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

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!!

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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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!!

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.

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

"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

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

The Hula Hoop Champion

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!!

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My Little Artist

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!!

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!

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!

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.