Thanksgiving Lunch

Friday I had Thanksgiving lunch with Vivianne and Aidan at their school. It brought back many wonderful memories (I attended the same school)and made me realize how THANKFUL I am for my little turkey's AND for such a wonderful CHRIST centered education. In addition to a wonderful education I have formed lifelong friendships that started at CA with fellow students as well as my former teachers. I have been blessed with the BEST in all aspects of life!

Hadley's Room

Turk had to try out the bed!
He didn't like it!

Me trying to tell Andy & Nick how to take the bed apart

I must have given them good directions!

Who knew putting together a babies room could be so challenging? Uncle Nick came over and painted Hadley's furniture, when Nick and Andy decided to bring in the baby bed it wouldn't fit through the bedroom doorway! So the baby bed had to be taken apart and put back together inside the room! Then Andy put it back together with himself inside it and had to crawl out. Of course he didn't tell us any of this until after the fact! Needless to say the room is NOT ready; everything is in the room but nothing is arranged or organized. I guess I need to get busy! The official countdown is thirteen more weeks!

Broox Abrams

Yesterday was Baby Broox birthday! Three kids later and I finally get a baby named after me!

Congratulations Chris, Tanya, Brodie & Brennen! He's perfect!

Turk

Vivianne had fun dressing Turk up as herself! Cutie Pies both of them!

Happy Autumn!

My tiny lion & lion tamer!!

Pig Chase!

Vivianne's class went to the pumpkin patch today. She won the Pig Chase! I am one proud Tante. Lori said the rest of the time she carried around a silky chicken and a baby goat. I'm sure she will be wanting one of those creatures! I'm hoping she goes for the piglet!

Ashton Owen Lawrence

Lawrence Estates!
Ashton, Tante & Mommy

Ashton Owen

Vivi & Ashton

May 14th marked a very special day in my friend's Crystal & Shane's lives. They celebrated the much anticipated arrival of their miracle baby. They picked the beautiful name Ashton Owen, Owen being after Shane's Grandpa Owen Lawrence. I do not remember Bro. Lawrence but have heard wonderful stories of his great faith & good morals. I hope Ashton will fill those big shoes. Jaybird is proud to be a BIG brother! He is eleven years old now. I vividly remember the day that little booger was born too! I don't have a picture of him from the day I visited because he wouldn't come out of his room. I'm so excited for this little family! Congratulations, Crystal, Shane & Jaylin!!

Mother's Day 2010

This is the only picture I got from Mother's Day. Vivi and Aidan spent the night with us that Saturday night and we ran late for church that morning (imagine that), after church everyone was in such a hurry to get to Mama's to eat that we didn't take pictures afterwards either!

Arlie

I am so proud of my dear friend Arlie! She just graduated from the University Of Central Arkansas with her bachelor's degree! Originally I was only Arlie's older sister Leslie's friend as we were closer in age, as a matter of fact Arlie relentlessly teases me about not remembering her until she was 16, that is not true it was more like 12! I think my first memory of her is at Campmeeting riding around in Ginger's Jeep. She had the misfortune of falling asleep, we had an old prank where if someone falls asleep we silently count to three and slam on the breaks and yell. I really thought we had given Arlie a heart attack that night. As we both grew older we became closer friends, I am proud today to say she is one of my most loyal friends. I never have to worry about Arlie talking about me behind my back because if she has something to say she just comes right out with it. I have come to value her honesty. Arlie I am so VERY proud of you. I know this road has not been easy or without it's battles, you will learn that very few things of value in life are. It only makes victory that much sweeter. I pray you will build upon your education to pursue the career of your dreams but more than that, that you will continue to grow in favor with God, and pursue His calling for your life, there is NOTHING more rewarding. I LOVE YOU!

Piano Recital

Dakota enjoyed the recital

Aidan playing after only two lessons

Vivi rocking the house!

So Vivi and Aidan had their first piano recital. So cute and sweet! Vivi's instructor was using her finger to help her read the music and about half way through Vivi stopped, looked up at her and said, "I don't need your help"! Lori was embarrassed but Sis. Pomeroy said she loved that Vivi was confident enough to do it on her own. After the recital was over, they wanted to do it again! Attention hogs! I was one very proud Tante!

Amanda's Household Shower

The Happy Couple
Amanda & Arlie

One of my very best friends, Miss Amanda is getting married June 5th, I am honored to be her bridesmaid. May 1st we had a couples household shower for her. She had a wonderful turnout and looks like she has a good start on her home! I kept wanting to take all her neat kitchen gadgets. Congratulations Amanda & Aaron!!!

Easter

Just some various pictures of the kids hunting Easter eggs. I didn't get any of them dressed up for church because we got there late (imagine that) and we were in a hurry to get to Mama's and eat after church so none got taken then either! Church was awesome as usual! Although we enjoy all the traditions that go along with Easter I'm so thankful that I have experienced the power of the cross personally and know what Easter is really all about! I love you Jesus thank you for taking my place and becoming the ULTIMATE sacrifice!

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should should walk in newness of life.

Happy 80th Papa!

Andy's Dad, Nathan, Andy and Papa
The whole family

We also recently celebrated Andy's Papa's 80th birthday. They had a big shindig for him at his house, the place was packed! It was nice to meet (or in some cases re meet) lots of extended family. Photo's courtesy of my brother in law Matthew, check him out at www.designedbymatthew.com .

Ashton Lawrence!

Vivi was the official present unwrapper helper
Opening the goods

Vivi thinks the party is all about her I think

Just wanted to do a quick post with a few pictures to congratulate my good friend Crystal on her soon to be delivered bundle of joy! After struggling to have a baby for several years it looks like we have a winner! We had a good time at the baby shower, it was nice to catch up with at least part of the old "group"! I miss you bunches Tittle! Congratulations Crystal, Shane & Jaybird!

Happy BDay Mama!

I think Daddy is licking his finger in anticipation of her dessert!

It's impossible to get a sensible picture in this family!

Vivi with her Nanny Goat!

Surely one of the best days in the history of the world was the day my sweet Mama was born! February 2 we celebrated yet another year of this extraordinary woman. For those of you who don't know much about my Mama allow me to explain. My mother was raised in a small town called Starks, La she is one of six living siblings. On her senior trip her group passed through Arkansas, Mama remembers saying, "I want to live here one day." Well lo and behold she was at a church meeting when the bus driver from a visiting church (which happened to be in Arkansas) caught her eye, this gentleman happens to be my Daddy! Now you would think living eight hours apart would lead to a more lengthy courtship (remember this was before cell phones and email and neither probably had a home phone back then!) however they met and married in two weeks time! Daddy tells the story of driving home, only to get home take a shower turn around and head back, she must have been pretty irresistible! That story in itself is pretty remarkable however if you add to the mix that she left her family and church family and moved eight hours away, married to a man that had five children full time at age twenty two it becomes almost unbelievable story! Plus they added two more kids to the mix! I know it couldn't have been easy but you ALWAYS made it fun! Love you bunches DillyMama hope this is your best year ever!

Dakota

Dakota & Andy
Sweet Topper

Yummy Cake!

Food table

My good friends Serena & Kelly had beautiful baby boy January 28, 2009. The Hollands are evangelists and the times we get to see them is spaced further and further apart, I know this is a blessing to them but it's sad for those of us left behind! Dakota is a sweet bundle of joy, this whole family is VERY special to Andy and me both. We could not ask for better friends! I was blessed to be able to give Serena a baby shower at my home with the help of Lori. The turn out was great and lets me know that we aren't the only ones who feel this way about the Hollands. Marilyn helped with the food preparations, Lori did most of the decorations, I'm not really sure what I did besides clean my house! Sis. Meredith made the cake it was sweet and DELICIOUS! Dakota is now one and still makes me grin every time I see him. We miss you guys!!

Year in review-post #2

Mama with her Aunt Helen don't they look JUST alike?!
Aidan & Uncle RT

Vivi with her cousin Mia

Vivi with one of Aunt Jackie's lemons. Look at the size of that thing!!

We were blessed to be able to go to Louisiana to celebrate my Uncle RT's surprise birthday party. Uncle RT is married to my Mama's sister Jacqueline, better known as Aunt Jackie or JackWoman. We had a blast! It was held at the local VFW in Starks, LA, I think he was pleasantly surprised! They had a DJ and tunes & it was fun and romantic watching Aunt Jackie & Uncle RT dance around!! Andy and I stayed with my Uncle Lynn and Aunt Joann's in there cozy house (guest house) it looks just like a little gingerbread house!! I wish I had a picture to post of it. They were the perfect hosts! We visited my Aunt Jackie's the day of the party and took Vivianne with us, boys and girls of all ages LOVE to visit her house, it is beautiful and homey and her yard is to die for! This was Andy's first time to visit my family there and he quickly understood why we all love to visit. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back!

Year(s) in review-post #1

One major event over the past year was Miss Vivi started K4 (now in K5 this was a year ago!). Looking at these pictures I realize she was way to young to go to school! She looks so different in these pictures than she does now, all of her baby fat and features are gone! I WANT THEM BACK!

She was so tired that first day she feel asleep on the way home. When she finally woke up she ate two plates of Nanny's spaghetti (a LOT for her).