MOPs Adventures

Over the past year I've enjoyed meeting lots of other Moms and their children through the MOPs group at our church. MOPs=Mothers of Preschoolers. This group has truly been a God-send to me. Where else can you gather with Christian women who have the same responibilities, are going through the same day-to-day crises (read potty-training, terrible 2's, etc, etc), and yet still love being Mommies?! All while your children are being cared for in the church nursery! It's 2 hours of good food, fellowship, inspiration and reflection. Over the summer we have lots of playdates and Mom's Nights Out too! One of our favorite places to visit in the Forest is the Cradle of Forestry, the birthplace of forestry. We had a playdate/field trip with some other MOPs friends recently and we really had a lot of fun! I encourage anyone in the area that hasn't visited the Cradle to go! And it's free on Tuesdays!

Ice cream at Dolly's is a MUST after any forest adventure.

Be forewarned: This a "Kiddie Cone"...It's HUGE!!

And she ate every last bite...

We enjoyed a picnic potluck after a long hike.

On the way down the mountain we stopped

to feed the fish at the Fish Hatchery.

The kids all piled into the helicopter to go fight a forest fire in Idaho.

No adults allowed!

Gracie and Aiden brought up the rear, usually sharing a snack.

Donate Life

When I was 11 years old I was diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disease. It was controlled by medication for almost 20 years when the disease progressed into a new disease that was destroying my bile ducts. Shortly after Scott and I were married I was referred to a specialist in Charlotte who told me he thought I would probably need a transplant within 2-5 years. And, exactly 2 years later I found myself starting the listing process. So many "God" things happened during the next year I couldn't possibly write about them all. I was 1 point away from NOT being listed, I was told I'd probaby wait at least 18 months and I got "the call" 5 weeks later. I was at church when the call came and because the UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) system was down and my donor was on life support, it gave all of my family time to get to the hospital before surgery began. Those are just a few of those "God" things...




I may never know who my donor was or anything about their life or death, but I will forever be grateful for the greatest gift they and their family could have given me. Not only MY life but the life of a very beautiful, compassionate, yet "spirited" little girl. Because if I weren't here, she wouldn't be either. And so today, we celebrate the 7 year anniversary of a second chance at life, a chance to be a wife and a chance to be a mother.

If you would like to be an organ donor or have any questions about being a donor, please visit this site http://organdonor.gov/ . You can find answers to all your questions there and sign up to receive an organ donor card. Please let your family know your wishes, in many states that little donor symbol on your driver's license only expresses YOUR wishes and family members still have to make the final decision for you. Don't take your organs to Heaven, God knows who needs them on Earth!

40 Years and Counting...

Happy 40th Anniversary to my Mom and Dad!!

Just 40 years ago they decided to get hitched.

And after being told my dad couldn't get any time off

from the family feed mill...

they simply crossed the state line...

and eloped!

We surprised them this weekend with a family party.

They had no idea that we were planning this shindig.



Family and friends came from near and far.

The grandchildren were the life of the party.

There's nothing like cousins!

And crazy uncles.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

You are a great inspiration to all that know you!