Changes

I will get on here soon and update everything. I promise!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Hello all. We are doing fine. Coralynn had her 2 month checkup on Tuesday. She weighs 12 lbs 6 ozs and is 24 in long. She is growing so fast. Lydia has started pottytraining on her OWN!!! Yea!!! We still have work to do with her but I'm happy. She has grown so fast. Ally broke her collar bone 2 weeks ago. It was our first broken bone. She is doing fine and is getting tired of her sling. The boys are, well...boys. What else can I say. Well, gotta go do a "little" laundry.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. 4:16

Happy Anniversary!!!!

Happy Anniversary Josh!!! I love you more than anything.

This is where it all started around 2 pm. This is also what I see when I look out my window, well, the side of it anyway. The day was just like this one too. Beautiful weather to match a beautiful wedding.

Thank you for 7 wonderful years. I look forward to many more.

Coralynn Renae

7 minutes after birth.

















I think she looked like a buttercup.

















All the girls!!

















Some traditions are hard to break.

















4 days old. Ain't she cute?!

Will post more later.

Coralynn Is Here!!

She has finally shown her face on Oct. 2/2008 12.52pm 8lbs. 4ozs. 20.75 in.

Hair and Babies

You could have Ally do your hair.

Or Ty.

Your choice.

We still don't know what color or how much hair baby girl has because we haven't seen her yet. Will keep you posted.

Waiting.

We are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby girl. I have been in nesting mode for several days now. Still so much to do. Her outfit and blanket are all finished. Her bassinet is together and the bags are pretty much packed. We are excited. Anyway, will keep you(if anyone ever looks at this blog) posted.

Bigger and Better

Well, it's definitely bigger. We really like it too. It is such a blessing seeing as how we were going to be really cramped in the mini-van. Everyone is in a car seat or booster seat so you see why we went bigger. We have room for 5 more after baby girl is born. If we have to go bigger we may just get a school bus or a tour bus-haha. I think you can put another seat in the back. Anyway, everyone is fine. No sickness- just messes , cutting teeth, and growing bellies;).
Lydia enjoyed her chocolate chip muffin.

Baptisms, Babies and Books

We had our first baptisms yesterday. It was such a blessed and sweet time of remembrance and thankfulness to the Lord for all He has done. We went to a former "member's" home in Hendersonville. They live across the street from the lake and had recently put in a pool. Our pastor walked right in the pool fully dressed down to tennis shoes much to all the children's alarm. Our church will celebrate 1 year together in a couple of weeks. We are excited and thankful the Lord has led us to Grace Bible Fellowship. In our Bible Study hour our pastor is leading a New Member's class. No one is an official member yet. Please pray for us as we have had recent discussions among several people on how the church recognizes and appoints its elders. I was joking with Josh yesterday that he is the only one that is qualified to be an elder. Bro. Mark taught on elders and one of the definitions was "bearded one". Josh is the only one with a beard. Haha. Okay, back to the post.

We (the women) are doing a study on the book "The Excellent Wife". I have never read it and I don't have a copy yet. I have only gotten to meet with them this past Wed. night. They alternate men and women on Wed. right now. We are trying to see who is interested in everyone meeting on Wed. We are in favor of it. I think it might be about half and half among the other people. I am (slowly) reading "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. It has been such a blessing and an eye/heart opener for me. I have actually had it for a little while and am just now getting into it. I have been and continue to be amazed at the awesome and wonderful calling I have to be a Christ follower and a Godly wife and mother. I have to continually read and meditate on what the Bible teaches about wives and mothers. I am so far from where I really want to be. But I am praying that I will keep a teachable heart and that God will continue to guide me and the rest of my family closer to Him. There is so much more I could write but I won't.

On to the baby news!! We are being blessed with another girl. Josh was disappointed for a few seconds because he really wanted twin boys. All I could say was that the Lord knows best. It's his gift anyway. He choses what and how many to give. I am so excited. I already have several crochet projects planned for baby girl. Any name suggestions?? I have a name I like but am not 100% certain. I look a lot to the meaning of the name as well as the name. I have to go get stuff done. My 3yo boy is STILL asleep. He was up for a little while earlier and then went back to sleep. They hardly ever sleep past 7 at the latest. The Lord had mercy on me and most of them slept until 7:30. (I just overheard the older two playing Mommy and Daddy, which is one of their favorite games to play. Ally said "Here's the hospital where I'm going to get my baby(spoken with a big southern drawl)out." I think Ty was driving her. They are too funny.) Speaking of Ty, please remember him in your prayers as well. He got into some poison ivy and is pretty allergic to it. He had to be on a steroid last fall from it. He's had the rash for a week. It's on his face, chest, arms and hands. Ely just woke up(at 9:30!!). Let the fun begin.

Proverbs 31:10,25-27
"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

UPDATES!!

Hope everyone has had a great new year so far. We have had a very busy one. I started working part time at Walgreens down the road the second week of Jan. My last day was last Friday. We found out we are expecting number 5 on Sept. 26th. We also decided it's time to move back home. Josh's job transferred very easily and we found a house to rent very quickly. The Lord definitely had His hand in everything. So, we have had a little less than 3 weeks to pack. AHHHHH!!! We are not done yet, but we see light at the end of the tunnel. Josh had done most of it. I told him he had to pack because more than likely I would be doing most of the unpacking. Sounds fair to me. Anyway, we are trying to (under the Lord's direction) get a lot of things in order that we have let get out of control. I know your problems follow you everywhere you go until you deal with them. A lot of our problems have been having too much of something. Toys, clutter, TV time, clothes- you name it, we probably have too much of it. So, I have sent A LOT of garbage bags of clothes to Goodwill. I know we are having a new baby and all, but I don't really even want to keep clothes the baby just might grow into someday. I'm tired of holding on to things like that for such a long time. The kids have grandparents that like to buy things for them so they can just buy them some clothes when they need them. Junk day is two days after we move, and we are going to have a pile the size of Texas at least. Most of it is our neighbor's though. They just moved back to Maine after their stay here for Seminary. Okay, well I guess I better go get something done. It started snowing this morning, We already have an inch or so. Josh told me that we are supposed to get from 5 to 10 inches. WooHoo! We are just praying for good weather next weekend when we move. Have a blessed day. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as to the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." I just read that a minute ago and really needed to hear it.

Birthdays, Weddings and Such

Posted Dec. 21st

Hello. REALLY long time since I posted last. A lot has gone on in the past 9 months.

My dearest friend Callie got married in May.

Lydia really enjoyed meeting her newest cousin in May as well.

Ty enjoying the Splash Park at the zoo on his birthday in July.

We moved into a rental house the first of September.

My sister got married the end of September. (All the pics are from the Bridal Brunch except sister in wedding dress.)

Allyson playing with her present at her birthday party.

Lydia trying (and succeeding) to sneak a fingerful of frosting on her birthday.

Mama(really bad pic) standing with her present(padded headboard). My parents came up for the day and we built the headboard.

We have all of our Christmas stuff up and the tree is still STANDING at this moment. We got a real one so the kids haven't bothered it much because it is "pokey". We are finally staying home for Christmas this year. We are excited to start our own traditions. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Long time, no posts.

Hello to anyone who ever looks at our blog. I thought I would post some new pictures of our growing brood. Our third child just turned 2 last week. They grow way too fast. We are still looking for a house to call home. We are ready to be out of these apartments. Josh started a new job a couple of weeks ago. We are very thankful. I just joined Weight Watchers yesterday. I will go to my first meeting this week. I have to be in my sister's wedding this fall and I want to get rid of all my extra post-baby weight. Those pictures were taken on or around Valentine's Day. Gotta go.

Caps, caps for sale! 50 cents a cap.

Does anyone know where that line comes from? Ms. Hibbet, my kindergarten teacher and librarian, used to read that book to us. I bought it for my children and they like it too.
I've been crocheting all weekend. My arm was really hurting yesterday. I got online Friday night and taught myself how to make these hats. It wasn't very hard. The first one I made(white) was too small for Lydia. The yellow one fits but she doesn't like wearing it. Figures. All that hard work for what. I told her she would be wearing it if it was really cold and she would just have to cry. Just Kidding. I bought some softer yarn and I'm going to make more. I am going to give them to a few people I know that are having babies soon. The other pics are pretty recent. My parents gave us a Christmas present early. It was a digital camera. I figured out how to put the pics on to the computer, so there you have it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if I don't post again before then. By the way, my oldest daughter hardly ever wears clothes and I did not give my youngest son that nasty knot on his forehead. He has a head made of steel since he was smiling very soon after injuring himself this time and every other time he has done that. Steve and Amy, if you look at this, we are praying for you all and hope everyone is well. Do you think our youngest, Ely, looks like Isaac when he was younger? Ely reminds us of him. Gotta Go.

It's a Girl!!!

Lydia Grace made her appearance on Friday, October 27th at 6:11 am. She weighed in at 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 19 and one half inches long. She has a head full of red hair-surprise, surprise-who doesn't have red hair around here. She is such a beautiful blessing. We are so happy that she is here. The children adore her as do her parents and grandparents. I will have to post the rest of the pictures when we get them off the camera onto here. I think Josh used these pics in his e-mail.

Hello out there!

Hello to anyone that ever looks at this website. So sorry we haven't posted in a while. Everyone is doing well in spite of colds, roaches and no hot water for a week and a half!!! We finally do have hot water but it was not fun going that long without it. I am thankful we still had water and that it was only our building. The roaches are another story entirely. To say we are infested would be an understatement. They have been bad for several MONTHS now. I think they are finally going to do something about the problem(after we have said we are going to call the health department). I am definitely ready to find a new place to live. We are hoping and praying about an opportunity that has come up about a house. We don't know anything definite yet. It belongs to the guy Josh works for. They are in the process of remodeling and deciding if they are going to sell. We like it and the area that it is in.

The baby is doing well. I am due in about 3 1/2 weeks. We are trying to go through everyone's clothes and get the whole place ready for baby and company. AHHHHH!!! Let's just say it's getting a little stressful at times. The children are a lot better at messing up everything than helping me clean. Allyson will be 3 on the 7th of October. We are trying to get her potty trained. She is doing pretty well, but we are not there yet. Ely who is 19 months tells me when he has gone poo poo. Does this mean he will be potty trained earlier than the other 2!!??!! I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

Anyway, please keep us in your prayers. We seem to always have a lot of stuff going on and decisions to be made all around the same time. I will try to remember to post some new picures soon.

Broken Hearted!

What do you do when your faith is rejected? How are you to react? I don't mean just one of those quick shot meet on the plane moments! I mean one of those where you spent weeks of building that relationship. To the point where you are expecting to reap a harvest. Well I had that experience last night, man I was hurt!

I like going to work third shift at Kroger. I have been building relationships with a couple of guys since I began. Every night I get to talk to them about the Gospel. I gave them Bibles, ask them to read it, and wanted to lead one of them to Christ. There is one who I have spent more time and spoke with more than the rest. I felt like the God was working within him. I was terribly mistaken! The words came from his mouth without a pause and were said not directly to me. I knew what he meant. I was broken'! After so many weeks of carefully directing him to the Bible, asking him questions and speaking of salvation it was torn down. In just a few words. I couldn't speak to the guy the rest of the night, I didn't know how to respond. So, I just clammed up and said nothing!

Tonight is his last night with us, he will be leaving to go back to college. Tonight was going to be the opportunity to ask him even more questions about what he has been reading, and one last question about his salvation. Now I have no idea what to even say to him. So, I will pray that God will lead me to say the right words and I will still be praying for his salvation!

New Pictures!!! (finally)

Hello to anyone who ever visits this blog. I am finally posting the photos that I said I would post. The ultrasound photo was done on June 1st. The other children's picture was taken on April 29th. I don't really have time to write anything right now because I have a dr's appt. in about 45 min. Sorry!

Mission Trip to Ecuador

I just arrived home from a mission trip from Puerto Lopez, Ecuador last night. We were there for seven days and had a well refreshed time. Dr. David Sills a professor and former missionary of Ecuador and his son led the trip. We basically helped a newly founded church get on its feet. Every night we set up in different areas of Puerto Lopez and lead singing and preaching with one receiving Christ while we were there. We also held health clinics that were very much needed and I hope that these people got a grasp on what God's love is through these clinics. The church if handled right should grow slowly but as God does His work should raise up a strong church. This community has Catholic and Pentecostal roots that run very deep. This is why it will be slow going for this church for a while before they can start cutting at the deep roots that separate this community. While I was there God reminded me of my calling to ministry. I told God that I would follow Him wherever He led me. This was encouragement for going back to Louisville and starting the every day life in the States. I remember why I packed my family and moved three hours away from our comfort zone. It was to follow Him. With all that being said I would ask that you to pray for Kristi, the family, and I as we try to see where God will be leading us after Boyce. I feel a strong pull to missions.

I remember not wanting to go on mission trips before because I was afraid that God would open my eyes to see His call upon my life. Now I am refreshed and encouraged to see this time at Boyce through.

While I was there I had a chance to discuss the Doctrines of Grace with Dr. Sills. He told me what made his eyes open to these sweet doctrines and explained even more to me the points that make up calvanism. It refreshed me as only God's Word can. Get this. I hold to the Doctrines of Grace and I went on a mission trip out of the States to evagelize. That may be a shocker to those who think calvanist don't feel the need to do evangelism.

Before I log off I would like to thank each person that give willingly to see me go on this trip. I pray that God has enrichred your life for your well deserved and thankful gift. God's further blessings on each one of you.

Please if you have any questions about this mission trip feel free to click on the comment link below and I will answer them. I have not fully reflected on this trip just yet so some details are not discussed above.

God is so Good

God is truly great. The Blake family just came by and gave us a gift card. We are truly grateful for that gift. It came at the right time. We are not worthy of what God does in our lives, and God does not have to provide for us in the ways that He does. But He does it anyway. I am searching for another job right now, and we were getting a little worried because things are getting a little slim, but God provides. It is so awesome and overwhelming how God makes those little things that we think are so gigantic seem so irrelevant.

This is what I want this site to be; a place where Kristi and I can come and write down all those seemingly significant times that come up in our journey where we seek God's will and give Him praise for making those troublesome times seem insignificant. If there are any stories that any of you would like to share, Kristi and I would love to hear them and post them for you if you like.

Say Cheese

Welcome to our Blog. These are recent photos taken when we got our church directory picture taken. The children did so well! We are recovering from the stomach bug that the Hall family delivered to us fresh from Tennessee ;).