College and Career Christmas Party

Tonight we had the College and Career Sunday School Class Christmas Party! April and Brandon opened their home to the class for the party! We had a pot luck supper and it was excellent! After the meal we watched part of the "The Christmas Story" movie and had devotion time. This movie is great. It helps to get us in the Christmas spirit and celebrating the real Reason for the Season. Josh and I try to watch this each year during Christmas, and wanted to share it with the class! And we couldn't forget about our favorite Army gal who is spending her Christmas in Afghanistan. We took this picture and putting it in the package we are sending her soon. Karen, We love you and Miss you! Thank you for serving our country! Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon!

~"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14~

The Drummer Girl

Today was busy day for us, but we enjoyed every minute of it! This morning, Josh and I were in our choir Christmas cantata, "Down From His Glory." (which I didn't get any pictures of) Josh has been the narrator for the past few years and does a great job. He was also in a trio this year, and it was so good. The whole cantata was beautiful! And thanks to Bill, our music director who puts this together every year and does a great job. I look forward to being in this every year. It really gets me into the Christmas spirit and focusing on the Reason for the Season! Our prayer was the He was glorified through our singing! Tonight, I went to the choir/children's musical at Reidville First Baptist. Gracie was the Little Drummer Girl, Missy was the choir director, Patti was in the choir and Wick was the narrator. (Now I know where Josh gets his good narration voice from....his Dad!)
The musical was great! Everyone did a good job and I really enjoyed it! And that was one cute little Drummer Girl!!
~"Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum, A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum.."~

Party Time

This afternoon, we celebrated Kylie Grace's 7th Birthday Party!! It's hard to believe that she is 7 years old! She had an awesome party with lots of family and friends to help her celebrate! This Princess was ready to party!!
I love this sweet picture of Gracie and her Mama!

Josh and I with our sweet niece!

Gracie with her Nana and Poppy!

Nanny Tuck and Gracie

Poppy getting sweet kisses!

Maddi and Gracie

This girl loves "The Lion King"

Getting a little help blowing out the candles from Zach and her Mom!

Haha..this one cracks me up! It looks like she is saying..."I know I'm a princess..." And yes you are sweet girl! Too cute!

Gracie and her Pa Knight

Time to open some presents...and she got lots of them!

"Can I open now??"

And she loves books too!

This is the book that Chloe, Nick and Puck(from Heaven) got for her :) It's called "If you Give a Dog a Donut." There are some of her favorite pictures with them taped in the book. She is truly an animal lover, especially dogs! And they love her. Puck adored her. They would play fetch for hours if you would've let them!

Another one of my favs! Two of my favorite gals!

Pa Knight, Gracie, and Simba, of course!

Gracie and Jennifer! "Thank you Jennifer for helping me with all my presents!"

Nanny Tuck and Gracie

Love it!!!

Me and my sweet girl!! Happy Birthday Kylie Grace! We love you so much and so proud of YOU! We look forward to seeing how God is going to continue to use you for His Glory!!

~Jesus Love the Little Children, All the Children of the World, Red and Yellow, Black and White, They are Precious in His sight, Jesus Love the little Children of the World~

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

A Collection of Precious Memories of "Our Sweet Girl!"

These are pictures of her taken over the last few years and of her, during her cord blood transfusion. Last April (2010), Kylie Grace, her Mom and Dad, and a lot of us family headed up to Duke Medical University. There, Gracie received a transfusion of her cord blood, that her Nana and Poppy had been banking for her since her birth (this whole process is a miracle in itself). This, along with other therapies and surgeries, is going to get her that much closer to walking all by herself! Kylie Grace is one amazing child. Her smile and laughter is contagious. She brings light and joy to everyone she meets. We feel so blessed to have her in our lives!!
Happy 7th Birthday Gracie!
Uncle Josh and Aunt Brandie Love YOU more than you'll ever know!
You keep shining sweet girl!!
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7

Forever By Your Side

"I have found the one whom my heart loves."-Song of Solomon 3:4

Marriage is truly a wonderful thing. A beautiful unity, that God created. And as wonderful as it is, it is not always easy. It is something, like a clay pot, that needs to be molded, worked on and from time to time, even re-shaped.
Josh and I dated in highschool and all through college. I knew early on that he was the man that God chose for me, and that I wanted to grow old with him. On December 2, 2006, 5 years ago today, Josh and I were married. We had a beautiful, fairy-tale wedding that was all my dreams come true. Our first 5 years of marriage have been nothing short of incredible. We have come through so much in such a short time. We have grown and matured, just as our relationship has. And just like the old clay pot on that potter's wheel, we have had to give our marriage to the Lord to be molded and re-shapep many, many times, to be in His image. I've never shared "our story" before, but I'm feeling led to today. I think a lot of people think we have the perfect marriage, that comes so easy and painless. And that is not the case. And though I do think we have an amazing marriage, that has not come easy and pain free. And to this day we have to work hard, together, while giving it all to the Lord, and that is what makes it all so amazing.

This is "Our Story." (I wrote it and sent it in to His Radio during their Love Dare Challenges.)

~February 2009: I never in a million years would have guessed that God would use such a small challenge in such a powerful way. My husband and I, after only being married just a little over 2 years hit a very difficult time in our short marriage. At the age of 25, I never thought I would be saying the words separation and divorce, but I was. My husband had decided that he no longer wanted to be with me. He was hurt, tired and worn down. This hit me like a brick. I didn't see it coming, and it left me feeling desperate, lonely and broken.

So I set off to try and resolve this big problem that we were facing, thinking that I just needed to stay in "control." I bought us books and we even went to Christian marriage counseling, but nothing, at the time seemed to be working, and despite all efforts, he still wanted out. Finally, my last effort to save our marriage was the Love Dare. I started it with a very heavy heart and a crushed spirit. I was devastated that this was happening to us and I couldn't believe that God was allowing it. Completing the dares and all the aspects that the dares entailed was a very difficult task when I wasn't getting anything back.

But then, I got the Dare about unconditional Love and my outlook changed. After reading that, I wanted to love my husband with "God's kind of Love"...Agape love, which is unconditional. And I set out to do just that. God showed me through that one Dare, and through many others along the way, that love is not determined by the one being loved, but rather by the one Choosing love. And the only way that love can last a lifetime is if it's unconditional. While on this journey, God showed me that I wasn't giving all of myself to Him and wasn't giving Him my very Best. I know that so many times I was leaving Him feeling broken and lonely, just as I was feeling. I wasn't letting Him take full control of my life and my marriage. He had to teach me that He loves us, not because we deserve it, but because He chooses to love us. He is the designer and maker of Agape Love. "We love, because He first loved us" which is laid out for us in 1 John 4:19.

Through all of this, I feel that His ultimate goal was to bring myself and my husband closer to Him, and that He did. My new life verse became "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding..in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 About two weeks ago, in the midst of continuing my Love Dare Challenges, my husband came home and as soon as I saw him, I knew that God had answered my prayers. He was a changed man of God. My miracle had arrived and God had mended my broken marriage. Josh told me that God had spoken to him in a mighty way and he knew that first and foremost, he wasn't where he needed to be with the Lord. He knew that he had a lot of work to do strengthening his relationship with Him. And secondly, he knew that I was the one that God had sent for him. And that he was ready to love me as God intended. Wow, I had been waiting to hear those words for what seemed like for ever! God is so good, and His grace and mercy is sufficient.

I know that we are not completely out of the woods, and we will have to work at our marriage for the rest of our lives, but I truly feel like we have put God back where he belongs, in the center of our lives and ,and in full control. I couldn't be more thankful to God for what all He has done and for the miracle he has performed in our lives! ~ And to Josh, my husband, my very best friend, let me remind you of the words I wrote nearly 3 years ago, that still ring true today. I thank you for the man you are. I thank you for being submissive to God's work in your life! I thank God for you everyday and for the joy you bring to my life! Know that your are my treasure, my priceless gift. I pray that we continue building our marriage on the firm foundation of the Lord and fill it with the Love of Christ...Agape Love. Let us never forget that we must always lead our hearts, choose to Love and give God full control! To God Be the Glory! Happy 5 Year Anniversary Babe! Always and Forever, I love YOU!!

"Forever by your side, wherever life may take us, whatever road we climb.....As long as we're together, All my dreams are satisfied and I'll be happy, Forever by your side...." Forever by Your Side-Eric and Leslie Ludy (an amazing song that was played in our wedding)

Thanksgiving at Papa and Grandma's

With two family Thanksgivings on Thursday, it was time to head to Gma and Papa's for Thanksgiving supper Friday night! I was really looking forward to this time. My Dad, brother, and myself arrived early on Friday to spend some extra time with Papa and Gma. I also helped Gma in the kitchen and we did a little cooking together. We made her famous crock pot mac and cheese, corn, a Paula Deen spiral ham and pineapple casserole. We had a lot of fun together.This Thanksgiving was a lot different from all of the others. Normally, Gma does pretty much all of the cooking and we just show up (maybe bringing a dessert or something small). But this year, with Gma's cancer and being sick, she didn't need to be doing all that cooking nor did she feel up to it. So the grandkids really stepped up. We pretty much cooked and brought all of the food.
I cooked the ham at Gma's and Derek and Julie brought this amazing deep fried turkey. John, from their church cooked it, and it was so good! Here is everyone trying to carve that big bird.
My sweet Papa and Grandma! I'm so thankful for them, their love and for the Godly examples they always set for us! I'm also thankful that, even though these have been some very difficult times, Grandma has pushed hard to fight this cancer and improving day by day! And Papa, you have been amazing (as always) through it all. You continue to stick by Grandma, care for her and be the faithful husband that called has called you to be! I love you both so very much!

Papa, Me, Grandma and Shane

Thought this pictures was so cute! My Dad and Papa playing with Caroline!

Papa and Grandma with their two boys: Donnie (my dad) and Danny (my uncle)

"Sweet Caroline"

Katie and Dustin

Grandma with Caroline and her mama, Julie

The guys...and one big knife :)

Love it! Papa and Grandma with Caroline

Me with my handsome husband and my precious grandparents

Our big happy Family!

This Thanksgiving was a lot different, but it was a great one! It's amazing what a difference a year can make. I'm thankful for life, especially my Gma's this year, and I cherished every moment of our time together...as a family!

~"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name" Psalm 100:4~

Thanksgiving Day at Mom's

After Thanksgiving at Nanny's, I came back to Mom's house for supper. Josh was still sleeping but was able to get up in time to join the festivities before heading off to work. We had lots of good food and a great time with the whole family! We treasure these times together and love each one of you! My Mom and I started a new tradition this year that I hope we continue. Wed night, we cooked and baked together till close to midnight. We cooked all kinds of things including: pumpkin-carmel monkey bread...my oh my it was umm umm good :) and my new "trademark recipe" a Pumpkin Roll! By trademark I mean something that I'm known to make and make good :) We will see how that goes! But my Mom and I had a great time in the kitchen together. I'm so thankful for her, and the love and encouragement that she gives all year through. Love you Mom!
My brother Shane, my Mom and Me! Shane currently lives in Charleston. I don't get to see him as much as I would like too, so I am super thankful for the time we do get to spend together.
My Mom and Shane

Greg stopping for quick pic before the festivities begin.

Addi and Bella

Tom and Sam

Vickie and her sweet Grandbabies!

Deanna and Ron

Olivia and Me

Brother and Sister: My Uncle Steve and my mom, Donna

Jonathan and Lori

From Josh, Brandie and Chloe, We want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

~"Always be joyful, never stop praying and be Thankful in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18~