Everyone loves a Good Party

Blake turned 2 in November. He is starting to grow a little but is still small. Such a picky little thing and doesn't eat as well as I would like for him to. But, he is healthy and strong and a little silly fireball. A blessing far beyond I even imagined he would be. We love him so very much!

This year I decided to have a "Two Two" Party. We had a train cake that took some time but I was able to piece it together. I watched this video and it seemed so simple. After baking umpteen cakes and having the black icing turn out purple and the red icing turn out more of a pink, I felt a bit defeated, but no one complained and it tasted really good! We had a good crowd with all of Blake's little boy buddies from church and family :) We had a great day!

Hailey turned 7 in February. She is amazing! Everyday she teaches me just how great it is to be a parent. These are just a few of the things that I think about my sweet little dear:

1. I love that you love to be with me. I know a time will come when you will rather spend time with your friends so I am savoring every precious moment we have together.

2. Beautiful inside and out. You are always creating "gifts" for your friends or coloring pictures for people at church. You are such an encourager.

3. God fearing and curious. Bless you for wanting to know more about God and wanting to make him happy above everyone else, even Mommy and Daddy.

4. You are the best big sister ever! Blake adores you and I pray you will always be the closest of friends.

We had dinner with just family on her birthday and the next day we had a blow out with some of her closest friends. I am STILL cleaning up confetti from that day! We had an Ice Cream Sundae Bar for the kids to dig into, pin the tail on the unicorn (our theme), a pinata that Hailey just had to have, and we played board games. It was a busy morning. I think the kids enjoyed it as much as I did :)

So very very behind...

I tell you what, after my last post I haven't been able to think of anything worth blogging about. I am not sure if this is "normal" but emotionally I had been feeling so guilty to have two beautiful healthy children when people I love so much can't be with their child. But, after much prayer and seeing the incredible strength found in those going through such hard times. I can rejoice in the FACT that Brian & Kristy's sweet daughter is now in God's arms.

Life hasn't slowed down around here since my last "around here" post. School is going amazing for Hailey. She is such a good student. Blake is talking and can say all his ABC's and their sounds, potty training is also going well. We enjoyed a wonderful snowy Christmas in Gatlinburg. A vacation I will NEVER EVER forget. I learned just what a super hero my husband was when he got us back to the chalet just in the nick of time after we had a huge snow storm blow in. The ride up the mountain was very scary. There was lots of sliding towards drop offs and me biting my lip so as to not make him nervous. Then the four of us spent the night bundled up in the same bed because we didn't have any power and all the twigs and leaves I had gathered to make a fire were so wet we couldn't get one going until the next morning. Oh, and there's the part where I had to jump out of the truck and move a tree...well, attempt to move a tree and it wouldn't budge so Brad just jumped it and I had to run up a hill side to keep from getting covered in good 'ole Tennessee mud. LOL

I have more pictures of Christmas morning and Hailey's 7th birthday coming soon! It feels so good to be back!!

Tragedy & Hope

This life is so cruel. Friends of ours, Brian and and Kristy Gray have experienced a horrible life changing event. They need prayer, encouragement and donations. Please click the link on the side of my blog for for more information. I am also copying some information from a facebook page set up in their honor.

The Brothers of Zeta Eta Theta (ZHO) have set up a fund in memory of Helen Gray the daughter of Brian and Kristy Gray.

This is open to ANY and ALL brothers and sisters of Christ that would like to give to this lovely family...not just Brian's ZHO Brothers.

Every cent of this fund will go towards medical, funeral and other expenses our brother and sister in Christ may incur at this time.

If you would like to give please do one of the following...

By Mail:

Payable to line - In Memory of Helen Gray
For/Memo/Subject line - Acct#1002131686

Checks are mailed DIRECTLY to the bank...

In Memory of Helen Gray
P.O. Box 040002
Huntsville, Alabama 35804

Drop a donation off to the Synovus Bank nearest you:

First Commercial Bank is a member of the Synovus Banking group.
Click here to find a sister branch in your area.

Take the donations to the bank with the following information...

Payable to line - In Memory of Helen Gray
For/Memo/Subject line - Acct#1002131686
Depositing Bank Routing Number - 062203515
Depositing Bank Name - First Commercial Bank, Huntsville, AL

By Paypal:

Click here to make a donation with PayPal

Join the "Prayers The Brian Gray Family" Facebook group

Click here to Join

Information for those without a Facebook account:

**Pass the link below on to those who do not have access to Facebook**

Click here

Our thoughts, prayers and love are with this dear family at this time.

We love you Brian, Kristy & Helen.

If you have any problems please let us know...Neal F. Burch (Sonny) & James L. Burch or email us at grayfamilyfund@gmail.com

Our hearts are aching for their loss. But, time will help and we can offer love and support.

I don't understand why these things must happen to such wonderful people. All I know is
Job 1:21 "...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Helen is most definitely in a better place. We will forever miss her.

CHICKS WITH CENTS GIVE AWAY!

The "Couponator"

One lucky winner will receive the Couponator; a fun, easy to use binder to help you with your coupon organizing needs. You'll receive the Binder (which is 2 sided and zips up), 10 - 9 insert holders and 10 page protectors along with a pair of scissors and a calculator. Oh, and how about $200 worth of coupons to go along with it??

Want to enter? Visit the Chicks with Cents website for more details!!!!

Mission: Thumb Gaurds

I cannot believe how ridiculously expensive thumb guards are. I found one I think would be best for Blake at Leaps and Bounds ...$75.00, REALLY?!

Before, I purchase, I decided to throw it out there that I am looking for one of these. If you stumble across a better deal please let me know about it!

Hailey had a pacifier until she was 18 months. We had originally planned to try to put an end to little man's thumb sucking at the same age but time has gotten away from us. I have had several close friends tell me that he will stop on his own (after all, theirs did). I believe them, I really do. But, I have also met (more than I would like to admit) moms out and about that comment on Blake and then follow it up with and my kid still does it...he's 12,18, one even said 30 now! I fear the latter. I don't want him to be a sucker when he grows up!