God is always good....

I can blog about the sweet moments, I can blog about the hard moments, but regardless, in the good and bad? God is always God and His love and blessings always always are good. We have to remember that. Good comes from ALL things, some are just tougher to see.

My little sister Jennifer and her husband Kirk were expecting their 7th child (between the two of them). A month ago Jennifer's placenta tore and she was put in the hospital. Complete bed rest as they tried, and succeeded in giving the baby more time. After a month, this Monday night the baby was taken by emergency C-section. He was 27 weeks and 5 days old when he was born. Matthew Ty lived for 8 hours. He simply was not yet ready for this world. For Jennifer? She did every single thing she needed to do. She was in the very best place in the world with Doctors who were prepared and ready to help him as best they could. God blesses us with life. God blesses us with children, a true miracle. And God always takes care of our children. For sweet Ty, he is fine, he's better than fine, he is with God!

I hate that Jennifer and Kirk had to leave the hospital without their baby. I hate that this weekend they will bury their sweet baby boy. I do. Hate is strong word. I also LOVE. I love that I am not worried about Ty. I LOVE that I know God will help Jennifer and Kirk through this hard time. God will help them heal their lives. God has blessed them with individuals who have had the opportunity to truly show them how much they care for them. They have been blessed with family and friends. I love that!

Today my dad called and was trying to find a gown for Jennifer to have to use for Ty. Dad and Clara Ruth had looked everywhere. The children's shop in town was closed due to the snow. I LOVE that I live in a small town, a town that truly cares. That sweet owner met me this afternoon and opened up to show me her preemie things. I LOVE that Natalie, my sweet sister in Christ, brought a couple of itty bitty clothes in case something else was needed. I LOVE that!!

In the midst of the hardest times in our lives there ARE shining moments. Those moments are the PEOPLE we are blessed to share this life with!

God is always good!

Loving the moments...

I have enjoyed the last couple of days SO VERY MUCH! My sweet Chelsea and her neato husband Bo have been here with us:) Always a joy having them here! This morning I made them stop before they left and we took pictures. I have shopped with Chelsea, sat at ballgames with them, played Spades, eaten meals, watched movies, talked and talked and not taken one single picture. I've been too busy having fun. These are some of my favorite people....






There isn't much sweeter(to me).....ever....than having my children home, being silly and having fun just being.


We have had snow again. The kids have been home for several days this week and will be home again tomorrow. This afternoon Paden and Sarah hung around. Paden and Sarah tried to beat Scott and I at Spades:) I caught this picture as Paden was showing Seth his "new cool Madden game"....

Basketball Begins....

Tonight basketball games began. Our first game was Victoria's first game....a BIG win.....16-6 (three points by Miss Tori). We had lots of fun....maybe extra lots of fun because Chelsea and Bo were here to watch too!!

New Week....Same Weather...

It may be a new week, but the weather seems the same. I took all my kiddos to school today only to get the call a few minutes ago that I was to pick them up early...which LIKELY means no school tomorrow either. If I had planned of us being out this much it never would have happened....but this year has been a crazy one!

I suppose I should go to the store and pick up more food? lol:) I'm not sure why being home makes my kids feel on the edge of starvation? It does. I think we're good. I just ate two Clementines and I think we are covered on the fruit for today: In all seriousness...this fruit will be gone by tomorrow.


As I took the picture of the fruit I was reminded of this:



Scott made the neatest frames for my Christmas cards. I LOVE IT!! We can enjoy the pictures without worry about them getting knocked off and stepped on:) Actually Scott did three door...this is just one of the three.

While I'm talking about neat things? Over the years I have tried lots of different cups, water bottles and different bottles and such....but these Tervis Tumblers are INCREDIBLE!! They have held up and handled so very well!! Rarely can I put a "Smotherman Approval" on an item for durability...but these would have the highest honors!!!



Well, off in the rain to pick up my kiddos!

Basketball Homecoming 2011

John and Mercedez both were part of the Basketball Homecoming on Saturday. John, as Student Council President, read all the awards and Senior recognitions. He did a great job, as always I was so very proud of the time and effort he put into the week! John also preformed with the Cheerleaders, a first for us:) Haha...also a first for JOHN!!! He did GREAT:)



I do love "old" girlfriends and boy friends...it's a mom thing:) Kelsey and Jacob dated for a long time (a long time ago) but I took this of Kelsey and Sarah. When
Sarah was a Senior and Basketball Homecoming Queen, Kelsey was a Freshman and on the court with her....now sweet Kelsey is Homecoming Queen!


I also took this of John and Kelsey....John is the Student Council President and Kelsey is Senior Class President, they have worked together a lot this year. I love seeing our sweet friends be successful!!!!


Mercedez' squad cheered and preformed at half time.





Tasha captured the cheering and their dance with Lita's ipod and it can be seen below:



PS...I love that I can hear my dad (aka Papa) yelling for Mercedez, Scott (aka Dad) whistling and sisters yelling! Makes it neat to me:)

Out of the Mouth of Babes!!!

Today Scott drove to Millington to spend time with Carlton. He took Sam and Daniel with him. On the way back Scott called his mom. When he hung up Dan asked who he was talking to?

Scott explained it was his mom and told Daniel, "You better call your mom every few days when you get older cause if she's mad? I gotta live with her and I'm going to be mad at you"

Daniel said, "IF you're living with her."

Scott said, "Where else would I be living?"

Daniel replied, "In Heaven, cause of the way you drive!"

HAHA! Out of the mouth of babes!!! Scott called and told me from the van. I laughed and told him to hurry home....but like he was coming to the house, not heaven:)

Game Watching:)

It seemed that all the fair weather watchers spent a few hours playing basketball outside or eating in the kitchen. John, Seth, Scott and I were the faithful watchers. The other pictures? They are of the last few minutes lovers:)

I loved this picture......Seth playing "who's the man?!!"...obviously the QB:)