More bad news...

My friends who are adopting the twin girls went to the hospital this morning to pick up one of the babies, and the lady from Bethany met them there. She said that a guy showed up saying he is the father and doesn't know if he wants to give up his parental rights. They thought another guy was the father and were just waiting to get his signed papers back. At least this is what I understand. Obviously, we don't have all the details yet. Anyway, this has been a huge blow because they thought they were done with this part. Please keep them in your prayers. I can't imagine what they must be going through.

Please, please pray for Lissy

My friend Lissy got her results back from the brain tumor they removed. I am not sure what the name if the tumor is, but is a 4 (on a scale of 1-4) and it will come back at some point. She will start chemo in pill form and radiation five times a week starting next week. They said that the type she has is most common in people over 50 and the life expectancy for that age group is around nine months. But since she is younger and in good health otherwise that she will have longer, but of course they can't make any promises. This was the worst possible news they could've gotten, so you can only imagine where they are right now. Actually, I can't imagine where they are right now. They have two young sons, Kindergarten and third grade I think. Please lift Lissy and Joel in your prayers. They are scared, but they are also people who trust God and know that he can take care of them.

Second blog

I have started another blog that will be dedicated to my adventures in homeschooling. I am having a hard time seeing what I am getting done, so I thought I would take some time, hopefully each day, to record the day's events. Hopefully, this will hold me accountable to actually doing some work! Anyway, if you want to follow along, the address is www.homeschoolblogger.com/shirley4. This blog will still be here, too.

Ouch...

I got myself a personal trainer for my birthday. We are getting more then we thought back from the IRS, so I decided to do this. I have been wanting to for a long time. Two of my friends from church were going and we got a group rate. So, we go Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes. We will do this for nine weeks, and then we can do another session if we want. It is going to be really good, but I can tell that I'll be sore tomorrow. Running is going well, but I haven't been as consistent as I'd like. I am supposed to go Mon, Tues, Wed and Friday. I have missed at least one day each week because of sick kiddos. But hopefully, I can stay on track from now on.

The kids are doing well. School is coming along. Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding a routine, but we're getting there. Jordan will be getting the first phase of orthodontics this month. I think they start with expanders. Anyway, that should be fun. He is so excited about it, but I think that's because he has no idea what he's in for ;)

Campbell is cutting her first tooth finally! She has been soooo fussy today. She still hates baby food. I think it's the texture. Not sure what to do about that. She just started sitting up, which was later than the other babies. I think, because I am busier, I don't have as much time to work with her like I did the others. I am trying to work this "practice time" into our daily schedule.

Well, that about covers it for us. Hope everyone is doing well. I haven't taken any pictures the last couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get some this week.

She signed the papers!!!

Keith and Lydia are proud parents of twin girls!!! Lilly Beth and Jillian are their names, and they are beautiful!!! Thank you for all your prayers. We can't wait for them to get home!

You can visit them at www.tennesseepartyof5.blogspot.com.

High School Musical

My dad got tickets to HSM at TPAC. I took Jordan and Claire and they had the best time! Especially Claire. She loves both movies and was so excited! She could hardly contain herself. It didn't start till 7:30, so she was pretty tired when it was over. Towards the end, she kept asking me how many songs were left. She stayed awake, but she was sooo tired. The picture of just her is after the show. Their faces were really red in the others because we had just gotten inside after walking from the restaurant. They were freezing! Hope everyone has a good day.

UPDATE on the twins

As of right now, the birth mom is going to give the babies to Keith and Lydia, but she doesn't want to sign the papers until Friday. The larger twin will be released from the hospital that day and she wants to be able to call the nursery and get updates on how the babies are doing. But the plan is for her to sign the papers Friday morning. Please continue to pray that this is what will happen. Pray for Keith and Lydia while they wait. Pray for the birth mom, Bridgette, I can't imagine what she is going through. Thanks.

Please, please pray

First, my friend Lissy had her surgery yesterday for the brain tumor. They think they got all of the tumor, which is good news. The bad news is that they don't know what kind of tumor it is, but they do know that it isn't benign. And they also know that it is a rapidly growing tumor. She will have to undergo some sort of treatment, like raidation or chemo, but they will not know anything definitively until Tuesday. Please keep them in your prayers.

Second, my friends Keith and Lydia have been on a major roller coaster the last couple of days. The birth mother decided she wanted to keep the babies, but she is still going back and forth. She is 20, already has a 14mo old daughter, is wanting to go back to school, has no husband/boyfriend and no family in the area. Her friends are trying to talk her into keeping the babies anyway. Please pray for this situation. Keith and Lydia have already gotten their hopes shattered once last year by the birth mother changing her mind. I can't imagine going through it twice. I am trying to see both sides, but right now, I can only see this through my friends' eyes, and it hurts. We are waiting to find out what happened, so as soon as I know something, I will update. Please, just pray.

Please pray...

My friend Lissy Edmonson from church is having surgery to remove a brain tumor today. Please pray for the doctors, nurses, her husband Joel, and their two boys. The tumor is small, but it is a very risky surgery. Thanks.

Yay for Keith and Lydia!!!!

My sweet friends, Keith and Lydia and their little boy Will, have been travelling the road of infertility for several years now. They have been through so much. They decided over a year ago to travel the road of adoption. They have been waiting for I think about one year for the call, and it came this week. TWIN BABY GIRLS!!! They were born this morning in Jackson, MS, so they will be travelling in the morning. Please join me in praying for health for the babies (I think the birth mother was only at 34 weeks, so they are in the NICU right now) and safety for Keith and Lydia as they travel. I am so excited for them; I can't imagine how excited they are!!!

Will you be a Johnny today?

This video was so inspiring.
http://www.stservicemovie.com/

My legs hurt.

Well, I overslept today, so I didn't get to meet my friends at the track. Luke has a cold and didn't sleep well. But I did make myself go to the gym. It was much harder running by myself. I didn't make it the whole time. I also thought it was harder to run on the treadmill. Anyway, tomorrow I am definitely making it to the track. My legs are KILLING me today. I really didn't think I'd be that sore, but man, it hurts. Power through. That's what I keep telling myself. I am never going to get any fitter/healthier if I let the pain stop me. Please tell me it won't hurt forever!

My plan for today is to eat better, make smart choices about what goes into my body. For school, stick to my schedule. Get the kids through all their work and not let them turn on the TV till after 2:00. They have plenty of library books to read if they need a break from school work. Read my Bible. Do laundry. That about sums it up. I hope you have a great day. Do something healthy for yourself and your family!

New day

Well, today is a new day for me. I got up this morning and met two friends from church and we RAN TWO MILES!!!! You have no idea how huge this was for me. I have been talking forever about being different and changing my life. My family is not known for its healthy lifestyle, but I want that to be different for my kids. So the change has to start with me. And I did it! I felt so good. And if I hadn't gone with other people, I wouldn't have done it. And I also wouldn't have made it the whole time. So, Thanks Amy and Kristin! See you at the track tomorrow morning!

another fun test

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Contest Entry

I em entering a contest to win a basket of homeschool goodies. Most of you know that we just started homeschooling our two oldest. After a lot of prayer and listening for God's direction, we knew this was what we were supposed to do. Three days into it, I have no doubt. It has been a great week! As far as the contest goes, I think I should win the basket because I am new to this. I don't have a lot of the things in the basket and they would prove to be VERY useful to my 2 yr old. Especially the paint can with magnets. He would love that! Some of the things in the basket were things I wanted, but couldn't spend the extra money, like the small chalkboard. So, Heart of the Matter, please oh please pick me! If you want to visit this new online magazine, go to http://www.heartofthematteronline.com/. Thanks!

Oops!

I was supposed to tag eight friends along with the "8 things about your kids" post, so I tag all four Cosby's, Elijah and Noah, and Ethan and Nina. Also, the reason Claire's says 10 things instead of 8 is because Jordan ended up with 10. Of course, it had to be fair so Claire wanted 10 as well. Lovely.

8 things about Campbell...

1. I have about a thousand nicknames, but the most popular are Campbell, Campbell Anne, Campbellina, Cammie, Cam-Cam.
2. I look a lot like my big brother Jordan. Especially the hair.
3. I smile with my whole body. It is precious, if I may say so myself.
4. I LOVE my mommy, so much so that I never let anyone else hold me. Well, sometimes I let Daddy hold me as long as Mommy is out of sight.
5. I will be 8 months old on the 17th.
6. I HATE baby food. Mommy has to put cereal in my bottle so I will sleep at night. I really need to eat food, but I am going to see just how crazy I can drive my mom before I give in.
7. I am still not sitting up, nor do I have any teeth. Seriously, I am trying to drive my mom crazy.
8. I am the sweetest little thing in the world. I have a sweet personality and love to snuggle. Mommy is going crazy, but I have a feeling she wouldn't change a thing about me.

8 things about Luke...

1. I will be three in June.
2. I am hilarious. Definitely the most outgoing personality of the Shirley kids.
3. I LOVE "Cars." Today, Daddy said something to me and I said, "I'm not Lukey, I'm Lightning." I watch the movie at least once a day. Well, I turn it on, but usually walk away after Life is a Highway, which is my favorite song.
4. I had to have a "Webkinz" just like Jordan. It is a pug named "Muscles Jimmy." Jordan's was named Jimmy, but mine is bigger.
5. I do everything Jordan does. I love him so much.
6. I can be the sweetest little boy on the planet. I can also NOT be the sweetest little boy on the planet.
7. I love strawberry milk. Or as I say, "straw milk." Sometimes I will take apple juice, but not often.
8. I am growing up way too fast, at least that's what my mommy tells me.

10 things about Claire...

1. I will be 7 years old in March.
2. I love to dance and sing.
3. I like to play with my little sister and my brothers.
4. I like to put on make-up.
5. I love to dress up.
6. I love to do any kind of art project.
7. I am very sweet and smart. I am getting very good at reading!
8. I am hilarious. I make my mom laugh all day. (Claire just said that everyone is hilarious except for me. Nice.)
9. I have lost 8 teeth.
10. I love my aunt Becky. I want to be just like her.

(Claire and Jordan helped me with their lists.)

8 things about Jordan...

1. I just turned 8 years old.
2. I love to read; I am on a 6th grade reading level!
3. I love to play with my little brother and sisters.
4. I love to play games; my favorite thing is when we have family game night.
5. I got a GameBoy for Christmas and it is really hard for me to put it down. Whenever we have a break from school and my mom can't find me, she knows where to look.
6. I love sports like my Daddy. When I grow up, I want to be a soccer star.
7. I like helping my mom during homeschool.
8. My favorite food is apples.
9. Yes, you get an extra. My favorite show is Jonny Test. Mommy has never heard of this show. Do you think she needs to monitor what I am watching?
10. Ok. One more. I love to run, for fun. My mom doesn't understand this.

Fun

What Your Latte Says About You

You don't treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn't jibe with your very disciplined life. You are a very frivolous person. You don't take anything too seriously. Why should you? You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You're definitely not dependent on it. You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful. You are deep and thoughtful, but you are never withdrawn.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

First day of school!!!

(Scroll down; I posted some new pictures today.)

Here are a couple of pictures from today. We had a great first day. We went to the Lavergne Library for story time; they have one for homeschoolers, and it was really good. Worth the drive. We went with my friend Kristy and her boys, Noah and Elijah. They homeschool Noah, too. Then we got lunch and took it to the park. It was really windy, so after we ate we went to their house for a little bit. I forgot my camera so I don't have pictures from that.

Then we came home and did some light school work. They did some handwriting, Bible, then had some free reading time. This is the first picture. I imagine this will become a familiar scene around my house. I love it.

The second picture is of our "classroom." We got a new kitchen table, so we moved our old one downt to the playroom. It is perfect for school. Hope everyone is enjoying their day; we sure are!!

(Well, I can't figure out what is wrong with blogger. Or maybe it's the user ;) Anyway, this post is a little messed up. Sorry.)

Misc pictures

I cleaned some pictures off my camera today. Thought I would put them here.

Happy New Year!!!

I can't figure out what it is, but something is wrong with my posting. Anyway, this is a picture of my brother, dad and me on Thanksgiving. My dad sent it to me today and I love it. I think it's the best picture we've ever taken together.

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year! I can't wait to see what God has in store for us as we begin homeschooling again, as Campbell turns one, as we just go about our everyday lives. My prayer is that we live our lives to please God.