Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The birthday celebration continued...

We celebrated Austin's 1st birthday on Saturday with my mom (Gigi) and David's parents (Granddad and Grandma).

Austin woke up (still in his pj's) and saw the chair my family got him (my 2 brothers, Matt's girlfriend Christin, my dad (Pops) and dad's girlfriend Sheryl). He LOVES it. He climbs all over it.
The birthday cake a friend from church made (Lynne Knox). It was beautiful and tasted delicious!
The spread of food for lunch.
Austin trying his smash cake.
Not so sure about it. He didn't go crazy in it like we thought he would.
Showing Mommy his hands.
Mommy and daddy opening presents with Austin.
Granddad and Austin playing with his new phone.
Austin's new face he likes to make. We think he copied it from his cousin Olivia!
Family picture.

Sweet daddy with his #1 fan!

Austin in his new wagon next to his chair.
Testing out the wagon.
Granddad and Grandma getting some pictures of Austin in his new wagon.
Gigi pushing Austin in his new "Sport Coupe". The car is awesome. It has turn signals, a button for a radio, a door, and a key to turn. He is hilarious in his car. He really acts like he's driving.
Another funny face.
Austin is so blessed by the greatest family and friends. Thank you to everyone for making his first birthday so special.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

the rest of the birthday...

Austin had the best 1st birthday!!! After he woke up from his nap, we had his carseat turned around forward and he LOVED it!

David has been so excited about Austin enjoying his first donut with him. We took him to Gibson's and let him enjoy his very own glazed donut (he tried a few bites of ours as well).
Getting ready...
his first bite...
Loving it!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Austin's 1st Birthday

Today my baby is 1. I can't believe it. Time really flies when you are having fun. I started the day off by singing "Happy Birthday" to him when he woke up. He smiled and giggled at his funny mommy. We ate breakfast, played together, and then he took his morning nap. When he woke up, we went to Story time at Davis Kidd and met some friends. He loved it because there was lots of singing and reading. He also loved the trucks and trains.

Mommy and Austin at story time

Austin exploring Davis Kidd with his trucks
Afterwards we headed to Chickfila where we met up with the Scott's and Brown's. Chickfila is the best restaurant. They made Austin (and his friends) feel like celebrities for coming in on his birthday. We had so much fun.

Griffin, Mary Paige, Elizabeth, and Austin

I love that I got a picture with his fingers in his mouth trying to twirl his hair. He does this when he is tired or hungry.

Eating his lunch with his birthday hat on.
He is taking his second nap now and when he wakes up, we are headed to Target to pick up the red wagon his family got him. His uncles Matt and Toph, aunt Christin, Pops (my dad), and Sheryl (my dad's girlfriend) bought it for him along with a Pottery Barn kid sized chair. I know he will love both of them. We have more exciting things planned for today and tomorrow.
I am so thankful for Austin's sweet life. God has been so good to us and I can't praise Him enough for my 2 sweet sons.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Party in the crib

Every morning I hear Austin just playing away in his crib. He runs back and forth, throws himself down on the pillows, plays with his lovies (throws them over the edge), and just giggles away. I went in the other morning and tried to get some of it on video.
It's a party in his crib =)

Sadie came in to see what was going on in this video. He loves watching her.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Sunday nights

Sunday nights at our house are a little crazy. The Sophomore girls start arriving around 6:00 and usually the last one leaves around 8:15. We start the night by eating dinner together and catching up on each others lives. Around 6:50 we start our bible study lesson that lasts around an hour. David and I love having these girls in our home (even though it is very crazy). I think Austin loves it too.

Austin's onesie says, "Chicks dig me". I think thats true for these girls.
Neely and Allie stole my camera and started taking funny pictures of themselves.
All the girls together (still missing a few). We had 18 girls total with Halley and I. (Look closely at the facial expressions of the girl in pink and the girl in yellow with a black coat...hilarious!)
Hanging out after dinner

Monday, September 21, 2009

his father's son


Austin LOVES pickles and would eat them all the time if I would let him. I know for sure he is David's son because I HATE pickles. I didn't even like them during my pregnancies.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

more flowers...


My brother Matt and his girlfriend Christin sent these gorgeous flowers to my home yesterday with a note that read, "These flowers are to remember beautiful Forrest on his birthday and his amazing mother for all that she has done to keep his legacy alive and to help others in his memory. We love you both. Matt and Christin"
I was so shocked to get these. They look beautiful on my kitchen table. Thanks Matt and Christin for remembering my sweet baby boy.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

my sweet girls

The Sophomore girls I work with have had a very difficult week. A friend of theirs was killed this past week in a terrible car accident. She was 14 and a freshman in high school. Her sister is in 10th grade at a school that a lot of my girls attend. This has been very hard on the Memphis community, especially high schoolers who have never lost a friend. Please pray for my girls, the Fox family, and the Memphis community. Pray for God to work amazing things through this terrible tragedy.

Some pictures of my sweet girls. I am so blessed to have them in my life.




Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Forrest Spence 5K 2009

The Forrest Spence 5K was incredible this year. We had over 850 participants and raised over $34,000. It was an amazing day filled with so much joy, laughter, and fun! There were activities for every age. A 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run for kids, 100 yard dash for little kids, tons of food, great music, face painting, blow up machines, games, and balloons. It was so great. I am beyond proud of my committee and all the people who came to help us set up, take down, and make sure the event went off without a hitch. Thank you to everyone who was a part of it. I picked a few great pictures that our photographer, Mark Loft, took. I am also attaching a link to our flickr account so you can see all of them. Mark did a great job!

David and I getting the racers ready

Front of the line ready for the race to begin

Sweet Jackson family who spoke about how the Fund has helped them. The baby I am holding, Jamesia, was a patient at LeBonheur for 7 months. The Fund provided lots of individual gifts for the family like blankets, toys, and clothes. We also provided their Thanksgiving meal, Christmas gifts for all the family, and paid someone to clean their house before Jamesia came home. We love this sweet family.

Face Painting

The kids ready for the 1 Mile Fun Run

Kids having fun on the playground with their candy and their faces painted

The band, The Reflections, were wonderful!

David giving out awards

We LOVE LeBonheur

Officers who blocked off East Parkway and Poplar


Packet pick-up the day before at Fleet Feet

Wonderful volunteers working the registration table

Great participants

More families who participated

2 Volunteers with the Forrest Spence Fund Information table

3 of my precious youth kids passing out balloons
I had to include one of my sweet baby boy! =)