Fourth of July Fun

Last week the Reynolds family came to visit. In the beginning the kids were so excited to see each other but by the end they were treating each other like brothers and sisters.  We went to First Fridays in Florence, the splash pad, out for ice cream, tried a new restaurant, went to church, took pictures all over Muscle Shoals, played in the backyard a lot and had a great time! The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful.

 

Catching Up!

As I was getting ready to do a new post, I realized that I hadn’t posted anything since November of 2013. So now I am going to try to catch everyone up on what has been going on since then. We have been busy!

 

In November Will began pastoring Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. We know that God called us here and have no doubt that we are where we are supposed to be.

 

That being said, it was extremely difficult to pack up and move six hours away from all of our friends and family. The girls in particular have had the toughest time leaving their friends behind.  I think though, that we are finished with the worst part and the girls have begun making new friends and are happy!

 

In the time since we moved, we have bought a house,

 

survived Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July,

 

nearly frozen to death,

 

traveled to Baltimore for the Southern Baptist Convention,

 

Washington DC,

 

Memphis and Atlanta.

 

We’ve been to not one, but, two Major League Baseball games.

 

We’ve unpacked boxes, decorated our house, refinished furniture, cleaned, and worked on a yard that actually belongs to us for the first time in our marriage.

 

We’ve celebrated one birthday so far this year, been to new doctor’s and started a new school.

 

We’ve traveled to see family three times already and had family come see us several times.

 

We are getting used to new things, places and people. We are happy and things are going well!

Cotton Pictures 2013

We have tried to take cotton pictures for over a month now. Every time we would try, the field would be picked or it would rain, or we couldn’t find anyone to take the pictures for us.

 

This past week we were finally able to get everyone ready, find a field, get someone to take the pictures, and have the weather cooperate all on the same day. Although I did have to bribe Anna because she was not happy with the outfit that I made her wear.

 

The day was beautiful! Here are my favorite pictures from the day.

 

My wild children.

We were just giving Will a chance to get the camera settings right in this next photo, but it turned out really good.

We have been watching Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. this season…so I like to think of this next one as fire in my hands. My mom however, told the kids that I had caught a fairy from the field. They seemed to approve of that.

My pretty girls…

A big thanks to Jenny for letting us use her front yard and for taking our pictures! And a big thanks to Mama and Daddy for being willing to take the pictures and riding out there with us just to sit.

Jr. Beta Club Induction

This year Isabelle was inducted into the Jr. Beta Club for making A Honor Roll all through the fourth grade. She was very excited!

 

Here is Isabelle accepting her certificate and pin from Mrs. Allen their principal.

 

Here is a picture of Isabelle with her certificate after the ceremony.

Trunk or Treat!

Jay First Baptist Church participated in the Trunk or Treat activities that Jay United Methodist church does every year. Mt. Carmel Methodist participated this year as well.  We had over 100 kids.

I am not a huge fan of Halloween so we never do any trick or treating. If the churches do something we let the kids throw on one of their dress up outfits from the toy box and go to that.  But this year since our church was participating and I was decorating the car, I let the kids pick something that we could make.   Isabelle wanted to be a giraffe and Anna wanted to be a bee. Luke said he wanted to be a ghost but he never would put on his costume that I made; except just long enough to take this picture.



The kids had a great time and ended up sitting on the porch with their friends eating candy all night while they waited on us to finish passing out candy. 

At one point I was watching Luke walk around with his friend Colton while he Trunk or Treated. I couldn’t help but feel sad that he wasn’t asking for candy and he would tell the people no when they asked him if he wanted any. We have dealt with diabetes for over a year now, but times like this are still painful. 

I did a “Bee”atitude theme this year. I wrote out all of the beatitudes but couldn’t make them stay on the car.  So, I had to settle for just the title and the scripture reference.  Here is a picture of how it turned out.

First Day of School for the 2013-2014 School Year

This year Isabelle started 5th grade and Anna started 3rd grade. I do not know where the time has gone.  Both girls were excited about meeting their new teachers and going back to see their friends.

 

Isabelle and her friend Jada have been in school together for six years now and have never been in the same class. And last year and this year there are only three possible classes. Anna and her friend Josie have been in school together for four years  now and have never been in the same class together either. What are the odds?  Especially considering that there are some kids who have been in Isabelle’s class all but one or two years.

 

Here is Isabelle with her teacher Mrs. Smith. Apparently, she is the daughter of a former pastor of  Jay First Baptist Church and used to live in this house. Isabelle thinks that is a neat thing.

 

Here is Anna with her teacher Mrs. Rowell. She is a church member. Anna wouldn’t talk to her for the two weeks at church before she started school.  But apparently, Lana has won her over and we are hearing reports that Anna is as ‘out of her shell’ as she has ever been.

 

 

Here is a picture of the girls each by themselves.

 

Isabelle, especially, looks so grown up! But she is still one of the shortest people in her class. Makes me nervous knowing that in two years she will be in middle school.  I pray that I can keep them little (and innocent) for as long as possible. 

 

I am also praying that they have a wonderful school year and God uses them to teach others about Him. I pray for their safety and I pray for them to learn as much as they can possibly fit into those beautiful heads. I pray that they know how much their daddy and I love them! 

 

Thank you all for your prayers for them as well!