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!!