Piper smiling on demand;)

Piper started smiling on demand this weekend. It's so cute:). She also says bless you after you sneeze, cough, hiccup, etc. She keeps us giggling!

Untitled (can't really think of a good title;0)

I really haven't blogged a lot lately so I feel there's a lot to say but none of it really fits together so forgive the choppiness of this post;0).
Last weekend I went on a girl's weekend to Hot Springs. We had a BLAST! I went with my cousin, who is practically my sister. She brought along two of her dear friends from Texas. I brought along one of my dearest friends from high school. We've been close since the 1st grade. It was such a needed trip! I'm at this stage in life where I constantly have a pity party b/c I don't really have any friends. Don't get me wrong, I have people who are dear to me but I'm NEVER able to get together and do anything with anyone really. So this trip meant the world to me! A big thanks to all the girls who wore bows in their hair, gave out free compliments, hung out half naked at the bath house (some more than others... uhhhmm ... I'll not name any names;), played games, listened to Alicia and I scream like sissys, participated in the ridiculous video, protected us from the tool shed and SK(wink)IP;). Thank you all for the memories! Can't wait to make more!

Okay, this is just pure randomness but isn't Parker just the cutest? It was crazy hair night at Awanas and I caught him flexing with my camera phone. He didn't even know I was watching at first, he just wanted to see how big his muscles were getting:)
I got this CUTE new bag, which I know is WAY too big for a purse but ya know what... I'm using it for a purse anyways. It's from the Amazima ministry which was started by Katie Davis, the girl I blogged about a couple of weeks ago who moved to Uganda. WOW.. 147 million orphans.... humbling, isn't it?

Things around here have been eventful! Cam and I are in the process of having our faith stretched in many ways. We would love your prayers. God has been good to us and is so faithful to provide. Our prayer is to fully trust in Him and lay our lives down to what He has planned for us and our family!

Okay.. more randomness but here's a quick peek at little Piper Jane. She's talking up a storm. Much more than the boys did at this age. This is a video of her wanting mooooore twinkee. It was just a little bite, honest, but it created a MONSTER;)

Makes me wanna play some George Straight ;0)

Today was Cowboy day for the Kindergardeners. Isn't Andrew just the sweet little cowboy? ;)

On their way...

Tonight Cameron and I sang at a fundraiser for a couple of students from Greenbrier. They will be going to Ghana, Africa this summer for a mission trip. HOW exciting is that? One of the fathers came to me and said, "You know this is all your fault. They fell in love with those kids when you started your Invisible Children group." I've actually had 3 of my old students go to Africa over the past 2 years. I'm SO proud of them all! I would love to go back to Africa. I read once that once you've been there, you bury a piece of your heart and forever long to return. I would wholeheartedly agree with that.

It's been a good week..

This week was homecoming week at the high school I teach at, which is always fun. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE being at the high school this year?? I LOVE it! I love my kids, I love my co-teachers, I love my bosses.... it is good, it is good, it is good!

This morning we had our 2nd Free Compliments Day. We moved it to Wal-Mart today and had a great time. Last Saturday there were 3 of us, today we had 7. All of our faces were sore by the time we left:).

We took the kids to the fair this afternoon and let them ride a couple of rides and play the fishing game;).. it's their favorite!

Cam went to go check on some plumbing problems at the rent house so the kids and I are enjoying the backyard..... he's bringing me some amaretto icecream with almonds and strawberries from marble slab:)... I'm SUPER excited about that!

That's about all that's been going on around here lately... by the way, did I mention you look really good today? Is that a new hairdo?

Speechless....

Reading this girl's blog (thanks Amanda for sharing it) has had me on a roller coaster of emotions... which I'm usually on;). She has sacrificed the comforts of home and followed God to her new home... Uganda. She's 20 years old and mothers 13 Ugandan children and provides food and education for 400 others. Why?? Because it's what WE are ALL called to do! This is not just her passion or her gifting!!! This is OUR job!! All too often we are spectators sitting on the sidelines of this spiritual war. Am I saying that we are all suppose to move to Uganda? No, probably not BUT I can't tell you how many christians I know (most of the christians I know) who SIT by and allow attrocities to continue and NEVER do anything about it!! I may not be able to be in Uganda caring for these sick, dying children but by golly I will do my part while I am here... I will share their plight with as many as I know so that their hearts are pricked and burdened by their suffering. I will continue to sponsor a child so they can go to school, I will use my gifts and talents to share His love with those I come in contact with and pray without ceasing for the hurt and dying in the world. GET off YOUR couch and DO something!!! Here's an excerpt from her blog that I love.... READ it and let it break your heart for these children!

I am MAD. I have been sad and broken for these children for so long and it has finally turned into a hardened anger. I am angry that this culture so lies to women that Michael's stepmother believes that she does not have to care for this child who is not biologically hers, though she has ample means to. I am angry that in the "Pearl of Africa" and the most fertile region of it at that, a mother has litteraly NO food to feed her baby, not to mention herself or 6 other kids. I am angry that the result of this is that these sweet ones suffer in their innocence. I have said it before and it still holds true: I DO NOT BELIEVE that the God of the universe created too many children in His image and not enough love or food or care to go around. In fact I believe that He created the Body of Christ for just that, to help these little ones, the least of these. And I believe that except for a handful, the Body of Christ is failing. And its not just me who thinks this. When I'm angry, I like to research so that I can at least feel a bit justified in my rage ;) According to several differnt resources, there are an average of 147 million orphaned children in the world today (this statistic includes children who have lost only one parent as well), 11 million children starve to death each year or die from preventable, treatable illness. 8.5 million children work as child slaves, prostitutes, or in other horrific conditions (making things like that cute baby Gap dress Jane wore today...) 2.3 million children world wide are living with HIV.

That is 168.8 million needy children like Michael and Patricia. Seems like a big number, huh? It shouldn't, because there are 2.1 BILLION people on this earth who profess to be Christians. Jesus followers. Servants. Gospel live-ers. And id only 8 percent of those Christians would care for just ONE of these needy children, they would all be taken care of.

And now I'm just sad again. And I want to take care of all 169 million. But as I look into Patricia's eyes, that since just 48 hours ago have turned bright and smiley, as I smell her hair freshly washed with baby shampoo and snuggle her into her new footie pajamas (side note: is their ANYTHING cuter than a baby in soft cotton footie pajamas?!) God tells me that this one is enough. That He will hold the others while they wait for someone to come along and hold them tight and give them their milk and their medicine. That He doesn't ask me to take them all but to stop for the ONE because that one is Jesus, His son. Stop for the little boy with white haid and scabs covering his body, stop for the baby with feces covering her dress, so weak she can't hold up her hear. Stop and take the ones right in front of me any trust Him with the rest. He whispers that it will be ok and that I can smile because tonight 2 less children are hungry and that is good for today.

I love that peach shirt, it goes great with your skin tone!

Ahhhh... what a day! Today was the first "Free Compliment Day". I saw an article about these guys at Purdue University handing out free compliments once a week and I knew that I HAD to do the same. I rounded up some cool friends and headed out to the local super center with a sign and a smile. We had the BEST time ever!!! The people loved it!!! they LOVED it! I cannot tell you how many people went out of their way to come over and say how our compliments and smiles made their day and how the world would be a better place if more cheer was spread. It was obvious how their moods changed so quickly with just a simple, "we like your beard" or "good job pushing your cart back in the store". They chuckled, smiled and laughed out loud all morning long. Our plan was just to spend about 45 minutes to an hour spreading cheer but it easily led to almost 3 hours of compliments. I'm SO thankful that God has given me the opportunity to share His love with others. Thank YOU God for helping me cheer others up and not tear others down. Thank you for helping me devote my energies into good rather than negative, political bashing, laziness, etc. Please prick my heart again often to share Your love. It's why we're here... help me be a vessel that leads others to You.
Here are a couple of pics of the day. The little old lady was our favorite complimentee of the day! She was just amazing! If you're needing a compliment or wanting to spread some cheer, we'll be passing out free compliments at Wal-mart in Conway next Saturday.