FCA GETAWAY 2009

This post is going to be rather long due to the amount of pictures! I love taking pictures and when I have a great back ground and great subjects I get a little picture happy. I really had to eliminate a lot of pictures and still have a ton...so sorry. We had a great weekend at the FCA Getaway. It is a wonderful thing to see hundreds of college athletes praising God and many giving there lives to the Lord. We took a small group this year compared to our usual crowd, but is was a special time with the kids. Because we did not have a lot of students with us, we interacted with a lot of the other students and coaches from all over the state. We met a wonderful couple from Mississippi State, Erik and Haley, and can not wait to see them again. We love this trip and look forward to it every year. Abby has just as much fun as the college kids, and she even comes away with a great learning experience. She was walking around the house the other day singing praise songs and looked up at me and said...I learned that at camp!!!

I love the influence that Athletes can have on this world, especially a positive influence. I can not even express it in words the feeling that I get when I am standing in the back of a room with hundreds of athletes in front of me opening themselves up to something that is not of this world. Big huge linemen with tears rolling down there faces, teammates embracing each other, a little dancer and a basketball player who don't even know each other becoming friends because of the One True God who is their bridge to a friendship. I saw guys and girls pledge to purity, guys and girls pledge to keeping away from drugs and alcohol, guys and girls breaking down because they thought that they had done too much to ever be forgiven. But our God is SO BIG that they learned it does not matter what they had done....God Loves Us and wants to save us from our sins. Oh, I pray that the students that were there that weekend remember what they learned, have accountability with each other, and go light the college campuses of Mississippi on fire for God. The influence of one can be amazing...but the influence of many can change a campus, a state, and a nation.

The Belhaven Group:

Ricardo, Kacey, Marcus, Danny, RJ, Megan, Stephanie, and Abby. And myself..taking the picture.

Abby was obsessesd with this Dog. She wanted to hold it all the time, and it did not want to have anything to do with a three year old! She talked about this dog for weeks after we left camp.




Abby and Steph!

This picture cracks me up! Abby and Steph went out on the pier and sat a little while. I was taking some pictures of them and all of a sudden Abby took off running. When she got to me she started screaming...the pier is moving...hurry Steph. She was watching the tide roll in and thought the pier was floating away.

Abby was so excited about riding the horses! She got ready several hours early and struted around camp with her boots on!!

I love getting pictures of Abby and Danny walking together. If you look at the end of the post I have a picture from our first year at camp that is almost the same as this one.

On the Horse....FINALLY!

Coach RJ and Kacey.

We had so much fun with them at camp. RJ is like my son! He played under Danny and is now coaching with him. It has been fun getting to know this sweet couple and working with them. We are so glad that they are on our team and our dear friends!

Abby loves Ms Kacey and it drives RJ crazy...he is jealous!

First time on a paddle boat!

PAINTBALL!!!!!

Marcus

The guys had so much fun with paint ball. They were teaming up against other schools and having a blast. Danny and RJ were dead set on being against each other. They were ready to get each other!!!

Ricardo

Danny and RJ already at it!

I know this picture is blurry, but I had to post it. RJ talked so big about paintball...well, within just a few minutes he was hit and had to come limping off!!!!! We were all laughing so hard!!!!

My little angel!!!!!

Lake Forest Ranch is beautiful, and this sunset was even more beautiful!

Reverting back to childhood!

Abby got a hold of the dog again!!!

Abby andOneil became buddies over the weekend. He is from State and an amazing runner, and football player. Not only is he an amazing athlete, he is an amazing young man who loves the Lord. We wish you well buddy!!! RUN FAST!!!

On the way home with Steph and Megan.

I think she had a great time!!!!!

The pictures below are from the past two years at camp. It is amazing to see how much Abby has grown. Man time flies when you are having fun!!

Last year it was freezing!

Last year the Murphys were with there with us. When I told Abby that we were going back this year, she informed me that she could not go because Ava would not be there. Well, we missed our Ava but Abby still had fun!

Our first year at camp!!

Look at those chubby cheeks!!!!

I love this!!! She loves her Daddy soooooo much!!

Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day we were so excited to have Danny home. They did not have a recruiting weekend so he was home with us!! I made a big breakfast for us and then Danny and Abby went outside for some adventure. They played and jumped and then they went to the garage to work. Danny painted some frames and of course Abby had to help. We were given a doll house a while back from some wonderful friends and Abby has been wanting to paint it.....so she did. It was so cute watching her paint the roof, walls, floors, ...whatever was in her way, with such intensity. We also made, earlier that week, some Valentine's for friends and family. I did happen to snap a few shots of her in action. I hope you all had a wonderful day...even if I am a few weeks late!!!!

Picture a little out of order...but Abby with the cookie icing all over her face!!!


Making Valentine's with A LOT of glitter!!!

Our cookies that we decorated as a family....of course Danny made the green and yellow cookies!

Helping Daddy paint the frames!

Abby working very hard on her house!!!

The house is not finished....but when it is we will post the finished product!

Afternoon In Clinton

A couple of weeks ago our friends from the beach, The Murphys, were in Clinton for a few days. We were so excited to get to spend some time with them. On Friday night we had dinner with the entire family and then Ava stayed the night with us for a SLEEPOVER!! The girls had so much fun. They really wanted to spend the night in the same bed, but that did not happen. The next morning after they woke up we made cinnamon rolls and of course they got to eat all the icing!! I, of course, forgot to pull out my camera for the sleepover, but I did take it the next day to Maries' house for a fun day of playtime. We had such a fun day with all the girls....and Samuel of course! The weather was beautiful and so was the company!Ava with all of her jewels on.

The COOL girls in their sunglasses!

Abby thought the girls needed a little push.

Sweet Mallory!

Emmaline does not look very excited in this picture but I thought it was darling.

The gang of all girls!!!!

Sweet friends...Ava, Avery, and Abigail!!!

Major Catch Up... New York coming soon!!!

Well, I have had this post ready for about a week, but I have been waiting on some of the college kids from our mission trip to send me their pictures. Seeing that they are college kids......I do not have the pictures yet. I do love them so much...but I want my pictures!! So, New York pictures are going to have to wait a little longer. Sorry Meredith!!! We had a blast in New York and will tell you all about it later. We have had a lot happen since Christmas. Danny's Head Coach left right before Christmas. So we were in limbo for a long time as to if we were going to have a job, have to pack up and move, and all the fun emotions and "not knowing" that goes along with coaching. We found out right before we left for our mission trip who our head coach was going to be and that we were going to stay. It was wonderful being able to leave and know when we got back that there was a job for us! It is amazing how we try to control the things that are happening around us and get all worked up.....but if we would just remember that God is in control of everything and He knows knows what is best for us, we would not waste so much time worrying. We are excited to be staying here and can not wait to see what the future holds.

When we were on our trip, my mom and dad stayed with Abigail for the week. They had such a blast and totally spoiled her. They did everything from the zoo, to Chick-Fil-a, to Gattitown. They even took her to all of her church functions!! A couple of days after they were gone Abby asked me for hot chocolate at breakfast. I told her that we did not need hot chocolate in the morning and maybe she could have some later. She then proceeded to tell me that Ru Ru gave her hot chocolate every morning with marshmallows and that she would like some. I asked her if I looked like Ru Ru and she said "No, but I still would like some hot chocolate." I did not give in, as Ru Ru does, but that is what grandmas are for!! They are such wonderful parents and grandparents. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. Thank you Pa Pa and Ru Ru!!

Abby and Pa Pa at the Zoo.

Abby and Ru Ru!
And thanks to my mom, my oven has never.......been so clean!!! :)


Dress-up with Emily


These two love playing dress up.
They were pretending to be Cinderella
and the Fairy Godmother.

How precious is that!!!

Then they decided it was time to watch a movie and eat popcorn!

Quick trip to Oxford!

Danny was going on a recriuting trip and I wanted to do something fun...

so we ran up to Oxford to see friends. We had a great time even though it was short.

Of course Abby and Myla had on a matching outfit and I did not get a picture.

The kiddos after dinner.

Abby and baby Ellyn. She was so proud to be holding the baby.

Abby gave this beautiful hair do to Myla in the tub.


Dress-up Big Girl Style!!!

One day we were getting ready to go somewhere and Abigail wanted to "get ready"

like mommy. So, we put on a little makeup and curlers in her hair. She loved it

and kept looking in the mirror. She was so excited to show it all to her Daddy when he got home!!

Avery and Mallory

One afternoon we had a great surprise visit from our friends Avery and Mallory

and their mommy Marie. We had so much fun. We played for hours, had breakfast for dinner (and ice cream for dessert) and even took a bath together to get ready for bed. We hope they come again soon!!!

Silly Girls!!!

Christmas at Je Je and Pa Pa's house.

Abby playing the piano with Je Je. They had so much fun singing

Christmas carols together. It was so sweet to watch.

On Christmas morning Pa Pa was reading the Bible story and praying.

I kept putting my finger to my mouth to tell Abigail to stay quiet. (It was so hard to not open the presents.) I looked over at her and she had her finger to her mouth to keep herself quiet...I had to snap a picture.

Time to dig in to the pesents!

Abby was so excited about her PINK soccer ball and PINK glove.

The first thing she said was "Now I look like the college girls"

Trying out some new toys!!!

Daddy is teaching her the right skills!!

One of the best things about Christmas this year was

Abigail really getting the whole Christmas story and the reason we have Christmas.

She was so excited to have a cake for Jesus' birthday.

This is Aunt Jeane and Abby after eating Ice Cream Cake!!!

On Christmas night Danny's Sister and family arrived from Iowa.

Abby was so excited that her cousins were coming. It had been a year since

we had seen them. We had a great time and Abby loved running around after them.

Abby and Shannon hanging out listening to some tunes!

Ryan, Lauren and Shannon were the highlight of Christmas for Abby. They ran

around the house and yard and played with her the whole time!!! While at Christmas was received a big senior picture of Ryan that is framed. When we got home and were

unpacking I set the picture and frame on the living room table. I kept looking all

over the house for the picture so I could find a home for it.......well it already had one. Abby had taken it and put it in her room on her dresser next to her bed. It was so sweet. I could not dare move it. She loves them so much and has a special place in her heart for Ryan!!!

Ryan being silly wearing Abby's hat.

We are in New York!

Danny and I are in New York City right now on a mission trip with FBCJ college group. We are having so much fun and have seen so much of the city. We went to church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle today which was an experience in itself. The music was GREAT!! This evening we did a prayer walk through Columbia University. Tomorrow we will be starting our mission work in Brooklyn and in Queens. Would you all please pray for our group that we will be a witness to all we come in contact. We will be working with several different churches that have programs already in progress. Also, please pray for my parents as they are at home taking care of Abby. I can not wait to tell you all things the Lord is doing in our life and the lives of others!!!