Have a "Super" Halloween!

Yes, for those of you who just fell off your chair because I'm updating my blog, it is for real. I really am updating it! Since today is officially Halloween I am posting pictures of my little superheroes even though they were actually taken a week ago at the Woodlawn Fall Fun Fest. Unfortunately, my kiddos won't be together for the official holiday because Jon, Peyton, and I are actually in Indiana because Jon's grandfather, Charles, passed away this week and we are here with Jon's family (A tribute to Charlie will follow in a later post). So anyway, here are my little crimefighters-villians everywhere should beware! Off to save the world!

"Anniversary" Weekend

September 12, 13, & 14th Jon and I headed to St. Augustine to celebrate our anniversary. Our actual anniversary (the 21st) was the next weekend but my parents were busy that weekend, and when someone agrees to watch all three of your children. . .well, it goes unsaid, you work around their schedule. Anyway, Jon and I enjoyed our alone time together immensely!

The first morning I woke up early-out of habit and couldn't go back to sleep so I did something I've always wanted to do: watch the sunrise over the Atlantic. I know my Aunt Cathy is a big sunset person and I do enjoy those but the sunrise was particularly amazing. Of course, God was showing off a bit that morning too. Just watching the sunrise was a huge reminder of how great our God is, but then just in case anyone was in doubt of that (not me!) a shooting star shot across the still dark sky. It was pretty amazing and humbling. I took some beautiful pictures and then did some of my bible study sitting right there with my toes in the sand.

After a stop at Starbucks (of course) we headed to the Fountain of Youth, the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort) and downtown St. Augustine for history, food, and browsing. We visited the Fountain and I was hit with the reality of walking the same steps as the first European ever to set foot in Florida. Yes, I'm a history nerd and yes, I like this kind of stuff. And of course, I drank the water! We grabbed lunch downtown at a Mexican Restuarant with a great view and then headed to the fort for a little more history. After the fort we shopped a little, browsed a lot and walked even more. Then headed back to the hotel for a nap (me) and Notre Dame football (Jon).

The actual markers left by Ponce de Leon so he could find the fountain when he returned. They have not been moved, only unearthed.

We finished our day at a great, out-of-the-way restuarant. It is called the Creekside Diner and the food and atomosphere was wonderful.

6 Years Ago Today

Six years ago, this very day, Jon and I were married.

Here's some highlights from the last 6 years:

• Kid #1, Kid #2, and Kid #3 were born.


• The Colts and the Bucs won the Super Bowl.

And in our lives, sports and kids just about covers it. (Not really, but at the moment I haven't finished my first cup of coffee and can't think of anything else to add to my clever, witty list.)

After a napkin started it all (Thanks Molly S.) and a proposal on Santa's laugh, six years later we're loving and laughing more than ever. So anyway, while Jon and I weren't high school sweethearts or each other's first loves; we are each other's forever loves and that works for me!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Rylee's First Apron

Our friend Heid D. was nice enough to get Rylee her first apron the last time she hit Target. Doesn't she look cute cooking with her daddy? She loved every minute of it although I'm not sure how much help she really was.

First Day of School

Ok, I know I'm a little behind in the blogging but I'm home sick with Peyton today and it seems a good time to catch up. So here we go. The boys on the first day of school. Peyton is so excited about being in Ms. Dawn's class this year. She goes to our church and Madison and Maci both had Ms. Dawn so Peyton naturally assumed he would be in her class as well. We're so glad he wasn't disappointed. He is also already excited about starting kindergarten next year; he asked on the way to school "How many days until I go to kindergarten like Maci, Mommy?" About 365 honey. . .

Brady, my little scholar.Jon and I both started school this year as well of course and are looking forward to another year of teaching!

Clogging Anyone?

So, my husband and I are watching America's Got Talent last night (I hate summer TV because I'm reduced to these lows). The judges are informing each dance group whether they are moving on to the semi-finals or not. And they show a clip of a clogging group. Now, let me preface with, this is not the big fluffy skirt kind of clogging you remember from your youth; these were young girls clogging to modern, upbeat music.
So, my husband turns to me and asks, "Do you clog?" The man has known me for eight years now don't you think he'd know if I knew how to clog?
I respond, "Uh, no honey, I don't know how to clog."
He says "Well, you should learn how."
"I should?" I ask quizzically (sp?).
"Yea, it's kind of hot" he grins.
So, my question-Clogging lessons, anyone?

(P.S. Please scroll down and read my other post from today because it is so much more worthy of an investment of your time.)

Yes, the Bible has Superheroes but we've got a few of our own running around these days too.

In the last several years (and of course, when I was little) I have really enjoyed reading my bible more consistently and learning verses and stories I never knew existed. There are countless stories of inspiration and examples of people following God wholeheartedly. But (and maybe I'm out in left field on this one) sometimes the people in the Bible seem like, well, Bible Superheroes. They seem to have superpowers that us normal, everyday people could never posess. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you but if I was swallowed by a big fish, or had to walk through a huge body of water, or oh, I don't know, spending an evening in a den of lions. . .I'm just not so sure I would handle those situations as well as Noah, Moses, and Daniel did. And they are wonderful example of the fact that, with God, we can have "superpowers." He can do anything, bring us through anything-even a den of lions but I'm not so sure if that had been me instead of Daniel we would have needed to worry about the lions because I'm pretty sure the heart attack I would have had when I was first dropped into the den would have got me first. Anyway, I promise I am going somewhere with all of this. For me, I love hearing how the Bible Superheroes did it but I also love hearing of people walking here on this Earth with us right now who are Superheroes in their own right. So let me tell you about one of those superheroes-Jordan.

Jordan is my "little" cousin who is about to leave for college in a week or two. This past Sunday he had a farewall concert at his church. He has been involved with piano and voice lessons since he was little, started playing with a youth praise band in middle school, began with his church's praise band in early high school and also plays events with a local band (mostly oldies-60s, 70s, 80s). Believe me when I say the life he has lived thus far is already a testament to God, but I have a feeling this is just the beginning. He already has a wonderful testimony about following God's will which is the story I'm going to share.

Like a lot of other seniors in high school Jordan began researching his choices for college early. He had pretty much narrowed it down to three: UF, Samford in Alabama, and Stetson. He quickly ruled out UF and decided to go to a place where he could focus on his passion: music, and would also be able receive a more christian-centered education. Anyway, in the midst of this, Jordan and some other musicians travelled to The Cove (Billy Graham's retreat) where he had a conversation with Charles Billingsley (a Christian musician). He told Jordan he might want to check out Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. So Jordan checked but he wasn't instantly wowed. Stetson and Samford were still his top picks. He eventually would have an audition at all three schools. He felt a draw to Liberty University but he wasn't sure why because he really didn't want to go there. So he made a deal with God (now, none of the rest of us have ever done that, uh?) "God, if I make one of Liberty's ministry teams I'll go to Liberty." Well, Jordan wasn't picked for any of the ministry teams at Liberty. So easy decision right? Back to his first two choices. Well, Jordan just couldn't let go of the thought of attending Liberty (dang that Holy Spirit) even though, not only did Samford and Stetson want Jordan to be in some of their music ministries but both schools were offering him money to attend their schools. But, ultimately, through prayer and discernment far beyond his years Jordan realized God wanted him at Liberty, where he wouldn't be singing on a ministry team, no one would be giving him money to go to school there, and he would be much farther away from home. And, if the story stopped here it would still be a great example of a young kid following God's will for his life but the good news is Jordan has already seen the benefits of doing just that. About three weeks ago Jordan received a call from the director of the ministry teams at Liberty. He told Jordan that one of the ministry team members had just decided not to return this fall and the spot was Jordan's if he wanted it. Well, yes, he wanted it and . . .his $16,000 tutition is paid for! I'm sure Jordan wasn't always sure the Liberty thing would work out (just as I'm sure Daniel wasn't always sure the lion thing would work out either) but he had faith that God was leading him exactly where he wanted him to be and he followed. See I told you-Modern Day Superhero!