After-School Surprise

Bo had been feeling a little under the weather recently so I arranged for one of the UMC Air Care crew to show us the hospital's helicopter. I think it went over pretty well.

The Force was with us this Halloween...

Beautiful Faces

Busy Fall

It's been a busier Fall than we ever expected - from soccer games to Ole Miss games to Chicago trips to State Fair rides. Busy as ever...

Why do you say that?

This weekend, I have learned quite a bit about a little phrase that in our household is commonplace - "I love you". I said it to Bo on Friday night, and his response - "Daddy, why do you always say that?"

Made me think for a just a moment...

Saturday night, after a morning five-year-old soccer game and a day of visiting with my parents, nieces, nephews, and grandparents in Forest, there were no less than 15 "I love you's" exchanged as we all parted ways late Saturday night.

Made me think all the way back to Jackson...

This morning, we went to church and heard our pastor read and preach from Romans 8:35-39. During the sermon, the preacher made a specific point about how we all look for "acceptance" and the harm done to those who grow up never hearing that phrase that is so common at our house. He then went on to make the point that that is why Christ's love for us is so amazing - He loves us, not because we deserve it, but because His son died for our sins. And nothing will ever change or separate us from that love.

Certainly made me think even more...

This afternoon, I've been thinking about Bo's question from Friday night. Why do I tell him probably 5 or 6 times a day that I love him? I guess it's because I want him to know the phrase my great-grandparents told my grandparents. I want him to know that my grandparents told my parents. I want him to know how I was told constantly by my parents. And I want him to know, most importantly, that each of those generations said it because we've received an undeserved love from Christ.

And today I pray that nothing will ever separate him from that very same love...

First Day of Kindergarten, Waterpark Trip, and Belhaven Festival

More Seagrove

These were taken by Jacqueline Ward who met us in Watercolor to get some pictures of the kids. She was fantastic and really captured some great moments with the kids

Seagrove Beach

Seagrove Beach

Ninth Anniversary

Nine years ago today, I married my beautiful wife... in many ways, that day seems moments ago, and pictures like this one make me realize that in those moments have been the happiest days of my life.

Thank you Amy for sharing the past nine years with me. I love you.

Smile

Recent Weekends

We've been blessed recently to be able to spend the past few weekends with various parts of our immediate and extended families. And we've gotten to experience some of the very best of the "little things in life" during those weekends:

We watched my youngest sister graduate from high school with honors. To put that day into perspective - my older brother and I started at East Rankin Academy in 1982, and in 27 academic years, there has never been one that didn't have at least one of my siblings under that school's roof.

I realized over the past few weeks that my little girl can burn a hole right through you with her glare one minute, then can turn right around and heal your every ill the next with her dimpled grin.

My little boy reminded me with each ground ball attacked and four dollar trophy received that it really is "just a game" after all...

And lastly, I realized that all it takes is a budget eight-person tent and a campfire, all within 10 yards of my parents' back door, to make four boys feel like kings for a night.
And all it takes is one bolt of lightening, that sounded like it was 11 yards from my parents' back door, to make four little kings (and especially their dads) a whole lot more comfortable in grandmother's extra bedrooms.

Spring is here