What a week we have had at our house. Emery started running a fever on Monday and it last thru Tuesday. Wednesday she was fever free and did great, so I sent her to MDO on Thursday. She had started coughing the night before, but with her asthma issues, this is not unusual. Well, when I got her on Thursday, she had a fever, again. So off to the doctor that afternoon. When we got home, Parker is running a fever and at 3am Bradley began a fever as well. Great fun we have had the last few days. Yesterday the girls were fine, but B was still struggling, so we stayed home from church today, which makes me sad. I miss my church when I am not there. What a blessing to want to be at church, to anticipate going and to look forward to what God is going to do in our midst. It is such an answered prayer.
Many of the staff have started a blog. Jason just got the book, The Blogging Church.
Should be a fun read!

Whew! I am finally sitting down after a day packed with activities. Our day has been fun, even though a little tiring! Jason’s dad came in last night. The girls love their Grandad and had so much fun with him. This morning we went to Cracker Barrel to eat breakfast, along with half of our town. Then, I jetted into a wedding shower before I had to get back so Jason could take the girls to a birthday party while I watched Bradley. Then, they went with Grandad to go pick up his new puppy. Then, they came home for a quick nap before going to a wedding reception for our good friends the Lamberts. Then, home for dinner, a bath, a family devo and finally bed time!

I remember a pastor speaking on Jesus’ busiest day. It was the day He found out John the Baptist had been beheaded and he left in a boat to be alone, but the crowds followed. He saw them and had compassion on them and healing the sick. His disciples are trying to get Jesus to send them home because it was getting late. He refuses and then feeds the 5000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. After that, he sends the disciples to cross the lake to the other side. Can’t you just imagine that He was trying to get some time alone and the only way he could do it was send the disciples off in a boat! The disciples were caught in a huge storm and they look up and see Jesus walking towards them. On the water. At 3 in the morning. In a Storm. After hearing about the loss of his dear cousin. Teaching and Healing a massive crowd of people. Multiplying dinner. Going off on his own to pray.
Of course, then Peter tries to come after him and looses faith. Jesus then saves Peter from imminent drowning. The story ends by saying that when they reached the other side, Gennesaret, the people heard and began bringing Him their sick. Talk about a long, tiring day. (Matthew 14). Jesus knows all about a long, hard day.

Today I took the girls to the dentist and they did great. They got x-rays and their teeth cleaned. Parker ended up with 3 cavities. I am a horrible mother. I am not regular in flossing thier teeth. Oh, I will just admit it, I never floss thier teeth. Obviously, that is about to change at our house!
On the way home, I am explaining about cavities and using big words like decay and enamel. I am sure they were more confused after my explanation.
A few minutes later, Parker, says, “Mom, I know what cavities are. They are tiny holes in your teeth.”
She knew all along and explained it much better than I did!

Jason’s dad and his wife had to put their dog to sleep last week. Parker, our dog lover, has been a big fan of their dog. We told them last night and she cried. It is hard to see our kiddos experience the harsher side of life. We can’t shield them from everything. I am so glad she was able to climb into her daddy’s lap and cry for a few minutes.
I am so thankful, I can climb into my Heavenly Father’s lap when the harsh things of life seem overwhelming. He is our refuge and our strength.

Last night, Jason took the girls out on a special date for Valentine’s Day. This has become a yearly tradition for him. He takes them out to spend time with them, but to also give them a foundation for future courting! Okay, that is too wierd to think of my sweet, little girls dating. Anyway, Jason is a great dad and we really saw the importance of these daddy dates last night.

When it was time to get ready for thier date, Parker ran upstairs to change clothes. We had been to dance, so I fugured she would put her blue jeans and shirt back on. Oh no, my girl came downstairs decked out! She had put on a long denim skirt and a pretty purple shirt. She also put on some boots. She was so excited! She told me how she wanted her hair fixed, which was back in a spiffy ponytail thingy! She looked precious!

Jason came in the door and she RAN to him and told him she was ready for their date. I informed him that she had gotten dressed just for him, and he just drank it in! They were off on a date to Logan’s (love the peanuts) and then they went to Target to pick out thier Valentine cards for thier friends and then to Sonic for ice cream.

Jason told me that when they were eating, he told Parker how pretty she looked. She replies, “Daddy, mommy always dresses pretty for you when you go on dates, so I wanted to dress pretty for our date.” I know she is mine, but how cute is that?

Daddy’s are crucial to the health of our daughters. They provide security that effects how our daughters will interact with men forever. Their words give confidence and allow our daughters to dream big because they know they have someone who will always support them. A daddy’s words have such weight and significance. I am so thankful for my dad and I am so blessed by the dad that my husband is to my daughters (and son, but that is another post.)

Check out Jason’s blog for his version.

Parker’s best friend, Evan, turned 5 so we celebrated with a trip to Libby Lu. Since we were going to be all dressed up, we went on a date with the dads and then to the circus. It was a great day!

Those circus feats never cease to entertain!

I am adding the the already many pictures out there of kiddos in the snow! This is the first snow that the girls have really gotten to play in. We went outside while Bradley was napping, so he is not in any. We may get him out later!

Sisters in the Snow

Knox even got in on the action

Check out that fancy snow gear!

We had a lot of fun! Hope you did too!

A few weeks back, Emery and Bradley had a rough bout of sickness. Last night, my oldest, Parker, started running a fever. She has no other symptoms at this point, so I am not sure what it could be. Then again, there are counties all around us closed for sickness, so its not like there isn’t something going around! Our county schools closed and there is literally no snow on the ground! It is really quite humorous how freaked out we southerners can get at a tiny hint of snow! It will be a lazy day at home for our clan. Playing games, watching some movies, wearing comfy clothes are all the necessities. Last night Jason and Emery went by the grocery store on the way home from church because that is what you do when they are predicting snow! ANYWAY, they got some interesting selections of food, aka Emery got to choose some things and her daddy couldn’t tell her no! He did forget my diet coke, but I will forgive him since I have forgotten that one thing he asked for about a thousand times in our marriage! Lists are becoming my friend. I probably need them due to all the aspertame I drink eroding my brain cells!
Everyone have a fun day!

On Tuesday, Bradley started running a fever, which got up to 103. THe doc said it was an ear infection, and he seemed much better by Thursday. But, Friday, he was coughing a ton and still had a fever. Saturday, he had a fever, so I took him back in and we discover he has RSV. He was wheezing pretty good and he got a steroid shot and a breathing treatment. He was pretty puny yesterday. Today, has been better, but still had fussy moments.
Emery, who is our asthmatic, cough child, has been coughing pretty good since Thursday. She started running a fever last night and has been puny all day. She has watched a lot of tv and layed on the couch. Motrin is our friend!
SO, please say a little prayer that wellness sets in for our family.
Have a great week!

The girls went back to MDO this week and they were so excited! I don’t know if I should feel good that my children like spending time away from me! They love it and learn so much.
Last night, we made a rare trip to the mall as an entire family. With 3 kids 5 and under, you can imagine why we don’t do this very often! Jason and I both needed to make some returns, so we decided to brave the adventure. They did well, for the most part, with many reminders that obedience brings blessing and in this case, ICE CREAM!
We experienced a first, though. The mall we went to has an indoor play area, so we let the kids run around and to our astonishment, they were the biggest kids playing. Both had to be put in time out at some point for almost taking out a toddler or jumping in front of the said toddler to climb up the tree. When did they become the big kids? Jason had a discussion on helping younger kids out and being aware of those around you. SO, you know, THOSE kids at the playground that you secretly cringe at and think , oh, not my child? You know the one who runs around and almost knocks your child over and does not stop to say sorry? The one who has no idea how much bigger they are ? That was pretty much our kids in the play area at the mall!

Wow, I can’t believe how long it has been since I last posted. We have been deep in the throws of all things Christmas and I am still trying to catch my breath! Christmas lasted a week at our house, so I have been preoccupied elsewhere. We had a blast! Jason’s dad and his wife, Beth came to Nashville on the 23rd and we spent the day opening presents, eating and having a great time of fellowship. We went to church on Christmas Eve morning. My parents came to the first service and Dan and Beth to the second service, so I doubled communioned that morning! After lunch, we headed to my sisters to let the kiddos open presents. SO much fun! Paper was everywhere and Bradley just played and had a blast. We went to the Christmas Eve service at her church that evening, where I had my third communion of the day! Seriously, what a great way to celebrate the birth of Christ by remembering his death and all it means to us. We went back to Kim’s and had dinner and the adults opened presents.
Christmas morning we had our family gifts. After we opened gifts I felt like I began the mad dash to get everything packed, kids bathed and dressed, and in the van. We left after lunch to head to Knoxville. We celebrated with Jason’s mom and her husband, and his brother that evening. We had a great time. The next morning I got up super early to meet mom for the after Christmas crazy! I got some cool things for the tree next year!
On Wednesday we headed up to the mountains to spend time with Jason’s mom’s family. Papaw, Jason’s grandfather, built a cabin up in Pigeon Forge several years back and we usually go up the week after Christmas. Our girls had such a great time, playing outside with thier cousins. We played games, ate and had a fun couple of days in the Smokies.
Finally, on Friday, we headed home. I have been in unpacking, toy opening, decoration packing, and general cleaning frenzy since then.
I am ready to get back in the groove!
We went to see a Pediatric Dermatologist today for Bradley. He has eczema and a heightened immune system which can lead to hive when he is exposed to skin irritants. Basically, he has super sensitive skin. A cold can cause him to break out, walking down the lotion isle or perfume counter can as well. We have been a basically fragrance free family, but we will be even more so from now on. To me, this explains his random hives more so than food allergies.
I will post pictures later. I am having a hard time downloading my pics for some reason!
Glad to be back! I missed you guys!