A Glimpse

A Snapshot

2010-09-26T07:00:00.004-04:00

We colored!

We used M&Ms

We baked!

We dressed in green!

On Friday's blog post I told you our home was going green for Mitochondrial Awareness Week, and we did just that. I thought I would share some of the snapshots I got from that day. It was fun and we learned a lot.

I also learned that I do not use my camera near enough to capture even the littlest of things. So my goal is to get back in the habit of taking more pictures because the lesson I learned is things can change in the blink of an eye and the only real thing we have is THIS moment because once the moment is gone is doesn't come back.

Live for today, for this very minute because only God knows and controls our very last minute on this earth.

Thank you Lord for the blessings in my life and the ability to recognize those blessings.

Going Green

2010-09-23T21:36:00.004-04:00

Our household is going green today...and I don't mean saving the environment...more like saving human lives.

I had never heard of Mitochondrial Disease until I met a precious little girl who just happened to go to the same church as myself. She is full of smiles and personality! You would never know that something like this disease had any effect on her or her personality. However, after learning more about this disease I was blown away...there is so much this little girl has to endure. What made it even more striking to me was what her parents had to do to help their little girl survive. Yet through it all, their ups and their downs, their joys and their trials they are full of hope, full of love, and never stop leaning on God. Such a testimony through this wonderful family. I am humbled at the thought that anything that I have ever been through is nothing compared to what they go through every day. I am still learning more and more about this disease, especially this week. It is Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. We are all going GREEN and learning some lessons in the process. My children have even gotten involved in wanting to do something to raise awareness. Today, in our home we are all going to wear green and we are going to make stickers to wear! We have already gone green on facebook. I have come across some coloring pages that the kids will color and we will talk about what this disease is and what we can do about it as part of their homeschool lessons! We will also be baking some cookies with green M&Ms! Yum!

So what is this disease I speak of?

Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common.

Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems.

Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection.

Now that you know what can you do to learn more and how can you help?

~First check out the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Website and GET INFORMED!
http://www.umdf.org

~Then if that doesn't work, check out the website for the little girl that I mentioned and maybe, by the Grace of God your heart will get stirred and you will want to know more
and GET INVOLVED!
http://www.helpcureanamaria.com/

~GO GREEN! Not just this week but everyday!

Thank You! Hope everyone has a blessed day and a wonderful weekend!

Mercy, Forgiveness, Submission, Obedience, Revival

2010-09-10T09:57:00.002-04:00

Thank You Lord...for your mercy and steadfast love! Thank you for knowing the depths of my heart. For loving me enough to stir my heart when I haven't even realized I had drifted. For reviving me again and again when I didn't deserve it.

I was reminded yesterday and this morning in my everyday dealings with my children and in my quiet time with the Lord that I am in need of reminders. No it's not an age thing but a human nature thing. In raising my children I find that what do I expect from my children?

Submission and obedience.

I expect my children to submit to my authority over them because I am the parent. I expect their obedience because I am the parent. I expect it every time but do I get it? NO! Of course anyone who knows anything about raising children knows that submission and obedience doesn't come naturally and it is not something that you ever stop learning.
Isn't the same with our relationship with our Heavenly Father? We are His children and doesn't he want submission and obedience to His authority from us? YES!

How can I expect my children to do these two things when there are times when their own mother (ME) is not submitting her life to God and being obedient? I am constantly telling my 2 older children how their 2 younger siblings are watching their every move and behavior and how they set the example. "Monkey see, Monkey do!" I always hear myself saying to them. So why do I always get surprised when my children are disobedient? Shouldn't I be setting the example? Aren't I the monkey? (And no I am not referencing the theory of evolution here so please don't read to much into that.) Aren't I supposed to be submitting and obeying God instead of following the ways of the world?

Well Thankfully I serve a forgiving and merciful God. He knows my heart. He knows my struggles. He hears my prayers. He reveals to me my weaknesses. He never forsakes me. He doesn't see a lost cause. And thankfully He has given me the ability to show all these qualities to my children if I submit and obey God.

1 Samuel 15:22-25 - Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king." Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I have feared the people and listened to their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the Lord."

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.

Deuteronomy 30:10-11 - ...if you obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach."

So the lesson for me today, is that I need to remember who it is that I am to be submitting to and obeying. Then I can come to expect my children to do the same. I am the example; I am the steward to my children to show them who God is so that they to may become followers of Christ. My disclaimer - Now I know my children will not allows submit and obey me because we live in a sinful fallen world, just as the Lord and I both know that I will make my own mistakes and will not allows submit and obey His commandments...BUT that doesn't mean that God doesn't require complete and constant obedience. He does and He disciplines and forgives. So knowing this will I stop requiring this of my children? No. Because God loves me enough to call me one of his own and to call, convict, compel, change and even discipline me when necessary.

Once again, it is time for the reviving of my heart now that I have recognized the spiritual drift that has occurred in me.

Psalm 85:6-9 - Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

I am looking forward to hearing and learning more of what God has for me as I walk through the book of Hosea!

Thank you Lord for the revelation you have given to me today and loving me enough to show me the areas in my life that need your help and correction. Thank you for awakening my heart to you Lord. Thank you for showing me the sin in my own life. I pray that you give me a revived hunger for Your Word. I pray for all those who struggle the same way I do. Thank you for the hope and love you have shown me. Let me be an encouragement to others and just another example of how you constantly extend mercy, love and forgiveness to all. I also pray for my future stumbles, because I know there will be more. Thank you for the cross that I may be forgiven when I didn't deserve it. In Jesus name, Amen.

Learning through the Storms and Trials

2010-07-16T06:43:00.003-04:00

For the past 7 years, God blessed Wayne and I with a home, children, a church, and a "family." It is highly unusual for a military family like ours to get to stay in a place longer than 3 years. But we did...we got the opportunity to stay in Beaufort and to God I am grateful. When Wayne and I moved to Beaufort we had a bubbly 18 month old daughter and had only been married for 2 1/2 short years. We were young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. There were so many opportunities for us to get things wrong, but by God's grace he aligned everything just so. Before we came to Beaufort we prayed for a home, we prayed for a church home, and we prayed for every little detail in our lives. God put people in our paths who could of steered us wrong but didn't...unsaved people were watching out for us...for instance...our realtor told us straight up everything we needed to know about buying and owning a home; our mortgage broker who gave us sound financial advice instead of just trying to get whatever money out of us he could, and so on...Looking back I am so thankful that God handles the smallest of details...You would think that after all this time I would have already learned that lesson...but God is constantly reminding me and teaching me and yes even disciplining me...

I can honestly say that when we sold the house in April, I was thankful that God lined everything up the way he did...I was looking forward to what God had in store for us next...but somewhere after that I lost sight...my own personal set back...

I began to focus on what I had in Beaufort and how I no longer had it...

1) We had a great place we called home and now had no home that Wayne and I could call our own - he is living on the ship and the kids and I are staying at my folks...

2)We had a great church home who fed us
God's word (meat not milk) - and now I am doing my best to find us a temporary church home until we move to Norfolk in August, so I don't feel connected/or an active participant to the church we have been attending

3)We were a family...Now since Wayne is living on the ship which is now currently deployed I feel like our family is incomplete

4)We had like-minded support - Don't get me wrong we have lots of support here, just not the support and "family" we had in Beaufort...(I miss yall by the way!)

5) My list could go on and on....

SO what changed...was it God?...

NOPE...
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God loves us and has still provided for us through it all...The Lesson I Have Learned

1) I still have a roof over my head
2)I still have the ability to go to church freely
3)I still have a family even with Wayne away...God needs my husband on that deployment for some reason I may never know and God will use him as he sees fit
4)I have support, be thankful for that, but also that support I had in Beaufort is still there and thanks to wonderful technology I can still keep in touch.

So what has changed...it wasn't God...it was ME...

I was so wrapped up in the changes and how it affected me and the kids and my life that I stopped seeking God and his council. In that last sentenced I just typed I used words that refernced "me" 4 times. I had put myself ahead of God and it was no wonder I felt so lost.

See - 2 Timothy 3

So today I am thankful to God for the convictions He has given me...for not giving up on me...for blessing me even when I don't see it...and for being a forgiving and merciful God. I thank God for the trials in my life, for bringing me through those trials, and for the trials I know will come.

Thank you God for the home you have made available for us in Norfolk. Thank you God for seeing us through the trials. Thank you God for Wayne. Thank you God for our children. Thank you God for our family and "family." Thank you God for those who pray for us. Thank you God for being a big and awesome God who handles the smallest of details.

Thank you just doesn't seem enough does it?

Colossians 3:15-16
Let peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all widson teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

My prayers for the day -

Lord, watch over my husband while he is on deployment. Help him keep his mind on You and the mission at hand. Don't let his focus get distracted by things that are not of You.

Lord, watch over our marriage while the Navy keeps us apart. Help us to endure the seperation and to keep our focus on You.

Lord, watch over our family while Wayne is away. Keep us strong and let us be a support to Wayne.

Lord, watch over the kids and protect their hearts. Help them to understand that we are going through changes like the deployment and a move. Help them adjust.

Lord, help me as I manage our home while Wayne is away. Give me patience, peace, understanding, and wisdom as we go through this time of transition and change.

Lord, help Wayne and I to not loose focus on You and the plans You have made for us.

Lord, I also pray that you watch over our "family" in Beaufort. We know of so many who are going through trials of their own who need You and Your mercy, healing, comfort, grace, and love.

Amen

We need your help...

2010-04-18T16:18:00.002-04:00

The 3rd Annual Help Cure
Ana Maria Fundraiser

to benefit Heroes on Horseback

Featuring: Vessel of Honour & Soul

May 8, 2010 from 11AM-3PM
@ the Hwy 21 Drive-In

and if you can't make it...
Please consider donating to Help Ana Help Heroes. Donations can be made online or at Wachovia Banks nation wide. The Wachovia business account is the Ana Maria Bennett Fund a Special Needs Trust.
Check it out for more information
http://www.helpcureanamaria.com/

Cha- Cha- Cha- Cha-Changes

2010-03-28T00:03:00.002-04:00

I say it every time...it has been awhile since I have posted but my reason this time is all the CHANGES our little family is embarking on...

We are moving...after 7 wonderful years here in SC the Navy has decided it is time for us to leave. Our next duty station is....

USS Iwo Jima (ship on the left)

Okay well it's my husbands next duty station and we are just along for the ride!
It makes me sad and happy all at the same time. I know God has a plan and a purpose for our family but I dislike having to leave behind such wonderful friends and our wonderful church. Even though I was not born or raised in SC, it is my home now. 3 out 4 of our children were born here. This is what they and I know. I am excited to see what God has in store for us at our next "home" but I will deeply miss SC and all those I have come to know and love. So with that said, Here is my short and sweet post saying Goodbye to SC and all that came with it...Thank you for everything!

My prayer is that God will continue to bless our "family" here in SC and the church. I pray that our move will go smoothly and that the children will adjust easily. I pray that as we move we continually seek God's guidance and will as we make decisions. I also pray for the people that God puts in our path on our new journey. I pray that God helps lead us to a new church home where His Word is taught so that we might serve Him. Amen.

Signing off for a little while so that the computer can get packed :(

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays.....

2010-02-12T08:52:00.006-05:00

The past 2 months have been a series of celebrating birthdays! Each birthday is a reminder of the gracious and precious blessing that God lovingly bestowed to Wayne and I. Our precious and outgoing, first born daughter Hannah turned 8 in January. Our quiet yet quirky second born daughter Lillian turned 5 in January. And our little cuddly teddy bear with an explosive temperament son Lucas turned 3 this February. Wayne and I are so very thankful for the time that God has given us with each of HIS special creations.

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;"
Psalm 127:3-5

"Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her rejoice who gave birth to you."
Proverbs 23:25

"He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children,
and said, "Who are these with you?"
So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
Genesis 33:5

So today as I reflect on all these birthdays I pray that God help Wayne and I -

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

" You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
Deuteronomy 6:7

Here is the blessing I would like to each and everyone of the children God blesses us with to have:

"In the Name of Jesus Christ: I bless you with the ability to trust in the Lord with all your heart and not depend upon your own understanding. Such trust will keep you in the right track. When you trust in the Lord you can expect Him to meet all your needs. When you depart from evil and seek peace, the eyes of the Lord are upon you and His ears are open to your cry. You can trust Him to hear and answer your prayers and give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 34:8, 37:3-4 ~ Proverbs 3:5, 16:20

Christmas Newsletter for 2009

2010-01-26T09:04:00.005-05:00

Season's Greetings to All our Family & Friends...

Another year has come and gone and we would like to share with you some of the things our little family has experienced throughout the year.

January 09 brought about the numerous birthdays once again...Hannah turned 7, Lilly 4 and I turned 29! Hannah experienced her very first sleepover! Lilly had a nice little family birthday with her "flower" cake that Mommy made!

February 09 brought our son Lucas to the age of 2! What a big boy he is getting to be! February also brought the Awana Grand Prix! The kids had fun making their derby cars with Daddy! It was a great family experience watching their cars race down that track!

March was filled with sorrow and joy. My beloved Grandmother (Grandma Helen) went home to be with the Lord. We made the trip to NC to attend her funeral. While we were there we took advantage of the time and spent it with family and visited some museums as a homeschool trip.

April 09 wrapped up the Awana year - Hannah finished Sparks 1st grade, Lilly finished first year Cubbies, and Lucas ended his Puggle year. We also took a trip home for Easter. We enjoyed spending time with family and friends. We also took the kids to the White House Easter Egg Roll. It was a good experience for us and the kids. Also while in Virginia my mother and friend threw me a baby shower for the impending arrival of baby number 4!

May 09 was a busy month! Wayne’s Dad came down to SC to visit the weekend of Mother’s Day for Lilly’s Dance recital! We had a great time watching Lilly dance and visiting with Papa John. We also took the kids to the air show! However the weather did not hold out for the whole day and the show was cut short! Some friends and I went to the Women of Joy Conference in Charleston, where I had the pleasure of meeting Kirk Cameron! We ladies had a blast! As usual in May, we found ourselves at the beach, pool and our favorite ice cream shop downtown! Wayne had a birthday and is now 35 years young! We spent Memorial Day Downtown watching daddy march in the parade!

June 09 was filled with all kinds of excitement! We did our annual camping trip at the beach with Tara’s Family! (Yes, even me at 37 weeks pregnant!) It was the hottest week of the year & we were tent camping! At the end of the week I had the pleasure of taking my dad to the HM Birthday Celebration downtown! I would have taken my husband but I am proud to say he was the one who organized and planned the event! He did a fantastic job! Just five days after the event, June 18th 8:04pm, our second son, Hunter Anthony Gonsorcik, was born weighing in at 9lbs 7oz 20in.

July 09 was spent getting to know our newest blessing! We also spent the 4th of July at Parris Island! Hunter did not seem to mind the fireworks! Hannah, Lilly, & Lucas all took swim lessons! They love the water and it shows!

August 09 the kids and I spent most of it traveling. Wayne stayed home, busy with work with & a few rounds of golf and met us in Ohio for the weekend! The kids and I went to Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky! We visited family, went to a wedding, visited the Creation Museum, and the Cincinnati Zoo!

September 09 started our home school year! Hannah is now in 2nd grade! Lilly is doing some pre-k work! The new Awana year began as well! Hannah is in 2nd Gr Sparks, Lilly is in 2nd yr Cubbies and Lucas is in 2nd yr Puggles! Hannah started cheerleading and Lilly started soccer! Hannah and Lilly are also doing the children’s choir at church! We also learned that we had orders for the Spring of 2010 to move to Norfolk, VA. Wayne is headed to the USS Iwo Jima.

October 09 was filled with activities! The kids and I took a quick trip to VA. While we were there we went to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard! Lilly had her first choir performance! So cute! Hunter decided to cut 3 teeth! Lucas decides it is time to start potty training!

November 09 began busy and ended busy! I was busy preparing for the Christmas Musical at church! The kids were busy with their activities and Daddy was busy with work! We took our annual Thanksgiving Day trip to VA to spend with friends and family!

We hope that everyone had a great December, a great Christmas, and the happiest of New Years! Please know that each of you are in our hearts and prayers all year long!

Amazing isn't it?

2009-11-04T08:56:00.004-05:00

Doesn't it just amaze you how fast a child grows in just a few short years?

We bring home a new baby with hope and anticipations of who they are and who they will become. We love to hold them and feed them. We get excited when they get their first tooth or when they start reaching all those milestones. Sometimes it seems like we hurry them through each of those milestones...I have come to realize after having my fourth child that I find myself saying stop, wait, no don't grow so fast. Hunter is already 4 months and moving right along and I have enjoyed each of those milestones he is hit but at the same time I know each stage doesn't last long and I want to savor it as much as possible.

Lucas, my first son, my how you have grown. Such a sweet natured little baby to such a big boy!
Here he is just a few weeks old, so tiny and new.
Here he is soon to be three in February...

He went from tiny babe to a potty training big boy who likes to: hug and kiss...sing Jesus Loves Me...talk to everyone...wave to everyone...just full of personality...slow to boil but when he does watch out! I can only hope and pray for him as he grows that he will continue to have such a loving spirit and that he will come to know Jesus and share Him with that loving spirit.

Some good friends of mine, Sandy & Diane, threw me a baby shower while I was pregnant with my second son, Hunter. They gave me a book "Bless your Children Every Day" by Dr. Mary Ruth Swope. The book is a compilation of blessings which the author put together as she blessed her grandson. I have enjoyed reading the blessings and using them to bless my own children in the different areas of their lives. What I enjoy most about this book is that there are scripture references to go along with the blessings.

So today I will write the blessing from the book that I prayed for my son Lucas today and maybe it might just encourage you to pray and bless your own children and grandchildren.

"In the Name of Jesus Christ: I bless you with the deep desire to love God with all your heart and with the will and the ability to do so all the days of your life. I bless you, too, with the deep desire to love both your parents with true affection for as long as you live. Loving God first and your parents next will undoubtedly lead to your loving yourself and your neighbors as yourself. I bless you with this kind of love. I bless you with the understanding to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for you. Today I flood you with the knowledge of how precious you are to God, to your family, and to your friends. Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12, John 3:16;15:10, Ephesians 3:17-19, Romans 8:38-39"

Where have the past 4 1/2 months gone?

2009-11-02T11:03:00.004-05:00

I really let time get away from me...So much has gone on in the past 4 months and the last thing I do is update this blog! I guess in the age of facebook most people already know what the coming and goings of my life are...but for those of you still following let me update...

As of July, my last post, we have spent a lot of time getting to know the ins and outs of our newest blessing Hunter! God has truly blessed us with 4 amazing children and each one of them very different in their own special and unique way. Hunter is a very laid back baby and so observant of the things around him. July 4th we spent with friends at Parris Island! Hunter did not seem to mind the fireworks! We also spent the July days at the pool for Hannah, Lilly, and Lucas' swim lessons! They love the water and it shows!

The kids and I spent most of August traveling around! We visited with friends and family in Virginia. We took in the beautiful scenery of Sideling Hill in Maryland! The kids got to see their Great Grandma Victoria in West Virginia. Then we traveled the country roads of West Virginia and Ohio to go to a cousin's wedding in Dayton. The kids got to spend some time with the Gonsorcik side of the family! After the wedding we drove to Kentucky and went to the Creation Museum! That was a lot of fun! It was cool watching Hannah put together the pieces of History according to God's Word that we spent learning about in her 1st grade year come to life. After that we drove back to Ohio to visit the Cincinnati Zoo! We had loads of fun feeding the giraffes! We continued our journey back to Virginia then back to good ol' SC ! Daddy missed all of us! He did get to play some golf while we were away!

In September we started back up with all our seasonal activities! Hannah began her 2nd grade school year! Lilly started doing some Pre-K level work! Awanas, Kid's Life, CBS and Children's Choir began! Also this month Hannah started cheerleading for the county and Lilly started playing soccer! Our days and weekends began to fill up! Hannah enjoyed cheerleading and Lilly has found that maybe soccer isn't the sport for her! Both girls are doing an amazing job at learning and memorizing God's Word through Awanas! Hannah is loving the art and home economics class through Kid's Life! And Hannah and I both are discovering so much as we walk through our lessons in Revelation at CBS! Lilly is loving Genesis Choir! She loves singing and music and it makes my heart melt to hear her lifting to praises to our Almighty God! Nothing could be better than to her the voice of a child praising the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! On another note...it was also in September that we learned that we would be taking orders to Norfolk, Va in the Spring of 2010. Wayne is to be heading to the USS Iwo Jima. This brought a lot of emotions in our household. We are very touched that Wayne is headed to this particular ship because it holds many memories of person we lost just a little over a year ago. We also struggle with the idea of leaving a place and the people in that place that we have come to know and love dearly! This is where we built our lives and have grown but on the other hand God is moving us for His Purpose and His Glory and I hold onto that for comfort. It is also nice that we will be a lot closer to friends and family. That 8 hour drive one way was beginning to take a toll on our van!

October began just as busy as September. The kids and I took a quick trip to Virginia to attend a 1yr old costume birthday party! While we were there we visited the pumpkin patch and apple orchard! We beat feet back home and Lilly had her very first choir performance! Mommy and Daddy are super proud of her! Hunter continues to grow by leaps and bounds and has even cut three teeth! It is hard to believe that he is four months! He isn't the only one growing...Lucas is becoming such a boy! He is potty training and doing quite well! We have just really enjoyed spending time together as a family! Wayne and I went to the Navy Ball and had the opportunity to meet Philip Brashear. Philip is the son of Carl Brashear, the first African American to become a Navy Diver. October was filled with many activities and fall happenings!

Now we move into November and our schedule begins to fill up again. The adult choir has really begun to prepare for the Christmas Musical, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and before you know it it will be Christmas! I continue to reflect on God's Work in our lives. I am reminded that God's Hand is in everything and I should do all things for HIS Glory! I am not perfect and never will be and apart from God I can nothing but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So I leave you with this...

Philippians 2:1-18

¹Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

²make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

⁵Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

⁶who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

⁷but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

⁸Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

⁹For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

¹¹and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹²So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

¹³for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

¹⁴Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

¹⁵so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

¹⁶holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

¹⁷But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

¹⁸You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

2 weeks old already???

2009-07-02T14:12:00.004-04:00

Yes, 2 weeks old already! Hunter has been in our family for 2 weeks now! It is amazing to me how fast time flies. We have spent the past 2 weeks growing as a family with one more little member. We are a family of 6! I look at Hunter during feeding times and all the emotions of each and everyone of my kids come flooding back! I still remember when we brought Hannah home over 7 years ago, and how Hunter's cheeks look just like Lilly's when we brought her home 4 years ago, and how elated I was to bring home a son when Lucas was born 2 years ago. God is so good! He gave Wayne and I 4 little blessings that have been worth every moment. I look back at Hunter's sonogram pictures and then to the pictures from today and think "WOW" to go from a tiny little cell made up of bits of me and bits of Wayne with God's handiwork to this baby boy I hold in my arms is just amazing! I pray for each day that he grows and I pray for the future that God has in store for this little man. I pray for the relationship that my kids will have with each other as they grow. And as always I pray for the guidance of God to help me raise these two girls and two boys the way He wants me to. Also I pray that God continue to bless this family and my marriage.

Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Hunter is here!

2009-06-24T13:29:00.005-04:00

Hunter Anthony

June 18, 2009

8:04pm

9lbs 7oz 20in

Well, a little back story...yes we still went camping! In my 37th week of pregnancy my family came into town and we headed out to the beach for our annual camping trip! It was sooooo hot and humid, but we still had a good time, especially the kids! During my 38th week of pregnancy, Thursday, June 18th, 2009 I woke up to some very light contractions at about 5am. I didn't think much of it b/c I had been contracting on and off for about 2 weeks. However as the day progressed the contractions remained but were sporadic in time. Wayne, bless is heart, was just coming off of duty and still had to move his office from one room to another and was calling every hour to check on me to see if he still had time or not to finish up things at work. At about 1pm we made it to the hospital and they hooked me up and checked me out but reminded me that they would probably send me home because I was still sitting at 5cm (which I had been for a week) and my contractions were still very irregular. So I waited for an hour and all of sudden the nurse came over and said I think I better check you...yup just what I suspected...she noticed on the contraction monitor that I was picking up in consistency. So after she checked me she said I was 7cm and the baby had come down some...but I wasn't really feeling any of this. Wayne and I were reading the newspaper and cutting up jokes. So they moved me to a room and my doctor came at 4pm said lets break your water and get it moving. Well little did I know that our hospital was a packed hospital! So by the time my doctor could actually come and break my water it was 7pm! So from 4pm-7pm Wayne and I talked, watched TV, joked around some more...etc. So 7pm the water was broke, no epidural, and by 8:04pm our 9lb 7oz 20in son Hunter Anthony was born! The doc let my husband deliver the baby! It was so cool! He handed Hunter over to me and as I oogled and googled over my son he also got to deliver the after birth! It was a great birth experience!

While at the hospital Hunter developed jaundice so we had to stay an extra day so he could remain under the lights. We are home now and Hunter is such a great baby! He looks a lot like my firstborn daughter but has the temperament of my second born daughter. All the kids just love him! We thank God every minute for everyone of the blessings he has given us!

Me...waiting...joking...and still waiting

Daddy & Hunter

Mommy, Daddy, & Hunter

Hannah, Mommy, & Hunter

Lilly, Mommy, & Hunter

Mommy, Lucas, & Hunter

James 1:17 "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above..."

Updating - Month of May

2009-05-27T10:42:00.013-04:00

It is pretty sad that I have not updated in awhile...and every time I say that on here, I usually blame it on the time I don't have or I how busy I am...and well I will do it again. I have been busy but there have been plenty of times that I will think "I need to update the blog...I have time...but I will do it later" and then low and behold I put it off. Why do I do this to myself? Why do I procrastinate? This may explain why I feel so overwhelmed sometimes. Do you ever do this? I know I can't be the only one! Well onto the updating...

Lilly's Dance Recital

Papa John came into town to see Lilly dance in her second dance recital ever! Let's recap on her first dance recital...she was so scared that she just stood on the stage watching everybody and maybe did 3 of the moves! But this year was a different child...Lilly did the whole routine and loved every minute of it! She was so cute! We are so proud of her! It is amazing how much can change in a year! She is such a big 4 year old and her joyful spirit is so amazing! Wayne and I are blessed to see the little girl she is becoming!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day fell on the Sunday after Lilly's dance recital. So we got up...I had cards, flowers and coffee waiting for me! We got ready for church and then proceeded out the door with Papa John and headed to Golden Corral for breakfast! It was yummy! It was also nice that I didn't have to cook it or clean it up! After breakfast we went downtown and took some snapshots to document Mother's Day! After our family pic we loaded up the van and drove back home so we could say goodbye to Papa John! He had to head back to VA for work the next day. We said our goodbyes and loaded the van back up and headed to church! Church was very nice. At the end of the service they had a slide show of pictures of moms in our church and I enjoyed seeing a pic of me and the kids pop up on the screen. I almost cried. After church we came home and Wayne made me and the kids a light lunch and we all took a nap! Very relaxing! Then we got up and made our way to Outback for an early dinner. It was cute...Outback had a craft table set up for the kids to make cards for their mommy's while we waited for a table, so each of the kids made me a card with Daddy's help of course. Then we had a relaxing dinner and made our way back home. For desert I was given a heart shaped cake baked and decorated by my wonderful husband and 3 children. It was a yellow cake with chocolate frosting! My favorite! I am so blessed to have a caring and appreciative husband and 3 outstanding kids who make being a mommy worth every minute.

Women of Joy Conference in Charleston

I had the privilege of going to the Women of Joy conference with two very special ladies for two days! Brenda and Amanda and I are all in choir together at church! I love these ladies, they have been such a blessing in my life. There is nothing like having friends with such a similar spiritual mind set. They are definitely good at bringing joy in my life and lots of interesting moments. Last year the three us went to Atlanta Fest and endured some interesting challenges that God saw us through...so this year instead of going to Atlanta Fest again (mostly due to the fact that it was too close to my due date) we went to the Women of Joy Conference and we were slightly expecting some more "challenges". But God is Good...the weather was fairly cooperative, we got to meet Kirk Cameron, we had funny moments, good seats, Casting Crowns, and enjoyed some Dunkin Donuts! It was also nice to hear the spirit convicting me of some things that had been on my heart lately and so I came home from the conference refreshed in spirit and with a renewed joy.

MCAS Beaufort Airshow

Well we attempted to go to the airshow on Sunday. We enjoyed about an hour of it and then we were greeted but a thunderstorm which canceled the rest of the show. However, we made the most of it! We still had fun! The girls enjoyed it! Lilly did not enjoy the noise though! So I got some shots of her in her earmuffs! So funny!

Wayne & Softball

Wayne is playing softball with a group from the Naval Hospital. We have been going out to the fields to watch and support him! The kids love going! I love going because it gets us out the house and still spend some time together as a family. We really enjoy seeing Daddy do something that he enjoys doing.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a good Memorial Day Weekend! Friday evening after Wayne got home from work, we went shopping for some new beach toys! The kids loved picking them out! We got up Saturday morning and had a hearty breakfast which Wayne cooked! We packed and loaded up for the beach! Once we got there we were surprised that there wasn't to many people there! I think most people stayed away because of the weather that was supposedly going to be bad. It really wasn't bad...it was a little overcast but still nice. It was fun watching the kids play in the tidal pools, look for shells and shark's teeth, and just enjoy being a family. While we were at the beach Wayne and the kids found a little crab. It was cute, Hannah got to hold it! We had our lunch out at the beach and even brought some old bread to feed the birds. It was a good time! On the way home we stopped by the Gay Fish Co and picked up 2 lbs of shrimp! Yum! Wayne and I ate all of it by ourselves! So good! Then we had some friends of ours from the neighborhood come over for some cards! Sunday, we went to church and then out to lunch at a Japanese Restaurant! Once we got home we hung out in the yard and played. Then we had some friends over to hang out by the fire and eat s'mores! Yum! Seems like all we ever do is eat, doesn't it? On Monday we all got up and ready for the Memorial Day Parade downtown! Wayne always marches in the parade with the Naval Hospital! After the parade we made our way to Southern Sweets (our favorite ice cream shop)! We sat and had some delicious ice cream! Afterwards we made our way home took a brief nap and then went to the pool! While at the pool we endured a quick storm followed by beautiful weather! Once we got home we got everyone cleaned up and cooked out on the grill! Hamburgers, Brats, & Italian Sausage on memorial day! There is no better way to end the weekend! We reflected on all the men and women who have served and died for our country's freedoms. I am forever grateful for the freedoms I have, especially the freedom to read the Bible and teach my kids about God and the relationship that each and everyone of us can have with Him. I loved the song we sang in church on Sunday - Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.

Wayne's Birthday

Wayne's Birthday is usually around memorial day, and this year it was the day after. Daddy had to go to work unfortunately. But the kids and I made sure we had the house decorated for him. The kids picked out the cake. I made him is favorite dinner - meatloaf. So we had dinner and cake and let Daddy open his gifts! The kids handmade cards for him. Hannah even wrote a little book for him. We all wore green since it is Daddy's favorite color! We love him very much and wanted him to feel special on his 35th Birthday! Thank you God for giving us such a great husband and awesome daddy! Happy Birthday Luv Bug!

Well...now I believe we are all caught up! May is almost over and we have been busy making our June plans! Some of which include camping with Tara's side of the family, having another baby, and the kids have Vacation Bible School & Swim Lessons! There is never a dull moment in this household!

Colossians 3:14-16

"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

32 weeks! 6-8 weeks Left to go!

2009-05-06T08:25:00.004-04:00

Sorry I haven't updated in a while but things have been crazy around here! I am 32 weeks along in this pregnancy! Only 6-8 weeks left to go! I am so excited! My hospital bag is packed, the baby's bed is set up and ready to go, diaper bag is packed, clothes washed and waiting! Now here is what is left to do on my to do list...get the carseat out of storage, get the infant swing out of storage, and few other infant items out of storage...that will have to wait since we have family coming into town for Lilly's dance recital this weekend! Also, trying to finish up the last couple of weeks with Hannah's homeschooling! I can't believe my first baby, Hannah, is almost done with 1st grade! Where did the time go? Anyways, I think we have finally decided on a name for this little boy who continues to grow and stretch inside my tummy! But you will have to wait to find that out! In the mean time I want to thank my mom, my best friend Liz, and my brother's girlfriend Jamie for throwing me a great babyshower! It was very nice and I enjoyed getting to spend time with friends and family I do not get to see very often!

Me & Liz

Me & Mom

Jamie, Me & Liz

Hannah's 1st Grade School Picture

Easter & So on...

2009-04-15T10:04:00.002-04:00

Easter has come and gone in which seems like in a blink of an eye! It makes me wonder...did we focus on the point of Easter or get caught up in the "commercialism" of it all? Easter - He is Risen! This is definitely something to get excited about! I really enjoyed this Easter with my family! It was nice to see how all the kids had grown and chit chat with adults about what was going on...I really do miss being home sometimes! However I really do miss the home that Wayne and I have made in SC as well. Our Easter sunday was spent with family, but then our monday following Easter was spent waiting in numerous lines with numerous people to be apart of the White House Easter Egg Roll of 2009. It was cold (which I am so not used to anymore) and long, but looking back I am glad my kids got to experience it. I do not think, however, we will be doing it again anytime soon. Apparently, since I have gotten pregnant I have developed a little bit of a fear of large crowds...trust me there were times when I felt clausterphobic! I am hoping this goes away after this pregnancy! I am not usually like that....anyways I am rambling...here are a couple of pics of our Easter! And on another note only 10-11 weeks until baby boy (we haven't decided a name yet! ahh better get on it) makes his arrival!

AWANAS

2009-04-06T14:14:00.004-04:00

Well, last night was awards night for the kids in Awanas! It was such a blessing to see my little ones up on stage and to reflect all that they had learned for the year. I am so proud of each of them. Hannah received her Sparks Second Book Award! She just blows me away with her ability to memorize God's Word! It is inspiring to me how much she wants to know about God and to learn His Word! Lilly, is really coming out of her shell! She is learning God's Word too and is full of questions! She earned her first year Cubbies Book Award! Then there is Lucas...he did not mind in the least about being on stage! Today he keeps repeating the phrase "And God made me"! It is so cute especially how he points to himself when he says the me part! They have all learned so much from Awanas and Wayne and I are truly very thankful for all the people in our church who take the time to work with not just our kids but the rest of the kids in our church!

My Grandmother

2009-03-27T10:04:00.003-04:00

Last week my last living grandparent passed away. My Grandmother was 84 years old. We affectionately referred to her as Grandma Helen. She was a special lady. It makes my heart glad to know that according to her Pastor she accepted Christ as her Savior about a year ago. This was the first funeral that my children had attended. Shockingly it was actually pretty easy to explain it to Hannah. Hannah was still a little emotional, which is understandable. However she spent the majority of the day comforting PawPaw. PawPaw is my dad and it was his mother that had passed. All in all it was a good trip to NC. I got to see family members I hadn't seen in years and spend some time with my immediate family. Everyone seemed to be at peace and grateful that Grandma Helen was no longer suffering. I just want to say thank you to all those who sent cards, words of encouragement, and condolences. It meant a lot to my family.

Here is her obituary and her picture...

Name:
Helen Solley Crutchfield
Date:
December 15th, 1924 - March 19th, 2009
Obituary:
Mrs. Helen Solley Crutchfield of Winston-Salem passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born December 15, 1924 in Sylacauga, AL to the late Corrie Ray and E. M. Solley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. Crutchfield and a sister, Corrine McClure. She retired from the Veterans Administration in 1989. She enjoyed playing Bridge and was proud of being a member of the American Business Women’s Association for over 30 years. She was a member of College Park Baptist Church. She is survived by three sons; William W. (Gloria) Lucas of Adel, GA., Dr. Jimmy R. (Edie) Lucas of Lewisville, NC., Louis H. (Georganne) Lucas of Dale City, VA.; seven grandchildren. Jowjie and Felma Lucas, Jennifer Thoburn and Matthew Lucas, Tara Gonsorcik, Jesse and Scott Lucas, seven great grandchildren; two sisters; Marie (Daniel) Boone and Berta Sharp. The Funeral Service will be conducted 3:00 pm Sunday, March 22 at the Forsyth Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel officiated by the Rev. Ramon Smith. The Family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 pm prior to the service in the Mausoleum Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hospice of W-S/Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to College Baptist Chruch, 1701 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, 27106. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Crutchfield Family.
Memorials:
Memorials may be made to Hospice of W-S/Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to College Baptist Chruch, 1701 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, 27106.

First Sunburn of the Year...

2009-03-12T05:51:00.002-04:00

Well Ladies and Gents on Monday I was so excited that the weather was in the upper 70s and the sun was out! It was a nice welcome to our little family. I decided there was no need to be couped up in the house to do our homeschooling math work. So I drug the kids outside and had Hannah grab the chalk and we did math problems on the driveway. Then I let the kids play. We were only out there for about an hour...when we came back in for nap time I noticed that my skin was starting to hurt! Could this be? Did I get a sunburn? Oh you bet ya I did! As the day continued on I was going from white, to pink, to lobster red! From my shoulders to the tops of my hands, the v-shape on my neck, my forehead and nose, and from my knees to my ankles I was burnt! Moral of the story....It is Thursday and I still hurt! No matter how long you are going to be in the sun please put on sunblock! I learned the hard way according to my 7 and 4 year old who done nothing but remind me of this all week! But at least I can say I got the first sunburn of the year out of the way! ....I am trying to be positive! =) I would love to post some pics of my sunburn but I just haven't gotten around to documenting in photos my humiliation!

Christmas is Finally Over...For Me That Is....

2009-03-05T13:04:00.004-05:00

I have finally finished Christmas of 2008! But you say...Tara isn't March 5th, 2009? Shouldn't you have been done as of December of 2008?

Well, the past 5 months have been kinda hectic for me! In October my best friend Sara got married! (Also the same day...magical moment...)! We raced home after the wedding and it was back to life...Homeschooling, Church, extracurricular activities. At the end of October we found out that magical moment we had resulted in Baby#4 which explained my lack of energy and constant nausea! At this point we move into November of 2008 which Hannah's progress report was due, getting ready for the Christmas Musical with the Choir, and Thanksgiving! So much to do, so little time and thanks to my first trimester so little energy! The first part of December was race back to Va for my brother's wedding which I was the photographer for. Once that was over it was race back home and get caught up on the days of homeschooling we missed. By now the morning sickness is at its worst! Also when we got home we discovered that our computer was acting funny! So we took it in and come to find out we had tons of trojans and viruses! So needless to say we were without our computer for 3 weeks! SO by the time I had a chance to breathe it was Christmas! Papa John and Uncle Dwayne were in town! I literally shopped for them and the kids on Dec 23rd! Christmas came and went and then New Years came and went. Then it was time for Hannah's B-day, then Lilly's B-day, then Lucas' B-day! Now we are already into February! So now its time to work on brother's pictures of his wedding. Finish that and send to printer! In the mean time my husband has given me some projects to do for the Naval Hospital! Did I mention this is all going on amongst the daily task of homeschooling and extracurricular activities? Oh and then I started watching the neighbor's kid on Tuesday nights! Then it was time to work on the kids Awana Derby Cars! That race took place this past weekend! Which was March 1st! So today is March 5th and I have finally mailed off the rest of the family Xmas presents and the wedding pictures and the 100 Xmas newsletters/Xmas cards! Christmas is now over...YEAH!

Guess I better start working on Christmas 2009 if I continue to go at this rate...Oh wait did I mention that I have for the most part finished my Christmas Card for 2009...Hey maybe I am getting back to my old self again! We will see how long that lasts especially when that "magical moment" arrives in June!

Here enjoy some pics from Christmas....

Lucas Xmas Morning

Lucas & Hannah Xmas Morning

Our Christmas Card (Below in another post you will find our newsletter)

Lilly, Hannah, & Lucas Xmas Morning!

Spring Cleaning

2009-02-21T12:21:00.002-05:00

I know it's only February still, but I can't help myself! The weather has gotten a bit warmer here and I see spring flowers beginning to poke up out of the ground. I am encouraged and motivated to start cleaning and get ready for this baby and many other things. The realization that we are moving in about a year and that our 4th child is due to arrive sometime in June or July has me wanting to go through everything! I have the urge to purge! Declutter time! Questions like, do I really want to pack this stuff up only to open it later and find that after quite some time I never really used it or had a need for it? Or, why am I hanging on to this? So now I am cleaning and purging and donating!

For some reason I felt the need to share! Maybe it will motivate others to do the same!

Its a...........

2009-02-18T10:27:00.005-05:00

Well, Yesterday I had another doctor apt for baby number#4! We had gone to the sonogram apt last Monday the 9th, but much to our dismay our little one was not cooperating! WE couldn't even see it's face! I left that apt sad and with no picture of baby! Wayne and I had originally decided that we did not want to know the sex of our little one. But as the week went on we couldn't help but wonder.....so after our apt yesterday with the doctor, myself, Wayne, & all three kids walked down to radiology for another peek....while we were there we learned that our little one was still stubborn and using my placenta as a pillow....but this time we got to catch a glimpse of the face! All of us were excited to see this little one moving its mouth and everything! Then it came time for the big moment! The verdict was in...Wayne, Lilly, & I all thought it was a girl. Hannah thought it was a boy. And Lucas well he just turned 2 so he didn't know what was going on. So who was right?

Our Newest Little One is a ......

BOY!

Hannah was right! And she loved every minute of it! We couldn't be more thrilled! Now we have 2 girls and 2 boys!

Another Year Older!

2009-02-06T09:14:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday!!!!

It is so hard to believe that my kids are as old as they are. I still look at them as babies! I remember the days we brought each of them home. In a span of 1 month each of my kids had a birthday! My precious daughter and first born, Hannah, turned 7 years old! She had her very first slumber party. Wow! That is all I can say! This house was full of little girls! They had fun and Wayne and I survived!

Then just 11 days after Hannah turned 7, our little Lillian Grace turned 4! Yes, 4! It is scary to think that next year she will be starting Kindergarten! Yikes! Lilly's one request for her birthday was a flower cake! Wayne and I did a team effort and made her our rendition of a flower cake! She liked it! But I think she liked the Hannah Montana guitar she got from Papa John even more!

Two weeks after Lilly turned 4, our only Son and youngest child, Lucas, turned 2! He's not a baby anymore and the little man is talking so much and developing such a BIG personality! He was thrilled to see his elmo cake and the elmo edible arrangment his Gamie sent to him!

So the past month has been such a reflection of the wonderful blessings God has given to Wayne and I. We continue to be amazed at how the kids are growing and learning. The kids are amazed at how Mommy's belly continues to grow with the newest sibling due to make its arrival sometime late June or early July!

James 1:17-18

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

2009-01-24T18:33:00.004-05:00

Our Family Newsletter
Happy New Year from our family to yours!

We hope and trust that everyone had a great 2008 and a wonderful holiday season.

Our 2008 started like every other year, Birthdays galore! In January of 08 Hannah turned 6 and Lilly turned 3. Lucas followed suit and turned 1 in February! In February, Hannah made the decision of accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior! We are so proud of her.

We spent a lot of time talking to Daddy over the computer and counting down the days until he would return home! Daddy returned home from Iraq in March of 08 and we couldn’t have been happier!

In May, Hannah graduated Kindergarten! We were very proud of her and Daddy was very proud of Mommy for completing our first year of homeschooling! We also enjoyed our annual camping trip to Hunting Island with Tara’s family.

In June, we sadly made a trip to Mississippi for Tara’s grandfather’s funeral. Jack H. Lucas lost his battle with cancer June 5th, 2008. We thank the many of you who sent cards and lifted our family up in prayer. Also in June, Hannah attended horseback riding camp and gymnastics camp! She had lots of fun!

In August, we started our second year of homeschooling! Hannah began 1st grade! Some of our other activities began this month as well. Lilly began her second year of dance. Hannah began her second season of soccer! Hannah also moved up to the Sonrise Choir at church for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders!

In September, Wayne was promoted & pinned to Chief Petty Officer! We are so proud of him! Tara’s parents and Wayne’s parents came down for the pinning ceremony!
The rest of the year brought many travels. Two of Tara’s closet friends got married in 2008. Tara was a bridesmaid in both weddings and Hannah and Lilly were flower girls in Sara’s wedding.

In October, Hannah began her piano lessons. On October 28th, 2008, we found out that we are happily expecting baby #4 July 1st, 2009! Hannah, Lilly, and Lucas are very excited to have another sibling although there is debate on who wants a girl or boy! I guess we will find out once the baby makes its arrival.
We spent thanksgiving at our friend’s home in Hilton Head. We were very grateful to have been invited and it was a great time of food and fellowship.

In December, we made a quick trip to Virginia for Tara’s brother’s wedding. Scott & Kristin were married on December 12th! Hannah and Lilly were once again flower girls. We are very happy to welcome Kristin to our family! Wayne’s dad, John, and his brother, Dwayne came to South Carolina and spent Christmas with us! We really enjoyed their visit! We spent a nice New Years Eve home and had some friends come over for food and games!

We hope and pray that every one of you have a great 2009!
With many Blessings,

Wayne, Tara, Hannah, Lilly, Lucas, & Baby Gonsorcik

Isaiah 26:4" Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

A Light Has Gone Out

2008-06-05T02:25:00.001-04:00

Dear Family & Friends,

It is with great sadness and joy that I write to you this hour. My grandfather, Jack Lucas, has finished his battle with cancer. We are saddened by his passing but relieved that he is no longer in pain. Thank you to all of you for all your kind words and loving support. Please continue to pray for my family's peace and strength. Please also pray as my family and I travel to Mississippi to be with the rest of our family.

Prayer for My Grandfather

2008-06-03T19:39:00.002-04:00

Grandpa w/Hannah & Wayne April 2008 1 week before being diagnosed with cancer.
Grandpa re-enlisting Wayne April 2008
All of us w/ Grandpa @ Wayne's Re-enlistment
Wayne w/ Ruby, Friend, & Grandpa April 2008

Dear Friends & Family,
Many of you already know that my grandfather is sick and has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He is not doing well at all and now all of his organs are shutting down. Please keep him in your prayers as he draws nearer to his final days on this earth. He is in a lot of pain. Please pray for strength, peace, and comfort for Him and my family. Thank you. Below you will find the news article printed today about him.

Tara

WWII Hero Marine Fighting for His Life
By CHRIS TALBOTT,
AP
Posted: 2008-06-03 15:24:26
Filed Under: Nation News

JACKSON, Miss. (June 3) - A World War II veteran who received the nation's highest military honor when he was only 17 is in the fight of his life, battling cancer, his biographer said.
Eighty-year-old Jack Lucas, who lied his way into the Marines at age 14, was nearly killed when he used his body to shield his fellow Marines from grenades on Iwo Jima in February 1945. He was just a few days past his 17th birthday at the time.He received the Medal of Honor from President Truman later that year, becoming the youngest Marine to receive the award.D.K. Drum, whose book "Indestructible" tells Lucas' story, said Monday that he is in "grave" condition at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, where family and friends are staying with him 24 hours a day."He is fighting very hard, very hard," Drum said. "It's probably his hardest fight, but he's not giving up." Lucas did not have the energy for an interview Monday, Drum said.A native of North Carolina, Lucas was already eager to join the Marines at age 13."At 14, I told 'em I was 17 and joined up," he said in an Associated Press interview in October 1945. "The Lucases are all tough fighters."In February 1945, shortly after his 17th birthday, he was with Allied forces that landed on the beach at Iwo Jima. While in a trench with three fellow squad members, he spotted two grenades on the ground, covering them with his body.He was severely wounded when one grenade went off and survived multiple surgeries and months in the hospital.Over the decades, the colorful Lucas became a symbol of patriotism and has been sought out by many to tell his story. "Indestructible" was written for a seventh-grade audience to reach as many people as possible."If he has a chance to say one thing to people, it's to never say `I can't,'" Drum said. "You don't know what you can do until you try."

Home Again, Home Again

2008-06-02T08:37:00.003-04:00

Well, we are back from our camping trip! We had a great time (with a few bumps here and there)! It was nice spending time with my family. Right now though I am just too tired to type all the details...I am thinking about all the sandy laundry that needs to get done today. It is just nice to be back home again and in air conditioning! Tent camping for a week is a wonderful reminder of how blessed we are with the things we take forgranted. Our week was filled with lots of seafood, sand, and wildlife. Question for the day...Have you ever tried to outsmart a raccoon? Just wondering...

Anyways, until I download the pics of our camping trip here are some photos from Wayne's return home! We picked him up from the airport in March!

Gymnastics

2008-05-25T08:37:00.003-04:00

Well Hannah completed her fist level of Gymanstics! She absolutely loved it! She is excited they we have decided that she will do the summer program and a one week gymnastics camp. However, the enitre time during Hannah's gymnastics program yesterday Lilly was sad because she wanted to do "nastics" So we may try and put her in this year as well. We will see! Anyways, here are just a few pics from "nastics". I will be away from my blog for a week as my family and I embrace God's handiwork. We are camping out at the beach! (Tent camping!)We are excited and look forward to it! I also look forward to posting some pics of our family camp out! Have a great week and God bless you!

A Special Day

2008-05-21T09:54:00.002-04:00

Well, Hannah has completed her first year homeschooling! She graduated Kindergarten! We of course are very happy that we have reached this milestone but at the same time we are saddened that our first born has moved from baby and toddler to young child! It is amazing how much a child goes through in just 6 short years. It reminds of the bible verse~Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

Number our days~ they are short aren't they? I am pleased that Wayne and I made the decision to homeschool. We are helping and equipping Hannah to learn to have a heart of wisdom. I will say though it wasn't by the work of myself or Wayne, but God. To Him be all the glory of the work accomplished by Hannah this year!

Refreshed

2008-05-16T11:30:00.004-04:00

Well, I am feeling a bit refreshed. It has been a while since my last post and a lot has changed since then. Let's recap shall we....

Wayne is finally home from his second trip to the large "Sandbox"! We are all so happy to have him home. Lucas who was only 5 months when his daddy left was extremely thrilled to see his daddy return! It was like Lucas, who is now 15 months, always knew who his daddy was. What a blessing it was that Lucas took right to him. The girls, who are now 6 and 3, have been so different now that Wayne is home. I am so thankful that God brought my husband home safe and sound. I missed our late night chats, date nights, and just going to church as a family. So I am feeling refreshed in a sense that my family is back together. I am also feeling a bit refreshed now that Wayne and I are home from our Chicago trip. Wayne and I took a trip without the kids for a weekend. It was nice to have the reconnecting of husband and wife without the interuptions. To just be able to focus on us, our marriage, and discussing and praying for God's Will in our marriage was just amazing.

So, I have decided to refresh my blog as well. A new layout, a new perspective, and a new attitude. I hope you enjoy it as I hope to enjoy catching back up with all of you!

Fall

2007-10-04T08:45:00.000-04:00

I love love love fall! I was home in VA over the weekend and because they have had no rain lately the leaves have already started to turn. While I was home we took in the pumpkin patch and many other things! The weather was gorgeous! Anyways here is a shot I took of Hannah at the pumpkin patch right after she got her face painted. And yes Amy, I played with it in photoshop. What do you think?

Once Upon a Time

2007-09-14T17:04:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time there was a blogger named Tara, who for a short while was faithful to posting on her bog everyday. Until one day when the the busy bug hit her. The bug bite was so big that before long she had not posted a thing since August 3rd! Well now it is September 14th, and the swelling has gone done some. Tara got a little help from Dr. Amy! Dr. Amy helped motivate and encourage a busy and slightly overwhelmed blogger. So now here I am and making an attempt to post something!

Yes, Amy came over and gave me a brief introduction to Photoshop 7 and now I am a bit motivated to do some things and keep back in the groove. Sorry I have been gone for awhile, however I did think of all of you!

So this first pic is a picture that I think I may have already posted but Amy and I played with it in Photoshop, so I could use some of the stuff she taught me. Here it is. I will post the before and after!

Before

After

Here is a pic I took today and then just played with it. It's different but I just liked the way it looked!

Details

2007-08-03T10:50:00.001-04:00

This is one of the details in growing up. My five year old is experiencing one of life's most interesting details, going from baby teeth to adult teeth. Hannah has lost 5 baby teeth so far and two of her adult teeth are already coming in! She also has 3 out 4 of her 6 year molars! So she is moving right along.

New

2007-07-23T08:06:00.001-04:00

Well yesterday was a great day. Lucas all of a sudden decided that yes he wants to keep nursing, which makes me very happy! However we tried some new things. On friday I started feeding him cereal again. Our earlier attempts last month were not working so well, but this time he ate like a champ! Then yesterday I decided maybe we would try some baby food. So we started with green beans. Once again he ate like a champ. No funny faces, no nothing. I couldn't give him the food fast enough! So that was pretty cool! The kids and I ran some errands after church yesterday and then we went swimming for a little while. We had fun. Hannah has gotten brave enough to hold her breath underwater now! Such a big step for her, but what is even more interesting is that Lilly is doing it too! Then we got home last night and we all tuckered out, so I totally forgot to post yesterday! So here is a picture I took a couple of weeks ago. It's nothing spectacular. Hope every one has a groovy week!

A buggy situation...

2007-07-21T16:23:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness....Lucas has been a fussy butt today! I think between his teeth and his shots he is just miserable! Which makes me miserable. Trying to console him today is like next to impossible! Hannah and Lilly keep asking me if he will ever be quiet again! So needless to say he is finally asleep, Praise God, just long enough for me to post a picture of a daddy long leg that I took about 2 weeks ago at my mom's house. Should I mention that I am still in my pjs?? Oh well so much for getting lots of stuff done today! I think I will go make some popcorn and watch a movie with the girls! Anyways....here it is and I hope the rest of you are enjoying your Saturday!

Weekly Challenge

2007-07-20T18:56:00.001-04:00

Also since I was gone I caught up on the weekly challenges.

Round I believe the first challenge was. Here you go.

Smell I believe was the second challenge. Nothing smells like summer than a good ol' baseball field!

Keepin Cool - nothing like an ice-pop and a water spicket

Once again I am back!

2007-07-20T18:38:00.001-04:00

Sorry ya'll, story of my life I am always traveling! Right Amy?? Well the last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. Wayne left for Cali so that he can leave for Iraq. My brother got married. And all in all I have spent roughly 40 hours driving! The kids, Wayne, and I went to VA to spend time with family before Wayne's departure. After Wayne left the kids and I and my folks and some friends caravanned(sp??) to MI for my brother's wedding. Hannah, my eldest, was the flower girl. It was a nice wedding but stressful at times, especially when you are not familiar with the area! Then we all drove back to VA. 2 days later I dorve back to SC with the kids. During our visit my mother's cat scratched Lilly in the face and now she has a nice scar on her cheek. Lovely! My house is a mess, the fish tank is green, and the lawn needs to be mowed! Lucas is cutting 2 teeth and not really wanting to nurse anymore! =( Although he had a doctor appointment this week and the big guy is in the 95% for height, weight, and head size! He is a big boy! Anyways, I am looking forward to catching up here! So for this post here are some shots from the wedding!

Tuckered Out

2007-06-22T20:52:00.000-04:00

Once again I am behind on the blog. What's new right? Well today I had the lovely pleasure of joining Amy and the kids for a little swim time! And it just so happens that we went swimming in Ms. Judy's pool! (Thank you thank you thank you!) The kids and I had a great time and it was such a pleasure to meet a fellow blogger (other than Amy). After I dropped off Amy and the kids Hannah could do nothing but talk about the horses of course! It was just nice to finally get out of the house this week and not have to see rain or a cloud! The downside of today was I forgot to bring my camera so I have no shots from the pool but here in this bunch is what we did when we got home. Wayne will be home tomorrow! The kids and I can't wait! I hope everyone had a great week! Oh and thanks Amy for getting me out of the house today and thanks Judy for allowing us to use your pool! =)

One of the rain days we had this week! Blah! We need the rain but I also need time for my kids to get out of the house!

When we got home from swimming today, Hannah ate dinner and then she tuckered out! She is still in the chair! I guess I should go move her into her bed after I post this!

Lilly is in the bath enjoying more water! However she got a bug bite on her cheek! Oh well!

Lucas already had his bath and is laying wide awake on my bed! He is talking to the ceiling fan! You would think he would be fast asleep but nope! He had a great time in the water today considering it was his first time in a pool ever!

Sorry Sorry Sorry

2007-06-15T10:04:00.001-04:00

I know I have been neglecting the blog! As Amy can attest to, I have been generally busy. I know, story of my life. I am trying to adjust to Wayne being gone. Not easy. It doesn't help when Lucas decides that he needs to nurse every 2 hours! Needless to say, I have put things on hold this morning just so I can update a bit. I am roughly 8 days behind on this blog, so today you will only get five pictures. I finally found my camera battery charger, I just haven't downloaded the camera yet. I will also apologize for not visiting all of ya'lls pages and commenting, I hope to get to that on Sunday! I look forward to checking them out! I do ask though that yall keep me and my family in your prayers. My 5 year old is struggling with emotions of her daddy being away. They are best buddies! I don't have the heart to tell her that even though he is coming home on the 23rd of June he is still leaving for Iraq and will not be home until May of 2008. I know this will be difficult. Also, Saturday myself and two other ladies are singing a trio at a music festival at a church in Bluffton, so please pray about that as well. Anyways onto the pictures...just some shots from last week. A couple are of Lucas (whom we affectionately call Roly Poly), another of Hannah being silly, and two of Lilly. Enjoy the Friday!

Houston We Have Got a Problem!

2007-06-07T22:57:00.000-04:00

My camera battery is dead and I can't find the charger! Oh well, I am sure it is around here somewhere! Today was good, woke up cleaned house, had a friend come over with her friend who happens to have the same name as myself so that our kids could meet and play. Anyways I wanted to take some pics of the kid's play date! Tara's son name is Aiden and what a cutie, I have never seen such long eyelashes in my life (well except the fake ones) on top of which he had blue eyes! I missed the shots thanks to no life in camera :( So for today's post I am showing you some old shots, but still a favorite in my home. My subject - Lilly. Sorry some of the quality is not all that great. All of these shots were taken with my Minolta SLR Film Camera.

Lilly - 6 months old - 2005

Lilly - 18 months old - 2006

Silly face amongst the storm!

2007-06-06T05:22:00.001-04:00

Well yesterday was quite the day. I couldn't believe the storm we had roll in yesterday afternoon. The pic included are the clouds that began to roll in during the beginning of the storm. Did anyone else notice the hail??? In my home it prompted a brief science discussion on weather as we sat in the laundry room after the warning sirens went off on Laurel Bay. It was like all of a sudden it down poured, then it hailed, then the winds picked up and you couldn't see 1ft in front of you. Kinda scary. Needless to say Hannah was a bit scared, while Lilly on the other hand was just content to be silly. Now when ever I get out the camera this is the only face she will give. Also included is a picture of Lucas, who by the way is getting so big that now he plays in his little exer-saucer! Where does the time go??

Trying something new...

2007-06-04T21:46:00.000-04:00

I didn't have to much time today to take pictures, but I grabbed the camera anyways and took a few shots of Lucas' toy basket. Here is a shot, which I attemtped to pull an Amy. Not quite what I was looking for but it'll have to do for now. I am trying desperatley to get back into some sort of routine!

On another note, my hubby is leaving Saturday for CA. He will be there for 2 weeks, then come home, pack his stuff, then return back to CA for a deployment to Iraq! So please keep him in your prayers for this traveling.

PS- Jamie - I know how you feel about being to close to DC. My husband and I were born and raised in Northern Virginia. Trust me we are happy to be where we are now!

Gone...Now Back

2007-06-03T17:45:00.000-04:00

Well, sorry folks. I have been gone for a little while, well 19 days to be exact. I took the three kids on a trip to Virginia. I spent a few days there and came home. When I got back I had to clean and get house ready for my family who was coming down a few days later. Once they arrived it was Wayne's birthday, Memorial Day Weekend, and our camping trip. Once we got back from camping you know how it goes, you have to unpack and then put all camping gear away and wash all the dirty, sandy clothes. I spent the rest of this week with my family. We had a great time visiting and camping and so on, but all that did not allow to much time for me to do this blog. So now I am playing catch up! So here are 19 pictures plus 2 more just so that I can get caught and for you to see the shots I got over the last 19 days! Missed everyone!

This is my mom and dad with little Lucas. The kids affectionately call them Gamie & Pawpaw.

Lilly running in the lucious green grass at Gam & Pawpaw's.
Lilly posing outback at Gam & Pawpaw's.

Hannah posing outback at Grandma Rose's.

This is just a picture of a door at Grandma Rose's. I liked the way the shadow of the tree was on it.

This is a picture of one of the old buildings in Historic Occoquan, Va.

This is another picture of a building in Historic Occoquan, Va.

This is a picture of one of the main streets in Historic Occoquan.

This is one of the courtyards in which you can dine in, in Historic Occoquan.

Picture of my hubby in the Beaufort Memorial Day Parade.

Picture of one of the antique cars in parade.

Picture of our campfire during our camping trip.

Picture of Lilly flying kite on beach.

Lilly flying kite on beach.

Hannah flying kite on beach.

The kites the kids were flying.

Lilly at the beach.

My footprints on the beach.

Sunrise on the beach.

The birds on the roof at the Gay Fish Co.

A bird I spotted while at the Gay Fish Co.

Go Navy

2007-05-15T21:25:00.000-04:00

Took a picture of my darling husband, since he is the one who is always telling me to get out the camera. So here is my pic of the day! My hubby and motivator! If it weren't for him I wouldn't be me!

Like any other day...

2007-05-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

Well, today was like any other day! I got caught up on the many loads of laundry that seem to all of a sudden appear in my home! I cleaned one of two bathrooms and cleaned the master bedroom. Let me warn you, I can be very neurotic when it comes to cleaning, if you haven't figured that out yet! It always seems like I am cleaning something! Well I am. So today was like any other day. However I will admit that in the 6 and half years that I have been married I never really did my husbands laundry. He always did his own, it must be a military thing. But lately since I finished college in December and became a full time stay at home mommy I have been doing his laundry! He says I must really love him because boy do his feet stink after being in those boots all day long! Don't tell him I told you though, he is sensitive about it! Heehee! Anyways, at one point this evening he happened to notice some birds out on the wood pile near the bird feeder. We are nature lovers and feed any and every animal we see! He starts yelling for me to get the camera but move slowly. I grab the camera and slowly creep to the window and this is what I saw! It was a cardinal and his mate. Other than that it was a day like any other day! Hope you had a great Monday and will have a terrific Tuesday!

Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T20:36:00.000-04:00

Well today is Mother's Day....let's recap my day. I woke up to the smell of Pancakes! My hubby Wayne made me breakfast, Pancakes & Sausage with OJ. The kids gave me my cards. I opened my new mini-food chopper and then order my new camera lens. We all got ready for church. We had a great service and then went to Barbara Jeans for lunch! Yum! Then we went to Logan Park downtown and took some photos. Afterwards we came home and all took a nap! I got up around 6pm and have been on the computer ever since! All in all it has been a good day! I hope all you moms out there had a great day too! So now here are some shots from today!

A Get Together

2007-05-12T23:26:00.000-04:00

As many of you already know, Amy and I and all the kids got together on Friday for a little play date. We had a great time even though it was super hot! The kids got to eat their lunch at the park, play, and go get ice cream! The ice cream was well worth it considering the hot hot hot weather we experienced. Anyways here are some of the pics I took! Hope everyone has a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

Hannah

Riley (now I know what Amy means by he won't look at the camera!)

Hannah & Riley

Lilly (and her constantly dirty face)

Lucas (sleeping as usual)

Hannah

Lilly

Riley (not to thrilled that I am taking his picture)

An accident

2007-05-10T14:42:00.000-04:00

I was taking pictures of the girls blowing bubbles. Hannah, my 5 y/o decided she would rather sit and swing instead of blowing bubbles. My 2 y/o Lilly on the other hand was more than happy to continue blowing bubbles. I decided to take a few shots of Hannah in the swing when I caught this picture! One of Lilly's bubbles made it into the picture! It's kinda neat. Check it out!

God's Wonders

2007-05-09T08:20:00.000-04:00

Last night Wayne, Myself and kids were outside enjoying the cool air and nice breeze. For once it was nice to have a breeze stong enough to keep the sand fleas away! As I was holding Lucas and watching Lilly and Hannah swing on the swing set I looked up and saw a gorgeous rainbow! Wayne, of course knowing his wife, said I am going to go and get you the camera. (A man after my own heart) He came rushing out with the camera and he took Lucas from my arms so that I could capture "God's Wonders" As I snapped the pics, Wayne told the kids the story of Noah and the flood and how God's promise to us came in the form of a rainbow. It was a very precious moment. These are a couple of pics of that rainbow and then one of the evening sky!

A quickie

2007-05-07T08:15:00.000-04:00

Here is another pic! I meant to post it last night but apparently a stomach bug is going through my home and family! So here is another pic, this one is of Hannah, at dockside. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get back into the groove here and check out some of everyone else's pics! Have a good Monday!

Dock Side

2007-05-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

Today was a full day! Hannah had her dance recital this afternoon. It was fun. Afterwards, we went to Dock Side rest. in Port Royal for dinner. It was good eatin'! I took almost 150 pictures today but this one of Lilly was by far the best of the day! I would love to post and or talk more but I have family in town and Hubby doesn't want me on the computer to much! Hope everyone had a great Saturday!

My most visited place...

2007-05-04T21:48:00.000-04:00

I should not have to explain this picture....I think anyone and everyone in Beaufort can understand! This place is apparently a big part of my life!

Finally!

2007-05-03T15:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, I finally finished my housework! It only took 4 days with all the interruptions and headaches! Now, all I have to do is wait 2 more hours before my family arrives to mess it all up! Oh the joys of a homemaker! With that said, once again I am posting an older picture. This picture I took the Sunday at the Air Show! Wayne had a great time showing Hannah the inside of a Hum-V (sp ??). For those of you who don't know my oldest daughter Hannah and her Daddy are the best of buds! They do almost everything together! Even the dirty stuff! Ewww! I don't like to be dirty! Anyways, enough rambling here is the pic! Hope you all are having a good thursday!

Another day and yet more work

2007-05-02T07:20:00.000-04:00

Well, today is another day. Everything I wanted to accomplish yesterday did not happen! Well except the laundry that had piled up around here. It was constant interruptions yesterday! My guests just may have to get over a dirty house I guess! One of my interruptions yesterday was Hannah's ballet, so when I got home I decided that it was time to get out the camera, but then my hubby came home and decided that we needed to go to Lowe's to pick out the stone for our new patio which has to be finished before June because of a possible deployment! So I put the camera down. But when we got home I thought there might just be enough light to take some photos but their really wasn't. I went ahead and took some photos anyways. This is what I got. This is a picture of a little statue that my mother made me for me garden. Enjoy! I hope everyone has a good Wednesday!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2007-05-01T07:06:00.000-04:00

Well, first I want to say thanks for all the welcomes! It would appear that Amy has hooked quite a few of us! I am excited about starting this, but I will say that I am very busy this week and may be posting older pictures from earlier this month. I hope that isn't a problem! I have family coming into town later this week and my house is a disaster area! Yesterday's migraine put me behind! So now I have to catch up! So I am starting my busy house cleaning day on the computer because I will not be able to get on the computer later! So here is a picture from the saturday before Easter. Myself and the 3 kiddos spent Easter in VA visiting our families, and what do you know we got snow!!! My kids were loving it even though it didn't last very long! I tell you it was weird seeing spring flowers and snow! So here is one of my favorite pictures from that day. Oh and on a side note, I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Glasses

2007-04-30T16:26:00.000-04:00

Well, today's post is a picture I took a few days ago. It is not the best but considering I woke up with a migraine this morning and it didn't go away until like an hour ago, this is what you get! This is Lilly, my 2 y/o, wearing her glasses to fix her crossed eye. One of my daily struggles is getting her to keep them on!

Schedule....

2007-04-29T16:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, so now that I have introduced myself let me give you a little glimpse into my life. We can start with a calendar. Yes, ladies and gents, a calendar. For those of you who know me, ie. Amy, know that my daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly activities are usually planned out in advanced. My household therefore relies heavily on not one, not two, but three calendars posted throughout our home. The calendar in and of itself keeps us on track whether it's the numerous days we spend at church, or Hannah's ballet, Wayne's duty schedule, or the many trips to the Naval Hospital. Many wonder about how busy our family stays, but make no mistake we always find room in our schedule for friends and family! Right Amy?.....

A New Beginning

2007-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Well my friend Amy has convinced me to start this thing. I do not know how well I will be able to keep up with this but I will try my best. So here is my first picture. It is a picture of me. Shocker I know, but I realized that when you are the one behind the camera you rarely ever have your picture taken! So this is me, taken in a mirror.