9/11

   Ten years ago today is a morning I will never forget. I was a Sophomore at Lipscomb University and I was living in a town home in Bellevue with my friends Heidi and Brandi. On Tuesdays I had one political science class and anatomy lab in the afternoon. I didn't have to be at school until 11 that morning so I was sleeping in. Brandi had already gone to school because she had an early class. Heidi was up getting ready for her class at Belmont. I remember laying in bed  trying to get myself motivated to get out of bed and get in the shower. I can remember hearing Heidi saying something like "Oh my gosh!"  , from her room down the hall. At the time I thought she was on the phone but I eventually realized she wasn't talking to anyone. I got up...walked to her room and we watched as the horror unfolded on TV. Shortly after that Brandi called to see if we had heard what happened and that her class had cancelled mid-lecture and she was on her way home. Shortly after that I think was when the second plane hit. I called my professor, Dr. Vanderpool to see if our class was still going to happen and he was in the office and told me that he would like to go ahead and meet.  Dr.Vanderpool came to Lipscomb after a 35 year career with the National Security Agency where he specialized in foreign policy issues and counter-intelligence. He thought it would be a good idea for our class to get together and discuss what had happened. I didn't want to go. But I am so glad I did. Our one hour class ended up taking about an hour and a half. Everyone was so confused, shocked, scared and angry.  

  I worked two jobs in college and one of those jobs was a sales associate at Dillards in Green Hills. I only worked there on Tuesday nights and Saturday or Sunday.  They closed the malls that afternoon so I didn't have to go in.  I went home and Brandi, Heidi, and I watched the News all afternoon. That evening we walked to Sonic. (we walked to save gas because everyone seemed to think gas would be crazy expensive the next day.) Everyone was out walking. It was weird. We got ice cream and walked back home. I think we stayed up really late that night and then attempted to go to sleep. I will never forget that feeling. I will never forget the feeling of wondering what would happen next and what it would mean for our country. EVIL. I think it is the first time I realized just how real Evil is.

   Ten years later and I can still remember that day like it was just a month ago. I can't remember last Tuesday...but that Tuesday will be forever engraved in my memory.

  God Bless America . God bless the men, women, and children who lost loved ones on that awful, tragic day. God bless the leaders of our country. God bless the brave souls who risk everything to serve and protect our country. We will never forget.

Hearts are heavy now, dear Lord
For WAR is looming there.
Our prayers are calling out to you,
Our thoughts too much to bear.
Be with our loved ones--THEY NEED YOU.
Guide them, lead them, see them through.
Bless our leader, for we know,
He asks Your blessings, and needs them so.
Protect the innocent,  shield their lives,
As bombs and missiles streak the skies.
Open our hearts and fill us with grace,
Guard our loved ones in that place.
This I say, in earnest prayer,
THANK YOU LORD
I know YOU'RE there.

Exhale

 
         As I am typing this blog I have the Tennessee/Montana game streaming on my computer, Texas/Rice game is on Kris's computer , and Georgia and Boise St. is on the TV. I am very excited about the Fall. Not only because it's football season, but I keep hoping and praying I am going to walk outside and breath in that cooler, brisk air that I miss so much. So far...nota. As much as I love the Summer and I'll admit I am a fan of soaking in those hot Summer rays, I am so ready for the 100+ degree weather to bid us farewell. I love the water...I love being tan...and I love the Summer....but  I . am. over. this . one.  I guess the heat has been much more tolerable in Summer's past because we got so much more rain...but the heat plus the lack of rain has made me wish for the Fall more than ever before. I always love the Fall, and I am always ready for it, but this year my anticipation is on a whole new level. Bring it on Mother Nature!!!!

    I mentioned earlier to please prayer for Keyvin Wright. He is the brother of my brother-in-law, Randy. He suffered a head injury in a logging accident two weeks ago and he eventually passed away on August 24th at 1:35 p.m.  I can't even begin to explain how much my heart hurts for his family. He was a really great, humble, hard working man, and things like this just don't make sense sometimes. They had over 1,800 people to show up at the funeral home for him and people in the community are devastated. In the town where I am from hunting and fishing are so common that if you don't hunt or fish your odd. Keyvin was an avid outdoors-man, so a lot of people knew him and shared his love for nature and...well....shooting things. He was just an overall great guy and we lost a good one. Keyvin was an  organ donor and his Step mom had been on the transplant list for a kidney for over a year. So on the day Keyvin died, his step-mom was undergoing testes all day to determine if her tissues and blood type were a match. As it turns out, they were. Praise the Lord! Something good came out of something so horrible. She received Keyvin's kidney just hours after he passed and she is doing well. The other girl who received his other kidney is also doing well and her family got to meet Keyvin's family and they were just crying and thanking them over and over for saving there daughters life. They even came to Keyvin's funeral. So as you can imagine the last week was a complete roller coaster of emotions for my sister and her family. I wanted so bad to be there for them. I just want to ask that you all will continue to pray for them. Randy is having a tough time with everything. He and Keyvin were very close and with hunting season and the holidays right around the corner...it's going to be tough. I don't know what I would do if I lost one of my sisters and I can't imagine the hurt he and his other brother are going through. I also want to ask that you pray for his mom and dad, wife Devin, and two young children...Walker and Carolina. They need all the prayers they can get during this difficult time.

(the song playing is in his honor. RIP Keyvin). 

Keyvin

The logging trucks led the funeral procession. The front truck was Keyvin's
and it still had the last load of logs from the day he was injured. 

    Today has been  busy day. We left at 10 this morning and had lots of errands to run. 

After running errands we went to Lifetime and Kris and I worked out and took Kamden and Scout

swimming afterwards. Kris and I took turns between going down the slides with Kamden and playing 

with Scout until all of us were pretty beat. We came home , made dinner, and have been lazy and watching

football ever since. It's been a good day. The new house is almost finished and I will have pictures of it up soon. We are excited to get moved and settled. The settled part is going to take a while, but we will get there. 

My Mom is going to fly in a week or two after we move to help with Scout  and I am really excited to see her.I am excited to have her help too! :) Since we live so far away, she doesn't get to spend a lot of one on one time with Scout so it will be very special in more ways than one. Get ready Mom...she's a fireball!!

    Speaking of fireball.....Scout is a ball of energy!! If she is awake...she is moving.! She is walking...not well...but walking. I swear she is as tough as nails too. She falls all the time...hard...rarely cries...and then gets up and proceeds with whatever she was attempting to do. And sister can climb!  I think she may have inherited my OCD too. She thoroughly enjoys organizing things which is something that Kris and I have witnessed in the last week and it is somewhat fascinating. She loves music and anytime a song is playing she claps and sways to the beat. She gives great, slobbery, borderline  inappropriate kisses. :) She also goes "awwww" when she gives you kisses and hugs as if to say..."aren't I the sweetest thing you ever did see?"  She cracks us up all the time. She so much fun!!! 

She loves to jump in the pool and go under water. She thinks she is so big!

Swimming :)

She loves the mushroom waterfall!

She likes to put as many toys as possible in her rocking chair...and then try to also sit in the rocking chair.
It is an every day challenge and we do it over and over and over and over. :)

The remote is the greatest invention ever to her. She just can't help herself.
Everyday is a never ending quest to capture and seize control over it. 

Showing some love :)

She pushes this thing around like it's her job :)

Picking out a pacifier for bedtime is a very important decision. It can't be taken lightly. 

Helping mom go through the mail

It only makes sense to do it while sitting in Knox's carrier

"This is an excellent deal on refrigerator's!"

She has grown out of her Tennessee tee so tonight we are supporting Daddy's team.
GO HORNS and GO VOLS!!!!!

Jamming out some sweet tunes with big brother

    

   Tuesday..if not before...we will have a new little angel in the family.Aunt Kelly and Uncle Lewis will be welcoming baby Britain in to the world! We are all really excited to meet her! 

    Until next time, have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend everyone!!!