Beautiful St. George

Every other year we take a vacation with my side of the family.  It's usually a full week and in past years we've gone to Gulf Shores, AL and Myrtle Beach (a place we grew up going to).  This year we tried something different...and I'm so thankful we did.

St. George Island, Florida

The Lighthouse

This truly has to be one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever had.  If you been to St. George before, you know there isn't much there ...I'm okay with that.   There are only a few places to eat on the island, only two ice cream shops (at least that we found), and only two or three beach stores... For us this meant no arguing over where we were going to eat...no arguing over what to do...no arguing over going to the arcade or playing putt putt...or which beach shop we would go to...no arguing. 

We were fortunate enough to get to stay in a beach house right on the beach - with its own beach access and it's own pool....and an elevator...an ELEVATOR! 

Days were spent playing in the sand, in the ocean, in the pool, fishing off the shore, riding bikes, and going to the beach shop.  I wish I had a picture of my brother on a bike!! Okay, it really isn't fair to just say that about him...all of us adults looked pretty funny on the bikes.  But regardless of what we looked like, we had a ball!

Our nights were spent hunting ghost crabs, playing games, more bike rides, eating lots of ice cream, playing Just Dance on the Wii, and going back to the beach shop! 

 Did I mention that I love this place?

  Oh well ..."Until next time St. George..."



The Red and The White

Okay Okay...so it's not Spring.  I know I know...but I told you earlier, it's been a busy Spring and Summer, and I am just now catching up...so bear with me :0) 

If I haven' t mentioned this in earlier posts, I must tell you that my husband is a HUGE Nebraska fan...HUGE- and so is the rest of his family.  Me - not so much - but I'm getting there.  When we started dating, he asked me what teams I liked.  I  think I answered him by saying, "well, I guess if I had to pick it would be UGA."  His comment to me..."well...ATLEAST you got the colors right."  Pretty clever comeback on his part.  Haha!

Needless to say, I have YET to go to a Georgia game as an adult (and really, I'm okay with that...no really, I am).  But, I have made it to several Nebraska games.  I always have fun,  and they ALWAYS make fun of the way this Southern Girl dresses!  It's COLD in Nebraska...COLD...

C -O - L- D!!!

I'm just sayin...

So..Springtime brings The Red and The White Game

 

 

Do you SEE all those people in the stadium?!  It's probably THE ONLY sold out College Football Spring Game!



Try explaining that one to a kid: (here is a glimpse of our conversation)

Connor: "Who are we playing?"

 me: "Nebraska"

Connor: "Who has the ball now?"

me: "Nebraska"...

Connor: "Who's playing defense?"

me: "ooo...wait I got this one...Nebraska"

Connor: "Who won!?"

me:  "I'll give you ONE guess!?"

"NEBRASKA!"

A wonderful time was had by all.  We had fun at the game, got to spend lots of time with family, and we made some precious memories. 

 

Connor and Ethan


 

Connor and Emma





Stinker!

Here's what they do during halftime:
 SEA of RED!! Somewhere amidst this CHAOS are my two men!  It's kind of like "Where's Waldo!?"

Ooo Wait!  I think I found them!!

Already looking forward to next year's Spring Game!

ALL the cousins!! Silly kiddos!

See you next time!

~Kelly

Yes - it's been a while...

Yes I know it's...well...almost July - and my last post was in March...but hey, who's really taking note!?  

I feel like I should include all the Spring Events that I have failed to post on due to busy schedules...but it's impossible to do in one post...you would never finish the post.

So I'll start with the most important thing that has happened all year long...

Connor gave his heart to Jesus on March 6th, and he followed through with Believer's Baptism on April 3rd - an exciting day for our little family!

Connor with friend and Associate Pastor, Scott Crook

  What an amazing journey to see my little boy give all he knows of  himself to all he knows of Jesus.  It's a journey that continues...we are works in progress...and together, as a family, we will strive to keep Jesus first (front and center) in our family.  Will we fail...absolutely.  I find that I often pray for God to make up for the times where Adam and I may fall short (especially when it comes to parenting).  I'm so thankful God forgives, shows grace and mercy when it isn't deserved, heals all wounds, and loves unconditionally. 

A few promises we cling to:

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

~Phillipians 1:6

"for it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

~Ephesians 2:8-10

"For I know the plans I have for you", delcares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

~Jeremiah 29:11-13



Rain Rain Go Away

Rain Rain Go Away!!...

This is what we're supposed to do today!!

It's almost Spring, and for us, that means BASEBALL!

Guess we have to wait for a prettier day...

See you next time!

~Kelly

Another Year Older

Good grief where has the time gone!?  It seems like only yesterday I was rocking him to sleep...and look at him now...

We celebrated Connor's 7th birthday in several ways this year.  First we had a "boys only" bowling party at Oasis Bowling,

then off to Buford for Spring Baseball Evaluations...and then back home to celebrate with our family...

Yes, that is Adam you see blowing out candles too!  It's always fun to celebrate birthdays in February!  Both my men share the same birthday - isn't that neat!! 

At the end of this day...birthdays, baseball, and finally bedtime...this is how I felt...

TIRED!...but well worth it.  I love my boys and count it a blessing to be a wife to Adam and mother to Connor.  I can't think of any other place I'd rather be in life...

How do you celebrate your blessings?

See you next time!

~Kelly

One Proud Mama!

As parents we all have those moments where we are just overwhelmed ...in a good way.  A few weeks ago, Adam and I had one of those moments.  It was Connor's 1st Grade Bible Presentation at our church.  We started the evening with a reception...



 and then pictures with Pastor Jeff...



Pastor Jeff and my sweet Connor

Now, based on Connor's reaction and his excitement upon receiving this Bible, one would think it was his very first Bible.  But, in fact it isn't - he has several that are "reader friendly" for his age.  After all he's only 6..but in a few short days he will be 7 (that's a TOTALLY separate blog).  According to Connor though...this is his first "Big Person" Bible - he's sure to tell his friends that it's his "HOLY BIBLE...you know...the same one that big people read."  Since receiving his Bible, he has read it daily at home and he's taken it to school in his backpack so that he can read it during their designated reading time.  I must tell you that this makes me "One Proud Mama!" 



It's tough waiting for something you're so excited to receive!!




Ahh! One Proud Mama!! Sweet Sweet BOY!

And trust me...I'm saving this blog...this moment...and I will remind him of it later in life.

For now, among many others, I cling to these verses:

"Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

"I have no greater joy that to hear that my children are walking in the truth." ~3 John 1:4

What scripture verses do you cling to daily?

See you next time!

~Kelly



A Teachable Moment

Have you ever had one? A “Teachable Moment"? 

            If you're a parent, chances are you've had plenty of them. Boy did we have one in our home tonight – and right at bedtime to boot!!  It almost turned into a philosophical discussion.  Those that know me well…you know I’m not good at those! That said…we’re a simple family with simple faith – we love Jesus and we know our need for a Savior – a life without HIM is a life without hope.  But truth be told…I can really over-analyze things and make them complicated.  I’m pretty sure it’s not one of the spiritual gifts talked about in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4!!  That’s why I am ever so thankful “He’s still working on me.”

See this face…

It’s the face of an unhappy boy who didn’t get what he wanted tonight.  First it started with dinner.  He had to actually eat AT THE DINNER TABLE.  Most nights our “dinner table” is the coffee table in our living room (SHHHH…don’t tell my parents.) But not tonight, because Chicken Parmesan just isn’t a meal you eat in the living room.  My sweet little boy started being disrespectful, talking back, not using his manners (you can stop me anytime…but you get the point).  Needless to say, when he asked to watch one of his favorite shows after dinner, we said N-O! SOORRRRYYYY!! (okay that was for effect…but we did say “absolutely not” and then began to explain why he wasn’t getting what he wanted and that there were consequences for his actions).  After a few dramatic cries and attempts to still get what he wanted, he realized we were “sticking to our guns” on this one and not only did he not get to watch his show, but he had to go to bed immediately after dinner.  Difficult for us and difficult for him.

So…the teachable moment…FORGIVENESS

Ever had to say those words – “I’m sorry”?  It’s hard to do…very tough.  It means admitting to yourself and another person that YOU ARE WRONG.  Who in their right mind EVER likes to be wrong?  NO ONE…NADA…NUN-YA (that’s southern ya’ll). But as SOON as he said those words (real tears and all), we immediately said “We LOVE you always, and we forgive you.”  Friends…that’s what Jesus does for us and in God’s word, He tells us we are to do the same.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, FORGIVING (emphasis mine) each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4:32

 Such a “not-so-fun night” had a sweet sweet ending.  Each of us said bedtime prayers and then we talked about how fun it was going to be when we get to Heaven.  Connor’s words…”Heaven is gonna be WAY FUNNER than this place”.  Grammar – not so good.  His Heart and love for Jesus – PRICELESS!!  Thank you Jesus that you aren’t finished with us yet and thank you for forgiving us when we totally mess things up.

Ahh...now THAT's more like it...

What’s been your most recent “teachable moment”? Can’t wait to hear!

See you next time!
~Kelly