Great Vacation!!!!

I'mmmmm BACK! Sorry, friends that you have had nothing new and exciting to read from our side of the fence in a long while. I'll try to update you on our last three weeks in a as short as book as possible! Ha!


First, an update on my friend, Kristi. (see post below) She is doing as well as to be expected. She has not gotten out for church yet due to the memories she holds so dear. She has emailed and said that she just needs time. I believe she is with her parents at this time. Please remember to pray for her. We have yet to get the autopsy report. Thanks you for all your prayer support! Thats what great friends do for each other!

Well, first of all we have been away to the north land for a couple weeks. It started out that we were going to Ohio for Larry's parents camp. As a surprise to them we held a 4oth Wedding Anniversary Party! We were to be gone for 8 days. The weekend before our trip, Larry received news from his work that he had a business trip he needed to go to in KY. Therefore, our trip was moved up 4 days. This meant alot of hurrying to get pack and finish plans for the anniversary party. On Monday of that week my parents arrived to load up the cabinets that Larry had made and deliver them back to Jeff. (my brother-in-law who has a cabinet business) It was a great day! The boys loved seeing Papa and Grandmomma for a few hours....as well as I! Mom helped me finalize my ideas for the decorations for the party. On Tuesday, we packed up and left home around noon. We went to GA and met Susan, Jeff, Alexis, baby Colton, and Grandmomma. Momma was letting me borrow some dishes for the party. Larry hadn't met Colton so we made a quick stop to say Hello! As you can see by the picture, Peyton was not happy that Daddy was holding someone else!! After a few minutes of playing in McDonald's playland, off we went to Owensboro, KY. It is in western KY. We arrived at our hotel about 10pm their time. It was a long day! The next few days were filled with Larry's work and me trying to find stores for my last minute items for the party. We were in a town that is located on the Ohio river so one afternoon we spent time at the river. They have a beautiful little town with a little park and benches, trees and a great breeze. It was very relaxing! During this part of the trip, Peyton started having diarhea again! We have had about 3 weeks without it and then it started up again! That's fun to be in a hotel with a baby going through clothes and diapers very quickly. We survived! On Friday morning, we headed toward Columbus, IN where my Grandfather lives. On the way, we picked up our niece from her Grandparents. Our plans were to take her to her mother who was flying into Columbus, OHIO that next day. Our plans changed slightly. We were going to see my grandfather who had just been put into a facility to recieve physical therapy. He is almost 89 years old and is declining physically and mentally. In a few weeks he will be placed into an Assisted Living facility. We had a great visit with Dad Burt and Aunt Janet for a few hours. Dad Burt was mentally "together" so it was great having him know who we were! After Peyton and Larry had a short nap, we headed to St. Mary's, Ohio were Larry's parents were at. Our original plan was to go to there house about an hour from there and spend the night, do laundry and drop off Kristin to her mom the next day, but , Granny (Larry's mom) insisted on us coming on up to the camp that night. She was very surprised to see Kristin and we had to tell a few lies to keep the anniversary party a surprise! On Saturday we did a lot of help for Mom and Dad getting things ready for conference and camp. Tim (Larry's oldest brother) and his wife and three youngest sons arrived and was a great time of family fun! You would have to know Larry's family to fully appreciate family fun! We are a great bunch of people to harrass each other over every little thing! You definetly can't have a sensitive personality and survive! That's one reason I fit right in!!! On Sunday, Larry's sister arrived and suprised his parents so much! She lives in Rhode Island and doesn't get to come home very often. Dan, Larry's youngest brother, and his family arrived in the late afternoon! We had another great day! The Lord has blessed me with fantastic in laws and family!!! Monday was the surprise anniversary party so it was very busy trying to act "not busy". My mother-in-law kept asking us what we were doing and we just said relaxing! Ha! Thankfully she was busy with their conference that she didn't have time to notice everything we were doing! The party was a great sucess and NOT a surprise! Thanks to Dad's brother who spilled the beans...unknown to us kids thou! Dad and Mom did a great job keeping out of things thou! They so appreciated everything that was done and loved having all their pastors and friends there to celebrate with them. The rest of the week we had a great time at there camp. They have such wonderful people who made us fill so very welcomed!! The boys played baseball several times a day and went to children's chuch. Larry played softball and realized how old he really is!! Ha! I even attempted to "play" softball a couple times. Everyone was so gracious as I struck out MANY times! But, we had a lot of fun! The services were great and since I work everyother weekend it was very much needed on my part. We left on Saturday evening and went to Larry's parents house and spent the night. On Sunday, we went into Cincinnati to pick up a girl from our church who was spending time with her grandparents. We then headed back to the great state of South Carolina! It was nice to breathe that stuffy air once again! Some days it was very cold in Ohio and we southern people are not used to that in JUNE!!!

OHHH, I forgot. One day while we were at the camp, Granny watched to kids while Larry and I went to Celina, OH to see the Lighthouse where we got engaged! We had a nice Italian lunch and a few moments without the kids! As I looked at that lighthouse and thought about the many things Larry and I have faced since that day, I could truly say with a excited heart that I would say YES all over again!! He is the best man the Lord could have given to me!





After all that LONG trip, I have been trying to catch up on laundry, bills, friends and now finnally blogging. I have tried to get "caught" up with a few of you, but it will take time! Thanks for taking time to read up on US!

A Prayer Request for a Friend.....

This post is written with a heavy heart. After only an 1/2 hour of sleeping last night, our pastor phoned us with a prayer request. One of our friends, Mike, has passed away. Mike was a Lt. Cor. in the United States Marine. He left 3 weeks ago for Afganistan. Last Sunday when I talked with his wife, Kristi, he was still in Kwait. He finnally reach Afganistan this week and passed away yesterday. The circumstances surronding his death are under investigation at this point. We have very limited information at this point. What we do know is that is was NOT in combat.

Mike was in the reserves as of recently. He has been a Marine for over 16 years. When speaking with him, you knew that he breathed being a Marine.

Please pray for Kristi. They did not have children.

Please pray for Larry and I as we try to minister to her at this tramatic time.

COLTON ROSS HUNT HAS ARRIVED!

Colton Ross Hunt arrived to the proud parents of Susan and Jeff! May 31, 2007 at 10:10pm, at 8lbs 10 oz, 14 1/2 inch head! He is the cutest thing ever! I think he looks like Susan in the mouth and chin and Jeff in the eyes up!

Susan went to the hospital at 4:30 a.m. for a scheduled induction...she was 9 days overdue! She so wanted to do the natural delivery so was worried about being induced. She had a wonderful friend who has has all her 6? children natural who was her coach. My sister Christa and I were also there for support. (Jeff poked his head in the door every once in awhile! ...as did my mom) My oldest sister Cheryl had an important drs appointment with her oldest son so was coming later in the day. Susan labored very hard and long...she was so very strong to dilate all the way to 10 with NO MEDICINE! She with God's help did a fantastic job. It is very hard seeing someone you love go through so much agony. I was happy to support her because this was the desires of her heart. She did amazing!!! After pushing for 2 hours she felt she could no longer do it and have the baby without anything. She choose an epidural. The doctor was already concerned about doing a C-Section for the baby's heart rate had dropped significantly during her labor to the point of an emergency C-Section. Susan also felt that the baby was not lowering so another reason for the epidural in preperation for a C-Section if necessary. The doctor and Susan tried very hard to birth the baby, but ended up doing a C-Section. Thankfully, Cheryl made it just in time to help pray her through the pushing and the C-Section.

Susan is a true trooper! She was so very nervous and scared, but God was so faithful to her in her time of need! It was beautiful to feel the Lord very real throughout the WHOLE da/y!

This day was also Larry and I's 10 year anniversary! Thank you so much for those of you who remembered our special day! We loved having each one of you there! Thank you for all the sacrifices each one of you made to be with us....Heather sorry you were so sick and had to travel all night after your graduation! I appreciate it sooo very much! Thank you Julia, Brent, and Jani for the beautiful music! Thank you for all who stood up with us and witnessed our vows.

I will say that these last 10 years have been THE BEST EVER!!! I am so blessed to have met and married such a fabulous man of God! (and such a HANDSOME one at that!)

Here are all the cousins...Steven, Carson, Ethan, Isaac, Peyton, Colton, and big "sis" Alexis. She is so very happy to have this new baby in her home! She is going to be a great help! As you can see, they were all "pleased" to be participating in this picture. They were more worried about who got to sit on the chair! Poor Colton!

This is Aunt Marty giving her first squeezes after a long hard day....I've decided it's easier to delivery to baby than it is to watch someone you love go through pain! I'm done being a mid-wife! Ha! NO....it was a GREAT honor to be asked to help her this day!! Thank you Susan! (Sorry, I don't know how to rotate my pictures in this blog world...any expertise Vonnie?)

Thanks for all who have been checking in and concerned about Susan and the baby!

Nephew Baby Boy Update!

I'll make this short....THE BABY HAS NOT ARRIVED!

Poor Susan, she is very miserable...if she has not gone into labor by May 30th they will induce her on May 31st...Larry and I's 10 year wedding anniversary! We are all hoping for an earlier arrival.

I'll post pics as soon as he's born!

Mother's Day!

Here is a picture of me and my handsome boys on Mother's Day. They are the sweetest angels ever! I am soo blessed with the children God gave to me. There are days....., but there are many MORE better days! Love that grammer! I had a great mother's day with Larry and the boys....they treated me right! Including the tray of assorted cheesecakes! What at day!

(Not so sure how Carson's shirt got left untucked and buttoned to the top?) Things you notice later....

This is the boys "new sport". Here's hoping that is one that comes and goes very quickly. Momma's not really into the skateboard thing....Steven loves it! He is doing great...or so the neighbors little boys say. What do I know?

I did want to tell everyone that I have just completed a HUGE milestone in my life. I have finnally finished K5 for the second time! I passed with flying colors! No, really, the Lord has been so very patient with me and has helped and strengthed when I, myself, could not do it! I have been frequently asked? "How do you do it?" I tell them that it all God's "fault"! Last spring and summer when Larry and I were determining what to do about Steven's schooling, I had ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, NOOOOO desire, or willingness for that matter, to homeschool. I'll never forget what my mom told me one day. She said, "Marty, if God wants you to do this, He will change you and give you the ability to do what needs to be done!" I found this challeging! I didn't think my heart and opinion could be changed...so I told God, "Do it"! And guess what? He changed ME! He opened my heart and mind and made me willing to start this new adventure. HE is the reason that this year has been such a great sucess! Don't get me wrong, there have been many days were I "reminded" the Lord that He was the one who asked me to do this so He needed to "step up" and give me the help I needed. He is FAITHFUL to me. There were many times the Lord had to adjust my spirit and attitude, and I'm so glad I listened! I can't thank Larry enough either for the huge support and encourager he has been!

We are enjoying our first week of SUMMER VACATION! It has been a beautiful week here so far and we have a library trip tomorrow! Thankfully my boys love books as much as Larry and I!

My sister, "Sewer", went to the Doc today and is progressing right along. She is currently 1CM dialated! Hopefully, the baby waits til after I finish work this weekend to make his grand entrance! Papa and Grandmomma are also gone to FL for Christa's graduation! Unfortunetly, we were unable to attend. I can't believe that she is old enough to be in high school, led alone be graduating from college! She is going to Romania on TLC this summer, then a trip to Alaska with Mom and Dad, then home to GA to start nursing school! We are happy to have her living close again! My boys love their Aunt CHRISSA!

We are so very proud of you, Christa! Can't wait to meet David in a couple weeks! Make sure and warn him about us!

Farwell to all, and to all a Goodnight!