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.