The Hensons

TOTS

2012-01-31T13:58:00.004-06:00

Sara Beth has been doing TOTS after school on Thursdays. They had a halftime performance during Belhaven's game on Saturday. You can tell she was really nervous before. About halfway through you could see her loosen up and start having fun! She has a 45 minute performace in May! I truly can't imagine what they will do for 45 minutes!

Dribble, dribble

2012-01-30T19:08:00.002-06:00

On Saturday, we went to a Belhaven girls basketball game to watch Sara Beth do a TOTS performance at halftime (more on that later). Sam was so into watching the game and Sara Beth. He has been trying to dribble ever since! The girls and I think he's pretty cute!

This week in pics!

2012-01-26T15:28:00.002-06:00

I missed a week of my life

2012-01-25T20:20:00.000-06:00

I know I really didn't miss a week, but it sure feels like that. I have been thinking there were two weeks left until February 1st. I learned today, only after causing minor chaos among MOMS leadership, that this isn't the case! Usually I am a very by the calendar person, so this has kind of thrown me all day! ha! Next week at MOMS is our missions conference and our expert panel! I am very excited about the panel. It has 3 ladies on it that are expert because they have reared Godly children and have been married many years! I can't wait to hear what they have to say to all of our questions!

In discipleship group on Wednesday nights we are reading Maximum Impact by Wayne Mack. Overall, I really like the book. He has definitely made me think. It takes 1 Cor 13 and talks about love not from a marriage perspective, but on how to love so we can make the maximum impact for Christ. Last week, we were talking about love believes all things. Honestly, I have never really given it much thought about what this means. Our group had a really good discussion as we thought through it. There was one quote in here that I really liked. It is especially important to think this way towards our spouse. It is actually a John MacArthur quote, "Love will always opt for the most favorable possibility. If a loved one is accused of something wrong, love will consider him innocent until proven guilty. If he turns out to be guilty, love will give him credit for the best motive."

Click here for Shirley Windham's 2nd talk!

Oh, and losing a week in January just means that my friend Rebecca gets here a week sooner! Feb 3rd! That was definitely a perk to my chaotic day!

Sam

2012-01-23T20:25:00.000-06:00

Sam, I am so far behind! You turned 18 months on January 2nd and I am just now getting around to doing your post. Your 18 month check up was last week and you are 33 inches (a little over 75%), and 23 pounds (15%)! You are the sweetest thing ever! You absolutely love your daddy. If he is home when you need to be comforted you run right past me to him! You also adore your sisters. You play well with them and try your best to keep up with them. Sometimes this means carrying around a baby doll while wearing beads--yikes! That's okay though because you love cars and balls. Your favorite right now is a remote control tractor you got for Christmas. You LOVE to read. You bring me books throughout the day. Your favorite is Roadwork. This just makes me smile real big, because Dub was a highway man, and he would be so proud! You are a real good eater. You easily eat more than your sisters. You go to sleep about 6:30 and wake up about 7:30 (sometimes later!). You still take 2 naps every day. When you are home you jabber all the time. Not so much when you are in public. You have a lot of words, but only one sentence--"I want ____". This may be I want up, dip (you like to dip your food in stuff), to read,your paci, or even your drink. You are wearing 24 month clothes and a size 3 diaper. My May and Bo Bo gave you some boots for Christmas and you love them. Actually you like having shoes on in general. You have started throwing fits when you don't get your way. They are so funny-even though they aren't. I think you are slowly catching on that you don't get what you want in our house in you throw a fit! We love you so much! You sure do add a lot to our family!

First ride in Bo Bo's convertible

playing cars with Trey Adams at gymnastics

I was really so proud of you for sharing!

This just absolutely melts my heart!

I love this pic and it was taken with my iphone with no editing!

2012-01-14T09:58:00.000-06:00

In my last post, I mentioned that MOMS Bible Study at FPCJ was doing a study on marriage. Shirley Windham is teaching and is going to do a weekly summary. (Click on her name and it will take you there--I think!) Wednesday was so good! I can't wait to start my homework today and for our study again next Wednesday!

Our week has been pretty un-exciting--which has been great! Sam, Leigh and I spent a little time at the park before getting Sara Beth from school!

Leigh took her doll to school for show-n-tell. She loved the fact she was dressed like her doll.

About 2 mornings a week I go to a spin class before Zeb leaves for work. Yesterday on my way home I could not get over the sunrise! As the girls say, "Momma, God is saying good morning!"

Last night we went and ate Mexican and came home for some good snuggle time! My arms are full! I sure love these three!

You Never Marry the Right Person by Tim Kellar

2012-01-06T12:59:00.000-06:00

You might have seen this by now. I know it is floating all over facebook. It definitely has an intriguing title that makes you stop. It's worth stopping and taking 3 or 4 minutes to read. It is an excerpt from his book The Meaning of Marriage that you can find in Relevant Magazine. This spring in MOMS Bible study we will be doing a study from the book Marriage Matters. Shirley Windham is teaching and I feel pretty confident in saying that we will be hearing similar things to this this semester. Marriage Matters talks about how it it the very ordinary moments in life that can make a marriage extraordinary. Both would be good books to pick up if you are looking for good reading! If you are interested in MOMS Bible Study let me know. Sign ups are going on now and it starts on Wednesday. All ladies with kiddos 6th grade and under, or those who would love to be a mom one day are invited!

Anyway...the article...

How our culture misunderstands compatibility.

In generations past, there was far less talk about “compatibility” and finding the ideal soul-mate. Today we are looking for someone who accepts us as we are and fulfills our desires, and this creates an unrealistic set of expectations that frustrates both the searchers and the searched for.

In John Tierney’s classic humor article “Picky, Picky, Picky” he tries nobly to get us to laugh at the impossible situation our culture has put us in. He recounts many of the reasons his single friends told him they had given up on their recent relationships:

“She mispronounced ‘Goethe.’” “How could I take him seriously after seeing The Road Less Traveled on his bookshelf?” “If she would just lose seven pounds.” “Sure, he’s a partner, but it’s not a big firm. And he wears those short black socks.” “Well, it started out great ... beautiful face, great body, nice smile. Everything was going fine—until she turned around.” He paused ominously and shook his head. ”... She had dirty elbows.”

In other words, some people in our culture want too much out of a marriage partner. They do not see marriage as two flawed people coming together to create a space of stability, love and consolation, a “haven in a heartless world,” as Christopher Lasch describes it. Rather, they are looking for someone who will accept them as they are, complement their abilities and fulfill their sexual and emotional desires. This will indeed require a woman who is “a novelist/astronaut with a background in fashion modeling,” and the equivalent in a man. A marriage based not on self-denial but on self-fulfillment will require a low- or no-maintenance partner who meets your needs while making almost no claims on you. Simply put—today people are asking far too much in the marriage partner.

You never marry the right person

The Bible explains why the quest for compatibility seems to be so impossible. As a pastor I have spoken to thousands of couples, some working on marriage-seeking, some working on marriage-sustaining and some working on marriage-saving. I’ve heard them say over and over, “Love shouldn’t be this hard, it should come naturally.” In response I always say something like: “Why believe that? Would someone who wants to play professional baseball say, ‘It shouldn’t be so hard to hit a fastball’? Would someone who wants to write the greatest American novel of her generation say, ‘It shouldn’t be hard to create believable characters and compelling narrative’?” The understandable retort is: “But this is not baseball or literature. This is love. Love should just come naturally if two people are compatible, if they are truly soul-mates. “

The Christian answer to this is that no two people are compatible. Duke University Ethics professor Stanley Hauerwas has famously made this point:

Destructive to marriage is the self-fulfillment ethic that assumes marriage and the family are primarily institutions of personal fulfillment, necessary for us to become "whole" and happy. The assumption is that there is someone just right for us to marry and that if we look closely enough we will find the right person. This moral assumption overlooks a crucial aspect to marriage. It fails to appreciate the fact that we always marry the wrong person.
We never know whom we marry; we just think we do. Or even if we first marry the right person, just give it a while and he or she will change. For marriage, being [the enormous thing it is] means we are not the same person after we have entered it. The primary challenge of marriage is learning how to love and care for the stranger to whom you find yourself married.

Hauerwas gives us the first reason that no two people are compatible for marriage, namely, that marriage profoundly changes us. But there is another reason. Any two people who enter into marriage are spiritually broken by sin, which among other things means to be self-centered—living life incurvatus in se. As author Denis de Rougemont said, “Why should neurotic, selfish, immature people suddenly become angels when they fall in love ... ?” That is why a good marriage is more painfully hard to achieve than athletic or artistic prowess. Raw, natural talent does not enable you to play baseball as a pro or write great literature without enduring discipline and enormous work. Why would it be easy to live lovingly and well with another human being in light of what is profoundly wrong within our human nature? Indeed, many people who have mastered athletics and art have failed miserably at marriage. So the biblical doctrine of sin explains why marriage—more than anything else that is good and important in this fallen world—is so painful and hard.

No false choices

The reason that marriage is so painful and yet wonderful is because it is a reflection of the Gospel, which is painful and wonderful at once. The Gospel is—we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared to believe, and at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. This is the only kind of relationship that will really transform us. Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God’s saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God’s mercy and grace.

The hard times of marriage drive us to experience more of this transforming love of God. But a good marriage will also be a place where we experience more of this kind of transforming love at a human level.

Excerpt from THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE © 2011 by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller. Published by Dutton, A Member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Excerpted with permission from the publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas Day

2011-12-31T18:04:00.000-06:00

I should be getting ready for our date tonight, but I wanted to get these last pictures from Christmas on the blog before 2012 begins!

Christmas was different for us. Zeb had to work, so we just made the best of it. Sara Beth was up at 5, but we woke Sam and Leigh up at 6:15 so we could open gifts before Zeb had to go to work.

Leigh woke up easily because she understood what was going on. However, it took Sam a bit longer!

Zeb left for work at 7:15 and I got everyone ready for church. Zeb was able to meet us at church and we all came home for brunch. After brunch, we finished opening gifts and the kiddos got a nap. Zeb went back to the hospital for about 5 hours. Then we had our parents over for playtime and dinner!

I do believe this guitar was the best $15 Santa spent!

Leigh the puzzle queen!

A former co-worker of Zeb's sent us a turducken this year! We knew what it was, but had never had one. As a matter of fact, I had never had duck. For those of you who don't know its a turkey, with a duck inside, with a chicken inside, with stuffing inside that! It was really good. Zeb made some jambalaya with the leftovers a few nights ago and it was also really good!

Jammin session before dinner (and after dinner.....)

The turducken ready to be eaten!

So, I have this really creative friend, Paula La, who got a bunch of friends together and designed all these ornaments for the Jesse Advent Tree! I seriously cannot thank her enough. The time, oh the time, to do this. I can't imagine! However, my kiddos had a blast going through the redemption story in the Bible! Definitely a new tradition on here!

This little fellow got really tired over Christmas! My mom put him to bed Christmas night at 6:30. I woke him up at 11:30 the next morning. He was up until 1:30 and then slept until 5. Then back down Monday night at 6:45 only wake up 12 hours later as a very happy little boy who only wanted his "bootz" on!

Annual Shaw, Chamblee, Henson, Meredith Christmas Dinner

2011-12-30T17:00:00.001-06:00

This Christmas dinner is one we always look forward to. For many it is the only time all year we see each other. All of a sudden the kids have exploded! This year it was at the Chamblee house and amazingly nothing was broken.

Sam and Patton Meek

Leigh and Mary Hayden

Everyone got a turn to hold Harper Shaw.

Yes, even Sam... and he fussed when her mamma wanted her back!

Matt Meredith, Molly Shaw, Luke Chamblee, Zeb

Sara Beth borrowed my camera, so the next few are through the eyes of a 5 year old...

Nancy Chamblee, Susan Meredith, Susie Shaw, Sandi Henson

We had to pause on the way out for a quick pic with Santa!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-30T14:48:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve we hit the ground running. I got the girls dressed while Sam was sleeping and they made snickerdoodle cookies for Santa.

Leigh had a minor meltdown because her hands were dirty! Notice their trays! :)

Then we changed back into pjs (per My Mays request) and Katie and Bryson came over for breakfast to make Santa pancakes.

Sara Beth made Ms. Claus (no beard)

and then made Santa

Leigh, who was still out of sorts because her hands got dirty--and because she was tired, opted to just eat everything and not make a Santa. Hence, no pic!

After breakfast Bo Bo read books until we went to Aunt JoAnns around the corner for brunch and time with Nannoh.

Then off to the McDaniels. My cousin and his family from South Carolina were there. The kids had a blast and made a mess! Sorry Aunt JoAnn!

I told Jeff if he wondered what he was going to look like in 25 years to just look at my dad!

Nannoh with all her greats!

We came home for naps, then off to My May and Bo Bo's!

Elizabeth made Zeb a headband to run in...

It's just a joke! But, Sam looked really cute in the headband!

Look at this cool car holder Bo Bo made! Sam has already asked for one for his birthday!

After a wonderful dinner, we headed home to put out cookies for Santa and to crash after a very full day!

If you do nothing else today-read this!

2011-12-29T08:31:00.005-06:00

All of it!

Derek Thomas' blog

Christmas Week Activities

2011-12-29T07:40:00.001-06:00

I have not even touched my camera this week. I knew I took a lot of pictures and I just didn't want to download and edit them! This morning, I did. I uploaded 350 pictures and that doesn't even include all the pictures from the weekend before at the Hensons. I am going to slowly go through these and get them on here so I can remember all the things we did!

On Monday night (late afternoon really) we went to Canton to see the lights. Afterwards we met my dad, Zeb, and Sara at Fernandos for some yummy Mexican!

on the firetruck

Tuesday morning we headed to the Hensons to make a gingerbread village with the Moyer girls.

I believe it was Friday when we went to my parents house to make a gumdrop tree. It ended up being my mom's centerpiece for the Christmas Eve dinner.

Then they all played Christmas Bingo while they waited for Zeb to get off work. He took our kiddos shopping for me. Then we met at Chick-fil-A for a late lunch and headed home to nap before a Christmas party that night!

Glory to God in the Highest

2011-12-24T21:34:00.001-06:00

Sara Beth reciting Luke 2

Leigh reciting Luke 2

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! 
Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, 
risen with healing in his wings. 
Mild he lays his glory by, 
born that man no more may die, 
born to raise the sons of earth, 
born to give them second birth. 
Hark! the herald angels sing, 
"Glory to the new born King!"

christmas at the hensons

2011-12-19T13:57:00.000-06:00

we celebrated christmas this past saturday with the henson family. everyone was able to come and everyone had a great time!! g started off the morning reading luke 2. then we ate a feast of a brunch.

g loves to read to his grands.

honey, next year you are going to need two of these tables. no way you are gonna be able to keep reed and sam away from the kids table!

then it was present time...

g worked hard at picking these out...z's is reflective for when he runs way before the sun comes up: frank's is for a tri-athlete and he is training for an ironman: and chase's is for golf cause he's a golfer! of course they had to be silly!

then there was playtime. and lots of it. everyone played with their toys and...

everyone elses!

william quickly put together his space shuttle--amazing at how quickly this little boy can work!

then we ate dinner and oh my! it was yummy!

cute napkins all kiddos had

(laura got the good picture) but the little boys needed to show off their matching outfits

christmas at fpds

2011-12-19T13:46:00.000-06:00

friday was sara beth's christmas party at school. santa came for a visit and really surprised the kiddos.

This is what the class gave the teachers. They signed the backs of each tree for a keepsake.

of course, there is always food at a party.

It makes me so sad to think she is half-way through with kindergarten!

And more randoms...

2011-12-15T11:04:00.000-06:00

These are all iphone pics...

Last Thursday I made Leigh some cookies for her class. Friday was her turn to take a snack and she wanted cutie oranges and Santa cookies. I made the ones for her class, but I had plenty of extra ones that I let the girls decorate. I helped Leigh with her white icing, but Sara Beth did hers all by herself. You can tell, SB wasn't pleased with this one. She felt the Santa hat was too big.

But, this one was better. I was quite impressed with how well she did without any directions from me.

Molly and Wiley had their sweet baby girl last Wednesday. This picture was in the mix on my phone and she is just too precious not to show off!

Friday night Kate spent the night and we were going to go to Christmas Fest, but opted at looking at Christmas lights instead. It was so fun! Saturday morning, we went to a pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser to buy Christmas presents for people. The lighting in this pic is horrible, but the kiddos had so much fun eating pancakes and sausage.

Santa was there so we got a quick pic of the girls. Sam wanted nothing to do with him and we were getting our real Santa pics later that afternoon so I didn't pressure him at all!

After naps and Santa pics we took a tree to my grandmother's room and set it up for her.

They loved decorating her tree and Doe enjoyed watching them, but you can tell they were done with pics for the day...

Randoms...

2011-12-15T10:48:00.000-06:00

I love the first cold Sunday of the winter when I get to pull out the coats that I wore as a little girl! Unfortunately, I think that is Sara Beth's last year to fit into one!

Monday was Leigh's Christmas party at school. I love how a table is set up for the little sibings!

Sweet Mrs. Lesa Nuzzo and Leigh Leigh

How cool are these gingerbread houses?!! They are plastic and are very easy to snap together. When we are ready to get rid of it, I just soak it in hot water. We are slowly working on it and putting it together. It is a fantastic way to get rid of Halloween candy! Daddy wasn't going to be home on Tuesday night, so I gave them early baths and dinner so we would have plenty of time to work on this! Even Sam got in on it!

I'm gonna wait to show it until we are done. I am completely letting the kids doing it and I am keeping my OCD mouth shut! And it has been so fun! Hopefully we will find some more time this afternoon.

This Christmas

2011-12-08T15:03:00.001-06:00

I love Christmas. Or let me put it this way. I used to love Christmas. The last couple of years I have had a serious love-hate relationship with it. I feel like we do everything halfway and just run, run, run. I have really let it bother me in the past, but not this year!! I have accepted that is the way December is and just to embrace it. I am also learning to say no and that just doesn't work for my family of 5. Also, I am working on changing my mindset. Christmas isn't the day or the couple of days. It is the season. We are celebrating Christmas everyday.

Because of all of that and the fact that we are desperately trying to teach our kids that Christmas isn't about them or gifts, we came up with the idea of 25 days of giving and kindness. The kiddos are really on board and excited about it. We strive to do something for others everyday. We are 8 days in and Sara Beth is charting it on a calendar (girl after my own heart!!) They aren't big things or expensive things. They are just thoughtful, purposeful things. I hope that we carry this on every year.

Here is Leigh making some grits so that we can give them away.

And as usual, we are trying to do all the fun Christmasy things around town. Last Friday we started with The Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree. Sam didn't stay wrapped in a blanket very long! Leigh realized half way through that there were people standing up there singing. I have no idea what she thought it was!

We stopped by cups and got the kids their first ever hot chocolate! They thought it was cool, but didn't really drink it! I think they decided they would just stick to white milk!

Saturday we went to the Madison Christmas parade. It was so fun and the weather was PERFECT!!!

I thought this bus was really cute.

Sitting on the curb

Santa and Mrs. Claus were supposed to be the highlight, but for my crew it was the horses. Sam threw a fit because he couldn't go touch them! Gray went with us because Zeb and Andrew were working!

After naps, it was time to finally put up the tree. I say finally because we normally put it up the Friday after Thanksgiving. Since we were out of town, we are just now getting around to it. We had the hardest time deciding where to put it. We ended up moving some of the toys out of the playroom and putting a gate on the playroom door. It is the only place a gate will fit and we just felt like it was a necessity this year!

The first ornaments on the tree are always the new ones we get them.

Sam sat in his highchair and ate a snack through most of it. He would reach for an ornament and say "ball" and throw it. I kind of agree--that is what they look like!

Aren't his diapers cute! My sister told me about them--they are from SAMS!

Friday and Saturday in San Antonio

2011-12-02T15:43:00.000-06:00

Bo Bo and his "little girls"

Friday morning we went on the Riverwalk Boat Cruise.

This little guy is so funny! You never know what will come out of his mouth. He is quite the charmer!

Family pic on the boat

You can look in this poor guys eyes and see he didn't feel good, but he sure loved the boat! Poor guy had bronchitis which we found out turned into pneumonia. He's much better now though!

Sam looks a little frustrated with AuntSa for making him take his eyes off the river to look at the camera!

You see why though---it's beautiful!

Friday night headed to the rehearsal dinner of my 2nd cousin

Saturday morning we were slow getting going due to our late night. But once we got going, we went to the Witte Museum. As you can tell from the pictures below everyone had fun and even learned a little science along the way!

Saturday night before the wedding.

I have a few pictures to post of the rehearsal dinner and the wedding and then I will be done!

Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-29T08:18:00.000-06:00

Our Thanksgiving Day was very non-traditional, but it was wonderful! We started the morning with a huge free breakfast at our hotel (Embassy Suites are great!). Then we went to the San Antonio Zoo.

Can you see the very still hippo in the back?

We had never seen one of these. It is an Opaki. We decided it was a giraffe/zebra mix. What do you think? The Opaki live in Africa. There aren't many of them at all. And they were "discovered" until 1901.

Of course, we had to stop for snack time.

The birds were awesome! I love the excitement and concentration on the kids faces. Katie wanted nothing to do with the birds--that's why there aren't any pics of her.

This was Sam's first trip to a zoo in a long time and he thoroughly enjoyed looking and pointing.

After lunch and naps we had a little craft time.

Then we went and had Mexican for Thanksgiving--it was so so yummy!

Then Mom and Dad gave them some Christmas pjs.

The McDaniels Invade San Antonio

2011-11-28T15:38:00.000-06:00

Seriously it felt like we invaded San Antonio--all 12 of us in a 15 passenger van! The Peggs flew so there were just 8 of us on the way there!

Mom packed a picnic and we stopped at a park and had a great lunch. The kids were fantastic travelers!! We only stopped twice on the way there and twice on the way home and we weren't pushing them at all! They were just happy and content!

Tuesday night when we arrived we just walked to a restaurant near the hotel. It ended up being great--Zeb's favorite meal we ate while we were there. It was Icenar and it was Tex-Mex.

The next morning we hit the town running. First up was the Alamo. The city is just beautiful.

The Alamo

Zeb teaching the kiddos what happened there.

Anytime Leigh saw a flag she stopped and did The Pledge.

Katie took this pic--all I had to do was crop it to center us!

Leigh loved riding on "Uncle Clark's head"

All four big kids were able to fit on the back row.

After naps we went to New Braunsfels and rode the train.

And we ate the best BBQ at Rudy's. It was family style and you ate off of a paper placemat.

The girls got to wash their hands in a "fancy sink" also known as a trough!

Sam's first haircut

2011-11-25T09:21:00.000-06:00

It was time. Maybe past time. He had a definite mullet that we had to get rid of. I think he was almost excited about getting it cut.

This is a pretty good view of his "party" in the back. That is all she trimmed. We left his bangs and his sides the same. I wasn't ready for that yet.

And here is what it looks like now. All "business"!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:31:00.000-06:00

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Race Day

2011-11-23T09:07:00.000-06:00

Two weekends in a row we have spent our mornings at a course somewhere. I must say, I love it! It is such a fun, healthy, good environment! Sara Beth loves to run. She runs up and down our street. She runs around our fence in the backyard. She runs on the playground at school. Get the picture! Anyway, I was doing a 12K on Saturday that had a fun run attached to it. We asked Sara Beth if she would be interested and she was. She and Zeb practiced a couple of times in the neighborhood and she was ready!

Waiting to run. (The lady in green is our pediatric dentist (Dr. Tiffany Green with Southern Smiles--go see her if your kids need a dentist--she is wonderful!)

And they are off! Leigh actually only made it 200 yards before she climbed in the stroller. Oddly enough we discovered while we were practicing for the race that Leigh had asthma. We (I) was at my wits ends with her. She was always sick with this nasty sounding cough and was having a hard time sleeping. When she tried to run she had a hard time breathing. She was on 4 allergy meds that weren't cutting it. Within a couple of days of being put on asthma meds her cough quit and she started sleeping better! We are so thankful! Back to the race...

Sara Beth did great. It was in Fondren and had a really big hill at the end.

Here she is crossing the finish line in less than 12 minutes with an untied shoe!

They were so proud of their medals.

Post race family pic

Honey and G came to cheer them on. She made a sign that was reversible. The other side said "Go Leigh".

Even Sam got a medal for riding one mile!

Leigh's Field Trip

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

Leigh had a field trip to Disney on Ice on Friday morning. She loved it and thought everything was really neat. It's funny because I thought they had seen a lot of Disney movies, but I quickly realized they have not! In the first act she had not seen The Lion King of Lilo and Stitch. She enjoyed those scenes but just didn't get it. Then, The Little Mermaid came out and she was hooked! Unfortunately, we had to leave at intermission so that we could get to Sara Beth's feast at school. This gave me a major case of mother guilt that I am still not over. I feel like with three that I do lots of stuff for them half way. I felt so guilty leaving something for Leigh to go to something for Sara Beth. I hate that everything falls at the same time. My friend Brittany told me that teaches them to be flexible and to not think that the world revolves around them. There is a lot of truth in that--but I still feel guilty. Leigh, however, could have cared less. She saw an hour of it and then got to go to Sara Beth's big school! All the while, Brittany had Sam---ahhh! balancing!

Sar Beth's Feast

2011-11-21T20:53:00.000-06:00

I haven't had much to blog about lately because we have just been doing the routines of life--cooking, cleaning, carpooling, changing diapers, etc... However, we had a big weekend and we are going to have a big week so I have lots to post so that I can remember what happened when I get old--or, ummmm... next month!

Sara Beth had her Thanksgiving Feast at school on Friday. Mr. Barbour was so sweet and came dressed as a pilgrim. He read to them and talked to them a little about what it was like to be a pilgrim.

Giving thanks to God before eating.

Leigh was with me because she had a field trip that morning (more on that later.) Sara Beth was so sweet to invite her to sit with her and she shared her food with her.

They did a small craft.

Class Picture

Zeb and I are so thankful that our children are able to attend a school where they are able to learn about God and He is glorified!

His Larry Bird Year

2011-11-17T14:50:00.000-06:00

Today is the first day of Zeb's Larry Bird year. You could also say it is his 33rd birthday! Happy Birthday to the greatest husband and father ever!

The girls worked hard making his cake.

And all three worked hard making him a card.

We celebrated this morning with cards, cake, and presents.

I love how Sara Beth drew her Daddy. I mean, look at his hair!

Happy Birthday, We love you!

Race Day

2011-11-16T14:04:00.000-06:00

Zeb ran his 2nd marathon and Rob ran his 18th this past weekend. It was the Battlefield Marathon outside of Chattanooga.

Before the race...

Tina and I squirmed our way in to the "warming" tent.

This was Rob and the man we affectionately named "chicken man". He was doing the strangest stretches before the race that looked just like a chicken. It didn't help that he was wearing yellow! We laughed really hard when we saw them running 21 miles together!! Come to find out his name is Ben and he is from north TN.

Feeling good at mile 8!

Finished! Yahoo! He did great! He didn't get the time he wanted because he spent the last 7-8 miles cramping really badly! But, he still shaved 22 minutes off his last one!

Post race fuel

On Friday night we ate at Lupi's pizza. Saturday for lunch we ate burgers at Steak N Shake and we ate dinner at Tony's. All three meals were very good. We spent Saturday afternoon walking around downtown and driving through the mountains. It was very fun!

Rob and Tina on the way home

Just a few pics of Sam

2011-11-10T14:24:00.000-06:00

Once Sam turned a year I quit doing the monthly updates and have been doing them every three months. However, he is changing so quickly I just have to update a little!

I bought him this coat last week at Mistletoe. I had a store hold it and then I walked around and thought about it for way too long. I decided to buy it when I realized he was my last baby and this was the last year he could wear something like this. I think it was well worth the $30!

Sam still loves going on walks. I had to take a picture because notice how his head and feet are turned--he slept for quite a while--I'm not sure how!

He has really gotten in to helping me around the house. His two favorites are dusting and throwing things away!

We all went to the MCM on Saturday and he had more fun than I thought was possible!

Sam amazes me at how well he follows directions. I can tell him almost anything and he does it. Whether it is to pick up his milk and bring it to me or to close the door or to go get in the car.

His two top molars are mostly in and yesterday (hence the fussiness) I noticed his bottom ones were coming in. Other than those he has four on the top and four on the bottom.

He still eats great, but forget about getting him to eat any kind of pasta or potato (even fries).

Often when he gets ready for bed he goes and gets his paci and Benji.

Halloween

2011-11-04T07:21:00.000-05:00

Just a warning that there are tons of pictures on this post. I am just now having a chance to upload Halloween pictures and since it's over and I'm done with it, I'm posting everything we did at once!

Friday night, my parents took Leigh and Sam to my grandmother's rehabilitation place to trick or treat. All of the patients were in the halls and the kiddos walked the halls. (I took Sara Beth to a birthday party.) I love this idea. I know my kids had a blast, but I'm pretty sure the patients had more fun!

Sam, the dragon

Leigh, Princess Cinderella

Doe as Little Red Riding Hood

Also, since things have been so busy we ran out of time to carve pumpkins. I couldn't let this slide altogether, so we painted them! They loved it!

Making faces like their pumpkins. SB made a trapezoid and Leigh and oval! Ha!

Monday morning was Leigh's costume parade at school. She got into it...

and so did Sam. When all the classes went through he took. He fussed when I went to pick him up. He's gonna make sure he isn't left out of anything!

Then it was time for Leigh's party.

Sam spent most of his time at the train table. I am glad he is getting one for Christmas!

Monday night we had both of our families over for soup and trick or treating.

Sara Beth as Rapunzel

Sweet Janet and Earl acted so surprised to see the girls. They even had a bag of goldfish for Sam!

Sam, as a frog

Whew! I'm done. And so is Halloween!

Fall Festival

2011-10-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

Today was the Kindergarten Fall Festival. I think it went so well. There were three sections. In the gym, they played 7 different games and got some fun prizes.

Sweet Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Stack

Mary Tyson and her dad came as clowns and made balloons for all the kids!

I had no idea Mary Tyson was so talented! They were so sweet and patient with all the kiddos!

Addie and SB pause for just a moment for a picture

Mrs. Parker's entire class

Then they went to eat snacks.

Emily and SB

They were supposed to go outside for one of the times, but due to the weather they watched a movie...

and got tattoos..

their faces painted!

The Great Pumpkin Sale

2011-10-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

For some reason I can't open the picture of a truckload of gorgeous blue pumpkins that Ashley Hall Belknap grew!!! She is selling them tomorrow at her house! Stop by!!

4101 Roxbury Road in Jackson from 8-12

The pumpkins are ranging from $1-5

2011 Fair

2011-10-20T16:53:00.000-05:00

2011 fair was a hit as usual! everyone loved the rides and sam was the only one who threw fits when it was time to get off! we ate until our heart was content. we ran into lots of friends. thanks my may and bo bo. we are already looking forward to next year!

the rides

how are these cows comfortable?

Books

2011-10-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

I am sick of looking at the book list on the right, so I am going to delete it in the next few days. However, I have had lots of people ask me about my favorites that we read this summer. That is so hard to do because there are so many good books out there. But, I am going to give it a try... You won't necessarily see these on any other book list! These are just some Henson Summer 2011 Favorites!

Any and all Curious George by Rey
The Gruffalo by Donaldson (also a movie at Target--thanks Weezie)
If you Give a ____ a ____ by Numeroff--She has a new one just out--If you Give a Dog a Donut
Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales (and also her Nursery Rhymes book)
The Great Monster Hunt by Landa and Warren
Fancy Nancy books by O'Connor-of course

All three of these are great resources for finding children's books.
1001 Children's Books you Must Read Before you Grow Up --I found this last week at Lemuria and oh,
my! I am going to ask for it for Christmas. It is a $39 book so it is a bit of an investment, but it is
beautiful! It divides books by ages and each book has its on page- from babies all the way to 12th
grade!
Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt--I have had this one forever and love it. My next goal
(maybe next summer's goal) is to go through this book and make sure that I have read all the books
it suggest. There is a line out beside each book so I can write which kid and the date.
The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children's Literature by McCallum and Scott--This was
recommended by Weezie Polk. I just ordered it for $4.00 from Amazon and I can't wait to get it!

Do you have any must have children's books that I need to know about?

Date Night

2011-10-18T09:27:00.001-05:00

Chick Fil A had daughter-daddy date night. Zeb took the girls. We kept it a secret from them until the last minute. While I was getting the girls dressed, Zeb and Sam went to buy some flowers. Zeb came to the front door and asked if they would like to go on a date! They were surprised and very excited!

A quick pic beforehand!

As usual, Chick fil A does everything right. They had guys is tuxes open the door. And they had this "balloon rainbow" set up!

The tables were set complete with flowers and a black tablecloth!

My kitchen looks beautiful with all the flowers! The ones in the center Sam gave me!

Sam and I went on a date too, but since he can't talk we asked Ashley to go with us! Unfortunately I didn't get a picture. We went to 5 Guys and had YUMMY burgers!

Race Day

2011-10-15T16:10:00.000-05:00

Today was race day! Sara and I did another half. Our last two long walks were really hard. Two weeks ago, Sara was still struggling with getting her wisdom teeth out and last week it was so hot I got sick. So, we really weren't too sure what to expect. However, we both felt great this morning and the weather was ideal so we had a great race. We walk the entire time--but we walk super fast. As fast as we can without that funny speed walking gate! We knocked almost 8 minutes off our race in April so we were very excited! I think it was all due to the fact that we had the best cheerleaders out there!

And definitely the best sign out there! My sweet husband got up super early, cooked me and Sara breakfast, let the girls make a sign, and got all three kids out of the house by 7:15! I better watch out because he is gonna start putting me to shame!

Waiting and watching...

Finally a spotting! I am not sure who was more excited--them or us!

Post Race

When they weren't cheering, they were eating do-nuts! They were Sam's first ones! He ate 6 or 7 holes and thought that he had to have one in both hands at all times!

A better pic of the sign!

Even though we have both been pretty worthless the rest of the afternoon, we are already planning our next one!

the new park

2011-10-13T16:02:00.000-05:00

a couple of days after the girls' birthday party the park closed and was completely redone! it opens soon! today they were taking some professional pictures and the girls were asked to come play and let them take pictures! how can you turn down an opportunity like that? i mean to play with 15 or so other kids and not 100 or so other kids!!

this is the photographer explaining what would be happening. the girls were nervous and i thought it was precious that they reached over to hold each others hand!

this is only 1/2 of the park. and the entire thing is covered with shade and just look at the flooring! it's rubber!

sam was too young to be in the pictures, but he got to play some!

this was his favorite!

he threw a major fit leaving the park! he loves a good park! if you live in the area, you may or may not want to drive by this weekend to see if it is open! i'm just sayin' :)

89

2011-10-12T15:41:00.001-05:00

Doe turned 89 on October 3rd. We had her a much deserved party at our house! I think she really enjoyed it! Sara and I did the cooking--cheese soup, pork tenderloin, coconut shrimp, french bread, butter beans, lady peas, and lemon freeze!

The kids table--Doe and Dub gave each great grandchild a junior size of my silver pattern--which just so happens to be her silver pattern as well as my mom and sisters!

Doe looked beautiful!

We were so excite that Megan and Gina Foster were able to make it!

"Mr. Nick, Mr. Nick, chase me, chase me" You can tell by their faces who is having more fun here!

Happy Birthday, Doe! And here's to many more...

2011-10-10T16:16:00.000-05:00

Sam you are 15 months old. Actually you were on the 2nd, but you had the official appointment today. You are 22 pounds (25th%) and 31 1/2 inches (75 %). I am so proud of your little belly and your semi chuncky legs!

You are wearing size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes. Your fall clothes are 18 months and they don't look too big!

You are very busy as you can see from the pictures. You never stop and just play all the time.

You still love to go on long walks with me and you usually sleep most of the time.

You eat ALL the time! It is amazing! You are a real good eater--you love fruit and veggies. But, you do not like french fries or any other kind of potato, rice, or pasta. Breakfast foods seem to be your favorite!

You have started talking a lot--you jabber all day, but we are starting to be able to pick out a few words. dat (that), dere (there), ook (look), ball, mo mo mo mo (more), and some two syllable sound that you repeat everytime for thank you

(if anyone has heard anymore leave a comment so I can add to the list!)

You love being outside and throw a fit everytime we have to come in.

You love music and sing often in the car. Favorites seems to be "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" and "Jesus in the Morning".

You could swing all day inside or outside. We don't have an inside swing anymore, but it is your favorite thing to do at the church nursery. We often stop by the park while waiting on your sisters for a quick swing time!

I'm sure I'm leaving some big things off so will have to come back and add more!

2011-10-07T21:17:00.001-05:00

"Momma, who teared up the moon?"

This is what Leigh said when she looked out the car window and it was a crescent moon!

2011-10-07T07:22:00.003-05:00

Just a short two weeks ago Sam was not at all interested in walking. That Thursday Sam finally started letting me hold his hands while he walked instead of just sitting down. We went to New Orleans that weekend and he stayed with Sandi and George and I think they practiced all weekend. Well, since then there has been lots of practice and lots of encouragement!

I am so glad he let these two hold his hands to practice.

Yesterday I was standing in the kitchen making cornbread and I looked over and Sam was holding the door and about to let go. He then took about 3 steps into the dining room. During the 20 minutes the cornbread was in the oven we went outside and walked. This is how he finished! I agree with G--he need's a golf club instead of a pink rake!

He was so tired from walked that he wouldn't take any steps once Zeb got home! But, we know he can do it! We have proof!

Its Finally Fall, Y'all!

2011-10-03T13:53:00.000-05:00

I am so excited it is October! The hot hot hot weather is gone and we can enjoy beautiful days with cool nights! We celebrated Saturday being the 1st by going to the pumpkin patch. It was a great family activity!

We can never get a decent picture with me in it

We jumped on a hayride and went to see some animals. Here are a few deer and a zedonk (zebra and donkey mix).

Sam stood up like this the entire time and everytime he saw an animal he would scream something out! He is a typical boy--loves being outside, animals, and tractors!

We also got to see some goats.

I may have let her wear jeans before now just so I could see this more often!

Sam was also in to pointing at things and going "dat". I love his little point and had to get a pic of it!

beautiful sunflower field

He picked out "dat" pumpkin.

And she picked out this one!

Mine of course could have done this all day!

Sam got a little practice in...

We saw a bunch of people we knew. Leigh is with her friend Mary Emerson.

And Sam with his friends Molly and Andrew. These three were in the NICU together 15 months ago. Amazing what can change in 15 months! I love how Andrew is looking at him like "what on earth do you have to cry about"!

Yummy

2011-09-30T07:47:00.000-05:00

This is another time when I wish that I was a creative writer. I love these pictures. I made Pioneer Woman's lemon blueberry pancakes. They were very good and very easy. I lost count of how many Sam ate. I think it was 7!

Look at his face when I handed him another pancake!

Needless to say-- we will be having these again and soon! And I must make sure there is time for a bath afterwards!

we ate our way through new olreans...

2011-09-26T14:32:00.000-05:00

so, zeb and i go to a town for food. period. eating is our favorite thing to do when we travel. last week before heading to NOLA i said that i didn't understand why everyone loved the food so much down there, because i sure didn't. but, the thing is that i eat NO spicy food. i don't understand why someone eats something that hurts. it makes no sense to me! :) i need to take that statement back. we ate some awesome food!

friday night we didn't have reservations so we just walked around and checked out menus at some of the places that were recommended to us or that we had read about online. we ended up eating at irene's. we had to wait about an hour so next time we will get reservations! of course, my pictures are terrible because they are from my phone and the restaurant is dark.

this is a bruschetta that they brought to the table as we were seated!

my salad was their nightly special--tomato and buffalo mozzarella with arugala and toasted pumpkin seeds with a white wine vinaigrette. zeb got the caesar and said my was better.

zeb got the cannelloni and it was fabulous! i got ravioli and it was really good as well.

i can't remember the name of our dessert but it was the bread pudding-it was as good as it looked!

the next morning we got beignets. we actually got them both mornings. saturday was good and the service was good. sunday we waited at our table for 25 minutes before we got any service and honestly that really was frustrating so they didn't taste as good day 2.

we rode the street car down to the garden district and walked around and looked at houses and did a little shopping on magazine street. i don't think i have ever done that side of new orleans and it was so calm and nice!

this was my favorite house

saturday night we ate a she marie which is new. it was very modern inside and my drum fish was perfectly prepared!

on sunday we went to my first ever nfl game. zeb has been helping a bank with a wellness program so they took us down there. we sat in their box-so to say that we were spoiled is an understatement. it had quite the view. there was food there so i ate boiled shrimp and a hotdog! sounds good together, huh? it was a weird combo but i can never turn down shrimp or a hotdog!

the game was really good and the saints pulled out a W in the end! i told zeb i had a hard time paying attention to the game because i couldn't stop people watching! i had no idea people got into the nfl like that--i mean grown women wearing tutu's!

A weird day

2011-09-22T19:16:00.000-05:00

This sweet little girl lost her 2nd tooth on Sunday during lunch. She bit into a piece of bread and nearly jumped out of her seat. All I did was reach in and grab it. It was already out. She got $3 for her first tooth and the tooth fairy left $1 this time. She was ready to go spend her money. This is the first time she has ever spent money. Usually we just put it in the piggy bank. I took her to Target after school on a date to find a toy. She had so much fun and had a huge grin on her face as she carefully examined each and every toy.

I love the excitement on her face when she finally decided on one--the Rapunzel doll! She and Leigh have brushed her hair and played with her all afternoon.

But, at check out is where the story gets odd. She gives it to the checker and then hands her her $5. I had a couple of more things so I was just gonna pay for the rest. SB proudly tells her that this is from the tooth fairy and that she has lost two teeth! The checker had the gall to say and I quote "I remember when I lost my teeth. I would wake up in the morning and my momma would have forgotten and then she gave me $20." I mean--SERIOUSLY!! COME ON!!!! I could immediately tell where this was headed so I was trying my hardest to distract SB while politely trying to get the woman to hush!

Then...just a few minutes ago. I get a call from a number that has been calling several times a day. I have not ever answered it before, but I listened to a message on my machine earlier that said hit 3 if you want to opt out of receiving this call. So, that was my plan. To listen to the recording asking me if I wanted to reduce my credit card interest rates and then hit 3. Only this time (I guess since I answered it) that was not an option. I hit 9 to talk to an operator and politely asked them to take me off their list and not to call back. It was then that I felt like I was locked in the worst movie that I could ever imagine only all that bad language was directed at me. I am not kidding. I have not ever heard anyone actually say all of the stuff he said. I am still shaking from it. I hung up and called our credit card and they said that it was someone trying to steal our information. I am not sure what I am going to do because they said that they couldn't do anything. Tomorrow I guess I will call Comcast and get the number blocked and call the BBB and report them??? Has that ever happened to you? Any advice? AHHHHH!!!

Promises

2011-09-20T09:14:00.000-05:00

It was bathtime at our house when this beautiful rainbow appeared. Thankfully my sister and our neighbor called to tell us about it.

"And I put my bow in the cloud..." Gen 9:13a

God is good. He is faithful and He does keep his promises.

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

(sure wish i really knew how to work my camera)

Friday and "choot 'em"

2011-09-19T19:52:00.000-05:00

So this post is completely random, but oh well! Friday was "a"theletic shirt day. My sister, Elizabeth, made SB a shirt to wear. Her class has lots of State fans, including her teacher. Unfortunately this came the next morning after a sad loss to LSU.

If you need a shirt, dress, or romper--supporting a team, holiday, animal, etc... click on Just Tee-sing on the right of my blog and order some. She is ridiculously cheap--I told her she should up her prices--except for me of course! (I had not washed this shirt which is why it looks box"y". I have washed it now and it is great!

Friday was C day for Leigh so she made cinnamon cookies and capri suns. Sister was at school so she had a blast making these by herself.

And finally...a big THANK YOU to Aunt Chris (Zeb's aunt) for sending the kiddos these Swamp People shirts. Zeb's mom's family is from Plaquemine, Louisianna which is about as Cajun as you can get! They were so excited and have had them on all afternoon and are now sleeping in them!

And Grump Man (as he was known today) would not sit for a picture.

Yesterday

2011-09-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning, Leigh, Sam and I went to the library for story time. Sam seems to really be getting in to it!

It was also his first time to color--I love the pride on his little face!

After naps we went on a walk, which ended up being a really long walk so we could go watch the trucks. The girls had to have their babies too!

Sara Beth and Leigh were cracking me up. They would squat beside Sam and say, "truck, Sam, truck. Can you say truck?" I also that it was funny that SB and Leigh would jump at the loud noises from the trucks and he wouldn't even flinch! I love how different God made boys and girls!

Dancers at the wedding

2011-09-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

So, let me just say, it is perfectly acceptable to take pictures at this wedding. During the ceremony, people would answer their phones or play handheld games, so pictures weren't distracting!

The brought in a DJ from New York to emcee the reception. Tradition has it that the bride and groom and their families walk in separately while everyone is "giving it up" for them! Then Seema's sister and cousin dance for them. I got a little of that on video. After that, Seema and Kendall danced and then all the married couples in the room joined in in show of support of their marriage. I thought that was a pretty cool thing.

Next came 30-45 minutes of dancing, then dinner. Dinner consisted of both Indian and American cuisine. It was all so good. It was 10:00 by this time, so Zeb and I called it a night since my sister was keeping our kiddos. (we got there at 5) I haven't heard yet what time it ended, but I am sure I was deep in dreams when it did!

I think I forgot to mention that the entire wedding took place at The South.

An Indian Wedding

2011-09-12T16:13:00.000-05:00

We had a very fun weekend! Seema, a UMC resident, got married. She is of Indian descent so she had a traditional Indian wedding. Let me give you a piece of advice...if you ever get invited to an Indian wedding-GO! It is very different from our traditional Christian ceremonies.

Here we are...ready to go!

The ceremony isn't the main part--the reception is. In India the guest arrive about 45 minutes after the ceremony starts. There are about a dozen different parts to the ceremony, but the order doesn't really matter. It is just whatever the officiant wants to do. He informs the bride and groom and their families as the ceremony proceeds. Unfortunately I couldn't really get any good pictures, but I will try to "borrow" some from a friend.

Seema was throwing rice over her head onto their families for good luck as they left the ceremony. I hope I can find a good picture of her gown. It was absolutely amazing. I believe she told me it was hand made in India--gorgeous!

The tables were beautiful.

Behind those curtains was where the cocktail hour was. The appetizers were delicious. Then we walked through the curtains to a seated buffet dinner.

The bride and groom- Kendall and Seema

I have some video to that I took that I will upload soon! Every single detail was taken care of--it was so fun!

And the nightstand did it again...

2011-09-10T07:33:00.000-05:00

The Hensons and nightstands don't seem to be getting along lately. It was about 2 months ago that Sara Beth rolled into hers during the night and cut her eyelid. Well, this time, it was Sam. He pulled his over on him. Thankfully Zeb was home and it was 5:15, so everyone had not even left clinic yet. One UMC clinic is just 4 or 5 minutes from our house so we headed there. Several nurses and Jimmy Stewart hung around for us to get there. Sam was such a trooper! He barely cried at all. (He has a cold so his cry is hoarse--that really broke my heart) He seems good to go now though! I thought he would wake up with a black eye, but it's not. Just swollen and red!

One a separate note, I have to say thanks to our neighbors. I really don't know what we would do with out them. Thursday afternoon Austin (the dog) had a really long copperhead snake in her mouth that she killed. She wouldn't leave it alone and I was maybe or maybe not hyperventilating over it! :) Earl came down and disposed of the snake for me! Then, yesterday when Sam cut his eye, Janet came and watched the girls and then cooked my apples that I had cut up for dinner so they wouldn't go bad! Everyone needs some neighbors like them!

Girl in Camo

2011-09-07T15:19:00.001-05:00

We own no camo. Thankfully the Odoms do, so we borrowed some for Camo Day last Friday! I wish I had noticed her eyes are halfway closed when I took the picture! It was exciting not to have to wear the uniform!

Morning Messes thanks to Lee

2011-09-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

We got somewhere over 11 inches of rain thanks to Tropical Depression Lee. You can see what that did to the creek behind our house and to our yard. We are up on a hill so none of this water got close to our house, but you can see how high up it came in our yard. Needless to say our flower beds are ruined and we have a lot to clean up. We are very thankful for cooler weather to work outside in!

This morning I got Sam out of his room and then washed his sheet and changing pad cover because his room smelled awful! None of that helped though. Then after my shower I walked barefoot into his room to put him down for his nap. The carpet in his closet was wet. Real wet and so was by his window. Zeb pulled all the carpet padding out and we are trying to dry the carpet out. Hopefully it will only take a few days because Sam doesn't like sleeping in the bathroom! We are very thankful it appears to just be the carpet!

And we are hoping that tomorrow we will wake up and not find another mess! I learned a big lesson though. When you have a flash flood walk around your house barefoot--we never do and now our house stinks!

We had a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

2011-08-29T15:33:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon right before church, I pulled Sara Beth's first tooth! You can see the excitement in her eyes! I think I was as excited as she was that I got to pull it! I really wanted her to be with me when it came out. I knew it was close and I wanted to be able to share in her excitement.

This was my Tooth Fairy pillow from when I lost my teeth! I love it that my mom kept it and that my kids now get to use it. The Tooth Fairy brought her $3! She's been thinking all day trying to figure out how she wants to spend her money.

Goals and Sam

2011-08-26T14:53:00.004-05:00

So, I've never been creative with titles, but this one just calls it like it is. I have had several people stop me and ask me about our summer reading. We did finish our goal of 200 books. It wasn't necessarily pretty--we had quite a few to read on that last day, but we finished at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday before school started on Friday! The girls had so much fun with this. We will definitely set a goal for next summer. And as for my other goals...I've been doing good with the grocery budget. In July I was under budget for the first time since we started the budget in January. The taste of success makes me want to keep clipping coupons and keep cooking foods that are on sale to keep making the budget--plus, it makes Zeb happy! ha! I would say that I have done better keeping my house "company clean", but I am still working on that. Also, I really enjoyed Train Up A Mom by Vollie Sanders and would recommend that as a devotional tool to other Mommas!

I haven't put many pics on the blog lately because I have been too lazy to click upload, but here are two that I couldn't resist uploading! I can no longer put Sam down for a nap in just his diaper! Thankfully no mess!

I love the fact that Sam found Doe's walker and pushed it around. This was a few weeks ago, but every time we go he makes a beeline for it!

A Sacred Marriage

2011-08-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

The last couple of weeks I have been listening to some broadcast from Focus on the Family that have been really good. Two that I really enjoyed were God's Sacred Design for Marriage (Part 1 and 2). So often we hear or have told our kids that we want them to be holy_to be set apart-to be dedicated to God. We have heard and tell them that this comes before their happiness. Have you heard this or said this to your kids? To me, it's been always been pretty easy to say. In our house Zeb and I are trying, by God's grace and with His help, to rear our kids to love and serve Him. We try to make our decisions based on what he has commanded us in His Word.

These broadcasts really rocked my thinking. Gary Thomas (the man on the broadcast) posed the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy and not happy?" I have to admit, I have never really thought of it that way. It kind of hit me in the gut. It's a lot easier to say this to my kids than to apply it to myself. It's not about our happiness. Nothing is. It's about being more and more Christlike (Matthew 5:48, James 1:4). This is in complete contrast to what the world is telling us. We hear constantly from everywhere if you aren't happy just give up because we deserve to be happy. That should not be our attitude. God designed marriage and uses it as a tool to sanctify us.

Anyway, this is just something that I have really been thinking about. I know from my conversations with friends this has been on their mind too. We need to be in constant prayer for our marriages, for our friends marriages, and for our children's future spouse. May our marriages be sacred. May God be our guide. May He use our marriages to make us more like Him and closer to Him.

I would really encourage you to go to the Focus on the Family website. I have the Focus Daily app. That makes it easy to listen when I'm cooking or doing carpool. I am sure there are many ways to get these broadcasts, but you can type "God's Sacred Design for Marriage" in the search blank on the website and then click on video and audio only. It's worth your time to listen.

Back to School Dinner

2011-08-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

I couldn't get my act this year on our Back to School Dinner. I had lots of great ideas, but I couldn't actually get them done. Maybe next year I can do what I really wanted to do! Even our scaled back version was fun and I think helped to get the kiddos excited about a new year!

The girls loved having their placemats be kindergarten lined paper. After that ate they had fun practicing their letters and drawing.

We kept dinner simple and made pizzas. If you haven't had the Pioneer Woman's pizza dough you are missing out! It's super easy and tasty. The couple of times we have made it, I made it the night before and put it in the fridge--that helped to take my fear of yeast away! The kids just made cheese pizza, but I made us an eggplant and tomato pizza (you can find that on P.W.'s website as well)--it was YUMMY!

Very Random...

2011-08-18T07:59:00.000-05:00

Sara Beth has been inspired by Mrs. Parker and this is what I found them doing a couple of days ago!

We have taken advantage of the cooler mornings and spent some time outside!

Zeb has been taking Sara Beth to school in the mornings--it's been so nice! I think most weeks he will be able to everyday but Monday!

Leigh and I had a special date at Beagle Beagle (as she calls it) after her meet the teacher. I am so tired of her eating all of my chicken salad so I got her her own cup and then gave her some of my fruit and pasta! She ate it all!

Sam has eaten a few breakfasts outside so Leigh and I can take advantage of the cool mornings!

I saw Parker Page in the dinosaur shirt last Friday at school. His momma told me that she got it at Target. I went ahead and bought Sam two shirts. The dino is a 3T and the monster is a 4T. For 4$ each I thought it was worth it to store them for a few years.

And the hymn that I woke up to this morning... If you don't know about Keith and Kristyn Getty go to U tube and search for this song. When we put the girls in bed, Zeb sings them this song. Last week, the girls were putting their babies to bed and singing them this hymn--priceless!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Til on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin, on him, was laid
Here, in the death of Christ, I live

There in the ground, his body lay
Light of the world, by darkness, slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, he rose again
And as he stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from his hand
'Til he returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand

2011-08-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

The girls take a bath in our tub every night, but they had no idea about the whirlpool part of it. For some reason I thought last night was the perfect time to try it out! We may be doing this more, after the initial shock of the noise, they loved it!

3 year old garten

2011-08-17T14:37:00.001-05:00

Since Sister is going to Kindergarten, Leigh started 3 year old garten. I beg sister not to correct her and say it's 3 year old preschool! Leigh has Mrs. Nuzzo and we couldn't be more excited. She focuses so much on teaching the kids to be kind to each other! I love that! That is exactly why I send mine to preschool! I am so excited for Leigh and can't wait to watch her mature this year!

A Full Proof Way to Make Sure Your Throw Up Lands in the Bucket

2011-08-14T20:43:00.000-05:00

No Kidding! She has been asleep for an hour and forty five minutes and this is how we found her! (We got hit by the stomach bug about 3 a.m. Saturday morning--fun!)

My Big Kindergartener!

2011-08-12T14:21:00.000-05:00

I have said what every other mother has said today--"I can't believe my baby is big enough to be in Kindergarten!" I was shocked at how hard this was for me! As you can tell by the smile, it wasn't hard for her! I am so very thankful for First Pres Day School. I know from teaching there that all the things they were saying about how much they love our kids is so true. They really do want to get to know our kids and help us to rear them in the admonition of the Lord. I am looking forward to her time at that school and watching her grow!

These are her sweet teachers-Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Slack

You can tell in this picture I am barely holding back tears--well, I didn't for long!

Her preschool friend, Sarah, is in her class.

Henry and Sara Beth smiling with their new FPDS bears! ( I think these two look so much alike! I have a picture when they were just weeks old and they looked alike then too!)

Another preschool friend, Lauralee. She's not in her class, but hopefully they will see each other some!

A Prayer for Gospel Parenting

2011-08-10T14:54:00.000-05:00

Zeb has gotten hooked on The Gospel Coalition Blog. He has me checking it every now and then! This is good!

A Prayer for Gospel Parenting

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Ps. 127:1–3

Heavenly Father, it is a liberating joy to address you today as the architect and builder of your own house—including the household of faith and our children’s place in your family. No one loves our children more than you. No one has a greater investment in their future than you. No one can teach us to parent them like you.

As I look back over the years of my pragmatic parenting, I’m saddened, for there have been consequences. But I’m also gladdened, for you’ve always been faithful to your covenant love, even when I was overbearing and under-believing. The move from parenting by grit to parenting by grace has been a fitful, but fruitful journey. Take me deeper; take me further.

You’ve rescued me from parental “laboring in vain”—assuming a burden you never intended parents to bear. Father, only you can reveal the glory and grace of Jesus to our children. Only you can give anyone a new heart. You’ve called us to parent as an act of worship—to parent “as unto you,” not as a way of saving face, making a name for ourselves, or proving our worthiness of your love.

Oh, the arrogant pride of thinking that by our “good parenting” we can take credit for what you alone can graciously do in the lives of our children. Oh, the arrogant unbelief of assuming that by our “bad parenting” we’ve forever limited what you’ll be able to accomplish in the future.

Oh, the undue pressure our children must feel when we parent more out of fear than faith; more out of rules than relationship; more out of and pride than patience; more out of comparison than covenant; more out of threats than theology. Forgive us. Free us. Focus us.

Father, since our children and grandchildren are your inheritance, teach us how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners. More than anything else, show us how to parent and grandparent in a way that best reveals the unsearchable riches of Jesus in the gospel. We want the gospel to be beautiful and believable to our children.

Give us quick repentances and observable kindnesses. Grant us confidence that you can redeem our past parental failures. Convict us quickly and surely when we don’t relate to your covenant children, “in line with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ faithful and powerful name.

2011-08-10T08:31:00.000-05:00

After lots of debating, Zeb and I decided to put the girls in gymnastics together. They are doing a preschool 3, 4, and 5 year old class. It's perfect. They are together for the warm-ups then they separate to do the "events". I think you can see the excitement in the pictures!

I had a certain little boy in my arms so I was having trouble taking a good picture. This was the best I could do!

Happy Tuesday

2011-08-09T13:08:00.000-05:00

Well, my three are back and I'm glad! Also, I have a super clean house--at least for a day or two! It is as organized and clean as possible (don't look in my closet)! I have been thinking a lot about how to keep my house clean without having to work hours at a time. I really like a clean house and so does Zeb. This is something that is semi-important to him. I mean it is important, but he doesn't ever want to add stress to my day. How do you keep your house clean? Do you do it all in one day, or a little bit every day. I am really trying to start the school year off to a good start. A clean house keeps me calm!!!!

My mom used to have notecards at our kitchen bar every morning with things we needed to do. She also had them for her. Seriously, for the few of you who read this, I would love to know what you do!

The precious boy on the left is my cousin Stacy's little boy Hunter. He looks IDENTICAL to my cousin! It is so funny to watch him because it just takes me back 25-30 years! He was here two weeks ago when my sister's kids were here so they all came over one morning.

This is my Aunt Carol, Dad, and my grandmother, Nannoh

Dad has this expression on his face because look what's below him ...

Leigh!

Dad came over on his lunch break to visit and play! He sure loves little ones! And little ones sure love him!

This is Nannoh with 6 out of 8 of her great grandkids.

I had to put this picture on here...not because it's great. It's not. Just to notice what grandmothers put up with. Two three years fixing her hair. All I can say is -ouch! I don't think mom is blinking in this picture, I think she's trying not to wince!

My trio

2011-08-08T09:22:00.002-05:00

I love my trio! Most of the time they are so much fun! They make me laugh! We needed all of these things on Saturday just to walk down the street to say good morning to our neighbors!

I really enjoy being home everyday with them and being their momma! That being said, the grandmothers are giving me a much needed break for the day. As much as I love them and enjoy them, they have been driving me crazy the last few weeks. I think it's just the end of the summer and everyone is ready for the routine of school. They have been cranky and so have I.

I am very thankful to the grandparents for doing this!

Now...I am off to clean and organize my house so we can at least start the school year with a clean house!

This picture kills me! I could eat this child alive! She is so full of personality!

2011-08-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

We went back to the MCM when Katie and Bryson were here.

We also went to the Flowood library for story time. That week it was camping week. Mrs. June always does the best job. There were big tents in the room and she had flashlights for the kids! And of course popcorn for a snack!

William and Wes came down and their visit overlapped some with Katie and Bryson being here. So, we all loaded up and went to the Science Museum.

Laura, how on earth do you get Wes to smile?

Even though this picture is terribly blurry, I love it!

And...I must say I was so proud of myself for allowing Sara Beth to do this. It was all I could do to make myself be quiet! I wanted to grab my kids, run away, and scream. Instead I bit my tongue, sat down so I couldn't run, and took a few pictures! The girl behind her put this snake around her neck. I am sure all of Jackson would have heard if SB had done that!

Cousin Time

2011-08-05T14:25:00.000-05:00

I'm behind in posting--again! Seems to be where I stay. I am going to try to catch up from the summer this weekend because school starts next week and I hate starting something from behind!

We have had lots of cousin time this summer. It's been fun, but I'm tired. We go, go, go when they are here. About 3 weeks ago the Atlanta girls came. Somehow I ended up with no good pictures of Ariana.

Of course we went to the Children's Museum. I do think my kids could go every day! This was the first time SB did the velcro. It isn't opened all the time. Ari went first and I think that spurred Sara Beth to go! You can tell from her face that she loved it! I love this picture. It is so hard to capture her in a big smile!

Obviously I just had my phone with me so the pictures aren't great. Alexandra and Leigh always have fun together. They splashed in the water for quite a while.

And Sam loves this place! His favorites are the water and the underground tunnels! Honey took this good picture of him playing in the water.

All the cousins have been here the last three weeks, so more cousin pics to come!

Pooh

2011-08-01T08:48:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, we went to see the Winnie the Pooh movie. It was Leigh's first movie and Sara Beth's second. After paying $27 for 4 of us to go watch an hour movie, I was reminded why we don't go often! It was fun and the girls loved it. I was glad we had read the Winnie the Pooh book because the girls already knew all the stories and easily followed along. I think this might be a movie to buy when it comes out!

One Week From Today

2011-07-26T08:31:00.002-05:00

Is August 2nd also known as the primaries! Please take time to study your candidates and decide the best for the job! It is very important! Most of them have websites or facebook pages that you can easily find! They will decide where our county and state and therefore our nation is headed! Also, take this time to pray for them!

If you live in Madison or Rankin counties, you can click on this link to see the candidates and their positions: The Candidates

Here is the MS statewide Republican ballot: Statewide Offices
If you live elsewhere, google: 2011 sample ballot and your county! It's easy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kate

2011-07-25T10:34:00.001-05:00

Sweet Kate turned 2 last Saturday! So, some of David's friends gave Kate a party! It was at our house, but Sarah Jones did all the planning and organizing! I think Kate had fun! She loves Mickey and Minnie! She sleeps with a Minnie Mouse when she spends the night with us! So, of course, that was the theme!

The slide helped the kiddos get going on the slip n slide!

Sam was in quite a mood, but really enjoyed Dr. David!

Love this pic of David and Kate

David's birthday is this week, so we couldn't let it go by unnoticed!

I think she enjoyed it--well, at least the cake!