MY FAMILY

We had some pictures taken of our family before little Sophie arrives.  This is one of my favorites.  The kids did so good and the photographer was so patient and had a good eye.  I am so thankful for the family God has given me.  I feel blessed to say the least.  

YEA! IT'S FALL!!! TIME FOR PUMPKINS!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year.  The air is cooler and actually smells cleaner.  The leaves turn beautiful colors and fall; which is fun to play in.  Pumpkins are everywhere.  It just puts me in such a good mood.  I am still amazed after 33 years to see how God's creation praises him continuously through simple processes like leaves changing colors at their expected time.  It is amazing.  God is so big  and I love to share with my kids how he orchestrated the seasons and how even the trees praise him just by changing colors.  Take time to stop and truly enjoy his creation today. It is truly a stunning thing to try and grasp in our small little minds. Thank you Lord for our beautiful world.  Help us never to take it for granted and to always see you in your creation.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  Romans 1:20

Here are our little pumpkins!!!!!

DISNEY WORLD!!!!

I am a little  behind in my blogging.  We have been SO busy since the first of September.  We were able to travel with Bart in September to Disney World.  The kids absolutely loved it and what was even better was that a couple of our friends were able to join us this year. We love to go during hurricane season because there is hardly anyone there.  Works out great as long as you don't mind a little rain every now and then.  I was seven months pregnant with Sophie so I had to ride a scooter.  VERY HUMBLING!  However, I felt great at the end of the day and I was very thankful for my scooter.  If you have never been to Disney, save your pennies!!!! It is worth every bit of it and I don't know how they do it but even adults become kids again.   Here are some pics of our vacation and as they say at Disney,  "Have a magical day!"

The Healing Begins!

Charlie is feeling better and beginning to heal.  Thank you Lord!

PIC

Here he is at LakePointe ER.

UH OH!!!!

Well, when we got back from Indianapolis, we had an accident.  Charlie fell off the couch and onto the coffee table in Bart's office.  Oh my blood was EVERYWHERE!  So for an hour and a half, Bart and I discussed whether or not he needed to go to the emergency room.  I decided I didn't want a big scar across his head so I wanted to take him, not to mention he was still bleeding a lot after two hours.  So, off we went to the wonderful Greenville Emergency Room.  We waited two hours with blood running down his face and after two hours I left.  Come on, he is two!  They told me it would be another two and a half to three hours because there were five people in front of us.  They really need a better system.  So, I decided I could be seen quicker at LakePointe.  I was right!!!!  We were glued and ready to go in one hour.  I was so thankful they decided on glue and not stitches.  I was also thankful my wonderful husband was there to hold him down.  So, we have decided he might be our accident/dare devil child who will see the ER a couple of times in his lifetime.  I hope he proves us wrong.   The glue stayed on for three weeks and he would point to his boo boo when he saw someone and say, " I hurt my head. wwight hewer. " He knew exactly where it was and knew he was not suppose to touch it.  Such a good boy!  

Picture of Bob Tasca III Team and Sam's car

Here is the entire team with Sam and his race car!!!!  How cool is that?!!

BIG DAY!

Wow. We have been so busy and I am way behind in my blogging world.  So sorry.  I will try and catch up quickly.  In August we were notified that Sam had won a contest he entered through JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and FORD.  We were all very excited.  He had to design a race car. We were so proud of him!!!  So, after winning the contest, which he raised $6801.00 towards research for Juvenile Diabetes, we were flown to Indianapolis to see the actual race car with his design, meet the driver and watch the driver (Bob Tasca III) qualify.  It was an amazing experience for us all.  The people could not have been nicer and they treated Sam like a celebrity.  He loved it!  Actually, he loved playing with Bob's six year old son more.  We were there for three days and had some great family time with him as well as a wonderful experience.  Here are some pics of his car and our trip.  GO BOB!!!!

Here is the limo and sassy girl fun!

This was a little girl's dream!  Even Sam and Charlie enjoyed the ride.  They were not up for the pampering once we reached the store, but the limo was a huge hit for the boys. The girls loved all of it.  Every little girl needs a little special time every once in a while and this was definitely theirs.

Fun in Houston!!!!

We just had the most relaxing and wonderful time with our dear friends, the Montgomery's.  We treasure their friendship so much and thank God for putting them in our lives.  The kids were amazing and played together so well.  You would think they see each other all the time.  Whitney planned a special day for the girls and I truly think it was the best day of Gracie's life.  She has not smiled that big and that much ever.  Thank you Whit.  I just had to share some photos of the pink limo that took us around Houston.  I have to say, Whitney and I enjoyed it just as much as they did.  Good times!!!

Phillipians 1:3-  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

Happy 4th of July !!!!

Happy 4th!  This is a special time for us.  We began a tradition when Sam was one by putting him in our town parade.  Our kids look forward to it now and absolutely love it! They decorate whatever vehicle they are going to ride in and they wear their red, white and blue to support our country.  We are so proud to live in America and feel truly blessed to have the freedoms we have.  However, this is my chance to beg each of you reading to begin praying for our next election.  My heart and my spirit are very uneasy about Obama leading our country.  I feel he is sneaky, hiding things and is too much of a smooth talker.  You always need to watch smooth talkers that tell you everything you want to hear. I cannot believe Americans are being blinded to the fact he himself has stated that he does not support the American flag.   WHAT IS THAT?  Have we lost our sense of pride and appreciation for our country?  Our country was founded on Godly principles and we believers need to start taking a stand.  I feel we are in for a huge awakening if Obama takes office.  Our freedom to pray and have the ten commandments in government places have already been taken away from schools and government.  We just sit back thinking there is nothing we can do.  If Obama takes office we will lose a lot more.  I have read enough to know that he has some tie to Muslims and his pastor, whom he sat under,  stated his issues with whites and the American government.  Is that not alarming to anyone?  I am sure Moses was unsure of his ability to part the red sea with just a staff in his hand, and I bet Joshua had a thought or two pass through his mind that there was no way the walls were going to fall with a few people marching around the city.  However, they trusted the Lord and obeyed his instructions.  We have the word of God to look to and should know that biblical truth does not line up with Obama's truths.  Therefore, we should be fighting with all we have to save our country; which we are losing pieces of everyday to immorality and just the value of human life. If not for our generation... for our kids generation.  Ok I think I am done with my political soap box.  I get a little fired up about this issue. HAPPY FOURTH!!!!!!!!

Rain Rain Come Today!!!!!!!

About two weeks ago we had a big rainstorm. The kids love to play in the rain with their umbrellas and rain boots.  However, we had some lightning so we had to go in. They were so sad, so we waited until it was over and then they had the best time running through the puddles.  This was Charlie's first experience with rain boots and puddles. He loved it.  They had the best time together!  

Family pictures of vacation

We had to get creative for a family picture.  We started this last year on vacation and it turned out to be our favorite picture. So we did it again.  Bart holds the camera out and we all have to try and fit in the picture.  I think these took four tries, but once again....mission accomplished!

OH VACATION!!!

Sam got out of school a little earlier than most schools so we took advantage of that and headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama for a little family time and relaxation. It was fabulous.  It was nice to be just the five of us laughing and playing together.  It is so rare for just the five of us to be together.  The kids loved the ocean and the pool.  Gracie loved picking up shells, Sam loved the waves in the ocean and Charlie enjoyed picking up sticks.  Yes, he even found sticks on the beach.   I hope everyone reading is able to get away for a little R&R with your family before summer slips away. 

Last picture of me and my brother.  Christmas day 2003

SAD DAY!

Well, I am back.  Today my  brother would have been 25.  It has been almost five years since he left this earth to be with our Father in Heaven.  I sure do miss him.  My kids long to know him.  They talk about him all the time and get angry that he fell asleep while driving because they will never know him this side of Heaven.  

It has also been three weeks since Stephen Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman lost their little Maria.  My heart is heavy for them as well.  I understand their pain.  

So, I ask for your prayers that healing would continue in our family and only begin in the Chapman family.  

I am so thankful for the hope of the Gospel.  Where would we be without it?  I take great comfort in the following verses and thought I would share them with anyone else who may be hurting from the loss of a loved one.

Galations 6:2  - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5  - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. for just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Have a Blessed Night.

STAY WITH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, the past two months have been a blur.  I have traveled with my husband some and Sam has kept us so busy with school events and T-ball.  I plan on posting as soon as kindergarten graduation is over on Tuesday.  Then life should slow down a little.  So, please check back in the next week for updated pics and posts.  Thanks and have a great week.

Shannon

As I sit here writing, my two older kids are in my bed with 104 fevers.  This always makes me worry when fevers get this high.  Our youngest does not have this virus yet, but his little body cannot handle anything over 101.  He will go into a seizure so I ask that you please pray for quick healing for Sam and Gracie and protection over Charlie.  Illness scares me for many reasons.  The doctors also say illness broke down Sam's pancreas basically so I struggle daily with fear of another child getting diabetes.  I have to lay my fears down at Jesus' feet every time I think about it.  Anyway, please pray for our children.  We would appreciate it.

Charlie turns 2!

Well our baby is officially a toddler now!  (that makes me sad) Charlie Marshall turned two last Saturday.  He loved his birthday and enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to himself.  He is so funny.

Here is a a picture of him about to eat a cupcake.  

Charlie's visit to ER!

Our youngest son, Charlie, had a febrile seizure two months ago and I thought I would pass on some very helpful information to all you mothers out there with little ones.  The ER doctors told me that febrile seizures are not always caused by high fevers.  They can also be caused by a spike in fever. Charlie was fine at 4 pm and by 6:30 I was in the ER with him having a seizure.  His fever was only 102.8 but went from 98 to 102.8 in a very short amount of time.  They also told me that it could have been higher but was already coming down when he arrived.  CRAZY!  I never knew this was possible.  I like to pass on this type of information so you can store it in the "if I ever need it " file.   Charlie is good now thankfully.  It was the scariest thing I have ever seen.  They told me he could do it again with another illness but should grow out of it by the age of six.  

Snow!!

We finally got snow!  The kids have never seen snow and were so very excited when they saw it on the ground.  They prayed and asked God to please give them snow.  When they saw the snow, all they could say was God answered my prayer.  YEA!  We were thankful for our one inch.  It would have been nice to have a snowman but anything is good.  WE ARE THANKFUL!!!!!  

Sam is interested in anything artistic. For example

he loves to draw, color and paint.  He had his

first real experience with finger paint this

past week.   ( I know you are shocked. I 

am not a messy person and this project

is hard for me to do; but I DID IT for the

record.) He also loves his figurines and 

Star Wars lego video game.

Now Charlie is our little rocker.  He absolutely 

LOVES MercyMe and he is fascinated with the

 guitar and watching daddy sing.  He got to 

experience his first concert a week ago and he

never took his eyes off the show.  It truly is

amazing.  He knows how to hold the guitar and

strum it and no one ever taught him.  He just

did it.  His favorite songs right now are Finally

Home and  I Know. He can sing some of it by

himself and he wants it loud and no one talking.

Funny guy!

An inside look at the Millard kids

Well, I thought I would let you see what the Millard kids are interested in these days!   

Let's begin with Gracie, who is three now... She loves to dress herself and loves purses, jewelry and stuffed animals.  Here she dressed herself for school.  Way to go!!!

TV

Bart and I are in a discussion that we are welcoming your opinion on..... Is it bad to put a TV  in your child's rooms when they are little? At the bottom of this page there is a poll. Please take time to give us your opinion.  Thanks.

My Kids

Well, I love this picture of Sam, Gracie and Charlie.  They have just started playing together and enjoying one another.  It is priceless to see them together and  my heart overflows with the blessings they give me.  

The pictures didn't post so I am going to try again.  Here we  go.

Life Mission

Our six year old son, Sam has type 1 diabetes.  He was diagnosed when he was two. It has been an extremely tough road for him and our family. The positives are.. we all eat better, he can live a pretty normal life with close management and the disease has made us a closer and stronger family.  The negatives are.... we have a child with a disease, we live on a very strict schedule, we can't leave him with anyone so it makes it hard to get away, and it just stinks watching your child take shots and be told no on silly food issues daily.  Here are two pictures of Sam having his blood sugar taken and receiving a shot.  Please join us in praying for a cure for juvenile diabetes!!!

For more information on juvenile diabetes go to www.jdrf.org or our new foundation website... www.imagineacureonline.com