prayer

the strength of prayer is greater than anything else, we all know that. Right now a family friend is having a hard time with chemo and could really use your prayers. He has 3 young children along with some grown children and a very loving wife who could also use the strength of prayer right now.
on another note. prayers have been answered in our house lately. Torie is doing well, not as sick as often as she was last year. She is doing well in daycare too. She is talking almost non-stop about her birthday party next month. She keeps saying she wants a birthday hat with her name on it, and for everyone to sign happy birthday Victoria. lol. Summer vacation only has about 6 weeks left, then preschool starts. I know we will love being in the big kids class and seeing her teachers again. It looks like we have lots of changes coming!

29 years later....

and a 6th Degree Black Belt looks like this.

see all the white? that shows all the work that has been done since earning this Black Belt. Kinda odd how you start as a white belt wanting your Black Belt...but then when you earn your Black Belt, you want it to turn white like this!

Yes, Paul earned his 6th Degree Black Belt on June 17, 2010. He has totally earned this promotion. Pictured are Gary Steele, Paul and Mr Bill Taylor. Mr. Taylor came in from Murfreesboro to help do Paul's belt exam. Mr Taylor's schools are strictly traditional, so he gave Paul a great work out during the traditional karate portion of his exam!! I am very proud of Paul for all of his hard work and training.

determination

Determination at it's best! That is my nephew during is game last week. and in case you cannot read the caption, it says he won the race. Great job Alex!!
On the other side of determination is his big sister Kali who finished her school year with As for the entire year!!
Such great kids they are!!
Good Job to both of you!!

where has time gone?

Time has been going fast around here. I hit my 12 year mark of training martial arts. It has been a long journey filled with tons of hard work, lots of sweat, tears, some blood and a couple of broken bones...and a Fourth degree Black Belt. It is something that I use in my daily life, it's something that I know can use defend myself or others at any time, it's something that I can help others do and use as well.

I got my second call from preschool saying Torie hurt herself. This time, she was standing on the slide and fell off-head first into the mulch. Her poor face was scrapped and I really thought she was going to have a black eye. I felt bad that she scared her teachers. Luckily, Aunt Kim picked her for me and kept a close eye on her until I got off work.

She was not happy that I took her picture. She even told me to throw it away!

Torie also made it through her first year of preschool. She loved her teachers and we enjoyed her end of the year party at Rock Island. I wished I had taken my camera but I wasn't thinking too well!

At the beginning of the month I took some pics of Kacie and her boyfriend Sean. He is leaving soon for the National Guard, and we wish him all the best!!

On the other side of the pictures was the rising river. It was flooding in Nashville that weekend, and our river was quickly rising as well.

Needless to say, we didn't spend too much time on the greenway.

11 years!!

Can you guess what happened 11 years ago today?? I'll post pictures this weekend, but I will give you a hint-It's been one of the best journey's of my life!!! Let me know what you think!

april brings..

April showers bring May flowers! I love seeing all the blooming flowers, and new spring life!! Torie also loves the flowers, and enjoys blowing all the dandelions. she also enjoys picking random flowers when we walk around the block. I just haven't the heart to explain we don't put dandelions and other various weeds in the vase. she is too sweet. Mother's Day is coming soon-have you made plans for your mom yet? I already know what I am giving my mother, something I know she can and will enjoy!! I hope everyone enjoys the weekend. I am very much looking forward to the photoshoot I have planned.

it's almost over...

The school year is almost over!! I am excited to know that Torie has done well at school, but kinda sad at the same time. Sometimes I wish I was a school teacher so I could spend the summer with her... I feel like I am missing so much right now, and it is really getting to me. Do all working parents feel this way? Anyone have any ideas how I could stay at home and still pay bills? LOL. ugh, if only we could sell the other house. well, I would be a step closer anyway!