Father's Day: To the Naval Daddy AND the Ultimate Boyscout

It's Father's Day.  I love my Heavenly Father.  I love my naval husband-father.  I love hymns.  So, here is a tribute to all those things.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea!

pretty pics...  www.marianmartinphotography.blogspot.com

Father's Day 2012

I know the Ultimate Boyscout. You know, the guy who has near his person at all times no matter the time of year: ponchos, a hammer, snow shovel, snow boots, a gun, batteries, breaker bars, hack saws, extensions, lug nuts (what in the world), tin snips, and twix candy bars. This just scratches the surface. All these things are strategically placed in his Subaru. I once asked the Ultimate Boyscout what he did for a living. His response was, "I prepare for a breakdown." I like to tease the Ultimate Boyscout. Because, you may have guessed it...he's my Daddy!

And, he makes killer omelets.  He has a servant's heart who loves the Heavenly Father...And, I love him!  Happy Father's Day!

Life With Little People

Emily lost her first tooth Saturday evening!

And, you know you are a parent of a small child if you are trying to work out and there is someone really cute on your back making things a little more difficult.

You also know you are a parent of a small child if you find yourself humming Little Einsteins while you run through the neighborhood.

Vacation

What we did on vacation....

After we told Daddy we were sorry we had to go without him...
Cooking

Coloring

Napping

Cuddling

Celebrating

Reading

Scarily smiling

Spending time with Pappy

...and Grammie

Giggling and Swimming

We had a few other adventures going to the beach and visiting my aunt...However, my camera went home early with Pappy so I could not take other pictures. We had a wonderful time!!!

Loose Tooth!!!

I had put our camera in my mom's pool bag during vacation, and it went home with her last week. So, until I receive my camera back in the mail, I can't take any pictures, BUT, I wanted to remember this day...my firstborn has her first loose tooth!!!

While she is mostly excited, she is a little scared that it might hurt and bleed. She is also concerned that she is going to swallow the tooth. I am realizing that I am entering into a new phase of parenting. My children are beginning to leave the little years and enter into adolescence. With this comes a lot of vulnerability. And, I am finding my role as a mother is to be constantly reassuring them through their little trials and tribulations...which are a big deal to them.

My Mothering Friend

My God gives and takes, and sometimes, if it pleases Him, He gives back. And, in EVERYTHING He is in the details. About a year and a half ago, my family and I, in God's providence, moved to a new church. Being new, we were looking at the church's website to find out more about them. Whereupon I "stumbled" onto the blog of the pastor's wife. After looking at her blog one afternoon, I decided then and there that Marian Martin was going to be my friend whether she wanted to be or not. What began shortly after was a very special friendship because Marian is one of those special women who God has used to draw me closer to Himself. A bosom buddy if you will! And, for a year we got together once a week to let our children play together while we were able to have some much needed wife-mama-homemaker-etc talk. And, then, because of a very unforgiving military schedule, my family and I were to leave for Rhode Island for six months then move to a different part of Virginia. Leaving my dear friend pretty much ripped my heart out. And, I wondered if I would ever have another friend like her.

Well, now my family is back in Virginia attending a church, the pastor just so happens to be Marian's brother-in-law. And, due to changes in Marian's family circumstances, they have moved to our area to be a part of the same church ...we live seven minutes from each other! And, just yesterday we were sitting in my home doing laundry together...you know you have a good friend if you can be with each other folding towels and underwear. I am so thankful to be back with my friend and I am looking forward to many days of learning and laughing together.

"Fellowship with God, then, is the source from which fellowship among Christians springs; and fellowship with God is the end to which Christian fellowship is a means." - Jerry Bridges

Valentine's Day Memories for My Little Ones

So Happy!!! Reunited with special friends!!!
Let the fun (and insanity) begin...will the two Mama friends ever get to sit down and talk??...

Love how littles decorate cookies...

My favorite spaghetti face

Enjoying Playdough

And, my favorite two words: "Mommy, Wook"...All tuckered out...

Elizabeth's 5th Birthday!

My little Bissy is 5 years old!!! Can't believe it! She is a beautiful, sweet, helpful, spunky, funny little lady, and we are so thankful for her!

Sweet sisters!

The Murrell Males

Elizabeth enjoys horses...and I made this cake!!!

And, looking back...

4 years old

3 years old...I had just given birth to Caleb a month before...still in survival mode!

2 years old

1 year...I put the icing on her nose...she would not make a mess with her cupcake!

Sweet baby year!

Picture Catch-Up

I badly need to catch up with some recent (or not recent) photos of our family these last two months...Starts from most recent (today, in fact) and ends at Thanksgiving...sorry, Marta!

January 9: Adam checks in aboard USS Kauffman...couldn't get him to smile...

Caleb's Two-Year-Old Birthday Party and the Rowdy Reindeers...we live in a LOUD house!

Reading The Advent Book with Grammie and Pappy during their visit...

New Bathrobes!

Pap-Pap visits and opens gifts with us Christmas Eve...

The chaos of moving and decorating for Christmas all at once!!! Whoo hoo!!!

(It is no one's birthday in this picture....someone found some party hats in one of the boxes.)

Ahh...a little bit of Christmas cheer...and order!

Mimi visits in Rhode Island over Thanksgiving...

Three generations of the Murrells...

Mimi and half of her grandchildren...

Five Things I Will Miss From Rhode Island

Reflections from my Rhode Island Wilderness Adventure....I will miss...

1. Our family-friendly schedule. Unlike what we originially thought, Adam's schedule was very easy. This is Adam's graduation day! Doesn't he look handsome?! Once again, he succeeded with flying colors!!! I was glad that the kids and I could attend his ceremony to honor him and his service for our family and nation.

2. My running buddy. After meeting Abby, I am convinced that everybody needs a good workout buddy. Abby, I have not run since our last run in our dark, windy, 'is-that-a-skunk?' neighborhood. I need a new running buddy...(ahem...you know who you are...)...Abby was also one of my playdate buddies with her two sweet boys. Blessings to you and your family as you make a big transition! (By the way, do you like my shiner??? Luke.)

3. Pastor Barr and Newport Community Church. Pastor Barr's messages were filled with grace and truth, and we were blessed by his faithful ministry. This church is one of the most welcoming, helpful, loving churches we have come across. If you are in the Newport, Rhode Island area...visit this one! I will also miss the Tuesday evening ladies Bible study. The study and the fellowship with those women were wonderful...I forgot to take a picture! sigh.

4. Our little friends and the many playgrounds on our military housing. The kids loved their playground buddies.

5. Call me a dork, but I am going to miss Papa Ginos. Granted, it is not Papa Johns, but it was a happy six month substitute.

I will not miss however, the INSANE COST OF LIVING ... RHODE ISLAND, YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL. Also, I will not miss the fact that I can only choose between Dunkin Donuts and Dunkin Donuts if I want to eat out....(no, that is not a typo).