Happy Fathers Day - Papaw

Happy Father's Day Papaw! We hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for all you have done and still do. Austin always enjoys the time that he gets to spend with you golfing, fishing, or just catching up. You have been and continue to be a big influence in his life. We love you.

Happy Fathers Day - Papa

Happy Fathers Day, Papa! I just want to take a moment on this special day to celebrate my father. I feel so blessed to have you as my dad. With each passing year I come to appreciate you more. I see so many dead beat dads that won’t take responsibility for their families. That was never the case in my home. You always put the needs of your family far above your own. You sacrifice your time and even your health for your family. I hope you will always know that all you have done and still do will not go unnoticed, but is deeply appreciated. We love you so much. You’re a very special man.

Daddy's Girl

Bailey loves her daddy! And why shouldn’t she? He adores the ground she walks on. From the moment she was born he had a new twinkle in his eye. It thrills my heart to see the relationship between my husband and my daughter. You would think that I would get a little jealous when I say whose girl are you and Bailey replies Daddy’s, but it gives me warm fuzzy feelings. God has really blessed us by giving us the life that He has. We are able to serve Him in the ministry and Austin has a “full” time job as well. You would think that a family given these circumstances would have very little time to spend together. That is definitely not the case for us. Austin’s full time job is wonderful. We have our own business. Austin is a dealer of fundraiser products for Country Maid (who are of themselves a blessing and wonderful people). He has worked very hard to make our business what it is today. The business has become very successful, but what I like best about it is all of the time it allows us to spend together as a family. We work as a team in the ministry trying to build relationships and make disciples for Christ. We realize that the most important disciple that God has given us is Bailey. America’s society seems to think that the most influential person in a child’s life is the mother. I don’t want to discount moms, of course, but I believe dads are of equal influence. A friend of ours recently shared a story with us about a man he knew who owned a strip club. The man was talking about how he had recently come to the realization that all of his “girls”, in some way or another, had a poor relationship with their father. Some never knew their father, some fathers abused, some neglected, some were extremely overbearing. This really makes me thankful for my father and my husband. That father-daughter relationship is so crucial. Austin takes his role as a father very serious. He spends so much time with Bailey teaching, playing, and just loving. About a week ago Austin let me sleep in. I woke to see him and Bailey snuggling in the recliner watching Sesame Street. They had just returned from I Hop where they went to eat breakfast in their P.J.’s. How sweet is that? Its times like this that I want Bailey to remember when she thinks back on her childhood. These are precious memories! For those who didn’t have this kind of father my heart breaks. Praise God that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Everyone has access to the ultimate Father, God Himself. His love, mercy, and grace are endless. His love doesn’t hinge on what you look like or what you have done. His love hinges on who you are, His child. I am grateful that I can call Him my Father. He has never failed me. If you need a Father like this you know how to reach me. I would love to introduce you to my Father.

Mommy's Precious Girl

How cute is she? I thought everyone would enjoy seeing Bailey's first pig tails. Mommy needs a little practice, but I thought they turned out pretty cute. She was a hit everywhere we went. We ate supper at La Hacienda and they gave her a balloon. Then we went to the baseball game and the dad who brought drinks gave her one before the game was even over. She is growing up so fast. She thinks she is big stuff too. She usually doesn't want to sit by mommy at the games. She has to be right by Aaron & Caleb. Tonight was our last baseball game. We won a whopping one game! The boys played hard though and had lots of fun. They should be pretty good next year. We will get all but a few boys back because we had such a young team. I hope to have more pictures soon. Stay in touch.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

A few weeks ago we went to an Arkansas Travelers baseball game. Some friends of ours were kind enough to share their sky box tickets with us. We had a wonderful time watching the game and visiting with friends. Rachel, Darren, & Ada feed us all supper at their house before the game. Braxton and Courtney were there also. We don't get to see everyone often enough so it was great. Bailey and Ada had a blast playing together. They were both up past their bed time, but they were little angels. Bailey kept occupied by eating Ada's snacks. Everyone was shocked by how much Bailey could eat so they just kept giving her more. Of coarse she had no objection. She cleaned her plate and then finished Ada's. We wonder how she is still so petite. Alesha

Friends For a Visit

We had some friends come visit this past weekend. Byron and Denea were in town for a wedding in Memphis. They are some of our friends from Magnolia but they moved to Louisana after we moved to Southaven. They came in on thursday night and we all ( Us, The Rhodes family, and The Blackwells) went to Chilli's and ate. Byron and I rode around Friday and I showed him around the area. We got to visit them a few weeks ago . The pics are of them here and us there. Austin