3 Remarkable Days

Over the Christmas break we packed up the boys and headed cross Georgia,Alabama,Mississippi,Tennessee and into the beautiful Ozark Mountains in Arkansas to visit the most incredible lady that I have ever known. The lady I always refer to as the woman I hope I live up to one day. If I could just be a fourth of what she is I will be satisfied. A woman that I know prays everyday for her children. I woman who loved her husband and family hard. Verna is her name and she is 102 going to be 103 years old in April! On my left hand I wear the ring that was once hers given by her groom. Every time I visit, one of my favorite parts is when she holds my hand and kisses her ring. I hope one day that one of my granddaughter or granddaughter in laws will wear this ring as well. We only got to spend 3 days in Arkansas but it was three days that We will cherish forever. Memories that will last forever. This was the first time she got to meet Gray and had not seen Griffin since he was 18 months old. We also got to visit John Van's cousin and Uncle and also got to see Papa John and Nana Jan who drove in from Texas! The boys did so well. We had everyone praying for our trip especially time in the car. Thankfully we borrowed DVD players from Dee and Pops along with Headphones from some friends. Wow! This was the way to go! We split our traveling there into two days a total of 15 hours. Whew! The boys really loved the hotels and thought they were fun! Griffin got to spend a lot of time on his favorite thing, the Piano. Uncle Don has two baby grand pianos in his house and it was then we found out that Griffin has a true musical gift. I am no music major so that comes from Uncle Don himself and said it was a must that we get him lessons. He picked up 4 songs while he was there just by sound! So, looks like that is one thing we have to do come this fall! Mattie the girl in the pictures is the boys third cousin and she was amazing! She loved Griffin and Gray and just played with them and took them under as I always thought a big sister would do. What a loving heart! We have some of the pictures up in the house and the boys always stop and say "That's Mattie!" I hope that they will keep some of this trip in their sweet little minds. Grandma P asked Griffin if he wanted to comb her hair. His reply was so sweet and chipper "Yes!" So, we lifted him up on the bed and he had the biggest grin on his face and was so gentle in combing her hair. Then Gray said "My Turn!" So, Gray got to have his turn and wasn't as gentle but was helped by his dad and didn't pull out any hair:) It was a precious time for the boys they were so loving toward her and wanted to give her kisses and hugs at every visit. We had a great time the best visit yet!Thanks to Uncle Don, Papa John and Nana Jan for making this trip possible! xoxoxoxo

Just a few funnies

What Gray has said lately:
1. Just a minute mom.
2.Me: how old do you think mommy is? "9"
3. Tonight while changing his diaper my favorite "That's Awful mommy"

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wow! What a great Day it was! Christmas falling on a Sunday made it that much sweeter! We all had a morning full of fun. Stopped to go to church to hear an amazing message. All the kiddos wore their PJ's.
We headed back and spent the rest of the the day napping and continuing celebrating the birth of our savior! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Griffin and Gray's Christmas Program

This year was so much fun! We were able to see Griff and Gray perform together this year. Griffin was a shephard and Gray was a sheep as you can tell in the pictures below. They both did so great! They each had a moment pointing and yelling "Pops". What can I say they love their pops.

My little Bake Man

Jv took Griffin to therapy while me and Gray made cupcakes for his class and Griffin's class. He got to put on the sprinkles which was so much fun! We had a ball! He even told his teachers about the sprinkles.

A New Tradition...

This year we really wanted to get the boys involved in the real meaning of Christmas. The gift of Giving. I contacted a lady at the local DSS and to see if there was any way that the Foster Families would be okay with receiving lightly used toys. She gave me the name of a very sweet lady that planned all of the social events for the Foster Families.
After talking with her I thought why not get the whole church involved? So, we announced it and sent out a few emails and God delivered the rest! It was an amazing night each kid got 3 toys and there was dozens left over! They took everything that was left and stored it in their storage unit.

They also received things that they were in desperate need, A crib, baby clothes, infant swings, highchairs the list continues.... Just when I doubt, the creator shows up and amazes me once again!

The unity of the church blew me away!
"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." 1 COR 1:10

Looking forward to next year!

Fall Pumpkin Field Trip

Griffin had a field trip to a local pumpkin patch. We had a great time and he picked out the cutest little pumpkin and said that he was going to give it to Dee Dee. Then he even picked one out for Gray.

His favorite part was playing with the duck race. I got to see take 2 other boys in my car and when we got in. They were talking about what their favorite part was and one of them said the hay ride, the other one said the maze and then they asked Griffin and he said "The Ducks".

I have really enjoyed being a room mom. This group of kids have been so much fun!