The Barber

From the looks of things a few weeks ago you would think Paige (Marks girlfriend) was our new barber!

 Apparently it was somewhat painful...

 I don't know why Mark ended up doing the neckline part???

Mics turn!

 I told Grayson, after his Pawpaw was finished it would be his turn...

He looked at me with crazy eyes, and said "Then my mom wont know who I am."  hehehe

 

You would think Paige would be sick of this hair cutting thing by now, but nah, its way too fun!

Todd for some reason wasn't brave enough.  So his hair is still in need of a cut!

Fire Pit

Look what my boys did for me.  I love my new fire pit.  I admired one on Pinterest or something and Charlie said "I can make that for you."  So I said I would buy the stuff if he would make it for me.  So he did.  Mark, Josh, and even Tance helped him get it together and that night...

 It wasnt cold outside but hey, it was cool enough for roasted marshmallows!

 So yummy, so yummy, for my tummy!

 I thought it was a neat different thing for us to do while Stephanie and her boys were here.  I bet they will remember it for a long time to come.  Well at least Grayson will. 

 And of course when there are roasted marshmallows, there are smores!

So glad Mic got to spend the evening doing this with his grandson who he does not get to see very often.

My sweet Stephanie.  I miss that girl.  So thankful we got to spend a few days with her.  

 I love my new firepit.  I see more roasted marshmallows in our future, and smores, and fires, and family time, and laughs, and fun.

BEAUTY FROM ASHES

On Tuesday night around 10:30 "Pawpaw" or Todd's dad passed away.  He had a massive heart attack.  We were shocked and sad.  He will be missed by our family and many others.  We had a nice service for him on Friday.  We are so thankful to our friends who have shown great support and love to us.  As Todd says (Well, sings)  "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God"

As I was sitting in my back yard with family this weekend I was thinking how such a sad and shocking event had brought about such blessings with it.  It was so nice getting to see so many family we hadnt seen in such a long time.  It is a shame that it took this to get us all together.  I think about the saying "Beauty from Ashes"  Thats kinda like this.

Todds brothers' daughter Stephanie (Our niece) got to come down with her two boys.  Thanks to her mom for helping her do that.  It was wonderful to get to see her, and hug her and just be with her and her precious little boys.  I was so thankful that she was able to make it down here for the service.  We so enjoyed getting to know the boys and loving on them a bit.

This is Grayson.  Here he was playing football.  He was very proud of all his "touchdowns"!

 This one has Hayden in it who lives down the street from us and visits regularly.

 It was so funny.  Grayson kept saying "How 'bout them Cowboys!"  Even though they are from Texas, they are not Cowboys fans, and when he would say it, he would glance toward his mom and say "Shhhh"  So she wouldnt hear him rooting for those Cowboys.  I just fell in love with him.  That is some of that beauty from the ashes.

This is Brayden having breakfast on Sunday morning.  He didnt realize he could have held out for the Cornerstone breakfast with Sausage, Bacon, Biscuits, Grits, Fruit, and Cinnamon Rolls.  But hey....  Isnt he the sweetest.  Oh he is so cuddly and squishy and I love his smile that will melt you. He is a good work out too. :) Can you say HEAVY.   So thankful...

Is this precious or what?  I mean really...

 BEAUTY


He is gorgeous and so sweet and helpful to his mommy.  I love him.  Oh wait, I mentioned that, didnt I?

He loved throwing the ball on the roof.  I admit that I did not have much faith that he would make it.  However he proved me wrong.  He threw it on the roof and tried to catch it as it rolled off.

Love your family members. 
Give lots of hugs.
Tell them what they mean to you.
One day they may not be there to tell.

I sure told these boys and their mom that I loved them this weekend and there were hugs too.

Beauty from Ashes

Cornerstone Kids Back To School Party

 Last Wednesday night we had a Back To School Party at Cornerstone Church.  It was a great success.  The kids had a great time.  The adults and Youth pitched in to help in so many ways.

All in all, it was great!

There was face painting!

 

  

  

  

Denae did a great job running this Face Painting Booth with the help of Laura! 

  

 There was a huge slide!  Actually 2 big huge inflatables!

This was a game where you use water guns to shoot the ping pong ball off the bottle.  Tammy did a fantastic job running this booth.  I was so thankful for her help.  She stayed with it the entire time, making it great fun for the kids and giving out prizes!  :)

 WE HAVE A WINNER!

There were prizes for the kids at a couple of the booths.  Door prizes too!

 There was a cupcake walk!  Here is one little guy accepting his prize.  Boy was he happy.  This kid likes to win!  :)

 There was a sucker toss.  You toss the ring and if you ring a sucker, you win it!

This is our Pastors wife.  Isnt she beautiful?  And their youngest little one.  Isnt he adorable?  

  This is a sweet little Peruvian princess loving on her daddy who is our Pastor.

This was the Toilet Paper Toss.  You toss the toilet tissue into the toilet.  For each shot you make you win a tootsie roll!   :)

What a shot!  She was quite pleased.  I was quite sweaty...

Before it was all over there was a big bubble gum contest.  One winner for the first bubble, and one winner . for the largest bubble!  

 Then my sweet husband, the Childrens Pastor gave a short devotional.

 All of the children (and adults too) sat quietly and still while he spoke!

 

He talked about how our God, our Heavenly Father so faithfully takes such good care of us.  Just as the little one completely trusted Todd to hold on to him and protect him - How much more can we, Gods children trust Him to completely and capably take care of us. 

 We enjoyed the evening with the kids very much.  So thankful to be a part of a church body where everyone thinks the children are as important as every other member!
Thank you again to everyone who helped out to make this night great for the kids.  You all rock! 

And a special thank you to Penny who captured all these photos for me!  :)