New Family Addition

Jody and I decided we didn't have enough going on in our lives with a full time ministry, 4 kids, and everything else that comes with that. So, we decided to extend the family. Last week we brought home our newest edition that the kids so affectionately named "Dodger". Yep, after their baseball team....the Dodgers. Check him out below:

Nana's in town

We have loved having my mom in town this week. Every time we see kids at restaurants, stores, or church with their grandparents we think about how our kids are growing up without theirs. So, when we have that opportunity for them to spend some time together, it's always special.

Nana has read dozens of books, worked on homework, sang songs, had girls' dance time, fed the baby and countless other things in just 3 short days. Her departure on Saturday is just lurking at the end of the week like a bad diaper in the bottom of the trashcan.

Don't go Nana!  (OK...maybe that's a little over the top)

Sickness and Success

Something hit me last night that was awful. I have either food poisoning or some kind of stomach bug. I was up all night last night and cant remember feeling this bad in a very long time. I ended up having to stay home from church this morning. I think that was the hardest part. I love being with our people and I hate missing any opportunity. However......

....one great thing that came out of this was the timing. I got the opportunity to just lay in bed and watch The Masters. Being from Augusta, GA this tournament is very special to me. I worked there as a teenager in the concession stand and then later in the golf shop. AND....my favorite golfer is Phil Mickelson. I followed him as an amateur when I worked the tournament my first year as a 16 year old, and I am thrilled to see him win his 3rd green jacket. Way to go Lefty!

Please be in prayer for the Mickelson family as they continue in their battle with breast cancer. Both his wife and mother are in their own battles.

Monday is a 'comin'

I'm so looking forward to seeing Jody this Monday. She has been gone since last Monday to visit family in Georgia. I'm really glad that she got to go, but I really miss hanging out with her and having her here. I've spent the week with our three oldest and it has been great. But, I'm looking forward to having things back to normal and seeing my sweet baby girl, Ava Drew. Monday can't get here fast enough.

LAX on a Rainy Day

Headed out right now to take Jody to the airport. She is flying to GA with Ava.  We have a lot of family who haven't met Ava yet, so her first plane ride and southern experience is coming her way this week.

We got up this morning to a rainy day. I'm happy to see the rain.  It always means I can turn off my sprinklers for the day which equals $$$$.  So, a week with my other 3 kids. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them this week. Should be fun!

Easter 2010

Ava Drew's First Easter. She capped off the day with an Easter nap...which caused a hairband malfunction.

Easter 2010

Our Easter worship services were so exciting this morning at Immanuel. It was as if people were singing with a newfound realization that Jesus is alive. The energy in the room was so powerful. It was a great conclusion to what had begun on Fridays night with our Good Friday services.

The day was capped off with Ham and Turkey sandwiches and Jody's Raspberry Lime-aid Cake. *singing* Glorious!  What a great day. We are capping off the day with family movie time. Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel. 

Here is a pic of the stage set up for our Good Friday Service. This is what I was sewing in a picture you can see in a previous blog. Byron Mathe, our Media Director at Immanuel, did an amazing job with lighting and staging.

Prayers of the Children

I love praying with my kids at bedtime each night. Sometimes there's comedy. Other times I'm shocked at how much they seem to understand. Here are examples of tonight's prayers:

Caleb - Lord, thank you for my sisters, Abby, Ella, and Ava. Thank you for my mommy and daddy.........please don't let anyone in the whole world have bad dreams. Help the surgeons to find cures to all of the sickness in the world.

Abby - thank you for dying on the cross for my sins and rising on the third day, which was Easter, and my favorite holiday....ever.

Ella - thank you for our food and drinks and everything. Surround our house with angels and be with all the dead people.

Take it for what it is, but I love hearing them pray. There's always something new.