It's Official...

We now...hereby...officially live in Gaines Vegas.

I know...we have actually lived here for 10 years.

But something about painting your child's name on 'the Rock' makes it feel official like.

There are actually 2 'Rocks' in town.

The Big Rock by the local high school and the 'Baby Rock' at Chloe's school.

People reserve a date to paint whatever they want to on it.

(Ok...you have to have whatever you plan to paint approved)

and it changes frequently.

The big rock changes probably every few days...the baby rock not as often.

Kevin painted it from 10pm to 3 am...using rejected bedroom paint

(why, yes, we did reject 'school bus yellow' for Chloe's nursery. shocking.)

He painted the entire thing...front and back

in hopes that at least some of it will remain for months.

E and C's nonsensical names are even painted in some secret spots.

Hoping they will be there for years! :)

Music Monday

Well...look at me...two Music Mondays in a row...
What. on. earth? :)

Any chaos or questions in your life right now? Me too.

Let's remember that One Thing Remains...

His love never fails...it never gives up. It never runs out...it goes on and on and on....

Even when it threatens to feel not true...we must believe the Truth...

He loves us and is working for our good.

Funny Guy

This is Eli following directions.

I asked him to go get his shoes on so that we could go.

He clomped over to me and said,

'Ok. I'm ready, Mom.'

P.S. This is your current favorite shirt.

You LOVE it.

You want to wear it ALL the time!

All Smiles...

You had a good first day!

You were all smiles when we picked you up.

Turns out you DO get to play outside for recess...AND

you get to play with ALL the other first grade classes!

So that means you and your BFF, Ella, still get to see each other and play!

YAY!!!

We stopped by Corner Drug for ice cream with the Moore's.

This is pretty much expected on any special kind of day.
And leave it to the Williams kids to be goof balls for the picture. :)

You were hammin' it up...

So thankful for a great first day of first grade!!

Music Monday

This may be the one and only Music Monday I ever post, but I wanted to share some songs that have been ministering to me a lot lately.

This one makes me want to get my 'sway' on. Seriously. Get me a choir robe and send me in!

I heard it first driving down the road several months ago...and then again a couple days ago. I will admit that it is the first worship song I have ever heard that is predominately directed to the enemy. Each time I listen to it, I end up shouting and with chills from my head to my toes.
Sing it, Tye Tribbett!!

This past year, the enemy has worked very hard at trying to kill, steal and destroy our lives...
I would like to submit my whole hearted AMEN...accentuated by pyrotechnics at the end...just like this song. :)

Now, this second song is much more chill...we just heard it for the first time at church yesterday. The message brings tears to my eyes and I am claiming the Truth that He makes beautiful things out of dust and out of us.

Enjoy...let me know what you think. Do these songs speak to you??

(BTW... If 'Beautiful Things' is a good representation of the band Gungor,

I may have found my new favorite band....just sayin')

First Day of First Grade!

It seems impossible, really.

Chloe is in the First Grade.

She is a First. Grader.

I have a First Grader...

No matter how many times I say it...it just doesn't seem possible.

But it's true.

Today is your first day of First Grade.

I would love to say that Eli is only personifying my feelings about it...

but that wouldn't be true.

(oh, Eli...sweet, Eli...a fit? right now?? awesome.)

I know I am your Mama and all...

but...Girl...YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

Inside and out.

You CAN DO THIS!

You are smart. You are kind. You are compassionate.

You are tender to the voice of the Lord and you obey Him.

You make us so proud!!

Ms. Law is gonna love you!

Now go be all BIG...
learn and grow...
be a good friend...
let Jesus shine through you...
and hurry home to tell us all about, mmK?

He Hurt My Feelings...

Okay...this story has a few different versions...depending on who is telling it..

But my sister Julia's rendition is my favorite and it makes me laugh.

Chloe and Eli are sitting with Julia in the waiting room at the hospital while Kevin and I visit with Uncle Dale. She reads while the kids watch a show. All seems peaceful until Julia notices tears streaming down Chloe's face and her dramatically declaring that Eli has hurt her feelings.

Julia: "Chloe? What happened? What did he say?"

Chloe: in sobs, "He said I was STINKY!!!!!!" (sniff, sniff, gasp, gasp) "And it hurt my feelings!!!"

Julia: "There is no reason to be crying about that..."

Eli interrupts: somewhat exasperated and what's the big deal anyway-ish...

"Well...she tooted! and she told me to smell it! and I told her she was Stinky!"

That is where Julia cracked up I think...or she may have waited until she was relieved of her child watching duties and around the corner of the hall...

Either way...the DRAMA!!!

He was just being honest (and a brother) after all.

On a very serious note...

If you think of him...would you please pray for my uncle.

Uncle Dale has always been more like a super-cool-larger-than-life-grandpa-figure to me...not that he was old enough to be my grandpa...but he did the spoiling and he has lived an amazingly adventurous life that has always filled me with wonder...he is one special man.

He is very sick...with multiple things going on...he will be getting more stints in his heart on Monday...and has started dialysis...he needs strength and peace and ultimately, healing.

Thank you so much.

Uncle Dale last year with Chloe and Eli