Calling ALL Prayer Warriors! PLEASE HELP!

UPDATE from my cousin, Ashley:


 Just wanted to update you all -- this is Ashley :) 

We got our FISH test back this morning, which rules out Trisomy 13, 18, 21 (Downs), and any sex chromosomal disorder (those account for 95% of all chromosomal abnormalities!). The doctor had "diagnosed" 18, which is fatal.

IT WAS NEGATIVE!!! Praise be to God! Good GOOD news!

Please continue to pray and praise God for the results we got thus far, and pray that God would heal her kidneys and the fluid on the back of her head. Its funny, I think she was deep in sleep during the initial ultrasound and wasn't going to be bothered and her daddy sleeps just like that! :). I'd also like to pray for the doctor we had, that God would use us as a testimony to his power!

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Yesterday my cousin, Ashley, went for her ultrasound to find the sex of her second child.  They discovered their second miracle from God was a GIRL!

Some of you may know Ashley from her business Crunchy Clean?  Here is her business FB account and here is her business website and here is her twitter account.

This is a photo of Ashley and I right after I had Kennedy.  I'm holding her firstborn GIRL. 

Here is a picture of the girls just a few months back.

I received the following prayer request via email and my sweet cousin has also posted something similar on her facebook account... from Ashley:

"Today, we had an ultrasound excited to see the sex of our second baby -- who is a girl!  :)  Two little girls thrill us, but we had some bad news we weren't expecting at all at the specialists office.  They found some abnormalities that made the doctor feel like could be symptoms of a chromosomal abnormality or worse, so today they performed an amniocentesis (they take some amniotic fluid around the baby and take it for testing, where they'll get the exact genetic make up of our little miracle and we'll find out exactly what is going on -- the preliminary results are expected in 5 days and the complete results in 2 weeks). 

It was very scary and shocking today to say the least, and we were given the extreme worse case scenario -- I'm writing to ask you to call on the God who heals -- Jehovah-rophe in the bible, to please heal our little one.  Ephesians 15:26 says, "for I am the LORD, who heals you".  We would love and covet your prayers in this hard time.  :)

Feel free to share this with any prayer warriors you know, God hears our prayers and we are sure of that."

I am asking you to pray for my sweet cousin and her precious daughter who is growing inside.  I can't imagine the fear and worry that Ashley and her husband are feeling right now.  I can't imagine the leap of faith they are having to take.  The testimony of their faith and trust in the Lord is so humbling to watch.  I believe in the power of prayer.  I believe He is a mighty healer, and I believe that His plan is perfect.

Please, please pray.

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14

Sunday Funday

Today, after church, we headed to Dave's parents house to have lunch and visit with that side of the family.  Besides it being so stinkin' hot...we had a GREAT time. 

Kennedy got to see her baby cousin, Elijah.  I cannot get over how fast he has grown.  I saw him two weeks ago and man oh man... he has really packed on the pounds just since then!

Today was the first time K has actually paid much attention to him.  Here she is trying to help him swing in his swing.

She is being a little mother hen!  So sweet! 

Elijah just loves his mommy.  Currently she is the funniest and most beautiful person in this world.  I love it when little babies giggle at their mommies for no reason.  When they are that little... the world revolves around mommy!

My sweet, sweet nephew!  

I love his little tail.  Neighhhhh.....  At a first glance, Aunt Peggy thought he had poop hanging off his butt.  Ha!

While we were  cooing and gooing over little Elijah, Kennedy stayed busy with granny and grandpa.  She is a rotten stinker and you can tell from that sneakin' grin on her face in this picture.  I think her granny lets her do whatever she wants!

It doesn't take long for Elijah to tucker out.  They tell me he is fussy and difficult, but I've yet to see it.  Sleeps likes an angel when I'm around... I'm sure my mother-n-law and sister-n-law would like me to come over at nighttime to witness the difference.  I'll trust them since my hands are full with my own! 

Kennedy's grandpa loves taking her down to the pound.

I'm pretty sure she loves it too.

He lets her pick pretty flowers and...

throw rocks.

Throwing rocks and listening to grandpa tell her to throw them... might be one of the funnest games K has ever played.  She laughed and laughed. 

She could play in her granny's pretty pond all day... if grandpa wouldn't have a heat stroke!

She really loves Dave's dad so much.  He's so good with her now that she's older.  I feel like a lot of men in her life didn't know what to do with her when she was so little.  Now, she's fun and playful and they feel more comfortable with her.  

Grandpa brought her in to cool off.  She somehow found her way upon on her GREAT granny's lap. {This is Dave's mom's mom.}

And this is my favorite picture from the day.  She ran to the door to look for her grandpa.  When she saw him coming in, she squealed with delight!  So sweet!


We have had a great day!  I hope you have too.  Well, better go change and get ready to make my Sunday Funday complete with a Tarjay run! =)

Reading List

After a trip to Lifeway tonight, I came out with these purchases...

I have heard great things about this book from several blogs, such as Kelly's Korner.  I'm so excited to get to go hear Beth speak in the fall, so I figured I would try to read her latest book before her event!  I'll let you know what I think of it.

I also purchased this book ,which has been recommended over and over by many Christian parental units.  Have you read it?  Don't tell me if it's no good....I made Dave buy me two books when he argued that I would be lucky to get to read one! Ha!  He's so right!  Still yet, I plan to read this before she moves out of the house.

Lastly,  I finally bought a new Bible!  Yay!  I've been carrying around "Student" Bibles and it was time for an update. Yes, I know... it's all the Bible, but my new Bible has devotions/sidenotes/references for moms.  Also, the outside is pretty and it's thin and small enough to fit in my purse/diaper bag.  

I encourage you... if you have the extra money to buy a new Bible ever so often!  I swear it gives you a refreshing excitement that makes you want to dive back into the Word!

I can't wait to take my new Bible to church tomorrow.  I'm such a dork! Ha!  AND...hopefully when we are on the beach next week, I'll have a chance to read some of my new books!



p.s. I cannot believe it's been one week since Randy left us.  He is deeply missed.  Please continue to pray for the Jones family!

Girly Gift Idea Edition #6- Better to say something...

than nothing at all.


If I have learned one thing in watching my loved ones suffer such heartache and loss, it's this:


It's better to go and say something with love, than say nothing at all due to fear of what to say.


I got this Lilly Pulitzer note card set in Vintage Patch from Lifeguard Press.

I love how the note cards and envelopes come in a little booklet.  You just tear the note card out and the envelope is located in a folder.  I especially love the cheerfulness and the pretty Lilly pattern.  This would make a great gift because I'm convinced we all need to be better with sending a note in the mail vs. a text/email/facebook message.  Something about the power of a written note speaks volumes and is so much more personable.  

I have a new goal...I want to try to send out one note a week to someone who I feel needs some encouragement, love,  & cheerfulness in their life.  

Maybe you should try it too, and these Lilly cards are the perrrrfect way to motivate you.  Click on the link:

http://www.lifeguardpress.com/lilly-pulitzer-note-card-bookvintage-patch-p-1068.html

Or make this a great gift for the girl in your life that you just want to send an unexpected surprise to.

Don't be afraid of the "right thing to say"... make an effort to "say something" and allow God to speak through you!  

Hi. We're Back.

There is not much to say.  Please keep Paulette and Austin Jones in your prayers as well as Paulette's mother {Nan} and brother {Gary}.  I'm glad to be home with my husband, but I'm still broken hearted because of Randy's loss.


Switching  beats... here are pictures from last Saturday {before the world came crashing down}.  We went to play with Ava at her house, and these two bathing beauties took a little dip in the pool!

K had a BLAST with her best friend.  We came home that night and I pointed to a picture of Ava and said, "Kennedy, who is this?"  And she responded, "Afe".  SO CUTE! 


K is walking, walking, walking.  She has finally mastered it.  Imagine me in a dress in a crowded funeral home dealing with a toddler who wants to walk, walk, walk.  Oh, did I mention how hot it was? It was not a pretty sight, but we managed.  


I hope everyone has had a very blessed week.


The last words that Randy spoke to me were on Memorial Day.  We had a great day eating and talking and things almost felt like normal since Corey had passed...almost.  Anyways, when he was leaving, he threw his big bear arms around K and I and he kissed my head while in his deep, raspy "radio" voice, he said, "I love you baby."


Randy recorded the "Words of Wisdom" that played at the elementary school every morning for the kids.  Here are some "Words of Wisdom" that I learned from Randy...


Don't ever say goodbye to your friends and loved ones without telling them how much you love them!  You never know what tomorrow holds...

I Will Praise You in This Storm.

I woke up this morning, baked cinnamon rolls while Dave and K slept quietly....  I tip toed up the stairs with a tray full of food and gifts for Father's Day...  I made it to the bed and the phone rang.

It was my dad.

"You shouldn't be calling me... I should be calling you!  Happy Father's Day!"

He couldn't get the words out.

Mom grabs the phone.

"Something has happened Britney," she says frantically.

My throat tightened and my stomach dropped.  In the short minute that that  phone call took, my plans of Father's Day celebrations changed when I learned my neighbor Austin wouldn't be celebrating the day with his earthly father.  Randy, his dad, was gone.

If you recall, over the past several months I have asked for prayers for this family as Paulette from Keeping Up with Jones lost her father and her oldest son, Corey, most recently....now her husband is gone and it all still feels unbelievable. 

Tears, packing, questioning God, praying, packing some more, a diaper change or two, more tears and a car ride later... we pulled up Mays Branch with heavy hearts, an oblivious, happy baby and the radio {Randy's stage-he was the best radio voice in all of E. KY!} playing a song that I know was not on because of coincidence....Casting Crowns-I Will Praise You in this Storm.

This "storm" for this family seems unbearable.  It was even bigger than all of us- their loved ones- anticipated.  It doesn't make sense.  It doesn't seem fair.  It's scary.  It's dark.  All we can do is stand by our loved ones and watch them suffer while praying to GOD for a comfort that is beyond earthly understanding...beyond all the food we can bring them, the hugs we give them, & the tears we shed for them.  We pray and we trust and we seek His mighty hand, His peace, and His power. 

I am writing this because prayers are coveted for this family... who are not only our neighbors, but our loved ones...our friends... our family.  Their hurt is beyond anything I can even begin to fathom.  I feel beyond guilty for missing my husband right now when I know Paulette will not see hers again until she leaves this Earth.

So today as many have celebrated an earthly father... "I raise my hands and  praise a Heavenly Father that gives and takes away."



Praise You in This Storm

words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms




I was sure by now,God, 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:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and 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 remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and 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 lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth


Chorus


We are lifting our eyes beyond these Eastern Ky hills and praying for the help of our Heavenly Father who loves us all more than any earthly Father ever could. 

Please pray for our loved ones, Paulette and Austin Jones.  Even if you don't know them... God hears all prayers and He knows your heart.

And in the words of Zac Smith who was battling cancer and recently went home to be with Jesus...

"God is still God and God is still good."

So for those near and far who have, are or will face a storm that is bigger than our comprehension... I pray that not only have you celebrated with your Earthly Father {if you are blessed enough to have one} today, but you have taken a moment to praise your Heavenly Father who is with you...always....even in the darkest of storms.

RIP Randy Jones.  Thank you for not only being a voice we loved to listen to... but to me... one of my biggest fans.  I love you always.






p.s. I am taking some time from blogging to focus on the ones that need me the most.  Please don't stop praying.  I love this blog community and the way God uses you to impact not only my life, but people you don't even know that are broken!  God is awesome and He works in mighty ways!

Kennedy Meets Kaylin & a GEL update!

We grilled out last night with Dave's brother and his wife.  Of course, I had to have a photo shoot beforehand of sweet Baby K.

We had a great time with Steve, Meagan and their big dog, Greta. What a fun night! So we woke up extra early this Saturday morning because we were soooo excited for Karena and Kaylin to come to our house.  I have mentioned Karena in past blog posts, here and here.  She was my freshman year roommate in college, and we ended up having daughters about a month or so apart!  She lives in Nashville, so this was my first time ever meeting Kaylin.  She was a sweetie!  My child on the other hand, was a grumpypuss.

It rained, so instead of playing outside we played indoors in the big ball pit!

The girls had a blast.

Up, up they go!

Who would have thought...me, the light hair/blue eyed girl would have a dark skinned/dark haired baby and Karena, the dark skinned/dark haired girl would have a light haired/blue eyed baby!  Ha!

They were too cute together!

I was so happy I got to FINALLY see Miss Kaylin for the first time and hold her and hug her and kiss her!  She's a sweetie pie!

Here's the four of us!  What a special meeting.  We have so many memories together from high school/college and now we are able to share in this new world of mommyhood together...and not only that but we both have GIRLS! =)

This picture cracks me up!  Kaylin was trying to give Kennedy a hug. {She was so friendly and sweet}. BUT of course... my baby girl knocks her down!  This was mid-fall. {She was okay!}

This was more of an accomplished attempt by Kaylin to give K a hug.  You can see in K's face that she is NOT having it!  Awww... poor Kaylin just wanted some lovin'!

What a fun visit catching up with an old friend and introducing two new friends! =)

And here are my gels one week later!  They still look fab!  Yay!  I love them. I will say the edges are starting to thin, but no chipping yet!  I would have NEVER been able to last this long with regular paint. And for those of you that asked...there is no drilling and  they cost $45.00.  I get them done by a girl that is in the process of switching salons, so if you want her info then just email me and I will try and get it to you!  


Hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend.