You are my best prend!

Anderson has learned how to play the "best friend" card. If he wants to sit by me or sleep by me or do anything that i've told him not to do, he is my best prend and should get his way. Daddy is his best friend too, but mommy is really his best friend. It's funny and sounds sweet, so he usually gets his way. :) After-all, he's only 2 for a few more weeks! Bently's new thing is getting to stay for "lunch bunch" at school. He loves getting to go in another room and eat with his friends, so I've started working that extra hour on Tues/Thurs so that he can stay. This gives Anderson his full time in his class too. However, come Friday at noon, I am ready to get out of there.

The weather has been so nice this week and was this past weekend too. We've enjoyed playing at the park and just hanging out outside at home. Mark has been on call every other night, so most of the time it is just us! I'm getting used to it and when he's home during the day, it totally throws my schedule off. Luckily after tomorrow night he will be home Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Score! We will think it's vacation. We are making a gumbo and having a few friends over to watch the game.

This afternoon the girl I work with came over and we made strawberry and peach jam. I'm so happy I know how to do that now. It's going to be part of the Christmas gifts for the boys' teachers and friends around here. I haven't been cooking as often with Mark working. Fortunately, but unfortunately he does this again next month. I'm counting down the days until we leave for San Francisco though so that I can eat good! We have friends from UT Knoxville going too to the conference so it will be great to catch up with them. AND with out kids! :)

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Last week I had a rough day. I was in a great mood, but just felt empty inside and then I realized that the next day was 2 months that I had lost Little Shrub. I feel God has a way of making sure the things that are important to you are never forgotten. I'm really missing my sisters right now as well. I think they both need me and we need each other but getting to visit just isn't possible. One day SOON...I will be able to fly and stay for more tha 4-5 days at a time. Oh happy day! Thanks for praying for Mark for guidance. We've heard word of a few jobs (early I know) but just not sure if this is God leading us or seeing if we'll be patient to see other offers. Only time will tell and until then, we pray.

I hope all are having a great week and will live the life you have been given with GRACE!

Love,
Amber

Rocky Top

Well we made it to Knoxville this past weekend. It was a much needed weekend away even if time did pass too quickly. We made several stops on the way just enjoying the scenery and letting the boys stretch. They kept complaining it was too long. I was happy we were only going 5 hours aways verses the 10-11 we usually do. Part of it was my fault too because I did do a movie for them either! Yikes!! Next time...Caillou to the rescue! Little Nolan was already asleep when we got there Friday night, but Kylie was up and ready. I couldn't get over how long it took the boys to warm up to her. They were very quiet and bashful, but it's been at least 6 months or so since we've seen them. The 3 of them finally crashed about midnight, I believe. Saturday we took off to the mountains. I LOVE driving through and admiring the beauty. I makes me stop and realize what a BIG God we serve. Mountains, oceans, valleys, oh my! Gatlinburg really doesn't impress me, but it was filled with tourists and we grabbed lunch there. By this time it was mid afternoon and the kids were ready for "fun stuff" so we stopped and let them ride a few rides! They were happy and this gave Erica and I time to stop at the outlet! However, I did leave empty handed. I was looking for shoes for the boys because their feet are growing sooooo fast! Needless to say, Mark didn't do any work either night, so we just played at World's Fair Park Sunday morning and then left. The boys were asleep in no time and actually slept a while, so I know they were exhausted! It was hard leaving because you never know when you will see them again. We have no plans to return until early next year, but they are hoping to make it down here for the boys' birthday next month. Fingers crossed! Mark worked hard on his posters Sunday night, so hopefully he isn't too far behind. Sometimes we just need some fun in life. As for now, it's call every other night for the next week and half for him. :(

The boys had a playdate here today. We finally got the yard cleaned up yesterday and toys all clean. It's been forever since we've been out back with all of the heat and rain. They had lots of fun! Remember to save and send Box Tops if you have any. They love, love getting those in the mail and putting on their sheet for school! It's the little things!

Here are a few pictures from this past weekend, enjoy! ~Amber

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to school we go!

School has begun for both boys! I'd say "yay," but I am there with them! Nah, I am happy to be there teaching 4k three days a week. The boys love school, so they are happy as well to be back in a routine. Bently is in the Monkey room this year with 2 wonderful teachers. Anderson is in the Bear room (Bently's old room) with 2 great teachers as well. Funny thing is...there is a Bently in that room this year too! Who would've thought that? I have a really sweet group and actually had all parents there for Open House. This is a far cry from my last real teaching setting. I put the boys back in Kindermusik on Mondays. However, I moved them up to a "bigger" class. They go and do by themselves and I come in the last few minutes and they perform for us. So Wednesday is our only week day off. Instead, it's not off at all. We spent a good part of today running errands, getting haircuts, the gym, etc.

Mark finished up SICU last week. Praise the Lord!! It was a long month for the whole family. He began OB Tuesday and will be there 2 months. Happy I'm not expecting a new arrival this month! :) He was off all last weekend, so we were able to catch up and do a few things around the house. Monday we went to a friends place and cooked out and the boys got to swim. They LOVE to swim. No arguing...it's the best babysitter!

We are hoping to make it to Knoxville this weekend to visit one set of our cousins. Nolan just turned 1 last week and we can't wait to see them all and hopefully a few friends from when we lived there. I really praying it's much cooler there than here. UNBEARABLE is what it is!

I am beginning to plan the boys' birthday party. It's very surreal that they will be 3 and 4 in a little over a month. Several of our friends have birthdays then too, so it's hard picking a date plus I'm waiting to get Mark's schedule. We are going with a football theme this year. I figured it would be easy to find party accessories this time of year!

Just thought I'd catch you up on what has been going on our way. If you would, please keep Mark in your prayers as he is trying to make up his mind what he wants to do fellowship wise. It's not a decision I want to make because I wont be doing it forever. So I keep praying that God will make straight the path he should take. Of course if it leads us to the beach or some beautiful mountain area I wouldn't be sad!! :) Thanks for the prayers!

Love to all,
Amber

He is as silly as he appears to be!

Big Boy!

Just soaking up some sun AND shade with a glass of water!

Happy family of four!

His first time to write his full name all by himself!