Almost September already!

I can't say it enough how time flies.  I have a lot of catching up to do.  We have been very busy since March living life!

April - Well there was the tornadoes of Alabama.  Those were very devastating and terrible.  We thankfully had minimal damage.  Bubba worked most of the time the power was out so I had to be the adult that week!  Maggie figured out she could live without the TV and we all played outside most of the days!  I finished a book and we had great family time.  I even cooked on the grill -that is usually Bubba's job!  Zac was glad to have the power back on if only so he could sleep alone!  Maggie would not sleep by herself because of how dark it was!  That also reminds me of a field trip that Maggie took in May to Cathedral Caverns.  At the end of the passage the guide turned off the lights and it was dark!  As long as Maggie was touching me she was not scared.  That just shows how much trust our children have in us and makes me reflect on how much trust I in turn have in my Heavenly Father.  We had a great time at Cathedral Caverns and the weather was perfect.

May came and went just as quickly with end of the year school activities and awards programs.  I am so proud of both Zac and Maggie and all the hard work they did over the school year.  Zac was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at the middle school. (one proud momma)

June was filled with Maggie's dance recital, camps and VBS.  That was such a joy to see how much she had grown in her dance over the year.  Makes me think - I am so proud and love them so much and God whispers ...I love you that much and even more!  Maggie and Zac went to camp for the first time at our church!  Boy were they both excited.  Maggie had to be a big girl and I was a little nervous!  She had to keep up with her room key and money (to save enough money to purchase food on the way home!)  She did great and had money to eat on the way home!! They were gone the same week and so the house was empty for about 3 days.  Bubba and I stayed busy and the time passed very fast.  We even made time to make a date night of out to eat and a movie!  VBS was great this year.  Zac was able to serve this year and was a teacher helper.  He did great and loved it.  Throughout the summer we were getting ready for our mission trip to Guatemala and Zac was horsing around during VBS week and broke the growth plate in his pinkie toe on the last day.  We were worried because of all the walking involved on the mission trip but it healed with a week or two to spare!  Praise the Lord.  When we went to the ortho doc to have it checked out we told him when and where we were going and he wanted to talk more about that the broken toe!!!

July was ever so busy as well.  Zac and I both celebrated our birthdays.  I will not disclose my age but Zac turned 14!  When I look at Zac I still see my little boy with round rimmed glasses.  He is growing up quickly!  The suitcase is closing very rapidly now!  Bubba and I took a trip to celebrate 16 years of marriage a little early!  September is school time and hurricane season so we decided to take the trip during the summer.  We wanted to go somewhere we had never been so we chose Jamaica.  Boy was it amazing.  The resort was beautiful and amazing.  The drive to the resort was about an hour long going around the island!  It reminded me a lot of Guatemala.  They drive on the opposite side of the road so that was a little freaky!  Only 1 scare on the way back to the airport - we nearly escaped a head of collision. I have two funnies about the plane rides!  We flew from Huntsville to Atlanta and Atlanta to Montego Bay Jamaica.  Well our flight was late getting in to Atlanta (go figure-that seems to be the norm!).  We landed and were suppose to be boarding our next flight.  We literally ran to our next gate.  We make it to the plane and find a seat and breathe a sigh of relief!  Well they announce our names over the loud speaker and I raise my hand!  Well Bubba had gotten the wrong carry on off the other plane and he happened to grab the flight attendants!!!!  That flight attendant did not see the humor we did but oh well-some people are just grumpy!  Like we really would have wanted his bag and not Bubba's swim trunks for the island!  On the flight home from Montego Bay as we were about take off on a very short runway with water at the end!!- The pilot gives it the gas and the plane jerks to one side but we keep going!  The lady next to me is scared to fly and almost grabs my leg.  Later after we were way above water the pilot comes on and says I guess you were wondering what happened on take off - he says that in all his years (20 something)of flying that had never happened.  Both engines did not come up at the same time and then he had to hit the brake so the plane would not turn!  A little scary but as you can see we made it back safely!

August was our mission trip and the beginning of school.  Zac and I went to Guatemala for a week.  It was Zac's first trip and he did amazing.  Bubba kept saying are you sure you can keep up with, I should be going and I thought to myself I hope I can keep up with him!!!  Well I was able to keep up with him!  We had to walk the whole way into the village the first day and he made it to the kids before I did- I really wanted to see his face when he saw them but oh well!  He was great with the kids and at one point on the first day I turned back to look for him and he was sitting with them on their level coloring with them!  So proud of how he jumped in there and played!  He was able to hike the volcano on our off day.  I had to do a lot of coercing of Bubba to let him go without me.  This is a third world country far away from home.  But Bubba said yes and he had an amazing time.  I was a little scared he was getting sick but I guess he just needed the rest because he slept through supper and the whole night after hiking/riding horse to volcano.  He was good to go the next day!  I am so thankful we were able to go on this trip.  We were able to see the clean water filtration system go in on this trip!  It was amazing.  For all who bought a bracelet or made a donation to him -thank you!  He was able to pay for his plane ticket, hotel and transportation with the money he raised!  God is Good all the time!  We are so ready to go back.  I guess it will be Bubba's turn next time though!

School started like every other year.  Maggie was excited about her teachers and was chosen for safety patrol so all is good in her world!  Zac had a rough start with none of his buddies in his classes but it is getting better.  He loves his teachers this year though!  I told him you can't always have everything you want then you would not need to depend on God for anything! 

Maggie had nutcracker auditions this past weekend so I will be sharing soon what part she received!

More to come later!

Stacia

Hello Spring

I know I say it each time  but I can't believe it is already the middle of March.  All I can say is if you have a little one-cherish the time you have with them.  It goes by very fast.


Well we had alot of snow in January and the first few days were fun but then it got old.  The kids did not even want to go out and play in it after about 2 days.  I felt like I washed a months worth of laundry that week, but it was worth it if they had fun.  Bubba even came home the first day to play with the kids.  I don't like snow at all - I have told the family I would love to move where it is warm all year.  They are not convinced to move yet though!  I did get out long enough to take some pictures but that was it.

Maggie had her annual eye exam and we had told her that she could try contacts (that is the age Zac's eye doctor gave for him so we stuck to that with Maggie)    She did really good.  She surprised me.  I did not think she would be able to get it.  It took her about a week but now she is a pro. Zac was such a good helper with her during that week also.

Zac participated in his first theatre experience in February.  The youth put on a dinner theatre production to raise money for camp and world changers.  We had nursery duty so we did not get to see the production but we went to dress rehearsal and thought the play was real good.  Everyone did a great job and there was a big turnout.

We just had a our first experience at housing girls for D-Now.  Last year we had boys and they were great. I was a little nervous about girls because of the drama that can come with girls sometimes but they did WONDERFUL-no drama at our house!  Our counselors were great and Maggie said she loved her first experience of D-Now.

Our mission trip has been postponed to July.  That just gives us more time to save for plane tickets.  Zac has one more round of shots in April and he will be done.  Bubba and I had a our last shot last Friday and Zac has his passport- so we are all set.  I just ask that you pray for Mission Firefly.  There are some changes that some of our help in Guatemala are experiencing but I know God is in control and He is still on His throne (That is one thing Maggie learned over the weekend!) and everything will work out.  We are still working on our Spanish too.  That is a slow go but I will keep trying.

My heart just aches for so many people that I know who are facing adversity right now.  My prayer is that God will be able to use me in some way.

I have not fell off the wagon - I am still caught up with my Bible reading.  Zac is close behind me but he has so many responsibilities as long as he stays close and continues to read each night - that is all I can ask for.

He is making bracelets to sell for his Guatemala trip and people have been so kind so far and he has already raised around 100.00!  My prayer is that tickets will remain the same or even go down in price!

More to come later,

Stacia

Bubba and Zac's snowman

Our group of girls for DNow

Maggie giving it a thumbs up!

4-6 graders and counselors for DNow

Zac on stage during dinner theatre!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!


Wow I can't believe we are in 2011 already.  My how time flies.  Well to catch you up to speed since the last time I blogged - November was not very busy for us.  We had nutcracker rehearsals, Thanksgiving with family, and Diane's Birthday.

December was shaping up to be a busy month on the calendar.

Bubba and I decided to make our date night be the Nutcracker Ball - I had bought a dress last year after Christmas but Bubba decided to rent a tux.  We had never had a prom together so this was our prom!  We even stayed at the Embassy Suites.  We had a great time and the band was great.  Zac had the opportunity to go to the SEC championship game with a friend that weekend - he said it was the best game he has ever been to!!!

The next weekend was the nutcracker - lots of rehearsals and performances.  My prayer was for my family to stay well during the Nutcracker.  Maggie would have been devastated if she would have come up sick during performance time.  Well my prayer was answered and everyone stayed well. 

We were on to Sunday School party and Christmas gatherings.  Little did we know God had other plans!  Zac ended up with the flu the week before Christmas and my father in law had a stroke.  We were blessed with him surviving and not having any paralysis.  He still has to gain strength but he is doing better.  Zac ended up feeling better just a few days before Christmas.  We cancelled most of our gatherings though.  Even though it was a quiet Christmas it was still good and we enjoyed our time together.  We even received a white snow on Christmas morning!  That was so cool.

The kids had cleanings at the dentist and got good reports but they both had to have teeth pulled.  So I decided to do them at the same time!!  What was I thinking.  I did not sleep well the night before.  Zac had a tooth pulled last year and I sat at his feet and he did well.  Don't know why I was so worried.  Well they both did really well and were in chairs beside each other.  Zac ended up having 3 pulled and Maggie had 2.  Maggie went first and I guess I was holding my breath but sitting on the end of her chair.  When the dentist said ok we are all done but mom you need to find a seat - as he was saying that the walls were closing in!!!  I thought oh my goodness.  I did not pass out but came close.  I guess 2 children getting teeth pulled will not happen again!

I am not making any new year's resolutions but a few goals that I know I will have to continual work at for this year.  I heard some very good messages in December and came away with a lot but 2 things stuck with me that I would like to share.

Sometimes our life has to be uprooted, disrupted in order for God to use us.
Am I living my life for something that matters?

I hope to read the Bible in a year along with Zac and like Amber said be quick to listen and slow to speak in all situations. 

Zac and I hope to go to Guatemala either in April or in the summer.  It depends on how much plane tickets are.  In faith Zac went ahead and got his shots and we now all we lack is getting his passport which is on my to do list this month.  Maggie is hoping for contacts this month too :)

More to come later

Blessings,

Stacia

Nana's Birthday

Maggie and Sarah at WG demo

At the nutcracker ball

My lamb

Maggie's cast at Nutcracker

our house

Zac and Will at the SEC championship game

Mom helping the kids make a snowball

Maggie's coat that mom made

Zac's Coat mom made him

Bubba making a plan for sledding with the kids!

Maggie, Zac and Lucy in the snow Christmas Day

Christmas Morning

Getting ready to open their presents!

Wow November already!

Wow - Time is passing so fast. When I look back over the past 2 months to try and tell you what we have been doing - I am just in awe of the fact of how blessed we really are.

Sept and October were very busy months for us to say the least.

We started off Sept with dove season and Bubba and Zac were able to hunt at Greg's and do the best they have ever done. I am so thankful that Zac has a daddy that is involved in his life.

We were also able to attend the honor flight ceremony for the WWII veterans. This was a very emotional ceremony. I am so thankful for the country I live in. Zac is still saying he wants to serve his country and enlist in the Marines. We will see if he changes his mind as he gets older :) Seeing this ceremony also excited Zac and I because it was just a few weeks before we headed to DC.

Bubba and I had a weekend planned in B'ham to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. He had won tickets to the George Strait, Reba and Leeanne Womack concert. Well he won a 2nd set and asked Brian and Donna to go with us at the last minute. We had a great time and even rode in a taxi! I told Bubba we were practicing for when we went to NYC!!! The concert was great and we had GREAT seats. We also attended the Fireproof your marriage event with Kirk Cameron that weekend. He did a great job and Warren Barfield did a great job as well. I love hearing other peoples testimonies and how God has worked in their life/marriage. It's just encouraging to hear how other people struggle and still make it. Bubba was patient with me and let me stalk (just kidding) /get my picture made with Kirk Cameron!!! It is below - kind of small but it was taken with me phone.

The next weekend we headed to Gatlinburg to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday. We also celebrated our anniversary, Bubba's birthday, and my uncle Guy's birthday. The cabin was HUGE. There is a picture below. The kids thought it was a mansion. It had 3 floors and a game room on the bottom floor for the kids - so needless to say we played alot of air hockey!

In between all of this busy - Bubba was trying to decide if he was going to Guatemala during fall break. He really wanted to go but the airline ticket was pretty expensive. So he decided to stay home. Well 2 weeks before leaving Bro. David came to Bubba and said - I have someone who wants to buy your plane ticket!!!! What an answered prayer - so Bubba went to Guatemala. I am so proud of him. He is not a traveler much less an international traveler!! He was able to love on the kids, continue to build friendships, hike a volcano, see pastor Jorge's village and many other things.

So while Bubba was in Guatemala, Zac and I headed to Washington DC. Maggie stayed with grandparents but was very busy all week with short trips and lots of shopping! Washington DC, Jamestown, Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia were amazing. The monuments are bigger than I ever imagined them to be. Arlington Cemetery was one of my favorite stops. The changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was amazing. The discipline and respect that the soldiers show is inspiring. Zac said this is where I want to be buried. I said lets not even talk about that! He is so dead set on joining the marines. I am very proud of him for his desire but I told him you can serve but don't plan where you want to be buried. Bubba called from the village in Guatemala on his first day and I was able to talk with one of the little girls that I have formed a friendship with. I am so thankful he had the opportunity to go back.

October was equally as busy as September but I am hopeful that November won't be so busy! Life is moving way too fast.

We celebrated Maggie's 10th birthday -I can't believe it- I don't have a child in the single digits anymore. Cherish your time with your children - it moves very fast.

Halloween weekend -

Maggie dressed up as something different all weekend! - She was Kirsten from American Girl (courtesy of Sarah Satterfield) on Friday for Book character day, construction worker Sat. night for Trunk or Treat, and an 80's girl Sunday night for Trick or treat. Luckily all the costumes were either borrowed or homemade!!!

Zac was a construction worker Sat. night and we dug up Bubba's old basketball uniform for him to wear Sunday night - it was hilarious!!

We participated in the Trunk or Treat at the church. All I can say is OMG - it was a huge success. I have never seen so many people in one place. It was so neat to see all the different costumes. Zac played with band as part of the entertainment and Maggie helped hand out candy. We were a construction zone workers as our theme for our trunk. We had a great time.

We also had the opportunity to trick or treat on Sunday evening. So we are hoping November is slower. The only thing we have now Nutcracker rehearsals!

Gatlinburg

Book Character at School

Trick or Treating

At the Fireproof Conference with Kirk Cameron

Maggie's Birthday Cake

Guatemala

Trunk or Treat

Washington DC


Zac and Bubba dove hunting

Maggie helping make salvation dolls for Guatemala

Honor Flight Ceremony for WWII veterans


George Strait and REba concert


In Birmingham

Is it already September?

Wow I can't believe it is already Sept. - I have alot to talk about to catch you up to speed about our life. Sorry for the delay in posts. The last post was July 14. Alot of life has happened since then!

We went on a short trip away between Zac's birthday and mine (July 20-30). I felt a little sorry for Maggie - Bubba and I went to Guatemala in the spring and Zac and I are going to DC in the fall and with the oil at the beach and our new pool we did not plan a summer vacation. So off we went to our favorite short getaway spot to Ross Bridge in Hoover, AL. It was a very quiet relaxing 3 days! We hung out by the pool which had a slide and we took walks around the neighborhood, picked out our house!!, played on the playground, ate cheesecake at the cheesecake factory and just had great family time!

I celebrated my birthday 10 days before Zac and had a great day. Mom had lunch at her
house after church and Bubba and kids decorated my cake - so very sweet. My MIL cooked dinner on the night of my birthday - what more could I ask for.

We officially have a teenager now! Zac had his birthday weekend starting with the 30th on Friday. We had a cookout with family and a few friends. He then had a few boys over to swim on Sat. He had a great birthday and I can't believe he is 13. He is adapting well to the youth group at church and they are such sweet people and open and inviting to welcome Zac. He has gone on a guys night to the movies with some of the youth (big step for me to let go!), gone white water rafting and no glasses were lost!, gone out to eat a few times after Wed. night service with the youth. Wow he is growing up so fast.

Zac had move up 7-up program for 7th graders moving up to the youth - very sweet program. A charge to them for leadership and sharing their faith.

In July Zac also started playing guitar with the praise and worship band at the church. He just loves it. I look back a couple of years now and see the path God was weaving for us but had no idea at the time. God is good all the time - even in the valleys.

Maggie had a back to school party for a few friends and even her 3rd grade teacher - I should have thought and planned it for the Sat. after school started but oh well - she had fun with the few that came! She also had her dance friends over the week before school started on one of the 100 degree days! She had a blast and I am thankful for her sweet friends.

School started with no complications. We have already received 1 progress report and both had all A's. Keep up the good work. Maggie's ballet started the 2nd week of school and she is loving it. Nutcracker auditions were this past weekend. I will post what she got when I know!

Bubba and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary the end of this month. He won tickets to the George Strait concert in B'ham - so we are making that our anniversary weekend together! I ordered tickets to the Fireproof your marriage event with Kirk Cameron at Whitesburg Baptist that weekend as well. I am so excited. I was a big Growing Pains fan growing up.

September is shaping up to be a busy month :)

Blessings,

Stacia

a few pics from the past couple months