As I said before, not a huge fan of country music, but I was excited about being with the women in my family. We went to eat and then headed to the concert. We got there about 45 minutes before, so needless to say, my sis and I did quite a bit of people watching. Now please don’t get me wrong I am not trying to be uppity or non spiritual, but I had truly forgotten how funny it is to be the sober person around a lot of drunk people! Let me paint you a picture. It isn’t a rough crowd or anything, but just your typical country music lovin crowd. Lots of cowboy hats, beer and swaying to the music. I saw lots of swaying to the music, or in the case of the inibriated couple in front of us, let’s just say they needed a room! I saw lots of big hair, which I really had not seen that much amassed in one place since my high school graduation! We saw men singing I’m just a Mississippi girl song to each other. I was highly entertained by those around me and those on stage! Faith HIll truly has an amazing, powerful voice. I did not see her take a sip of water and she belted about 15 songs out. She also sang two gospel songs, accapella. She made the comment that HE is in this place. Not so sure about that, but I think she felt Him. They seem to be a couple in love, trying to be good parents. I really did enjoy it. I made the realization that many of those around me knew every word to every song, just like I know every word to a majority of worship songs. Interesting.
Jason preached at church this morning. He spoke on 1 Cor 3:1-8 about how Paul could only give them spiritual milk and not food because they had not grown in their faith. His main point was that you measure spiritual maturity by application. We often measure the wrong thing using the wrong gauge. He said our gauge should be how we are relating to those in the church and outside of the church. I was proud, in a good way, of him. He is used to speaking to teens, but he has transitioned to speaking to adults with ease. I have seen his journey of ministry and I love seeing how he has grown.

Today I have been cleaning and organizing the house. We got into the attic to get out the highchair for Bradley. My house is officially run over with baby gear. What did people do before bouncy seats and exersaucers! We also got out the winter clothes-all fifteen bins for consignment. These are all the girls clothes including my 2 neices that we have worn. It is ridiculous. I am going to try to get as much of it as possible done for a consignment sale. We will see how much of this I accomplish. My sister is coming to get her stuff and go through it. We made a good amount last time. Tonight I am going to the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert with my mom, aunts and sister. Should be interesting. I am not a huge country music fan. Way too much getting drunk, leaving your man, hokey story lines for me, but some is okay. I’ll fill you in on the details.

I am a driver of a mini van which I swore I would never do. Three kids in car seats finally forced me to submit to the land of minivan. I don’t love it, but it gets the job done. Anyways, I was driving around downtown Nashville today and this wierdo man in a truck keeps honking at me and coming up next to me. I look over and he does this stick your tongue out, kissy kissy thing. So, I speed up and since we are in traffic he catches up. He keeps honking so I think maybe something is wrong with the van (stupid, I know) so I look over again. This time he shows me his nipple. Serioulsy, why? I thought the minivan would be a turn off to a wierdo pervert, but evidently not! I guess my minivan is cool, in a mom with lots of car seats kind of way!

I am hoping to get photos up here as soon as I get Jason to help me. I am so behind the times when it comes to all these downloads and posting and emailing pictures! Yesterday was a good day at home. My friend came over who has a 4 year old and 18 month old twins. The kids played and ate lunch. We were both needing something to entertain the kids for a while so she came over to help break up the day! I cooked dinner and afterwards we went to the new park in our town which has water features. The kids run in sprinklers, under water bucket, etc. Parker played in it with her rainboots on! She got over it quickly because the water is cold and the sun had set. Emery played for a while and then she and Jason ran under the buckets. It was a good, although, short trip! I must admit I am addicted to So You Think You Can Dance. This coming from a girls who is CLUELESS when it comes to dance. I was the tomboy who thought life would never be the same once I had to start wearing a bra in fifth grade. I just knew my sports career was over with those things flapping around! Anyways, I was surprised to see Allison go. I can’t wait to the tour! Just kidding!

As many of you know, we recently moved out of student ministry at our church into a new role. Jason is the Communications Pastor now. I am still involved with my small group of senior girls and they are all about to go to college. Last night I only had two girls in my group and had such a sweet time discussing life and college and how they are excited, scared, anxious. College was such a struggle for me in so many ways and I pray that they will continue to seek to honor Christ with their lives. I was so encouraged when both told me they are going to continue to serve in our church. Jason transitioned the student ministry from sunday school to small groups and began a program where our HS students serve in the church on sunday mornings. Studies have shown these kids feel a connection to a body, a church and not just a youth group and therefore don’t graduate from their faith when they graduate from HS. Well, J, it has worked in the case of my girls. They have grown and will continue to do so because they are not just sitting back and watching or listening. They are involved and loving it enough to continue. I pray that God will pour His richest blessing on these girls in the next years and that they would seek the straight and narrow.
I was ready to get out of student ministry for several reasons, but now I must admit I am going to miss pouring into the lives of young girls. I am reminded though, that in my season of preschoolers, I am pouring into the lives of three precious children. I am already praying for the adults who will walk with my kids as they grow.

Well, I am back home! Bradley traveled well and the girls were glad for us to be home. They had struggled yesterday morning when Jason left. A family friend had come over to keep the girls until I got home. They are very comfortable with Kathy, yet I had been gone too long. They cried and did not want Jason to leave. I was reminded that I am fortunate to be able to stay at home. We knew before we got married that this was the choice we wanted for our family. With Jason in ministry and gone such crazy hours, I can’t imagine working a full time job outside of the home. Trust me I know I have a full time job in our home! Anyways, I am back to the routine of fixing breakfast, cleaning it up, doing laundry, playing with the girls, lunch, cleaning up, getting sippy cups……… Bradley just spit up on me as I am typing! Yeah, I wouldn’t trade this for the world!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that we have finally gotten our proofs back from our recent photo session. We are pleased! Our photographer has such a gift for capturing the sweet moments. I am overwhelmed looking at them at how God has blessed us with beautiful, healthy children. My man isn’t half bad, either! Anyways, you can view them by going to www.pictage.com and using the event name, Stewart family (murfreesboro, TN) or going to www.bynumphoto.com and under proofs you will find our name. Just click! If you have a chance check it out.
Our trip has been fun. My mom had triple bypass surgery in April, which was such a shock. She is doing fabulous. She is such an inspiration. She has lost 25 pounds, is exercising and is making such great food choices. We have walked everyday and I have enjoyed being with the women of my family. We have laughed alot, shopped, decorated my aunt’s house, and had some great talks. I am so blessed.

Well,we have reached a milestone! Bradley has started eating cereal! I love this phase because I can then stretch him to a 4 hour schedule. He has done great eating with a spoon and has adjusted to his new schedule! We have stayed at home this week so he can adjust! The girls go to Mother’s Day out two days a week. This is their last week until after Labor Day. We will be looking for things to do to get out and about! We usually go to the Y a couple of days a week, so I can work out, which they enjoy. August may be a long month!
I am doing the Beth Moore Bible study with some of my friends here at my house. I am always blown away by the things God teaches me. Yesterday we watched the video and it was about how we don’t believe God can do what He says He can do. He is the God who performs miracles! I pray that I am always seeking God to be bigger in my life and that I never hinder Him from working in and around me.
I am leaving tomorrow to go to Mississippi with my mom and sister, Kim. Bradley is traveling with us and Jason is keeping the girls. They are going to Knoxville to see his parents. I am really excited about being in MS in the middle of a heat wave!

I must admit- I have a love/hate relationship with bedtime! I love the end of the evening time with Jason and just hanging out. Yet, getting the kids down, when I am tired and my patience bank is empty can be difficult. Our girls have been struggling with bedtime since Bradley was born. They will come out with every excuse in the book about why they are not in thier beds. Parker, my planner, will ask me if I will get her breakfast in the morning or a snack the next day. She will have to go to the bathroom or forgot to tell us she loves us, which she in fact already did! Well, last night, Jason and I are talking and catching up on the day and we hear Parker in her room playing around. We hear the armoire door close, which is where some of her toys are, so we ask her to come out. Jason asks her what that noise was and she replies, “I don’t know. Maybe it was a rabbit.” I totally cracked up, which killed the stern parent moment for us! I am reminded about how I will often offer up excuses to God in the midst of my disobedience. I long to serve Him and live my life in a way that is authentic and real. Thank you Lord, for the ways you teach me.

Well, we love our house, but hate the yard. It is big, but not flat and the back is really small. Jason can’t put his goal up and that is tragic in his mind! We really want our kids to be outside kids, riding bikes and playing. Our neighborhood doesn’t really set up well for that either. SO, we are considering moving since Parker will start school next year. Which brings up other issues! What school do we feel is best. Public or Private (which is such a long shot!), homeschool or not (as many of you know, I need the burning bush for this to happen!) or the county magnet school, if she gets in. I am praying that God will use these next months to show us His plan for Parker’s education. We want to set our kids up to be world changers and pursue excellence in whatever God calls them to. I also know that my idea of how to do that and the Lord’s are probably very different! So, I am praying I will move aside and let Him direct. This parenting stuff is hard!