Offering Hope in the Midst of Chaos

If you haven't been living under a rock the past week or two, you know our country is in some mass chaos financially. You may be worried about it and wondering what will happen to you. You may be worried about something else going on in your life.

I came across this verse today and wanted to share it in hope that it would bring someone comfort:

"Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?"
Romans 8:24 NIV

I LOVE this verse! It is so encouraging. Keep hoping. Keep trusting God.

Blessings!

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why...
I dream of things that never were, and ask
why not?
-Robert F Kennedy

"Mine!"

Yep! Asher said that today for the first time. He didn't want Tristan to have either of the footballs, so he blurted out, "MINE!" Don't you know I was proud of that?! How do all kids manage to learn that word?

All I know is that it has begun. Life will never be the same...
On another note, check out his hair. Can you tell he just got out of bed??? I love this kid!

Finally...Beach Pictures

Ok, so I only got two. I was bad about taking pictures until Saturday night, and then the batteries on my camera died. MAJOR bummer! Another bummer is that I don't have a picture with Michelle in it (because she was shopping when we had someone take the group shot), and Beth isn't in it because she couldn't make it Saturday night. Very sad! They are two beautiful ladies (you wouldn't even believe) who made the beach weekend special. I wish I had a shot of them.

Anyway, we had a blast at the beach a couple of weeks ago. A weekend at the beach, with the girls, was just what I needed. Illy (and her sweet hubby, Josh) so graciously offered their condo (BEAUTIFUL) to us for the weekend. It was the perfect place to stay with an amazing view of the ocean. I SO wish I had a shot of the view!

It was so much fun catching up with all the girls, reminiscing about the old days back at Troy State. There are many things we remember that we all probably wish we could forget, but there are so many more wonderful memories of fun times together. These girls mean the world to me. It doesn't matter how much time passes between phone calls, visits, or trips, our relationships never skip a beat. It truly is a blessing.
Here's a shot of Jenn. Can you even tell she's pregnant in this picture? Totally unfair! She's due for induction in like two or three weeks. Seriously...not fair! :)Becky, I am so glad we were able to room together at the beach. Catching up with you was something I really looked forward to. In my life, you will always count as one of my very best friends. I know that I can always be totally real with you, without judgment. We've been through a lot together, and I am so thankful for you and your friendship. You are a blessing!!!

Ellen, what a joy to be able to ride down with you. I think it's the longest we've ever been able to talk one-on-one (minus the kids). You are such a sweet, kind, and giving person. I know that God has so much planned for you and Daniel, and I can't wait to see it unfold! I am thankful for our time together and to future lunches in the Ham!

Illy, my sweet sweet Illy. What can I say about you? I just love you so! You are such a humble, funny, and caring girl. Hearing your laugh always makes me smile. Seeing you with Reagan (sp? SO sorry if I got it wrong) and hearing your stories about her brings joy to my heart. You are a fantastic mother, and I am so proud of/for you!!! Thank you for being so generous and for offering your condo to us.

Jenn, you have and will always be so dear to me. On the way down, I was thinking of all the fun we used to have in Troy and with your parents in Montgomery. I thought back to your dad's "paychecks for being your friend". I thought about your mom and how selfless she was...how she would drive all the way to the beach just to check us into our hotels during spring break.
I miss all our times together. I wish we lived closer.
I loved hearing your stories about Ryleigh and about baby Addison.
You have overcome so much. I admire your drive with your job, your passion for your children, and your ability to overcome. You are an amazing girl. I hope we'll be able to see and talk to each other more than we have lately.

Michelle, wow! You look AMAZING! I need to get on your fitness and beauty regime. You truly look like a baseball player's wife. :) It was great catching up with you and seeing how God has transformed your heart and your life. What a testament to His power! I admire you and am so proud of you!!! I hope it won't be another 7 or so years before I see you again!

Beth, what an adorable pregnant momma you are! I've missed you so! I am so glad that you have found such an amazing husband and all that God is doing in your life. I can't wait to meet that sweet baby!!!

Holly and Stace, we sure missed ya'll!!! Next trip, you'll definitely have to be there!!!

I love you all, ladies. I know some of you don't read my blog (I just can't imagine why not), but I'll give you shout-outs anyway. I feel so blessed that God led you into my life. I am SO blessed...blessed beyond measure. You're in my thoughts and in my prayers. May God bless you all!!!

Oh, and you're welcome! I didn't post a swimsuit picture of myself just to spare you. Again, you're welcome!

Something's Wrong With This Picture

Saturday was a big day for our family. We had bunches going on...
The day started with a soccer game, followed by lunch at Chick-fil-A, a trip to the Whistle Stop Festival where Channing was working, and then of course, SEC COLLEGE FOOTBALL!
While at the festival, I was able to listen to some of the Auburn/Tennessee game, but once it was over, I actually got to go home and watch the end.

Then...the BIG game...the Alabama/Georgia game. It was HUGE at our house because Channing is a big Georgia fan, and I, as you probably already know, am a big Bama fan. The house was sure to be filled with tension. You already know how the game turned out , so I'll just tell you more about the festival and Chick-fil-A.

While we were at Chick-fil-A, Tristan was sporting his Bama t-shirt and Georgia hat (we try to be fair and balanced...like Fox News). A lady eating saw him and made the comment, "Something's wrong with this picture." I explained to her our situation, and she said, "Someone's not going to be happy at your house tonight." Prophetic statement, perhaps? Nah, just stating the obvious.

Here's my cute little confused fan (oh, and he pulled for Bama, if you're wondering. It's only a matter of time, though, before he makes the switch):
The back view:
Asher was a straight up Bama fan. Roll Tide! I love to hear him say it. Although he may say "Roll Tide!", he says "football" whenever he hears the word "Georgia" or sees a Georgia "G" or a bulldog. It's the funniest thing. We didn't train him to do that. He just knows that usually when we're talking about Georgia, we're talking football.
He had so much fun in the jumping bean at the festival.
One more shot of my sweet Georgia/Alabama fan:
I'm probably a terrible mom for posting this, but it's just the funniest picture. Check out Asher's feet...pre-fall!
Saturday was a super great day!!!

Sad News

I was so sad to hear the news of Paul Newman's passing. I had no idea he was battling cancer. I pray that God will comfort his family and those who mourn him.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

...find out what it means to me!

ROLL TIDE!!! We did it! Bama beat Georgia...on their turf...during their big blackout!!! How cool was that game?! I have never seen a half like that first half. I was speechless.

Yesterday afternoon, before the game, I took the boys to the Whistle Stop Festival in Irondale. Channing was working, we had just finished soccer, and I thought they would have a lot of fun out there. While out there, I talked to a man working at the church behind our booth. He was wearing a Bama t-shirt, so we started talking SEC football (my current favorite subject). He told me there was going to be an upset in Athens. I told him I sure hoped so but that I was nervous. This guy didn't waiver. He was convinced there was going to be an upset. That's when he told me the news of Florida's fate...they'd lost 31-30...to OLE MISS. What?! NO WAY!!! That's what I told him. I thought he was surely trying to punk me. NOPE. They really lost to Ole Miss. Florida. The team I predicted would win it all this year. I was stunned. I was encouraged too. This guy almost seemed to speak prophetically about the Alabama/Georgia game. It was going to happen.

Then the game came on. It happened. Alabama looked AMAZING (until the third quarter anyway. That was a bad quarter). I won't go into specifics. I'm sure you watched it. If not, you should be ashamed! It was quite the game. One major highlight for me was seeing the aerial view of the stadium. It was so cool seeing all the black with the white shirts standing out. It immediately brought this verse to mind: "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light" Luke 8:16. I don't know why. I wasn't "trying to make the game spiritual" as my friend John said. The verse just came to mind when I saw all the white among the sea of black. It just looked really cool.

I won't go into how everyone picked Alabama to lose, "They're good, but this just isn't there year. They're not ready." I won't go into Mark Richt's comments that Alabama hadn't been tested yet this season. That they had played pretty terrible teams. I won't go into the fact that people think all the Bammers are crazy and unrealistic. We all know that happened.

We went to Athens, Georgia. We played a #3 team; a great team. We played between the hedges, and we led the whole game. I am so proud of my team! I am proud to be a Crimson Tide fan. I am happy to see that they are getting the respect they deserve. I know there's a whole lot of season left, and who knows what will happen? For now, though, I'm going to bask in a season of being 5-0 and being ranked second in the nation. This is a pretty great feeling.

ROLL TIDE!!! OH, and props to Georgia. Now that we've played them, I hope they make a massive comeback. GO DAWGS!

Gameday

I'm watching ESPN Gameday and wondering if there are any Alabama fans there? Seriously. I haven't seen one! Brandi and Shane are going. They may be representing all our fans. :)

I have to share my favorite Gameday sign:

"Nick, we need gas money!"

HILARIOUS!!! I wish I were that creative!

ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL!!!