Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Has it really been that long?

Joan and Jim, lookin' all dapper n such

My brother, Tommy, with all of his nieces and nephews

Christmas Day photo shenanigans. Charlie makes the best goofy faces. Love that guy!

Will and E

My parents entire set of offspring and such

So, this is the pic that I used on our New Year's card, which, if you normally get one from us, it IS coming. I'm just frozen, so getting them licked and stamped, sent and all that has proven to be very challenging for me this year. I apologize. They are coming...envelopes are even addressed. sheesh.

My brother, Andy, and his adorable brood of kiddos

My sis, Becky, her hubby Scott and their beautiful daughters.

The 2nd annual Parents take all of their kids/grandkids to Vito Provolone's restaurant. Good memories made here!
This was the night before they headed back to Gulf Shores (joiks)


Andy and Pheebs

Pops and Mom again...they had just gotten the bill....oy!

honestly, the night wouldn't be complete without a ridiculous selfie of Beck and I.  We're dumb.

This was New Year's Eve...What a fun night that was!


At our parties, we line it up for you to get a head massage.  You should come! We are having a Kung Fu Panda Party tonight...in honor of next week's release of KFP 3.

And last but not least, these were my nine most liked pictures on Instagram. aww. 

I can't believe how fast time flies....and how much I DON'T BLOG anymore. so sad....

So many fun updates on the horizon....so I'll just go ahead and number them all so I don't forget...

1.)  David, Molly, Levi and I are heading down to Gulf Shores to spend some time at the beach with my parents soon....We would've been there already but....Young Final Finish got a pretty good sized job at St. Francis Hospital, for which we PRAISE THE LORD, because we were at an impasse in the lawsuit, getting paid ourselves and upcoming bills....such a cool answer to prayer and I continue to be amazed at how the Lord not only keeps us hopping but how much it draws us, as a family and individually, closer to HIM. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

2.)  Don't be surprised if we add a new member to our family this year...no...this is not a pregnancy announcement (whew...even typing that freaked me right out!!)...but my eldest son and his lil friend, Joy are moving forward to this big life event and any and all prayers in this direction are much appreciated...I know they covet your prayers. I'd pray also that David and I would know how to encourage and help them, as it isn't like it was even 22 years ago when we got married...people need to get back to the family...living expenses are so much more expensive than they used to be...heck, going to the grocery store takes 95% of my monetary resources each week alone...so we want to encourage them to, of course, follow the Lord's lead, but allow us to help and encourage them. We are (secretly) excited and (more than a little bit) scared at this big change...thankful for their openness and how they allow us to be involved. It's really pretty cool and amazing. (by the way, David and I really just not old enough to be mother and father in law...)

Will also copyrighted his songs recently and that is a big, cool, very grown up situation. We love his desire to worship the Lord and share his gifts. Mel too but I'll get to her in a bit.

3.) E turns 20 in less than one month....We are having a party for him and the theme is Kung Fu Panda. His organization of how this goes and such has been pretty impressive, though when we talk about it, he tells me I'm vicious...what? then he changed it to "relentless"...

I like to think of it as "involved"...anyways...hope you can come...he is pretty excited about this upcoming right of passage in his life...MANHOOD!! Please pray for him...he is nervous about being a legit man. He's one of my favorite people!

4.) Melanie...on the last leg of her senior year, though she will definitely take a gap year (or two). I'm kinda blown away by the recording of her song that she wrote, plays piano on, sings.....where did these kids come from? The way that girl holds this old lady accountable is (hard but) cool!!
Mel's own song was copyrighted along with Will's...it's pretty magical to hear her sing and play the piano...she has a clear, deep voice and her passion for the Lord is very obvious. So thankful for her on so many levels.

5.) Levi and Molly...sorry to lump them together but I'm already at #5 so...they are plugging right along...Molly auditioned for Wizard of Oz and ended up being casted in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat...we are gonna go ahead and choose joy on this...thankful for the experience but....

Levi is doing really well with his bi weekly chiropractic care...he now has his own phone, with which he is reasonably responsible. He FaceTimes with his uncle Tom (a new iPhone user too) regularly! He continues to keep us on our toes...well, and Molly does too...they are at the stage where they bicker regularly. urgh.

6.) We continue on in the midst of a lawsuit...coming face to face with agreements that you've paid to protect you and then having to pay to enforce them, use them, get legal help is more than a little bit mind boggling but God has us here for a reason so our hope remains fixed on His plan. Prayers for David to remain fastidious!

Well, it's now 4 days later and I failed to post this. Loser.

Hope to have another update for you soon. God bless you!