Daniel turns 10!!

Daniel turned 10 on the 28th and he wanted to spend the day at Dollywood.  So he and his daddy and me took off last Friday and went to Dollywood.  He was so excited to be able to skip the "baby" rides and go straight to the "big" rides. We rode the Wild Eagle twice, the Tornado twice, Thunderhead twice,  and Mystery Mine once. Then he and his daddy rode the bumper cars. Sadly, our favorite ride, the Fire Chaser, was down for maintenance.  But we have season passes so we'll go again. Oh I forgot we also rode the Dare Devil Falls and the Blazin Fury.  It was a really fun day. While on Dare Devil Falls a lady got on a microphone when she found out it was his birthday and told him happy birthday.  It really made his day. Then we were really hungry and asked him where he wanted to eat. He loves pizza and chose Cici's. When he told the cashier it was his birthday she said, "Well, you get to eat free!" Then this evening we celebrated with the rest of the family and had more pizza and cake :) He chose Star Wars for his theme which I know nothing about. But I did my best with decorations. The black ball you see is just a paper lantern from the Dollar Tree spraypainted with glitter to look like a planet. Daniel was pleased so I am happy :) We are just so thankful for Daniel and what he means to us. He's such a special boy and we have such high hopes for him. We pray he will allow God to use him for His glory. Happy Birthday Daniel!!

First Day of School

Well we've had a great summer. Now its back to school. I have an 11th grader, 10th grader, 5th grader, 2nd almost 3rd grader, and a kindergartner this year. Busy busy busy but happy happy happy.  And very thankful!

Thankful/Praise God!!

I just have to take a minute and brag on God's protection and say how very thankful I am for His watchful care. Last night before we got home from church we got the news that Scott's little great nephew fell in a pool. His mom got to him in time and did CPR until the ambulance arrived and took him to Children's.  He's fine. Thank the Lord. Then this morning we got up to head out to a dr's appointment and the tire was a tad low. Not much. Just a hair. So we aired it up and went on our way. By the time we got out of our appointment it was practically flat. I panicked.  If anybody knows me knows I can't handle car problems.  Thankfully Ryder is with me and Walmart is two miles up the road. We pull the van in and Ryder hops out and goes in and takes care of everything for me. We're thinking an easy plug job...right? Nope they can't fix it. The belt is so bad there's a huge knot in it and the tire is literally about to come off the wheel. So Ryder puts the spare on and we head home...very slowly. We had no idea it was so bad but God did and He was watching out for us the whole time. A lot of our errands and plans got put on hold for the day but we're all safe and sound. Thank You Lord for protecting our family!!

Family Day

We recently took a day from our everyday routine and took off and spent the day as a family. It was just refreshing to get away and spend the whole day together. Even Puddles the family dog got to go. We had a great time. We were exhausted but had fun. I love my family.

Chik-Fil-A

Today was Cow Appreciation Day at Chik Fil A. If you come dressed as a cow you get a free combo meal. So my brain went to work and this is what we came up with. It was fun!! We all ate free. Ryder didn't want to go and Braden didn't want his picture taken lol Other than Gunner being afraid of the cow we had a great time :) We love Chik Fil A!!

16!!

I simply cannot believe my firstborn is 16 years old today. I very clearly remember the day he was born. He had a rough start...only weighing 4 1/2 pounds...stayed at Children's for a week. But today is bigger than all of us lol Ryder is a hard worker. Wants more than anything to get a job, his own truck, his own everything....I guess all guys are like this. I just wonder when did he stop being the little boy in this picture? When did he grow up? It happened so fast! I love this boy with all my heart and only want the best for him. He has many talents and gifts and I pray He gives them all to the Lord. Because God has great plans for Ryder. Happy Birthday Son.

God's Still on the Throne

As I sit here watching the pouring rain and listening to the thunder outside, there's not much we can do with it storming out so we're watching reruns of Andy Griffith. Knowing we're all safe and sound inside is a good feeling. But with our nation's birthday coming up I can't help but have mixed emotions of sadness and thankfulness. I'm sitting here thinking what our country has become...the country our forefathers worked so hard for, prayed for, even died for. She has gradually, slowly over the last maybe 50 years went downhill. But just in my lifetime she has spiraled quickly out of control toward wickedness...so fast that it scares me. Yes I'm thankful that I was born here.  Yes I'm thankful that I heard the Gospel and was saved. Yes I'm thankful that I get to homeschool and raise my children here.  So much to be thankful for!! God still hears the prayers of the righteous. God still takes care of His own. But His grace and mercy for America will not last forever. Judgment must and will come and she will face it. Our job...my job is to prepare my children and make sure they know the Lord and are ready to meet Him. I don't know what we may face. But I know God is bigger than anything and anybody and He will have the final say. The sodomites, the liberals, those that are racially dividing this country through strife are seemingly in control now. They're having a time tearing this country apart.  But not for long because God's still on the throne. He's still in control. And we will prevail. I'm still proud and thankful to be an American.  I'm so thankful to all of our servicemen and women who fought to make it so. Happy Birthday to the great USA!!