Having fun with the camera.........

Happy Birthday to my lovin' JOC 2 of 3!

Grandparents call to sing "Happy Birthday".....always delights! See the sparkle in his eyes!


Much anticipated Auburn mug of his own....Orange and Blue all the way, Baby!



Tebow has many just a little conflicted...at least we can still say "Orange and Blue all the way, Baby!" (B-day cake...I am slippin'. no pic before it got cut!) We were eager to eat cake!



Happy times celebrating with best bud and pizza...nothing like the laughter of kids! They were being entertained by our most hilarious 3 yr old...MLC 3rd of 3!


Just one perk of a December b-day...it gets to last all month. His class party...we had 12 boys, one Dad (ie official), and 1 girl....a fun day...

a month later...after Christmas and New Years.....











contemplating the wish....


His expression after reading a card signed....."your girlfriend"



Love the tenderness here b/t brothers....

Delayed Gratification

Three years ago we decided to enjoy our hometown Day Lily festival garden tour. At the beginning of the tour, the "man clan" seemed to exude an attitude of "we will endure this as our duty to mom...."


The last garden of of the day I encountered some charming older ladies. We talked for a long time. While I was gleaning Day Lily wisdom, the "man clan" settled into the garden. EJC found a veranda and settled in a swing with our 1 month old MLC. Both boys decided to start reading the names of the various Day Lilies. They became intrigued. EDC found one named "Spiderman". A beautiful choice, I might add!


JOC found one that caught his attention...it's name was "World Class Oddity". It was not in bloom, he chose it only for the name. EJC and I were rather humored by the latter selection. Those that know JOC would understand. Not to say that he is an odd fellow, but he has alway had such a unique way about him...an independance and free spirit unlike any one else in the house. The Day Lily fit him. That day we were able to buy Spiderman, but the World Class Oddity would not be for sale until the following year. We were not able to talk him into making another selection for that day...he would wait.

Every time we passed that Day Lily garden for the next 12 months I got an eager reminder regarding that "World Class Oddity". Last year the Day Lily Festival was during our church's annual Bible Conference, so we were not able to leisurely stroll through the gardens as we had the previous year, however, we did go get that "World Class Oddity". He had finally gotten his own Day Lily. He has checked on it rather frequently for the past year. After it was first planted in our garden, he was rather concerned because it looked rather pitiful. I explained to him that the plant's energy was establishing the root system so that it would be strong for the coming year.

Well, yesterday all the waiting and watering paid off in a spectacular way!

Proof....

Ok, for all of you moms of girls....here is proof that this man clan is being trained for manhood.....


a great, helpful husband in the making!

He also loves to fish!



We are still working on spelling! This one is a keeper!

Almost too late!

My JOC 2of3 lost his two front teeth in the same day...I think it was Easter weekend. I did not get a good close up pic until today...time marches on and the days are oh, so, busy....

This morning as I was lovin' on my most affectionate JOC...I saw that his permanent teeth are making their way in! I had him run get the camera. Why do they have to grow up so very quickly?

My EDC 1of3 lost his front teeth after his permenent teeth had already come in behind them.. He had real orthodontic issues....thank God for Orthodontists! I do not recall the cute toothless grin on him that I am loving in JOC! I want that to last just a little longer... My goal is to make him smile and laugh more in the coming days so I can enjoy that toothless grin as much as possible!

7 years of JOC

Happy Birthday my dear, JOC! You have been named by others "Action J...tion"....moving fast since the day you were born. You are so full of energy! Your enthusiasm for life is contagious. You are passionate about all that you love. You love school, fishing, sports, and your Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am amazed how much you know about football and fishing in 7 years of life! I have been trying to learn football for the past 13 years and still don't fully get it and you talk circles around me! Oh, and my cast still is pitiful...thanks for still considering me a "keeper".






Since you have been a part of this family there has never been a shortage of hugs and affection.
You love people and people love you! The love you give and receive has taught others to love!
























Most noteworthy of this, your 7th year, has been the work of grace in your heart and the transformation occurring in your life. We are still rejoicing with you! God bless you, my son, as you become the man God is shaping you to be!

Love always, Mom

Back Home Again

Saturday evening we arrived home from a very wonderful week of Bible camp in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
The Lord's blessing during the week of camp are innumerable. He gave us safety in our travels. The children were exceptionally good, even though they slept very little. He gave MLC and I wonderful roommates. We enjoyed such sweet fellowship! It was truly a pleasure getting to know each of them. The Lord touched hearts. EDC and JOC had a very memorable week as well.

Our already wonderful week was capped off with a monumental and life altering work of grace in JOC's heart! Friday evening after the worship service all had returned to their rooms to prepare to go to bed. EDC came to my room, hugged my neck and told me that JOC had been sobbing in his bed and that his dorm counselor had taken up to Pastor Dale's cabin. EDC announced, " I think JOC is about to be saved." EDC and I prayed together and asked the Lord to continue the work in JOC's heart. I then went outside to call my EJC. While he was still on the phone, JOC returned from talking with Pastor Dale. Between sobs, he relayed to his daddy, "I have the Christ in my heart." We then went inside and prayed together, cried together, and sang our special hymn "My Jesus I Love Thee" with more meaning than it ever had before. JOC then said that he wanted to go up and tell his friends what God had done for him. After a short while, JOC returned and still between sobs he went on to tell me that "My heart has hurt for 2 days.
Jesus has done a miracle in my heart. He took my sins away." His big blue eyes looked straight at me and as seriously he confessed to me that he had taken 2 quarters from my van and gotten a bottled water." I assured him that God had forgiven him of that as well....while I was glad to know that he had gotten water instead of coke.

The change in his spirit is so evident. He has passed the weekend singing "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away....it was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.

We thank the Lord for His blessings!