We're moving!

Just moving a little further down San Jose Blvd...It's a little tiny house compared to the one we've been in, but we're looking forward to the freedom of not having so much, or so many "things", to take care of. We are excited that we will have more time to be a family, to practice hospitality, and to serve!

I can hear some of you now..."Pregnant, turning 40 AND moving? Are you crazy?"

Yes, God does have quite the sense of humor where my life is concerned. lol But, as you can all attest, no matter how many times He turns all the elements of my life upside down all at once, He proves Himself faithful through it all.

I will share with you what I'm sure my friend Denise thought was very funny when she said it on the phone yesterday...She said "I can't wait to see what happens next week." Seems like a simple statement, doesn't it? NOT! You see in the last two weeks I found out I'm pregnant and then that I'm moving...So next week I'll probably find out I'm having twins! lol Thanks Denise! If I'm having twins I'm totally giving you credit for it! ;D

Well, that's all for now!

Stay tuned!

Our family is growing...

We're having a baby! Don't have an "official" due date yet, but my guess is the 3rd week in June, 2010.

You can read the whole story on my blog:

http://hesalwaysbeenfaithfultome.blogspot.com/2009/10/whole-new-season.html

7th Grade

Well...our girl started a new school year yesterday. She is now a 7th grader!

This year we are continuing to homeschool Brianna. She is going to a tutoring program called "Classical Conversations" on Tuesdays and is home the other four days. The program gives her the opportunity to practice class discussion as well as public speaking. She will be learning Geography (she will learn to free hand the world including political boundaries, bodies of water, terrain, etc.), Latin, Pre-Algebra, Writing, Literature, Rhetoric, and Natural Science. In addition to this, she has been taking an online keyboarding class for the last month, and will continue on with that for a few more weeks.

Our girl has grown so much this summer, both physically and spiritually. We were looking at pictures of her from the first of June compared to this past week...What a difference! Not only is she taller, but her face is looking so much more mature. Sniff, sniff, our baby is growing up!

Brianna has also seemed to deepen in her relationship with Christ this summer. More and more she brings me her journal to let me read what she has poured out onto the page. The Lord has been SO faithful to remind her of who she is in Him, and how her focus needs to be on His will and not her own. That's a big deal for any of us...but particularly for a 12 year old!

Brianna's focus has made a shift from self to others, and her heart to serve her family - and others - is evident! She doesn't do her chores in drugery, but is really seeking to do a good job for the glory of God and the blessing of those she loves. What a blessing!

Another area we see a tremendous change is in Brianna's sense of humor! She is SO FUNNY! She has David's wit down to a science it seems. (Speaking of a sense of humor...God has one too! He gave Brianna Tony's face and David's jokes...oh, okay, and my flare for the dramatic. We're just all rolled into that girl! Only God could do that!)

Let's see...what else...Brianna's love for horses abounds. We had the privilege of staying with our friends, Rodney and Susan, this past weekend while we were in Alabama. Rodney is working on his own petting zoo. He's up to 2 llamas, 2 horses, 2 roosters, 1 mule, 1 cat and 1 dog. Brianna got to ride some both on Saturday as well as Sunday. And, despite the fact that her horse (Pilgrim) decide to take off when Rodney was looking the other way for his camera and she ended up falling off, she still wants to get back on next trip. (You will notice what looks like a smudge on Brianna's forehead...and maybe what looks like a shadow on her cheek...those are her battle sores from the fall.)

Oh, and the other fun activity at Rodney and Susan's house is that Brianna gets to drive around the pasture - BY HERSELF - in a golf cart. Well, except for when the dog, Brody, jumps up in there with her. She's feeling mighty grown up these days! =D

And, lest you think the only fun thing at Rodney and Susan's is their "stuff", let me just tell you that Brianna ADORES both Rodney AND Susan. If you know our daughter at all, you know she is very standoff-ish when it comes to men...But she walks boldly up to Rodney and hugs him hello, good-bye and good-night. And, she said "Aunt Susan" is always on the tip of her tongue...she has to remind herself that it's "just" Miss Susan.

Side note: Rodney and Susan have been a tremendous blessing to our little family. They are a constant source of encouragement, as well as a constant source of Truth. They know and love God's Word, and are so faithful to impart wisdom to us. Not to mention, they spoil us rotten while we're up there! lol We always have so much fun staying with them! And what a joy to come away feeling refreshed in our spirits!

Well...that about sums things up for the start of 7th grade.

Brianna, we are SO proud of the young woman of God that you are, and that you are becoming. Your care for our hearts and our souls blows us away. Thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and for stepping out in faith as the Lord leads you to. You are such an example to us! We love you, Princess!

Easter

Here is my girl with her daddy...and with her saco palm. lol Isn't she turning into a beautiful young lady? Her birthday is not far away...she will be 12. How did that happen???

We enjoyed fellowship and the preaching of God's Holy Word with our church family...and then enjoyed yummy food and fellowship with our new friends, the Holgers! Inez, David thinks you are just too funny! If he weren't falling asleep from his full belly we would have stayed longer!

We enjoyed the whole Holger family! Brianna is still quoting Gabe and Luke!

Holgers, thank you for inviting us to your home to celebrate our risen Lord...we really did enjoy our time together...and in case you think I'm kidding, David is already planning the next holiday at your house, complete with Texas Brisket! For a quiet guy, that says A LOT!

Painting - the ladies!

Ladies, please forgive me! I did not mean to leave you out!

While the men were painting the foyer/stairs, the ladies were painting Brianna's room...you can see pictures on Candace's blog: http://daughterofdelight.blogspot.com/2009/03/just-for-fun.html (pictures 6-11).

There were SO many folks that came to help that we don't have a whole bunch of them captured in pictures...I think when all was done 15+ folks had been there...It was amazing! Even Ryan came at 11pm after working ALL DAY AND NIGHT at the garden center!

Did I mention it was AMAZING???

You guys rock! You are going to need a crown in heaven JUST for the jewels you're earning by serving our family! Thank you for setting the bar high, and for impacting the next generation...who was here watching you the whole time!

We love and appreciate each of you!

Where things are today...paint wise that is!

Like I said, there is still a lot of detail work to be done...but you get the gist...

Actually, I took these pictures in the middle of the night after the gang went home...and some things have already been done...in the doorway to the living/dining room what you see as unfinished cedar is now painted white...I'm going to paint the trim above the entry into the kitchen dark brown as well as the unfinished strip on the wall leading in to the kitchen...



We have now painted the door dark brown...it looks great!


Like I said before, I'm going to paint the stairs dark brown as well...just waiting until the rest is done...

We love it!

Let the painting begin!

The day finally came, and the painting began! As a matter of fact, it began for over 12 hours! There is still a lot of touch up to do, that I have barely touched in a month, but the bulk was done and I LOVE IT! And, in God's kindness and mercy, so does David!

Here are some pics...

Nick taking down David's beloved picture...because once again he chose to prefer his wife!

Nick and Justin rolling the walls...

Parker, Luke, Kyle and Nate working on the wall opposite Nick and Justin...

The power roller that we couldn't get to work...oh well!

Kyle rolling while David watched his walls change before his very eyes...

My David,

Thank you so much for how you lay down your life for me...even changing things that are near and dear to your heart. I am humbled by your example of selflessness...what a daily reminder you are to me of what it is to be like Christ...and of how He loves His Bride so much that He gave Himself up for Her. When I wonder what I ever did to deserve you I start to think Mary Reel might have been right when she told me..."The Father likes you better..." =D

I know He doesn't...but He sure does love me lots...He designed you just exactly for me...Thank you for choosing me! I love you!

Prepping for the party...

Here we are at about 11pm the night before the painting party...

David let me take up the carpet on the stairs, cutting it off at the top of the stairs, so that we can eventually paint the steps dark brown...

My husband didn't realize how handy I can be, and has now dubbed me "in charge of all household projects". I can do demo, I don't know about anything else!

Anyway, I really did have fun pulling up the carpet, pad, tacks and staples. It took about an hour, and I smiled the whole time!

Then My David came and swept it all up and away...What a team! =D

Party at the Moores...

A painting party that is! The amazing singles of Grace Covenant Church came to help us make a HUGE dent in a painting project...The walls of our foyer, up our stairwell, and into our loft/family room were all unfinished cedar paneling. A dream for those who love a rustic atmostphere...not so much for the city girl. Once again, my husband put aside his preferences (having never seen these walls any other way...this part of the house was built when he was 2!) and let me paint! YES! I really am that loved and spoiled! =D

Anyway, here are the before pics:

Happy Birthday Maverick!

Well, our puppy is a year old! We had a small celebration...I baked a "paw" cake. (One round cake, and a few cup cakes for the toes...there should have been four toes, but I ran out of batter.) AND I put white icing on the cupcakes so the birthday boy could have one. Maverick VERY MUCH enjoyed his cupcake! He took it to the spot where all special treats go...the landing of the stairs. AND, we even got to wish his sister, Maisy, a happy birthday as well. (We hear Maisy had her own celebration in Georgia!)

Well, here's the proof...

The really bad decorating job...

The birthday boy with his party hat...

David and Maverick

Maverick with Daddy, Sissy and friend, Bonnie...

Mommy giving Mavvy his cupcake...

Mavvy going to the landing...

Mom, what's the white stuff on the grass?

This was the conversation at our house this morning...

Brianna: "Mom, what's the white stuff on the grass?"
Me: That's called frost, Honey."
Brianna: "Is it like snow?"
Me: "You know how dew gets on grass and it's wet in the mornings? [She nodded.] Well, because it's 30 degrees out the dew has frozen."
Brianna: "You mean it could SNOW?" [Big smile, great anticipation]
Me: "Probably not, it doesn't seem like there's any call for precipitation today."
Brianna: "But it's cold enough to snow?"
Me: "Yes, but the last time it snowed in Jacksonville was when Daddy was your age."
Brianna: "It COULD snow! And then I would call Katie and say 'Ha ha, there's snow here!'"

This whole conversation is just another evidence of God's amazing grace...Wednesday night Brianna had been complaining about the cold saying "We moved to Florida so we wouldn't have to be in the cold!" How quickly He can change our hearts! =D

Catch up, Part 10 (January 2009)

Well...the thing that stands out most about January is...FRIENDS!

We are SO very grateful for them! =D

Here is Brianna with Madison and Staci, two of her friends who came with us to the Florida Theatre to see Brianna perform in a karate demo...Words cannot begin to express the sheer joy pouring from my sweet daughter's heart that not only did two of her friends WANT to come to see her, but that at least two more wanted to but were out of town and couldn't make it! God has been SO kind!

This next picture doesn't show me with my friend, but with my friend's dog, Daive! Daive belongs to my friend Teresa, who came over and had a girls night with us while our hubbies were away at the men's retreat. SO, I guess this is actually a picture of Maverick with HIS new friend! lol God thinks of everything! =D

And, now you're all caught up! =D

Catch up, Part 9 (Our First Christmas)

We had a great first Christmas...On Christmas Eve I went to the airport to pick up my brother, Mike, who flew in from Las Vegas. And before we were off airport property I made sure he knew something..."You are NOT going to put my dog in your suitcase and take him home with you!"

Mike wasn't at our house for 10 minutes before he said "I'm going to need a bigger suitcase to go home with." I pulled the big sister card and said "I told you, you're not taking my dog home with you!" We laughed. =D

We had dinner at our house that night...the four of us, as well as David's mom and her best friend, Debbie. It was a nice evening!

We got up Christmas morning and opened presents, and ate breakfast, and then it was time to run out the door to my in-laws house David's brother, Michael, and his wife, Angie. (Yeah, that wasn't confusing at all! Both of our brothers want to be called Mike!)

We ate lots of yummy food and played Spoons. I had never played it before, but that is a FUN game! We laughed! Mike had us all cracking up with his quiet, yet effective, psych outs and slyness. It was good to laugh and have fun as a family...

After several hours there we came back home so Maverick wouldn't have to spend any longer in his crate. We played more games, and ate more food. Then it was time to go to sleep...the next morning we were off to Atlanta!

It was a quick trip, up on Friday, back on Saturday. But we got to see my parents, and that seemed to raise my mom's spirits. (She looked much better than the last picture I posted!)

That Sunday it was time to take Mike back to the airport...with Maverick safely at home in his crate! =D

It was so good to see Mike...we hadn't seen him since the wedding, and I didn't get to talk to him at all during the busyness of it all...so it was actually a year since I had really spent any time with him. Brianna was happy to have her Uncle Mike to play with...and David was happy to have his friend/brother-in-law here. ;D Although we all missed Uncle Brian, who wasn't able to make it down from Nashville. :(

God was so very kind to provide sweet time with family and friends...

Catch up, Part 8 (December 17, 2008)

It was that time again...karate belt tests! This is something karate students do every 3 months at Paks...It was a blast!

Catch up, Part 7 (December, 2008)

The picture doesn't do it justice...it was the prettiest tree of my whole life...

Catch up, Part 6 (December, 2008)

In early December my friend, Kim Brown, helped me finish painting the living room so I could get my Chrstimas tree up. And by helping me I mean she painted while I sat around talking to her. =D

There was some touchup to do that night, and a hallway we wanted to paint, so David and I were painting well into the midnight hour. At one point we turned around and saw what Maverick was doing...and David said "Get the camera."

This dog is a stinking riot! =D

Catch up, Part 5 (November 29, 2008)

Well, I guess I should start with the fact that AFTER his lunch party - with cake - with the Flitters, David had a dinner party - with cake - at Tracy's house. Not only that, but Tracy made homemade Stromboli! And the cake was from Carvel! Yes, David had TWO cakes on his birthday...but it didn't end there!

The next night we had a surprise party for him at the Miller's. Our friend, Sharon Salsberry, planned it for me (she's SO gifted that way!). She couldn't decide on one theme, so she had a combined 3...Mickey Mouse, Auburn, and Presidential Trivia. COMPLETE with a trivia game and prize! David was SO blessed! Thank you to all of you who love us day in and day out, and who were there once again to rejoice with us!

My David...I hope your 30th birthday is one you'll never forget! I hope you know how much the Lord loves you and delights in you...And I hope you know how much I love you and delight in you...You were SO worth the wait! =D

OH! I almost forgot! Earlier in the day MAVERICK got a visit from his sister, Maisie! It was SO cute! We, the Moores, got Maverick from the Millers. The McKenzie's got Maisie at the same time from the same litter. Before we got Maverick he used to get to play with Maisie on a regular basis because the Millers and the McKenzie's live in the same neighborhood. The puppies haven't seen each other since June! I was out on the front lawn at the Miller's when the McKenzies came by. Maisie jumped out their truck and ran straight to Maverick and jumped on him. They were a big ball of fur the entire time they were together...playing just like they had as babies...so I'm told. ;D Here they are together!

Catch up, Part 4 (November 28, 2008)

Happy Birthday David!

Yes, My David had a landmark birthday this last time...He turned the big 3-0! Woohoo! As you may remember, we were in Atlanta, staying with our friends, The Millers. Well, at least most of them. Daddy Miller and two of the boys were in England for a funeral. We missed seeing them!

Well, not only was it David's birthday, but it was our friend Markie's birthday too. AND, in God's kindness and mercy Markie wasn't at home in Orlando, but was in Georgia just a few minutes from the Miller's on his "birthday with Mr. David" as he likes to call it. Denise had us invite the Flitters over for lunch and birthday cake, and we took her up on it! (Can you say "GRACE"?)

The Flitters pulled in to the Miller's driveway, kids not knowing where they were, and they looked out the window and saw ME standing in the driveway. And Markie made sure his parents knew he KNEW he would see Mr. David on their birthday! lol

Here are some pictures of the birthday boys with their Spiderman cake, along with the rest of the bunch...

Catch up, Part 3 (October 2008)

We went to Celebration! This was a conference for the Sovereign Grace churchs in north Florida and Georgia. We came together for a time of worship and teaching, and God was there! It was SO good to see friends from other churches...especially from Metro! Todd, Danny, David G, Chip and Jordan...you were all a sight for sore eyes!

We met at Camp Kulaquah (sp?) near Gainesville...it was a wonderful time of making new friends, seeing not new friends, and deepening relationships with somewhat new friends. Can you tell what I liked about going? FRIENDS!

Speaking of friends...here is Brianna with some of hers!

Catch up, Part 2 (October 2008)

This is Brianna playing Vanna White at the Harris Family Reunion in Slocum, Alabama. This is David's mom's mom's family (aka Mawmaw)...and other than David's mom, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, Mawmaw's sister - Aunt Jeanette, and David's cousin - Aaron, we had never met a sole in that room! Okay, so picture this...we're in a VFW hall. A rectangular room with two lines of tables going from one end to the other...every seat filled...and there is Brianna standing up there with Cousin Aaron (who she only met once before) holding up the items for the auction...Can you say "AMAZING GRACE!"???

David and I were in shock! Here we were (in October) watching Brianna not only get up there, but SUGGEST to Aaron that he might need a helper! And she SMILED! And she walked up and down and made sure everyone got a good look! Folks, this is THE SAME girl who at our wedding in March wouldn't make eye contact or talk to people she had gone to church with for THREE YEARS! David's mom just smiled and said "She knows she's with family."

Oh, and did I mention that Brianna was the celebrity at the reunion? David's mom COULD NOT WAIT to introduce her new granddaughter to everyone! How kind of God!

We visit around a lot that weekend. We saw David's grandparents on his dad's side (Nena and Grandaddy), and had our usual breakfast out with Grandaddy. We went to see Rodney and Susan...Rodney grew up with David's dad and when he would come to visit the family in Jacksonville when David was a baby he would stay in David's room and take care of him in the night...they bonded! =D

Rodney and Susan live out in the middle of no where. They have a horse - Breeze, and two llamas! Not to mention cats...and a new mule. They took us out for chinese food to what looked like a hole in the wall...but was THE BEST chinese food EVER! And that's serious coming from a native New Yorker!

It was a good visit with everyone in the Ozark area. Then we got up Sunday morning and drove home the long way...by way of the nursing home my mom was in at the time (south GA). Here is a picture of Brianna with my mom.
Not long after this picture was taken my mom was moved to a nursing home near my dad. The new facility is MUCH better and my mom is making progress there. It's hard to believe she hasn't been home since May 2nd. She was very excited to find out that the new facility has a hair stylist that comes in, and she was able to get her hair cut before our visit at Christmas. She says she feels much better having her hair done! =D


Thank you to everyone who has prayed, and continues to pray, for my mom. She is slowly gaining strength. My dad is muddling through, living in a mostly empty house as their things are here waiting for them to get here. BUT, when my dad was here this month he took a half of a truck load back with him...David and I are pretty sure he doesn't plan to move here any time soon.


It's so easy for us to look at their situation and think we know best. Well, it's easy for me. ;D My David is much more careful NOT to presume these things...once again showing that he is wise beyond his years. (sigh...isn't he wonderful???) Anyway, it would seem the logical thing to me to have my mom moved to a facility in Jacksonville, and for my dad to live with us - or nearby - so that we could be a support to them both and hopefully give my mom a reason to try...But I have to remember, and usually David has to remind me, that God's ways are not my ways, and HE has them where they are for a reason. Or countless reasons!


SO, we pray, we encourage over the phone, we go visit when we can...and we trust God, because we know HE knows what He is doing!

Catch up...Part 1 (September, 2008)

Are you ever surprised when God has gone before you and made a way? It happens to me sometimes. Like tonight...a friend sent me a message on Facebook saying she missed my bloggin'. And I told her (via a Facebook message) I had been praying for God to provide some time for me to do it...And off to bed I went. Well, after I lay there an hour I decided to get up and take a shower to save time in the morning. And then I was still wide awake, and I asked the Lord why I was. And He reminded me that I had caffeine at dinner...which was not much earlier than bedtime. SO, I'm awake! =DSo, I went downstairs and to get the camera - which I was thinking I needed the USB wire to get the pictures off which was why I haven't posted pictures in so long - until just a few minutes ago when the Lord reminded me I can put the memory card into my laptop and download the pictures! Yay! There are pictures from a whole bunch of things! I'll post in order so things don't get too, too confusing!

First up, we have Brianna on the Little Ninjas demo team from Pak's Karate of Mandarin at the Mandarin Koi Extravaganza. These kids came out and did a demonstration for the community. It was our first time participating in this kind of thing, and it was a great success! And we also got to see a whole bunch of kiddie pools full of really, really big fish! Who knew gold fish were so popular in Mandarin! lol

That's Brianna in the back row next to the little, tiny green belt. =D See the two red belts who are side by side? Those are our friends, Nick and Kristopher.

All the kids have new belts now...Brianna has gone from deputy yellow in this picture to solid yellow to yellow with green tips. She'll be testing for her green belt in April.

Good job, Bri!