A Busy Trip to GA

We got back a couple of days ago from spending a little over a week in GA visiting our family there.  While we were there we celebrated birthdays and CHRISTmas.  We also squeezed in some visits with friends.  Chris and I were able to talk to some people about some possible job opportunities.  So, we shall wait and see what happens with all these conversations.  Until then, enjoy some pictures from our time in GA.

Sophie and Lily playing at Jungle Jim's

Sophie and Kyrie at Jungle Jim's

Pool of Balls

Where is Josiah?

Celebrating CHRISTmas at Granny Whoosh and Papa Gig's house with Bryson and Lily

Uncle Chris reading Bryson his new book

Uncle Chris showing Lily her new video

 

Uncle Chris had a lap full of kiddos

Tobias excited about something

Sophie got a new family for her doll house

Josiah and his new Lego set

Celebrating Kyrie's birthday at Mimi and Bup-Bup's house

Making a wish

Opening her present

He melts my heart

 

Kyrie got a Daniel Tiger Treehouse

Getting some love while visiting Grammy Ila

We were able to get a picture of Gram Ila and the Hootie Hoos.

Swinging at Mimi and Bup-Bup's

I bet she could have gotten all four Hooties on her lap if she tried

Riding the tricycle

Sophie

Josiah

Kyrie

Chris

Kyrie wanted to play hide-and-seek in the van...so we did!

Mommy found her spot

It got pretty intense

Thanksgiving 2014

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  First, our salvation in Jesus, our fellowship with the Father and our guide the Holy Spirit.

This year we have had our share of trials, but on this day of Thanksgiving I have taken some time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  If it weren't for those trials, we would still be stuck in our walk with Jesus.  We wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow in areas that He saw we needed to grow in.  So I am thankful for the opportunity to fine tune who He wants us to be.   Because of those trials, I lost focus at times and wasn't able to function as the wife and mom I desired to be.  So, I am thankful that I am getting this time to be with my husband and children.  Because of those trials, we are now at a new church who just celebrated its first birthday.  The Lord is using us here.  We are able to share with others our heart for discipleship and family.  Even though it isn't a full-time position, we are thankful that the Lord is using us to further His kingdom and that this new church was willing to show us the love of Jesus.  

I am thankful that Chris' parents have graciously opened their home to our rather large family.  To go from 2 people under one roof with no set schedule to 8 people under one roof with children who need to have their routine is a BIG deal.  But I am thankful that we have a roof over our head, warm beds to sleep in, a place to get clean and food for our bellies.

We do ask that you pray for us.  I will be honest, this time of waiting has been hard at times because we are ready to move into the next call the Lord has for us. But I know when He is ready to reveal it to us, that moment will be so much sweeter than if He had given it to us from the beginning.  So I ask that you pray for us as we try to wait patiently.  Pray for us and the hard days when we feel like we aren't being effective.  Pray for the days when the Hootie Hoos remember favorite toys that are in storage and ask when they can play with them.  Or when they ask when God is going to give us our own home.  But more importantly pray that through this time, we will have a heart of thankfulness because we REALLY do have A LOT to be thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Hootie Hoos

Josiah Potter (6 years)

Sophie Sugai (4 years)

Kyrie Eleison (3 years)

Richard Tobias (17 months)

Veteran's Day

Today we went into Downtown Goldsboro to celebrate Veteran's Day by watching the Veteran's Day parade.  This was the first parade that the Hootie Hoos have gone to, so it was fun watching them experience this for the first time.  We got to see many veterans...both young and old.  We saw a few marching bands which brought  back a lot of memories for Daddy.  I think the highlight was the mini-semi-trucks. Kyrie's personal highlight was seeing Chuck E. Cheese.

Even as we were celebrating Veteran's Day by going to a parade, I couldn't escape the thoughts of the men and women who weren't walking in the parade because they are deployed making sure our country is safe.  They are making sure that our freedom is being protected.  So I thank those men and women who are not home walking in a parade and celebrating.  I thank the spouses and children who don't have their loved one home to celebrate with.  I know there is much sacrifice made for military families, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do! My prayers are with you and your family...for your safety, for the things you see and how it will have a lifetime effect on you, for the spouse who carries the weight of daily life while worrying about your safety, for your transition back home...My prayers are with you and your family

Daddy and the Hootie Hoos

Hootie Hoo #4...not too sure about what is going on

Hootie Hoo #3...such a ham

Hootie Hoo #2...posing for her momma

Hootie Hoo #1...posing for his momma

Waving some American flags as the veterans drove/walked by

They had a lot of fun waving their flags

This was highlight #1...the mini-semi-trucks

This is Kyrie's highlight...she was so excited to see Chuck E. Cheese

"A little over 6 months" photo shoot

While we were in NOVA, I was able to take James' "a little over 6 months" photos.  It was a beautiful fall day.  We had a wonderful back drop in Mimi's garden.  I added a few fall decorations and his momma got James to show me his contagious smile and this is what I got: