Thursday, February 26, 2009

New York!









We recently returned from a 5 day trip to New York. It was the first time in almost 8 years that we had taken a trip without any of the children.....so odd for us! We enjoyed our time together immensely. We were celebrating our 19 years of marriage (on May 12th)....we have always talked about taking a trip for our anniversary but the date seems to fall during our "busy" season. So, this year we went early. We enjoyed it thoroughly! We loved having the break but also loved coming home to lots of hugs and kisses!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Jett Turns Five!

Jett with Jim and Donna Houston.
Jett with Brianna, Brian and Jamie Labello.

Jett and his friend, J.P.



Jett with Uncle David, Uncle Daniel and Uncle Bill!


Jett with Rich, Angelia, Caroline and Savannah Stewart.




Josiah Jett Turner turned five this week....oh, how time flies. We had his celebration at a Jump Zone, a local party place in Pelham, Alabama. It was such a great time for all of the adults and kids.

On the way home from the party, JT and I were talking about how much fun it was. Even as adults, we joined in on all the jumping, sliding and running around. It was a blast. We realized how important it is to us that people invest in the lives of children. Not just play...but really invest. Almost all of the adults were able to just let loose and be kids. They played with my children and invested in their lives. I can recall being a kid and thinking how much fun my uncles (Jerry, Frank and Arthur) were. They played with us and spent quality time with us. They didn't just sit around and talk to the adults. They invested in our lives. Those are memoriest that will stick with me.
In much the same way, we realize that we are passionate about raising our children in such a way that they know they are loved beyond degree, they develop a genuine love for Christ and others, and that they sacrifice themselves to serve others. We are showing them how to do these things. If we are constantly on our computer, talking on the phone or visiting with other adults, we are not showing them how to live. We are showing them how to socialize. We have been deeply convicted of this during this past year. We have fallen in love with people who truly invest in our kids. We are so grateful for the impact they have had on our children.
We pray that we can live our lives in such a way that our kids will see Christ. We want them to know that we chose them....chose them over everyone else except God and Mommy/Daddy. They are third on our list. They are important. They are loved. They are sacrificed for on a daily basis. We pray that they see this daily and know it for the rest of their lives.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Grandma Graves











All of my life, I have known the love of a grandma. This morning at 1:00 am, my grandmother passed into eternity to fully know the love of a Heavenly Father. I'm so excited for her that she is no longer suffering and that she is in the presence of God Almighty. I will miss her deeply. I remember....
  • always getting a big hug at the door of her home
  • hearing her tell stories that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt
  • fried chocolate pies
  • never calling my husband JT but always referring to him as John
  • always going to church because hearing the Word was important
  • making family a priority
  • her deep loss and sadness over losing my Uncle Bill so early in life, losing my granddaddy and then missing my father.
  • her love for the Savior.

Grandma will be missed but she will not be missing us. Praise God for His goodness and mercy.