Happy Mother's Day

My Mother, Teresa . . . the sweetest "T" in the world!

I wanted to take this time to share how grateful I am for my mother, who has cared for me so tenderly and sacrificially since the day I took my first breath - who has walked with me through each chapter of my life, sharing joys and tears as if they were her own.  She has invested all that she is into me, and for that I am so grateful.  Also, she has proven to be such a wonderful grandmother and is investing so much into her grandchildren as well.  (John David affectionately refers to her as "My T". :)  Mom has exemplified godliness before me each day of my life through the way that she serves our Lord, loves my father, loves her children, and loves others.  I am amazed at her life and ministry.  I love you, Sweet T!

I also wanted to say how grateful I am for my "other mother" -  my mother-in-law is such a blessing to me.  I am so grateful for how she cared for my husband during his growingup years, and how she continues to share in our lives.  I so much enjoy our conversations, and I love to watch her love our son. Thank you, JoJo!

Thankfully, both of my sweet grandmothers are living and continue to play such a special part in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  We don't get to see either of them enough, but the time that we do get to spend with them, we treasure dearly.

 

I could not write this post without sharing how grateful I have been to be a mother for almost two years now to such a precious little boy...and now another on the way.  I am so grateful for all that the Lord has taught me through mothering my son.  What a privilege...what a joy. 

Finally, I wanted to take this time to say thank you to all of the godly women who have invested in my life.  As Christians, we truly are family with other believers.  I could not let this day pass without reflecting on all of those women who have been "mothers" to me spiritually. Like Paul said in Romans 16:13 : "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well."  And like Jesus, who - when looking down from the cross - addressed his mother Mary and his disciple John in John 19:26 & 27 : "When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'  Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!'..."  Mary was truly the mother of Jesus, who bore Him in her virgin womb; but was John his brother?  No, not biologically. But indeed he was spiritually.  Why did Jesus not tell one of his blood brothers, like James, to care for their Mom?  Well, at that time, his brothers did not trust in Him as the Savior of the world.  So, His bond spiritually with John went much deeper than the ties He had with His own family who did not yet believe in Him.  I want to encourage those of you who are biological mothers, those who are not mothers, those who are waiting to be mothers one day, or those who will never have children of their own to not neglect those "children" whom we can nurture spiritually.  Our role may be much more important in the life of another child of God than even that individual's own physical mother. May the Lord give us grace to love and serve the family of Christ well.        

With that being said, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all women who have placed their trust in Christ Jesus our Lord!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID!

Today is my husband's 29th birthday!  I am so thankful to get to share life with him - what a joy...and so much fun!  I love you, David, and praise the Lord for your life! 

This picture was taken this morning - officially 29 years old!

(By the way...we were at my parent's house last night, and my younger brother - Kameron, who is home from college for the summer (YEA!) - told David that he heard that between 28 and 30 years old is a man's athletic prime.  Wow, did that ever motivate my competitive, goal-oriented husband!  Since last night, he has talked of his desire to complete both a triathlon and a marathon by December!  Go for it Dave!)  

Family Vacation Part 2

How grateful we are to some old family friends for giving us a day at Disney World!  We chose to only spend one day, for we did not know how our little man would handle it all . . . but oh, how he LOVED it!  He was such a delight all day (which was an answer to prayer) despite the sun and crowds and minimal napping.  We were just able to go to Epcot, but that was plenty for this trip and was so much fun!  The only "scare" of the day was when John David chose to drink from someone else's straw in the stroller parked next to ours...(Well, it was a scare for me that is.  John David obviously didn't care, and - although David is a sanitary man - living in Africa for a few years caused my husband not to be quite so uptight about such things:)  So, Praise the Lord for safety too, which made the day that much better!

Growing up, my family made a trip to Disney Word each summer, so it holds a special place in the nostalgic box of my heart.  Although David doesn't have childhood memories here, he does appreciate great imagination and creativity; he himself said it was "Magical."  John David proved to have similar sentiments.  Thank you - Corey & Dana - for a day we will never forget!    

A day at Epcot - A wonderful day indeed!

Enjoying classic

characters carved out of bushes...

Only Disney!

Mary Poppins - a personal fave of mine

"My new favorite place with my favorite person"

Enjoying the fountain in France . . . 

in Morocco . . .

and in Mexico.

John David LOVES music & playing instruments...

So we got our hands on as many instruments as we could!

Having fun with Daddy while waiting in line -

thankfully John David was such a great sport all day!

We were thankful to have our cousin Hillary along on 

the trip.  Having an extra set of hands & eyes, as well 

as a family photographer, was such a blessing!  Thanks, Hill!

John David enjoying a ride with Daddy

Nap time . . . a much needed break for all!

John David "directing the choir" :)

Our first sighting of "Pluto Doggie" - 

one of John David's favorites!

John David's first intro to Nemo -

a new fave! 

A perfect close to a "practically perfect" day!

Our Family Vacation, Part 1

I decided to make the post about our recent vacation in two parts.  We spent the majority of our time at beautiful Lake Santa Fe, where my mom's parents live.  It is our family's favorite vacation spot . . . so peaceful, so relaxing, and oh, so many sweet memories!  

Now that David is serving as youth pastor, summers are going to be really busy for him.  He is taking our students on several retreats and a mission trip; he is also leading a church-wide mission trip to the Ukraine at the end of the summer.  We realized a few weeks ago that we more than likely would not be able to take any kind of family vacation this summer.  So during the week that our students had spring break, we headed down to Florida to spend time at my grandparents house.  We also traveled down to Orlando where we spent the day at Disney World, thanks to some kind friends who work there.  Part 2 of this Vacation post will have some pictures from our most wonderful day at Disney! 

A windy day on the lake . . . 

My sweet Grammy and Daddy Jim

John David loves music, and he loves to watch our music minister

at church directing the congregation and choir.  So, if he sees anything

that slightly resembles a music stand (like this plaque in Grammy's

flower bed), if possible, he likes to stop and "direct the choir" himself.

  

John David was a big helper when it came to picking up grapefruit.  

Grammy & DJ have a grapefruit, an orange, and a tangerine tree

in their back yard...the most delicious citrus you will ever taste!

  I have never had grapefruit that are so sweet . . . 

Thankfully, we came home with 5 bags full!  

Kizziah baby's tend to crave citrus :)

(Unlike John David, this one has caused a lot of salty cravings too...

maybe it's a little female in there!)

I had to include this picture to show my husband's 

mad basketball skills.  Good one, babe!

Countless games of "HORSE" and "Around the World"

have taken place here. 

That All May Know Him

Thanks to our missionary friends, the Bowmans, we were introduced to the "Unreached People of the Day" that we just added to the sidebar of our blog.  Each day it displays the name of a different people group to pray for who have yet to hear the Life-giving Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.  May our hearts be burdened for these souls.  If for no other reason, I added this to remind ME to pray for those who are not just dying without knowing Christ, but those who are LIVING without Him.  Oh, that all would taste and see!  

THANK YOU

I want to thank each of you who are so dear to faithfully intercede on behalf of our family; specifically regarding John David.  We have been blown away by how the Lord has been marvelously working in his little life, as well as the life of our family as a whole.  The improvements we have seen in him since returning to Alabama have been amazing.  Praise be to God, who is gracious in all His ways!  

John David loves the preschool program that he is attending twice a week and speaks with great fondness about his teachers and classmates.  He is such a big boy and goes into class now without insisting that Mommy be in the room.  Even taking him to the nursery at church has been so easy, for he knows that "Mommy be right back". :)  He really seems to enjoy his friends and teachers there, as well.  When I do come back to get him, he gives his teachers good-bye hugs and then usually proceeds to tell me which of his classmates had been crying that day.  He is very concerned for others when they are upset.  I am so grateful that he seems to be so happy now during these times that we are apart.  

These improvements are HUGE, for anxiety ~ specifically, separation anxiety, ~ has been one of our biggest concerns.  But PRAISE THE LORD for His lavished grace in allowing such beautiful improvements.  Thank you for your prayers for John David; please continue to pray for him, as well as for us . . . that God will give us wisdom to know how to best parent this precious one with whom we have been graciously entrusted.