A whirlwind trip to Louisiana

Let me start by saying the trip from here to Louisiana is painful! Yes, it's I-20 the whole way and a few pretty sites along the way, but geez...it feels as though we will never get there some trips.

Back in July, my grandmother found out that she had a few spots on liver that were cancerous. She was in her 80's and has always been a fairly healthy woman aside from not getting around that great. During this time she had been staying with my uncle and in-out of the hospital. Still, she wasn't THAT sick. We have talked weekly and sometimes more than that for years now. I was putting the trip off to go visit until early November. October was already busy with trips, school, birthdays, and a few other things. However, a few Thursdays ago, my Dad called with the news that she had Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer as well. Hospice gave her a week to 4 weeks. I knew then, that I needed to get home and see her. I wanted the boys to see her again. I wanted another picture. I wanted that time with my Mamaw Jo. She was a grouchy lady more times than not. BUT she loved me and my family. She always made sure we had something for our birthdays and Christmas even if it meant me going and buying. She loved talking to them on the phone. She loved getting pictures from us. Her heart was big yet could be bitter sometimes for whatever reasons. However, when we arrived Sunday afternoon there wasn't a bitter bone in her body.

The trip went so smooth. I left early that Sunday when Mark left for work. We made 2 stops for gas and 1 for the bathroom. I packed lunch and lots of snacks. Mamaw looked as good as she could when we saw her. Her arms were swollen bigger than anything I had ever seen, but she had a smile and was so happy to see us. Filled me with joy. I never wanted to leave. Daddy and I took the boys outside to ride their scooters. I remember him saying, "She doesn't look like she wouldn't be here in a week or two does she?" I said no, but it can all change fast. Little did I know that's what would happen later in the week. She wanted to see the boys ride, so we said we would try and get her out there Monday so she could see. Monday came and she thought looking out the window would be best. Tuesday came and she didn't think she could go see them at all. That's just how fast she went down hill.

Bently was there through it all. Whenever I said I was going, he was going too! We spent a few late nights up there with her. Took her mashed potatoes because she thought she may could eat, but couldn't . She thought strawberries and cool whip sounded good, but couldn't eat those either. I ended up feeding her ice chips the last few days just to wet her mouth. How sad is it that someones wants something yet your body is telling you no. I massaged her hands, I played music for her. "It is well with my soul" and "Go rest high on that mountain" by Vince Gill. Times were precious and I knew there was nothing left on this Earth that she needed. In a few moments we had together just she and I, her eyes closed most of the time, she told me to never forget her and just how precious my boys were. WOW!!! Words that I will never forget. On a night when I felt sure the Lord would take her, he didn't she lasted a whole day and half later. It broke my heart knowing I had to come back to Augusta and she still be there. Would they hold her hand? Would they still talk to her? Or let her lay there as if she was gone? Thankfully, the Lord heard my prayer and took her early Thursday morning before I headed out. Sad, yes, but at peace more so. She loved and was loved. Her heart was right and now she is with her brothers, sisters, husband, mom, and dad.

Rest in peace sweet Mamaw and watch over us as we live this life with out you. I've wanted so many times this week to call her and talk. It's tough, but I look to heaven and now that she is with us.

LSU vs. Georgia

I have a lot of catching up to do because October has been one busy month and it's only half way over! We had a few friends over to watch the game a several Saturdays ago. We made gumbo and had Derby pie! Both were delicious. The weather was so nice, so we girls stayed outside with the kids while the Dads watched the game. It was a sad turnout for us, but someone must win and someone must lose! It's still Geaux Tigers around here even though Bently begs to differ!

This is my good friend, Chris. She has 2 boys, Noah and Cooper that turned 3 the day before my birthday! Her husband Mike is an ER resident. They are about the only couple here that loves football like we do!

The boys and I did the ALS walk earlier that morning!

Yay!!!

2 cute Tigers!

Mr. Noah

Seesaw up so high, we can almost touch the sky!

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!

My thoughts on this Sunday

When I woke this morning and began thinking about all I needed to do today, the first thing was pay the credit card that I forgot to pay last night. I went ahead and paid it right then. But it just got me to thinking how much longer will we live this tight? Taxes hit hard this year, and I finally think we have recovered and now it's time for termite renewal and Terminix yearly payments and registration renewal all this month. What else? I begin thinking to myself...stay out of Target this week, stay home so I don't have to get gas as often, and so on. I got ready for church and the boys and I went. Late of course, but so were a few other teachers so I didn't feel as bad!! :) Almost immediately as I got in church and began singing, the Lord spoke to me. I felt him saying, "Do not worry about what you have to do. Bless and thank me for what you have. I have and continue to provide for your family." Right then, I stopped and thanked him for my blessings. Church was good, and on the way home I got a text from a friend needing Spark. To me, this was just reassurance of our needs being taken care of. We are very blessed and I am humbled by the season of the life we are living. Time is special to us right now and these moments with these boys are priceless.

I hope when you read this post that you needed to hear this too. Don't waste this day worrying about tomorrow. It does NO good. We are too blessed to be stressed. We met Mark after church and headed to the zoo for the afternoon. It was hot, but fun and free because we already had a zoo membership. Prayers for a good week!

~Amber

Mommy & Me Time

This month Mark is working a crazy amount of hours, so the boys and I have been having a lot of quality time together. No school or anything we have to do and it's been nice! We went swimming a few times last week, babysat a sweet baby one morning, made cookies to take to the hospital for Daddy and his friends, had blizzards to support the Children's Hospital, and made it back to the gym...finally! This afternoon we went to the movies and saw "Planes." It was cute, but Anderson was finished when his belly got full of popcorn. Plus, we had been going to the $1 movies over the summer and they weren't very busy. Well today it was busy and he didn't know how to react to someone sitting next to him. They are enjoying Mark working so much because that gives them a few nights a week to sleep with me! I don't complain because I enjoy the company.

They had a wonderful time, or so it sounds, in Louisiana with out me. They came home with a lot of loot from various family members! My conference was good and it was fun to get back in the swing of teacher mode even if it is part time. However, it was way in the country with horrible cell service, scary sleeping arrangements, and the food was cafeteria style (ick!!!) So happy that I packed my own snack bag and plenty of water. I just don't do well with all of that. But overall, it was nice and sponsored by the Baptist Convention so super sweet people! I met Mom half way Sunday to get the boys since I was 5 finishing Saturday. The drive is LONG. And I say I am open minded about fellowships and a permanent spot, but boy that sometimes narrows my decision after making the trip. I know we won't go any further than 11 hours or at least I pray! It's exciting to think that next October we will know something, but that also means we will be closer to having to say good-bye to our friends here. That, I am not looking forward to.

I went last Tuesday for my 2 week check-up and all was great. I can't say enough what a super doctor I have here. The boys have still been asking about the baby. Bently wants to know when we can see him again and why the doctor gave him to Jesus. Anderson just says that since I don't have a baby in my tummy then I can carry him! Love the way they each think so differently.

We took them to get a fish this week. They had a gift card left over from last birthday and since it's almost been a year...we decided we best use it! Mark wanted to dive in to a bigger aquarium, but i knew if I couldn't keep one fish alive, a big something would be a waste. So Goofy and Charlie Brown were welcomed Tuesday evening. Charlie Brown died Wednesday!!! Not sure what happened, but Goofy is going strong!

We have one more week until school starts for me, so I'm looking forward to more Mommy time this week. If Mark gets rest tonight, we plan to go to the zoo tomorrow afternoon. If not, I'll just take sometime this week. I hope all of you reading are having a nice weekend. We love you and miss you!

Big Boys at the dentist while they got their teeth cleaned! 

My Native American combo at the conference!

Babysitting Silas!

Basketball at Chuck-e-Cheese

Swimming fun!!

Making homemade pizza!