So I finally decided to update

even though most of you have already heard from me. We evacuated to Tyler to stay with Kel and Matt.  (Bless their hearts, they want Hurricane season to be over as much as we do!)  The 5 cousins had a ball but we decided to take advantage of the time off and make a trip to Arkansas.  The kids and I came on Monday. We still lack electricity at our house in Beaumont, not to mention the water is crummy. It is improving everyday but since the kids do not have school, there is no reason for me to be there this week.  We just had a tad bit of damage at our house, a fist sized hole in the roof that has not leaked.   Craig already patched it and it will be fine. However, Craig's office was hit by a tornado so he has a mess there. He is still in Tyler so he can be closer to home.  

I do not really understand the destruction of Craig's office and all his hard work for others but I am not God and I know He can be glorified through this situation.  He does work all things together for good for those who love Him.

To add to the drama, when we got here Will fell off Auntie A's play set outside. After an hour of crying, I took him to the ER, he broke his collarbone. Yes, I am such a good mother. Actually, A's play set is a mini-version (maybe 4 ft. off the ground.) Mine is much larger at my house and my sister-in-law's in Tyler is even bigger than mine. He has continuously played on all of them, he is such a climber.   Anyway, so he is a bit fussy.

Want to know something funny? 2 1/2 years ago we were here Memorial Weekend, staying at a river house, we noticed Claire's shoulder looked funny while I was bathing her. Guess what? She had a broken collarbone. After many dr appts., we learned she was born with it broke, it never healed. Thankfully, Will's is not like that, it is a regular fracture that should heal. So, yes, we have collarbone issues.

Mom and I took the kids to the farm on Tuesday and Wednesday, they loved feeding and riding the horses.  I am enjoying seeing my family and not having to rush to do everything.  I am going to bible study tonight with Mere & Adrienne, Lord knows I need it!  

Anyway, I know all 2.5 of you were just dying for that update. Below, I post a pic of what used to be my in-laws beach house (yellow circle).  We will miss it dearly, such wonderful memories. However, we know now why God asks us to build our house on the rock, only Him, not anything else.  I know there are many people in horrible situations at this moment, prayer needs to be the most important thing we do, many need lifting up.  I pray Jesus does not tarry long.  

Last time I checked

this was a family blog, not a weather blog. Just got a mandatory evacuation. See ya.

Take a hike, IKE!

StucK on MiMi!

Faith got a b-day card from my mom & Will confiscated the stickers.

He wanted Mimi to know he was"stuck on her" b/c it is her birthday today. :) Claire is stuck on Mimi too! We all are! (even Dad, he just hates having his pic taken, it pains him.) We thank God for your loving, generous and thoughtful nature. We are grateful for your merciful spirit and willingness to lend a listening ear. Most of all, we are thankful God made you or there would be no us, or 5 grandchildren! Happy Birthday Mom, we love you.

" . . .I have come that they may have life, and life abundantly." John 10:10

Who would have thought

this precious little girl would grow up so fast? My darling Faith Rebekah is 7 today! Seven, seven, seven, I cannot believe she is 7. As I teacher, I always thought 7 was too big, I liked little ones. Now, I have changed my mind. She will always be my baby.


Even when she wishes to carry her own style. Thankfully, at this point, she is reasonable..

Here are some pics of Faith's swimming party. I am afraid to say that I usually pride myself on an "oh so fabulous" cake but this year, my seven year old wanted cupcakes. Apparently, I have failed, she has never, ever liked cake. Who knew?

Mr. Cutie had a ball but went home early with Ma & Pa.
Who knew Claire would dive right in, not scared at all, swam all over the pool, EVERYWHERE! To me this was almost more amazing than Faith turning 7.Opening gifts at home.

And of course, what little girl does not enjoy a pedi with Mommy?

I love you sweet girl . Remember the song Mommy always sings to you.

Hold to Jesus, He'll hold onto to you.

why I use Tide

the boy's shirt will never stay clean! we took this pic for my mom to send in her b-day card.

much to her dismay, claire realized she goes to school everyday not every other day! i took this quick pic this morning.

1st day at Trinity

The cutest pic would have been Will walking in , backpack in tow and waving bye to me! He did not even shed a tear and I really did not know what to do, they were both simply precious. Claire said it was fun and she gets to bring home Freddy the Frog, no more info out of her. I think she was tired. Will's teacher said he kept looking at all the crying toddlers and just ignored them. Funny, he used to be one and now he is big! :)

hurricane party

hurricane - i will evacuate constantly if they do not hit us, really, a hit is a pain. we were out of our city for 3 full weeks last time, our own home over 3 months and we only had medium damage. medium as in over $30, 000. i am trying to look at it that way due to hurricane i, j & k in the future. btw, i kept the boxes packed, all but clothes.



actually, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in bullard, texas. kel & i tubed at the lake behind the jet ski. and so did faith & her 2nd cousin shannon. he & reagan, his sister have grown up so much. i can no longer think of him as the little boy who took flying leaps over the train of my wedding gown or the little girl who was a flower girl. i am so sorry the camera missed the
lake trip.


this is butter, one of the many dogs at the morris home. will loves her, she is sweet. her baby is honey and she is bigger than her mama.

reagan & shannon led worship on sunday morning, nothing like singing praise to Jesus in your pjs, drinking coffee. we loved it. so did luke, he wanted the gee-tar.



luke was also very patient with will, who confiscated his cars & monster trucks each moment.
One day, we went to the park. These 2 = 2 peas in a pod. Their favorite adventure was burying each other in the dog pit. yes, dog pit.Lila is a doll. Will lovingly calls her "Li-Li" (long i). I wish I had a pic of how sweet they were together.


We had a little party for Faith since the morris clan will not be with us this w/end.


speaking of party planning - faith's b-day party is saturday. i just figured out cake, have yet to do pizza and i am way behind. why i did not work on it while i was in tyler i will never know. i guess i was having too much fun tubing & watching FOX. man, i wanted to watch anything when we got home but the media. and, i don't even watch much tv.

tomorrow - will & claire start school. actually, will is just mdo but claire is in pre-k. she is so excited. i knew her teacher (mrs. rowe on the left) at cathedral and i taught her daughter too. small world huh? she is so sweet & claire is really excited. i took this pic last week at "meet the teacher."

gotta go, watching the rnc, fox to be exact. :)