PLEASE DON'T LEAVE!!!

Doesn't he look so sweet and innocent!  Well, last night before my man headed back out on the road my 4 yr. old (Jake) started giving him a hard time.  "Please don't leave daddy!, I don't want mommy, I want you!  I don't want you to go!!!"  Then it progressively got worse.  We have sort of been expecting this for a few weeks because it has seemed to take a little longer for Jase to be able to get out of the door because of extra hugs and kisses.  But, we are talking lots more than extra hugs and kisses.  This was death grip, screaming, crying, hands and feet pushing on the outside of the van while Jason was trying to get him in his car seat.  MAJOR!  I felt a little sorry for the neighbors.  It sounded like someone was hurting the poor boy!  By the time Jason finally got him in the car seat and strapped it (which took a while, the kid is strong), I was hysterical!  Thankfully Jake didn't see me, but Jason not only had to deal with a crazy 4 year old, but a crazy wife too!  It was just so sad to see him react that way.  I know that daddy being on the road as much as he is will affect our children.  I am just hoping that we can turn this around, and not allow it to affect them negatively.  It just so happened that our small group leaders were at a meeting that I had to be in at church after the drama.  I was able to get some good advice on how to deal with it the next time!  Gotta love the life of an artist!  Sometimes it can be so fun, but sometimes it just really stinks!!!

We're Back!

Well, we have actually been back from our work/vacation for a week but it's not unusual that I am just now getting around to posting.  We had a BLAST!  The cruise was so much fun, and the boys absolutely LOVED the new adventure they were on every day!  They loved Camp Carnival (the little place where the kiddos can go play games, get their face painted, etc.)!  But I think the beach in the Bahamas was their favorite thing.  We have some great video footage of Jake body surfing and Jonah screaming with excitement when the waves would crash up on him.  It was a little colder than normal, but we made the best of it and had fun anyway!   

We definitely had our share of dramatic events take place.  I threw my back out right before getting onto the ship so I couldn't walk the first night, but the next day I was filled with drugs and flying high for the rest of the trip so I was able to enjoy myself.  LOL!  Then while we were in the Bahamas the 33Miles bass player (Aaron) and his wife Rachel got into a scooter accident and he shattered his knee cap.  He managed to play at the concert that night and worship the next morning!  He was flying high too!!!  But, the most dramatic and saddening of all is that one of the morning DJ co-hosts (Ron) from the radio station (88.1 The Promise) we were with on the cruise had a massive heart attack while playing basketball on the ship and died.  He was 33 years old.  It was SO terrible!!!  His wife was on the ship with him.  Her name is Rebecca, so please be in prayer for her as well as his family during this time!

Overall, it was a great experience for our family!  The boys had a blast, and it was so much fun to have all of the grandparents and Jason's sister with us!  Most importantly we were reminded that we are not promised tomorrow or the next 5 minutes for that matter.  Just like the 33Miles song "One Life to Love" says "You only get just one time around...one life to love"!  We desire to make the most of this life that we are given, to be intentional, and love passionately!  

2 Days and Counting!!!

The perks of having a husband that is on the road constantly is that sometimes we get to take really fun trips for free!!!  33Miles will be singing on a 5 day cruise starting at the end of the week!  We are so excited to get out of this dreary Nashville weather and experience some warmth and sunshine for a change!  The boys are going with us as well as my parents and Jason's parents and sister.  We have told Jake and Jonah that we are going on a surprise vacation this week.  They are so pumped!  I can't wait to see their faces when they see that big boat!  I think we will show them a pic before we leave for a little preparation.  We can't wait to make new memories with our family this week!!!

Those Eyes!!!

Look that those eyes!  I have to brag a little and say that my baby is growing up to be quite a sweet (and handsome might I add) boy!  His hugs and kisses make my day just a little bit (or a lot) better!!!  You gotta love the hand in the pocket too!

Family...the pic sums it up!

This picture from Christmas is of all of the little cousins.  It is impossible to get one of everyone sitting still and smiling at the same time!  The pic includes my two boys, my sister's 10 year old Jana, and her 7 year old Josh, and my cousin Laurie's 3 little ones...Jack 4 (him and Jake are big buds!), Camille almost 2 (going on 20), and baby Henry almost 4 months!  Yes, my cousin had her last two very close together.  I was not about to keep up with that!  Anyway, they all love each other very much, and it is such a blast to be home and see them all together.  It always makes me sad that we don't live closer to them.  I grew up playing with Laurie and her brothers and sisters (well mostly babysitting them since I am so old), and I cherish the memories I have with them!  My sister...well, she is the best and so are her children!  They love our boys and miss them so much!  But, even though we are so far away we keep in touch often and are giving each other advice on a constant basis!  There is nothing better than family, and I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful extended family too.  My cousins are just like brothers and sisters, and my aunt is like a second mom to me!  Last year was a rough year for our family with the death of my grandmother, and the ailments that it brought on the daughters that bore the brunt of it,  but I think it has all brought us all closer together!  I am looking forward to a new year and making new memories with my wonderful family!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, I can't believe it is the beginning of another year.  The time is flying by!  This year was a crazy one that consisted of lots of travel and 2 boys growing up way too fast!  It has been exciting, exhausting, and fulfilling!  Looking back as I approach a new year I have to sum up last year in one word "Survival".  I do feel like we did have a great year, but I feel like I was running in survival mode.  This was the first year that Jason was traveling consistently on average of 4 days a week.  For those of you who have a traveling man understand that IT IS HARD!!!  Meeting the needs of two small children, and taking care of the day to day needs of a household 24/7 gets very demanding at times!  I also am very blessed to have a husband that is very involved, and takes a lot of the load on when he is home.  It is amazing, but makes it a little difficult when he leaves! lol!  All that being said, I am moving into a new year and desiring to move into a new mode.  I don't want to be in survival mode anymore.  I want to feel like I am accomplishing things, and helping my family accomplish things as well.  I would like the word that sums up 2009 to be "Consistent".  I am hopeful that our family and friends will grow together, and love each other well this year!