Recognize this?

Crissy, do you recognize this outfit? I think it started with an unknown person who passed it to John Wilkes, then to Brody, then to Andrew, and now to Luke. What a great little outfit to have withstood all those rough boys. I wonder who I'll pass it on to.....

The Trinity Hymnal

Our bedtime routine starts with two books, a few songs, prayer and then lights out. When Mitch arrived home from work tonight, he brought five copies of The Trinity Hymnal with him. We sat on the floor and sang five or six hymns together as a family. I wish I knew more of the original tunes to the old hymns but we did our best at sight reading. For the most part, we sang the RUF versions of the songs since we have all their albums and are familiar with their versions of the hymns to new arrangements. I think I'd like making the nightly song-singing a part of our bedtime routine. If you're willing to share, I'm interested to hear what your bedtime routine is with your children.

Dustin is with the Lord

Dustin Salter is now with the Lord. He passed away yesterday afternoon, March 19. Please pray for his wife, Leigh Ann, and their three young children.

Pray for the Salter family

Dustin Salter is a pastor who, until last November, was a campus minister with Reformed University Fellowship at Furman University. He was taking a bike ride with two of his children when he hit a bump, wrecked, and suffered severe brain injuries. You can read about his health updates on the blog that his wife updates regularly.

Thank you, Laura, for reminding me to spread the word to pray.

FREEBIE @ Dunkin' Donuts

Looks like Dunkin' Donuts is trying to compete with Starbucks. Here's another Freebie coming at 'cha. On Wednesday, March 21, Dunkin' Donuts is giving one free iced coffee per customer. Click here for proof.

A Sweet Retreat

It was nice to sit around a table with delicious food and encouraging conversation while at Marannook. Even though many people were invited, only five of us attended. I actually prefer the slim crowd...makes the prayer/meal times, events, and conversation more intimate.


Pictured above: Mr. Charles K-H, Mrs. Barbara K-H, Jef Fleming, Mitch and me, and Paul & Christi (Fleming) Thompson.

A night away

Mitch and I are on our way to a short weekend retreat at Camp Marannook. We are only going to be away one night but we are looking forward to the time alone (even though we will have to stay in the cabins on twin beds!). The boys are staying with their grandparents, which is exciting for many reasons but especially since they just got a new puppy. Andrew likes to help Pop and MeMe take Prissy, the puppy, outside to potty. He is still learning how to gently hold the puppy without tossing it about. It's a good thing Prissy tolerates children well. Luke could care less about the dog at times. He just wants to be outside, climbing over couches, wrestling on the floor, or running around the house naked after a bath.

Andrew is definitely the quiet and affectionate son. Luke is undeniably the loud and independent son.....hmmm.....makes me wonder what kind of personality Abigail will have.

FREE Starbucks

Thursday, March 15, treat yourself to a free cup of java at your local Starbucks -only good from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Click here to read more about it.

My husband

I am so in love. We've been married 7.5 years and it just keeps getting better (can you believe that Andrew took this picture?). I love you, Mitch, and I thank you for pointing me to the Gospel.

D. Webb & S. McCracken

We went with our small group this past Sunday night to attend a small concert by Derek Webb and his (pregnant) wife, Sandra McCracken. It was so good! This is an awful picture taken on Mitch's cell phone but at least it's a good one for memory.

Why Parents REALLY Need God

Once again, the GirlTalk blog has made me laugh....

A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.
"Hello?" "Is your daddy home?" he asked. "Yes," whispered the small voice. May I talk with him?" The child whispered, "No." Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes" "May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No." Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?" "Yes ," whispered the child, "a policeman".
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he's busy", whispered the child. "Busy doing what?" "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?" "A helicopter" answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, the child answered, "The search team just landed a helicopter."
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?" Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle... "ME."

Adam Wright

I went to Moody this past weekend to sing at my old church's WIC spring banquet. It was loads of fun to see many sweet friends. They even had a surprise "baby shower" for me - got lots of pink and green stuff!

I had the honor of singing along with Adam Wright during the morning assembly and luncheon times of the banquet. Call this a plug if you want (and it is - I'm good at doing this sort of thing), but Adam is one of the most talented people I know. He doesn't give himself enough credit for the arrangements he composes of various Trinity and Gadsby hymns nor does he realize that he is gifted when it comes to writing lyrics to songs; but I like him that way - humble. He's written several songs and put them together on two albums. I've linked his MySpace page here if you'd like to read about him, his band, or hear a few audio clips. He's an excellent piano, guitar and mandoline player. You'll be impressed.

Amy's Humble Musings

I don't know her but I am impressed and touched by her writings. She has made me laugh out loud, cry tears of sorrow and joy, and encouraged me with Scripture. Check out Amy's blog here. (I have also added her blog as a link on my site.)

What a massive storm!

This is the tornado that ripped through

our town and by our house last week.

Potty Training 101

Andrew is ALMOST officially potty trained. He wears UnderRoos all day long! He has been dry the past three mornings in a row and has also been dry in the afternoons when waking up from his nap. He likes to read a book while "concentrating" - if you know what I mean. The monkey hat is nothing special....he just likes to wear it every now and then (part of last year's Halloween costume).

Firehouse Subs

We love to eat at Firehouse Subs. Can't get enough of it. They have a birthday club now where they mail you a certificate for a free sub of your choice on or around your special day. You can find out if there is a shop in your city as well as signing up for the birthday club by clicking here. Just wanted to share the love.

Sunday nap & bath

Sunday afternoons are full of napping. I had the pleasure of taking a two hour delicious nap today. When I awoke, I found my boys fast asleep on the couch. Bathtime came a few hours later. Luke and Andrew love the bubbles and water.

Pictures of Damage

Visit this site to see more detailed pictures of the damage done to the northside of Columbus. These places of businesses are only a mile away from our house!

Tornado

Little did I know that yesterday's rain would lead to a tornado that passed directly by our house. The damage done to our neighborhood is horrible. I was home alone with the boys, huddled together on the floor of the master bath shower, in the dark as we had no power....only candles and flashlights. It was scary. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths in the community. It seems everyone is out in their yards picking up limbs, throwing away debris, replacing roofs, cranes picking up trees on houses, BellSouth repairing power lines, cops directing traffic, helicopters surveying the damage, and kids everywhere since schools are closed. We are so thankful no one was hurt. Here are a few pictures of the damage done to a nearby church, school, and houses.

It's raining

I like rainy days, except that it means my boys can't go outside to play on their bikes or in the grass. Boys need to be outside. Oh well....I'll just pull the car out of the garage and let them ride around in there. The good thing is that I can see the garage from my stove so I can still get supper ready while they play. The sound of rain is relaxing. I want so badly to go lay down right now (both boys just went down for their nap which usually lasts two hours) but I have too much to do. I usually wake up from a nap feeling worse than I did before I laid down so sometimes it's not worth it. I'll tell myself that I'll just go to bed earlier tonight than usual but I know that that won't happen either.