New Wheels!!

Caution: this is the guy of the group blogging about my new truck. Sorry if I put in too many guy details for the lady followers of this blog!

Back to Christmas morning... my beautiful wife got super excited when I went to open my card, which was after all the other presents had been opened. I was wondering what all the anticipation was about. Little did I know, when I opened it up there would be a key chain with a little paper truck and a note saying my wife was buying me a truck for my big present! WOW!! I was shocked. When the shock wore off a little, I was so thankful that my amazing, giving, and loving wife would use some of her invested money to take care of her man. (My '98 VW Jetta is on its last leg!!) So after some research and a little looking around, we have bought the awesome Ford F-150 you see in the pictures below. I love it.... Thanks so much to my lovely wife! You are the best!!!


About the truck: 2010 Ford F-150 Super Crew, with a 5.4L V8 engine, the decked out chrome package, loaded down with extras inside, 5 1/2' bed. I am not sure how this hadn't sold off the lot through 2010 but we are very thankful it was around so we could get some awesome year end closeout deals!!

Kim talked with her dad a day before the truck was coming in from NC (the dealer located it for me and brought it in for the sterling gray color and features I wanted). Kim was talking with him about putting a bed liner in to which Pops replied that maybe we would get a nice surprise and there would be one already factory installed. Well, lo and behold, the truck showed up with a bed liner, which wasn't in the price and was an added bonus. Pops, you are good!!!

Absolutely loving the new truck and looking forward to actually getting to know what all the gadgets actually do! Thank you so much Kim for my awesome Christmas present! You are the best wife I could ever dream of having and I thank God for you each and every day!!!

Robot Dylan

Our little man, Dylan, dressed up as a robot for Awana on October 31. He watched a backyardagains show where the characters were robots and since then he has loved robots. One day I asked how he was doing while in the car, from the back seat I heard "All Systems A-OK!". Recently I overhead him in his room repeating to himself "robot Dylan decorating, robot Dylan decorating" Later I went upstairs to find that he had hung hangers on ever knob possible in his room.

Our Own Good News of Great Joy!

As you all know we lost our second child near the end of my first trimester this past February. This was the hardest part of life that I have yet lived through and I pray that none of you will ever experience the hurt and pain that we did. What do I pray for each person reading this blog is that you will in some way experience the true peace, comfort and contentment that comes with trusting the ONLY being who is perfectly trustworthy - Jesus Christ!

This Casting Crown's song was sung many times at church when I was in my darkest hours. Every time it brought tears to my eyes as it was so real and true in my own life.

I wanted to share the song with you:

I was sure by now

That You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen" and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

Chorus:

I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I will remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The maker of heaven and earth

Ps 30:5b "Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning."

Guess what folks it is morning in our lives!!!

The Lord has blessed us again with a little one growing inside of me! This third baby has been giving us a strong heart beat since the first Dr. appt and is now doing "gymnastics"!

I have been expanding fast but am so thrilled to be carrying another blessing and miracle from our faithful Heavenly Father!

Our child is due April 14 -a spring baby!

Not that I need any more reasons to celebrate another winter behind us but what a joyous time to bring home our newest miracle. As with Dylan we have not found out the gender of this child. We will find out come April when they come into the world! Thank you for celebrating with us and for comforting us during our time of mourning.

North Carolina Vacation

In September, we were able to head up to the NC Mountains for some wonderful family time. Thank you Mom and Aunt Patti!!! It is such a blessing to have access to the mountain house, to relive memories from my childhood and most importantly to share it all with my own little family.

Rory took some beautiful pictures of sunrises. The view from the deck and back of the house is amazing! I have added 3 Mountain posts for you all to enjoy a little of what we did while relaxing in the fresh mountain air.

Your challenge after looking at all the pictures is to guess what the next post will anounce;)

NC - Grandfather Mountain

A view of the Mile High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mt. It is a 228 foot suspension bridge, 5,280 feet up spanning a 80 ft chasm.

Dylan and Dad standing right on the mile high line looking down. Obviously Dylan does not have a fear of heightsOn top of the world!
Ok so really that is just how Rory and I felt being able to share Our Savior's awe inspiring creation with our son!

Family picture on top of Grandfather Mt

Mr. Personality loving his minute of hands free freedom
After being blown around on top of Grandfather Mt we did some walking around at a lower elevation, thus allowing Dylan freedom to run and investigate.Yay we did it! Kings of the rock:)

NC - S'mores!!

A beloved part of our mountain visits - the campfire and s'mores!

Dylan getting ready to roast his first ever marshamellow

As you can see Dylan was as excited as I remember being with the campfire and roasting marshmallows. It is amazing to be able to "go back in time" by experience life through your child's eyes.

Yummy to my Tummy!
He sure loved roasted marshmallows but really wasn't too impressed with s'mores. I am sure that will change.
So relaxing to sit around the campfire and chat with my best friend!Posing with the campfire:)

Linville Caverns and Falls

Another splendid day in the NC mountains!
We headed over to Linville to let Dylan experience the inside of a mountain
as well as to do some hiking.

Dylan waiting outside the entrance to the cavern
I asked about "Tall Man's Torture" and "Fat Man's Squeeze" only to find out they don't call those zones by those names any more. Even the rocks are made to be PC! I think every visit I will bring it up just for kicks:)Peekaboo!

Even though I have been visiting Linville Caverns since I was young, I have yet to be bored on a tour. It is an amazing subterranean world, complete with blind fish and a history of civil war deserters calling it home.

On to Linville Falls.
Dylan LOVED hiking! There is so much to see, touch and learn about outdoors
Another natural spot to play peek-a-booRunning, running, running and he still didn't take a nap that day!

Enjoying the fresh air and beautiful view

Love my little crazy man!

the above picture = perseverance and determination

Dylan and Daddy



Dylan's first ever taste of rock candy compliments of our cavern tour guideOur family (of four) posing at the same spot on the deck that I remember my Gran posing my family growing up.