prayer request

I   just found out that my Uncle Tate has cancer.  He and my Aunt have been through so much through the years.  Both have had battles with cancer.  My heart aches for them.  They do not have family close by.  Thankfully, they have a strong church family.  Please pray for healing, comfort and peace...that treatment will be successful...

thank you

I Don't Want to Raise a "Good" Child!

I really needed to read this.  Maybe some of you do, too!  I love my little ones beyond words.  Maybe this link will bless your heart as it has mine!

Trip to South Alabama

In October, we had the opportunity to visit the other southern side of our great state.  I had a work meetings and the family tagged along.  We left one Friday afternoon and drove to Point Clear.  I loved the drive down...it was a route...well most of it (i.e. the part that I didn't try to direct a shortcut that ended up adding 30 minutes to our trip) we took many of a time when I was a kid.  Driving through Fairhope was BEAUTIFUL.  I believe I could definitely spend more time in the area...

Our little weekend getaway was a wonderful time away for our family.  We were lucky enough to have Miss Sara Hilton drive over from Mobile to be our sitter on Friday and Saturday evenings while David and I attended work functions.  We stayed at The Grand which was amazing.  The food...wonderful...the service...impeccable...the list of things to do...too long for the time we had!

We enjoyed walking around the resort, fishing on the pier, free bike rentals, canon demonstration and the beautiful views.  We headed home Sunday through Mobile and enjoyed touring the Battleship. 

Here are few pictures from our stay...the Battleship pictures have not been downloaded...

View from our amazing room!

Not sure if this was the dolphin or another fish..., but we saw DOLPHINS!! 

Austin Kieff had a great time fishing

Our room is the second one to the right of the big tree!

Beautiful

Enjoying a ride

There were beautiful butterflies everywhere!

The Cannon

Austin Kieff riding the rental bike

Catching Up...

So, the infamous soon turned into a lot longer than I thought it would...if anyone is still out there checking in, thanks for caring about our little family and trying to stay in touch via our family website and/or this blog!  I will be blogging a few things from the list mentioned previously over the next few days and several things that have been added to it...like Thanksgiving, Austin Kieff's first school program, CHRISTmas, Nanny's visit and New Year's.  Hopefully, I will find the time to download all of the pictures that have been taken so that I can actually complete the list...

While you are waiting...here are few pics of the kiddos...what most of you really check in for, ha!

Looking tough in his rodeo jacket and cowboy hat

I just LOVE this little girl!

This is her "hmmm, let me think about it" face

We see this face when she isn't getting her way!

Riding a "rental" bike at the hotel and not too thrilled about the color!

While You are Waiting...

I LOVE these lyrics:

What Faith Can Do Lyrics

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you're stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes

You will have the strength to rise

Upcoming Posts...

Okay, so first I will admit to not being the greatest updater...especially when it comes to timeliness.  Thank goodness this blog does not include financial reports or I would be in trouble with my shareholders, ha!

The following will be blogged about...here it comes...the infamous... SOON!

• Vacation (the remainder of our Trip!)
• First Report Card
• First Self-Inflicted Haircut
• Trip to South Alabama (the other side)
• Trunk or Treat and Halloween
• and I am sure a few other things I have forgotten!

Stay tuned...but until then...

Laura

Yes, I so took this picture myself, ha!  But I LOVE the way Caroline is looking up at me...

it also reminds me to watch my step, my tongue and actions!!

Austin Kieff and...Jesus

Two mornings in a row our conversation on the way to school has been about Jesus "dying on the cross to set us free from our sins."  It amazes me how much my little fella actually comprehends about his relationship and the relationship we desire him to have one day with Christ.  This morning he asked some very tough questions.  Questions if I were talking to an adult I could answer easily.  However, I hesitated in my responses to him.  And then I realized, if he was asking these questions, I needed to have faith that God would help him understand the answers.  It was not my responsibility to make him understand, but to plant the seed.  Well Austin Kieff definitely doesn't need a seed...I think that seed was planted long ago.  I think we are in the "tending" phase.  I pray that my example and the example of those around him provides the right "fertilizer!" 

His faith and love for our Lord never ceases to amaze/surprise me.  He is so matter-of-fact with his beliefs...no hesitation, no question.  God is the only God and the blood of Jesus washes our sins away when we believe.  Amen. 

I pray that the Lord will give me the words to say when Austin Kieff is asking these questions.  I pray that Austin Kieff never waivers in his faith and that his love for the Lord is always as passionate as it is now.  God truly blessed me with my son...and uses him to minister to my heart on a daily basis.