Back From North Carolina

Well, I need to be sleeping, but I am excited to tell you (whoever you are) about our family trip to Ridgecrest, North Carolina.

Our church invited all Sunday School leaders to come for the weekend at Ridgecrest in North Carolina. I like to describe it as a grown up VBS, and the kiddos have a blast too. Our preacher, Pastor Tom would be leading the services and our music director and praise team would lead music.

Well, knowing we had no $$ and were actually thinking of stepping down from teaching our class, We thought it wouldn't be possible......but that is what God wanted us to think!

Last minute, we got an e-mail saying there was still room to go on the trip and God had just given us a paycheck that could cover the cost of the trip. So, Chris and I thought it would be fun to take the girls and make it a family trip. Chris had also been there as a child many times, so it was fun to see how we were now going to Ridgecrest as the parents!

The weekend started off not so great when we went to dinner and we couldn't cut through the pork chops with a chainsaw, and then Cami was so upset to go to the child care that she blew chunks, yes, real chunks, all over the sweet little girl who took her. So, off to the hotel for a bath and rest. We missed the opening service. But, we did make it to the "Nibble Nook". Before we left, Chris' mom told us that as a child Chris had gotten lost, but knew how to get to the ice cream store. He waited there until they found him!

The next day we were to make breakfast at 7:45. Wouldn't you know that the alarm DIDN'T go off and I woke up at 8:00. I was so bummed that we were going to miss another session (8:30), but I got ready and started waking up the family. When I put on my watch I was surprised to see a 2 hour difference.....I thought it was only an hour difference......it is only an hour difference! Whoever stayed in our room had set it to "their" time! So, off we were to breakfast on time.

We had a great morning session on the components of a Sunday School Class, a much better lunch and then, well, a nap. At dinner we visited with some sweet friends about the crossroads we were at with our class. We didn't feel we had the time to give to the class and well, we needed to get poured into as well. After dinner, we had AWESOME praise with the TSC praise team and then Pastor Tom actually spoke to us...yes, he leaned towards Chris and I and said, "Some of you came this weekend actually thinking you were done teaching sunday school. You are not done doing what he has called you to do." Heather Hanks reached over and grabbed my arm. She told me that she was afraid lightening would strike us! It didn't have to. God spoke to both of us and it was wonderful to accept His call and rededicate to teaching Sunday School. I am planning on starting a blog for our class. It is full of such awesome people. And we do some great things. So, look for Couples in Christ's blog very soon! www.couplesnchrist.blogspot.com
(Did, I mention AWESOME worship? Well, we at TSC are what is called "Bapticostal". We are Baptist but priase like CRAZY. When we praise...we PRAISE!)

The weekend was wonderful. We got to focus on Christ and why we are really here as Christians (to lead others to Him), but we also had a great time as a family. The ice cream each night and the fun we had in the hotel room together were also priceless!

God is good...all the time.

I think it is time for the Toddler Bed!

Today, as I was talking on the phone to Mrs. Heather, I saw my little Cami crawl up into Chloe's bed. She asked for the Puppy to be with her (by saying "Puppa" and pointing to the stuffed animal on the dresser) and then shreeked for me to pull up the covers around her. I left thinking, that's cute, but came back 5 minutes later to hear her snooring!



I guess it is time to put that toddler bed together!

Ransom- one million dollars- ahhhhhhhh

Yes, we have her and we will not let her go without a heavy ransom.

Do not try to rescue her. She is guarded by ferocious guard dogs and being tortured by snakes. But, it seems no matter what we have tried, she continues to have a delightful smile on her face!

P.S. We also have your toothpaste and toothbrush!

Let's Get Physical

I have NO idea where she got it...But Chloe turned into Olivia Newton John Saturday. She was so excited to get her map out and start "exercising!"



I'd also like to share that if you are needing some sort of direction or wisdom in choices in your life, you may find the answers ou are searching for at La Hacienda in Spring Hill. Yes, yesterday after four and a half hours of church in a very crowded restaurant with two girls crying and a hungry, frustrated wife Chris announces, "I am done. Two is good for me." After months of prayer, it is funny how God reveals His answers over salsa and chips!

Boys and their toys

Well, I do believe it is the truth that boys will always love their toys. Some boys are stuck on X boxes, Wii, motorcylces and even guns...

Tonight I overheard a conversation about a husband buying a motorcycle because he has always had one. I thought, what in the world does this woman own for herself (and not for her family) over a grand??? anyways....

My sweetie was able to play for free the other night with my brother in law Scott. They rode dirt bikes in Franklin. But, I have to say, I LOVE that he was able to get out and, well, play. Even though he is 35, he has such a boy like playful side that I love...it is one of the things that drew me to him. So, baby keep on playin'....but make sure that it is free though!

Just Like Mommy

While packing the car for my softball game, Cami took off her sandals and managed to put on both batting gloves and cleets.

The funny thing was that she held on to a green racketball in her batting glove the whole way to Brentwood!

I love this age!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Even though my friends said I was crazy, we had a slumber party last night with four 4 and 5 year old girls and one tag along little sister.

Last week at VBS, Chloe invited some friends over to spend the night in front of me. I, of course, said, yes, we will do that "some day." But, as a working mom I thought, hey, this is what the summer is all about right?

(The only issue was not getting to invite some other sweet friends Chloe has. I tried to keep it to 3 so that no one would be left out and that Mommy could keep her sanity. But of course, the sweet friend across the street came over to see if Chloe could play just as the girls were arriving at the door. I felt like a dog not asking her to stay. Then I felt horrible not inviting our sweet friend who lives down the street who plays with us all the time......but Chris sweetly said that I was making a deal out of something that wasn't a deal....will I always have these High School, "don't hurt any one else's feelings" feelings? )

So, at 6:00 last night the party began!

Every party begins with pizza, right?


Next, it was make over time: eyeshadow, lip stick and fingernails!!!

Did I mention that Cami wanted to do everything the big girls were doing?
One of the most fun things for me was watching the girls color their "Fabulous Girls" banner. What little teachers they were. I smiled inside out when I heard, "Let's do our best." "Take your time." "We are doing such a great job!" But, the best was when they would burst into song. They had learned songs from VBS and it was precious to hear them praise as they colored!

After being screamed at for "ruining their banner", Cami also made her own banner to carry. And she was serious about it too!

We had a VERY short parade, due to Mommy realizing that it would be terrible for our sweet friends who were not invited to see us literally parading around the block.

Next, the girls put on a Talent Show.






Then after many songs and dances, it was time for popcorn and a movie.

They had a blast watching themselves in their ballet recital.... not too mention the fun the popcorn had being thrown from the bowl with each jump and turn.

Around 9:30 it was time to watch Mermaida. Hoping they would fall asleep in the movie, we all said a very sweet prayer to Jesus.

Well, I was wrong. Around 11:00, four little girls came into our bedroom ready to hop into the bed with Chris and I! Chris, of course, slept through it all, but I hurried the girls upstairs. We sang songs to Jesus to help us with our fears of monsters and I slept on the couch. About midnight, I snuck to my bed to be awoken at 1:00a.m. by my own little Chloe. After refusing to let her in our bed, she decided to get into her bed. That left sweet M.H. all alone. At 3:00a.m., sweet M.H. came into my room having trouble sleeping and wanting her Mommy and Daddy. I remember her Mommy saying that Daddy stays up late studying and could come get her if they needed to, but I doubt he studied until 3:00. So, after praying and talking through our worries, M.H. and I slept on the blow up bed together. Around 5:00, I got to sneek to my bed again only to hear the laughter and pattering of feet at 7:30 :) It was breakfast time!

Every slumber party needs Barbie waffles...too fun.


Since Moms weren't coming until 10:00, the girls had time to play Barbies and have one last Talent Show...take a look at their audience. Watch out Hannah!



Every party has a goodie bag...so these little princesses left with bracelets and make up bags (thanks to the clearance at the Target Dollar Bins)!



The girls had such a wonderful time. They were so sweet to each other and it made me grin to hear, "this is the best sleep over I've ever had!" (I think it was the first for all of them)