Job 8:21

    "He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

Job 8:21 (NLT)

Justin Visits

     Friday night I drove the family out to Weatherford to pick up Justin so he could stay the night with us. It was almost 10:00pm before we arrived home, and we didn't stay in Weatherford long. Luc fell asleep in the way home, but woke up when we pulled in the driveway. The boys watched a movie until bedtime.

    Saturday morning, they played video games and tag. Then they played monopoly. Grammie cooked a special breakfast-cinnamon rolls and eggs with potatoes, cheese, and crumbled bacon. We were so glad to spend time with  Justin, and so sad to see him leave with his mom. 

It's Game Day!!!

     My favorite time of year has finally arrived-Crimson Tide football!

    This morning my monogrammed doormat arrived! I love it! 

    And football means fall isn't far behind! 

     Lucas was my game watching buddy. He fell asleep about half away through the second quarter. 

    Then he woke up in a panic just before halftime was over wanting to know if they won. I love football time with my boys!

Our Favorite Girls

We love our girls so much!!! 

Throwback Thursday: Bama vs TAMU

     Last September, Joshua surprised with an early birthday present-tickets to the Crimson Tide versus Aggies game in College Station! We got up early and drove down for the game. We stopped at Sonic and had breakfast on the way.

     We parked in an elderly lady's front yard. She really knew how to the squeeze cars into her yard! 

     It was my first time to go to a college football game and I loved everything about it! Joshua got us amazing seats. We were on the twelveth row and had a good view of all the action. 

    We stood almost the entire time. I yelled and screamed! We really had a lot of fun. 

      It was awkward eating at Wendy's after Bama beat A&M. We had driven about an hour away, but we still got lots of dirty looks because of my Bama shirt. Even from those wearing different college shirts. 

     I'm so glad I was able to see AJ McCarron play in person. That game is one of the best gifts Joshua has given me! 

A Little Bit of Silly

JJ Meets CJ

Cora Josephine

Legos

     The boys are really in to building with Legos right now. The Hesters bought both boys a Lego Batman set for their birthday. Today, they worked with Grammie today to build their new sets. They are so proud of their work!

His Ways Are Not Mine

     As I have walked this journey after miscarriage, it's becoming more and more evident how very different His ways and my ways are. I would never have chosen for my baby girl to die 14 weeks into my pregnancy. Yet that's the journey I'm on.

    One thing I've been told over and over by well meaning friends and family is that there must have been something wrong with the baby. Her death probably saved her from a lifetime of pain and suffering. It's meant to be comforting. And maybe it is to others who have walked a similar journey.  But even though, I usually thank them and agree, in my heart, I can't accept that.

     Every fiber of my being says maybe there wasn't anything wrong with her. Maybe she was absolutely perfect.  Maybe Liana did something in those fourteen short weeks in the womb that I've yet to accomplish in my almost thirty-two years of life. Maybe, just maybe, Liana accomplished God's plan for her life. His ways are different from mine. Our thoughts are so completely different.  Human understanding says what work or purpose could a baby in the womb accomplish? But who am I question God's plan or His ways or to understand purpose according to Hm? It brings much comfort to my heart to believe that Liana accomplished His purpose for her life, and then He took her home. Maybe, just maybe, when I get to heaven and see my baby girl for the very first time, she'll tell me all about the purpose she accomplished.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord.

"And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so My ways are higher than your ways

and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

 
   

Bowling Fun

     The other night we went bowling, and it was Lucas's first time. I love watching the boys' personalities come out in these situations. Lucas would throw his ball, and then lay down flat on his stomach like he was lining up a golf putt. Lucas is all about winning, and while Logan loves to win, he's more about having fun.

 

 

Goodbye Uncle Josh

      Logan said his goodbye at school after lunch. When Logan got up to class, he started crying so his teacher sent him down to the front so he could call me. I explained to Logan I was taking Uncle Josh back to Aunt Calli's. This is our new normal with Uncle Josh, so the best thing he could do would be to go back to class and do his best work. We talked about how one of the reasons Uncle Josh does his job is so that they have the freedom to go to school. 

      Goodbye is hard.  We love you, Josh!!!

One Last Lunch with Uncle Josh

     Yesterday, Uncle Josh and I surprised Logan at lunch with Chick-fil-a. Logan was beyond excited to see Uncle Josh. He gladly let Uncle Josh pick him up and hug him in front of all his friends.

Update on Logan's Tummy Troubles

     This afternoon, Logan went back to the GI specialist for a check up. It was quite an ordeal getting there. I listened to Siri and took a different exit which led to 20 minutes of driving in circles in Fort Worth. Thankfully, I gave myself plenty of time, so we weren't late to the appointment. I was about ready to cry though.

     Logan has still been having tummy pain from time to time. We have felt like it was due to his reflux because we have noticed it a lot when he eats spicy or greasy foods. They agreed, and so we have decided to switch his reflux med to see if that makes a difference. We're going to give it two weeks of consistency with the new med, and then if it's not better, they will scope him. Again. This would be the fourth or fifth time in two and a half years. I'm really praying this med fixes the problem because I don't want to put him through that. Again.  Logan is such a trooper about all of this. His response was, "Well, we have to do what we have to do." We would love for any of our praying family and friends to lift up Logan and his healing along with us.

A Sweet Wake Up

     This morning, Lucas crawled into bed with me. He snuggled up next to me, put his arm around me and started singing,

"I love you, Mommy! 

You're the best Mommy!"

over and over again. 

     Knowing this stage only lasts so long, tears filled my eyes. What a precious, sweet way to start my day.

Cars Birthday Party

     Today was birthday party day. Logan wanted a Star Wars theme. Lucas wanted WWE. I wanted to do hot wheels because we have a ton we could use for decoration. I ended up doing a Cars theme because honestly Target has Cars party ware on clearance. The boys both were really okay with that.

     Some of my food ideas came from Pinterest, and some I came up with on my own. I made the food cards using large index cards, stickers, and markers. 

     I did not do games. I was so tired from finishing up painting and starting school. The kids played in the playroom or jumped on the trampoline outside. They were all more than happy to play together and do their own thing. 

    We sang Happy Birthday and had cake. I bought a Cars cupcake cake from Kroger. I also bought little brownie bites. 

     The boys opened their presents. Then the kids headed back out for more trampoline fun. Everyone left right before the rain hit, except Sunny and the girls stayed to play until the rain blew over.

     This was one of the best birthday parties. We are so thankful for family and friends who love us so much!