Jett Boy's 3rd Birthday Part

 For the second year this kid had a train party.  This year, we went with a Thomas the Train theme and moved it out of our house.  We went to the church gym and had a riding toy party.

 Instead of gifts this year we requested donations be made to our church's mission trip during spring break.  Jett was able to give $450 to three guys that play in our contemporary praise band who are going on the trip. 

While it was no fun hauling the party things to the church and hauling them back home...which constitutes driving across the parking lot, it was nice to have more room to play.  

While we were partying for Jett, a group of ladies in my bible journaling bible study held their meeting at my house.  I had dear friends that were willing to lead the bible study and proceed without me.  It was a great day.

80 + 60 = Family Time

 These two ladies planned an awesome gathering for two of my uncles last night.  We gathered with a group of family and friends to celebrate a lot of life.

 The two middle children of the Carter Clan.

 Jett Boy's Silly Face.

 The Birthday Boys, Uncle James and Uncle Fred

 Uncle James' Crew with some of Aunt Peggy's siblings and their spouses.

 The Carter Four- Fred 80, Wayne 73, Sarah Sue 64, James 60

 Diana and I are the two youngest Carter kids.

The Carter grandchildren present.  Bill (maroon shirt) is Henry and Frances Carter's oldest grand child and with a 25 year age gap, I am the youngest of the grandchildren.  

He's Three

I'm not sure when I blinked and this baby turned in to a big boy.  We are so excited with each and every day as his little personality develops.  Having a conversation with him turns into a hilarious round of questions and answers and usually ends with the declaration that he loves trains.  We had a snow day today so Cullen and I were able to be at home with him all day.  He played in the snow first thing, then moved on to playing trains, and then on to legos.  He wanted bacon and eggs for breakfast and pizza for supper.  

Mission Friends

We still don't make it through Wednesday night with absolutely no tears, but Jett Boy is getting better about choir and mission friends.  This was Wednesday night when I came to pick him up.  They learned about Moses.  When we got home he told Cullen, "Moses was in a basket in the water and it was so scary."  

Sunday Nights

 I warn everyone we sit by he will drop at least three hymnals, he will whisper loudly, and he will most likely make a train track out of all they hymnals, but when he get excited to sing the hymn of decision I know our presence at church on Sunday nights is exactly what we need to be doing.

Bible Journaling

 Back in the Spring I came across a movement mixed media called Illustrated Faith.  I was scrolling through pinterest and became enthralled with the beautiful creations ladies all over the country were making in response to sermons they heard or bible studies in which they were taking part.  I found myself spending hours watching videos and researching some of the featured artists.  I began talking about it with my friend Carla and in June I bought a note taking Bible.  That Bible sat on my table and I moved it around for almost a month.  I took notes faithfully during the sermons with the intentions of coming home and responding to them in my new bible using paints and stickers and stamps but I couldn't make myself do it.  Finally I got up the courage and found myself in my Bible more and more.  I looked forward to hearing sermons so I could come home and recreate the important points artistically.  I talked with family and friends trying to gather interest.  I had a deep desire to share the Word using this new art form as a vehicle.  This past Sunday I did it or maybe I should say God did it.  I reached out to some friends and opened my home to women from different faiths and different churches, who shared with me they too were intimidated.  I was able to teach them through the fear and they created some of the most beautiful creations.  You guys, I felt so refreshed.  I don't count it any coincidence that I was so intrigued by this art, or that our pastor preached all summer on the gifts of the Spirit, or that when all the time was passing, the Lord brought our Sunday school class back to the topic of sharing our gifts. Just two weeks ago we came across a passage in 1 Peter that talked about eagerly opening our homes and showing hospitality.  I have long loved a party and people gathered in my home and Sunday my table was filled with women sharing their fears, their faith, and their friendship studying the Word.  

He's Never Still

 This kid is never still.  He is always on the move and always has a smile.  We went last week to Cracker Barrel and he had everyone smiling around him when I returned from paying our bill.

Mississippi Blues Half

Okay so I finished my fourth half marathon.  This one I ran in honor of my friend Dina, who just celebrated 40 years as a diabetic.  She is a precious lady and when she told me her anniversary was upcoming I told her I would run a race just for her.  I signed up in November and really didn't train the much for it.  I ran two races in December and just a couple of other times before this race day.  It was raining the morning of and I was by myself.  I had promised myself I was running this race for fun and not for a time.  I finished in 2:13 barely.  I will never run this course again.  While I had a good time and enjoyed the atmosphere the hills almost killed me.  I stopped at the bottom of a hill on mile 11 and laughed out loud.  It was crazy, around every turn there was another hill.  I met a neat lady from Indiana who had finished 16 half marathons and 7 full marathons last year, but she joined me in praying for my friend Dina.  I prayed for her from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet and for all her family.  I loved the medal in honor of B.B. King.

Mea Mea

Oh how we love Mea Mea.  We miss her so much when she is at school  Dumb ole med school.  She and Jett have made great strides, he loves her now.  He wants her to play with him all the time.  We can't wait for spring break when she comes home.

Sugar Bowl 2016

 After ringing in the New Year in Jackson with this crew we headed to New Orleans to watch our Rebels.  We got there just after one and hit the streets to find some food and then see what we could see.

 We enjoyed dinner at RedFish Grill and then headed to the game.  On the way to the game I ran in to Meagan as we were getting in line for entry.

 It was neat to see the Super Dome and then to enjoy a Rebel win with friends.  This is the fifth bowl game Cullen and I have gone to together and our third to attend with the McCartys.

 We ended our adventure at Cafe Du Monde and headed home from there.  It was a fun time and great friends.