Making Memories Of Us

Ellison Brook at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-05-21T12:27:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2010-05-06T10:27:00.001-05:00

"Mommy, you are the best mommy in the whole wide world and daddy is the best daddy. Does every kid have mommy's and daddy's like you?" - Mason

2010-05-05T13:28:00.002-05:00

Wow! Where has the time gone? I haven't blogged in forever and I really have no good excuse. I look back at this blog and see so many memories. So many pictures of Mason as he is growing up and I could kick myself for not keep up with this more. Shame on me!

Enough of my pity party... Mason is playing coach pitch baseball this year for the first time. It's a lot more exciting than tee ball. We love it! Yes, I am the crazy mom, with the camera in one hand and the camcorder in the other. He is a great first basemen and makes us proud every game!

We are still waiting to adopt a baby. It's been a long journey that seems to be neverending but the ending will be worth the wait.

2009-04-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

While I'm Waiting - John Waller

2009-04-08T07:48:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-25T08:36:00.000-05:00

(Lori and Santa - 1974)

2008-11-13T12:28:00.002-05:00

I came across the most humbling video today. Click here to go watch it! You will be amazed at how much you are loved!

2008-11-09T20:11:00.002-05:00

This picture was taken at the Fall festival at church Wednesday night. Mason had such a great time!

This morning at church, my little brother, Bernie gave his testimony. So powerful!! He graduated Monday night from Teen Challenge of Alabama. He got home on Wednesday so I have been able to see first hand that he is on fire for Christ. He has struggled with drug addiction for about 15 years. He has allowed God to take hold of his life and transform him into a new creation. What a mighty God we serve! He is going to Bible college in January. I am so proud of him!!

2008-11-02T19:39:00.001-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-10-27T17:53:00.001-05:00

Here are the shirts that we selling for $15.00 each. Please support adoption and buy one or two! The art work on the back was created by our son, Mason. He is extremely proud that it is now going to help raise money for his baby sister. If you would like to buy a shirt, email me at loriw@hargray.com.

2008-10-22T18:08:00.004-05:00

I know that everyone experiences difficult situations in life. Things that make us want to scream and just give up. Losing a loved one. Financial difficulties. Sacrifices. Misunderstandings. Uncertainties. As a Christian, how should we respond? What's the good of our faith is we become angry at God? There has to be some way to be joyful in the middle of a crisis, right? It's so easy to say those words but so difficult to actually do it. It's so easy to give advice to someone who is going through a trial but it is so hard to look at your own circumstances and use the same advice. It's amazing how quickly doubt creeps into our lives. At the drop of a dime, things can change and we start rethinking things that seemed so simple and sure.

After spending time reading my Bible this morning, I have come to this realization. I have to believe that God will do what He says. No matter how things look or how discouraged I feel. Every problem that I have has to be given to Him. I have to take God at His Word. I have to believe.

2008-10-19T06:59:00.004-05:00

For a year, Brett has been working on a huge project at work. This past week he was rarely home, going to work at 5:30am and working late. He hated not being home much and Mason and I missed him like crazy. Even though Brett was not home much, he found little ways to let us know that he loved us. Of course, I complained to him none stop that we wanted him home with us. In the past week, I woke up to find a dozen red roses and cards, even a card for Mason. Little notes written on the dry erase board and early morning wake up calls. His project is done now and he will be home again but I definitely have a new respect for the families that live like that all year long. We enjoy our family time in the afternoons and evenings.

Mason had the dreaded stomach bug that began Friday night and continued all night. ALL NIGHT! I felt so sorry for him. He begged me to do something to make it stop but there was nothing that I could do for him. If you know me then you know how I feel about the stomach bug. I can't handle it. Not only do I have a weak stomach when it comes to the bug but I can't stand being so helpless to make him feel better. He slept most of Saturday and woke up this morning still feeling yucky. My poor little fella!!

Update: Since we share everything in our family, Mason so kindly shared his stomach bug with me and now Brett is in bed with it! Thank goodness, we will be done with it soon!

Art Class #2

2008-10-17T16:35:00.005-05:00

2008-10-17T11:44:00.002-05:00

I have been following a blog called "Confessions of a CF Husband" for long time. This family has been through many, many trials. They are currently facing a huge trial and need prayer! Take a few minutes and go to their blog. Read a little bit and pray for this family.

2008-10-13T17:09:00.002-05:00

This is Mason's first painting from art class. Gorgeous, huh?
After days of rain, Mason went four wheelin' in every mud puddle he could find! I had to throw his socks in the trash!

Soccer and Pumpkins

2008-10-11T14:19:00.003-05:00

Mason did so great this morning during his soccer game. He scored a goal that was just perfect! He was so excited. He put both arms in the air and screamed. Of course, I was screaming, too! Yah Mason!!
After soccer we went to the pumpkin patch and picked out three pumpkins...small, medium and large. Happy Fall!!

2008-10-10T09:47:00.003-05:00

Mason has his first art lesson this afternoon. Mason LOVES art and is very excited about being in an art studio and learning different things. He told me that when he grows up he wanted to be like Keith Haring. Very cool!

Here are two of his paintings. The palm and moon is my favorite. It is hanging in our guest bathroom. The other one he painted before he could even write his own name. Do you see the tractor in the top left corner? I think it's amazing! Of course, I am a little partial to the artist.

2008-10-08T17:39:00.005-05:00

Mason loves to bake brownies. He waits patiently until it's time to lick the bowl and spoon.
Look at my handsome boy! He bobbed for apples on our front porch tonight. He told me that I was the best mommy ever. He had so much fun!

Pictures of Mason

2008-10-06T11:51:00.003-05:00

"Mason go clean your room." "But Mommy, my stomach hurts." This is the face that followed that short conversation.
No one scored on him Saturday! Yeah Mason!!

My Sisters

2008-10-04T14:33:00.002-05:00

Lori, Angie and Amy

These girls are my sisters. Aren't they beautiful? I am very blessed to have them both in my life. Angie kept Mason for me when he was a baby so I could go to the office part time. She loves him as if he were her own child and he loves her. If I have a problem or a good idea, I call Angie. She is my best friend.

Amy is my silly sister who makes me laugh. She is my lunch date at least once a week. I call her every Friday and ask, "What are we doing tonight?" I love spending time with her. We were roommates for a year and it was so fun.... most of the time. :) She is also my best friend.

I just wanted to share these beauties with you today. Tonight Mason is spending the night with Angie so I can go to a banquet with Amy. Love you girls!

My Johnny Appleseed

2008-10-03T19:12:00.001-05:00

The Hula Hoop Champion

2008-10-03T09:27:00.004-05:00

This is a video I took of Mason hula hooping last night. I have watched it over and over and laughed a little bit harder every time. Notice that he says something about all the "hot chicks in the audience" and then something about "get on my nerves now". Too funny! At the end he gets carried away and hits himself in the nose. The tears were super short lived so don't worry. Enjoy!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Little Artist

2008-10-02T07:07:00.004-05:00

Mason has become such a great artist. I have several of his paintings framed and hanging in our house. Here is one example of what his six year old mind can come up with. Every night before bed, he gets out his paper and creates everything from spooky forests to Sponge Bob chasing jellyfish. Sometimes he scribbles all over the paper in different colors and tells me that it's abstract art. I think it's all perfect!!

New Outfit!!

2008-10-01T19:34:00.002-05:00

How do ya'll like my new look?! I am really excited about it. I feel like I went out and bought a new outfit that I can't wait to show off!! If you are looking for a new look go to Serendipity Designs. Jenna was so great to work with. I feel like I made a new friend! Thanks Jenna!!

Happy 6th Birthday Mason!

2008-09-17T19:17:00.004-05:00

Today Mason is 6 years old. Time flies by so fast. One minute I am changing his diaper and the next minute he is in kindergarten and asking to go eat wings for his birthday. I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly blessed we are to have Mason. He is truly one of a kind!

2008-09-15T12:09:00.003-05:00

We had such a great time on our cruise. Mason's expression as we approached the ship was priceless! He actually took his seat belt off and started jumping and screaming. In his mind I guess he had pictured a much smaller ship.

We swam with string rays, met Captain Jack Sparrow, ate, snorkeled, parasailed, ate, went to three Broadway shows, watched Disney movies that aren't released yet, ate, lounged on the beach and so much more. It was an amazing family vacation.

Our Cruise

2008-09-14T16:47:00.001-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-09-06T17:47:00.001-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hurricane Hanna

2008-09-02T16:44:00.002-05:00

Okay, we have to pack up the pictures, the camera, the dogs and cat.... we have to board up the windows and secure everything in the yard. Stock up on water, canned food and batteries just in case.... oh, the joy of hurricane season!! Ughhhhh! Living on the coast certainly has it's advantages but hurricane season stinks big time. To top it all off, we are suppose to leave for a Disney cruise next Thursday and there are two more storms floating around out there. What a bummer!!

My Little Monkey

2008-08-18T11:18:00.003-05:00

Today is a happy/sad kind of day. Mason started kindergarten this morning. He was SO excited! Brett and I both took him but I had to drop and go because the tears were brewin'. By the way, I was the crazy mom with a camera at the first day of school!
He picked out his clothes for today over the weekend and I must say that he looked so handsome. He is growing up too fast!
This is Mason and his teacher, Mrs. Mitchell. There are a few kids in Mason's class that he already knows so he should be fine.... right? Sniff-Sniff!

2008-08-13T20:33:00.003-05:00

I came across a blog that was asking people "If you were brave, what would you do?" Well, what would you do?

Got Shark Teeth?

2008-08-11T20:00:00.002-05:00

Remember This Mason Original???

2008-08-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

Funny Things Mason Has Said Over The Years

2008-08-09T14:57:00.001-05:00

1... Mason spotted a roach outside and screamed like crazy. He is terrified of bugs but this was beyond terrified. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "Mommy, did you see the eyelashes on that bug?"
2... The other day I dressed Mason in a sleeveless shirt. He looked at me and said, "Mommy, I love this shirt. This is my armpit shirt."
3... I told him that he looked really cute. He told me, "I don't look cute. I look awesome!"
4... He told me that I looked like Miss America. (Now that's funny!)
5... He told me that when he gets big that he is going to marry Miss America. He said that she was going to walk down the "hallway" at church and marry him with a skirt on her head.
6... Mason asked, "Mommy, who is God's Father?" I told him that God was the Father. He said, "No, Mommy, I know who His father is. It's the Creacher." When I asked him who the "creacher" was he said, "You know, the creacher who talks at church."
7... We saw a dead lizard in the road while we were walking. The next day it was gone. I asked Mason where he thought the lizard went. He told me, "The angels came down last night and threw it in the woods."
8... Instead of saying tomorrow, Mason has always said tomorning.
9... When kids are bothering Mason he says, "Those kids are begging on me."
10... I took Mason to get a haircut. When we got there he looked at the barber and said, "Please cut my hair. It's all jacked up!"
11... Mason is having a Luau at Preschool. He told me that he was really excited about going to his "hoot owl" at school.
12... When Mason was 2 we had to put one of our dogs to sleep. Right after that Mason told me that when he gets old like me that he was going to go to Heaven to see Buster.
13... Mason went to the dentist yesterday. I told him that if he didn't stop eating so much candy that his teeth would rot out. He told me that it was okay if his teeth fell out because then the tooth fairy would come and leave him money. He also told me that his cousin Jackson, 5, must eat a lot of candy because all his teeth are falling out.

2008-08-09T14:03:00.002-05:00

I am happy to report that I am having a new header designed!! I must say that I will not miss the small white box with the red X!

Our New Favorite Thing

2008-08-04T14:12:00.002-05:00

We have found a "new favorite thing to do"...... hunt for sharks teeth at the Port Royal sands. We go as a family or Brett and I take turns going with Mason but we love it! There are always sharks teeth laying around. Mason has so much fun looking for them.....and if I'm being totally honest....I love it, too! This picture is just a small amount that we have found so far. Want to hear something funny? Yesterday Mason and I went in the boat with Billy and Amy. Will caught a shark and Mason REALLY wanted to pull all his teeth out before they threw him back. We have created a monster!

A Few Of My Favorite Pictures From July

2008-07-30T16:44:00.008-05:00

My handsome Mason
We found a Roses in Blue Ridge, Ga. and I had to take a picture! My MaMa used to take me to Roses all the time!

Isn't my honey so handsome? I think so!

Happy 4th!

My dad and Mason on the 4th of July

Good Grief!

2008-07-23T21:33:00.002-05:00

Tonight Layla had some kind of seizure. I have never seen anything like it so I totally freaked out. I ended up taking her to the vet. Her blood sugar was low. I am hoping that Ripley ate all their food at dinner and she just needed to eat. My poor little Layla girl!

Look At My Handsome Boy!

2008-07-21T15:06:00.002-05:00

This weekend we went out in the boat. Mason loves it out there but I must say that this the first time that he has played in the mud. He doesn't really like dirt. He's more into frog and lizards. This wasn't just any mud... this was the stickest mud ever. But even though he was covered in mud..... He was still so handsome!

Such A Boy!

2008-07-16T11:30:00.003-05:00

Mason is such a boy! I have taken him to the doctor a hand full of times over the last few months. Infected bug bites, rashes and bike wrecks have been the reason for our trips to the doc. I am ready to have a baby girl.... someone to join me in all my prissiness!

2008-07-16T06:52:00.001-05:00

I started an adoption blog. Check it out! http://www.journeytoellison.blogspot.com/

2008-07-15T17:08:00.001-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-07-05T15:14:00.003-05:00

I am signing off for about a week. We will be out of town until Thursday night. I hope you all have a great week!

2008-07-04T08:50:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July!!!

2008-07-03T16:43:00.002-05:00

We are naming our boat the "Miss Ruby". Here are two images that we had drawn up. What do y'all think? I need some opinions.

Happy 7th Anniversary Brett!!

2008-07-03T16:16:00.001-05:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-06-29T19:49:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2008-06-21T07:33:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share this picture with y'all of Mason and a little brown stuffed dog that belonged to my grandmother. Yesterday my aunt gave it me and I gave it to Mason. Of course, he wanted to know what the dogs name was. He said, "Her name is written on the tag." I looked on the tag and written was the name Ruby Graves, my grandmothers name. So, now Mason thinks that this little dogs name is Ruby Graves... not just Ruby but Ruby Graves. Last night I was letting our real dogs out to go potty and from the bedroom Mason yelled, "Mom! Don't forget about Ruby Graves! She might need to go out and pee!" This morning I heard him say, "Ruby Graves, after I eat my food, I'll feed you." "Okay, Ruby Graves, you sit right here while I go to the bathroom." "Hold on Ruby Graves... I'm going to turn the ceiling fan on while you are on it!" Yikes!! It makes me smile to hear my grandmother's name used so often by Mason. Just a little comic relief that MaMa would have loved!

Stronger!!

2008-06-18T20:23:00.002-05:00

This past week has been a really hard one for my family. But I can honestly say that we have come out of it stronger. We have all grown closer and have learned to value each other even more. Extended family members have been able to get to know each other again. My prayer is that those relationships will continue to grow.

2008-06-17T09:20:00.003-05:00

Mason made the transition from preschool to summer camp yesterday. He was beyond excited. When he woke up, I was in the kitchen fixing a cup of coffee. He came in and said, in a very sleepy voice, "Mom, guess what? Today, I'm grown." And he turned around and walked out of the kitchen. He makes my heart smile so many times during the day..... that's just one example. I am so blessed that he is my son.

A Letter To MaMa

2008-06-13T20:16:00.004-05:00

Dear MaMa,

I wanted you to know that you will always have a piece of my heart. I miss you already and it hasn't even been 24 hours yet. I have cried rivers today.... some of them shed while laying in your bed trying so hard to remember every detail about you. They are mostly tears of sorrow but some are tears of joy because I know that you are not suffering anymore. Your back is completely healed and you are not hurting. I miss you already. I will miss the way that you smell, your soft skin, your phone calls telling me that lunch was ready, trips to WalMart, corned beef and cabbage... no one can make it like you, your tenderness, your smile, your love of clothes and shoes, and so much more. When I sat back today and observed the family that started with you, I was amazed. You have left a legacy that will go forever. I miss you already... have I mentioned that?? I will miss seeing you in your yard messing with your flowers or sweeping the steps. How many times did I ride by and not stop?? I regret that so much. I should have stopped every time that I saw you out there no matter where I was headed.

I feel so displaced without you here. Even when you were so sick, I knew where you were and I could visit you every day. Today, I didn't know where to go. Home? Mom's? I felt like I had no where to go because I wanted to be with you and I couldn't. So I chose to sit at your house with your things. I miss you already.

I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck! Thank you for being such an amazing grandmother.

2008-06-12T08:22:00.002-05:00

Mason's last day of preschool is today. When did my baby boy get so big? Seems like yesterday I dropped him off at preschool and left with tears in my eyes because I didn't want to leave him there. Today I dropped him off and left with tears in my eyes because I can't imagine him being anywhere else. All of his teachers have been wonderful. They have loved him through their dedication, hardwork and overall love for their profession. Mason has grown to love them as if they are a part of his family and even prays for them at night. On Monday, he starts summer camp at the YMCA. He is ready for the change but his momma is feeling a little sad about the transition. I guess I have to let him grow up a little bit..... what a bummer! :)

Happy Birthday Mom and MaMa!!

2008-06-10T13:31:00.002-05:00

My mom and my grandmother share the same birthday. Every year they celebrate together. Every year they open present together, blow out their candles together and eat cake together. This year is extremely bitter sweet. My grandmother is very sick with pneumonia and is not expected to live much longer. She had back surgery in November and just hasn't been able to recover from it. I promise you that I can feel my heart breaking in my chest. I know that God brings us into this world knowing the exact moment when we will leave. I know that my PaPa is waiting for MaMa in Heaven. I know that he is whistling the days away waiting for her to join him. But I also know that doesn't make it any easier to let her go. I doesn't make it easier to think about life without her in it.

So, on this special day, I am wishing MaMa a very special 81st Happy Birthday!! And to my mom, I love you so much! You inspire me every day to be a better woman and a better mom. You are the ultimate example and I thank God that He choose me to be your daughter.

Cardboard Testimonies

2008-06-04T08:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday to Me!!

2008-06-02T14:57:00.002-05:00

Look what I bought for myself! Yes, I bought myself a necklace. No, it's not my birthday or anniversary. The day I ordered it was just a normal Monday. I am so glad that I felt like I deserved a necklace that day because it came in the mail today and I love, love, love it!!! I was browsing a blog about a week ago and came across this website. I highly recommend you go a have a look at Lisa's jewelry. It is all beautiful and very different!

Technical Difficulty

2008-06-02T09:14:00.004-05:00

I am not sure what is going on with my header and other graphics...... Sorry! Hopefully I can get it figured out soon! Mason's pictures that run along the top of my blog are so much cuter than that small white box with a red X in it!

2008-05-23T07:27:00.002-05:00

West Michigan Christian music fans are expressing their sympathy for Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman after the death of his 5-year-old daughter in an accident Wednesday in the family's driveway.

"We opened up the phone lines and people called in and wanted to pray right over the air," said Troy West, morning show co-host on contemporary Christian music radio station WJQK-FM (99).

Maria Sue Chapman was struck by a car driven by one of her teenage brothers, according to authorities in Franklin, Tenn., who added they believe no charges will result from what they termed "a tragic accident."

The child died 10 days after her fifth birthday. Chapman's manager, Jim Houser, also noted in a Web site posting the family had been hours away from hosting a high school graduation party for their son Caleb when the accident occurred.

Maria was the youngest of three Chinese girls the family had adopted, two of them through the the Nashville, Tenn., office of Bethany Christian Services. Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, also have three biological children -- two teenage sons and a 21-year-old daughter.

"They are loving and wonderful parents and a great family -- they must be devastated," said Brian De Vos, manager of Michigan operations for Bethany Christian Services. "He's been such an advocate for adoption -- I know their commitment to kids."

DeVos has known the Chapmans for eight years and worked with them on Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation the couple named for one of their adopted daughters and established to help families through the often expensive adoption process.

During Chapman's most recent concert tour -- which included a stop at Sunshine Community Church last September -- the singer raised $340,000 for the foundation. While here, he awarded a grant of about $3,000 to a local family for adoption expenses.
He also has raised funds for construction of an orphanage in China for special-needs children who likely will never be adopted.

Chapman, 45, has sold more than 10 million albums, has had dozens of No. 1 Christian radio hits, and has won more than 50 Dove Awards -- exceeding any other individual artist.
Yet he would much rather talk about his family or his work with adoptions and orphans.
"I have sung a lot of his songs," said local Christian singer Marty Miller, of Belmont, posting comments on an area Christian musicians' Web site. "Please be in prayer for the family."
Chapman's current hit song on Christian radio is "Cinderella," a ballad about precious times spent together by father and daughter. It was inspired by a real family moment.

Article courtesy of www.mlive.com.

2008-05-01T08:52:00.002-05:00

Every night for a long time, Mason has said the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer before bed. After he says the entire prayer he adds his own prayer requests. Help all the sick people in the world..... Help me do good at t-ball..... PaPa and MaMa...... Buster, our dog who is already in doggie Heaven...... He even prays for God. On and on he will go about all sorts of things. He sits in his bed and basically has a very detailed conversation with God. One night last week as he was praying, he said, "And God please help all the people with breath cancer." He was very serious so I held in my giggle. I left the room thinking that maybe I needed to brush my teeth again.

2008-04-29T15:53:00.002-05:00

As I am typing this, my heart feels like it is breaking into pieces. My grandmother is very sick and in the hospital. She has been in and out of the hospital since November. I tell her all the time that she is one of the strongest women that I will ever know. She has been through so much these past few months and she continues to fight. If I just had a small peice of her strength, I would be set for the rest of my life.

My MaMa has always been so special to me. I can remember vividly spending day after day at her house. We lived across the street for MaMa so it was easy for me to sneak over. Our babysitter always knew that if she couldn't find me, I was at MaMa and PaPa's house. When I was young I would lay on her couch and watch cartoons. We would go in the yard and pick flowers or collect pears from her pear tree. Sometimes we would go to Roses or Sky City. I remember her taking me many times to get my pictures done at Roses.... even when I was a teenager, she still took me to get my picture done.

She has a special corner in my heart that will always be just hers. My prayer is that she pulls through this sickness that she is facing but if that is not God's will, then I pray that she will be comfortable and at peace. She has suffered for so long.... most would have already given up. But she is a fighter. Please pray for my MaMa as you read this post.

Easter Pictures

2008-03-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter!!!

2008-03-21T08:41:00.003-05:00

I know it has been a long, long, long time since I have blogged. I think that I have blogger burn out! But here are a few pictures of Mason and some of our furry kids. I hope that everyone has a blessed Easter!

P.S. Mason had a fight with his bike.... as you can see, the bike won!

2007-12-11T09:42:00.001-05:00

2007-11-08T17:38:00.001-05:00

Teen Challenge Video

2007-11-08T09:20:00.001-05:00

Answered Prayers

2007-10-29T20:04:00.000-05:00

Isn't it just amazing how God answers prayers? You spend so much time praying and waiting for a "sign" that God is really listening..... and then it happens. And most of the time it doesn't happen like you think it should or even when you think it should. It happens when you least expect it to.... when you are surrounded by sadness and tears. When you feel totally helpless and confused. God answers prayers in His time.... not ours. And let me tell you, He has perfect timing. He knows when we have had enough. He knows when we just can't take another step. He knows when to pick us up and carry us. He takes us to the edge and then He pulls us back to Him. He lines up people, places and things to show us that He is in charge. In the midst of a disaster, He opens doors. Tonight I am praising God for being a forgiving God who ALWAYS shows up.

2007-10-25T18:33:00.000-05:00

Tonight I took Mason downtown to trick or treat. There were so many kids running around and even more gnats. He really had fun trick or treating from store to store and looking at what all the other kids were dressed up as. He was the Ghost Rider. Several of the kids were afraid of him. I had to keep taking his mask off to show them that he was just a boy.

Pirate Jackson

Butterfly Jordan

McKenzie, Mason and Gabby

Now that Mason's hair is growing, we can do all kinds of funky styles in the tub.

2007-10-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

I Googled "Lori needs" to see what would come up. Here is my list of needs according to Google....

Lori needs ideas and volunteers.
Lori needs to be aware of her own anger.
Lori needs help.
Lori needs a change.
Lori needs to cut her mom some slack.
Lori needs a little hocus-pocus from dear departed Aunt.
LORI NEEDS CAFFEINE TO STAY AWAKE!!!

Pretty funny!!

This Sums It Up For Me Right Now.....

2007-10-22T09:53:00.000-05:00

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?"
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".

Author Unknown

2007-10-16T17:50:00.001-05:00

Pumpkins

2007-10-15T20:08:00.000-05:00

Saturday we took Mason and our niece, Jordan to the pumpkin patch. They had fun running around looking for the perfect pumpkin. Mason can't wait to carve it!
My sweet Jordan Pie

2007-10-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

After I picked Mason up from school today, I took him to the Port Royal sands to look for sharks teeth. Although we didn't find any sharks teeth, Mason found some tiny hermit crabs. He picked one up, laid it in the palm of his hand and said, very sweetly, "Mommy, it's so cute. I want to keep it forever. Ahhhhh, he's so sweet." Then he said he needed to find another one. When I asked him why he needed a second one he said, in a totally different tone of voice, "I wanna make them fight." Boys will be boys!
We walked all the way up the tower and had a stranger take our picture at the top. We looked like tourists but I don't care! It was fun!
Today is Ivette's birthday! Mason wanted to get her a cake and a candle that plays the Happy Birthday song. He loves his Aunt Ivette so much and so do I!
This is my Layla girl wearing her Halloween costume. She was giving me the evil eye..... can you tell?

The Glory Of His Works

2007-10-12T09:50:00.000-05:00

Last night Brett, Mason and I went out for a boat ride with my brother. On the way back, the sun was setting and the sky in front of us was red. It was a red that I had never seen before. Absolutely gorgeous! I looked back at the sky behind us and is was almost purple. It was so perfect and beautiful. I started thinking about the glory of His works. Who else could create a sunset like that one but God? The entire ride back to the dock, I thought about all things that are going on my life. I have a good life but there are always days that go by when I want a "do over". For instance, I raise my voice to Mason when it really wasn't necessary. Or I don't pay enough attention to the people that I love. I started thinking about the fact that I am not guaranteed tomorrow or even my next breath. That sunset was so gorgeous but it only lasted a few minutes and then it was over. I am really going to try to live in the moment more instead of concentrating on what tomorrow may bring. The moments in life past just as fast as that sunset but it was beautiful while it lasted because I took the time to watch it. It's funny how God works. He used that big sunset to open my eyes to the little things in life.

Happy Fall!

2007-10-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

Today the weather is perfect! The skies are so blue and the temp is just right! I love Fall. I open my windows and let the fresh air drift through. Love it!

I haven't blogged in a long time. We have been busy living life and I just haven't taken the time to update my blog. Sorry!

Mason turned 5 in September. I can't believe that we have a 5 year old. It doesn't seem possible that that much time has passed since I had him. He is growing fast. That makes me sad in a strange way. He is my baby... I don't want him to grow up.

Brett is good besides being covered in poison oak. I guess we have it growing in our backyard and now it is spreading all over Brett.... even between his eyes. Poor baby!!

There are a lot of different things going on in my life.... some happy and some sad... but nevertheless, I praise God for all that He gives me.

I have found a blog that has really touched my heart. Go read some and you will see what I am talking about. I have added this sweet baby girl to my daily prayers. I hope that everyone who reads her blog will do the same.

My friend Bonnie just found out that she is having a baby boy! Congratulations to her!!

I guess this post is just a lot of rambling but at least I am blogging, right?

A Special Kind Of Love

2007-08-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

My grandparents just celebrated 61 years of marriage. Can you imagine? They have stuck by each other through all the trials of life and are still standing strong, together. It takes a special kind of love to last all these years. God has blessed them with a love that lasts forever. It is a love that is unbreakable. When I grow up, I want to be where they today.... in love. Happy Anniversary Mot Mot and SkeeBo!

Love You Forever

2007-08-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

Last night Mason choose the book "Love You Forever" as his bedtime story. I haven't read him this book in a really long time. He listened as I read about the mommy who would sneak into her son's room, crawl across the floor, pick him up and rock him back and forth singing, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

After I finished the book, he wanted me to pretend that he was sleeping so I could crawl across the floor, pick him up and rock him back and forth, singing the song. He thought it was pretty funny. So, we said our prayers and I thought that he was about asleep..... until I felt his arms go around my neck and he started to rock me back and forth while singing a pretty good version of the song in the book. He sang, "I'll love you forever. I like you every day. As long as I'm living, my mommy you will be." He thought I was really sleeping so I didn't say a word. He rolled over and went to sleep. I lay there with big fat tears in my eyes, thanking God for giving me such an amazing child.

Pictures From The Weekend

2007-07-23T09:39:00.001-05:00

Our New Baby Girl

2007-07-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

This is Carolina, our newest addition! It's our first kitten and so far we love her. She seems to like Mason and she is tolerating our dogs. She's definitely a keeper!

Randon Thoughts

2007-06-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

Last night we started Vacation Bible School. I am helping Carla with the 3 and 4 year old class. This is my first year helping with VBS and I can already tell you that this week is going to be awesome...... exhausting but awesome! Some say that the first night is unorganized and crazy but I think that it went really well. The kids had smiles on their faces and seemed excited about the night. We enjoyed snacks, music, recreation, crafts, missions and Bible Study.

Voices of Praise sang a special Sunday morning in church and had practice with the adult choir Sunday afternoon. We are joining together to sing a special this coming Sunday morning. I am really excited to see what God has planned for us.

Friday night a group of fellow Flip Floppers had dinner at Outback. Carla is moving very soon so we wanted to get together before she leaves. I am going to miss her so much. When she leaves, she will be taking a small piece of this Flip Floppers heart. I look forward to August, when she will be back for our 1 year anniversary weekend at Harbor!

Our Newest Addition

2007-05-30T13:29:00.000-05:00

This is Yoshi. He is a bearded dragon and our newest baby. If you have been to our house in the last few weeks, then you have had the pleasure of meeting him but I wanted to post some pictures for those of you who haven't been over. Before we got Yoshi I had NEVER held a lizard. I will hold an occasional tree frog but never a lizard. At first I was a little bit apprehensive. But he is so gentle and sweet. One of the first things that Mason does in the morning is hold Yoshi. He helps me feed him and give him water. Although it may be hard to believe, Yoshi responds different to Mason than he does to anyone else. He tilts his head when Mason talks, he will sit in Mason's lap for as long as Mason wants him to and if Yoshi is in a feisty mood, he calms down the second he sits in Mason's hands. It's pretty amazing.

We feed him tiny crickets and let me tell you that he can eat them at the speed of light! He also loves strawberries. He shed his skin last week. Mason was in a panic until it was over. He didn't understand why his skin was coming off. I told Mason that it was because Yoshi had grown too big for his old skin. I guess it worried Mason.

When we went to pick Yoshi up a few weeks ago, Brett told me that there was no way on earth that he would ever hold a bearded dragon. By the time we got home that night, Brett was begging for his turn to hold him. Now I catch Brett in Mason's room holding Yoshi all the time. Or sitting at the computer with Yoshi hanging out on his shirt.

Our Weekend!

2007-05-28T19:30:00.000-05:00

2007-05-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up with a head ache and my legs where extra achy. Before I left to take Mason to school I loaded the dishwasher and turned it on, folded a load of clothes and started more, made the bed, watered my outside plants, gave Chewy his medicine, fed the dogs and the lizard, spent at least 20 minutes trying to help Mason pick out his clothes and finally had to take 4 Motrin before walking out the door. I was tired and my day had just started. I know that I am not the only one who has mornings like this. I know that some of you do the same things with two or three kids to get ready. Y'all are hero's in my eyes! I really feel like I never get to sit down and do nothing. I know that is my fault because when the opportunity presents itself, I sit and think of things that I should be doing..... so I get up and do them. I end up stressing myself out!

But this morning when I got in my car and dropped my head to the steering wheel to say a quick prayer, a song started to play in my head.... "When He Reached Down His Hand For Me". I was really feeling frustrated and mad and tired and irritable. I really wanted to go back into the house and get back in my bed. But instead, I put in the CD with that song on it and I pushed repeat. Mason and I listened to it all the way to school. I know that God was testing me this morning. The things that I did this morning where no different than any other morning except today the devil was riding on my shoulder. He was whispering in my ear, filling me with anger and ungratefulness. But the minute that God put the words to that song in my head, the "grumpiness" started to lift. He showed me that even when we have something as simple as a bad morning, He will reached down and lift you up again.

Right in my own backyard....

2007-04-26T14:00:00.001-05:00

2007-04-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

For those of you that didn't know, I joined the Youth/Young Adult Choir at church. I have never sang in any choir and have never thought that my voice was a good one. The only person that I have ever sang to is Mason because mommy's always sound pretty, right?

When mom asked me to join the choir, I didn't hesitate. I jumped right into practices and listening none stop to my cd's. But after every practice I feel so frustrated with myself. I don't want to sing loud because someone might actually hear me. I don't want to stand to close to anyone because then someone will definitely hear me. Pretty silly, huh? Yeah, it is!!

We had practice Sunday night and once again, I was feeling less than confident. I was trying to sing quietly because I felt like I was really sounding like a sick cow. But then we started working on a new song. "Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord". I stood there thinking, who am I to not raise my voice and praise God? So I don't sound fabulous. Does that really matter? To God's ears, my praises are precious, no matter how off key they are. So, I plan on listening to my cd's, learning my part and singing to the best of my ability. I plan on praising God through song and allowing Him to use me as a witness. If you happen to be the one who stands beside me at practice..... sorry if I'm off key or mess up. But I'm gonna keep on keepin on and I am gonna PRAISE!!

2007-04-15T14:26:00.001-05:00

A Campin' He Will Go!

2007-04-12T11:24:00.000-05:00

Mason has been invited to go camping this weekend and he is so excited about it. This is his first camping trip. When I asked him if he wanted to go, he asked me a lot of questions. Where would he sleep? Who would be in the tent with him? Where would he brush his teeth and change his clothes? What if someone saw him naked? Would he have bug spray there? Would he have to use the bathroom in the woods and could I please pack some toilet paper just in case. On and on he went with his questions. He finally decided that he definitely wanted to go. He says that he is going to catch every fish in the pond and he also says that he going to try to sneak one home so he can cook it and eat it. He doesn't even like to eat fish. Silly boy!

So, Brett is going out of town Friday and now so is Mason. What am I going to do with myself? At first I thought I would start my spring cleaning..... then when I came to my senses I decide not to! I'm sure that I will find something to do.

Thanks to Jeremiah for inviting Mason to go this weekend. I'm sure that it will be a memorable time for Mason especially if he catches his very first fish. You and McKenzie might have a permanent fishing partner after this.

I Sent Urkel To School...

2007-03-29T09:06:00.000-05:00

Mason has decided that he wants to pick out his own school clothes every night. He picks them out and puts them in a pile on his floor. He thinks that burgundy and red match. He thinks that his jeans shouldn't touch the tops of his shoes... so he rolls his pants up! He also doesn't like long t-shirts. If he is wearing a shirt that he thinks is too long.... he rolls that up, too. You can only imagine how silly he looks but in his mind he is the coolest thing to walk into preschool.

I'm amazed at how independent he has become in the last few months. He rarely takes a bath anymore because he prefers a shower. He washes himself and even dries and dresses himself. I try to help but he refuses to let me. My baby isn't a baby anymore. It makes me sort of sad... He's growing up way too fast!

2007-03-17T06:46:00.000-05:00

From headaches to heartaches to sick family...... Not necessarily in my life but in the lives of people that I love. When my friends or family are hurting, I hurt, too. When someone makes ugly comments about someone that I love, you might as well be making them to me because it makes me feel awful. You got a headache?? Then my head hurts, too. If your sister is sick, then I will pray for her as if she were my sister. I have always been that way. I try to carry burdens with my friends and family. But truly, there is only one person that can carry our burdens. Whether it's a headache or a heartache, He can restore you and if you trust in Him, things will get brighter. The best thing that I can do for friends and family that are hurting is pray for them. I learned that lesson after trying to fix my brother, who is a recovering drug addict. I tried for a long time to make him want to be better. I tried to talk him into it. Do you know what finally worked? I Let Go and Let God!! We can't change anyone but we can pray for them. Pray! Pray! Pray! It changes things!!

2007-03-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

Mason... My Funny Guy

2007-02-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

Mason had a splitter in his arm yesterday. He cried and cried and wouldn't let me touch it. He was really distraught about it and just didn't know what to do to get it out. I told him that I would pull it out. It was bearly even hanging on anyway. During all the tears, he asked me, "Is God making me hurt like this?" I told him no but that unfortunately hurting was a part of life. He told me that he did not like the hurting part of life. I couldn't help but giggle at him but he seemed so grown up.

The other morning Mason woke up and immediately started acting like he was mad at something. Brett asked him if he was mad because a cat had pooped in his mouth while he was sleeping. His breathe was kickin! Mason didn't think that it funny at the time. Yesterday he woke, laid there for a minute and then proceeded to get mad again. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "That same cat pooped in my mouth again!"

Mason Funnies

2007-02-21T15:09:00.001-05:00

Mason fell off the trampoline last week and scratched his nose. It wasn't that bad and he didn't even cry. On Sunday he said, "Mommy, my nose is better! God healed my nose." I asked him how he thought that God healed it. He said, "Mommy, while we were sleeping in bed, God floated down in the backyard and He got my skin off the tree where I scratched it. Then he snuck in a put it back on my nose." Needless to say, I laughed!

On Saturday he fell in the house and hit his ear on the corner of the coffee table. It left an ugly bruise and a small sore. This morning he reached up and felt his ear and said, "Mommy, God hasn't healed my ear yet." Then he said, " I don't know what is taking him so long. I fell right in the living room and that's were my skin is." He cracks me up!!

Last night, I was browsing the internet and Mason was in my lap. The site that I was on had pictures of babies on the screen. Mason reached up and pointed at one and said, "Mommy, put that one in your cart." I told him that those babies were not for sale. He then proceeded to tell me to go to the baby isle.

2007-02-08T12:26:00.000-05:00

We had such a great time in Snowshoe. We were among really terrific people and two great kids. We played in the snow, went sledding and tubing, ate some good food, did a little bit of shopping and a lot of laughing. I have to admit that I played gameboy a lot while I was there.... Yes, I am addicted to Super Mario Brothers.

Anyway, Mason and Will took a ski class on Saturday afternoon. Neither one lasted the entire class. I think that it was a little bit scary because they were among strangers, in the freezing cold, standing on skis. I think that I would be a little frightened myself. Mason did go out skiing with Brett the next day and he did really good. I think that next year he will catch on and be passing Brett on the slopes.

Let me tell you how stinkin cold it was! I really don't think that temperature got out of the 10's while we were there. One night before bed, I put a bottle of water in front of out window and forget about it. When we got up the next day, it was frozen solid and the window wasn't even opened. Now that's cold! When we left Snowshoe, the temperature was -8 degrees. BURRRR!

Mason was so excited when it started to snow on the way to West Virginia. We stopped for gas shortly after the snow started to fall and Mason laid down in the parking lot and did a snow angel. There was hardly any snow sticking at this point so he basically made an asphalt angel. I couldn't help but laugh at him!!

Snowshoe Pictures

2007-02-05T20:24:00.000-05:00

Snowshoe, Here We Come!!!

2007-01-31T10:44:00.000-05:00

We are leaving in the morning to go to Snowshoe, West Virginia. I am really looking forward to the snow but NOT the long ride! Mason woke up this morning in a very happy mood because he knows that today is his last day at school. He has our afternoon all planned out. It includes packing and packing and more packing. We have to take Ripley and Layla to Tia's, water plants, take the trash to the dump and several other things that he listed. Needless to say, we will be very busy this afternoon.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend! Keep us in your prayers for traveling mercies and no injuries on the slopes!!

2007-01-25T09:11:00.000-05:00

Do you believe that there is a God? I have always believed without a single doubt but you know that there are some people that don't believe. Last night was a perfect example of God's presence in my life.

I called Bernie yesterday and ask him if he was going to church because I wanted to ride with him. At that time he said that he wasn't sure but he eventually called back and then picked me up to go. On the way to church we stopped and picked up a friend of Bernie's who is suffering from drug addiction. He is trying desperately to get into a rehab facility but until then he is staying in a run down hotel. We picked him up and off to church we went. We ate dinner really quick and then went into Bible study. It was really great. At the end of the service Bernie stood up and asked for the church to pray for his friend. The Preacher said a prayer for him right then with several men laying their hands in him. It was so moving. God was there for sure!

While we were eating dinner I noticd that Bernie's friend kept getting up and piling more food on his plate. I asked him if he had any food where he was staying. He said no but he was going to eat enough at church to hold him over. It just broke my heart into pieces. But you know what, he said it with a smile knowing that God was going to provide food for him somehow. This guy is a Christian but the devil had gotten a hold on him and dragged him down. He is fighting his way back and doing it with a smile on his face. Needless to say, Bernie and I made sure that he had food by the time that we took him back to his room.

We helped him carrying his things up to his room when we dropped him off. You just can't imagine the filthy place that he is staying at. The ceiling looked like it was going to fall in on us, it smelled so bad and a roach crawled across the bed while we were there. But this was the place the God had allowed him to stay and he was so thankful for it because his other option was the street. Before Bernie and I left his room, we stood in a circle, held hands and Bernie prayed the most amazing prayer that I have ever heard. We closed our eyes and held tight to each other and I realized that it didn't matter what condition the room was in, God is everywhere. He is real and He was in that run down hotel.

Am I The Next American Idol???

2007-01-24T13:01:00.000-05:00

NOT! But I am joining the young adult choir at church. My mom has been inspired to create a new choir and I, for some unknown reason, have agreed to join it. I can not sing worth a lick.... not even in the shower. I have never been in any choir. Mason looks at me funny when I sing anything.... I think that he wants to tell me to stop but he is afraid of hurting my feelings. I am actually looking forward to it and I know that it will bless so many people in our church, including me. So, please pray for our new choir. Lord knows, we all need prayer, especially the people who are going to have to listen to my singing! YIKES! Maybe I can just hum along in the back row??

2007-01-18T20:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Wednesday Ya'll!!

2007-01-17T11:01:00.000-05:00

Burrrrr! It is so cold outside today. I think that the high is 48 degrees. That is cold!! I guess that I better get used to it though since we are going to West Virginia in a few weeks. We have been going every February for 3 years. I am really looking forward to it. I am not much of a skier but I enjoy the snow and just relaxing with a good book. Mason is going to try to learn how to ski this year. We are going to sign him up for Kids World, which is a one day camp for kids. He will probably be flying past his dad on the slopes before we know it. I am really looking forward to going tubing. So fun! This picture was taken two years ago in the Village at Snow Shoe, West Virginia.

2007-01-10T09:58:00.000-05:00

I hope that as you are reading this that you are sitting down because I have some news. I hope that it doesn't sadden you as much as it did me because I was so super depressed over it! As I was getting ready for work this morning, I found...... MY FIRST GRAY HAIR!!!! Oh my goodness! I thought that I was seeing things but I swear it winked at me! I tried to pull it out but that little fella wouldn't budge. I'm sure that this is the first of many.... after all, I am almost 33 years old. So, today I am a little bit sad. I have colored my hair for a long time because I don't really like my natural color but now I have to color it because I found a gray hair. I am sure that there are more that I can't see... what a big, fat, gray haired bummer!!

A Tribute to My PaPa

2007-01-09T14:35:00.001-05:00

One year ago today, my grandfather passed away. It was by far the saddest day of my life. His was my first up close experience with death and it was so hard. My PaPa was one of a kind. I am positive that there is not another man like him in this world. I remember when I was little, I'd sit on MaMa and PaPa's couch and wait for him to get home from work. I loved to hear him whistle in the mornings or make up silly songs about odd things. He used to call me Lori the Horse. He'd called all of us turd head tappin's. I have no idea where he got these funny names from or where he came up with all the crazy jokes. He could tell you war stories and describe things as if they happened yesterday. He was a very smart man and a lot of times he had an attitude about one thing or another. But that is what made him PaPa.

Nickiehoakiemombo was one of his favorite phrases. What does it mean? I have no idea but I say it to Mason all the time. We would always reply with "banana split". So, Nickiehoakiemombo to everyone who reads this tribute! PaPa's legend lives on!

2007-01-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

Mason has been sleeping in our bed since he was about 2 years old. The older that he gets, the bigger he gets, the more crowded our queen size bed has become. I told him that it was time that he sleep in his own bed. I swear that he woke up 10 times during the night. Needless to say, I was so tired the next day. Then Sandy gave me an idea. She said that Noah used to sleep on an inflatable sleeping bag on the floor in her room. I talked to Mason about it and he was so excited. I made him a cot on the floor beside our bed and he has been sleeping there for a few days. He sleeps all night without a peep! Praise the Lord for small miracles!

So, I ordered him an inflatable sleeping bag because I felt bad that he was sleeping on the hard floor. It came in yesterday so he was really excited about trying it out. He laid down and went right to sleep until...... I woke to his screaming at about 1:15 am. He had managed to get his upper body wedged under our bed. So his legs were on the mat but his head was under the bed and he was stuck like that. I had to pull the mat from under his legs and then pull him from under the bed. He was hysterical. I put him in our bed for the rest of the night. He woke up this morning so angry that he wasn't on his mat. He didn't remember what had happened during the night. Tonight we will be moving the mat away from the edge of the bed.... poor little fella!