Our newest toy

We have a wonderful group of friends here, and one of them is the fabulous and crafty Sara McClure. This post is dedicated to her because she was the inspiration behind this new toy. At small group the other night, she showed me her water table that she made for cheap, cheap! So when I couldn't sleep Sunday during nap time, Michael and I built this one. The boys LOVE it. They splash, blow bubles, and pour. I'm just sad that it's going to get cold soon.

Joel is 9 months old and more

Our little Joel is getting bigger and bigger. In his eighth month, he learned how to pull up, sit up, and crawl. So far in his ninth month, he has learned to cruise, AND HE'S GETTING A TOOTH!!! Eek! He was 19 pounds, 6 ounces (45%) and 30 1/4 inches (95%) at his check up. They look very different don't they? They are soooooo different in so many ways already.

When Grandma and Pawpaw were here, we went to the Creative Discovery Museum. Clark loved playing in the water and golf.

Here's Clark and Joel curling their hair just like Grandma!! Clark of course did his own hair like a big boy. ;-)

And we just have to brag, Clark is "reading" Daddy's favorite childhood book Whitefang.

All Aboard!!!

Grandma, Pawpaw, and the boys

Jenna and the boys ready to roll

That's Michael and Clark in the engine.



That was Clark's favorite thing to say while we visited the train museum again with Grandma and Pawpaw Lofton. He shouted it the whole time we were on the train. The Tennessee Railroad Musueum is just fantastic. It's like stepping back into time. We rode in the open car nearest the engine, so we got to hear and smell the wonders of the old steam engine. Clark and his Pawpaw love trains. (Don't tell anyone, but I love trains too. I'm so glad I have kids to use them as an excuse to do fun things like this.)

You've heard when life gives you lemons....

Well life gave us a tree on our house in April this year. At first, I thought it was a very unfortunate event. I even was stressed about it. Well God is a gracious and good Father. He turned the tree on our house into a "new" truck, 2 cords of wood (for those city slickers that's $600 worth ;-), a new efficient fireplace insert for our home, new roof, a repaired computer, paid medical bills, and countless other things we needed and wanted.

You see we are living on a tight budget with me staying home, so we don't have the extra money we used to have. And these things could never happen on our regular monthly budget. But because the tree, the insurance company paid us a check to have contractors fix all the needed repairs. Well, thanks to my super husband who can do anything, we did a lot of the repairs ourselves and shopped around very carefully finding the best prices for the rest.

We sold our old truck that we had outgrew and replaced it with the next size up!! We can all fit !!! I have to say it's great because we are always hopping in the truck for something.

 Here's my awesome lumberjack husband chainsawing some logs in the backyard from the old trees to make firewood. And yes I too am pretty good at wacking a log and splitting it into pieces. FUN!!!!!

Here's a picture of our new fireplace insert that's going to be installed soon. It hopefully will lower our electricity bill in the winter with it's super effeciency!! Another gift from our Father that keeps on giving!!!

I am completely amazed at how God has found ways to provide all of our needs and even meet our desires. I am so unworthy and humbled by His undeserved favor and blessings.