Mi Vida Loca

As many of you know I have been fighting the nasty flu bug for over a month...think I'm over it and BAM...back with a vengance. I spent most of last week out of work..out monday...attempted tuesday only lasted about an hour...missed wed & thurs. Feeling some better I decided to give Friday a shot ( I had debated going in at all but determined, I went) On the drive, my boss called and said she didn't need me that day as several babies were out. I turned my car around and headed home to share the "good news" with Phil, who was leaving that afternoon for Germany to escort Margie and her boys to reunite with Bret on his R&R. Upon arriving home and sharing the wonderful news (looking forward to getting more rest)...Phil said why don't you just come with us? A new energy consumed me! An opportunity to travel abroad! I packed an overnight bag for me and Chaz, grabbed the passports and headed to the airport! Frankfurt here we come! The boys did great thru the airport and on the 8 hr flight. They watched a movie and slept most of the way...they were awesome (thank goodness for dvd's)! Upon arriving in Frankfurt, Margie and the boys went to stay with their friends until Bret arrived. Chaz was disappointed that he wasn't going to get to see Uncle Bret. Phil, Chaz and I headed to our hotel. We took a nice nap to catch up on our jet lag. That evening we took the train into downtown and had a nice dinner. Phil had schnitzle (kinda like a fried pork chop) and Chaz wanted a hotdog...no hotdogs in Germany so we ordered him a Brautworst and explained to him it was like a German hotdog...thats all he needed to know...he loved it (guess thats the German in him coming out). The next morning we headed back to the Airport for our return flight. Another 9 fun filled hours...Chaz was an angel he slept probably the first 2 hours of the flight then watched cartoons and played with his toy airplanes the rest of the way home. After deplaneing in ATL Chaz said lets get back on the plane and go back to Germany....Oh My, I think we have created a monster!




Dalton, Chaz and Logan in ATL

Chaz pouring his Sprite in Frankfurt (he thought the glass bottle was cool)

Chaz and I after dinner (there is a really old Church in the background, if you squint you can see it :)

Chaz playing on the cool spaceship playground at McDonalds at the Frankfurt Airport

Now That It's Valentine's Day....

I figure it's about time for another post. So, here goes... Christmas was a blast! Watching Chaz was a true Blessing. Coming home from Sunday School one Sunday I asked Chaz what they talked about he replied "Baby Jesus and that man slammed the door" So, for a 3 year old, that about covers it :) On Christmas Eve Morning he woke us procaiming Santa Came. He was more that thrilled with the tool bench and kitchen Santa gave him. He proceeded to cook us the most delicious Christmas Breakfast. He may just be the next Carter Oosterhouse or Bobby Flay. Grandma and Paps came over that morning for "our Christmas". After exchanging gifts (all of which Chaz had to help open) we went to the Duluth Rexall Grill for breakfast. That afternoon we headed to Columbia to be with Phil's family. It was a great to be with his family. We don't get to see them often enough. I have the Best Sister In Laws in the world and Love every chance I get to spend with them! On New Years Day we had the family over for Greens and Peas YUMMY!!! It was truely a Blessing to have My Grandparents there as well. My Grandma is a true Miracle! The rest of January Flew by...before I knew it, it was the last weekend in January and Oh what a weekend. My Sister Cheryl and yougest son (for a couple more months) Caleb were in Town. Chaz spent the weekend with Caleb at Grandma and Paps...I went to a finding your P.L.A.C.E conference where we did personality and spiritual gift profiles. I am a Sanguine (go figure) with the gifts of Mercy and Evangelism. Then on Sunday Cheryl and I went to Woodstock First Baptist to see Travis Cottrell and Beth Moore. What an awesome time of Praise and Worship...A glimpse of what Heaven will be like....Can't wait for the DVD!!!!!! So glad I got to share that experience with my Sister and Best Friend!!!! Then I Blinked or sneezed or Something and now it's Valentine's Day! Holy Moly! Hope you have a Blessed Valentine's Day...and reflect on the Greatest Love Story....JESUS!

Enjoying Christmas

We have been blessed to have our friend Margie Warren and her two boys with us the last 2 days. Her husband Bret (Phil's best friend since childhood) is in Iraq. Chaz had so much fun with Logan and Dalton. He hated to see them leave this morning, he said "I like them playing with my toys". This morning Chaz and Logan had fun singing Christmas Songs. Here is a video of our entertainers! Uncle Bret, I hope you enjoy this performance which was just for you! Merrry Christmas

Laura

An Ingall's Christmas

A couple of weeks ago we took on the adventure of cutting down our own Christmas Tree. What an exciting day for our family. It was a cold blustery day here in North Atlanta which made it even more festive. Feeling the Nostalgia of the day, I decided to text my sister Dusty to share the experience. OK, so texting is not exactly an Ingall's tradition, but hey...they would've if they could've. So anyway her reply was "are you going to string popcorn and make all your gifts too?" to which I answered..."Sure Hope you like yours!" So to all my friends and family....hope you like your's too! Love Ya!

Merry Christmas!

Laura

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Don't know about you, but I ate way too much...Thank You Lord for all the Good Food! Thanksgiving is truely a special day. Three years ago on Thanksgiving, we brought Chaz home from the Hospital, what an exciting day as first time parents! This year we were Blessed with having my Grandma home with us...What a Miracle! God is Sooo Good! We have been so Blessed and have so many reasons to be Thankful. Here are a few things I am Thankful for this year:

1. My Always Faithful God and His Son, My Saviour, Jesus
2. My Husband for the music he brings to my life
3. My Chazman and the excitement he has in each new day
4. My Mom and Dad for their awesome example of servanthood
5. My Grandparents for the firm foundation they establihed for our family
6. My Siblings...what great memories...I can always count on you!
7. My Mom "E" for raising the most excellent Husband for Me!
8. My beautiful and talanted Nieces and Nephews who fill my life with so much joy!
9. My Extended family (God truely Blessed us with a special close knit family)
10. My new church home One Heart Church
11. My fellow OHC Praise Team Members
12. My New Home! It is great to no longer be homeless :)

There are many other great things I am thankful for...God knows my heart...My Cup Runneth Over!

Oh yeah, another thing I'm thankful for is that we live in a country where we are free to make our voice heard. On that note...All you Georgians get out and make you voice heard today in this very important run-off election between Saxby Chambliss and that very liberal guy whose name I choose not to place on my BLOG. Speak Out Georgia!

Have a Blessed Day!

Can it be My Baby is Three?

Happy Birthday My Sweet Chaz! Thank you for all the Joy you have brought to daddy and I. We are sooooo proud of you and Love you with all our hearts. In honor of your 3rd birthday here are 33 of the countless reasons we love you:

1. Your Sweet Smile

2. Your Laughter

3. Your Determination

4. The way you love to quote movies "You in a heapin' trouble boy" from cars

5. The way you eat your "little hotdogs" with you "scooper"

6. The way you come bounding in the bedroom in the mornings saying "It's morning cause it's not dark outside any more"

7. The way you love to have "stinky sock fights"

8. The way have to sing on the toilet to go "sho wee"

9. The way you love to dance with mommy

10. The way you include everyone in everything.

11. The way you love to play "Dom E O's"

12. The way you love being a gentleman and open my doors.

13. the way you love to help others.

14. The way you love your "warm milk"

15. With Ovaltine Please!

16. The way you love to play baseball

17. The way you sing "take me out to the ballgame"

18. the way you sing "life is a highway"

19. the way you dance and sing with the microphone

20. The way you walk into a room and shout "hey everybody"

21. The way you walk into a store and tell the clerk "We're back"

22. the way you love to see the "Plublix Truck"

23. The way you run to the window to watch the garbage truck.

24. the way you help daddy around the house.

25. The way you remind us that "that wasn't very nice"

26. The way you check to see if daddy and I have a "feber" when we sneeze or cough.

27. the way you ask "You OK Dad?"

28. The way you love to go "sing" with mom on Sunday Mornings before going to Sunday School

29. The way you always love to go to church

30. The way you love your cousins

31. The way you love your Paps, Grandma, Grandma Anita, GiGi and Grandaddy

32. Your sweet spirit

33. And last but not least: The way you "Luv Luv Luv" things.

We are so thankful God chose us to be your Mommy and Daddy! We Love You Sweet Boy!

Is it REALLY October?

OK Cheryl, sorry I haven't posted for a while! You know I can be a little slow and sometimes procrastinate. But is it really October? Can't believe my last post was in July! It was a very busy summer!



July 4th we went to Sanibel, FL for a week of sun and fun. What a beautiful place and the sea shells were awesome! When we returned we started hot and heavy on the house hunting. I can't tell you how many houses we looked at, but God Bless our realtor who was so patient! In August we found our dream home and we closed in September, Yeah! In between all of the house stuff, my Grandma has been in and out of the hospital with various things. She is an amazing 83 yr old. She had been very healthy and active up until the end of July. Since July she has fought and overcome (with the help of The Great Physician) a bleeding ulcer, C-Diff bacterial infection, kidney failure, and a few other things. When the doctors gave no hope, We had Hope! God proved his mighty, He is the God of Miracles. Please keep her in your prayers as she is now in rehab regaining her strength and learing to walk again.



That is the jist of my summer and early fall. I promise, I'll try to be better!



I would like to thank my sis, Cheryl for my very first BLOG award! Love You Sis

As a recepient of this award I have to answer the following questions:

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?
I have a couple of friends I still keep in contact with.
2. What do you value most about your friends?
That I can count on them no matter what!
3. Are your friends your sounding boards?
Yes, it's nice to have someone you can just talk to!
4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?
Girls night, just hanging out, being girls whether it's going out or staying in!

I would like to pass this award along to my Sweet Niece Emma. I love you precious girl!

HAPPY 4TH!

Happy 4th of July to you all. As you celebrate this weekend, please slow down and take a moment to pray for all of our Veterans and the Men and Women overseas who are fighting to protect Our Freedom. God Bless Them and God Bless America! Have a Blessed and Safe Holiday!

Love,
Laura, Phil and Chaz

Are You Ready?

Today marks 4 weeks since the passing of Phil's brother Richard. I can say with confidence that I know where he is. Where we as Christians all long to be...At The Feet of Jesus. Even though I knew that Richard had a personal relationship with Christ, I had no idea the depth of his commitment. I was overwhelmingly blessed by the testaments of faith that people shared about how God had used Richard to impact them. People involved with bible study groups, prayer groups, mission trips, and people he led to the Lord. He had the privilege of leading a young man to Christ the Sunday before he passed away. Because of Richard's obedience, God used him until his very last breath. In a way he is still using him, as several prayed the sinners prayer at his funeral. What a going home celebration that was!

I was also blessed by seeing how God is helping Wendy through this time. She is an unbelievably strong person. But as she said to me when I first saw her "Girl, you know who's getting me through". It is so evident that her strength is in Christ. I will never forget attending Sunday School with her the Sunday after Richard's passing and hearing her sweet prayer during prayer time. Without wavering she prayed this acknowledgment: "God you showed me that Richard didn't belong to me, that we belong to you and because of you we will see each other again one day". WOW....what a truth! Everyone has been amazed by her strength, she shared with the class how God is her strength. She then told the class "Be ready cause your time is coming. It may not be death, but some trial will be coming your way so be ready". WOW...another truth.

Since I've been home I have been thinking about being ready and what exactly does it mean?
First and foremost you must accept Christ as your savior.

Then God showed me in Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; My whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.


You must seek God, Truly know him. Have that deep relationship like no other. The best way to do that is through prayer and daily bible study. When we seek Him, He will fill us. He will protect us in life's storms. He will give us the ability to sing for joy even in times of sorrow. I will never forget seeing my Sister in Law praising God at her Husbands funeral....What a testimony! God is So Good!

Thanks to all who have been praying us through! Continue to keep Wendy, Autumn and Josie in your prayers.

Praying that you will be ready,
Laura

Prayer

Hello Dear Friends,

Please be in prayer for our family. We just received a call that my Husband's Brother Richard has gone home to be with Jesus. He was only 40 years old. It was very unexpected and we don't yet know any details. He has the most precious wife, Wendy, and 2 beautiful Daughters Autumn who is 9 and Josie who is 3. We are headed out tonight from Atlanta to Columbia, SC. Thank you sweet friends for lifting us up.

Laura

Finally Another Post!!!

OK, now I know what you are thinking...this girl really is slow. I hate to say I told you so! But not just that, we have been very busy! Since my last post, we have been to watch my 12 year old nephew Max play in a baseball tournament (he and his team did very well by the way); we have been to Florida to visit my husbands best friend Bret and his family; we went to Braves game last night; and now I am cleaning house preparing for a visit from my Mother in Law this weekend. Even though we have been going non stop, we have had lots of fun.

Chaz (my sweet, charming, very social and energetic 2 year old) absolutely loves baseball. He had a blast at the tournament watching games and making new friends. He took his own ball, bat and glove to the game and walked around asking everyone he could if they would play ball with him. He was turned down many times but persistence paid off. He finally found a new friend named Connor, another sweet little guy his age. It was so neat to watch those two taking turns pitching and hitting the ball...I think they may be some future big leaguers. Chaz was thrilled when my niece Mia and her friends joined in to play...he was in hog heaven with all those girls. After their "game" the girls began doing somersaults...Chaz had to join right in...I think it may be time for some gym classes for him.

Our trip to Florida was bittersweet. Phil's best friend Bret is in the Air Force and is being deployed to Iraq this summer. So the main reason for our trip was to see him before he leaves. Bret and his wife Margie have 2 sons Logan (will be 4 in August) and Dalton (1 yr). Please be in prayer for them as they prepare for his deployment in a couple of months. Pray for Brets safety and for Margie as she tends to the boys and the household. Pray for the boys who will be without their father for a year. We had a great time visiting with the Warren's. Phil and Bret laid a foundation for a shed (due to several minor set backs it took 2 days to complete). Chaz and Logan had so much fun "helping" Phil and Bret. Margie and I enjoyed looking after the boys and picking out paint colors for her house. She and I also took the boys to the beach...it was a beautiful day. Chaz, Logan and Dalton had a blast playing in the sand and splashing in the very cold Gulf.

I also would like to say thank you to all who have left comments on my first post. It is great to meet you and I look forward to talking with you soon!
Here is a slide show of pics from the baseball tournament and our trip to Florida

Take Care and Be Blessed!

Laura

Sleep With It...

The Braves game the other night was so much fun. Chaz has grown so much since last year and he had a B-A-L-L. He had so much fun running the bases in the kids play area, pitching in the virtual pitching booth, getting a new bat and ball from the clubhouse store and oh yeah...watching the game, there was actually a game going on! There is so much to do there that its easy to forget why you are actually there. :) The ride home was great, Chaz had me sing continuously "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" (its a 30 min drive). When we got home it was after 10pm and you would think Chaz (who almost fell asleep on the ride home) would go straight to bed...boy was I wrong?!? As soon as we walked in the door he wanted to "hit the ball" with his new equipment. After a few rounds of batting, I informed him it was time to go to bed. He, in no uncertain terms, wanted any part of that and went into full melt down mode. Those of you who have or ever had an overly tired 2 yr old know exactly what I am referring to. Nothing will appease them...no reassurances that we can play again in the morning, no kind of persuasions whatsover. So I finally asked the age old question "what do you want?" his reply was "seeep with it"......Choosing my battles, I agreed. He was a happy camper! So was I! He was in bed, prayers and asleep within minutes. Life is Good.

Welcome to the World of Blog...Time to catch up!

Well, here I am...finally. My family has always said I am soooo slow, now my husband even says so. But, here I am. Catching up with the times. Yes, I have a cell phone and I do text. I have a computer with e-mail and now.....tada...My very own blog. Who would have thunk?

So...here goes:

For those of you who know me, Hey Y'all and I Love Ya!

For those of you who don't, I'll try to be quick. Not easily done as I am from the south and we just can't leave out any of the juicy details. So here's the quick version:

I am 37 years old

I was born and raised in the Great State of Georgia

My Husband Phil and I met 8 years ago working for the airlines (He is a hopeless romantic...yeah for me!)

We have been married for 6 years

We have a very energetic and loveable 2 1/2 year old son Chaz

We currently reside in the Atlanta Area (pending the outcome of a certain airline merger...so much for being "grounded" :)

I am a full time mommy

I work part time with an after school program

I Love Love Love being with my family!!!

I Love Coffee (anytime of the day) Flavoreds are the best!

I Love to read

I Love to sing

I Love to crochet

I Love being outside

I Love the beach

I Love the country

I Love the mountains

But most of all....I Love Jesus

That about covers it for the quick version....I'm sure we'll get around to the rest of the juicy details later. Thanks for stoping by!

Laura Sue

or as referred to by one of my fave uncles

Saura Lue