Wordless Wednesday

Saturday, September 27th, 1997

On this day, 12 years ago...
I remember watching diaper commercials and crying because the women on T.V. had their babies, but I didn't have mine.

I remember having a foot long chili cheese coney for dinner at Sonic before Monday morning came...Monday morning, I was going to be induced since said baby refused to come on her own.

Speaking of "her"... I also remember that we thought she was a he...and "his" name was Hayden.

I remember looking at all the little tiny baby clothes in the house and being happier than I can describe with words, that Wade and I would be part of a "family of three" soon.

I also remember thinking, in the middle of the night, that the Sonic was not sitting well...
What's that, you say, I am in labor!!??
What?? It's a Girl!!

Fast foward 12 years and here we are on the eve of Sara's 12th birthday.
Where did the time go?

I blinked, and this little girl

has turned into this amazing young woman.

She is my proof that God's plans for our lives can surpass anything we can dream up, pray, or hope for, and that he gives us way more than we deserve!
He is Good!
He is working in her life in amazing ways, and has great plans for her....and we are thankful, every day!

Happy Birthday Sara...We love you!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

We are off to Okuma Beach for the weekend and can't wait to share pictures when we get back!!

Wordless Wednesday

Things you'd see in Okinawa: Rollerslides!

One of the things we'd heard so much about in Okinawa before we arrived, were all the wonderful parks. Saturday the kids and I went to visit this cute park for a little outside time.

Now that the weather has cooled down a bit, all the kids had a blast riding on all the animals,

and even had energy left for a little walk.
So, we took a walk down this little path,

that had fun lights that looked like trees with owls perched on top,

for a little more "adventurous" fun...the roller slide!!
These huge metal slides have plastic rollers (kind of like a conveyor belt) on them that allow you to slide, or should I say FLY, down them.
We were prepared...with cardboard in hand.... You see, I have taken Jackson and the little ones before to a roller slide before, and we learned very quickly, that sliding at that speed, with no protection, left us feeling like the seats of our pants were on fire!! (Yes... that is Luke walking away with those sweet Okinawan children...and yes, I did have to go all the way to those hedges to catch him!!)

There were nets to get you half way up to the slide,

or you could take this very long staircase all the way to the top.

Watching the kids faces as they came down that slide, pure joy with just a touch of terror, was priceless!!

The tower was separate, and I'm sure had a great view of the city, but I was NOT going to walk all that way with the 2 babies...I could foresee having to carry them down and just wasn't up for it without Wade! I think Jackson went all the way up, but didn't take the camera...I'll have to go back and get a picture from up there. Until then, enjoy a few more pictures from our fun day!!

Wordless Wednesday...

Pattern Pro

I got this little pattern block set for Georgia to work on during her "busy box" time, while the big kids are doing school. I thought, with some help, maybe she'd get the hang of it after a couple of weeks.

On the very first day she was loving every minute of doing it "all by herself"!

Even Sara commented..."Wow, she's really good at that!!" (thanks for shipping it Grandma!)

Things you'd see in Okinawa: A Hot Dog Vending Machine

Now, I like my Chattanooga Lookouts hot dog as much as the next person, but really?!! I have never seen anyone buy a dog out of these machines (that are on base, by the way), but I'm not sure that I'd want to. It was bad enough that when I let Luke get this close for the picture, he said " I want a hot dog!" until I bought him lunch!!