Bethany's Firsts

During the past several weeks Bethany has learned several new things. She is growing and changing every day. She has learned to suck her thumb when she's sleepy or upset and grab a toy and put it in her mouth. She has found her hands and her voice. She's JUST ABOUT to roll over. Little Bethany had her first taste of rice cereal last night. I think it filled her tummy because she slept from 9:30 to 7:00! She sleeps in her crib at night and we're trying to work on her sleeping in her crib at naptime too. We are so proud of our baby girl!

MOPS

MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS

It was so good to get to see everyone from MOPS today. It's been a couple of years since I have been able to attend because of work. I love MOPS because not only do the moms get a break to have fellowship (and eat...yum!) but our kiddos get to have fun with their own age groups too. It is a time to refresh and focus on our role as a Christian mom and wife and a time to get advice and share stories/experiences with other moms. We usually begin meetings discussing any announcements/prayer requests we have while we are munching on some goodies. Then we move on to a devotional or guest speaker that focuses on what topic we are discussing that day. This year's theme is The Home Factor: Begin Here Go There. We then have group time where we talk about various topics. Craft time is the last event of the day. I must admit I don't have much talent in this area but I think it is really fun anyway!

Today's topic of discussion was Hospitality. This is something I wish I had more of. I get stressed out when I have guests because I think that everything should be just so. Of course everything's not going to be perfect so I really shouldn't get all worked up about it. I will definitely have to work on being more hospitable.

What an Imagination!

Shelby wanted to help me make lunch today and after about five minutes she decided she was bored. She went to the cabinet where I keep my canned goods and built this:

She called it the Leaning Tower of Pizza!

Fun at the County Fair

Adam, Shel, Beth & I went to our county fair with some friends last night. It was small but fun. I had entered Shelby and Bethany in the cutest kids contest (I had to submit their pictures) and guess what? To my surprise they did not win! (Just kidding...I guess I'm really partial!) We looked at all the exhibits and saw (and smelled) the animals. P.U.!!! Shelby and Annabelle rode lots of rides and just giggled and screamed. They had so much fun. Beth fell asleep half way through and then woke up to check out all of the sights and sounds. Hopefully we'll be able to go to the state fair when it rolls around.

Super Soccer Star

Shelby had her first soccer practice yesterday. She had fun. Her first game is this Saturday at 10:30.

Prayer IS Powerful

Peyton is doing better day by day. His face is still swollen which makes it hard for him to open his eyes. He did open them just a bit yesterday. Yesterday was also the first time since Friday that he could drink anything.

A plastic surgeon stitched up the cut on his face. The cuts on his leg and back of his head are still open so they can drain. He is still in quite a bit of pain but he is a tough and brave little guy. Jessica and Casey look like they are holding up pretty well but I know this is a tremendously trying time. Please continue to keep this family in your prayers. It is going to take a while for Peyton to recover, but God will continue to pull him through it.

Peyton also has a little brother, Jackson. Pray that he will make the adjustment through this scary time.

Please Pray for Peyton

Peyton, who is five years old, was involved in a car accident with his mom Jessica on Friday night. They both need our prayers. Jessica was taken to the ER that night and released. I'm not sure of the particulars on her, but I know she is okay. Peyton was flown to the children's hospital about an hour away from here. He's got some deep cuts on his head and leg and is very swollen. He was in ICU but is now in his own room I believe. We're going to go see them tonight so I'll give an update on his condition tomorrow. Please pray for his parents, Jessica and Casey. I know they are really worried. Please pray for Peyton that he has a quick recovery and can return home soon. I forgot to mention Jessica and Peyton are family members of mine. Thank you.

Scary!!!

Yesterday evening around 7 pm our weather radio alarm went off. We'd been having rain off and on all day so when Adam went to check the alert, he quickly told us to get our shoes on and head for the car. The national weather service had issued a tornado warning for our county! We knew that getting in the car wasn't the best idea, but we live close to our city's tornado shelter. We got in Adam's car (none of us were buckled up and Bethany's car seat was not in the car so I held her). We frantically went looking for the city's tornado shelter. I guess we needed to be better prepared because it took us a little while to find it. Once we got there, we ran out in the pouring rain and realized the doors were locked!!!!! By this time we were praying that God would keep us safe. The sky was dark and it was raining HARD. We got back in our car and decided to try to make it to my mom and dad's house because they have a basement. On the radio we heard that we were heading directly into the storm. There was a possible tornado near and around where we were. Adam hit the brakes and turned around. We were so frazzled that we couldn't think of where to go. Finally Adam thought of a plan and we went for it. Luckily we did find shelter at one of our universities. We found company with a college English class. We waited there until the storm let up. Shelby, of course was bouncing off the walls because she sensed our panic. Bethany was as calm as a cucumber. We all looked like drowned rats by the time it was over. We all returned safely home and got dried off. Thank you Lord for watching over us!

Rainy Day

Not much went on today. It's been raining off and on all day and I guess that made Bethany a little sleepy. She slept most of the morning and let me get quite a few things done around the house. Yeah!

Shelby had another good day at school. She was excited to tell me she was the leader of her class today.

Shelby's Second "First" Day of Preschool

Shelby's first day of her second year of preschool was today. She was sooo excited to go back to school. She loves learning new things. Today she made a "kissing hand." I'm not too sure what that is, but it's cute anyway.

Her school day is from 12:15-3:15 in the afternoon. During this time she has free play, group time, snack time, outdoor play and art activities. It's not a very long class time, but from what I've heard this program is excellent. I'll keep you updated on her progress and special events.

Shreveport, LA

Today was fun...sort of. Adam and I decided to drop the girls off at Grammy and Pap's house and go exploring. We're trying to figure out where we want to go to celebrate our 8th Wedding Anniversary so we headed off to Shreveport. (By the way, our anniversary isn't until January but we are plan-ahead-ers!) We thought it would be a good idea to scope the area and see if we like it so we'll know if we want to spend a weekend there. Our first stop was at Samstown Casino/Hotel. We went in, looked around, decided to go in the casino part and see what it's all about (because we've never been to a "real" casino before) and before we could get in the door guess what happens? I get carded. I'm almost 30 years old and have had two kids and I guess I still look like a kid! Oh well, I guess I should take it as a compliment! Anyway, ten minutes and ten dollars poorer we decide this scene is definitely not for us so we head out the door. We would never make it in Las Vegas! We got hungry so we made our way to the Boardwalk across the Red River. We got a bite to eat at Joe's Crab Shack and looked around a bit. The Boardwalk is a really neat outdoor shopping mall with over 55 shopping and eating places. We liked it but it was so hot we really couldn't enjoy ourselves so we decided to head home and pick up the girls. We also made the decision not to spend our anniversary there! So-back to square one. Any ideas?