This morning I opened my inbox and found a note saying our friend, Jeff Gore had finished his fight and was with his Savior. He found out in August that there was cancer in his body and has been battling ever since. It’s been fast and it’s been slow. When I first heard the news, I remember instantly thinking, “Please God, not him!” I knew he would have the passion and fight to beat it, whatever the prognosis. It became clear over the weekend that he wasn’t going to beat it. His birthday is Saturday and I have been thinking today what a great day of true celebration it will be for him this year. The best party yet I’m sure. He leaves behind his sweet wife and 2 sons. He leaves a legacy of passionate love for God and His Church. The next few days we will be preparing for his service. I’m praying for abundant grace and mercy over his family.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3

Thankful to know that Jeff is with our Heavenly Father! It’s awesome to imagine!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days. The girls had a parade at the church where the staff gave out candy. It was pretty cold outside tonight so we didn’t get lots of great shots, but still some cute ones.

London and her friend Mary Rey

checking out the goods

so excited

taking inventory

people watching

London went too!

staying up late with mommy

Mary Peyton turned 2 yesterday. It was such a special weekend. She woke up to a brand new trike, that she can’t really reach the pedals on yet. We spent the morning getting ready for her Baby Doll party. Her party was so cute. All the little girls brought their favorite baby doll and stroller. She had a baby doll cake made by one of our great volunteers at church. It was so cute and SO good. Chocolate of course. She’s been asking for that for months. All the girls took their babies and strollers outside for a little baby doll parade. Too cute. She is such a precious treasure to us and we love her. Happy Birthday MP! You are so special.

opening presents

pushing baby

the parade

the cake

couldn't get her to blow

birthday morning

the trike

friends

ring around the rosie

We just got back from a great family vacation down in Destin. Well, I don’t know if you can really call a week at the beach with a 2 year old and a 6 month old a vacation, but it was a vacation in the sense that we weren’t working our “other” jobs and had a great change of scenery. We really had a great time. The weather was perfect and almost made us forget that it was mid-October. Mary Peyton loved the beach. She kept calling it the pool. London did well too by taking naps most every day in her little beach tent. Steve’s parents were with us for a few days and then my mom came down at the end of the week. Here are a few pictures of our week. I always feel like I never captured enough moments. We were thankful for the time together.

lovin' it

snack time

London

visit to the gulfarium

so sweet

visit to air force base

sisters

been a long day...

so sweet

baytown

I took Mary Peyton and London to the pumpkin patch today. MP loved it of course. They had a corn maze for little kids, hay bales, pumpkins, old tires to climb on…she was everywhere. The whole time I was there I was remembering that we were just here together a year ago and she was figuring lots of things out. Here are a few pics of our day and one from a year ago! You can see how much she has grown…and she’s grown in lots of ways. Hopefully next year London will be chasing her big sis through the corn maze!

"Heaby mommy"

Last October

Uncle Shuck's

not really posing for pics yet

she climbed right in and said cheese

more pumpkins

"dis one mommy"

p.s. London says Hi!

I’ve got so many cute pictures to post I hardly know which ones to choose. We have gotten to do lots of fun things lately as a family, the most recent being a trip to Mississippi over Labor Day weekend. One of my cousins got married and we got to be a part of the wedding. My sister and brother both came home, and it is quiet an occasion when all three of us are in town together. We treasure the moments as they are getting fewer and farther between. Esther took a new job and is living in Huntsville, AL. Stuart is in his final year at USM and will be doing his student teaching in the Spring. We always love a good road trip although they are slightly different than they used to be with 2 kiddos in the backseat…but it is still lots of fun and lots of great memories were made. Steve is in the middle of training for his new airplane and will be training for the most part of this month so we were thankful he was able to steal away for a long weekend. Some of these pictures are from our weekend and some are just from recent things with the girls. Oh, and the one picture of MP with no clothes on happened at church a week or so ago. Her teachers took this as evidence to show me what happened when they turned their back on her. All of the kids were washing dishes in the play sink and when they turned back around there she was sitting in the sink without a thing on! I’ll have to have a modesty talk with her soon!

Esther and Stuart

at the wedding

Neal, Abbey, and Esther

MP at a My Little Pony party

she got to ride a little pony

Pretty baby!

little stinker!

The whole family

We just found out this past weekend about some changes that will be taking place with Steve’s job…effective next week! He will still be a pilot for ASA, but will be changing to a different position.  We knew change might be coming, but just weren’t sure it was all going to happen so fast. We have lots to be thankful for and are trusting that through these changes, God is going to show us some new things. One positive that we are looking forward to will be a change in our weekly schedule. Hopefully this will mean more time together as a family. We’re thankful for those of you who have been praying with us about this. We are looking forward to what God is going to do next! It seems like during transition times and unexpected bumps in the road that these are the times where some defining moments happen. We are on the look out for them.

Speaking of change, London is growing and changing everyday. This past week she began eating cereal, and she hit a big milestone. She rolled over! It’s so fun watching her grow. 

Mary Peyton is becoming a little walking dictionary. It seems that every morning she wakes up saying new things and putting more sentences together. It’s so cute. Here’s a few pictures of the girls.

yummy rice cereal

run in with the ice cream truck!

she's rolling now!

London has lots of helpers

morning chat with daddy

Dad and some of his high school buddies were in town this weekend at their annual get together. We were able to meet them for lunch at 5 Guys. It was great to see everyone! Here is a shot of the girls with Granddad sippi (translated Mississippi Granddad) and a cute one of little London!

my dad and the girls

little London

It’s been me and the girls all weekend and it’s been a lot of fun…but we have definitely missed Daddy! I snapped some pictures this afternoon of the girls. Check these out!

London loves her fingers!

MP is crying because she wants the camera. Typical.

London is not so sure about this...

story time before bed

Finally caught a smile