While We Were Out

While daddy was out on the road for 26.2 miles this weekend in Nashville,
and mommy watch and cheered,
our boys had their Grammy and cousin, Abigail, come stay with them to watch some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
They played in the backyard together on their fort.
They laughed and snarled and skinned up their knees.
They became little graffiti artists.
They played with their toys inside, showing their new playmate how things are done around here.
Mimi also came to visit and they all made the trip to the annual City Fest. Parks rarely let Abigail out of his sight,
but when he did the air was filled to pleas for "Abi, Abi, Abi."
Wyatt got to show off his extensive knowledge of all things "Moon Book." We were glad to get back on Sunday & the boys were definitely glad to see us, but they will miss their Grammy and cousin, Abigail, until they come back for their birthday weekend.

P.S. - Check out Todd's new blog, Running Avenue, for further insight on running, triathlons, and a Good Reads section.

Our First Beach Trip

We traveled to Orange Beach, Alabama for the weekend. It was the boys first real trip to the beach. We were a little concerned it would be too cold for them, but the weather was beautiful. Much the way it always works, Wyatt LOVED the gulf, the sand, the pool, all of it. Parks on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with any of it. We really couldn't have two more different boys. Unfortunately, we failed to bring the camera the one time we were on the beach with Wyatt in the water. Every time the waves hit his little legs he would laugh hysterically. Here are a few pics from our weekend.

Our attempt at trying to capture a Christmas shot on the beach. Wyatt decided to use Parks for balance and Parks did not like it.

Some sweet friend of ours boated over from Pensacola for breakfast. While the boys didn't actually ride in the boat, they loved exploring.

Note the look on Wyatt's face. He was so excited, he wanted to climb over the back of the boat and play with the engines. His lack of fear absolutely terrifies this mama, especially when our condo was on the 15th floor.

At the zoo in our new Radio Flyer wagon. We've had been debating whether to get one of these for months. So far I really like it.

The closest Parks would get to any body of water. Never mind the fact that he wouldn't even let his feet touch the sand.

New York, New York

Just to get everybody caught up on some of the happenings in the family. Recently, Randi and I made a trip to New York. The trip started out as a simple selfish attempt by me to go to a baseball game at Yankees Stadium one last time before it was razed to the ground. It turned into a four day weekend that included not only a Yankee game but also a ferry ride to Governor's Island, a day trip to Hyde Park, Vanderbilt Mansion, FDR's home, the Catskills, Spamalot, and a lot of walking around.

The Battery Park skyline from the ferry to Governor's Island. Randi and I were in NY during Christmas 2002, and it is still odd not to see those Twin Towers.

Waterfalls in NYC? Yes, it was a part of a new public art display, in which, they erected 5-6 of these waterfalls all around the south seaport. Give me waterfalls made of rock and earth any day.

On one of our outings to Grant's Tomb near Columbia, we walked by a church under renovation. These saints were getting a "face lift."

For some odd reason, this doorway struck me, and I had to get a picture of it. Some graffiti on the doorway of the "Roumanin-American Congregation of Talmud Torah." Of all the grand vistas in huge cities, it always seems to be the little slices of life that you remember the most.

Moss and spruce seeds sprouting roots on the wood shake roof shingle of a farm house in Hyde Park.

Home to one of this country's most influential families, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park. It's not so grandiose when you use to take school field trips to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC.

The Hudson River at we ascend into the narrow roadways along the Catskill Mountains.

Some huge, beautiful doors with intricate ironwork and stone work on a cathedral that we pass along the way.

In Christ Alone - Travis Cottrell

I was blessed to attend the Deeper Still conference in Atlanta this past weekend. The speakers were Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer. It was absolutely unbelievable to worship with 20,000 other women! The teaching was life-changing. I cannot possibly list all that I learned this weekend and all the ways I was challenged.

I was able to spend time with my good friend of almost 20 years, JMom, and several friends of hers that I had never met. What a blessing that was in and of itself, especially to hear those women ask about my babies and tell me how they prayed for them during and after my pregnancy. The Body of Christ is truly amazing!

I want to include this song, "He Is," that Priscilla recited Friday night. It was one of the most powerful things I have ever heard!

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s Guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit’s power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He’s God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE.
He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man,
Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and SaviorHe is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!

And the other thing that absolutely blew me away (other than the teaching of course) was this song that Travis Cottrell and the worship band sang. Here's a video of "In Christ Alone" with the lyrics. Listen and enjoy!

Old Rolls Of Film

So, Randi and I were setting up a mock studio in our living room to take pictures of the boys in some frilly lace outfits for their baby announcement, and I only had five pictures left on the roll of film that was still in my camera. Yes, call me a Luddite, I still love pictures on film. I also love finding old rolls and going, "huh, I wonder was it on here." Well, since I got the roll back I felt obliged to include some of them here.

Parks during our photo "session" with black cloth drapped over the sofa and red hot halogen job site lights.

One of the best pictures we had...so sad Parks is still wearing his bib.

Randi in the throws of pregnancy...and how did those two boys ever fit in there.

A face painter's palette at the New Orleans Jazz Fest that Randi and I attended in 2006.

"Vegas" sign on our trip to Sin City for Randi's work at Christmas 2005.

The famous Binion's in the old downtown Las Vegas.

Post Script-- it makes me sad that I haven't changed a roll of film since Christmas 2005.