Where to Begin?!!

I haven't joined in on the "Thankful Bandwagon" on Facebook, because I honestly couldn't think of who/what/where to begin!  But, I could not let this Thankful Season go by without recognizes exactly who is my list.  

Christ is the beginning of my thankfulness, He is the middle of my thankfulness, and He will be the end of my thankfulness!

There have been several moments of rich blessings this month or so, and they have stopped me in my tracks! I praise God with an incredibly thankful heart.

Matt and I enjoyed a weekend in Charleston!  I can't even put into words how much I love my man.  It was so refreshing to get away just the two of us.  Thankful!

My boy turned nine months old!  Thankful!

I had a few opportunities to spend time with my girls (and their sweet little friends).  Thankful!

Had an affordable date night with Matt.  Thankful!

My mom turned sixty!  She and my dad are both healthy and happy.  So thankful!

I know that a lot of times the holidays are so sad and stressful.  I pray that you have many moments of blessings and thankfulness this Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!

-Psalm 107:1-2

Gaymon Reunion

Matt is so fortunate to have all four of his sweet grandparents still alive.  At the beginning of October, we headed down to Puddin Swamp (yes, that is the real name of a real location) for the Gaymon Reunion.  It was a good time with relatives that we rarely get to see.  Plus, we had a good visit with Mama T, Papa Fred, Uncle Mike, Aunt Sheila, and Matt's cousins and their families.  So fun!

Papa Fred's family members that were at the Reunion.

Nana Sue brought crafts for the kiddos - she's so smart!

Papa Fred with the "last button off of Abraham's jacket."

Uncle Mike is so silly!

So, so silly!

Carrying on the Gaymon name - Freddy Gaymon, Hal Gaymon, Matt Gaymon, and Oliver Gaymon

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Oliver's Dedication

"I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth."      
-3 John 1:4

I pray that my children know, love, and follow Christ.  I pray that they accept His amazing grace and seek Him in all that they do.  I pray that the Lord helps me to show them His love daily.  I fail so many times.  I pray that He uses my failures to point them to Him!

We dedicated Oliver this past week.  It was a simple and special service held at our house.  I got teary on several occasions just thinking about what a huge blessing our children are, and also what a great responsibility they are.  I love them so much! 

One of our pastors and family friends, Dan Dather, lead the service.  Just as I expected, he did an amazing job!

We had family, community group friends, and a few other close friends come to the service.  We feel so loved and blessed to have family and friends supporting us.  Thank you!

Happy Dedication to our Sweet Oliver!

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day

I've thought about our two a lot recently.  I don't always, but I have recently.  It is a weird feeling - missing them but knowing that we wouldn't have our sweet Oliver if they had not miscarried.  

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. 

Today, I am going to rejoice about the time I carried our two, and  I will celebrate their births into Heaven!  Those must have been amazing moments for them, and I know it is incredible for them to only know Heaven!  I am also going to enjoy a few extra snuggles with my Oliver (who happened to turn eight months old yesterday)! He has helped my broken heart immensely, and I thank the Lord for him every single day!  

Most importantly, I am going to pray for those of you who are in the middle of the awful.  I know it's absolutely brutal.  I am going to pray that the Lord draws near to you in a tangible way, and that He will bring someone or something in your lives that will help with the healing.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

-Psalm 34:18

Cul-de-sac Heaven!

The girls have gone outside to play with friends from our street every day this week!  They have loved it, and Mommy has enjoyed chatting with their fun Mommies. =)  How blessed we are to have sweet little ones (and awesome parents) for neighbors!

Catching Up on Things...

Let's be honest, there is never time to blog.  But, I love the printed books of my blog that Matt and my in-laws gave me so I'll make time. =)  

Recently, things have been ca...razy!!  We are in a new world of Mommy working (at a job that I absolutely love), Maggie in Elementary School, Kerri Grace going to K4 five days a week, and Oliver in the baby room two days a week.... on top of our usual commitments to church, never ending laundry, cooking meals, cleaning house, play dates, and the list goes on and on.  I have really been praying that God gives me energy, sanity mental and emotional strength, and makes me mindful of the important things in my day.  

Here are a few recent(ish) things in our never ending, crazy, WONDERFULLY BLESSED life:

We had birthday play dates with the Bryant girls around the time of both Kerri Grace and Maggie's birthdays.  Kerri Grace chose a pool play date with pizza.

Maggie chose to go to the mall to have her nails painted and enjoy a cookie from the Great American Cookie Company.

Both Kerri Grace and Oliver started school.

We mixed in a dance party or two!

Maggie had a fun time at Campbell's birthday bash!

We went apple picking in the rain!

Mommy has almost finished digging through bins of clothes, figuring out which clothes still fit, consigning clothes, and buying new clothes for our adorable kiddos.  That could be a full time job, couldn't it?

Here are my three munchkins in the fall outfits that I found at a great deal - I love it when that happens.

I hope that your recent days have been filled to the fullest with work, friends, and the love of God!  

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

Happy birthday Maggie! Six years old is big time, and here are six big time reasons we love you so big:

1. You care so much for everyone around you. You're not having fun until we are, and you are the best at making that happen. Dances, singalongs, games, races, crazy face contests - you bring your fun A-game everyday.
2. You are such a great helper - and with KG and Oliver around, Mommy and Daddy need all the help we can get (bless our hearts).
3. You are brilliant! You love to learn, and you've been reading for forever it seems like. You remember so many little details from everything you do and everyone you meet. And everyday you're reminding me or Mommy of something we've forgotten, left behind, or overlooked. (That goes back to #2 and helping us out).
4. It's fun watching you create. You make up stories, draw cool pictures, can make ANYTHING into a craft project, you cook with Nana Sue and sew with Mimi. We love seeing what you come up with.
5. You are the best big sister anyone could have. Kerri Grace has no idea how blessed she is to have a sister as patient as you, and Oliver never has to worry about who is going to read him a story, bring him a toy or make silly faces to get him to laugh. And while you would be happy to babysit them both by yourself for the weekend, we will have to hold off on that for another couple of years.
6. You are the perfect mix of so many things: silly and loving, focused and carefree, cuddly and independent, girly and tough (when you want to be).

We are thankful that God chose us to be your parents, and can't wait to watch you keep growing this next year. We love you BIG TIME!
                                                          Love,
                                                          Daddy