My Mission Field

This post comes from something that has weighed on my heart for a while. And by "while" I mean for the last few years. It's something that my heart seems to constantly battle... until just recently.

I've always been the type of person that needs to be out and doing. I can never seem to sit still for very long. And when it comes to getting something done I have little patience for slacking... just ask Randy... he knows exactly what I'm talking about! I'm not typically the one who likes to sit back and watch others do it... I want to be right there in the action... getting me hands dirty!

In college I absolutely LOVED helping with Habitat for Humanity (thanks to my older sis, Tiffany, for exposing me to this ministry) and looked forward to Spring Break each year when we would coordinate a team to spend our days building houses. I helped with our youth ministry at church and enjoyed spending time with the youth and watching them grow into God fearing adults.

.... stick with me... I'm getting to my point.

So when I married Randy and his career in music kicked off I was astatic! I loved that he was going after his dream and doing what God had called him to. I have always - and will always - support him 110%. But what began to weigh on my heart was the fact that HE was out there going and doing... and I wasn't. Randy has always made me feel like I'm as much apart of this ministry as he is... but it feels different when you're not the one on the "battle field".

What I have come to realize... and here is where it gets good... is that, sure, I may not be physically out there "doing", but my mission field is here at home, with our kids, and with my husband. It's not easy living our lifestyle in the music industry. There are hard days when the kiddos (and myself) want daddy to come home. We long for him to share his evening with us... and not the hundreds or thousands of fans that have waited all day... maybe all year... to see RED perform.

But that's just it... these fans have waited... and they may walk away from that one night completely changed. And THAT'S what it's all about. Randy's mission field may be out on the road where he has the opportunity to change someone's life... but mine is here, at home, at least for now. And I LOVE that!

I love that God has blessed us with our amazing kids and family and friends. I love that He has chosen to keep me right here, where He knows I'm needed most. And that this is only a chapter in our crazy lives. Maybe years from now God will have us somewhere else... but right now my heart is not heavy anymore... it is happy.

My mission field is home.

Room for More

We FINALLY have a family car!!!!

We welcomed this sweet ride home last Saturday!!!

After surviving the last 3 yrs with ONE car we finally gave in and bought a new family friendly car. We LOVE our new '07 Mazda5!! It has sliding side doors, a third row that folds down for more storage, only 17K miles, and other great features.

As the manual says... and I'm not joking... it's the perfect family car for those who don't want to admit they are ready for a van! Ha. That's how we roll...

Asher loves sitting high enough to see the cows out his window and London enjoys the extra room. Success!

London Turns One!

It's truly incredible how fast our little one's grow up. Our sweet baby girl has officially turned ONE! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday Randy was flying back from Alaska early "just in case" I went into labor. Little did we know London would be arriving in the wee hours of the morning.

London was the sweetest little bundle to ever fall into my arms. She continues to bless us with her amazing joy and love for life. She truly is the happiest baby I know... and her happiness is contagious. You can't help but melt at the sight of her beautiful smile. We Love You London!!

I'm refusing to believe that before I know it our baby girl will be a walking, running, babbling little toddler. NO!! Please don't grow up too fast!

We had a wonderful birthday party back in our home town of PA. It was a great time with family and friends celebrating London's big day. THANK YOU everyone for making her day extra special.

The amazing birthday cake Nonni made! It was prefect... better than we could have pictured it! Thank you Julia :)

For YOU Mother

For My Mother
From your Daughter on this Mother's Day
Mom....
I hope you know just how much you mean to me - to our family.
I want you to know how memories of my childhood always warm my heart.

You always have a way of making me feel so special to be your daughter.
You're patients, commitment, and love for me is never-failing.

I am the strong women I am today because of you.
I know how to work hard, take care of my family, and pluck my eyebrows because of you!

You have taught me what is takes to be a mother to my own children.
I pray my children will one day lookup to me the way I lookup to you.

Thanks for being my mother - I LOVE YOU!

Historic Flood

Nashville's Historic Flooding

Declared a state of emergency

Most of you reading this should by now be aware of the recent historic and devastating flooding that occurred in middle TN over the weekend. The above video only captures a small glimpse of the immense damage the storms and flood waters have brought to Nashville. We received over 15 inches of rain fall in two days setting the highest record ever. Rivers have overflowed and completely inundated homes, subdivision, business, streets and so much more.

Thankfully our home, and most of Spring Hill, was barely affected by the storms. We are praying for those who have lost everything.

If you'd like to help in any way you can offer donations to:
Middle Tennessee Red Cross: Donate online at www.nashvilleredcross.org, by phone at 615-250-4300 or by mail at 2201 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203. Remember, the Red Cross is not a government agency and is funded solely by your local donations.

Please pray for our city and neighbors who have lost so SO much!

Baby No More

Umm... where did our baby go?

London is almost 10 months old -- two more months and she'll be turning 1 year old!

WHAT?!!!

When did I blink???

How is it that our baby girl is wearing tenni shoes and getting around on her own!

London brings so much joy to our lives with her constant bright smile and joyful spirit.
We love you baby girl.

For the Love of Parenthood

Becoming a parent is nothing short of easy. It's hard work, long hours, and God's best tool for teaching patience. It may be one of the hardest jobs... but ultimately the most rewarding one there is.

Being a parent has taught me and changed me...

...it has changed me for the better.

I love walking in the door to a baby who looks up at me with adoring eyes and a toddler ready to tackle me before I even get my shoes off.

And a home is only what you make it.

I've learned that things won't always stay in order but these are the things that we will miss once our kids are all grown up...

1) Spiderman and his posy taking captive of our shower floor
2) Asher's favorite drinking cup becoming home to two unfortunate worms
3) The refrigerator door displaying magnificent artwork only a 3 year old can create
4) Learning how to make a highchair an accent to our dinning room
5) Using a Bumbo chair with infant aboard as a centerpiece
6) Sharing the bed pillow with a tired, scared little man
7) Accepting that we can no longer haul more than two adults in our car (this includes driver and passenger seat)
8) Realizing my somewhat ample misses, will forever be likened to droopy humps!
9) Making Mac 'N Cheese sound appetizing for the 3rd day in a row :)
10) The only part of Lazy Sunday is when both kids, if we're lucky, are napping at the same time
11) Getting the mail from the mailbox is a brand new exciting adventure
12) Asking for 2 lollipops at the Bank drive-through so I can secretly have one for myself (don't tell me you haven't done this!)
12) Feeling like a rebel when I actually go to the grocery store without two kiddos in tow
13) Buying "big kid" toys for our son when I know they're really for daddy
14) Having a good excuse to eat Popsicles anytime we want
15) Love how I can give the "I understand" nod when I see another parent's child in melt-down mode

All these for the love of Parenthood

TN Surprise Visit

This past weekend Courtney planned a trip down with Tre to visit me and the kiddos! I was super pumped and couldn't wait. But what Courtney didn't know was that Kim, our niece Brooke, and our mother would also be coming to surprise her!

It would be the first time that all us sisters and mom were together for a girls weekend!

We surprised Courtney Friday afternoon with lunch at Chick Fil A. It was perfect! Asher and Brooke played in the play gym and the gals and babies chatted and caught up.

I feel blessed to have such amazing sisters and mother.

THANK YOU girls for such a wonderful weekend.

Here are some pictures to highlight our time together.

London Crawls!!!
Our baby girl is finally doing it... she is crawling!!! The past few weeks London had been pulling her legs up under her belly and sort of scooting herself around. But tonight it was like something clicked and she finally got it! Here is a video of London taking her first big crawls this evening. What a biggie girl!

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Outdoor Fun!
This past week we had a few warmer days here in TN. That meant time to head outdoors with the kiddos for some fresh air! It felt soooo good to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Asher and London both took full advantage of the swings and enjoyed every minute of it.

Happy New Year -It's 2010!

Hard to believe Christmas was here and gone already... and it's the start of 2010!! Where does the time go? I mean seriously - we hear that phrase over and over again - yet it never seems to get old, or sound repetitive. I often wish I could go back to my childhood when life seemed to just be put on pause during the holidays. It seemed like Christmas vacation lasted forever and the anticipation of Santa was enough to drive me crazy! Although the holidays seem to rush by in a blink now, and the excitement of what Santa might have left under the tree is a thing of the past... the new joy of seeing Asher and London's eyes light up when they see Christmas lights hung on the tree, or sit on Santa's lap for the first time, or even get that one special gift they wanted, is something I would never trade! This year we got to spend the holidays here in TN and also got to enjoy having Randy's folks down. It was wonderful!! Thanks Jon, Julia and "Pops" for a great visit.

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