year. My best friend, Maria, and her family and Joey's best friend, Marc, and his family joined in the fun. The guys got up at 4:30 this morning and made the drive to Athens to wait in line. They only hand out 150 tickets and the first one is ticket 150 and they count backwards. Joey got ticket #12!! So, he just made it! After securing our tickets, they came back to Madison to get the rest of our crew. We loaded up and headed back to Athens (it's a good thing we live so close by)! Once there, my anxiety level began to get high. There were so many people, it was so hot, and I was still recovering from having some mystery fever 24 hours ago. My energy was not completely back although I felt fine. We got to the location where the line for UGA was, and Tripp decided he had to go to the bathroom. For some odd reason, they decided to lock all the bathrooms on the level that UGA was on. So, I had to run down two levels holding my 40 pound son in my arms. Not good for a mommy not feeling up to par. By the time we got back to the line, I thought I was going to pass out. I didn't though; I made it. Of course, both of my children are terrified of dogs because we are never around them, so it became a family picture. A family picture in which my daughter wouldn't look at the camera and UGA was so drugged that I was a little worried about his safety. But, we got the picture. That's all that matters! (I should mention, they only give you one shot. I was going to try the whole rapid fire option, but the lighting wasn't working right on my camera. So, I only got the one shot!)

Don't you love it?

My little football player

All the daddies and kids (minus Tripp...this was during our potty excursion)

Daddy and the kids

My future cheerleader

I took way more pictures, but this is one tired mommy! I made a Facebook album...so go check it out!

MRI

My friend, Stacie, is having her MRI today. Please, join with me, and lift her up in prayer!

Hope

You are the life to my heart and my soul
You are the light to the darkness around me
You are the hope to the hopeless and broken
You are the only Truth and the Way

Reality.

Well, our routine has been established for another school year. It's been surprisingly smooth. Tripp L.O.V.E.S. preschool. Really, really loves it and it does my heart good. He's got great teachers and he's making new friends. His teachers brag on him every time I talk to them, which eases my mind quite a bit. If you have followed my blog, or known Tripp, for any length of time, then you know that he can be extremely difficult. However, he seems to do awesome at school. For that, I'm thankful!

My year has also started out well. Although I have some challenges in my class, both academically and behaviorally (is that a word?), things are going really well. My partner and I are doing things a little differently this year and I've also set up some new procedure type things that are just making my days run beautifully. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself so far. Now, ask me again next weekend after I've been to the first 2 sessions of my first 2 masters classes. We'll see how I'm feeling then.

On a very serious note, I found out yesterday that a dear friend of mine in Henry County, Stacie Walker, was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is only 29 and she has a 4 year old daughter. I know several of my blog readers know her either personally or through times when I've mentioned her. When Joey and I first got married and lived in Henry County, we hung out with her and her husband on a very regular basis....like every single weekend. It was wonderful having another "childless" couple to do things with each weekend. Unfortunately, life changes came into play and we haven't seen them nearly as often over the last few years. BUT, that doesn't change the fact that we love them dearly. I am asking that you cover my friend in prayer. She doesn't know the stage of the cancer yet, or what her treatment plan is going to look like exactly. Obviously, she is in shock and she is scared. At times like these, I am even more thankful that God is in control of every second of every day. How could we do it without Him? I know she would covet your prayers right now; she is going to need them in the days/months ahead!!!

Such a good mommy!

Like I said in a previous post, Makie see- Makie do! She has really started being a little mommy to all of her babies. She rocks them, she makes them jump, she holds them and tilts them upside down, and now she has even started changing their diaper! As Joey and I were cleaning up the kitchen tonight after dinner, she took it upon herself to go in her room and get diapers and wipes to change her baby! I just had to take some pictures!
Here's baby's diaper!

Oops! Can't forget the wipes!

Getting one out!

We're still working on the whole "front to back" notion!!! :-)

So LONG!

This picture really shows how long Mak's hair is getting! Most of the time it's in big ringlet girls in the back, but last night I tried to dry it straight to see how long it really is. Oh, how I love how girly she is!!