Her Latest Accomplishment

Baby Trilby can now sit up!!!!


But... can she reach those toys without falling over????

Give This Instead

I Will Not Be De-'feeted' !!

Ok, so did you all see the pictures of my new athletic shoes?? Yep- those are honest –to-goodness exercise footwear. I usually wear my Mamaw tenny-shoes. You know those white canvas ones that are 5 bucks at the dollar store. You can walk on the backs of them and wear them to the mail box and out to feed the dog. Not these new super duper deluxe canvas running shoes. What brought about this vast switch in foot apparel? My beloved daughter that’s who. She drove in from Cleveland, Tennessee and announced that she was registering she and I to run a marathon. A MARATHON !!! I know- pick yourself up off the floor and quit laughing- I am the farthest thing there is from an athlete. I did point out to her that I huff and puff going up one flight of stairs. In her usual boisterous way she confidently reassured me that that was quite alright because we were going to train. TRAIN!! I suspiciously asked her what she meant. Oh, we have approximately 12 weeks to get in shape to RUN this marathon. RUN??? We are going to RUN the thing?
“Oh yes,” she said, “We are running the 5k marathon on February 28th in Chattanooga, TN . So mother we are going to the store to purchase you a good pair of running shoes and I have made us training logs and we are stopping on our way home at the gym to begin our first session today.” I fainted… No, I really didn’t but I agreed under duress. I went into the City Gym and I walked 1 mile. Yep one long mile. I know a mile isn’t much to begin with but it is the beginning of my training. So folks I will blog upon occasion of my progress or regress as the case may be.
( I told Sunny that there was a certain friend who owed me one. There was this recent dog rescue incident that she rescinded upon. So…she had better don her tenny-shoes and start her training as well )

The Season of Advent

My beautiful daughter just sent me some scriptures to use during the Season of Advent. I think it is so important to keep the focus of what the true meaning of Christmas is during this season. So often we become so busy that we neglect to take the time to celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas. If you would also like to incorporate this into your celebrations this year here is some information that you might find helpful.

The First Sunday of this year's advent is November 30, 2008



The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God sending to earth his son Jesus Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities at home that directly connect with worship at church. In the home an Advent wreath is often placed on the dining table and the candles lighted at meals, with Scripture readings preceding the lighting of the candles, especially on Sunday. A new candle is lit each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lit each meal during the week. In this context, it provides the opportunity for family devotion and prayer together, and helps teach the Faith to children, especially if they are involved in reading the daily Scriptures.

The Advent Wreath:

The Advent wreath is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center.
The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.

For Advent Scriptures to read daily you can go to this site:
http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html

I think we will choose to read from the Gospels- the last roll over on the list.
May each of you have a blessed and joyous Christmas and may we each reflect on the wonderous gift of Jesus Christ.

Mamaw's Kentucky Boys

Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, enter into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and Bless his name... Psalms 100: 4,5

"Thanksgiving"
The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.'
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!—

Whose responsibility????

On this earth their is so much hurt and pain-it is so easy to shrug it off and say it isn't your responsibility, but really don't we all have a duty to alleviate as much suffering as we can?



I looked at all the caged animals in
the shelter
the cast -offs of human society.
I saw in their eyes
love and hope,
fear and dread,
sadness and betrayal.
And I was angry.
"God," I said, "this is terrible!
Why don't You do something?"
God was silent for a moment,
and then He spoke softly.
"I have done something," He replied.
"I created you."

(poetry by Jim Willis)

Thanksgiving -early...

Our family celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend. Chris and I fixed 'miniature turkeys' for the children. (cornish hens) and they thought that was cool. Here is Wils with his tiny 'just my size' drumstick!The Evans Clan...

Troy and Aldo

The chef....

Jess and her pup Summit

Dinner with the kids...

Their own little space...

Laurel enjoying the pancakes Papaw fixed her...

Baby Trilby and Summit...

Sometimes we forget to take the time to truly be thankful for our lives and the blessings that flow. It is so often easy to take for granted the things that God has given us each day. While I certainly have faced hardships before, the loss of my precious mother and sister and the grave illness of my dad when he had brain surgery, I believe the previous year has been the most trying of my life. I have faced fear that seemed insurmountable and attacks of darkness that tried my faith to its core. But through these experiences I have came out a stronger person, my faith indelible, and my relationships with people on a higher plain. I know from where my strength lies and I have truly learned to stand on faith when the sea of bewilderment and fear swirl around me. I know that God is indeed in control of my life and the situations that arise in it, I know that your family- at least here in these mountains- get your back when you need them to, and I have learned that when the rubber meets the road the people that really matter hang in there and fight the battle with you. I have to say I am now happier than I have ever been in my entire life. I take nothing for granted. I awake each morning and see my sleeping husband beside me and I am thankful, I talk to my children- who are my heroes- and I am thankful, I speak to my friends and I am thankful- I go to church and see my brothers and sisters around me and I know what true love and support is, and I am thankful. Each day that I encounter people who stop and take the time to say- hey we love you and Chris and I am thankful. This year being thankful is not about material things, jobs or finances, it is about those we love and the ability to be there with them and love them back. So this thanksgiving I am blessed and I am so thankful…

Reading to the Babies

One of my favorite things of all is to read to my grandchildren. Here is Laurel, Wils, and Trilby enjoying a story. Mamaw sure enjoys snuggling with her babies also!

McKinley Meets Aldo...

When Dusty recently visited his brother Chris and his family in Illinois he brought his dog Aldo with him. This is McKinley the Cat's reaction to his canine visitor!

I Believe....

I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe..That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe... That there is a God who has control of my destiny and it is my responsibility to learn to trust him....



(Thanks cousin Conard)

Trilby loves her Uncle Dusty

I think Trilby even resembles her Uncle Dusty! I hope she has his personality!!

Dusty and His Pal Aldo

We got up too early this morning...

She's Got Teeth!!

Little Miss Trilby Katherine has two teeth!
(sometimes this isn't the best news for those breastfeeding Mommas!)

Take That Recorder Outside!!

With kids practicing musical instruments all over the house I am sure poor Wendy sometimes is at her wits end. If it isn't the violin, it is the piano or the recorder one of the the children are practicing on! I guess there are times that the young musicians get delegated to the outside. John Deere makes a useful seat when these young ones must find somewhere to practice down on the farm!

Mamaw's Big Boy

I just love this picture of Wils...

Halleljah!!!

Chris felt like he needed to obey the scripture that said "...do thy first works" over. Revelation 2:5. So he chose to get rebaptized today. Thanks to his wonderful church and supportive family and friends who came to celebrate his decision. I am so proud of him!!