Santa.....we Believe!!!!!!

I have always assumed when God wanted my attention or wanted to lead me in a certain direction, or change my life, that there would be loud, bright firecrackers.....or a loud booming voice from the Heavens chanting, "renovate the house" or "you are fine....move to Marietta!" Unfortunately that is not how he works. I figured this Christmas season I would arouse from sleep in the middle of the night to a peace filled house, because that is where HE led me. I was wrong. Babies cry......babies get sick......even in God's great plans.God is always speaking. I am the one who is hard of hearing. God is patient......always waiting for me to believe in something I cannot see, feel or hear. I am forever impatient......waiting to be convinced. I always need more.....my sweet smiling babies who reach and long for me.....not enough......a great big house to live in......not enough. I will never see the firecracker's I envision from him, and crave.....at least not until my day. We believe in the Jolliness (if that is a word) of Santa......he comes down the chimney......Mads says..."he best be careful!!!" We believe that!!! I believe in God's forever undying arms that continue to wrap around me. I need MORE!!!! Why?

I am being still........like you say......I am happy, I am impatient.....I am still.

I hold these sweet babies......look out the window.....see beautiful leaves.....like I have never seen......I am still......happy.......longing for your realness I cannot touch........I still believe.

Thank you......for them.......for this......for patience......health......a new year......For your Son...Thank You.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Be still and know that I am God: I will be exhalted among the heavens, I will be exalted in the earth.

This holiday season, I will try to be still.....I do believe.....I am SOOO incredibly happy and grateful for Him.....for the birth of that sweet sweet baby in the manger......and for my life.

Soccer Moms........

Amanda and I have played soccer forever. Throughout high school, then some in our early twenties, so when good ole' Amanda convinced me to play on a coed team 9 weeks after delivery of my second child, I thought, Sure, how much harder can it be? The answer to that is.... MUCH HARDER!!!!!!!

Amanda in all her glory!!!

Two days after!!!!!!!

Stephen in training for the bike team with the FD. I said, "Honey, what happened, did you loose control of the bike!!??" His reply, "Nope, I was bored and did a front handstand on the handlebars." Beth then says, "What???"

Concussion much??? Man, we are old!!!

Stephen and I should just stay at home where we belong!!! It hurts so bad to fall as an adult!!

Jackson thinks it's funny!!!

Jackson is clean!

I got on my camo's, try to find me!!!

Daddy made me a swing, and I LOVE it!!!! Weeeeee

Night, Night!!! Mommy's favorite part of the day. Sweet dreams!!!

Bits and Pieces of our week......

Mom, Pa, Stephen and Madeline wrapping Pa's arm up.

Jackson at dinner

for Stephen's 28th b-day!

Beck and Darden

Pa and Jackson

Good ole'

Williamson Bro's

BBQ!! Yum Yum!!

Mad's gags everytime I change Jackson's diaper.

It cracks me up! Does that make me mean?

My friend Cammi came to visit from

Oklahoma. I have not seen her in ten years.

she is the one in pink. Jennifer and Meredith have

also been my friends since elementary school.

What a great break from the chaos of packing!

Mads outfit for SS. Two belts! What a trend setter. Soon all the preschoolers will be totally eighties!!

how cool are these? Makes packing much easier!

Mads likes to unpack everything

and then wear EVERTHING.

She is a great help.

My brother Ben. He has MAD packing skills!

My mom and Jack

Once again, Madeline helping.

What? I was cleaning!

The best helper of all!!!

He likes for his nose to be stroked

My babies are rottin'!

Jackson's first smile!!! Too, cute! He and Madeline both smiled

for the first time at 5 weeks and 3 days! Cool, huh?








THE END!

My Wish

Rascal Flatts My Wish Lyrics
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,and each road leads you where you wanna go,

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything, more than anything...My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,You never need to carry more than you can hold,and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,all the ones who love you, in the place you left,I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, and you help somebody every chance you get,Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,and always give more than you take.

But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,You never need to carry more than you can hold,and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,Yeah, this, is my wish.

Sweet babies!!!
Ahhhhh!!!!!! Madeline, No!!!!

Madeline's first fish!!!!

What Jackson does best!!!! Lucky guy!!

For Stephen......

KEITH URBAN LYRICS

"Making Memories Of Us"

I'm gonna be here for you baby. I'll be a man of my word. Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard .I wanna sleep with you forever. And I wanna die in your arms. In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm. And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you. And I'll earn your trust making memories of us. I wanna honor your mother. I wanna learn from your pa. I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw. I wanna stand out in a crowd for you. A man among men. I wanna make your world better than it's ever been. And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you. And I'll earn your trust making memories of us. We'll follow the rainbow Wherever the four winds blow. And there'll be a new day Comin' your way. I'm gonna be here for you from now on, This you know somehow. You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now. And I'm gonna make you this promise, If there's life after this, I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss.

I tried so hard to make this post look right, so confusing. You get the point right? We love you, and are so thankful for you. Even Jackson, although he is upset that his picture is not posted. All his piccs are on Daddy's computer, and Mommy is just not that good.

Busy, Busy,Busy!!!

We have no idea where he got red hair, but he will most certainly have mamas blue eyes. A baby that looks like me!

Madeline the sweet big sis!!

I LOVE his big ole juicy cheeks!!!

We have been so very busy!!! We put our house on the market, and have been fixing it up in hopes that it will be bought soon. But with the housing market, who knows??? We will be living with the Borders (Becky and Darden) along with Mom and Pa while renovations take place. I sometimes still can't believe this is actually going to happen. I guess I figured it was something we would just talk about. It will be a very long, tedious project with many frustrations. We have prayed a long time that God would lead us where we where supposed to be, and it seems this is where we are being led. Doors just continue to open for us. Now I pray EVERYDAY for patience and strength. I cannot wait for the finished results!!

Madeline is doing great in school and is a great big sister!! Jackson is doing better with soy milk in a Dr. Browns bottle with the help of mylicon drops and patience.My favorite things about him so far are his sweet soft baby feet and his wonderful smelling breath. Baby breath is the best! I have come to realize that I may smell like vomit and poop for another year. Maybe one day I will feel pretty again:) Really, would I want it any other way?? No way!!! A life with no precious babies!!! How boring!!

I will be going back to work next week, maybe only 10-20 hours a week at first. I am excited to go back to work. I crave intelligent, adult conversation!! I cannot wait to do something productive with my days!!

Madeline's first day of school.......

Today was Madeline's first day of pre-k. She is going to a private preschool here in Dallas named Brighton Private Preschool. She had a great day!

Dear Madeline,

Today is Friday, August 3rd, 2007. I have just put you to bed and am settling down to write you this letter. I had your baby brother, Jackson last week and wanted you to know how very proud I am of the big sister you have become. When we first came home, you were a bit concerned as to what exactly was going on. But, you adjusted well and are in love with him now.You love to help feed and bathe him. You give him hugs and kisses all day long, and are doing well learning to be more gentle.

Madeline, I want you to know that although things have changed so very much at home, I love you even more after having Jackson. When I came home from the hospital, it seemed as though you had grown a foot taller! I feel like, in your own little way, you questioned where you belonged. You belong here, with us! You are my sweet baby Madeline! The past two and half years of my life have been the best years of my life. You have been such a joy to me.Your smile melts my heart, even when you are in trouble. Which explains why you are spoiled rotten!

I remember the first time you smiled. You were five weeks old, and I was rocking you. Talk about falling in love!!! I was in love with you even before I met you! You have such a great smile.

I know you cannot understand this, (or read for that matter!), and probably will not fully understand the love I have for you, until you have your own babies, I just always want you to know how very much I love you. I am so thankful to God everyday for you. I am so proud of the person you are becoming. You are very sweet and kind hearted. When you say your prayers at night, it takes FOREVER, because you have to pray for everyone you know. I hope you always do that!

I love you Madeline Borders. Thank you for making my life so perfect.

Love,

Mommy