Happy Birthday Sweet Kyla

She would have been 9 today. I miss her smile, I miss her laugh. I just miss her. We all do. What is God's plan in all of this? Why did she have to be born with Cystic Fibrosis. Why did she have to live with pain everyday. Why did she have to die. Lots of Why's - all unanswered. In the midst of my sorrow, my pain, and my questions - I can begin to find peace. I can find peace in the arms of a God who loves us - more than we can imagine, a God who lets us rest in him even with our questions unanswered, a God who holds Kyla safely in his arms, a God who was, who is, and who is to come, the beginning and the end. He is a God who is enough.

I am learning to spend less time trying to fix things or figure things out, and more time just sitting at his feet. Have you ever noticed it is sometimes hard to be still. Often it is easier to fill our already busy days with more activity. On this special day, I take time to be still. I take time to remember Kyla, the precious one she was. I take time to hope in the fact that I will see her again. She is resting in the arms of her Savior - and I'm here sitting at his feet. I can't wait until we are all in his arms with her. It's gonna be awesome!

Hike to LeConte

Rustic Cabins - Wonderful Company

Extremely Hard Hike - Straight Uphill


Beautiful Views of the River on the way up

Wonderful Sunset after a 3 hour hike in the rain

Happy Anniversary

A Picture Perfect Day

16th Anniversary

16 Years of Bliss

Wow, I am getting old. I did start early, I will remind you. We started dating when I was 14 and Jim was 17. We were married when I just turned 21. So I guess it is more than 16 years of bliss, more like at least 22. Now that does make me feel old. Some days it seems like yesterday. Other days it seems like an eternity. Marriage is hard and rocky and joyous and wonderful all mixed up together. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband whom I adore. He has changed both of our lives as we have grown together. God has been our strong refuge in time of trouble, our hiding place, our redeemer, our bread of life, our protector, our guide, our Father. He is the only reason we have made it this far. We are trusting Him to continue to guide us as we travel a little further down this path. We are on our way to Mount LeConte to celebrate our anniversary. Jim has always wanted to do this. I'll let you know how it turns out. Forecast is for rain - heavy rain more specifically. We know one thing, it will be an adventure!
Happy Anniversary Hun, I love you more!

Weddings & Anniversaries

I was wasting time on the computer this morning and found this video on youtube. It is of a wedding entrance. Instead of walking down the aisle, they danced. I love it! What a celebration! It kinda makes me wanna have a Re-Do (With the same husband, of course!) My wedding anniversary is next Friday (July 31st). I loved our wedding, but how cool would it have been to have danced down the aisle. To those of you who have seen me dance, know that it is a very good thing that I didn't dance down the aisle. Sometimes I just wish I could get out from under the weight of what others think and just dance and celebrate (like I do in my own living room when no one is looking) I may just break it down in worship at church one day - you never know. Here's to looking crazy but having fun.

Memories to Last a Lifetime

Memories to Last a Lifetime

Everyday we are making new memories. From the mundane to the extraordinary. Some memories we want to forget and others we will cherish a lifetime. Memories have become much more important to me recently. Recently when Kyla went to live in Heaven, our lives changed forever. We have precious writings, drawings, and artwork from her wonderful time with us. We also have great photographs that remind us of the joy she shared in living life. But we would rather just have her, back. I miss her terribly. This journey is not one any of us would have chosen, but it is the path we walk regardless. Some days the grief of her passing is overwhelming. Other days the memories left behind make me smile. I can see her dancing in my living room doing the "sprinkler", or curling up in a beach towel asking for a snack. I can almost feel her in my lap and hear her say that her tummy hurts. How do we go on and do life without her? How can we live our lives without her? Why can't Jesus just come back already and take us all to live with him together?

I don't have all of those answers. I just know that we draw close to our Maker. We let him hold us close. We tell him how much we hurt. We let him begin to heal our hearts. We hold our precious memories of her close to our hearts. I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. Theresa and Jeffery have been such a great example to us all. They lived life with Haley and Kyla to the fullest, making memories. They made sure that Kyla's life was not spent sheltered and alone. She got to experience more in her eight years than many get to in thirty. I am so blessed to have shared some of those times with them. We have lots of sweet precious memories - That Have to Last a Lifetime.

How do you go on and make new memories without her? You look into the eyes of Haley, Korinne, and Luke. We have already started making new memories. We are going to live life to its fullest even now, especially now. We just got back from a trip to Virginia where we hiked with wild ponies and biked through brilliant forests. We have started making memories that will one day make us look back and smile.

Sweet Precious Memories - That will last a Lifetime

Luke the Graduate

Luke Graduates Kindergarten

It seems like only yesterday . . . The milestones cause me to pause and reflect. I had always heard that time flies when you are having fun. I'm convinced time just flies! Luke graduated kindergarten today. I am so thankful that God has answered so many prayers on his behalf. He is my miracle child, a miscarriage miracle. I had already had 1 miscarriage before Korinne and one after her. Pregnancy with Luke was on this same track. I was on my way to the hospital to have a DNC due to no heartbeat found on the ultrasound when the doctor called. He had just double checked the lab work and found an error. We waited - Heart beat detected - Luke is my Miracle child. Now he has graduated kindergarten. Time flies! I love this little man!

Korinne's Friend Hannah Gets Baptized

Sunday afternoon we went to Paris Mtn. State Park near Greenville, SC. We have dear friends (Cindy, Shane, Hannah, Seth, & Samuel) who live near there. Hannah, age 9, got baptized in the lake there. We had a cookout with her church and then went down to the lake for the baptism. It was beautiful! Korinne and Hannah have been friends since birth. We are thankful for every minute we get to spend with them.

Softball 2009

Korinne had her last softball game today. She had a great season. She played 3rd base most of the games. She loved stopping balls and getting players out. She also loved hitting that ball. I guess that I'm not a typical sports parent. I really don't care if Korinne's team wins or loses. I just want her to love playing and occasionally get on base. I loved when I saw her make those triples, but I still encouraged her when I saw those strike-outs. I must admit when words get tense and pressure is on - I want to take Korinne and head to the house. It was great to see her great sportsmanship. Her kindness to her fellow players made me smile. However, I also must admit that I told her that if she skipped playing next year I would give her the registration fee in cash. Those are long games and either cold/windy, or hot/rainy afternoons. But if she wants to play again, I will be right there cheering her on.

The Three Beach Bums

Just got back from a short trip to Wild Dunes with Haley & Theresa Parker. We had so much fun. It was cold and windy, but we played in the surf, rode bikes, and ate yummy food! This was our 2nd trip to Wild Dunes - and we love it there. There is an awesome bike path through residential areas and near a golf course. My only problem was trying to keep up with Luke. He is a speed racer! We were sad that we could not stay longer. I think I could live at the beach full time!