Roll Tide Roll...

In honor of the season opener this weekend,
Reagan and Jon Daniel sported some Alabama duds today!
Boy, I thought it was difficult getting her to cooperate for camera alone...two was one
laugh after another, but never really the photo(s) I hoped for! Still cute because its them! You will have to check out winkflash to see the other results of this short but sweet photo shoot! ENJOY! Friday, Trent came in his AL jersey so we had to get out another one of Reagan's outfits. Aren't they cute? Hard to believe they grow up so fast!

Visit from Friends

Rather unexpectedly, at lunch time yesterday, I received a wonderful visit from my friend, April, and her two children. Alexander was at home because of illness, but he perked up a little to see Anna Beth. They were big buddies before their family moved to Monroeville. Now, they have a new addition, Walker, who is 9 weeks old. Meeting him and holding him was sure special! We miss them terribly, so catching up was fun! When Reagan saw me take a photo of the two big kids, she ran and got in between them. Thanks to Sunday morning pretties and the loss of my favorite photo tree, she knows that is what the front door is for! HA!
Shortly after they left, I took Alexander for his doctor's appointment and he has pneumonia. Poor thing! Pray for him to get well soon. We have big plans to visit with Noni for Labor Day weekend! YIPPEE! Eric, Reagan, and Alexander are all taking the same antibiotic now and Alex is on 3 other meds, including breathing treatments. God has sustained my health thus far, but everyone has had trouble sleeping, leaving mommy very tired! Pray that my health will stay strong and that we can all get some quality rest this weekend!

Bathtub Copy Cat...

Reagan watches everything Alexander does! Funny when it is something appropriate to copy! She is really beginning to mimick things that she sees others do around her! Keeps us all on our toes! They have both always loved the bathtub and certainly have lots of laughs when in there together...this is one example. The tiger story is make believe, from Alexander's oh-so-creative mind! What fun having two...wouldn't trade it for anything!

Duck Pond Visit...

Today we visited the duck pond after picking Alexander up from "big skoo"! We had not been to see the ducks in quite some time and they had mulitiplied. 12 STARVING ducks came straight to our van when we parked. We were nervous about getting out while they sat quacking loudly and begging for bread, so we fed them from the van to settle them down and then enjoyed our visit in the grass and at the pond's edge while they watched and waddled! Now they are 12 fat happy ducks!

Funny Friends...

When Jon Daniel and Reagan are together and well rested, they are so funny! They crack each other up and sometimes they don't even let me in on the joke! Life is never dull when the two of them are around! This was one such funny...

Today, I served up some yummy spaghetti for lunch! If it were up to these two babies, I guess it would have been on the front of a magazine for its scrumptious quality! What a fun mess!

Mommy's Little Helper...

Reagan is such a girl! I never knew the differences starting showing this early, but it is true! She wants to do everything I do and she is so busy being my helper! Sometimes it is a little too much help, if you know what I mean, but I won't complain! I will just pray it shapes her into the kind of wife and mommy God will want her to be later in her life! While she enjoys her work, I will take full advantage of it! Sometimes I think she thinks she is a mommy already, to her babies (dolls) and her younger friends. At times, she can be a bit bossy, but mostly just a natural nurturer, as seen here! Hang in there, Jon Daniel, you patient soul!

Just as I decide it is a girl thing, I tell her that her climbing at the library is dangerous and my other helper steps in! This photo tells it all and really makes me laugh!

Smart Boy, Fun Boy

Just an update to let you know that Alexander is doing very well in school at West Alabama Christian! We are so pleased with his teacher, Mrs. Toya. She really is a natural! The curriculum is so advanced and strong and he is moving right along! It is wonderful to hear him memorizing God's Word so early...a treasure to hide in his heart for sure! When he is at school, he is a hard worker and very serious about his studies, breezing through first grade readers quickly, while staying on a Kindergarten level otherwise for a strong review!


When he gets home, it is so nice to see him let the serious face go and take on a grin and a heart that loves fun! I miss him when he is away all day for the first time, but we take on some great fun when he gets home in the afternoons! He has such a fun spirit and a contagious laugh, full of life!


Our prayer for Alexander at this stage of life is that he will live a full and abundant life and learn to be centered in Christ. We pray daily for his salvation and are warmed to hear him talk of things of God so young. We know God is shaping his heart even now. He has memorized two verses at school already and is working on a 3rd this week. We talk about what they mean and he seems to be catching on to the fact that God is REAL! He got a child's reader Bible in the Message translation and he is reading it each day and is excited about it! Next Sunday night, he starts a new class at church called Bible Skills, Drills and Thrills, where he will be memorizing additional verses, learning the books of the Bible and learning to use the Bible! Life is exciting at five and we hope he will keep his zeal for years to come! Pray that with us, please!

Super Silly Siblings

These two silly kids of ours were up to some serious sillies this weekend! It is such a blessing to see them play together and have lots of fun. We pray they will always love and respect each other and be each other's best friend as they grow and we know only Jesus can do that through them! He got loud and she got louder. Early Saturday morning, straight out of bed, some tumbling practice began and, of course, there was a little copycat waiting in the wings! Plus, Reagan is fully convinced that she is ready to compete in a highest jump Olympic event! ENJOY!



Last, but not least...

Up, Down, All Around

Demopolis has a new jewel...Center Stage Performing Arts! Two young ladies have opened a store front, offering ballet, jazz, tap, gymnastics, yoga, pilates, ballroom dancing, etc. for all ages and stages! So...today was Alexander's first meeting of an all-boys tumbling class! An hour of wild and crazy fun every Thursday to help beat the been-at-school-all-day sillies! What fun was had by all! Today was mostly focused on a skills assessment and every boy was very different, but a smile was on each face! Enjoy the photos...we will post more after future classes and hope each of you can come see him perform at the end of the year!

Doctor Day!

Today, Reagan had back to back doctor's appointments in Tuscaloosa! First, we had a 3 month recheck with the allergy/asthma specialist who previously diagnosed her with asthma and severe allergies to cats and artificial red dye, as well as minor allergies to grass and dust. He started her on a daily inhaler and continued the Singulair, in an effort to control and prevent breathing difficulties! I went prepared to tell him how well she has been doing for the three months under his care and, within minutes of arrival, she was broken out so badly with hives! He ended up testing her today for 7 common food allergies and the tests were all negative (praise be to God)! He diagnosed her with atopic dermatitis and upped her inhaler usage to twice a day as we move closer to cooler weather, as well as prescribing some SUPER strength hydrocortisone ointment, rather than cream for episodes such as today! I was puzzled as her symptoms continued throughout the day, and discovered during dinner that the multivitamin I put her on recently contains red #40, a known allergen for her! That has been discontinued under my honorary medical degree :) and we hope it is the answer to our new issues!

Other than that, his office is beautiful and we enjoyed the constant action of the chipmunk and the birds, as well as some reading during our wait!

We followed that visit with a trip to our regular pediatrician! She was happy with the allergy/asthma report and glad Reagan is avoiding so much use of her nebulizer by using the inhaler daily! Reagan was up to 20 lbs, 8 oz. but had some bloodwork drawn, routine for patients who lose 16 oz. or more between close visits or weigh any less than last well check. Reagan met both criteria, but Dr. Vaughn felt strongly that she is healthy and will let us know tomorrow! Her little miracle head was still growing right on target! We thank God for healing her head and pray she will use that as part of her testimony of faith as she grows!

She got two shots and the morning wore her out, but we are thankful for her pretty, sweet little self! Aren't you?

Moms Morning Out

This week I simply praise God for the awesome opportunity to stay at home again! Its what I love, its what I am here for! We are having fun, fun, fun and my work is done when Alexander gets out of school and I get some wonderful time to spend with him, hearing his funny stories about his day and sitting peacefully with him for a home cooked meal and homework, followed by uninterrupted play most nights! Couldn't be happier!

This week, I started offering two friends a morning out to have some quiet time! All of the babies were so sweet and peaceful together, a real treat!

Joining us for the fun were:

Mary Ella...


Jon Daniel...


Sarah Elizabeth...

Reagan...

We had such fun together and cannot wait for next Wednesday! I hope you received a blessing Amanda H., Brandi, and Lisa. I know I did!

Its Potty Time

Reagan has begun to show a big interest in the potty, so I thought I would use a day at home to tackle the beginnings of potty training! After all, we already had the pink potty we bought on sale in anticipation of this event! She was so into sitting on the potty, wearing pretty panties, and seeing her baby TT. She TTd the very first time she sat on it today, but after that we were not very successful...getting there in time was just not happening! But she is young and willing, so I am not giving up! We will stay home all next week and work on it and I know she will catch on quickly!
For now, she is precious to watch and very excited about it, which = success on day one!

Sweet Baby Singing

Reagan listens to everything around her and is quite the parrot these days, talking more and more, putting 2 words together some, and taking great interest in singing. She has begun the love of her babies, wrapping them in anything she finds (dish towel in this case) and singing to them so sweetly! If you listen carefully, you will hear her sing, "Rock Baby, Rock Baby, in tree top" then "fall". She is a smart, big talker and such fun to play with! Alexander really loves crediting himself with her new vocabulary, and we just let him! ENJOY!

Super Big Brother

Last weekend, after hard work in the yard, Alexander asked to hold Reagan for the first time since she was tiny. It was time for her nap and he wanted to rock her. We said it was a great idea, but were afraid she would buck! She actually loved it and laid more still for him than she does for us. We rarely use that time for singing, but he did and it was sweet. I stood outside the door to film, but she was still looking at the camera! ENJOY!

First for Reagan, too

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Reagan experienced the McDonalds playland for the first time last night before church! I figured she would stay with me while Alex played, but not so! She wanted to keep up with him so bad, but her legs just aren't long enough yet! Just as her foot disappeared into the red slide, she hollered, "Mama" and began to cry. He quickly and sweetly went and helped her back out of it and find me. She went right back to playing on the low side and found a way into the red bubble! She was so proud of herself because it took many tries and HARD work to get it accomplished! She is NOT a quitter and not afraid of much. It was just TOO HOT to stay, but she cried when we had to leave. We will have to go again soon!

First Day Excitement

Well, today was the big day. Alexander got up happy, excited to go to school! Turns out, he put on a brave face for mom, then his nerves got the best of him after I left. Following in his mother's footsteps (minus the buckets of tears I always cried when school started), he had a very upset tummy for the first hour or two and did not finish his work because of many trips to the restroom, most unsuccessful because it was just nerves mostly. He wouldn't eat breakfast at home, but we blamed it on getting up earlier than usual. Now we know! He just picked at the food in his lunchbox even though it was full of his favorites. He came around and settled down mid-morning, got in there with the other boys, and had a great rest of the day. By the time we saw him at 3, we never would have known if the principal hadn't told us! He was full of funny stories, HUNGRY of course and looking forward to tomorrow. The school added daily chapel this year and he really enjoyed that this morning, he said. He is a perfectionist and gets upset with his own skills easily, but Mrs. Toya's personality is a great match for his...tough when necessary, but very kind and loving for a sensitive spirit like his. We are so thankful for a strong Christian teacher and role model and a curriculum full of Bible knowledge as well as a fast moving, advanced academic program! It is well worth the money! Yippee for Kindergarten!

Youth Fellowship Contest

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We found out several weeks ago that our local Guthries was now offering All You Can Eat chicken fingers on Sunday nights for $8.99. We knew then that our youth would love that! So, last night we celebrated the end of summer with a Chicken Finger Eating Contest. Of course, only the guys competed, but even the ladies had fun cheering and socializing! Eric conceded after 19 fingers, allowing Johnny (red shirt) to eat #20 for the win. He was then disqualified when he ran across the parking lot to regurgitate unexpectedly, making Eric the winner by default! We had a lot of laughs, followed by a lot of gas from the contestants (some public, some private) and an all out good time of fellowship with about 20 of our youth! Thank you, God, for creating laughter!

To God Be the Glory...

The school year kicked off today. Well, Alexander doesn't start until Wednesday, but I am keeping Reagan and her friend, Jon Daniel, in our home. His mommy teaches, so that allows me the best of both worlds...I get to stay home, supplement our income to cover Alexander's Christian school tuition, and be with just my own two kids whenever he is out of school for holidays and summer! We knew it was God's plan for Alexander to attend school and for us to support the Christian school our church is planting, for as long as his grade is available. We struggled most of the summer about whether to move him up to first grade based on ability or have him repeat Kindergarten based on age, as well as whether I should return to our church's daycare full-time, teach 1st grade in the private school, or stay home. Of course, God knew the plan all along and just wanted us to seek His face for the answers. He placed many seasoned and wise Christian parents in our path this summer who gave us discernment about Alexander's placement and he will be participating in Advanced Kindergarten. And he brought Jon Daniel's parents and me together, so we would both be more content about our child care/mothering balance. My home will once again be my ministry. I will have Jon Daniel Monday - Friday, when school is in session and Trent (baby with hair) every Monday and some Fridays. I will also have the opportunity, beginning in a few weeks, to offer a Moms Morning Out to 2 of my precious friends who stay at home full time. This will be 3 hours each Wednesday morning for them to run errands, get their hair cut alone, grocery shop, clean, or just go back to bed! I pray I will be a blessing to each of the moms I will be helping, regardless of the number of hours a week I have their baby. I will be privileged to return to my young moms weekly 10am Bible study also, to have a time to be fed spiritually and socially! When the babies rest, I will be able to return to my deeper involvement in youth planning and outreach alongside Eric and any other ministry opportunities God presents, while also being able to actively raise and disciple my own children! It is all so exciting and wonderful...the best of both worlds, as God's ultimate plan always is, when we get out of the way and let Him work and be glorified!

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!" Jeremiah 29:11