The Gray Family

Brian and Kristy Gray and their daughter Helen were in a horrific car accident on Sunday, that claimed Helen's life. Brian and I came to Faulkner the same year, if I remember correctly. I have not seen them in years. But this news has shaken me to the core. I keep looking at my children and crying as well as praying to thank the Lord that my children are healthy. I know she is with the Lord and they will be reunited with her again one day. But I can not imagine the pain they must feel. The ache that will linger as they do not have her in their arms.

Kristy is in critical condition. Please pray for their peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time.

I found this website www.bringingupbenjamin.com and she has buttons available for your blogs. I encourage you to grab one and keep them in your prayers daily.

Halloween

Here are a few pictures of the kids at Halloween. Harry Potter, Batman and Cinderella had a great time and got more candy than they needed in a years time! We trunk or treated with our church on Thursday night then took the kids to trick or treat on Halloween. We had a great time!

Alive and Kickin'

The family on our last day with Cinderella's castle as our backdrop
All of us at Crystal Palace

Marley and her favorite Princess

Marley with Mommy's favorite Princess

The kids with Thumper and Mrs. Bunny

Marley givin' kisses

Our family and the Cantrell's at Epcot with Mickey

I realized after my last post that those of you who have me on a blog roll, because my blog is now private, didn't ever see that I updated, therefore, no one was reading. SO, I haven't been in a big hurry to blog lately, as you can see. I've decided to allow my blog to be public again, at least for now. No promise of any blogging regularity though! Life is too hectic right now. I do try to keep up with everyone on FB, but that's quick and easy!

Too much has happened to attempt at back tracking. I will hit the highlight of the last few months and that was our trip to Disney in October. It was our first and we had a blast. We went with our good friends, the Cantrell's, as they are old pros and could show us the ropes abit! Our children are almost the same ages and became fast friends a few years ago when they moved to town. We stayed in park at the Port Orleans French Quarter and had the dining plan. It was wonderful!

Other than Disney, the rest of our life is pretty normal. I'm about to be finished with this semester and I'm so excited. I took a full load this time and was worried if I could make it. With three of my four classes being english classes and lots of writing I have just held on day by day! But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I actually have a graduation date and I'm pumped, it should be, Lord Willing, December of 2011...yes two more years, but as fast as life goes by, that's no time! Faulkner no longer offers a graduation in December so I won't actually walk until May (unless they change it back). I don't feel like walking is a huge deal, but Mark insists! He says I've worked to hard not to...so I'll walk, if the Good Lord Wills!! :)

We are looking forward to the Holidays. We will have Thanksgiving with my family this year and I hear my cousins from NC will be in so I'm super excited. I just got my cooking assignments this morning! I think the kids and I will put up the tree next week while we're out of school.

If I'm not back before then, Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

The perfect treat...

to beat the heat is ofcourse ice cream from DQ! Head over to chicks with cents for a chance to win a $10 DQ gift card! Hurry, it ends today!

Swap

I "swapped" this time and this was what I received from Rachel in Montgomery. So cool! Thank you!!

Slip Slidin' Away

Nothing beats the heat like water fun and friends! Earlier this summer, Cody and Alyssa were hanging out with us one day and we broke out the slip-n-slide! They had a blast! **Frugal alert, we bought this slip-n-slide at the end of summer last year for $2.48!! August is a great time to stock up on summer toys at a fraction of the cost! Scroll down, this is today's SECOND post!

She's Alive!

I'm sure you all were worried, since my last update was over a month ago! I'm still here, just super busy, as I'm sure all of you are. I find it funny how we all seem to be in a bit of a blogging slum...most of all the blogs I keep up with are updating less frequently...must be the heat! :)

To update, I've now finished the class I was taking, with an A, YAY!! It was a ton of work, 5 projects, 4 tests and a final in 4 weeks...but it's over and I'm happy!! :) Baseball is over! YAY! We had a great time, but were thankful to have some time back! Hayes took his first week of swimming lessons the last week of June and did really good. He's actually swimming a little. He'll need lots of practice, and will probably take lessons again next summer. But I was extremely impressed by how quickly he made progress! We all just returned from ICYC and loved every minute of it! Camp is just a wonderful thing! I can't say enough about the spiritual rejuvenation I receive every year!

Yesterday was my 31st birthday...Sunday I found my first gray hair...ironic, I think not! I spent a big part of my day laying on a table at the hospital having a second test on my gallbladder. We'll see in a couple days if that's truly the source of my tummy troubles. If not, I don't know where they'll go next. I've already been tested for ulcers and there were none. Mark said he married me so I could take care of him in his old age, and I'm falling apart before he does! :) Mark's 44th birthday will be in a couple weeks. I remember saying when we were dating "when I'm 30, you'll be 43..." I never really think about our age difference, it just works for us. He is about to hit one of his horribly busy times of the year. I never look forward to August/September or January/February...he travels so much and is so tired, it's not fun! But, we make it through it! At least busy times go by quickly!!

Anna spent a couple weeks with us, one before camp and one after and we are missing her terribly! Nanna, as Marley affectionately calls her, is a great help to me and just fun to be with. It's hard to believe she's a young woman. I love that I have a sister!! (and my brother too!)
Speaking of brother, he's in Utah, working now. About to head to Ohio. I think he may be a bit homesick, as I've talked to him almost everyday the last week! I'm glad to hear from him and know he's ok. I'll be glad when he's back at school!!

I have tons of pictures to share, I'll try and leave several over the next few days!