I just thought trying to get two children to look at the camera was hard! Three was a true test of my patience and sweet voice! Bradley is not crawling at 9 months, but he is a scooting man, so he kept scooting toward me and the camera. In his defense, it was bedtime and he was ready for his bottle. Hope you enjoy!
This was the first picture of about 20 that I took!

Last night at dinner, Parker said the blessing. She prayed that Jesus would have a great birthday. Then, she prayed for her friend Evan. It went something like this…”I pray that Evan will know that Heaven is the best. Not Chuck. E. Cheese. Heaven is the best.” It was one of those moments that you really want to laugh, but can’t, because of the psychological damage you could inflict on your child!
I would love to have heard that conversation between Parker and Evan! I am also so proud that my daughter is already thinking of her eternal destination. She told me this morning that she thinks Heaven will be a little scary for her and Emery at first because God and Jesus are there and they are really big, but they will get used to it! Love the faith of a child!
So, just remeber Heaven is the best. Not Chuck E. Cheese!

5 years ago tomorrow, God gave us our first child, our daughter, Parker Caroline. I wanted to take some time and share the story of her birth to honor her on her big day.
We had struggled to become pregnant with a baby for over a year, so our doctor ran some tests and then referred us to an infertility specialist. He suggested an aritficial insemination due to our problems and praise the Lord, we got pregnant the first time. After so many negative tests, Jason wouldn’t believe it until bloodwork confirmed it, which it did! We moved to Cleveland, TN for a job when I was 11 weeks so I didn’t work while pregnant, which was such a blessing. I had a great pregnancy until around 33 weeks! At this point, my doctor discovered I was having some preterm symptoms and put me on semi bedrest until 35 weeks. My amniotic fluid also was getting low, so he pretty much said you are having this baby on December 7th. NOW, what you don’t know is that my entire pregnancy I had a conversation with the Lord that went something like this: “Lord, I want a healthy, strong baby, but please don’t let her be born on my birthday.” You may be wondering, what day is my birthday? You guessed it, December 7th! He has such a sense of humor with me!
My doctor had the bright idea of beginning the induction at midnight, which now I know, is a bad idea! I was all hooked up and given the potossin around 2:00 am. I began having contractions with Jason sleeping on the little fold out couch, blissfully unaware! I did wake him about every 30 minutes to unhook me from the monitors so I could go to the restroom!
Around 6:00 am I was at 4 centimeters and my doctor broke my water. Within 30 minutes, I was having contractions right on top of each other. I am not an au naturel kind of girl and I was in some serious pain. So, I asked for my epidural and at 9:30 when the anesthesioligist walked in I broke out in a chorus of “Praise God, Praise God, Praise God.” Next to my daughter being born, this was the next best birthday present!
After the epidural, I tried to sleep, but it was like my body wouldn’t let me shut down because I was, you know, about to have a baby. Parker’s heart rate dropped dangerously low at one point and they paged my doctor and he didn’t come, so they had another doctor check me out. I had to have oxygen and lay on my left side which eased it somewhat. I finally was at 10 centimeters around noon. My doctor came in and I pushed several times, but we kept having to stop because her heart rate would drop at every contraction. My normally jovial, loud doctor became quite serious. I pushed a few more times, and he finally said, we have to get her out, and used the vacuum to get her head out.
At 12:37 pm Parker Caroline entered the world, weighing 6lbs11oz and 19 3/4 inches long. She had some dark hair on her little head and was the most beautiful newborn I had ever seen!
Our doctor told us later that my umbilical cord was soo thin that every time I had a contraction, it would cut off supply to her. I am so thankful we got her out or I would have had a c-section within the next few minutes.
We had all our family and many friends at the hospital that day to share our day, which only added to our experience.
Parker Caroline has blessed us, challenged us, stretched us, narrowed us and shown us a lot more of the Creator’s love.
Parker, on your big 5th birthday, my prayer for you is that you would fall head over heels in love with Jesus and His Word. I pray you chase after those passions that God will give you and bring unending Glory to His Name. I pray you will be kindhearted, a leader, courageous, bold and have so much life within you, that nothing that this world has to offer will come close in comparison.
I love you sweet girl.
Happy Birthday!