What A Day!

My heart has been very thankful these past fews days. More than usual for some reason that I just can't understand. Maybe the time of year? Maybe the week we have had? Maybe God just changing my heart? For whatever reason, I am grateful for the change. Today, however, all I could do was cry. It's my time of the month and that always makes me relive my miscarriage all over again. As much as I would like to skip this time of the month it continues to appear and I just continue to pray that in God's time we will have another child.

We get to church and the first little clip was for/about Veterans. That tugs at my heart for so many reasons. I'm thankful for their service. I have families in my mind that are single because their loved one is serving. And to think I get aggravated when Mark is working late. Selfish on my part. Knowing my brother in law will be deployed in January brings about more emotion because I know my sister will be left alone for several months. This alone makes me emotional. This is a job that deserves utmost respect whether they chose to be in the service or knew that was the only place for them. Regardless, I respect all military for the job that they do keeping us safe.

Next up, adoption. Our sweet pastor and his wife introduced their new son and daughter from Africa. I mean how awesome to obey God's calling to love a child/children as your own. To make your family look as the nations. No matter the color. These precious children will now know they are loved and will never be left alone again. We have also learned with in the past month that a set of our friends are beginning the adoption process. It brings joy to my heart. Adoption is such a beautiful thing in my eyes.

Imagine if someone came to you and wanted to take care of all of your debt meaning that you are now debt free. Hmm what would that mean/do for you? God did all of that for us by dying and taking care of all of our sins. It's gone and all he asks is that we ask for forgiveness. Man, that hit hard this morning. The message was actually on being strapped...strapped for money that doesn't always allow us to do what we would like because we owe someone. Very true. I wish all the time I had more money so I could give to this or do something nice for someone else. I know that day will come and I hope that we are disciplined enough to meet our needs and share with others.

Then I text my Dad to let him know I have been thinking about him this week and he lets me know he was headed to the cemetery for the first time since Mamaw's passing. This broke my heart all over again. I miss that lady so much and to address thank-you notes this afternoon and not send her one with a picture of the boys killed me. She was just my grandma, so I know how much his heart must hurt losing his mom. I look forward to going in Christmas and being able to go with him to see her and Papaw.

Needless to say, my emotions have been on a roller coaster today. And if I wanted to cry again, I can just think about Mark going to work tomorrow!! Enough, i know, maybe rest is what i need! In the meantime, all three boys are down wresting and for that I am happy! For healthy boys, for laughter, for a mess to clean in the morning, and so on.. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever."

Love,
Amber

Christmas

This year we opted to do the boys a trip for Christmas. None of us really need anything, so we booked a Disney cruise back in July and have been paying on it monthly so come Christmas it's all done. We won't go until February though. Mark has his boards and then we'll take off. Between grandparents and other family, there really isn't any need for me to buy big because they get so much anyway. This way we can enjoy family time together later.

For those of you that do buy for them and wondering what they "want," here are a few things they have been talking about.
~ Planes (the movie)
~ The Mermaid (the movie)
~ a bike (but that's already been taken care of)
~ LSU baseball cap
~ Batman small suitcase from PotteryBarnKids (Bently wants so it matches his backpack)

Yes, that's all they can think of! They love shopping at Barnes and Noble, going to the movies, Chick-fil-a, Target. They are both in 4t shirts and pants. Bently is in to "workout" pants. They love bubbles for the bathtub. Disney gift card for them to spend there. Honestly that's all I know of.

I hope this helps some of you. Here's a cute saying from Anderson today. He had a stamp on his hand. I asked where it came from and he said "Peewee" for P.E. I thought it was sweet and he was pumped to have it!

Have a great weekend!

Can We Say PARTY!

This past week seems to have been a blur with all of the partying we have done. It started Saturday before last with the boys' birthday party. We did a football theme this year because I thought that would be easy and fun since I combined the parties. I don't guess I realized just how many friends the boys have here and we didn't even invite school friends!! Blessed is what they are. And we were double blessed in that Brandon, Erica, Kylie, and Nolan came from Knoxville for the weekend. They have the best time playing with each other. The weather was great and we played all weekend. The boys got lots of great gifts and a "jump aline" or trampoline! :) Just depends on who you ask!

Monday night we hosted the Auxiliary Halloween Party here because our usual location is under construction. All went smooth even with 50+ people here! We always collect costumes to donate to the Children's Hospital and we received some really great ones this year. Needless to say, my boys were exhausted for school Tuesday morning.

Then came Halloween or Bently's birthday...both boys had to dress up for school for their costume parade around school. I wasn't planning to take them Trick-or-treating because Mark was on call, but I couldn't resist this year. After all, it was our first year to be home and them old enough to do. We went with "friends" or rather Lilly, Lacy, and Liam. They had a great time. Anderson had one favorite sucker that he couldn't wait to have. He carried it all night until I gave hime the go ahead. That boy would rather a sucker ver chocolate any day. Me...not so much!

Friday finally made it and Mark was post call followed by Saturday and Sunday off. I can't remember the last weekend he had both days OFF! It was so nice and I always get spoiled to having him home. I guess all good things end come Monday! We went to the movies to see Free Birds, ate at "restaurants," and made a trip to the zoo Sunday after early church since both boys were up way early. It was a nice weekend. Thanks again, MaC for the zoo membership this year. It has been used a lot!

We will be here Thanksgiving and hope to have a few visitors. Christmas is still up in the air. Mark has requested a few days off but they haven't been approved. You'd have to know just how MCG works. You do whatever they ask, but they may or may not let you off. Yadda, yadda, just need to vent considering he's working extra right now interviewing candidates for next year. Let's just say his CV will look nice when it comes time for him to interview next year. Yep, that time is almost here. I can't even believe it that this time next year we will know where we are headed the next. Seems crazy confusing yet exciting at the same time. God is surely Good and brought us so far. Where he leads we  will follow.

I almost forgot that we have a brand new niece. She decided to grace us with her presence last week on Halloween too! Miss Addyson Grace...5lbs 13oz. A pure bundle of joy. We have enjoyed face timing her and seeing her ever how we can. She made my baby fever multiply! I'm happy several friends here are due the beginning of the year. Hopefully I can get my fix through them and in the mean time I'll keep praying for our own bundle of JOY! Because he/she will be just that.

Thanks for sharing life with us where you may be. We are far from perfect, but these moments are perfect for us. Life is difficult sometimes, but our needs are always met. We are all children of a great God!!

Love to you,
Amber

The favorite sucker

Miss Lacy, the owl

2 cowboys, a proud American, and a tiger

Friends, Noah & Cooper

Bently's friend, Randall