I know I am not the only one who is staying up till 2am watching all the Michael Jackson tributes. Can I get a witness? I am so sad and so sleepy because everyone is running tributes now. He completed the "trifecta" (you Ticket listeners know what I am talking about) for this week. First, Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett and finally Michael Jackson. I have the best memories of the Victory Tour concert at Reunion Arena my cool Aunt Jonelle and Uncle Mac took me to when I was mucho younger. Sported the glove too. I still can't believe my parents let me go, but I am so grateful. Wish I had kept that concert t-shirt now. I can't really say Michael influenced my wardrobe (thank goodness), my life or was "with me thru all my ups and downs and I don't know what I will do without him" (yes, a quote from a lady on the news at the Dallas celebration of life services for MJ), but he did provide some great tunes to grow up to. I will be heading to bed on time tonight, I can't handle another Billy Jean video (with that terrible little red bowtie).
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Life is precious....
Riley took a tumble down the stairs tonight (she is fine).
She slipped (literally) in her slippers about half way
down and went for a ride - like a rag doll. Of course,
I had a view of it from the dinner table and could only
get there in time to stop her about 3 steps shy of the
bottom. She had on these cute piggie pj's and it was
a sight of pigs over pigs over pigs. I mean to tell you.
That girl has had a rough two weeks. Lots of flipping.
These scares are tough on mommies. It reminded me
of the big reminder from last week. That our lives are
in the hands of Almighty God and that our lives are
precious to Him and should always be handled as precious
to us.
I will start off with a fun picture.
Jarrett had a birthday two Mondays ago. We made
his favorite meal, decorated the kitchen according to
Riley's direction, made brownies and loved on Daddy
alot. Little did we know 6 days later, the following
images would be burned on our minds. Always
reminding us how God is in full control. 
Jarrett and Riley were heading down the tollway
to church and around a hill and small bend, he swerved
(at around 70 mph) to avoid something in his lane.
He overcompensated and the car flipped twice.
Landing here - two feet from the concrete wall.
My stomach tightens when I see one the one tire
mark develop into two. Just knowing they were
still flipping at this point. 
Here is the car. The only damage being on the
drivers and back passenger side. Where my
husband and baby were. Riley's side is crushed. 
Riley's side. Her seatbelt was properly installed
and the straps properly positioned. Also, the
centripetal forces must have pulled her chin to
her chest and it probably avoided alot of head
injuries she could have endured. 
This was a tough site for Daddy. 
We are not lucky. Not at all. I will never for a second believe that. It was a miracle and something God has used to gain my full attention and remind me of what a mighty God I serve and love. God allowed this in our lives and He allowed them to live and only walk away with a few scratches and bruises. I cannot thank God enough or praise Him enough. And He is not looking for any "works" of gratitude, but man, this really has opened my eyes to examine my time with Him in the mornings, how I am serving Him and living my life so He can use me for His glory and honor. Although this event was so unfortunate (losing the car and scaring the tar out of Jarrett and Riley). God is soooo cool and evident in the intricate details. His hand of protection is obvious, but His hand of provision was just as mighty in this event.
There were two cars that stopped to help. One of them was a very dear friend of mine (we have been in the same biblestudy for the last 3 years). Cricket stopped because that is who she is - little did she know it was Jarrett and Riley. She was able to hold and comfort Riley. It just gets me choked up thinking about it. And Cricket is no stranger to Riley, she knows her from the church and thinks her name is silly. So to know God put Cricket there to comfort my baby and then drive Jarrett and Riley (after the paramedics cleared them) to the hospital.
Jarrett did call me right after it happened (Kelsey and I were still at the house
getting it ready for a noon showing and then heading up to church). When I picked
the phone I had a very frazzled husband and could hear Riley in the background. Her cry was heartbreaking. It was a low moan - she was in shock. The only thing that prevented vomiting on this end was knowing Cricket was there comforting her. I couldnt get there fast enough. Jarrett's good friend Chris came up to the hospital and brought Riley some toys (from his car) to play with. Another level of provision. Riley loves "Kouba" and his little girls. So this made her happy.
So although its not fun for us to have to purchase another car, it could be so, so, so much worse. Thanks to everyone who prayed for my husband and Riley that morning and later that week when word leaked out.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
splish... splash....
we spent the afternoon at the dallas aquarium. this was kelsey's first trip, riley's second.
it was lots of fun with daddy.
some crazy bird was chasing riley around at
the beginning. that little thing would not leave
us alone....
riley looks like the crocodile hunter (may he rest
in peace) to me in this pic. with her foot up on the
rail explaining the stingrays to kelsey. you know,
i just now got the crocodile hunter and stingray
relationship, no offense.
she loved schooling kelsey on everything.
don't let go please.
her level to see. they were wanting the fish to
give their hands smooches.
because of the reflection. and the fact that i
am running thru this tunnel taking the picture
as fast as i can. it gives me the creeps and im
trying not to let my children see it. mommy
is running for "exercise" girls.
riley's idol...
about once a year riley's idol, miss patty cake, comes to prestonwood. this year (a while ago, but i am catching up) we had the opportunity to meet her.
riley was in hog heaven. she was actually speechless on the way home. she would tell everyone she met (the guy that greets and passes out stickers at wal mart) that she talked to and hugged miss patty cake.....
needless to say i did not have to "say cheese" for this picture.
Friday, June 12, 2009
did you miss me????
people who still love us. please accept my apologies. i have not gone over to the facebook side (no offense to those that have). we are still alive and well. life has been crazy busy and i have had zero time to blog. but i have missed it. more than you have probably missed me. pass the word - we are back in action.
here has been our life since my last post (shamefully in march!!!):
1) our house is on the market. come and buy it. it is adorable. you will be sorry you didnt. the majority of my time has been keeping the house spotless for showings. and we have had a ton. if you provide us with the seller, i am officially offering you a finders fee ($$$$). take me up on it. we are not going anywhere too far, we are just needing to move closer to the church....because of #2
2) jarrett has been graciously given the saturday night service at prestonwood. he is preaching and jared wood is leading worship. it is awesome. this kicked off in mid may. service starts at 6 and the nursery is open. this is a great service for all ages and stages. come check it out!
needless to say, still having the honor of hanging out with the young singles, our lives are super busy and for the majority at pwood. moving closer (#1) would allow us more time with daddy and less $ on gas!
3) riley was accepted to pca for the fall. she will be in the pre-k 4, 2 day a week class. holly shivers and i went to the uniform sale together. i was glad i had a friend there to hold my hair back if i needed to throw up. it has made me so very emotional - and its only pre-k. i wept on the way to church and back. and school is 2 months away. i cant believe they make uniforms that small. lets move on because i am getting teary.
4) if you haven't heard, jarrett and riley were in a horrible car accident a week ago. the car flipped (yes, flipped) twice and they walked away. car is totaled but they were ok. its an absolute miracle. let me tell you something. if you don't know that our God is great and in control, call me. i will share all the intricate details of His protection and provision that morning. we are in awe and praise Him for allowing that in our lives. our eyes are on Him alone!
i have many many pictures to post (including our smooshed car), but jarrett needs the computer to work on his message for saturday so i am being kicked off.
thanks for hanging in there with us!
xxoo
