The Gianormous Puzzle Project

I am a part of a huge God-sized project that has so many bits and pieces to it...its kind of like a really big puzzle. We are working to put the right pieces together and are finding that each piece is being provided at the perfect time. (of course!) Its actually really cool seeing how everything is falling into place. (I know this post seems so vague...sorry!) So to sum it up without writing a long story, we are trying to provide a new home for a family who very much deserves it.

Do you want to know how you can help?

1. Pray - For those of you who read my blog, you know that I don't get too serious or ask for prayer requests, but this is a gianormous request that God will keep on blessing this project and help pick up the momentum. Philippians 4:6

2. Resources - We need donations of labor, materials and money (especially the money!) Deuteronomy 15:7 - 11

3. Encouragement - We need to keep our "it will be done" attitude throughout this project. The little engine that could kept saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...." well, I really think we can do this! Joshua 1:9

Want to know more about this project? Just let me know and I'll be happy to share more with you. I will try to post updates on the project as we continue on...so keep watching.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19 - 20

Kids - crackers, crawlin' & cars a flyin'

Here are a few pictures from the last week or so.
I tried to capture a great photo of Cody with Grandad under the umbrella, but this is as good as it gets.
Here is Cody checking in on Abby at the nursery at church. I am so thankful that we have a place that they both love so much!

Cody was enjoying a snack while watching TV. I've heard of the Cookie Monster....I guess that makes Cody the Cracker Monster!


Abby was a sitting up like a big girl and I just had to take a picture. She still hasn't learned to smile when I point the camera at her, so I get weird expressions like this one.




It's official...Abby is starting to crawl! I attempted to capture it on camera, but like Big Foot, UFOs and the Lochness Monster, it just comes and goes so quickly sometimes that you just get a glimmer of evidence. So, here you go...

Here is a great example of how creative Cody is with his toys. He was given this great race track for his birthday. He learned that he could take off the track pieces and just use the battery-powered "pusher" to make the cars shoot out like rockets. He loves it! (The cat doesn't)

Learning how to read (and share)

Here is a precious moment we caught of our little babies growing up.

Cody is reading his Brown Bear book and Abby wants to see it.

Eventually, Cody didn't want to share his book, so he got Abby her own book to read.

But that wasn't as much fun...big brother's book is always better!

Bow Baby

Abby's first tooth arrived!

Abby has her first tooth poking through the gum....so that officially puts her at the West Virginia "tooth standard" - one whole tooth! That's why they call it a "tooth brush" and not a "teeth brush"....because in WV they only have one tooth in their mouth. (Just kidding!)

I just realized that you can't say the word "tooth" unless you have teeth....try it. (Sorry for any of you toothless people out there trying to say it and are just spitting everywhere.)

Now its time to buy another toothbrush, go to the dentist, monitor the candy intake, pray for no cavities or braces needed...and that's just for me! : )

A new look

I have been wanting to do something different with the look of the blog...so I have updated the template. Its still not quite right yet, so don't be surprised if I try out a few "looks" over the next week or so. Any suggestions?

An afternoon at the Aquarium

Saturday, we loaded up the kids and went to the Aquarium. As soon as we walked into the building, Cody yells, "WOW!" and everybody turned and looked. He then started pointing at the big tank ahead saying, "Fish! Fish! Fish!" I just looked at those folks who were watching us and said "First timer." Although we had actually taken Cody to the Aquarium about a year ago when he was just learning to walk and he was more interested in escaping from us than looking at anything. Here is a view of the Charleston Harbor from the Aquarium:

The kids started out in the double stroller, but after we got inside, Cody wanted to walk, run and sometimes be held....anything but sit down in a seat. Here is sweet Abby hanging out in the back seat taking it all in.

Because Abby was in the stroller, I had to take the elevator while Clay & Cody went up the escalator. By the time I made it to them, Cody was crying and had a mouth full of blood! Clay said that he had busted his lip on the playground....it was pretty gross. Other mommies were huddled around trying to see what was wrong and Clay had a baby wipe trying to clean up the carnage. (it wasn't too bad, but it was more than he's ever bled before!) Finally Cody gave me a hug and then stopped crying...he turned and ran right back to the slide. He's tough.

The rest of the visit was fun. Cody was in amazement of everything. (I love this age!) Every corner started with this phrase, " What's that?" And of course more expressive yells of "Fish! Fish! Fish!" were to be heard as we saw the great big tank that had the sharks in it. He saw a hawk, a crab and some other little things like frogs, salamanders and such.

Here is a picture of Cody with all of his new animal friends. : )

From Toes to Tourists

What a great day! I enjoyed the first part of today with my friend Amber and we had mani-pedi's and then had lunch on Shem Creek. It was great!


Then, I met up with my new friend Lauren and showed her around downtown Charleston. She had never seen the sweet grass basket ladies up close. The tiniest little baskets were $10 bucks each and one really big basket was $750.00! (We didn't buy any if you are wondering!)


Seeing all of the beautiful sights made me realize that I need to go downtown more often. We went all over and took some cool photos. Here are some pictures from the rooftop over Grill 225 and the Rooftop at Vendue Inn.



We then went to Waterfront Park and walked out to the end of the pier. We saw a cargo ship coming into the harbor and got a good shot of a seagull and lots of poop!



Here is one of Lauren at the fountain...she wouldn't run through the water though.


The Southeastern Wildlife Expo is going on this weekend, so we got a chance to see some cool animals in Marion Square....











...the alligator ate Lauren at the end....so sad!