Sunday, April 26, 2009

Thomas the Train

Brandon and I took the kids to Chattanooga for the weekend. We thought it would be nice to spend an entire weekend doing fun things and all together since tax season just ended. Saturday after breakfast, we headed over to the TN Railway and spent a few hours. Our train ride was at noon and they had pleanty of activities to do before the ride. The kids loved it! It was a rather warm day and glad we did this in the morning.
The kids waving to a passing train. Holding hands walking to the depot, so cute! The next minute they were probably arguing. HA
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Petting Zoo and Mini-Golf

Brock loves animals and he was so happy running around from animal to animal. The donkey just about took him out. A goat licked him in the face, he thought that was hilarious.
Keira working on her golf skills.
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Train Ride

Family Shot - we don't get many of these! The family looking so happy to ride the train!
Little man taking a break - it was a hot day!!
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TN Aquarium

We spent sunday morning at the aquarium and the kids loved it! Brock just squealed in sheer delight when we came to the first exhibit, the penguins. We got to see 2 scuba divers in with the sharks and listen to them talk to us. Brock and Keira waved and waved at the men.
Family looking at the River Otters, these 2 were a sight to watch. Photobucket
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more aquarium

If you were a stingray, would you come to this boy?
Brother was not wanting to pose
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Water

This possibly may have been Brock's favorite part of the trip. He loves water!! He ended up soaking his shorts
My silly girl kept pulling up her skirt, even though it wasn't long enough to get wet.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009

This week

My little man covered in snot, slobber, and lipstick. Even with his imperfections, I love him completely. Even with my imperfections, he loves me completely. I am so glad! How much more does our Father in Heaven love us with our imperfections? Aren't you glad he does? This week has been a week of learning and seeing God at work first hand. I have learned to rejoice over the smallest things, the big things, and even the bad things that happen in life. It is like a light came on this week and so many things became even more clear to me. I began the week dreading Tuesday morning, when Keira would begin her school morning of crying and drama, for the 3-4 week now. So, Sunday evening I decided to begin praying about it and turn it over to the Lord. Tuesday morning rolls around and yes, she does say she doesn't want to go to school, but with no crying or drama. I kept talking to her about different things and kept about our business of getting ready. I take her and leave and no crying. I thanked God! I know the importance of prayer and how we are commanded to pray, but I am guilty of not praying for things I should (the little things, or so I think they are) and just how powerful prayer is. I guess my point is that I am so sporadic about praying for minor things, that I often overlook that I should take every single thing in my life to the Lord. I saw the Lord work on wed. on a lady a friend and I met at the park. While our kids are playing, I keep feeling like I should ask her to church. My friend even leaned over and whispered to me "I am going to ask her to church" Well, she never did either. My melancholy introvert self sits and debates how to do this and when. I tell myself I will, but later. I hope she will bring it up. I keep coming up with excuse after excuse of why I shouldn't bring this up, thanks Satan for filling me with lies. But, God intervens and my friend is leaving and says "I will see you all at church tonight" The lady doesn't hesistate and asks about our church and we talk and talk. Long story short, she comes and brings her 2 kids. Here is the kicker : the pastor has been doing a 1 Peter series on wed. evenings but changes his sermon for that evening. He has no clue what transpired at the park earlier in the day and even said he struggled with changing his sermon. I truly believe this sermon was meant for her, she cried during it and then got to talk with someone after. She said she would be back on Sunday. How amazing is this??? Nothing we did, it was all God. For us to go to the park on that day and for her to be there, all the Lord's work. I had even asked Keira if she wanted to eat at sonic or take it to the park, she chose the park. I saw the Lord work, even though I was unwillingly at the time to do what He was leading me too. I have had this happen before and felt like I should say something to someone, but always hold back. You just don't understand how hard it is for me to open up and begin a conversation with strangers. But I learned a huge lesson in this. I am going to try and be more aware of leaning on the Lord in this situations and start praying right then in that situation and not debate myself and my weaknesses. God does use us despite our imperfections! I have learned after reading some Christians responses this week to certian points made, regarding abortion, religion, economy, etc. that it boils down to this for me : My opinion and anyone elses amounts to squat compared to God's Holy Word. It doesn't matter what I think about abortion(for example) or anyone else for that matter, it only matters what God says. Bottom line. God's Word is Law. I believe with my whole heart the Doctrine of Election - the more I read the Bible, the more I see it everywhere. I am thankful for my family. They are my blessings in this life. I am thankful for new girlfriends I have made at church and am in the process of making with pre-school mom's. I have decided that I am going to make the time to hang out with these women and get to know them better. The Lord ha put them in my life for a reason. I look forward to more girl time. I have decided that our family will have our friends and their kids over this spring and summer, instead of just talking about it, like we did last year. I want my kids to grow up knowing our home is always open for visitors. I have decided to pray more to be an outreach for Jesus, instead of relying on knowing that He is in control, sovereign, and election. Afterall, the Bible commands it :) Photobucket src="http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/awages/Signatures/LeffewSign.jpg" border=0>
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Garden

The family helped Papaw and Mamaw plant a garden on saturday. This was a first for me and I actually enjoyed it. We had a great time on a beautiful day the Lord gave us.
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Keira's Garden

Keira planted carrots.
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Brock's "Garden Work"

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