I am a pathetic blogger...

and today as I'm pathetically laid up with my back out (but the first time it's been out since Christmas)

...here are some pics for you to enjoy!

Back on Memorial Day...

Father's Day at the zoo...

Last weekend of June in Rock Hill...

Proud moment in mommying...

He said "poopy" "potty" - we went - he went.
It was glorious.
And I'm so proud of my 2 year old little fella!

Ah, the ides of march - my boy's b'day

Ollie turned TWO yesterday! We had a very nice and very busy day - we ran our usual church day in the morning and at night and in between we had a special birthday lunch after morning church with some friends - "frins" as Ollie would say - which I love hear him say it this way because it sounds just like Bailey Wade when he was this age - ah, the memories of being pregnant with Ollie while Emma Grace and Bailey were running around while Jen and I did anything two pregnant women could do! =) SO back to the story --- we had a hectic day and Ollie took NO nap, but all was well worth it - we loved it all. Enjoy the pics here and on facebook.

Picture Pages...

Yeah, do you remember those with Bill Cosby when we were kids? I can still hear the little ditty in my head, "Picture pages, picture pages, time to do our picture pages, time to draw with crayons and with pencils..."

So some pics for those of you that don't facebook...

"So You keep reminding me of you..."

So Sunday here in Kennesaw, we had big beautiful snow dumped on us the whole time we were in church. On the up side, it was beautiful and cleansing. On the down side, it was slushy and slippery...and my parents who had been here for the weekend had to leave while we were at church to try and get ahead of the storm system which dumped 5 inches of snow on parts of Metro Atlanta! And we were coming home in the car, missing my folks and being cautious in the traffic on Cobb Parkway and the new Charlie Hall song, "Scenes", just kept playing in my head...it has the line in it, "so You keep reminding me of you." In every season of our lives, God will keep reminding us of Him. This week was one of those kinds of weeks. Then I sat to be in God's Word. One of the ways, God keeps reminding me of Him is with His love...

I was reading Psalm 103, a Psalm of David. And I love it. It spoke to my heart. I'm so glad that even when I can be so consumed with everything swirling around me that God still wants me to stop and consume me with His love.

Psalm 103 says,

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

It's just God!

Verse 4 - He redeems your life and CROWNS you with love and compassion. The ESV says He crowns you with steadfast love and compassion. The NASB says lovingkindness and compassion.

Verse 8 - “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Verse 10 - “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Praise God that He does not treat us as we deserve...He paid the highest price so He could forgive us – He gave His son Jesus for us!

Verse 12 - “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” He gave Jesus as our sacrifice so that He could remove our transgressions from US as far as the east is from the west. I am so humbled by that. I should be.

And in my humanity – I often forget how compassionate and loving God has been towards me even in my affliction, my joy, my life...and I stop with a broken heart to ask Him to forgive me yet again that He has to remind me of Him. God loves us and wants us to be like Him – to love others – Paul's writings continually challenge us to love like Jesus loved – and I was brought around in my Study Bible to Romans 12:9-21 and I just stopped.

Romans 12 says,

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

That's what love should look like in our humanity as we come closer to the heart of God; being conformed more to His image than to the world. Verse 9 – is brutally honest – Love must be sincere. Sincere. The ESV says let love be genuine and the NASB, let love be without hypocrisy. Ouch. Yeah, recover from how insincere and disingenuous we can all be and keep reading...It says to be devoted to one another, honor one another above yourselves, keep your spiritual fervor – the next verse struck home -- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” - How I struggle with that – don't we all if we're honest in some way? I am so grateful God is patiently teaching me how to be more like Him – ever so grateful, my lessons since we've followed God to Georgia have been tough for me, but it's because God loves me – He wants me to BE for Him – He wants ME – He wants me to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. I want to be – oh I am so glad he loves me with His steadfast love and compassion – that it is my crown as Psalm 103 says. Ever so glad! That's my heart today – I hope it encouraged yours!

Happy Anniversary...

Happy 38th Anniversary to my in-laws, known around here as Grandma Jane and Pa David!
We love you!!!

And of course, some love from their 3 grandkids, too...

Okay --- so yes, I have fallen of the blogging band wagon - again. What can I say? My name is Jen and I love facebook. (Hi, Jen.) I still follow all my friends' blogs and some amazing money saving blogs - but I would rather facebook stalk you than blog now - what has this world come to? =D

On the money saving blog line -- check on my new favorite,
www.yourcouponbuddy.com
I won her amazing coupon organizing binder and just got it yesterday.
(It may be my most favorite Valentine's present ever - is that sad?)
But follow the link on over to her site and I promise you will save some big money!!!

Now - what you all came for - pics of the kids -- honestly, we spent most of January sick or sick of being sick! EG would get a round, then Ollie, then me, then Chris would be out of town, then EG would get sick, then Ollie, then Chris would be out of town...lather, rinse, repeat. It was awful, but I'm hoping we're all on the mend now. Even if we all have runny noses today. Bless it.

So, here's Ollie loving on the humidifier - we had to eventually put it away b/c of his infatuation with it!

I think we had someone sleeping on the couch for most of January!

Hooray - we're all well at the same time!!!

We also suffered some earthly losses in January - we were ready to move on to February - I just ask that you keep both of our families in your prayers. I won't go into detail here - but the Holy Spirit will intercede as you pray. I will share that my 24 year old cousin, Michelle, died January 30th in a terrible car accident on Celanese Road in Rock Hill - please pray for her many friends and family left behind. It was very sudden and tragic. They need your prayers right now to live life without her here. We rest in knowing she's in the Father's arms without pain of any kind worshiping Jesus eternally.

Immediately after her death, my dear friend pulled a choir piece out called "Bow the Knee" - and it hit home - I found the lyrics for free online - I've sung this song before at our home church, but this time, it hurt to sing because it was so real as it seems our lives aren't as "easy" as they used to be - I've found being close to God's plan for us hurts some times, but it all falls into His plan to make me more like Him. I'm so glad Jesus wants me to be like Him and loves me enough to push me out my comfort zone to live my life for Him. I never thought I'd find comfort in the uncomfortable and excruciating, but this last year has taught me many lessons to grow me (BP you can STOP preaching directly to me at any time, for real!) and keep growing me - even when I resist and refuse. God's always working. Yay God!

And for now - I'm back, but who knows when I'll fall off the wagon, again!

7 days to go...ho, ho, ho

Thanksgiving seems so long ago...
And we got up our tree...

It's the time for brotherly love...

And time for angels jumping for joy...

And Santa stopped by along the way...

I'm so glad my Savior changed the world by coming as a baby...
Happy Birthday Jesus - please heal us all and bring us your love.

Happy Veterans' Day...

And thank you to all who have voluntarily served our great nation - You know I guess I always recognized that - that our military is an army of volunteers - I am blessed that both of my grandfathers were of that patriotic spirit - This is my mom's dad - he served in Korea; he kept God first and his country next. I admire that. Deeply. Some nations do not allow you to volunteer - that fact hit home when a friend of ours from church who was an exchange student was "made" to return from the States to serve his country's military for specific amount of time. I am blessed - we all are to live in a country where liberty and freedom ring and it's thanks to the founding fathers and a nation full of men and women who understand to their core what it means to be a patriot...to all of you who sacrifice daily for my family - I humbly thank you with all my heart - you keep me and my loved ones safe daily. God honors your service and sacrifice even if at times this country seems not to -- the patriots are still out there and we applaud you.

Saturday was a tea-riffic day...

Yes, I know I'm being punny -- But this Saturday was our church's women's ministry's Christmas Tea. It was lots of fun and with a wonderful message from the guest speaker on how we should give God some "unusual gifts" this Christmas by laying down our "junk" at His feet -- being more like Mary than Martha. Chris played guitar for me and I sang "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," "O Holy Night," and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." It was cool. Here's some more pics to enjoy...

So, willing and gracious husbands and sons and even paw paws, were our servers -- and this is where they hid during the guest speaker's time and ate all the leftover hot chicken salad, blueberry salad and cheesecake...

Our precious Director of Children's and Women's Ministries at KFBC!!!
It's ironic to me that we see her as such a gift from God and gee, look at what she has in her hands...

And this was for kicks -- so David Scott is the dickens behind the camera and caught me in some bad shots because you all know how goofy I am -- so this is while we were trying to do the sound check on the horrid sound-system-thingy in the fellowship hall -- I think the look on my face says it all. LOL!!! At least I wasn't rolling my eyes -- inside, hill-arious joke for my FBCFM praise team friends.

I'm still laughing...

I was taking a facebook 80's (waste your free time) cartoon quiz and was reminded of how much I loved Jem and She-Ra. I mean I seriously loved those shows - I dreamed for some reason of being a cartoon! I found this openings for them on youtube...you'll laugh...but so explains a bunch! HAHAHA!

Jem's You Tube

She-Ra's You Tube

Yes, please laugh...

Romans 13

Romans 13 (New International Version)

Submission to the Authorities
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love, for the Day is Near
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

I think perhaps today - the first half of this chapter is hard to swallow for many Americans -- but the second half of the chapter brings hope and great wisdom - our focus, our lives should be wrapped around the life of Christ. I think for too long we have all in some small or large ways strayed from God's will for our own lives and that of our country. Today I am grateful for God's Word that lives and breathes and moves each new day. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Allow God's Word - in every circumstance, not just today's - to teach you, rebuke you, correct you and train you in righteousness so that you are thoroughly equipped for every good work...God is on His throne - it doesn't matter in view of eternity who is in the White House...even if on this earth we will know trials and sufferings...God promises to be with us - how's your heart for Jesus today?

An Election Prayer...

I was reading John Piper's Desiring God blog today and his election prayer just hit me - most of his words do because he's a man of God. I always listen to his speech and when I don't see things his way it provokes me into digging deeper in my Bible and my walk with God. Our pastor has been preaching on that lately -- being "provoked" - we should "stir up" each other to be more like Christ to be Love -- I love that! So here's a link to Piper's Election Prayer - I hope it "provokes" you as it did me.

Happy Halloween and what not!

You guessed it - in the middle of Bulldog territory - EG was a Carolina cheerleader - and believe it or not, lots of people loved that! Ollie boy was Mickey Mouse. He wasn't super keen on it, but after he realized candy was being put in his bucket - he did NOT care!

More Halloween-ing Pics

Pumpkin Carving Pics

We also ventured up to Cagle's Dairy Farm earlier in the day.

It was great - they still had a pumpkin patch - so we got 2 medium pumpkins and 2 tiny pumpkins for under $15. They also had fresh baked yummy chocolate chip cookies and loaves of banana bread (yeah, we bought them.) And the kids wanted tiny play shepherd dogs, too.

We took a tour of the dairy - that's Ollie and I in the milk processing room.
And below is Chris with the kids waiting for our tour to start - we got to walk through a "cow subway" -- a giant corrugated pipe that ran under the farm road, so that the cows and peeps don't get run over by any tractors on the road! We got to feed and pet calves, ride a tractor pulled hayride, watch the shepherd dog, Tib, herd the preggie cows, "cluck-cluck at the yard chickens", and just plain have some fun in the pumpkin patch!

Rest and Recovery...

Emma Grace's Fifth Birthday party...
was last Saturday at Bounce U - as our friend Lisa said,
"It was off the hook..."
It was great and the kids had super fun.

Even the grown ups got to have their hand at playing games and jumping and climbing on the bouncy air stuff! I had a blast. We were so glad that our families got to come down for the weekend, too. We were also glad to not have 11 people in our house come Sunday night when we got to sleep in our own bed again. =)

Ollie and Grandma Barb had fun shooting air guns at mommy - I finally gave up and just starting chucking balls over the net at them both! I'm telling you it really was fun!

A pre-party shot of Grampy Ta and EG...

The youngest Whisonants in the house last weekend...
Can you tell whose is whose and how old they are? =)
Our Ollie is 19 months old on the left and Hayley and Stevie's Noahie is almost 2.5 on the right.
It was a hoot~

Sorry the post took so long - these days posting takes more effort than I'm willing to put forth...but when pops has been posting more frequently than me, well, it was time to improve!!! =)

And one more linky to more b'day weekend pics, too.

And a praise to add -- my mom went back to work Tuesday this week -- it's not full time, yet
but she's happy to be anywhere but stuck in her house all the time
God is good, all the time!

Happy Fifth Birthday, Emma Grace!!!

And yes, I know I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon...see, what I had meant to say was...well...my bad. =)

Today Emma Grace turned FIVE!!! She had birthday breakfast, birthday cupcake snack at school, birthday Zaxby's lunch, birthday ravioli dinner, birthday cupcake and ice cream dessert, birthday presents, birthday dinner guests...do you see the theme? =) We had a great day - our baby girl is five. WOW.

Tomorrow Chris is working from home, my folks are coming, his folks are coming, Uncle Stevie and Aunt Hayley and Noahie are coming --- we're having her party on Saturday and having pumpkin pie and carving pumpkins, too. I love it! YAY!

So here are some pics of the kiddos lately - enjoy!

My Girl - Talkin' 'bout My Girl

Puddin' - my Puddin'

I'm hooked...

Charlie Hall band just released their newest album on 8/19/08 and I'm hooked. Check out his link to read about the album, how the songs came to be, and really just enjoy listening to some music that praises the God of every season.

happy first day of school EG

EG started K4 this morning - just look at our big girl! What a special day to start. Enjoy. Be blessed.

s'mores anyone?

Emma Grace's thoughts on s'mores..."This is a very messy snack, mommy. I don't think I like it. May I be excused?"Grampy Ta was just thrilled to get gooey chocolateness...
Grandma Barb was the mastermind and the culprit! Look at that grin...and then check out what Ollie looked like!
Before...
Almost after...