Photohunt Theme: Beautiful

My 7 yr old daughter walking, of her own choice and desire, into the waters to be baptized; showing the world that her life is no longer her's, but instead her Savor's.

PhotoHunt

Remember my secret blog award winner?!?!?!?!?!

She has given me the okay to OUT her!

So stop by and meet my sweet friend Erin. She is the newlywed that God sent to live next to us when we moved to NC. I was SOO worried that she and her new husband would have a hard time sharing a wall with (at the time) four noisy toddlers. Instead, they embraced it and love my children dearly. I wouldn't have had it any other way!

Tell her that I said, "hola!"

http://davidanderinstanford.blogspot.com/

Nathan was "let go" from his job today. We weren't completely surprised, since they told him last week to decide between being a student and an employee of their company. They had gotten tot he point that they didn't even want him to take night classes, on his own time. After much prayer and counsel, we knew that the Lord called us here to finish his education and go into full-time ministry work. He did not call us to come here and wait. That may be the case for some, but we KNEW it wasn't the case for us. Nathan has slowed his pace through school for a few things along the way that had to do with us, his first ministry, but this wasn't one of those situations. He spoke with his immediate authority, who wanted Nathan to continue to work until he found something else. The "higher ups" didn't agree.

The Bible says to dwell on things that are good and then it gives a complete list of what those "good" things are. It starts with TRUTH. I can almost always stop right there.

The truth is that today, my husband earned a paycheck. The truth is that we have a fridge full of ingredients to fulfill 2 weeks of menus for all seven of us. The truth is that Nathan is skilled and qualified to do MANY things AND he is not too prideful to take any job that would pay the bills. The truth is that God called us here and has NEVER for one minute left us in the four years since He brought us here. The truth is that we will get through this.

He has already had a second interview with another company (Yeah God!) and we should hear something final from them this week. If that "final" is no, then we will keep looking. Prayerfully, this will end up being just a short and unplanned vacation for Nathan at the start of this semester.

The scariest thing in all of this to me is that I am SO EXCITED that Nathan isn't going to that job tomorrow. Really, my heart is singing right now! Isn't that CrAzY!?!?!?! I have JOY about it. Maybe my hormones are shifting and I will crash later or maybe there is comfort in knowing that God is guiding my husband on this journey and that this is EXACTLY what HE set into motion for a reason.

Stay tuned...

My 34th Birthday, in pictures

My "Iron Chef" made me Blueberry Yogurt Coffee Cake.

I enjoyed my breakfast on our family's "Special" plate that we use to celerate both the exceptional and not-so-exceptional milestones in our life. (If you haven't done this, I would encourage you to go buy a special plate or paint one yourself. As much as my kiddos LOVE eating on it, I think they enjoy watching us eat off of it the most!)

Cooper wore my FAVORITE shirt for me!!! ISn't he a handsome devil?!?!

You know the story behind this one!

Nathan knows how much I love chocolate!!! He, thoughtfully, ordered this cake, but we ate lunch at The Twisted Fork for lunch. They gave me a piece of their Tia Maria cake for my birthday. We enjoyed THIS cake yesterday. I love 2-day birthday celebrations!

Electric Tea Kettle (in red, of course)...

PLUS...

"frother-thingy"...

PLUS...

My favorite Tea Blend...

EQUALS...

The gift that every Mother claims she wants at some point or another.

Did you ever hear your Mom say, in her best martyr voice,

"All I want for my birthday this year is a few moments of PEACE." ?

I got it from my in-laws this year, in the way of everything I need to make my own non-fat chai latte, right here in my kitchen.

I LOVE my family!

Missionary at Seven

Graycen is such a little missionary. She wants EVERYONE to know about the Love of God.

This past Friday at school, she volunteered to help a little girl walk to the bathroom after she had fallen at recess. While they were waiting for the class to join them int he classroom, Graycen mentioned that she wished she had bought her Bible, so that she could read some verses to the little girl. This little girl told Graycen that she would like that, because she had never heard anything from the Bible before and that her family didn't go to church. Graycen said that she told the little girl, "OH MAN!!! Now I REALLY Wish that I had brought my Bible today!!!!"

Graycen has repeatedly mentioned this conversation throughout the weekend. This morning she made sure to bring her Bible with her. One the way through carpool line, she and I were recalling verses about fear and anxiety, because she starts her first-ever Iowa testing today. She is nervous, but every time we thought of another verse, she would mark it with a piece of paper and say, "That would be a great one to share with _________!" I am certain that she will find time today to read SOMETHING from the Word of God to this little friend of her. I don't think she will be able to sleep tonight if she doesn't.

That is really how we all should be; so eager to tell of the good news that WE know! SO many times, I have not shared when I knew the opportunity was there. Many times I have shared it, but I am learning, from my seven year old, that there is no time like RIGHT NOW to tell people about God.

Our pastor preached a FANTASTIC sermon on the wrath of God yesterday. It is a message that Nathan and I noticed was weighing heavily on him as he sat in the congregation, waiting for his time to approach the pulpit. He was continuing our current studies in Hebrews and one of the benefits of expository preaching is that the Word dictates the subject. He had no choice. We had reached Hebrews 10 and this is what had to be taught. Pastor Dwayne wept several times while talking about God's wrath and how it will be poured onto the unrepentant. I walked away from that sermon with all the names of those in my life that I KNOW will realize this wrath, should they leave this earth unrepentant. As much as people, even Christians, want to avoid the subject of God's wrath, IT IS VERY REAL!!! It isn't a fairy tale. People that I love will surely know it unless they choose differently. That is a terrifying thought, especially for those of whom I have never told about God's love.

Heavenly Father,
I love you. Thank you for saving me, by the blood of Your Son, from the wrath that I deserve. Help me to feel THIS desire to share the news of Jesus that I am feeling now, everyday of my life. Just as Graycen has, create in me the opportunities to prepare for and tell of your DEEP, DEEP LOVE. Be with my little missionary this morning as she tells of the Love in her heart the SHE knows from You. Give her peace during her test and remind her sweetly that she has nothing to fear when she has YOU in her heart. I love YOU for creating me, for sending Jesus, and for forgiving even me, Lord. I love you. ~Amen

Only 1 hour into my birthday and look what I found!

Have I mentioned lately that my sweet husband, Nathan, loves me? This morning he greeted me (after letting me sleep an extra couple of hours) with all five babies and a BIG box! That is always a GREAT way to wake up, right? When I opened the box, look what I found:

For those that are new to this blog, this is the coffee serving set that goes with my wedding china pattern. The pattern has been discontinued and Nathan had to drive about an hour and a half out of town to find this! Not only that, but he mistakenly purchased cups and saucers with the pitchers first. When he looked in the cabinet and realized that I HAD the cups and saucers, HE WENT BACK and exchanged them for the creamer and sugar service.

Am I married to Superman or what?!?!?!?!?!

I am LOVING that we are using our china, at least, weekly now! When the day comes that my children inherit these peices, they will have memories o go along with them They won't be holding on to dusty pieces of china, just because I did or because they have monetary value.

These pieces will have REAL value in thier hearts.

******Go here(1) & here (2) for background on why this gift is so special to me --to us!

******HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BELLE TODAY ALSO!! ****

I Got A Diamond!!!

Look what Belle gave me as my first birthday present this year!!

Here are the rules (and FYI- Most of my award winners are winning because they are going through, surviving, working out something major in thier lives, so none of these rules actually apply to them):

1. when you received a diamond, make a post about it on your blog

2. name the blogger from whom you got it

3. award the diamonds to seven other bloggers

4. link them

5. and tell them, that they got one!

I would like to pass this award on to (in no particular order):

Casey, because her blog is courageous and transparent and she is ministering to the hearts of SO many families by continuing to post through her grief.

Jill (and Eric), because her blog is a bird's eye view of her journey into her and her family's transition into life as missionaries in a foreign land.

Cathy, because she inspires me. She is a mother to six beautiful children, a fabulous photographer, and has completed a journey into better health (including a 100+ pound weight loss!!) that I hope to claim as an accomplishment one day soon!

Yvonne, because even as a new bloggy friend, her comments on my blog show me her heart and her compassion for others. THAT is brilliant!

Mike, my cousin, because even though his blog has chronicled his fight against melanoma, I have many times found myself laughing out loud at his side notes and his wit. He has inspired me to register as a marrow donor (card is currently IN my wallet!) and he has shown me a lot about how faith is supposed to be lived out when life's waters start getting rocky.

Sandra, because she puts so much time into her blog (or at least it seems she does) and gives so much information and so many yummy recipes. It is a MUST SEE spot on the web for homemakers and Mamas of any variety!

I have one more, but I am waiting for her permission to make her blog public. I will say this though: This person is just a sweet, sweet person. She was God-sent into my life and she loves my babies like she would her own. She is generous and loyal and is the kind of friend we should all be lucky enough to have. Stay tuned to see if she lets me out her or not! She knows who she is.

So, now I am going to go straighten up my house one last time before my birthday weekend starts. Please pray tomorrow, not for my birthday silly, but because Nathan has a job interview at 7 pm that could drastically change things around here!! I say, "If it is the Lord's Will, Bring it!!"

Thanks again Belle for your sweet birthday diamond for me!

Blessings!

~Angela

Ok, so I had to delete my previous post.

As soon as I finished writing it, I checked my bloglines and found this. It was an update on Casey & Dan's blog about their baby boy, Asher, who came into this world on 08/09/8 and left it in the same moment. As hard as my days are and as down as I have been lately, I am not greving the loss of my child.

I am convicted that, even though my struggles aren't sin, my struggles are minor in comparison. They are things that I should push out of my heart and push through like a bad cold. So that is what I am going to do.

For those that read the post before, know that my heart is but flesh and I just don't want to have that old post here in light of the pain that is going on all around me for so many Mamas. For those that posted a comment, thank you very much. I do appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Now I am going to go play a game of TROUBLE with my kiddos and love on them some before bedtime.

Sacrifice

When I was about 11, I was given my first camera. It was little 110 camera that had an ugly brown case. I loved it. I had gotten a few cartridges of film with the gift, but I shot those in about 2 hours. I just fell in love with the whole idea of putting the images that I saw with my eyes into permanent form that I could share. Most of the time that I HAD that camera, I took pictures with no film in it. I didn't do it for show or ever try to make anyone THINK I was taking real photos. I couldn't afford, at 12, to buy my own film or even BEGIN to be able to process it. I just like looking through the lens, finding my shot, and taking it. At that point, it was about perspective and seeing my images through the lens , even if they would never be printed or shared with anyone else.

At 14 yrs old, I was given the duty of buying my own clothes and supplies. I got a part-time job, but ended up spending my first-ever paycheck on another camera. It was a little better than my first one, but still it was cheap and didn't take very good pictures. Even still, I LOVED it and went through all of my film in about a day! Often times, I could afford to buy the film, but never the processing. When I moved out on my own at 17, I found MANY rolls of unprocessed film. I just LOVED looking through the lens and finding my shot. Sure, on the occasion that I could afford processing, I cherished the photos and kept them very close to me through all of my moves. Even still, it was more about seeing the image in my head. It was my passion.

Through many more years, the Lord birthed this passion in me to make pictures. I have shared before that I never really dreamed of a life beyond my teens. Life, at that point, was just too hard to deal with physically and emotionally. Thinking that it would last for decades was too much to bare, so I didn't. The ONE thing that I let myself daydream about was being a photographer. I would find National Geographics in the library and imagine myself hanging from a rope, trying desperately to get the perfect shot of whatever canyon or mountain I had been assigned. These dreams REALLY were my only dreams that I allowed myself. I remember holding my Senior Memories Book on my last day of high school and filling out the pages. I got to the page that started with, "In ten years, I see myself______________" and I QUICKLY scribbled in the word, "photographer".

At 20, I moved to Georgia. I was in a new state and felt as if I had the WORLD open to me, because I was leaving a lot of the hurt and pain behind me. I was broke and worked as a party hostess at a go-cart track, but (with the help of grants and loans that I am STILL paying off) I entered myself into a degree program for Commercial Photography. I had NO CAMERA, mind you, but the school allowed me to check one out for each assignment. It was a Pentax K1000. It was your basic, commonly used, manual SLR. There were no bells and whistles and no automatic ANYTHING. Still, I just cherished every moment I had with it. I took my first self-portrait on it. I used it to set up and shoot my first studio shots with lighting. I even took my first-ever pictures of my husband on it, although I wouldn't learn about THAT part of God's plan until much later. I can still remember the butterflies I got watching my first image begin to show itself in the developing tray. Although I despised rolling my own film cartridges and processing my own film, there wasn't anywhere that I preferred to be than in the darkroom. (That is one of the things that I will miss when we jump into the digital era!)

My first fully automatic, bells and whistles camera was a gift from my, now, husband. It was one of the first models of a Canon EOS Rebel. It was 35 mm and I cried and cried and cried some more. I don't think that it is ANY coincidence that the Lord delivered this camera to me through the hands of the man that He would use to teach my heart about true love, the kind of love that comes from Him, but that is for another post :o).

We both graduated and soon after married. When we started taking pictures for pay, I felt so at home behind that camera. Dealing with clients, even stressed out BRIDES, was a place that I felt at total comfort and ease. It was one of the things that I was BORN to do and I know this. I did photo shoots within a week (before and after) of each of the births of my first three children! I just enjoyed it THAT much.

When Nathan and I answered the Lord's calling on our hearts into full-time service, our call also came with some realizations. The first was that our life wasn't ours at all. Surrendering to full-time service, for us, translated to sacrifice greater than any we had known; at least for a time. We already had three beautiful children under three and another baby due to make four! Being faithful to our call and completing the specific tasks that the Lord was guiding us to in the way of education, left no room for photography. As hard as it was to do, we sold off our professional equipment to help fund our move to NC in obedience. It was SO hard to do, but we both knew what was required of us and we knew that, even though the Lord had given us BOTH a passion for photography, for us to accomplish THOSE goals at this point of our life would be selfish ambition. SO, the equipment was gone and we moved to NC.

Three and a half years and another baby brought home later, that passion is still very much inside me. I have shared with a few people of this passion to repurchase equipment and begin taking pictures again professionally. It is something that I want to do SO BADLY that I can smell it and taste it! However, we aren't there yet. Nathan will be finishing up his BABS in May and that is wonderful! He still has his graduate work to complete and by then we hope to know more about the ministry that the Lord has prepared for us. To try and scrimp and save to get the equipment, even to restart my business, at this point would still be selfish ambition. Honestly, I don't have the time yet to even be able to enjoy a camera if I had it I am afraid. It is sacrifice. It is hard. It may sound silly to someone who hasn't known me, really taken the time to KNOW me, but it is gut-wrenching at times to not be able to do this. Sacrifice is hard. If it isn't, chances are that you aren't doing it.

Honestly too, this is a sin that I have been dealing with almost daily lately. I know in my heart that I must wait and be obedient, but my flesh remembers that little, cheap 110 camera and how great it felt to even just look through the lens and compose those images in my brain that I KNEW would never even be shared! It is hard not to desire for something that was born in your soul like my love for photography was. It is okay to think fondly of those things and look forward to a time when I can enjoy them again, but to dwell on them and allow my joy to be robbed by the disappointment in NOT having them, is a sin of one of the worst kinds. It breeds discontentment and bitterness. Those are two rotten fruits that I want NOTHING to do with!

Until the day comes when the Lord desires to make those things a part of my life, I will continue to take photos with my little, point and shoot "Mommy Camera". I get clean, focused images of my kiddos and, every now and again, I can get those not-so-Mommy images also. I am praying for contentment in this. I am praying that I will be strong in our united efforts to save money and to provide only what the Lord desires for us to provide for our children. I feel certain that there is blessing on the other side of this learning for me, even if it is just in the growth and the obedience. Like I said before though, sacrifice is HARD. If it doesn't hurt, it probably isn't being done.

I came back this afternoon to add a thing or to. I am happy with my life. I love being a Mommy and I love being a wife! I love even the mundane parts of my job like changing diapers and wiping noses. I wouldn't trade what I have for any amount of money or any job. I don't want anyone to misread my post and think I am NOT content. I do struggle with, selfishly, wanting to pursue my own pleasures and hobbies. In time, I will be able to do BOTH. For now, I can't and that is where the sacrifice comes. Just wanted to clear that up :o)

I am HERE today!

Be Blessed!
~Angela

ONE WORD FOR YA...

...THYROID.

I was diagnosed with hypOthyroid about 2 years ago, after my 4th baby arrived. It took me about 6 months and about 3 different levels of meds to get to where I THOUGHT I was regulated. I have a really GREAT Dr, who always says, "Numbers are numbers, but how do you feel?" The biggest indicators of a thyroid issue are unexplained fatigue and dry skin/hair. He would always ask, "Are you fatigued?" To which I would answer, "Of course! I have five children!!!" I guess I just assumed that I would be fatigued until they were in college!

Recently, I went back to have my routine thyroid check and I mentioned to him that I had been working out, but wasn't feeling THAT much better energy-wise. He ran my blood for another check of my hormone levels (TSH levels are what they test for). They came back well within the "normal" range, but he called and said, "You know how I feel about numbers. How do you FEEL?" When I again shared my standard five children response, he asked if I would consider upping my dose again and seeing how that felt.

That was about 3 weeks ago and can I tell you? I cannot BELEIVE the difference! The fatigue is all, but GONE! 3:00pm used to feel like 3:00am to me. I could hardly keep my eyes open!Now that this new level of meds have started kicking in, I feel so much better. I am not dragging around at all. He only raised it by less than .5 micrograms (and that is small), but I guess it is just the tweak I needed to my thyroid function. I go back in a few weeks to have my levels rechecked and just make sure that they are still within normal.

This is SUCH a common disorder, especially in women. If you have had children, and/or are overweight, and/or have problems with fatigue I would STRONGLY consider getting your thyroid levels tested. It is a simple blood test. The "normal" range is between 1 and 4, but MY Dr likes to see numbers stay at 1. Even if you have had it tested, gotten a "normal" result, but still feel some of these symptoms I would call and find out where you were in that range. It could be that you just need a little bit of help with thyroid function. It could make ALL the difference!

Check out the new tradition we have started .

Great, great moment today.

Life is still busy here. I know that you are SHOCKED!!! I have so many posts crammed into my head, but here is the one I want to share today!




Graycen was the Star Student for her class this week! She had to produce a poster (with my help, of course) that told the class about her. I was SOOOOOOOO proud that she wanted to include pictures that represented her faith in God, her family, her ballet, and her hobbies. She did a great job! Nathan met me at the school and watched the other children, so that I could run in and catch her presentation before the class. I was relieved that she was excited to see me and not embarrassed. When does THAT start? Am I naive to hope it is NEVER?

She had included a photo from her baptism and, after her presentation, one student asked her to explain what was happening. She said , "Well, this is what I did after I became a Christian. It represents Christ's burial when I was placed under the water and it represents Christ's resurrection when I was brought up OUT of the water because I am a new person now in Christ. My Mom can tell you more." and she pointed to me. I looked at the teacher (a Christian) and she gave me the "go right ahead" sign. I explained to the children who God and Jesus were and that Graycen had come to the understanding that she was indeed a sinner. I told about how she knew that Jesus had come here as the Son of God and that He had died on the cross for all of us. I even was able to say that Graycen had asked Jesus for forgiveness and that He was her Savior now. The kids were all sitting and watching me as I explained that Graycen would live forever with God in Heaven, because she had done this.

This was my prayer as we decided to send Graycen to this school; that she would truly be salt and light to these children. It was awesome! Here is the funny thing, I was a little scared at first because I was in a school where I KNEW there were families that didn't believe. What would they tell their parents? What would they DO when they DID tell their parents? All of that remains to be seen, but it was a GREAT feeling to be able to be there and see her give her presentation and also to share the gospel with all those children today.

Authentic,Genuine, (and my favorite) Bona Fide

au·then·tic
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈthen-tik, ȯ-\
Function: adjective
-not false or imitation : real, actual

— au·then·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— au·then·tic·i·ty \ˌȯ-ˌthen-ˈti-sə-tē, -thən-\ noun

synonyms authentic, genuine, bona fide mean being actually and exactly what is claimed. authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact ; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original . genuine implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated ; it also connotes definite origin from a source . bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention.

I just love this word. I just felt like it was worthy of a special post :o) It's been on my mind for a few days. Enjoy!

It is with deep, deep sadness that I share the news that, despite the great news of no evidence of chromosomal defects a few days ago, baby Asher was delivered into this world tonight and ushered into Glory only a few seconds later.

I have no other words.


As posted on the Chappell's Baby Blog...

At 9:08 on 08/09/08...
... Asher Daniel Chappell made his appearance on this earth for mere moments and met his parents with several short breaths on his own.
Dan is confident that the doctors did every thing they could, but the Lord chose to relieve this precious one of his pain and earthy trials after about 30 seconds of life by taking him home to heaven.
Pictures will arrive soon - he is absolutely beautiful. All of us will be able to go back soon and spend time with the precious one and his faith-filled parents who are confident in Christ's provisions.
Please pray for their strength and healing.

~Nicole for the Chappells and Baby Asher

God answers prayer whether you like it or not.

God is moving here. I feel it. I know it.

Several months ago, an IRL friend gave me a CD to listen to and I LOVE it. It was Shane & Shane an I am a BIG fan! Soon after, things started changing here in our home. No, it isn't a MAGIC Cd and it holds no power, but there are some GREAT lyrics that I have found myself repeating many times, almost as prayers. Well, maybe EXACTLY as prayers. This morning, as the introduction to a MAJOR and brand-spanking new season of change made it's way into our day, I turned on my Cd player and heard these words come blaring out at me. Almost as if to say, "This is what you asked for, my child. I love you and I will carry you through this."


Beg by Shane & Shane

Here I am
One more day of not
Loving Him the way He asks
In fact my heart is singing praises to the things that make me feel alright
So I’m sinking fast like a stone heart should
And on the way down
I’ve done what I could
To try and try to turn this stone to flesh

I’m haunted by my God
Who has the right to ask me
What by the nature of my rebellion
I cannot give.

So I beg for you to move
I beg for you to move
I beg for you to break through

So here I am
Got my deeds for the day
All my cute little words about
How I am saved
Am I saved?
Could I love you with my mouth like a church kid should
At the end of the day
My words get burned as wood
Oh, but I was good.

These songs are noise
In your ears
A clanging drum
You want my love
[ Beg Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Vision Of You -by Shane & Shane
Come meet us, King Jesus
Oh wind of change blow through this temple
Sweet Spirit of God, come and mend our hearts
For all we have are songs
Unless You come

Awaken what’s inside of me
Tune my heart to all You are in me
Even though You’re here God come
And may the vision of You
Be the death of me
And even though you’ve given everything
Jesus come

Come free us, King Jesus
It’s the only way that freedom’s given
From You and You alone
In the work You’ve already done
For all we have are songs,
Unless You come
Here we are, Lord
In this place
Crying out for Your embrace
To hear Your voice
More than songs
Please come Jesus come
[ Vision Of You Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

and one more:

We Love You Jesus! -by Shane & Shane
Opening the door to dine with Him
Traveling to earth to let us in
Laying down His glory crown of old
Setting up the wedding feast foretold
Oh We can’t contain our love
We turn it up loud
We love you, Jesus
For so many reasons
For death and life and freedom
Even now we love You
We love you Jesus

In and out of seasons
In valleys and on top of mountains
Even now can we sing
What manner of love is this that you would say
Your sin is mine - I'll take it to the grave (then rising)
Death oh death, where is your sting today?
Death is swallowed up in victory

We love You, Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
We love You, Jesus!
We love you
[ We Love You Jesus Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

So now, my friend, I am asking you to pray for us as we seek the Lord's wisdom and His will for us. He will sustain us. He has before. It is easy to trust the Lord when the boat is on smooth waters. Most people would panic and try to save themselves at all cost. I pray that we will be faithful as we enter into one of these times when the boat seems to be rocking a good bit. We know that the Lord has set our course and we are praying that we will be resolved.

Thank you in advance.
~Angela

Baby Chappell has a name!!!

If you have been following along with Dan & Casey and their journey during this pregnancy, you know that they had a very important amnio yesterday. They were testing to see if there was chromosomal evidence of Trisomy in their sweet baby.

Today, Casey has posted that the preliminary results show that there is no indication!!!!! I am in tears as I type this, because I have pictured this sweet baby's face many times as I have prayed. I Know that many others have prayed also and I KNOW that the Lord has blessed this special baby and his family.

Asher Daniel Chappell, as he now can be called, has some other issues including Omphalocele ; which is correctable with surgery once he arrives.

So head on over there and celebrate with them for the news they rec'd today. Thank you for your prayers on this family's behalf. God is faithful!

Live. Love. Laugh

A few funny happenings from the Murray Home:



From Ella (age 3)-Upon getting a new US States matching game and finding the instruction page insert.

"What is this? Oh! These are just the distractions! We can throw those away."

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From Nathan (the hubby)- Upon being asked where certain clothes (that I had folded last night and that he had insisted, in a sleep-induced coma, on putting away for me) were?

"I put those away last night? Ummmmmm...check the drawer in the kitchen where you keep the hand towels. I seem to remember putting something in there."

Guess where I found my undergarments?

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Graycen (age 7)-regarding her recess antics of last week. *names changed to protect the "innocent".

Graycen: "Mom! Today at recess, Drew was chasing Elizabeth all around the playground and telling her that he was going to put her into prison!!! I knew I HAD to help her!"

Me: "Really? Well, what did YOU do?"

Graycen: (with a huge grin on her face), "I told him to chase ME instead!"

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