Yes, we are still alive!

I know, I know....It has been way to long since I last posted, and you are right Mandy. Interesting things have been going on. Right after Memorial weekend, our family packed up and headed east at about 12:00 am. You are probally thinking "crazy", but if you have travelled 10 hours with multiple chitlins, then you know sleep time is the time to go. They rested well, and we made it to Smithfield in a whooping 10 1/2 hours. Now that's a record!
Once we were there, Chad went with Owen and Griffin to grandma Jo's for a few days while I stayed with YaYa, Poppie, Aunt Jen and Aunt Belle to finalize wedding details. I had not been able to attend many wedding things, so helping out that last week was such a joy for me. The wedding was beautiful and I must add that Chad did an AMAZING job officiating. (That sounds so formal, but yet better than "marrying them") Now we ALL were in the wedding program, but Griffin made a detour as soon as he walked the aisle. My mom was there to stay in the nursery with Owen and Griffin as well as the flower girl. Owen lasted about 15 minutes and then made his detour. THis was my first experience with my children in a wedding that CHad and were both in, and my only advice is have backup. Thankfully Jenna and Derek's expectations weren't too high, but still as the mom, you want them in it, but it was unfamiliar territory. After the wedding we stayed in Smithfield another day (mud picture), and then Chad headed home for a trip to Mexico while I stayed in Chapel Hill with my mom for 2 weeks. (while Chad was gone)
The boys had a blast on the farm! They were up and out the door at 7:00 to swing on the playgrounds, let the dogs out of their pin, play with the cats, ride the "child-safe" motorcycle, play in a pool, picked blackberries(grandmother made the jam) and just run free. They loved the freedom and freshness of seeing green and playing with few limits. While we were there, Anna and her family came to visit (they just moved to Durham), we went to a zoo (1st time ever), and went to grandma Jo's.
When the boys went to Grandma Jo's, mom and I tackled her 3 car gargage that only 1 car could fit into. We travelled down a 30 year memory lane. We laughed. laughed and laughed more as we saw old hairstyles in pictures and found MY MOM'S maternity clothes that she made! If only I had had them to wear the last 3 years! hehe...I'm not sure they would fit, she was all of 100 lbs. wet when she had us. We also found alot of the smocked dresses that she had made me, so of course, we washed and kept them for my granddaughters. Can't see the boys appreciating them. THe wedding outfit was as close as I can get. IT was great, we found a video of mom and dad when they had gone a cruise back in '89. Just to see dad, hear his voice and watch his mannerisms made all that hard work worth it. Mom and I took 9 truck loads FULL to the recycling/solid waste place. We at least made a big dent in the garage, and mom said it was now manageable to finish on her own.
So those of you wondering where I have been....I have spent this week getting back into our routine at home and thankful to be in my own bed with my hubby!

Dancing In the Rain

Do you remember dancing in the rain as a child? There is something so freeing, so uninhibited of whirling around as the rain drops on your back. You aren't concerned with anything else in the world, because you are just dancing. You know it's there and that you are getting covered with water, but at the same time it is as if it is washing "something" away. I just loved it as a child, and so do my children.

As I watched Owen and Griffin just dance the other day I was reminded of a song my Young Life leader wrote and sang:

I can see the trouble in your eyes

And I see the smiles disappearing

But I know there's more to this life

Than the things we keep fearing

So let's not worry about the things that we can't change

Cause we've got so much to be thankful for

Christ died to save us all

So let it rain, let the water fall

I'll be dancing in the rain

I'm gonna take this time to celebrate

And I know my sun will shine again

But until then...I'll be dancing in the rain

I want my joy to shine right through

And I'm gonna share my hope with you

But I won't be frightened by this world anymore

Cause standing strong, and I'm holding on

To the hand of my Savior

What precious words! As I literally watch my children dance in the rain, my prayer is that they too will one day dance in the rains of life. When the water is coming down on every side. That they would just dance through those circumstances knowing, believing, and trusting that died Christ to save us.

May you too know, believe and trust!

Myrtle Beach, SC

Road trip, movies in the car, dance music, quiet reading, Hunting Beach State Park, tire swing, pretending to be an eagle sliding down the slide, Bojangle's (2x), gorgeous sunrises, fresh ocean air, sandy faces, chasing seagulls, building sand castles..only to be stomped down, picking up shells for Ivey, the smell of sunscreen, Tate falling asleep in the backpack, cold water, fresh seafood, chasing waves, playing with cousins: H1, H2, and H3 (Haywood, Hallsey, Hamilton), drawing creatures in the sand, visiting the Aquarium, holding horseshoe crab, seeing sawfish and sharks, touching stringrays, Fuddruckers(yum), Tate bouncing in his swing,watching fudge be made, dancing and singing at "the Fudgery," Owen flying on the trampoline thingy, celebrating our Anniversary, competing with my brother as to who is "wiser"..I definately am due to my glorious gray coverage, washing that gray away:-), enjoying pure laughter, dinners with family, put-putting, sushi, lazy river, Owen swimming like a fish, Griffin jumping in the pool like a frog, and Tate grinning from ear to ear, joy, and meeting Vinson cousins at Aunt Jenna's wedding shower

Dear Jesus, thank you for the refreshment we found while away. Time with each other was joyful and I praise you for family; near and far. Thank you for the beautiful creation you made for us to enjoy and to anticipate the indescribable beauty of Heaven one day!

Fullness of the heart

This past Friday I took the plunge into the "30 somethings" as I celebrated my birthday. I can say for sure that if the next ten years are as good as they started then I am eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father. I spent Thursday night basking in the richness of friends and a wonderful husband's hard efforts to make my day unforgettable, and he succeeded. He had planned the sitter, told me when to be ready, and contacted my closest friends in the area to surprise me at a quaint little restuarant called "Through the Grapevine." All the details were covered; fresh fruit, fresh veggies, shrimp, chicken salad croissant sandwiches, and desserts with coffee or fruit tea. An absolute blissful time of girl fellowship; a rare moment in a house of boys. Sweet conversation, laughter, memories. Unforgettable!

The next morning as I spent time with my Creator I was feeling a subtle sadness with this date, because I wasn't going to get a birthday call from my dad that passed away 3 years ago this May. I could just hear his voice, "I love you, girl! Happy Birthday and how are the boys?" My prayer was that I would feel his presence in my day and somehow I would be reminded of his love. Well, God is more than good and knows our every little need. Later that morning, my mom called to send birthday wishes and love. And not a moment after those words, she said, "Laurie, I can remember it was like yesterday when you were born. Your dad was so excited. I remember him calling everyone saying, "We have a Laurie Elizabeth! He was thrilled to have a little girl." As mom continued to talk, I just was amazed at how quickly my Creator heard and answered my heart. I was full.

My heart has been so full as I continued to receive cards, emails, and phone calls from all the ones I hold dear to my heart. Many thanks to all of ya'lls tenderness, love and encouragement. I know I don't say it enough, but I treasure you all!!

"Hoppy" Easter

Our day was so full of blessings as we celebrated Christ's resurrection! In addition to that we are thrilled that Benji and Rebekah Baker, precious friends who are now in seminary at DTS, had their sweet little Caroline today..what a joy!

Our family celebrated Easter with a frozen egg hunt (due to the weather). I got this fun idea to write words of encouragement on little strips of paper and put them in the eggs. The boys had some much fun opening the eggs and asking to read them. Some statements included; "We are proud of you, I love you, You are amazing, You have a gentle spirit, Jesus died for you, and etc.. The best part was that Owen was beginning to recognize the phrases and could read to me his last few strips. Cool idea, huh..Use it and pass it on, I can't take the credit for that candy-free idea.

As you will see in the pictures, Owen decided to send Tate on an adventure in the laundry basket. The whole time he was singing "Row, row, row your boat" as he pushed Tate around our house. As you can tell on Tate's face, he wasn't sure what was going to happen next.

Another funny story for today was at church (although some of you may not appreciate the humor..sorry). Many of you know that our church meets in a school, and so that lends itself to lots of places to wonder after service if your parents aren't keeping close watch. Well, today as I watched me two PK boys travel towards the cafeteria, Owen yelled back, Mom we can eat in here. I reassured him that there wasn't any food there, but he said, "oh, yes mommy there is..come see. Well, as I got down there, my boys and other PKs were drinking the left over communion juice. I guess it's a good thing we don't use wine! Anyways, have a laugh on us and now you can seriously pray for us in about 12 years :-)

I hope all of you also enjoyed your Easter celebration with family or friends! To those far away we missed you, but rest in knowing we look forward to seeing you soon!

Monthly Quote

Take Rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~ovid~

Fiery Gizzard

The title doe not at all depict the type of day we had hiking, it was actually the name of the trail. Our family spent Wednesday checking out some local nature. We were so excited to spend a full day with daddy that included a little get-away. We packed our lunch, loaded up and were off. Spending a day relishing God's wonders was a beautiful reminder of the area/school where Chad and I met. Memories! Although, hiking with 3 in tow is QUITE a bit diffferent than a hike with just us, but I must say, it was filled with many more laughs, songs, breaks, and distractions to look at God's wonders. And I mean distractions, but teachable moments as well. We talked about where moss grows, why tree roots are underground, do monsters live in caves, did Moses' staff look like my walking stick, why are there tree roots coming out of the ground, and many more. You can imagine the day was full!

If you plan a hike with "walking" children, I wouldn't suggest a 2 mile hike the first time, unless you want to get an extra workout carrying 30 lbs. halfway through:-) Needless-to-say, we all were exhausted that night, but hey, at least Owen slept in to 7:00 am. Yippee! So, our hike truly was grand and we plan it to be a tradition in our home throughout the summer and fall. We are hoping to hit up a different place each time. Fun times.