Up & Going Again!

After 1 1/2 years we have finally gotten enough time to stop and change passwords and sign in again to our account! Hopefully we'll be up and bloggin soon!

A Season for Everything!

Wow, it's already March...the buffalo nates are out, flowers are blooming, the smell of fresh plowed soil is in the air, and Easter (Resurrection Day) is on its way. So much has happened in the past few months. We celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jada became an official citizen of the state, we celebrated Great Grandma Winston turning 90, and we said goodbye to a sweet and loving mom and Grandma of 59 years. There is a season for everything! "He has made everything appropriate in its time....I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor- it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him." (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14). There is such hope in the fact that the God of creation is in control, and this same God-the God of my Salvation, is involved in every aspect of my life. Praise God!!!!

On a much lighter note the kids are into everything...they get into dresser drawers (top ones) and sit while playing with clothes, they get into the bathtub (with their clothes on), they pull anything and everything off of kitchen cabinets, and the list goes on. Ian is now talking (despite his sisters constant "noise")and he loves ice cream with dad. Jada is in "big girl panies" and she likes to play dress up. They are such a joy!

We are in the process of remodeling and moving into Grandpa Web's house. We should be in sometime in the next month...hopefully before the new Hillman makes his entrance. Eli's due date is May 3, but most likely I'll be induced at the end of April since Ian came so quickly. I really don't want to go into labor 1 1/2 hours away from my doctor. We'll see what happens.

We look forward to God's plans for us in the future -future "seasons", and we pray our simple lives will bring Him glory.We thank God for His goodness, His comfort, and His promise to never leave us or forsake us!

Over the past 2 months Jada has turned two, and we can officially say that she has entered the terrible two's- although she's been there for a few months already:) Ian has learned to find those things that bring Jada joy, present them to her, and then run in the opposite direction laughing has hard as he can. It's really quite fun to watch.

We had an opportunity to go to the Memphis Zoo and both kids loved the animals. Ian referred to the lions and tigers as "cats"- they're his favorite! Jada liked the pandas and the giraffes.

We had our annual Fall Festival on the 31st of October. Jada was a ballerina and Ian wore a Arkansas Razorback jersey. Their favorite thing was jumping on the air-up toys. They did this with their cousin Sawyer for 2 hours straight!

We look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas! It's so fun teaching them about the holidays and why we celebrate. We pray God's joy and peace are real to you as we approach these special days. Even though some have sad memories during these days, there is such comfort in being reminded that our God is still in control!

Simple Joys!

While it's been a very busy month, it was one filled with many joys! Ian got his first hair cut, Jada started dance (ballet & tap), Jada is potty-training, Brian & Janet have been able to spend time with their neice and nephew (and us!), a new cousin -Gentry Madison, fresh corn, okra, & tomatoes, and many more simple joys- Thanks God! Hope you enjoy these pics!

Pictures

Memories

We've had an eventful summer, as I'm sure most people with toddlers do. In June we found out that Jada (our little Lebanese beauty) is allergic to mosquito's!!!!! And as you know, we live in mosquito land. Due to an infection on her calf we were admitted into Children's Hospital for 24 hours of antibiotics by i.v. That was crazy to say the least. Jada survived her cage of a bed, and now we just make sure to spray her with bug spray any time we leave the house.
Ian has changed so much over the past 6 weeks. About 3 or 4 weeks ago he decided to walk, and then 2 weeks ago he decided "no more baby food"(Yippee), and then this past week he turned 1! Needless to say he and Jada are everywhere. They are such a blessing!

God has also returned to us Brian & Janet! After 12 years in California God has called them to serve Him in Arkansas of all places. I was prepared for Africa or China or any place other than Arkansas! They are looking for jobs and a place to live as they prepare to seek God's guidance for beginning a church plant in the Cabot area. We are so grateful to have them here with us, and we look forward to making lots of memories with them while they are so close!

Summer!

Summer is my favorite time of year, and I think the kids are going to agree with me. This is their first year to experience being able to play outside in the dirt, truly enjoying a swimming pool, Bible School, the simple joy of a shovel & bucket, wagons, and the list goes on. On the days that I'm off work we cover most of the previous list. Bible School was a lot of fun this year. I was responsible for the crafts (which was a first), and I really enjoyed it! Ian played in the nursery and Jada participated in music, crafts, missions, snack, and of course recreation. Jada spent a lot of time with our friend Joy who was one of her teachers, and we still her say "Joy-ee", "Joy-ee" with a huge smile on her face. Jonathan & Ryan were able to go to work earlier every morning so that they could be there to help out each evening from 6-8:30, and it was such a joy to serve with them.

This past month we were also able to go to Springfield to visit Cory, Jen, Will & Sam. Oh, & the soon to be born Gentry Madison! It was good to get to see their new home and to attend church with them. Now we can visualize their lives a little better.

Jonathan is busy finishing up the wheat harvest, and that means it's time to get busy planting the rice and soybeans that need to be in the ground behind it. Farmers are having a really hard time making a living these days ( as are many vocations), but we trust God for our future and pray for His guidance to make wise decisions. It's such a blessing to be in the farming environment where we as Christians get to experience daily the process of sowing and reaping. It's a wonderful reminder that "the harvest is ready", and are we working!

We look forward to the summer days ahead!