Dad's retirement

Last week my sister, all 3 grandkids, and I headed to New Albany for my Dad's retirement party at the high school. It was a blast from the past and saw lots of people. Bryant even got to get on a school bus! That is a BIG deal for a four year old who goes to a Christian Private School. He was thrilled.

Here are pics from our busy week.....

Happy Birthday Nanney

Happy Birthday Nanney! We spent last weekend at Nanney's house for her birthday and we had a blast. Bryant is named after my late grandfather, Nanney's husband, and she kept showing him pictures of big "Bryant". I'm sure her house was pretty quiet once everyone left....lots of entertainment with three kiddos....but so fun!
I feel blessed that my kiddos have a GREAT grandmother. I feel it is SO important for them to know her and spend as much time as possible with her. They actually have two great-grandmothers. Grandparents Day is coming up at PCS and I was reminding Bryant that he needed to call and invite "Boppie & Papa" and "Momese & Pops". He then said..."I really want Nanney to be there too, Mom." And I said "Absolutely!!" ( He called her immediately to invite her)

MG - monkey -1st hair cut

On a lighter note......

Here's Mary Grace getting her 1st EVER haircut. The 'Infamous' Roxanne cut it and it was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. KaKa went with us and helped man the fort, while I got mine cut too. My two year old has needed a haircut for over a year now, but I just couldn't bring myself to touch it. (She has more hair than a monkey!) So after much anticipation, I asked Roxanne to just "trim" the dead ends and she was just the best! Fun Girl Time!

Roxanne even made Mary Grace an envelope to keep her piece of hair.

Thank you

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for your sweet and encouraging words via "comment", email, or phone/text messages. They have been shared with Christy and have brought her such comfort. I love you all!

God's Faithfulness

I have a story to tell, so bear with me as I share the last 4 months of what God has been up to in the life of my friend. (I'll post pics later of MG's 1st haircut, Dad's retirement party and Nanney's bday), but for now.....

Sept. 11th ~ God laid on my heart to pray for my friend Christy Burchfield to have a baby: whether in her womb or someone else's. Her son, Max, is almost 6yrs. old and is Bryant's best friend. He was a miracle baby (infertility) and after a miscarriage and many attempts at invitro again, it seemed their dreams were coming to an end to fill their home with more children. Back in April of 2007, Brandy Hester and I sat at her kitchen table praying over her with tears streaming down all of our faces...praying for God to restore her soul, give her peace in whatever HIS will was for her life and to find joy again!! Sept. 11th God said to me" I have a child for her, but she needs to surrender to ME first! My will be done, not her own." I shared the burden on my heart with our other dear friend, Brandy Hester, and she said how crazy that was because she had felt God nudging her to pray for Christy, Toby, and Max as well. We decided to fall on our faces before God every day at 8:45am! Mon. and Wed. we would head to our Prayer Room at Pinelake after dropping off little ones at MDO and the other days would be on our own. So the journey began....

Sept. -Dec. ~ We began claiming scripture for Christy, such as Romans, 8:28
Eph. 3:20-21, Phil. 4:4-7,19, Prov 3:5, Psalm 23, James 5:13, Jer. 29:11, and
many many more! We prayed God would bring forth HIS plan before
Christmas and clarification would come! We knew God loved them SO
much and SO much was in store for them....they just had to surrende to HIS
plan. So we continued!

Dec. 24th ~ We spent Christmas Eve with Christy, Toby & Max and I just
prayed that they would share some news with us....but no news came! I
have to admit I was beginning to get worried. No signs of anything.

Dec. 26th ~ Girls Night Out for coffee.....Christy and I rode home together and
I felt God nudging me to say something to her about a baby (pref. adoption). I know Christy and she is very private so I didn't want to ask...I knew she would bring it up if she wanted to talk. But God would not let it rest-I felt as if I would throw up if I didn't say anything, so all of a sudden I just blurted it out....I told her all about me and Brandy and how we've prayed daily and how I knew God had such a blessing waiting for them. She was so honest with me and as tears flowed from her eyes, she spoke of her grief of not being able to conceive again, and the fear of adopting ~ "Would I love another baby the same as I do Max? I carried him for 9 months and gave birth to him. Would that be fair to another child??" I didn't know what to say, and all of a sudden God laid on my heart MARY GRACE! So, I said, "Christy, I've seen you with Mary Grace - the love you have for that little girl, my little girl. You didn't give birth to her, but I've seen it in your eyes- you love her as much as if she were your own!" She began bawling and I knew I had gotten thru to her and reached her heart! "God has a baby for you Christy! Step out in faith and let Him bless you!"
The night ended and I just continued to pray.

Jan. 12th~ I get a call to come to Christy's house as soon as I return from my
Nanney's house. I zoomed over there to find the same scene as I had found 9 months earlier - Brandy and Christy around her kitchen table, except this time, no tears or anger from failed invitro attempts. They told me to sit and here's Christy's story (in so many words...)
She said she had been wrestling with God for many, many months, telling Him she just wanted to be content with the way things were- to settle. She tested Him a few times to see if He wanted her to adopt and everytime He would send Her a "word" she would manipulate it to fit "her plan. She told God that in Jan. she was done! She wanted closure on not having another baby and to enjoy life as is! She wanted the longing to go away! On Jan. 10th, her dog died and she became angry with God once again. As she was running on the 11th, she thought, "God, you won't let me get pregant again and now you take my dog! What are you trying to do?" And all of a sudden it hit her like a ton of bricks!!! God was trying to get her attention!!! She stopped and realized that she had tested Him one too many times and He was fed up. She had prayed right before Christmas that if she was to adopt that He would send someone to just tell your straightforward to do it, or she was done! As she was running, she realized, that night in the car with me, it was not just Stacy bringing up a touchy subject, but something that God had been orchestrating for many, many months in the hearts of many! Right there on the Northshore running path ~

She Surrendered All!!

She realized His plan was for them to adopt this whole time! Toby had wanted to all along, but God had to break her first!

She ran home and filled out all the paper work, sent in their pictures, and wrote the check!!!

Wow, the freedom in aligning your life with God's plan!!!

I hope as you read this you are rejoicing as we are rejoicing!!! We praise God for His faithfullness and goodness! We just can't wait to see this precious baby!!!! Join us as we pray for quickness from China, smooth sailing with all the paper work and home studies, and God's protection all around!

"NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS WITHIN US, TO HIM BE THE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS TO ALL GENERATIONS FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN."
Eph. 3:20-21

Christy tells me she is going to join the blog world now with all that God has taught her! She has lots to share! What a precious child of God she is!

Our Holiday

Whew...what a busy but wonderful 2 weeks, as I'm sure you all have had! Here is a run down of the weekend before Christmas, leading up to yesterday. We have had a ball with the kids! We've made some pretty special memories with our family and I'll say for myself that this was one of the best Christmas'/New Years ever. Here we go.......first at Aunt Karen's house with Lee, Gina, AC, Andrew, KaKa, & boys.The kids had so much fun! They love being together! Here are the brothers: Andrew, Dave, and Lee watching football before dinner.
As the cousins get older, they start to separate in gender: the girls colored and painted finger nails (Anna Claire, KaKa, and MG) and the boys:
vegged on the couch (Peyton, Timothy, Bryant, and Stephen)

Uncle Andrew gave Mary Grace this bear for Christmas. She absolutely LOVED it!! It was almost as big as she was, but she drug is around by the ear all night. Sweet Andrew! He loves him some Mary Grace and she loves him!!



The next day we headed off the New Albany to see Boppie and Papa. Unfortunately my battery died on my camera, so most of the pics are on my sister and mom's camera.
Mary Grace feeding Parker while in Papa's lap. Papa is officially retired, by the way!!!!

We attended Christmas Eve service at Pinelake and Bryant was on the screen. He was interviewed at PCS and he was a hoot!

Toby and Dave boxed on Christmas Eve with the Wii and literally broke a sweat!

Leaving Santa our cupcakes (we made for Jesus' birthday)Christmas morning we had a few visitors, first the Seagos then Faux Faux (Claudia Psonak) & Kelly (our infamous sitter). They had to come have tea in the castle and watch Bryant ride his new bike ~ with a kickstand!!
My precious husband surprised me with this painting! It is of the pumpkin patch during MG's first birthday and the Christmas tree farm. Such a special place in my heart! I loved it!!! (not a great pic, over look the willow tree at the bottom of the painting and the chandelier above)

At noon, we headed to Momese and Pops house. We had a great time and the food was yummy!! KaKa and Mary Grace have such a sweet bond!
Uncle Wee (Lee) and the girls just hanging out.

The next day we headed to Destin, FLorida for a little R&R. Actually it was Andrew's idea to go where it is warm! We watched the MSU bowl game from Busters. Here is a pic of Momese coming back with all the kiddos from seeing Jiggles the clown and receiving balloons & face painting.

Momese & Pops sharing some corn on the cob: they just celebrated their 42nd anniversary!
Monkey see Monkey do
We stayed at the Baytown Wharf and there was iceskating in the courtyard. Anna Claire LOVED it, Bryant~not so much. She felt like a ice princess. Here Aunt Gina and I are holding her.

I even managed to get David on the ice for his 1st time ever!!!
Two peas in a pod~ Daddy & Mary Grace~!
Bryant loves playing on the beach.....little chilly for surfn', but perfect for horsing around.

There was a concert New Year's Eve right outside our hotel at the Wharf and here is Mary Grace and Anna Claire dancing! They entertained everyone around them.

We rang in the New Year with Pete and Gina also, but all the pics are on Gina's camera. The fireworks were awesome and we even stayed out the 1:30am, which is a record for me!! We had so much fun!!

Before we left yesterday, the kids got the briefly play. Bryant absolutely loves Pete....he is such a big kid! (Luke is in the back ground in the green) GiGi and Mary Grace decided to watch from the Hotel door due to the cold front that came in yesterday.

Sweet friends....Bryant and Savannah. He got down right smitten with her! I don't think I've ever seen him blush!!

So that's about it~ I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and kept Christ in the center! He has blessed us SO much and to Him be the glory!

Happy 2008

CHRISTmas

So, I've been thinkin'.....really, what is Christmas about? I read my friend, Emily Greer's blog yesterday, and I've been having some pretty great quiet times with God the last couple of mornings. Is it about Jesus to you? Is it about the presents, the lights, the tree, family, the perfect Christmas card, Christmas Eve service, traditions, or even SANTA? I mean, if your child was interviewed "on the spot" for WLBT and asked what Christmas was all about, what would they say? No prompting from parents....? What Real message are we getting across to our little ones?

I've been reading in my devo time a book by Beth Moore (entries written from Missionaries around the world) and one couple were in Asia, with no family, no money, and no electricity. Was it still Christmas? Could they find their spirit? They of course got the "Holiday Blues" at first, but God quickly showed them the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth....riding on a donkey, Mary delivering in a manger, they had no family to help them celebrate, she had no hospital ( only a barn), and No electricity! But guess what....the Son of God was Born! The Angels Rejoiced! "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11



So I sit here and think, if all was taken away....the lights, the tree, the presents, Santa, the cards......would we still have Christmas??



Absolutely...our Savior, Jesus Christ, has been born!



"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins". Matt 1:21

I hope you all have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Christmas in Cottonplant

The kids and I headed to New Albany last weekend (while Daddy went hunting). Mom and I attended a Women's Retreat ~ which by the way, it was great to see you, Sallie (you closet blog reader! ha ha) The kids love going to Christmas in Cottonplant, where there are about 500 blow up things, Santa, blowing snow, the Grinch walking around, music blasting, hot cocoa, and more! It is quite a sight...
I knew Vicki Banta would be thrilled to know that the weather has turned cold, well, cold for us that weekend. We were able to pull out the coats and gloves.
Boppie, Bryant, and Mary Grace checkn' out the sights.

No training wheels

So, the day has come when my four year old wanted to ride his bike : NO TRAINING WHEELS. We've been practicing and last Wednesday he took off. He quickly learned to turn and jump start himself. (it wasn't too cool Mom or Dad having to hold onto your shoulders before you could start) He is such a big boy and I'm proud of him for not quiting. He has such determination, just like his Daddy.

Note the shorts and tshirt with crocs.....what is up with this crazy weather?? I mean 80 degrees in December?? I have felt like we live in Galveston again. I'm ready for some cooler weather to feel like Christmas.....

Baby Nash Segrest Arrives

Sweet Baby Nash Segrest is here!!! Born December 11th 8lbs. 6oz

Mary Katherine holding the bear that Camp made for his new little brother. He named the bear "Bubba". Love it!Here is me, Nash, Mary Grace, and proud Daddy Chad. Mary Grace fell in love with him and just wanted to "pet" his head. Then the whole way home she sang..."I'm Momma's Baby, I'm Momma's Baby!" ???who knows???

Pics from the race

Here is my Man ~ at mile 2. He finished at 1:51.....which is sooo good! I am very proud of him! He has really been working on his speed and his hard work has paid off.
Here we are : me and Christy Burchfield. We look pretty happy don't we? Well don't be fooled this was only mile 2..... around mile 8, I wanted to say bad words! No more smiles for me, until I saw the finish line from a distance. Right after this picture was taken (thanks by the way to Eugene), I took my jacket off and tied it around my waist. I wore my TEAM 413 tshirt which has the Phil. 4:13 verse on the back. People yelled "Go Team 13" from the sidelines and many runners said how much it meant to them as they were running and read it. It was awesome! '
(check out the dude to the left looking at us like we are nuts!!)

Marathon weekend

Well....we completed the halp marathon and survived the cold. We had so much fun eating with everyone (all 18 of us) at Spaghetti Warehouse (forgot my camera). It was so special to have my parents there with Bryant waiting at the finish line. My cousin Jay Baker ran it also and his wife, Rebecca took pictures for us, so when she emails them to me, I'll post them. We all improved since Nashville and I just have to thank my guardian angel, Christy Burchfield, for encouraging me along the way. I ran with what I think may be Bronchitis and felt like a monkey sitting on my chest. We stuck together the whole 2 hours and ran the whole thing. She even brought me soup last night!! (Mary Grace is sick too) Anyway, we headed back Saturday at noon after the race and attended 2 parties~ in heels! (crazy, I know!) The first one was Ken Bailey's SURPRISE 40th Birthday Bash and the 2nd was for my precious friend Stacey Neubauer Kitchens. She was my 1st friend at Ole Miss.Ken had been hunting all day and came in to a house FULL of guests to celebrate his 40th! Melissa did a great job of keeping it a secret and the food was Awesome!!
Here is the next party when we first arrived ~~ Me and Nea Nea.

Becky Bates, me, and Amy Bates.
Stacey and Jimmy Kitchens~ precious newlyweds!! We are all so happy for her! She deserves all the joy and happiness!!