Granny and Papa...!!!

Adam's parents came last Friday to stay for the weekend. Grace was VERY happy to see her Granny and Papa! On Saturday we took them riding around downtown and across the river into Indiana. Then we all went to the Louisville Slugger Museum. They had not been before so we went on the tour and Grace even got to try out some bats and swing at some balls:).

Later that night we went to Rafferty's to eat and came back here. On Sunday, we all went to church together and then they had to head back to Alabama. We all had great quality time together and it was great to see them!

FYI: I haven't figured out this new template... so if you want to see the pictures bigger you can click on the pics. I LOVE the one of Grace with Granny and Papa in front of the bat..:)

Quality Time...

Since we got home from the Mission Trip we have been intentionally trying to spend
quality time with Grace. Both Grace and us are 'soaking up' each other's attention. We went to Puzzle's Fun Dome one day after we got back because it was SOOO hot to play out side. We have spent some time out side too. Last Monday and Friday we went to the park by the house. On Friday, we decided last minute to have a picnic at the park. The weather was oddly milder that day and she LOVED the picnic and playing on the playground.

Sunday night, we had our Mission group/home group from our church over and I cooked dinner. Of course, Grace loved the company and our house was filled with kids.:)

This week, Adam started his new job at Charter Communications working Full Time so Grace and I went to Brown Park and saw the ducks, went on a walk, and played at the playground too. She liked going to the 'different' park and LOVED the ducks!!

Then, yesterday was Adam and I's 9TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY and we decided to take a trip to Shelbyville, KY to visit Claudia Sanders Restaurant (Colonel Sander's wife). We had heard good things about this place but had never been. It was SOOO good!! It is a large plantation looking house with great home cooking. Grace did fabulous too the whole evening. It was a great day!

Today, Grace and I made a trip to Kohl's to exchange some things of hers and we ended up picking out a new Dora GOWN for Grace. This is her first gown since she was a baby and she LOVES it! She picked out the Dora and has wanted to wear it every since! As you can see.. she is prancing around in it too...... I will leave you will this......

Zimbabwe Mission Trip 2010

I can't even begin to tell you how humbling and amazing this trip was. While we were there 12 people were saved and the gospel was told and preached to many others. We used the Creation to Christ story. We also was able to hand out tracks in the Tonga language as well as The book of John from the Bible in the Tonga language. They LOVED getting these "books" in their language!! Adam and I had the privilege to share Creation to Christ with 2 ladies that accepted Christ!! We were so glad to see them faithfully returning for the worship services after that day!!

Us women spent a lot of time with the Tonga women and children. We loved on these people, esp. the children and they just 'ate up' the attention we gave them. I already miss them so much!

The men spent a lot of time doing leadership training too with some of the African men that have really stepped up and are on fire for the Lord and want to share it with others. They are trying to start churches all around the area. It was very encouraging to see their hunger for the Word of God and to start churches.

We did get to go on a safari one day while in Hwange National Park and got to see Victoria Falls the day before we left so that was AMAZING too.

Of course, we missed Grace so much but were VERY thankful for my Mom and Step-Dad that took care of her while we were gone. I know she was glad to see us too on Friday!!

I have made a slideshow for all the pics. I have been trying to get it to play music but can't get it to work, so I am copying a you tube video for you to play while you look at the pics.. Sorry.. it's the best I can do=)...Hopefully, the pictures will tell the story because there is so much to say..

Zimbabwe Mission Trip - slideshow with music

On a Mission... Africa here we come!!

Mom arrived in Louisville yesterday around lunch time. She is here in Louisville to watch Grace while we go to Africa. We leave for Zimbabwe in 2 DAYS!!!! It is VERY hard to believe that this trip is here!! It has been a long time planning and preparing for this trip! We went to our last meeting on Saturday night with all the team members of our trip and their families. We had a cook out also and got to know each other better. I know that we will make memories with these people to last a life time. We are very excited about what is in store for us but also some anxious excitement of the unknown. It will definitely be hard leaving Grace but we know she is in very good hands and they will be fine!

We found out more about what we will be doing while we are there ministering to the Tonga people as well as we will get to have a little time at the end to see some things that are one in a lifetime opportunities. For example-- we are going to Hwange National Park and going on a Safari, and going to see Victoria Falls. I am glad that we will have this experience too since we are going to be in Africa, after all...

Please Pray: 1. For the hearts of the people to be changed forever.
2. That these Tonga people will understand the gospel and believe...
3. Pray for God's provision on these Africa people and for their health, etc.
4. Pray for our safety to and from and while in Africa.
5. Pray for Grace to do well with Nana and for all to go smoothly with them and
for protection of them.

Thanks so much to all of you that have given for us to go, and for all the prayers, and concern you have had for this trip. The LORD is going to do miraculous things and I consider it a PRIVILEGE to share HIM with others!!

Our family before church today...

Nana and Grace

Pool, Pool, and More Pool

It has been a very warm Summer in Louisville this year (I'm not complaining--- I will take hot over cold any day:). About the only thing to do outside these days is to get in the pool!! So that is just what we have done a lot lately. The first kiddie pool we got her this Summer apparently had a hole in it from day one and would be flat by the next day every time we used it so it was getting to be a pain to have to blow it up every time we used it. So we went out and got her another kiddie pool the other day. I knew she would love one with a slide so we found her one. She got in it for the first time on Friday and just LOVED it!!

We are LOVING these Summer days!!!







Random pics around the house...

Dancing?!?

Grace has been doing this little galloping move in our kitchen and says she is dancing. She turns the music on with her toy and does it over and over. Our neighbor (who is a dance instructor) says galloping is a type of dance. Not so sure.. but I told her she looks like she is riding a horse so that is just what she did yesterday. She got her horse and did the dance... =)

VBS, July 4th, and Quality Time...

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. It was from Sunday through Thursday at night time. It kept us pretty busy last week and tired but it was so much fun. I helped in the toddler/ preschool room (where Grace was) and Adam helped in the 4th and 5th grade room. Grace really got to know a new little friend that week too. Her name is Sierra. That were so cute playing together!!

The VBS week came to a close with a family night that included worship, and then bouncers, play ground, and ice cream. Grace just couldn't get enough of the bouncies!! She just LOVES them now!

VBS Highview Valley Station...

Grace and her friend Sierra... and their new found fun.. to push each other in the baby stroller. They did this all week!! (and Maddox eating a snack)

Grace, Caden, and Sierra playing in the tent..

Riley, Caden, Sierra, and Grace..

Wearing the hat she made at VBS..

Grace, Jacob, Sierra, Eric, Hayden, Riley, and Caden..

Grace and Sierra being silly!! They were trying to see how loud they could scream=)

The last night Isaac (our worship pastor and friend) got a pie in his face by the kids because the girls raised the most money for missions. :) Him and his wife did such a great job with the music also during VBS... they really got into doing the moves:)

Grace LOVING the bouncy!!! She just giggled the whole time she was in there.

In the midst of all our VBS time, while Daddy was working outside, Grace and I had some quality time together one morning last week. I took her on a stroll in the stroller (Grace wanted to be pushed) up the road and then we came home and had a 'picnic' in the shade on our front porch. Grace just loved being outside and eating her lunch!!....

For July 4th we were invited to our Pastor's house for a 4th of July cookout and pot luck. All the mission groups came and it was wonderful. The food was great and the kids has so much fun too because they have a lot of outside toys to play with. Grace really loved their trampoline.. she called it the bouncy=). We just love being with our church family/ friends!!

Ready to celebrate the 4th! (she looks like she is going to pick her nose=)

Grace and Maddy (the pastor's daughter-- on the Left) and Bella on the right with Lauren our Children's Director.

She just giggled on the trampoline too!!

Adam playing cornhole with the guys.. his new found fun!!

Playing in the sand box with Jacob and Paige

Random pic...

Holly (Isaac's wife) who is also our friend!! She is 5 months pregnant!!

Enjoying a popsicle

Grace with sweet and beautiful little Maddy:) and Daddy..

Ashley and Jennifer with the kiddos..

Pastor Jon Akin on the Left and his wife Ashley, and Isaac is in the red.

Pay Back?!?

As I said before, getting Grace's teeth fixed was absolutely aweful on her!! Adam and I both felt so bad for her because she just HATED the experience. We felt we owed her big time!! As pay back we took her after the Dentist and ate lunch and let her have some milk shake and then after her nap we took her to a FUN new place. Our neighbor told us about this place not far from our house called "Puzzles Fun Dome". We had never been and so we decided to do something really fun and special that afternoon. It is a big gym area that is full of inflatable bouncers, slides, a toddler play area, indoor Putt Putt, a little bowling alley for the kids, craft room, arcade, etc. We went on a Wednesday evening and it wasn't that crowded so it was GREAT! Grace still found some little friends to play with and had a BLAST! She really LOVED the bouncy now and the toddler play area. At the end, we even went to the craft room and colored a picture. She sat on a 'car' in the arcade and felt really 'big' driving the car.

The greatest part is it was air conditioned/ indoors so it would be great year round! It is only 7 dollars for the child and adults are free for HOURS of fun. The Putt Putt and bowling is extra but she had so much fun just doing the other stuff! We all just loved it!! I am so glad we found this place.












Last Friday when we took her back for the Dentist fix her teeth we left there and Grace's 'treat' was to go to Walmart and pick out a toy. She picked out a My Little Pony. It is very cute and it is her first little My Little Pony!

We are all glad we are through with the Dentist for now!

Pool Time and Party Time

Catching up on some more Summer fun. Grace is really LOVING her pool. It has been SOO hot here too so the pool is pretty nice! Grace is trying to 'swim' now and we are very proud that she enjoys the pool now!







Adam and Grace also went to a birthday party for a little girl that is in our church last Monday evening. I had to work but Grace and Adam went. Grace had a lot of fun playing with all the kids!

Ready to go....

Grace's Teeth Are Fixed!!

We finally found a pediatric Dentist that we liked and that charged less than half of what the first Ped. Dentist was going to charge to fix Grace's chipped teeth. We went in on Wednesday and she did the bonding and then we went back yesterday for her to smooth, even, and fill in more to finish. The whole thing was aweful on Grace. The worst part was the drill thing they used to smooth out her teeth. She HATED the sound and was terrified of it. This Dentist did no sedation so needless to say it was hard on Grace! We are all glad it is over and I will talk more later on what we have done to treat her since then because we felt we owed her BIG TIME after putting her through all that she has been through!

You can click on the pictures to see her teeth more up close:)

Chipped teeth (sorry, she has food in her mouth)

These next two are after step one of getting them fixed. You can see on these pictures they had to fill her her gap a little and even out the bottom of her front two teeth

The result!! We are happy!

Beautiful Music!!

Grace can really sing songs well now! She amazes us more every day. On the first video at the beginning, and in the second video you can hear her singing the chorus of a praise song by Casting Crowns called "Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)". In the rest of the first video you can hear her sing the words of the first TWO verses of Amazing Grace. Pretty great huh?!?

I am going to give you the lyric to the first song she sings (and again in the 2nd video) so you can listen for them. She only heard this song a couple of times in the car and it just stuck with her! She LOVES it and I just LOVE hearing these words coming from her mouth because they are SO TRUE! I can't wait till the day that Grace will be able to comprehend and believe these words with all her heart and be saved. I was listening to this in the car the other day thinking about her and her salvation and I was reminded that there is NOTHING more I want for Grace than for her to KNOW Jesus! How awesome that will be!!

Glorious Day

Chorus:

Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, he justified freely forever. One day He's coming... Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.

Latest News...

As far as Grace's teeth. We have found a Dentist that we think is going to be about half of what the other Ped. Dentist was going to charge. We will take her on Wednesday to get them fixed. Praying that goes well!

As far as Adam's job with the census-- he got word the day before yesterday that it is over. We are really torn right now on what to do next. He has his resume out at A LOT of different churches. We know that churches can be VERY slow in the hiring process. He also put in for a few secular jobs for the time being but some places are not crazy about us planning on being gone for about 2 weeks in July for our mission trip so it is hard for them to hire and then give him 2 weeks off so quickly. We also know that any job like that would be temporary until a ministry job came open.

As you all may know we are selling our house. We list it on MONDAY!!! We will be very happy to finally get it on the market. We have been working on it for a month doing little things and bigger things to get it ready to sell. Adam and I said that this is a FIRST in our almost 9 years of marriage---- to put our house up for sale and to have NO IDEA where we are going next! TALK ABOUT STRESSFUL! The uncertainties of all of this has left us uneasy at times. Adam and I are both the type that like to plan ahead, and are detail oriented. The Lord has really been working on us in the last 5 years and again esp. lately, to teach us to TRUST HIM in all of these things!

We also leave 1 month from today to go on our Mission trip to Zimbabwe, Africa! We are getting more and more excited about it! I believe I have some nervous excitement too.

Thanks to you all that care and we could use your prayers in all of these things!