new title

As you may have noticed, our blog is featuring a new title. We have been trying to come up with a name centered around Hebrews 13:14 for awhile. I recently heard the phrase "heavenly roots" and thought it was just perfect.

Our blog title is a reminder that our purpose is not to build kingdoms on earth, but rather to build our kingdom in heaven. We live to bring glory to His name and to share with others the hope that awaits those that claim the blood of Christ.

To our readers: Our prayer is that through all you see our family do, we ultimately hope you see a family that loves and enjoys Jesus. We pray you see people who have placed their roots in heaven-our true home.

Our little corner....

If we ever leave our little corner of the world, there are some images I will always remember.

The windowsill that held the flowers that Will and Hudson picked for me:
(and just past the window...watching Hudson swing on the porch)




Our husband-made swing:




Our view from the swing:







It looks a little to woodsy from these pictures, but it such a nice spot to unwind.


Watching Daddy come and go from the front window:





Hudson playing in the grass:




Others include: picnics under our big pear tree and grilling out on the back porch. Bliss.

soccer dad

We are so proud of you! You are a great coach....and husband, father, and teacher! We are so happy to share you with those boys, and we are grateful for the influence you can have on their lives. We love you.

lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Please excuse the Wizard of Oz quote. I was a huge fan of the movie as a young child. I was "that girl" in preschool the wore my blue and white checkered dress with my red shiny shoes at least once a week. And yes, I would ask my class to come follow me down the yellow brick road. It didn't stop there. I still love that movie. In fact, here I am at Judy Garland's handprint in LA:



Here I am meeting the cast...well, the wax versions:




I have really strayed away from the point of this post. The reason for the title is because we spent another fun day at the zoo! To be accurate, we didn't see any bears.

This time we went with lots of friends. We are so grateful for the wonderful people we have in our lives. We are so blessed to have a community of true fellowship around us. It is funny to take a step back and see how our lives have changed over the years. Most of our day is consumed with the day in and day out of raising little ones, but so fun and worth it! I love having my girls with me on this journey.

Here was our crew:



Jack, Hudson, Addie Kate, Charis, and Arden




To bad Hudson was only there with us in bodily form. He made it a total of five minutes before passing out.





Maybe next time he will trust me when I tell him his morning nap is for his own good!

spring breakin' in our late 20's

So far, our spring break has been busy. It started out with Will in Charleston, and the rest of our trio visiting friends and family. We closed out the weekend with a tiny visit to the RMC ER. Huds suffered from a small ear bite from a little white dog who shall remain nameless. Just a little traumatizing, but no lasting injuries.

We then headed to Orange Beach for a couple of days. Highlights included:


Watching Hudson love the sand:





Playing in the pool:



Picking out our magnet:
FYI: Will and I bought a cheesy magnet on our honeymoon in Cabo. Afterwards, it is been something we have done for every family vacation. So far, we have magnets from Cabo, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Gulf Shores, Chattanooga, and Orange Beach.




My usual raw oyster indulgence:



Hanging out with two pretty awesome people:





Exploring the BIG water:



Much needed family time:







This was Hudson's second trip to the beach. It is really different vacationing with a baby. Sometimes good...sometimes not so good....always interesting. We are home now doing some much needed work around the house. Our little bundle of joy is "un-baby wised" after a week away from home! Oh well, isn't motherhood just full of fun surprises?

Next on our Spring Break plans, Hudson's first trip to the ATL to visit family and celebrate a friend's upcoming wedding!

Brad and Stacey

Since our family blog chronicles our day to day life, it is impossible not to post about our dear friends Brad and Stacey. Brad has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer-desmoplastic small round cell tumor sarcoma. Today, he is undergoing a PET scan at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Here is their caring bridge site:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradbooth

Brad and Stacey have clung to the Lord during this trial, and it has been a testimony to all of us watching. It is beautiful to see someone love Jesus through the deepest of trials and reminds me of the joy that awaits us in eternity-where there is no sadness.- "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come."-Hebrews 13:14

Brad is beginning his PET as I write. We are praying that it will be clear! Please pray with us today.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us."-Romans 8:18

Thank you Jesus for your precious promises.

Resolution Update

With Spring Break coming up, I thought is was a great time to revisit our New Year's Resolutions. How have we measured up to our dreams and schemes? Let's see....

Will-

Will kept it plain and simple...2 resolutions that were very attainable yet not without Will-power-pun intended. First, he had to limit how many times he said the word "tired." After working many 13 hour days, surprisingly, the word "tired" isn't said often at all! Second, he has to read two books with me. He just completed Frank Barker's biography and is currently waiting on me to finish too! It is a great read and has led to great conversations.

Heather-

So, the whole read the Bible through a year thing has been a goal of mine for years. Granted, I'm sure I've read the entire Bible-just not through a daily plan. How is it going? So far, so good. It has been great for my walk with God to see how he has orchestrated his plan throughout history.

I posted earlier that I finally completed my first sewing project. I have to admit the machine tests my patience. My brain isn't made for too much hands on! Yet, I am loving the challenge! Next up, Hudson's pants for his birthday party!

Finally, I wanted to garden. I am yet to tackle this. I do plan on planting tomatoes, herbs, and cucumbers this year. We will see........

Marriage goals-

We are nearly done memorizing Romans 12. The bathroom scripture memory has really helped. As far as praying every night, we have missed a few here and there, but it has been epic for our marriage. I may or may have not stolen that straight from the mouth of Charlie Sheen.

And last but not least, Hudson has blown us all away with his determination to complete his goals before 2012. He crawls, stands, and says mama, da da, and bye. He knows where Mommy's eyes and nose are located. He can give kisses. He can also clap and wave "your" hands. We, of course, are beaming at the moment at our talented child.

We are super pumped for an entire week together! So thankful for Will's teaching degree. After Will returns from a soccer tournament in Charleston, we are headed to Orange Beach. Yes, I am alerting the Internet we will be out of town, but we do live next door to a cop, so I'm not worried. It will be Hudson's 2nd beach trip, but he wasn't aware of the first. Check back soon for pictures of our little ham soaking up the rays in his bathing suite. You may want to eat his face.

As of now, we are hanging at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house.



Hudson's loving exploring his new surroundings:



Of course, he is mad when he doesn't get his way:

making our house our home

Our new dining table:

Please note I am not a good picture taker!





We found it did not quite fit in the little space we have for a table. We will just have to pull it out for company!

The updated picture wall:




On another note, my first completed sewing project:




...thanks to my mother-in-law for the patient help!

Oh Well

You know those nights that don't really go as planned.....

I was meeting Will at a church dinner at 6:45. Dropping Huds off at the nursery around 6:25. I had it planned to a T. 5:15- We were right on track. Huds was having dinner. I was warming the meal I had previously made for the occasion. 5:30-Packing diaper bag-bottle, pajamas, paci, extra clothes-check! 5:40-Loading the car. 5:45-Pulling out of the driveway-left early due to traffic. 5:50-I left the stove on. I just know I did. Turning around. 5:55- No, I turned it off. 6:00-Leaving driveway again. 6:10- Oh no, Hudson's bottle is leaking all over the diaper bag. Turning around. 6:20-Remade bottle. Decided I don't have time to take Huds to nursery. He will have to come with me. Typed in address to house on gps. Leaving driveway. 6:35-Why are we almost in Bessemer? Check gps. Address wrong. 6:50-Pulling back in our driveway. So much for a fun night.

smitten

Hudson will be ten months this weekend. He loves it outside. He won't eat broccoli, but he loves little green leaves and grass. He growls my name...not kidding. He stands like a big boy. He loves to hear me sing. He feeds himself. He cries when his daddy walks out of the room. He loves to hear the songs "Amazing Grace" and "If Your Happy and You Know It." He loves to watch Praise Baby, but he is not a fan of the Wiggles. He is SURROUNDED by little girls. He has 3 teeth and 3 on the way. He knows where your eye is. He likes to be chased. His laugh is amazing. I reminds me to find joy in simple things....like getting excited over cantaloupe. I love this kid.