Friday, September 19, 2008

Update....

Well, I'm finally am getting a few minutes to sit and update you on my life. It has been a very long time since I've written. I will try to make it short and interesting. Ha! With a few pictures as well.....I may leave those to the end to keep you in suspense! NOT!
July -We had the opportunity to go to Pell City Camp as a family. Larry's Dad was one of the evangelist and did a SUPERB job! (Don't tell him I said that! Ha!) My parents and siblings also were there for some parts of the camp. We were so excited that David (Christa's fiance') was able to be there also. The Marines gave him a week off over the 4th of July. We had a great time enjoying family and old friends. My Aunt Carole was there and we once again made some great memories. My Aunt Martha and Uncle Edgar were able to attend for a couple days as well. It almost felt like old times....minus my wonderful cousins!!!! It is neat to watch my boys making memories like I did when I was their age. It was wonderful to see Melodie Sankey and her family. Here is a cute picture of our boys playing.....they are the sweetest kids to play even thou there are a few years difference in ages. It was neat to see second generations getting together. We also got to see Kimber, Charity, and Nate!!!
Our family had some difficult decisions to make during this month regarding our boys education. I have homeschooled Steven for 2 years. With the little princess coming in November I questioned what I should do for this coming school year. To make a very long struggle short, we decided that for this year, the Lord wanted us to send them to our local public school. I know that sounds like an easy decision for some but for us it meant alot of tears and feelings of guilt. I had to come to a place of surrender that God was in control of what He was asking for us to do. I never thought I would be sad to not homeschool my kids. How far the Lord can bring someone when we are obedient to Him! I have "enjoyed" teaching Steven and was looking forward to see Carson learn as well.

August - We were faced with a management move for Larry inside his company. It was a very unique situation and we wanted what God wanted and not what we saw as best. To back up a step or two, earlier in the summer the Lord had blessed Larry with a raise on the EXACT day that we found out we are having a girl!! I think it is a sign of things to come! Larry accepted this new position and is doing a fabulous job in this capacity! I am so proud of him and his witness to his employees and customers! It does intell some time away, but the Lord is blessing us with other special times as a family.



A week before Christa's wedding, my great-aunt Cora passed away at the age of 96! She and her husband are the reason that my dad moved our family to that small town in GA when I was 7 years old. As my dad grew up, he never saw a preacher come to visit his aunt and uncle. As he finished college and moved on with his life, he would ask God if He could go to GA to start a Church. The Lord said no until many years later. He felt that if he could help them to know God his move would be successful. I am pleased to say that the Lord used my Dad and his ministry to lead both Aunt Cora and Uncle Hardin to Him. There have been MANY people along the way that have been blessed by Daddy's work, but none as meaningful to our family!!!

The boys and I traveled over to GA for the viewing and the funeral. What a joyous occassion to celebrate the life of a saint!!! She will truly be missed by all!!!
This picture is of us girls and Billy and David Mantooth. Aunt Cora help to raise them and we grew up together. What great memories we have together!


After the funeral, we (boys and I) stayed with Mom and Dad in preperation of the big day at the end of the week! It was so nice to be with Cheryl, Susan, and Christa!! My Aunt Janet was also able to come early and we LOVED spending time with her. David's family started arriving on Tuesday evening so the party began!!! His family fits right in with the rest of us crazy people. David was able to make it out of the Marines grip in time for his rehearsal on Friday. We also had a bridal shower for Christa on Friday morning. We had a great time! Here is the group picture. Christa is standing in between Momma and Aunt Janet! We were so blessed to have so many family members be able to attend her wedding. All of my cousins, except Andrew, were able to be there. (It has been 11 years this October since that has happened!) Andrew had a very good excuse, seeing that he lives in Alaska and has a wonderful family of 8!! We did miss all of them!!!



The wedding rehearsal was funny in the fact that we three sisters and brother-in-laws pulled a little stunt! We three older sisters have always teased Christa that we were going to be so old by the time she was married that we would be on walkers, wheelchairs and cains!! Well, that is excatly what we did!! The guys wanted to "honor" David so they bought patriotic wigs.....So handome!!! It caused a great laugh! Here are a few pics from their special day! I can't believe that my baby sis is finnally married!!! YEAH!!! We tease David that he got the raw end of the deal!! (Love ya, Chris)!!! I think that is what Dad is telling David right here....

Christa's BEAUTIFUL wedding gown!

Being in the wedding it was hard to get good pictures, so this is the only one I have of them together!

Here is the next generation cousins picture! We were missing, my Peyton, (he was napping in the nursery) and all of Andrew's kids. They belong to my sisters, Heather Dickenson, Laura Hausman, Lincoln Bryan, Jane Allard, Esther Miller, and two of my boys.

Peyton was having "issues" with having his picture taken!! Dad was trying to help.



Steven was very excited to walk with Cassidy! This is the first time he saw her in her beautiful dress. He's a lot like his father!!! The next picture, she is putting him in his place!! Her dad should be proud!


Hopefully, it won't be so long before the next update! I have 7 weeks til my due date!!! A little nervous and a lot excited to meet our little girl!

After leaving the wedding, we rushed home to start the boys in school on Tuesday. It was much harder than I ever imagine. I was "losing" two boys at once. After leaving Steven in tears and Larry forcing me to leave, I stayed on the couch and cried most all day long. When I picked up Steven, I was so worried that he had been sad all day......he didn't even remember crying!! He said, "Mom, weren't you a little sad on your first day?" Both boys are enjoying their new school experience alot. When the first round of test came, Steven decided he likes homeschooling better!! He is doing a great job! Carson has never looked back! He loves his new school. But, he did say that he thought I would be a better teacher!! GO MOM!! Do I have him brainwashed or what!!

12 comments:

Valerie said...

Oh, Marty, It was wonderful to hear what has been happening in your neck of the woods. You look ADORABLE being pregnant! I can't believe that you only have 7 weeks left. WOW, time has flown by! I trust that these last few weeks before she arrives you will not be miserable.:0)
I am sure that you did the right thing in regards to your boys school. What a hard decision, but knowing that they are enjoying it makes it so much more rewarding.
I saw some other pictures of your sis on her big day, they looked so happy! What a fun day and what a beuatiful dress!! Best wishes to them!
Please let us know when the big event happens. So very excited for you and Larry both. Take good care and know that you are thought about and loved. Until your next post...
Much Love, Valerie

Anonymous said...

So much to comment on! It has been a full summer for you all and to read it all at once. Wow! Only 7 weeks...Yikes that is hard to believe. I love hearing from you...thanks for the update and I be the next update will be after baby is here. No matter it's still fun to read. luv u!

The Dickinsons said...

Thanks for your nice comment...and I enjoyed getting caught up on your blog as well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures from this post. Wish I could have come to Pell City too...Wow! The fun memories that we have from there!
I was soooo Glad that it worked out for us to get to stay in the USA and get to come to Christa's wedding. (And Thanks for "giving me permission" to come to the rehearsal too...I thoroughly enjoyed being there! =)
I am excited that you will get to meet your precious baby girl in just 7 weeks or so. Having just had a baby...I know how you are feeling right about now...ready to have the pregnancy over with...but wishing that LARRY was the one delivering. HA!! =D
Love ya bunches!!

Lisa Messner said...

Hi Martha! I found your blog through Melodie Sankey's. It was nice reading the update on your family. I know you must be so excited about the coming "princess". She will be such a treasure to all your little men. Having all boys myself I can't imagine what it will be like having a girl. Enjoyed your post and pictures!
(enjoyed seeing you and your family at camp this year also)
Lisa Messner

CrazieChrisa said...

You are too sweet, my darling:-D Love you bunches!!!!

Julia said...

Oh Marty, I so enjoyed your newsy post. I'm also glad the trasition of education is going smoothly.

Wow, it's hard to believe you are so close to delivering your little girl! So happy for you all.

Love ya my friend. Send our best wishes to Christa.

Kimberly said...

So fun to read your update..I smiled thinking of the "little princess" and my heart hurt a little with you for your big schooling decision. In my humble opinion, your sweet boys seem well equipped to succeed in education wherever that may be. There is plenty of love and prayers to safeguard their journeys. Will keep praying for all of you in this time of transition....and for the new baby. Love Ya!

Liz said...

Enjoyed the update. Wish we could have made it to Pell City. We say every year that we are going to try to go but never are able. We haven't been since Katy was 2 weeks old...4 ears ago! Can't wait to see your new bundle of pink!

Vonnie said...

What a great update!! So glad to hear how you all are doing! We are sure sorry we couldn't make it to Christa's wedding, but it does feel nice to be missed! Love you and miss you!!

kayla said...

I'm so excited to see a new post from you. You're looking so cute.
Glad that life is going well and everyone is adjusting to all the changes in your lives.
I'm so happy for Christa and David. They are in my prayers as they adjust to married, military life.
We'll be looking forward to pictures of that little girl.

Kimberly said...

PS: the wedding was beautiful!!

Dara and Tico said...

oh! I kept coming back to your blog to catch up on your pregnancy...but saw nothing...until now! Glad things are going well. Wow!!! You have just a few short weeks before baby arrives! It was probably a prudent choice to have the boys in school...especially in the beginning...take care...and don't wait till baby is celebrating her 1st b-day before posting again! ha!! Dara xoxo