Red Envelope Day

I saw this on facebook and have already addressed my envelope. Will you send one too?

Get a red envelope.

You can buy them at an office, craft or or most party supply stores. Even make one from red construction paper.

On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, of the sealed envelope or postcard write the following message:

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part
of our world.

"Responsibility Begins With Conception"

When: Mail the red envelopes out on March 31st, 2009.

Be sure to include your return address on the envelope. (Handwritten mail seems to hold more weight in the political realm, so resist the urge to use your printer on this one.) Be sure to pray over your envelope before you mail it.

It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not
silent and must be heard.

Send this event notice to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. It would be wonderful if the White House received 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S.] before having a chance to live.

Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

What's Been Going On...

Where do I start? Well, Nathan is finishing up his 2 week vacation today. The first week of it coincided with Noah's spring break, so that worked out quite well. We drove down to the coast to visit with our family and continue "house shopping" as Noah calls it. We were able to fit in some fun outings but unfortunately I left my camera at Nathan's parents house so I won't have any pictures to update for awhile.

No, we did not find a house if you are wondering. The housing market is surprisingly much more expensive on the coast than Jackson and several of the homes flooded during Katrina so we are just trying to muddle through several options and make a smart decision. We did tour 6 different elementary schools- both public and private and decided that Bayou View Elem School Gulfport is where we want to send the kids. It is a public school and we were super impressed with all that it had to offer as well as the behavior and testing of the children. Actually the private schools that we looked at didn't even hold a candle to Bayou View Elem school. So that decision eliminated all other areas we had been looking at so at least now we are focused solely on Gulfport. I really think that the house for us has just not come on the market yet, so please pray for our patience with God's timing and that we will know for certain which house He has planned for us.

Sweet little Ava woke up sick 2 days after we returned home and has been sick ever since. She woke up with a fever and no other symptoms so we thought it might be another UTI. We went to the doctor that morning and after a strep test and urine cath, everything was negative. He did do a CBC which showed a viral illness, so we went home and have just been treating her fever ever since. The urine culture did come back negative so that was good news and we have an appt with the pediatric urologist on April 9th. So now we are into Ava's 6th day of fever and runny nose and just feeling yucky. I hope it's not the flu. She is pretty miserable and has been sleeping with us and basically wanting to be on me all the time.

Noah is back at school (hooray!) and really testing us with his behavior. It's mainly verbal responses he gives us or just not doing what we ask. Nathan has been super consistent with him (as I am not all the time although I try to be) this week so hopefully we will see a change in behavior soon.

So I guess that's our update for now. Hope you all have a great week!

At the Car Wash

Nathan helped our friend Stephen wash his van after he helped Nathan paint the house the other night and little miss priss decided she would help too. You know I couldn't resist a few pictures- it's her first car wash after all.... She loved it. She kept running to the bucket and sticking her hand in it and running back with bubbles.

Sweet Girl in a Cute Dress

I just love this sweet little darling thing.
And isn't she just adorable in this cute little dress? I'm so glad it's warming up so she can start wearing all these cute clothes I've been stocking up on!

House for Sale

That's right. We're moving. Nathan signed a contract with Gulfport Memorial to start this summer after he graduates from residency. We've known since before Christmas but are now in the process of house repairs and trying to sell our house. Terrible time, I know.... but God is going to take care of it. He's confirmed our decision over and over so there is no need to worry with any of the rest of the process. We've been down to the coast once to look at houses and will be looking again soon. We're just trying to make smart decisions with the way the economy is still headed. Yes, I will miss Jackson and am definitely not ready to "start over" AGAIN. But let me relay what was in my Beth Moore Bible Study this week- and don't you know it was on the exact day I was selfishly not wanting to move.

God not only promises that He "works out everything (Eph 1:11) "according to His good purpose" (Phil 2:13). He promises that "in all things God works for our good" (Rom 8:28). In other words, every time He shifts us here or moves us there on this earthbound chessboard, He's not just fulfilling His own pleasure regardless of its impact on you. He's also working every detail- even the dreadful ones- to your good and my good.

I highly recommend her study on Esther- if you get the chance- don't pass it up!

I am really going to miss this house. I can't even think about it or the tears might start falling...

Fabulous February (in March)

Parents at Noah's school do not often get a chance to see what classroom time is like on a daily basis, so the teachers invited each parent to come on different days to bring a snack and read a story to the class. It was my turn last Friday and I was so excited to go! The kids were not in the classroom when I arrived, so when Noah walked in and saw me standing there he threw his arms around me and said "Mommy, I'm so glad you're here!" I just ate it up. I know it won't be long when he will start to be embarrassed of me. I brought those yummy cookies from walmart that are real soft with the icing and sprinkles on the top and capri suns(Noah picked them out). I wanted to read out of a Richard Scarry book that was Nathan's when he was little but Noah wanted a different Richard Scarry story about the Firefighters Busy Day. We have a collection of Richard Scarry books - Noah loves his characters and it is so sweet that Nathan liked them too when he was little. Anyway, that was about it because it was time for the kids to do something else. It was so much fun to go and to get to talk with his teacher too.

Our Neighbors

We have an elderly couple that live next door to us and they love to sit outside and visit. Mr. Dillard always has a chair for anyone that wants to sit and talk. I think they view our children as their own grandkids and Noah even calls Mrs. Dillard by Mamaw on occasion. Thought this picture was pretty cute with them all in their sunglasses.

Learning to Fold

Last week I brought some laundry to fold into Noah's room so I could watch the kids while they played. I guess Noah noticed what I was doing and asked if I would show him how to fold. I was pleasantly surprised at this request!!! So I showed him what to do and away he went folding the washcloths! Here's a little action shot:


Even making a stack...

And bless his sweet little heart- he even tried to put them up for me! Except he didn't quite make it all the way to the cabinets- I later found them in his tub and my shower. I guess he figured that is where you use them.....


I am so proud of Noah! This is a major accomplishment!

Happy 99th Birthday Great Mother!

Last Saturday we drove down to Bay Springs to visit my great grandmother and my kids great-great grandmother at the Nursing Home to celebrate her 99th Birthday. 99! Wow! We met my mom and Nona there. We ate cake that Mom made and sang Happy Birthday and dressed Great Mother up in a party hat and lei. Noah helped her open her presents and then we decorated her wheelchair with some birthday garland and had a parade through the halls. Noah was the leader and he made us all get in a single file line. He was marching in the front carrying a pinwheel that he was pumping up and down with his arm. It was classic- wish I could have videoed the moment. The child definitely knew what to do. We had a great time and will be back next year for the big 100 bash! Before we headed home, we stopped by Wards for a frosty mug root beer float. No visit to Bay Springs is complete without one!

Mimi (photography by Noah)

5 generations (I hope my Mom has a better picture on her camera)

Dinner with Friends

Last week we went to Cock of the Walk with our good friends Stephen & Tami and their baby Henry that live next door. We will really miss them when we move!

Need a Lift?

Just some fun in the cul-de-sac with the truck and some friends.

Ladies Man