I'm...Gonna...

get that tongue! That is what we are all saying to Parker because he smiles with his tongue out! The girls think it is hilarious! He's been doing that since he turned 7 months old on the 4th of February. Maddy used to do the same thing when she was a baby, so she thinks it's extra special!

Here are some pics of Parker at 7 months old on his raggy blankie made by his sweet Aunt Jonnelle :

Parker is such a good baby! He started babbling on February 7th, and loves to say, "dadadada" which melted Jonathan's heart! He is really getting active! When he's not sitting and playing he is rolling around on the floor to get what he wants. And he is trying so hard to get up on his hands and knees:

I love this age! I can't believe he is 7 months old already! It is going by way too quickly. I love you little buddy!

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalm 139:4

Road Trip to Rockvale

School was out Monday and Tuesday for President's Day, so I thought it would be fun to go visit one of my very best friends, Tracey, and her family. I have known Tracey since my Junior year at UT, and she was my Maid of Honor in my wedding. She has 2 little girls, Brooke (age 4 1/2) and Macy (age 2 1/2) and is expecting her 3rd girl in July. We have gone to visit them a few times, but haven't seen them in over a year, so Lily and Maddy were very excited that they would be seeing Brooke and Macy again.
Everyone knows that I love road trips, and I have traveled alone with the kids numerous times. This was my first time traveling with all 4 by myself and they did GREAT! On Monday, I drove to Rockvale, TN, which is right outside of Nashville, and it took around 2 hours and 45 minutes to get there. Parker got to sit in his big boy car seat for the first time, and he did so well!The kids were so happy to be with their friends! Brooke loved spending time with Parker, and she was so good with him! Here they are snuggling in the Princess couch: Macy loved showing me her train that she can ride on: Katy was overwhelmed by all of their fun toys, and she loved riding on the horsie: I think the girls' favorite part was having a big slumber party!

We had a wonderful time visiting with them, and were sad to leave the next day! We are hoping to see them again real soon.

God was so merciful in keeping us safe on the road, and I was so thankful for how well all 4 of them did for me. I am looking forward to our next road trip!

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36

A Bouncin' Valentine's Day!

Jonathan and I wanted to do something special with the kids on Valentine's Day, so we took them to the Bounce House for some bouncing fun! This was Katy and Parker's first time at the Bounce House, and they loved it! Katy has no fear at all and loved going down the big slide all by herself:She also had fun bouncing: She had to stop and take a big drink of water: Parker loved watching all the action and had fun being bounced around inside of the bounce house:

He also had fun rolling over:

Lily and Maddy were so excited to be together. They miss each other so much during the week while Lily is in school all five days. They were inseparable! They climbed together,bounced together,and even went down the big slide together while holding hands:Whoops! Maddy got a little too excited and flipped over! We had such a fun time and loved spending Valentine's Day together as a family! We love you Lily, Maddy, Katy, and Parker!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Will You Be Mine?

Thursday, February 12th, Maddy's Preschool class had their Valentine's party. Maddy had fun playing Valentine Bingoand decorating a heart shaped cookie: But her most favorite part was having her baby brother visit her in her classroom. She asked Parker, "Little Buddy, will you be my Valentine?" She is madly in love with him and I love seeing them together!I love you, Maddy Faith! You are such a sweet big sister!


Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Look Out Hollywood!

Lily's Elementary School, Brickey McCloud, had Book Fair last week. The theme was, "Lights, Camera, Book Fair!" On Monday, they asked for the students to dress like a star. Lily was so very excited that she was able to dress up and couldn't wait to show Mrs. Bounds! Here is Lily dressed like a movie star: Lily is having the BEST year in Kindergarten. We absolutely love Brickey and are so blessed with a wonderful teacher like Mrs. Bounds!


In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Painting Her Heart Out

On Saturday, February 7th, Maddy was invited to a Birthday party by her best friend, Mollie Hawkins. They go to West Hills Baptist Preschool together. Mollie had her party at Liza Moz's Pottery at West Town Mall. When Maddy found out that they were going to be painting, she was so excited. Maddy LOVES arts and crafts like her Mommy! When we got there the kids were able to choose a ceramic piece to paint. Maddy chose a cute ladybug that can be used as a piggy bank! They got to choose a few colors of paint, and Maddy chose red and black so she could make the ladybug look real. She worked so hard making it just right:

Here is Maddy with her painted ladybug: We had to leave it for over a week so they could fire (bake) the pottery. We cannot wait to go back and get it to see how it turned out! (I will post a pic of the final product!) Here is Maddy with the Mollie, the Birthday girl: Thank you Mollie for such a fun party! We will definitely have to come back and paint again!

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

A Hiking We Will Go

On Saturday, Feb. 7th, Jonathan got us up bright and early to take us on a family hike. It was supposed to be a beautiful day! He wanted to take us to Laurel Falls which is located in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg. We have done this hike before, but it has been almost 4 years ago, and we just had Lily and Maddy at the time. Laurel Falls is a great family hike with a 1.3 mile hike up to a beautiful cascading waterfall. On the drive there, we saw huge icicles hanging from the cliffs on the sides of the road. The girls kept squealing every time they saw them!When we arrived, it was still pretty chilly! Jonathan got Parker all bundled up and secure for his first time in our hiking carrier:

The girls were so excited to be outdoors, especially Lily. Saturday was her "Half" Birthday and she was just thrilled that Jonathan had planned a hike on her special day! She wanted to pose beside the "5":Katy did so well on the hike for just being 2 years old! She walked almost the entire way by herself. Of course she insisted on carrying her own huge water bottle and snack: She loved looking at all of God's creation around her, especially the leaves and sticks:Maddy loved being the leader and was so sweet to help Katy along the trailWhen we got to the very top, the trail was icy and part of the waterfall was frozen! Here is the beautiful waterfall that we saw: Isn't God's creation absolutely amazing? We stayed to watch and listen to the waterfall. It was so peaceful!

We didn't get a group shot of all of us because we were the only ones up there at the time, and it was a little dangerous for the girls because of the ice. (Jonathan tends to take us on very exciting adventures!) But, here are my 2 favorite boys in front of the waterfall: After a quick snack, we headed back down. The cool crisp air wiped Parker out. He slept almost the entire way down! Jonathan loved having another hiking buddy: We had such a wonderful time together as a family taking in the beauty of nature. Oh God, how marvelous are your works! We are looking forward to our next hike!

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5