We just got back from our annual trip to Florida with Family Life. It was an awesome time. I was so thankful I got to go. We had great fellowship with incredible people. We all have a passion for family and marriage. It was especially uplifting to hear some great men speak about the Lord. I felt like part of a great team. And that is a feeling not many people get to experience. I am blessed.

Every year our team gives an award called "The Setter Award". It is the person who is perceived as the best team player and "sets" his/her fellow colleagues up to win. It is voted on by our fellow speakers. This year my sweet husband won the award! I was SOO proud of him. He truly does care and tries to make others feel appreciated and special. It was an honor. The person selected gets a volleyball signed by all the speakers.

Perhaps one of the highlights was hearing my friend Kathy Helvey speak about her experience with cancer. Why isn't she a speaker for Family Life, by the way?? She preached a sermon - and a good one! I deeply admire her faith and her attitude of trust. What a women of God.

I missed our children. They are truly our legacy. I am so thankful and blessed by them. I pray we can continue to raise them to be the next generation of leaders, pastors, missionaries, husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers who love the Lord and who are willing to serve Him in obedience and humility. It's a high calling!

Now we are home and out of the bubble. I didn't cook, change a diaper, empty a dishwasher, vacuum, or do laundry for 5 days. I made up for that today...and will make up for more tomorrow!

Gibson's Favorite Book

It's been a long time since I updated this blog. Blogs kindof drive me crazy, so there you have it. I am especially disappointed in blogging since I loved the movie, Julie and Julia. I thought it was great. Then I find out how crass Julie is and am not so impressed. Read her blog and now I just want a movie about Julia Child. Julie Powell - not so much.

School is about ready to start. Palmer will be in 1st grade; Brantley in 4th! Gibson will just stay home with me and toddle around after me. I love him!

Looking forward to going up to N. Virginia this weekend to see Brian's dad (Pops). It's his birthday on Monday. We plan on going to some museums with the kids. Fun!

Not Always Perfect

Today was a rough day! Those cute kids in the photos and videos on this page were not so cute today. (Well, except Brantley. She was actually pretty helpful and had a good attitude.) Gibson may be giving up his morning nap and was cranky all day. Palmer, normally my good-spirited boy, was sad and down all day. He cried a ton and everything set him off. I love them anyway.

Is that how God feels about me somedays? Wow, she was cranky today. What a bad attitude. But I still love her! 

The Good 'ol Days

I do have two other kids, but Palmer is saying the funniest things right now.

Last night I was singing a good-night song to Gibson. Palmer was sitting nearby and I told him how I used to have to sing "This Little Light of Mine" EVERY night for him. He smiled and quietly said, "Those were the old days." Then he said, "Those were back when Walker lived here." I stifled a giggle and agreed, "yep." His final question: "Will I always be older than Walker?" 

Walker Forsyth is Palmer's good friend who just moved to Louisiana this past summer. We miss that family terribly!

My Funny Valentine

Palmer was working on  his 100s project and was sticking dolphin stickers to a sheet of paper. He needed 10 stickers and had six on the page. 

"How many more do you need to make ten?" I asked.

"Four?" He answered doubtfully.

"That's right," I said with surprise.

In a quiet, deadpan voice he said, "Wow. I'm pretty smart." 

He has these big green eyes and the cutest little mouth. His blonde hair is tousled and perfectly curled. It's hard to find someone sweeter, in my motherly opinion.

BTW: Gibson slept through the night last night. Praise the Lord! He answered my blog!

Hi family, 

I'll try and keep up with this blog!

Yesterday was a crazy day. I was at my kids' school three times (four if you count drop-off). Brantley got three awards yesterday: perfect attendance, AB honor roll, and Super Star student. I then took her a special lunch and sat with her and Gibson in the cafeteria. It was great sitting in the noisy, stinky place with my two kids. Then Palmer had to leave early to go get a final x-ray on his leg. He is fine and totally healed! We stopped at Trader Joe's and I got him some coffee for a treat. I put lots of sugar in it. He was sipping away and said, "This is good, mom. This is joyful." It was soooo cute. We had fun, just him and me. We held hands and talked and he ran over the skywalk at CMC with such abandon. He was playing football with his webkinz, Peanut. Peanut got an x-ray and went through the whole process with us. I love Palmer James Goins!

We are missing Brian. He comes back from Honduras tomorrow. We skyped today and I was thankful to talk with him. He's my man.

The kids are all in bed. We all prayed Gibson would sleep through the night. I need sleep!! Please, Lord, I am blogging you, to allow Gibson to sleep through the night :)