College Host Home

A few months ago, Chris and I heard about a ministry opportunity that involved being a host home to a few poor college students who are involved in the Alpha Omega college ministry at our church. We both felt called to act on this opportunity. As we investigated, most of the host families that we spoke with couldn't speak highly enough of the blessings that they receive from this particular ministry. They spoke of the wonderful relationships they built with each and every college person. One of the things that I was particularly (okay, selfishly) excited about was the possibility of acquiring a babysitter! I have to admit that I was a little shocked when we got the word that we would be hosting four young boys. I immediately thought, "Hey, where is my babysitter?" But, I can not tell you how incredibly impressed I have been with these four young men. I can truly say that I have been blessed beyond measure by them. They are such wonderful examples of young Godly men who are striving to do what God's plan is for their lives. They are also very careful about finding a mate and making sure that she is the one that God intended. Tonight, we had a somewhat lengthy conversation about marriage and the reality of it. We discussed how society tends to make marriage out to be that you should always have the "warm fuzzies," and when you don't, then it is time to get out of the marriage. We discussed how love is a choice, and sometimes(or a lot of times)we don't have the "warm fuzzies," but we choose love our spouse and stay in the marriage, because we made a committment to our spouse. They were genuinely interested in Godly marriages. Anyway, I just wanted to share how God has blessed us with "our boys." By the way, no one could have prepared us for how attached the kids would have become to them, also. It is the highlight of their week! Anyway, three of our boys will be graduating in the spring, and I can honestly say that I will miss them terribly when they move on.

The Lights are On!!

Yippee! I just wanted to post a very quick post to say that I was just watching the news and the lights at Opryland Hotel are officially turned on! I am SO excited!! To top it off, I am planning to go to Christmas Village tomorrow evening with my Mom, so it's official...the Christmas season is upon us!!

I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I love how the leaves that have changed colors are falling on the ground and are making beautiful blankets on yards all over town. I love how Smyrna has already put up their Christmas lights on the light poles. I love hearing Aaron play "Jingle Bells" on the piano five thousand times a day. I love listening to my Josh Groban Christmas CD when I am all by myself in my van on chilly nights. I love to watch the excitement of my children build up as they anticipate seeing Santa for the first time this season and wondering what he is going to bring them. But, most of all, I love the excitement of being able to celebrate the special birthday of Jesus. After all, if it weren't for Him, we wouldn't be able to celebrate any of our special moments anyway.

I just hope that wherever you are, you are experiencing the joy of the season. Try not to get too busy that you miss it all! (I'm speaking mostly to myself on that one!)

Trick or Treat...and Babies, Too!

Well, it has been a while since I have posted a new post, but of all times, this one is definitely worth posting. My sister had her sweet twin baby girls yesterday evening on Halloween!!

My mom happpened to be watching Avery for me on Friday afternoon so that I could go to Ashlynn and Aaron's school for their Halloween parties. She called me as I was on my way to her house to pick up Avery and said that my sister Candy had called and said that she was at the hospital. A little while later (around 3:00 in the afternoon), my brother-in-law Brandon called and said that they were going to do a C-section at 4:00. So, our plans changed a little...we at first had decided to go to the square in Murfreesboro to trick or treat, then I had promised the kids that we could go to Toys R Us to spend gift cards that they had gotten, and then we planned to go to Chuck E. Cheese. Well, we ended up going trick or treating on the square and then we went to Toys R Us. I had planned to leave then and go on to the hospital to see the girls. Well, I got the call that they were here, and I believe this information is pretty accurate...Anna was 5 lbs. 3 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long, and Lauren was 5 lbs. 1 oz. and 17 3/4 inches long. At 35 weeks, they were a really good size.

I was a little concerned that they might have to be transported to a hospital with a NICU, so when I got the call that everything was going well, I decided to wait to go up there early Saturday morning. I'm glad I waited, because Lauren had a little trouble breathing, was put on oxygen and stayed in the nursery the entire night. She actually improved a great deal and was released to the room while I was there on Saturday.

They are both absolutely beautiful!! Candy was pretty nervous about holding them and feeding them, but so was I as a new mom. It will all come together, and I know they will do a great job!

I will post a few pictures of both the girls and of my own sweet trick or treaters...the proud new cousins. They were so disappointed that they couldn't go see them with me. Hopefully, Candy will get to take the girls home this week, so we may make a trip up there this weekend or so.

I'll try to keep you all posted...you know how that will be, though. You may get a picture when they start first grade! :)