Mom and Dad are here

Mom and Dad arrived yesterday afternoon. We are so excited to have them here. They are here for only a couple of days. They came up so they could see Kristian and Peyton in one of their football games. They also came up because Devon has some artwork on exhibit at a local gallery. Not to mention they wanted to see Mackenzie and Maddie. We don't get to see them very often. I wish that was not the case. But it definitely keeps me from taking them for granted. Mom and Dad are very special to us. We miss them dearly when we are not together.

Decatur

Meet Decatur. He is Kristian's Lab puppy. Kristian wanted a dog a year ago for his 16th birthday. The problem was and still is that we have 3 other dogs. This year, because our oldest dog was showing signs of "departure", we agreed to get him his dog.

Decatur is named for the town that my mother grew up in and my Grandmother still lives in, Decatur Alabama. Kristian thought that the name was cool and had some relevance.

Kristian is IN LOVE with his dog. I NEVER thought that I would see Kristian fall for anything so hard, let alone a dog. Decatur has brought our a trait in Kristian's personality that has remained hidden until now. Kristian will occasionally tell us that he loves us but showing it is another matter. Kristian LOVES Decatur. You can see it in how they interact. You can hear it in how he talks to him.

It is so amazing to SEE love from my 17 y/o tough guy.

Assurance in Your Salvation

Have you ever wondered, "Am I really saved?" I'm sure you are like most Christians and have been "led into the wilderness to be tempted." Why do we have these thoughts? Where do they come from? Well, recently I have battled with all of those questions. I was led to John MacArthurs' site "Grace to You". What a wonderful site. If you have questioned your salvation, please take a few minutes to read John's message on Reasons People Lack Assurance.

I leave you with another of my Photographs

It's been too long

Way to long!!! It has been over 9 months since my last blog. I guess I haven't felt like I had anything important to say. I was reading my sisters blog today and I got the bug to write again. I am not nearly as talented a writer as she is but I feel that I have "something" to offer,even if it is just a picture that I have captured or a quick note about my family.

I have been very busy. So much has happened since my last post. We have had success and failures, we have had smiles and tears. We have endured so much this past year but God has gotten us through thus far.

My photography has taken off. I have been shooting everything I can. I have created an online album to share my photos with you. I also was recently honored to have a photograph nominated for the International Society of Photographers 2008 Hall of Fame. It will be exhibited at the annual convention in Las Vegas.

I am still carving decoys but have slowed down a great deal. Carving is one of those things that you really have to set aside a large chunk of time for and lately I haven't had any. I guess I could do a little here and a little there but then it becomes a chore and the enjoyment is lost. I am currently working on two decoys and would like to have them finished in the next month or so. They are a bit more involved than anything I have done before so I am taking my time with them.

Mackenzie and Kristian are Seniors this year. They are both excited and a bit apprehensive about graduating and heading off to college. They will do fine.

Devon shot a video in Toronto while back. You can find it on YouTube ( Truth N Rhymes). He has been writing and recording his own music for a while now and has become very good mixing and "producing" the music.

Maddie and Peyton are doing well. Not much going on with them (I hope that they don't just seem like a footnote)

I'll leave you with one of my latest photos