Egg Hunt at the Nashville Zoo

Where in the world did April go?

My goodness, I can't believe its the last day of April! I feel like I blinked and it was over...so I will try to catch you up to speed on it with the highlights for our family.

Good Friday: The boys and I enjoyed eating lunch in our laundry room while we waited out the tragic tornado. I mean the Lord totally looked out after us despite my clueless-self. I called my next door neighbor about 12:25 and she said, "Laurie, we are under a tornado warning..I have my boys in laundry room!...oh, I guess I should do the same :-)" So, we gathered our lunch and I grabbed some books for the adventure.

Saturday: Our family spent the day up at the Nashville Zoo celebrating with an Easter Egg Hunt. Many kuddos to the zoo!!!! They have the age group hunts down to a science and it went so smoothly. Pictures to follow...

Easter Sunday: Had a fabulous lunch with church friends that also don't have family close. Yum-Yum!

My birthday: the boys were so sweet...that morning Owen wanted to fix my breakfast and then I got to pick lunch, and of course I chose Goodness Gracious. It's was fun to take the boys to this "girlie" place, because they were such little men. Now, the first few minutes they weren't real sure about this new place, but they did great. Then, Chad had planned for a sitter that night and we had some time together out.

Camping/Movie night: Chad took a few guys from the youth group camping last Friday night. They had fun getting lost on the way back, but none-the-less, got back a few hours late. I on the other hand took advantage of a girl night and had a few girls come over to watch a movie.

Travellin' Texans: Last weekend, sweet retired friends from Texas came in for a visit. I taught with Lois my first 2 years and then she retired to start this travellin' journey. She and her husband Fred own a RV and travel around seeing friends and family. They actually started working at Disney in the winter which has been super fun for them. They came and spent 2 days with us on their way back to TX. They last saw us when Owen was 1, so they got to meet Griffin and Tate. The boys immediately feel in love with them. Owen was really trying to understand why they too couldn't be his grandparents. Fred took pictures of the boys on the trampoline, played and pitched baseball two nights in a row, and treated us to a tour of their 250 sq.ft home and their 2 puppies.

Our 9th anniversary: Yippee! I hope to go out tonight, since yesterday was terribly full.

Griffin's latest appt: Dr. Bernui is really encouraged with Grif's growth, development, and progress. We still have metal toxicity that we are going to handle more aggressively, but overall, it was an encouraging visit.

Privileged

A week ago, Chad and I had the privilege to take 20 students to Asheville, NC for a week of "labor of love." It is so easy to go through life and not take a moment to reflect or remember, and this trip was a perfect time for me to do it. Here is my list of privileges that God has given me, and it's my responsibility to remember them;
-family that loves my boys
-a reliable car to get us to and fro
-doctors to know my son's needs/$ to pay for it
-fresh food, packaged food-just food-no need to be snobby about it:-)
-heat in my home
-neighbors that look out after us
-a matteress and box springs
-windows that open and close
-clean carpet
-floors with NO holes
-a shower
-kitchen cabinets-not ones that are rusted out
-a laundry room with washer and dryer vs. them being in the kitchen
-someone who cares to listen when i'm hurt
-a home where mom and dad love each other
-a home where I could be a child
-insurance
-the time to get out of my mommy routine and think and love on somebody I've never met

Thank you Jesus for letting me be the hands and feet for our sweet new friend in Asheville. May he know Your love and mercy when he is lonely and sad. Heal his heart and thank you for allowing us to be You for him.

Email Change

Ok, so I'm a little overwhelmed with the thought of entering a ton of email addresses into my new account, so I need your help. If you email and want to keep up that way, pls. save this change.

laurievinson@att.net

I have had this email for about 5 years and today it died without any warning. So the thought of remembering who needs it is crazy. You know all those people that want it for security purposes, billing companies, and most importantly, the people I correspond with; YOU!:-)

A Servant's Heart at 6

My heart is so filled with thankfulness tonight as I share the events of our evening. This morning Griffin was running a temperature and not feeling well. As the day went on he nestled himself into the couch to watch Prince Caspian, and that's when it all unfolded. Poor little guy got sick sitting next to Owen and Owen immediately got up, found me and yelled to come quick. While I was tending to Griffin, Owen got the trashcan and towel. The night went on and once again Owen served his brother with love. He ran got another towel, a cup to use in the bathtub, some water, and read Griffin a story while I went to wash Ellie. When I came back up stairs, Owen wanted to know when Ellie would be dry. So in the meantime, Owen got Griffin's puppy to sleep with until Ellie was dry. Lastly, Owen came over to where I was rubbing Grif's back and joined in. He was SO tender towards his brother. He has great love and care for him. And for that, my heart is proud.

Movin' On Up

Just writing that title reminds me of "The Jeffersons" sit-com that I remember watching occassionally when I was little. No we aren't watching reruns of it now, but in one room of the house, we are "movin on up."
We recently bunked Owen and Griffin's bed and rearranged the room a bit. This was a rite of passage to "6" for Owen. He has been looking forward to it and they both have loved the idea of their own space within the bed. We would at some point like to bunk them all together in a room, but that will need to wait. I'm not quite ready to manage them all together. So, cheers to being "6"!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

C-caring
H-honest
A-affirming
D-devoted

M-madly in love with him
I-independent
C-compassionate
H-humble
A-amazing daddy
E-energetic
L-loving

V-visionary
I-introverted
N-noncook :-)
S-silly
O-only one for me
N-never gives up

Happy Birthday Daddy!! We love you...you are the best daddy!!