Ellie and her fast cars

Ellie and her fast cars.  It's something abut cars, but she is fascinated with them. 

"Come into my heart, Lord Jesus and stay with me forever."

This is the prayer Emily learned going through the process of First Communion at Sunday School class.  This day was a cause for great celebration!   Emily gives a glorious witness to God in everything she says and does.  I can see God alive in her.  She has a way about her that allows her to draw everyone closer to God.  After much preparation, the big day arrived!  She looked absolutely radiant in her white dress and veil.  Her little hands crossed on top of each other to receive a blessing from the priest was so touching.  She bowed before the bread and wine in a physical sign of respect for the presence of God. Great joy filled our heart as we witnessed Emily make a throne with her little hands to receive her Lord Jesus into her heart and her very body. 

Afterward, it was a beautiful afternoon with our large family.  At night when we tucked her in, she said she couldn't wait until next week to go back to Mass to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.  She is alive with the true spirit of God.  We should all receive Jesus with as much joy and delight as Mary does.  Her happy nature is a gift from God and she gratefully returns it back to Him. 

When Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me," her joy in receiving communion had to be what he meant. 

We should all be filled with excitement, joy and wonder because we have Jesus inside of us!

Indian Princess Father/Daughter Dance

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Feeling pretty special with Daddy at the annual Father/Daughter Dance for Indian Princess:

Dresses: $20 each

Tickets: $15 each

Pictures: $ 10 each

Coursages: $15 each

Dinner: $ 50

Dance with Daddy: Priceless

Jeremy Camp - Healing Hand of God

Top Ten on Tuesday

This is my first time at attempting a Top Ten on Tuesday list, that I feel I should try to capture my life in  a nutshell, when I don't have my camera, that are too good to forget. 
1. "Try always, when you are caught up in your day to day life, when work surrounds you and closes you in, when caring for the needs of your family consumes your day, remember that life is a gift not a promise.  Remember to hold those around you close and tell them you love them often.  Remember to count your blessings and hold them tight. 
2. I ran (jogged) my first 5k race, and my hubby was by my side encouraging me the whole time!  Until January, I hadn't run longer than one song on my i-pod.  So, I'm kinda proud of myself.  :)
3.  Had to toot my own horn on #2, because that was my one minute of glory as Rob is running the half marathon in the Pig on Sunday.  I know, impressive!  Rolling out of bed at 5 am on the mornings he was home shows his determination and focus.  So proud. 
4. "Will you help me breath, mama?"  Ellie asks, during her last asthma attack.  Breaks my heart when these darn things creep up and there's no warning.
5.  We walk in the door at Nana's and Papaw's (my parents) and Erika immediately starts opening drawers to find treasures. 
6. emily: "I'm bored." me: "Write a letter to someone."  emily: "It makes me want to puke.  I feel nauseous when I write."  ( I think she's ready for her cast to come off, writing I guess, is pretty hard for her.)
7. I had to ask myself if the girls have too many clothes when I had three laundry baskets to put away last night.  Either that, or I waited too long waiting for a laundry fairy that never came to put them away!
8. I woke up to this note on my birthday: "Dear Mom, I hop you like my gift.  It is a imaganary pen.  It's not invisable, but you can draw and nothing will show up.  Have a good birthday.  Love, Emily  (It was a pen she sound on the bus that was out of ink... too cute!!!)
9. My favorite song right now that I find strength in is "Healing Hand of God" by Jeremy Camp.  The words are beautiful. 
10. Fairy party with 10 little girls this Friday for Ellie's party.  So sweet, and can't wait to share pics.

Happy tuesday!

Defining my Dad

Honesty.  Dignity.  Respect.  Commitment.  Amazing work ethic. That would be my definition of my Dad.  There are many memories I have of him, most of them of him outside taking care of things.  Living on a farm consists of lots of responsiblities, and through the years the tasks have changed.  When I was younger, he was farming the fields and running a gravel pit.  The horses were a lot of work as well, and just keeping the grass mowed took hours.  As we've gotten older, he has been able to share his gift in taking care of people through Hospice.  His work started as a Chaplin in a Hospital, and for a man of little words, he sure had a way of putting families with suffering loved ones at ease.  He has a gift. 

 So today, he shouldn't be at home resting, recovering from squamous cell carcinoma.  He's putting his Faith in God these last two weeks when they found a malignant tumor on his tongue, only to have it removed and pray it hasn't spread. 

Dad, the one who took care of our farm and it's land.

Dad, the one everyone calls when they need someone to listen to them without judgment.

Dad, the one who is still working as hard today as he was 30 years ago.

Dad, the one mom calls her rock.

Ok Dad, so just remember:

Life is full of surprises and obstacles.  Some good, some bad.

It's how you deal with them that makes you who you are.

you are an amazing person, dad, and we are all rallying for you!!!

Proof that God was with Dad this morning during his petscan.  I captured this this morning when I got up to shower to be at The Atrium with mom and Dad.  Why don't I wake up this early every morning to see this breathtaking view?! 

Middletown Hospice Care

This commercial was made at our house when Dad was the Director of Hospice in Middletown.  Wanted to put it in a spot where we could watch whenever we wanted to.   So proud of him.