Women's Retreat

Ok Blogger family, I know...I haven't posted a blog in like forever. I have been totatlly distracted by my Women's retreat with my church and then with my new passion....photography. Therefore, I have a lot of catching up to do.

I had the privilege of working with a phenomenal group of ladies this year to help plan our Women's Retreat for our church. Our theme this year was Friendship. What does it look like to have a healthy friendship with another female? It was a great time of reflection on my own heart and evaluating friendships in my life. And just let me tell you that God has really done amazing things for me over this past year in many of my friendships. He has brought restoration to friendships, He has made strong friendships stronger and more intimate....He has truly blessed me in the area of friendship. There will be more on this in the weeks to come.

Anyway, to the fun stuff of the retreat....the PJ party that we had that night. How can you get a group of women together, talk about friendship, and not have a PJ party?

I just thought I would share some pics from our little Extreme Makeover contest. We put the ladies in groups of 5 (it had to be groups where you didn't know everyone). Then there was 1 volunteer from each group. The other 4 in the group were given various supplies to do the make over. The key was that the 4 ladies were only allowed to use ONE hand and it had to be their non-predominent hand and put the other hand behind there back. And here is what you got.....

The last couple of pictures are of the final contestants, or should I save, brave souls?? If you notice the lady to the very far right....that's the pastor's MOTHER IN LAW! As you can imagine, she definitely got the highest cheers from the crowd. She really took one for the team.

And yes, we did decorate the pregnant girl's belly! How could you not do that???
Much love to you ladies that were there. For those of you that weren't, hope to see you next year!

Love to match

If there's one thing my boys love to do...it's match. Even though many think that I dress them alike for my own pleasure (which I do), they really like to be matching. Especially when they have on cool jammies like these. These jammies came from their cousin Lil' Jon. They LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They actually have started asking to wear them every night.
As you can see from the pics, they love to show them off! Which makes for a fun photo session in our house. Mom loves to take pictures and they love to ham it up for the camera.
I just love seeing PJs on kiddos. It's one of my favorites. They just seem to look so cuddly in them.

So what does Ella do....

during the soccer games??? Well, at this game, she stole a little boys hat and put it on her head. I'm just sure that her little head was hot from the sun beating down on it! Got to admit...she's pretty cute even in a boy's hat!


What makes this the cutest? She knows that she is being cute and stinky all at the same time. Look out Mom and Dad...here comes Ella!

Cole's 2nd game

Well...Cole ended up having 2 soccer games this past weekend. The post about Cole's Debut game took place on Saturday morning. Cole's 2nd game was on Sunday afternoon at 2pm! Yelp, that's right! 2pm is right in the middle of nap for most of these little 3 yr olds...esp for Cole. As you can see in this first picture, he is yawning, the little boy on the right is melting down and the 2 kids in the middle can barely stand up! Poor kids. Let's just say that this game was a COMPLETE DISASTER! We were lucky to get 5 kids on the field to play. Oh wait...there was a point in the game that we only had 2 players on the field. It was at this point that Cole actually decided he was going to play and turn up the heat. He didn't even graze the field until half way through the game. He was so tired, he just wanted to sit in my lap.
But he must have got a second wind or something, because he went out there and finished the game strong. Let me not exagerate too much...he didn't score, but he got several good kicks in. The other team however, scored over and over and over and over (get the picture?). Course this little team of boys were in their 2nd year of playing soccer together with their coach. We didn't stand a chance. Our whole team is completely new...not to mention the coach is completely new at this as well!
But look at that great kick! He was pretty proud of himself with this kick!

Cole's Debut Soccer Game

Well, his day had finally come. Cole was ready to play in his first soccer game. It took him about a week to get over the fact that he was not going to be playing on Reid's team. He didn't understand why they couldn't be on the same team. But we worked through that, and it was his turn.

He lined up like such a big boy out there with Coach Dad.
Then he was somewhat listening to Coach Dad's pep talk and advice! I think he already knew what Coach was going to say.
The next step...Coach asks everyone where's the goal?? Cole was ready to point the direction he needed to go. At least he knew which direction to kick that ball.
And what do you know? He kicked that ball! Yes, it's a pink ball. They played an all girl team and the girls wanted to use their pink ball. The poor boys on Cole's team!
All in all, he had a great time playing soccer and was already looking forward to the next game. He is slowly getting himself into the game. He will do things in his own time. But in the meantime, he sure looks cute out there in his uniform running after that ball and kicking it when he can.

Reid's 2nd Game

Reid began his second game with little will to actually play! However, something clicked in him and he stepped it up a notch...well, at least for a little while. Toward the end of the game, he started his showing off routines. But all in all, for his age, he did GREAT!

Now mind you...check out the kid behind Reid that's on the other team. Can we say: "Are you a little older than the rest of these 4 and 5 year olds???" Hmmmm!!!

He was determined to get this ball...or wait...was he trying to kick it in the mud puddle that was there? All of the kids would purposely kick the ball in the mud puddle before going the direction they were suppose to go. Every boy on that field had mud on them from head to toe! But they had a blast doing it.

THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR FIRST GRANDDAUGHTER

I just had to put this on my blog. This was written by my Uncle Charles and Aunt Charity about my cousin Eric and the loss of their first baby. I just thought it was precious reading his words and wanted to share with all of you.

THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR FIRST GRANDDAUGHTER

The events of the last week have left Charity and I drained emotionally. We were expecting our first granddaughter this February. But unexpectedly, the Lord had other plans for her. Eric and Leslie were expecting their first child and so was all our family! After four months of pregnancy, tests showed the baby had developed Cystic Hygroma. They gave them no hope. You can only imagine the depths of agony and grief they suffered -- while hoping against hope. This week the doctors could find no heartbeat.

This puts a perspective on the subject of life in the mother's womb. While we have always believed that life is formed in the mother's womb. We believe God is the giver of life. The moment God breathes life into a body is the moment there is life for eternity.

We believe God controls life and death of every single person that is ever born. God doesn't give us His reasons for His decisions to give life. We just have to accept what God's decisions are.

Those of us who have an inquiring mind would like to delve into the mind of God in these matters. Every life from time has been planned by God. I know there are many who have plummeted into this matter of life and death.

What I want to say, our first granddaughter today is in the care of God. All I know, now today, she is no longer a child and she is perfect. Since I haven't been to Heaven, we are only left to explore the idea of what heaven is going to be like in eternity.

Eric and Leslie had to make some decisions about this matter, and they did just fine. Choices are not easy in these situations of course, and many of us have our idea about what we would do, but no one knows until you are in the crisis of faith yourself. I have learned Eric and Leslie did just wonderful. Eric said, "why do the things that grow your faith have to hurt so bad?"

I want to thank many friends and our family who have entered into this experience with us. Thank you for crying with us and praying for Katie, Eric and Leslie, and the rest of the families who love them. Thank you for your continued prayers for Leslie's recovery.

First, Eric tells me his church family have been just wonderful in their support and care and prayer. They have been there for them in prayer and physically. What a blessing of Christian fellowship.

Secondly, I want to thank our church family who were in our church in Altoona for their support and prayers. It's been eleven years since we were the pastor, but they are still considered our church family. Hardly a day goes by that we don't give thanks for all those wonderful folks. Personal friends I might say. They are not only our friends but our children's as well.

Thank you all for your love to Eric and Leslie.
Drafted by Charles Whisnant, proof read by Charity Whisnant

New blog

I just wanted to let you all know that I have started my photography blog. I am hoping that a year from now, I will be 100% better than what I am now. It's a passion of mine and has been since High School really. I have always been the one carrying a camera around. It's that I'm just now learning how to effectively take pictures. It's an art for sure, but one that I am hoping to master in the near future. I have 3 beautiful children that I want to be able to capture all of those priceless expressions on their faces. Who knows...maybe I'll be taking pics of your kiddos someday too!

Update on my cousin and their baby

I just wanted to update you all on my cousin Eric and his wife Leslie. They went to the doctor this morning and there was no heartbeat for the baby. They are going to have to do a DNC on her. Please pray for this family. As I said in an earlier post, this was their first baby. Leslie was 4 month pregnant, they found out they were having a little girl and they named her Katie.

Please say a prayer for them as you read this. I can only imagine the pain that they are feeling. I know that God is in total control and that He has a sovereign will and plan over this whole situation and I also know that He will ultimately glorified through this. At times like this, you have to believe this with your whole heart.

Eric and Leslie...we love you and are praying continually for you both.

Cole turns 3!!!

My oh my, how time flies. I say this every time one of my children has a birthday, but I can hardly believe that Cole is 3! What an amazing child he is. Our lives are just a bit more special with Cole around. He has to be one of the sweetest kids in the world!!

Though his birthday was Saturday, we celebrated his birthday on Friday night with just the family. We always make it a point to celebrate each of our birthdays with just family for at least a dinner. There is such an importance in really developing family and our family unit.

Anyway, we took him to Gatti Town for pizza, games, and a train ride! He and Reid had a blast. I even let them ride the boat 2x (course, I had to ride with Cole). After the train ride, we went home and let him open his presents from us. He LOVED, LOVED, LOVED his presents from Reid and Ella. They got him some of the Cars toys. The boys played and played and played till it was way past their bedtime!

Saturday morning, the boys are of course still up at the crack of dawn (despite the 10pm bedtime the night before) revin' to go. Bry usually makes pancakes on Saturdays, but Cole wanted oatmeal. How can we deny the birthday boy his choice breakfast...esp when it's actually healthy??

We spent our morning at Reid's soccer game. Then home for lunch and an early nap as we had a big birthday party to go to.

When Cole woke up, he came running down the stairs saying: "Mommy, is it time for my birthday?" "Yes!" "WooHoo! I'm gonna have fun!" So, off to Little Gym we went.

As you can see from the pictures, he had a blast. He loved his Hammer cake and his ice cream. He loved playing with his friends and his brother/sister.

All in all, he had a great day. Thanks to all the family and friends that made his day so special.

What can I say about my Cole Cole? I mean, what's not to love about him? All that know him are drawn to him. So many people tell us how they see something truly special in Cole. He may never know the impact he has on those around him now at his young age of 3! He is such a joy to have in our home. We just don't know what we would ever do without him. He has taught us so much through his sweet nature and loveable character. He loves his big brother and his baby sister more than anything. He loves to spend time with them and play with them. He loves sports and he loves to build things. He loves to chew gum (which he learned from his best gal pal, Adeline). He loves to snuggle, thus, he is our snuggle bunny. Listening to him pray at night is priceless. We pray that his heart stays as tender as it is now and that his character will always be as loving as it is now. What a joy and what a blessing. We love you my sweet, sweet Cole.

Disclaimer...PhotoClub girls...I did not edit any of these pictures. Just had to throw that in here.

Reid's first soccer game

Reid's the one in the center getting in front of the dude in red and going for the ball.

We had Reid's first soccer game on Saturday morning. We didn't have our uniforms yet, so that's why they are in the yellow knit tanks. At first, Reid was a bit apprehensive to play. He wasn't sure of himself and didn't really want to play. But then something clicked with him and he started tearing up the field. He didn't score, but he would get in the middle of the action and get to that ball!

He thought he did terrible because he didn't score. He said: "I did terrible." We are trying to convince him that scoring doesn't mean he did or didn't play well. Only one kid scored on his team. Anyway, we were really proud of him with how much he tried to hustle and play the game. I do still think his favorite was getting the snack at the end.

Cole's first game is next week....so stay tuned.

Much needed prayers for my family and friends

I just wanted to ask my blog family and friends to pray for the following:

1) My cousin Eric who lives in KY sent out these 2 emails in the past 2 days. Please pray for them. This is their first pregnancy. I just can't imagine the pain they are feeling and the fear. As my Aunt always says: "The Lord is the Blessed Controller of ALL things." I know this is true, but so hard to cling to at times like this.

Email #1
as most of you know, we have been excitedly awaitingthe arrival of the latest addition to the whisnantfamily. other than straight to the point i don't knowhow to put it. yesterday leslie and i had our firstbig sonagram to find out the sex and of course thelegs were crossed and the tech. couldn't tell. sothings were still looking good. but when the dr. camein she said she saw things that concerned her. shesaid she would not sugar coat it and proceeded to saythat there was fluid where there wasn't supposed tobe, more fluid where only some was expected and itdid'nt look good. she said best case was a bad caseof Down's with little chance of survival and worsecase was one of two types of some sort of chromasomalissues with no chance. basically all leading towardscongestive heart failure. amniosenticis was done withresults and further info due fri. so needless to saytimes are tough right now. prayers are appreciatedwith and update later. love to all eric and leslie

Email #2
just an update. we heard from dr. the results of the amnio. it's a little girl. the problem is two fold. one--turners syndrome-hormone therepy would be neededat puberty cause of the lack thereof. height of nomore than 5',infertle,rare cases of mild retardation,in and of itself can be dealt with. two-- a cystichygroma, a cyst caused because the lymphatic systemdid not form with the veinous system properly. we weretold when we go back for next ultra sound on tues.that if there was no reduction of fluid than there wasnothing further that could be done. and only rarely isthere ever any reduction. so please keep us in yourprayers during this tough time. Eric and Leslie

My other request is for my dear friend Kim. Her sweet baby girl was born about 3 weeks early and is spending some time in the NICU. Her baby, Allison is making great progress, but still needs our prayers.

Thank you for your prayers and your support.

Funny Story...

I just had to share this story from this morning.

I dropped Reid off at school and decided that I needed to work out because I had only been to the YMCA once this week. I get there and get on the Cross Trainer. As I was about 10 minutes into my workout, this older man got on the one beside me. I swear he was about 60+ and had a definite pot belly. His socks were pulled up to his knees. Get the picture! I smiled thinking how great it was that he was exercising.

Next thing I know, he's going faster than me on the cross trainer. Well, I couldn't be shown up by someone that was 2x my age, let alone having a few more pounds on him than me. Let's just say that when I was done, I was the most sweaty that I have ever been at the gym. Man, he needs to work out next to me more often. Kept me challenged for sure. I'm so competitive. But it made me laugh that I was racing a 60+ yr old man. I mean seriously.....

Arrogance

Do you ever get so arrogant that you think you are invincible? I was driving down the road yesterday, on my way home from ordering Cole's jerseys for his soccer team and I was thinking. I know...it's a wonder that I ever have time to think and when I do, I can't believe I can even form the thoughts in my head...however...I had just been talking to a friend of mine about how before I had kids, I never really thought about dying. Meaning, that I didn't worry about it. I knew where I was going when I died and that was that. But since I have had children, I think about it a lot. I actually pray that God won't let me die because I'm pretty sure that I can take care of my kids better than anyone else. Well...at least I will love them like no one else could ever dream of doing.

However, on my way home, I was thinking about how I hadn't really thought about that in awhile and I thought to myself...."Hmmm, I know that God's not done with me yet, so I don't need to think about that anymore. I'm not going anywhere." It was about 30 seconds later (literally), as I was driving down the road, the SUV in front of me slammed on his breaks to a dead stop (pardon the pun). Out of instinct, I just swerved to the other lane without even looking. Thankfully, there wasn't a car there. My heart was pounding so hard and so fast, I could barely breathe. All I could whisper was "Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord! Thank You Lord!" Had I hit that SUV, I am pretty sure my air bag would have deployed.

We all know the verse that says: "Pride comes before the fall." My oh my, how I let my pride get in my way of humbling thanking God that He still has me here on this earth for my husband and my children. My heart was immediately humbled once again as I then thought how I don't know why in the world God would choose me to serve Him. I am as sinful as they come. I am thankful that He sees me as fearfully and wonderfully made. And I am thankful that He is keeping me here not for my children, but for my sake of having the joy of watching them grow each and every day.