Sunday Snuggles!!!

When Cameron was a baby, she loved to be rocked. Well a long period of time happened where she preferred to be put in her bed to go to sleep or she would put herself to bed.

Over the past month or so, she asks me "to wock and sing cow" to her every Sunday for nap. So I oblige and we rock, sing Old McDonald ("cow"), and other favorites such as "Auburn", "Shout to The Lord", "Sanctuary", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "You are my Sunshine", and many more depending on her mood. I am cherishing these special moments and wanted to document the past few weeks of pictures!

LOVE this little lady and all her spitfire personality brings to our family!!!

Cameron - as much as I think I should be cleaning or napping myself, I spend these precious moments thinking about you, praying over you, and just being thankful to have these moments together!!! I love you Little Lady and you're such a blessing to rock to sleep during our Sunday Snuggles!!!

It also gives Matt and Alex a chance for a quick nap though Alex doesn't always think he needs one!

I just love having these sweet memories as I know that these times won't last forever!

Words just can't describe...

This fall has brought on more challenges (opportunities) than I thought possible had you asked me in August. The reason I try to change the word to opportunities is because these challenges have allowed me to put my complete faith in Christ though some of the situations were not easy to go through. I must preface this post with the fact that I would not be growing nor working through some of these challenges without Matt being the amazing husband, father, and leader of our family that he is!

Over the past many years, Matt has encouraged me to go back to school for my masters. Well, so it began in late August that I would start with 1 class and see how it goes. This has been a huge struggle for me for multiple reasons, one being that I've never been strong academically and the even bigger reason was it takes me away from my family and leaves Matt to handle the parenting. I have TOTAL faith that he's capable of doing it but the guilt was "should" he have to do it all alone? After much convincing from him, class has gone well so far and I'm so thankful to come home on Monday nights with him spending time with the kiddos!

Shortly after starting classes, we found a new construction home that meets most of our needs and wants. After searching for over a year and debating on moving, we finally decided that God was leading us to make this move. I can't say why He thought it would be funny to throw this at us now but...we will go with it! We are currently in the process of trying to sell our home and look to move into the new home for Thanksgiving. There are so many hurdles we are facing and will be facing with this process but we are placing our full trust in Him to provide according to His plan! 

Then October 6th happened... I received a text that mom was taking dad to ER because he was having pain from possible kidney stone. Never did I imagine the next conversation I had with my dad was informing me he had kidney cancer. The tears flowed and there was no stopping them. This went on for days... I talked to parents on the phone and had normal daily activity but my private prayers were often filled with uncontrollable crying. I never once asked "why" but simply asked for the cancer to be treatable so my kids would continue to have their G-papa. I prayed for my mom and the amazing woman she is to have strength and comfort as we started this journey that we never wanted to be on.

The next day brought some comfort as the doctor was confident the cancer could be removed. We were singing praises and thanks as we were just given the best news possible after hearing you have cancer just 24 hours before. Now fast forward to Oct. 28th... A biopsy had been performed the Thursday before this and the surgery was scheduled for the next Thursday (Oct. 30th). On Tuesday, October 28th, dad went to meet with his doctor and finalize surgery when God performed a MIRACLE!!! My dad DID NOT HAVE CANCER!!! Prayers were answered and God continues to be at work as my parents heard the doctor say "the mass is benign"!!! There are no words to describe this result other than He is The Great Physician! For those that don't believe in God or don't think miracles still happen, my dad is proof that He is alive!!! This result still renders me speechless yet I'm forever grateful to EVERYONE that prayed for him during those weeks! My mom and dad are such rocks and great examples of living by faith!

I can't say that I would have ever started classes had I known the stress that was ahead but I believe that God sets it up that way. We aren't supposed to know every detail of His plan because why would we then need faith? 

The past few months may have been more challenging than originally planned but because of my husband, my family, and my God, life will continue with many more "opportunities" ahead!

Destin...2014!!! and Auburn football game

We went to Destin this year with my family! For those of you that don't know us, this is a crazy idea for my mom, dad, sis, and her hubby. I'm not sure when the last time was that any of them showed face on the beach but from the pics below, I hope you can see all the fun we had! While there was some craziness, there was so much fun, laughter, and memories made!!! My mom, dad, kids, ad niece all stayed in the motorhome which was literally parked on the beach like sand at your doorstep!!! My sister and her husband stayed in a cabin on the campgrounds and Matt and I stayed at a hotel about a mile away. We spent time on the beach and at the pool for about 6 days!

While down there, Matt and I made a trip back up to Auburn as he and the 2004 National Championship team were being recognized for the 10 year anniversary! It was so great to be back on The Plains even though it was for such a quick visit!

Driving to Destin in the motorhome!

Introducing Cameron to the waves (which she didn't like!)

Kiddos in water with G-mom!

Cameron pretty much stayed on the sand but she had a blast!

The crew testing the waters...minus me and Cameron (we are on the beach Ha!)

My sis and her family...can't believe they loved the water!!!

Love this sassy girl!!!

Just for fun...

Time together while kids were napping!

Love this guy with ALL my heart!!! ❤️

Morning walk with mom, coffee, and kiddos! 💕💕💕

Footprints!!! 👣👣👣

Boys' fishing trip!

Dolphin sightings!!! So fun watching them jump the waves!

Celebrated G-papa's birthday!!!

Pool time!!!

Hehe! 💙💙💙

Quick stop at Bass Pro Shop!!!

Auburn trip...

So much fun was had by all and I look forward to more beach trips with the family in the future!!!

First theatre movie as a family...

For my birthday, I wanted to spend time with Matt and our family. Matt and I enjoyed an early afternoon and then we took the kiddos to the theatre for the first time. We knew Cameron would be a handful but g-papa had taken Alex before so we hoped he would enjoy it...and boy did he!!! We saw "Planes...Fire and Rescue" and Alex stayed glued to the screen for the most part eating popcorn and drinking lemonade!

Cameron did better than expected until the last 15 minutes where we just let her go up and down the aisles since there weren't many people!

The movie got real exciting right at the end and it was just enough to grab this picture... Love their little heads poking up!

Matt and I later went to dinner and just enjoyed some time to talk without interruption!

Family weekend (August)

I always love when any of our family is able to come spend a weekend with us! My mom and dad were able to come earlier this month so we enjoyed a great weekend and spent some time at the waterpark!

iPhone picture unload...

Pictures...

Alex writing his name!

Cameron is doing so good on the potty!

Water day at USYC!

Helping daddy in the yard!

Babysitter fun!

Sweetness!!!