Craziness!~

So John decided that by Christmas Eve that Santa could not change his mind about his presents. So John proceeded to behave extraordinarily awful. He ran out the front door, he was playing with ornaments, he ripped a piece off the gingerbread house and ate it!... along with some respect issues! Well, the 24th was a trying day. William's parents came to spend the night and we went to Candlelight Service, which was incredible. So we get home and no one wants to go to sleep. I mean we do this to ourselves. We get the kids all excited about Santa and then expect them to go to sleep. Who are we kidding? So everyone was not asleep when Santa came... William and I were tired and did not want to be up all night being Santa. So Mimi and Bob tried to help us contain them to their rooms.
Christmas morning: It was my idea that we would wait to open Santa until my Dad and G'parents could come over at 7:30. Well, lets just say I learned my lesson. By the time they got there, I was STRESSED! The kids were going crazy and were so excited when they finally go to see their toys. We had a small brunch and everyone was on there way... now it was time to clean up!
Friday we headed to Sumatanga for Christmas with the Murrays... always a fun time to play with cousins, and aunts and uncles... We had a great time and made lots of memories.
It is amazing to me to experience Christmas as a parent. I think I almost get as excited as them..I will say that I am glad it is over.. maybe now we can chill for while and get back into some version of a routine.
Favorite Christmas Presents:
Wii (that is all I have to say)

ect....
The kids got:
John- 2 light sabers, guys, soccer ball, leapster2, and he thinks that Guitar Hero is his too
CG- Lots of princesses, Tag reader, light up tutu, Fancy Nancy dress up, Princess walkie talkies
Rainey- baby doll with bed, high chair, and stroller, doll house, dress ups
We had the biggest Christmas ever and can't thank everyone enough!

Getting ready for Christmas!~

The kids are so excited. I feel like this is our first year that they understand what Christmas is and can barely contain themselves. We are still a little confused about Jesus being the most important part...and not Santa! But we are working on that!

A conversation:

John- Why isn't baby Jesus born yet?

Me- Well, .......(thinking really hard)... He is born, we are just celebrating his birth. He was born a long, long time ago.

Anyway, I think questions show that they really kind of get it! Maybe that is just me trying to make myself feel better. Oh well.

We have finished our Polar Express party, which was a big hit. We had about 65 people and made over $100. Yea! And as of last night, we have no more Christmas parties to go to. We had the youth party at our house last night... how many people can you fit in our SMALL house?

It was alot of fun and we played dirty santa, which is always fun! Now, we are just putting the finishing touches on presents and putting some together..... Santa is going to be very busy this Christmas Eve...at least at our house. I sure hope the kids go to bed early!

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2008

After lunch in Anniston we headed to Sumatanga for the weekend. Oh what a place of rest and vision..or at least a vision..a vision of family and togetherness...and sometimes a rest. We had 13 people in one house for 3 days and 2 nights. Playtime with cousins in always fun and John learned how to ride his bike. We ate way too much... laughed alot... and spent alot of time disciplining children... Because when you have 5 kids ...age 4 and under.. that takes up alot of your time! All of that aside... we had an incredible time and hated for it to end. We can't wait until Christmas!

The kids got Sumatanga bandanna from the t- shirt shop and Aunt Maria posed them accordingly...how funny is that picture.

Oh.. and the Iron Bowl. Not having cable really doesn't bother me except on Saturdays (during football season).. so we stayed over to catch the game on TV.. and may I say that it was well worth the time!

A long, but Awesome Trip

We are finally home. We had an incredible time. I have to say... I missed my girls like crazy, but Clara Grace learned to ride her bike and they got to have a playdate with cousins! I don't think they missed us very much! John had the time of his life. We stayed at the Renaissance Marriott in downtown Nashville. Which is the nicest hotel I have ever been to. I had breakfast in bed 2 mornings and got to try alot of Nashville restaurants ( Rippey's and Demo's). John got to meet David Crowder, which was the highlight for me... maybe him too...depending on when you ask him. He loved this trampoline thing they had too. By the end of 4 days in a hotel room... I was ready to come home.... granted ... to alot of dirty clothes!

National Youth Worker Concention

Today we are leaving for National Youth Worker Convention in Nashville. William and I are so excited. John is going with us and is so excited about see the bands....especially David Crowder Band. Clara Grace and Rainey get to spend the weekend at Sumatanga...being spoiled by Mimi.
I hate to leave them, but I don't think it would be enjoyable for anyone if everyone went. John is so excited about staying in a hotel room for 3 nights.. he keeps asking about "living at the hotel."

Exciting news this week: Mandy(my cousin) is having a baby! We are all so excited for her! and.. never thought it would happen... We use to have a pact : that when she had a baby that I would raise it until it was 18.. haha... I think she has changed her mind!

Fall at Sumatanga AKA Our Monthly Vacation Destination

*We took the youth group to Camp Sumatanga last weekend for out Fall Retreat! It was alot of fun.. and very convenient since we get to take the kids with us! It is so nice getting to go somewhere that cell phones don't work.. we can finally disconnect for a little bit...even though we have Internet! We have to have email and facebook!

*William is OFFICIALLY a candidate for licensing. It was voted on last Sunday. Now, we are waiting for him to be assigned a mentor.

*William has also been diagnosed with adult onset asthma... which hopefully will explain his bouts with pneumonia. For now he is well and is getting his scratch tests next week!

*Grandaddy made it through his procedure beautifully (pace maker) and is doing well. Hopefully things will simmer down health wise for them....at least for a while.

Halloween and On

Halloween was so much fun this year. The kids actually understood what we were doing. We went to Glenwood Terrace, where my grandmother lives, and handed out candy for a while and then went to a few houses. It was so much fun for the kids to see everyone's costumes. ]

Rainey has now decided that she is not potty training. So much for that! She has some kind of crazy desire to be THE BABY for the rest of her life! Maybe if we had another baby she would get over it! Ha!!

Get the Ball Rolling~!

Sunday William went before our church's SPRC ( Staff Parrish Relations Committee) and got unanimously approval to go ahead with his pursuit of licensing. Today he had his interview with our District Superintendent and everything went great. Sunday he will be at Charge Conference where he will officially become a Candidate for Licensing. All of this said... it pretty much means that we have the ball rolling. It will be slow process, but hopefully by Annual Conference he will have completed his first week of course study. Everyone has been excited so far... just not liking the idea of us possibly having to move. Possible being the key word!

(This was John's first Braves game..9/20.)

So William has an interview with our DS next week and we are so excited about the upcoming possibilities. On the down side, William has pneumonia again and is out for the rest of the week. They can't figure out why he keeps getting sick, but he is going to an allergist next week. Hopefully we can find out what is causing all of this!

John and Clara Grace both went for their four year checkup this week. John of course is the trooper and never cries! Clara Grace on the other hand screams that she doesn't want a shot. They both had to have TB test...which is what she calls THE SHOT... and John got his flu shot.

John is in the upper 90th percentile for his height and weight and Clara Grace is in the 50th for both. Rainey has officially potty trained herself. So if this is any testimate to not push your child until they are ready...when she was ready she "did it herself." Which is one of here favorite phrases. She weened herself from breastfeeding and has now potty trained herself. Thank you Lord... if we could only get rid of the Paci! or Pappy as it is know at our house!

We have been reading stories at the Pumpkin Patch all week. Yesterday the kids got to go on their own private Hay Ride. They were so excited!

We are headed...meaning myself and the youth group... to Six Flags Saturday.. it should be alot of fun.

Who knows?

Who knows what God has planned for us. If you had asked me 5 years ago, I would not have believed that I would be living in Anniston. I sure would not believe that William would be working at Anniston First Methodist(my home church), and now 1 year later...I couldn't be happier about the move. Now, we(William) is in the process of becoming licensed..or we are just starting the steps. If he becomes licensed then he will be able to serve communion, preform weddings, preach, and alot of other things. It is not the same as being ordained, but for now it is our next step. It also means that we could be moved at Annual Conference( given an appointment), although I don't think that it is very likely this year. If everything works out as planned... he should be licensed by next summer. Exciting stuff!!!

Exodus 15: 26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Things have slowed down somewhat. My grandfather has been doing really well and seems to be on the upside. Good news for everyone! More drama with my brother and sister, not surprising at all though. Shane has now gone from suicide watch at Carraway, to Brookwood for his gastro issues, and now he is back at the Center of Hope in Anniston. Heather is still not letting Meghan see my mom and I don't think that she intends to. I know all of this from having some email correspondence with my mom. We talked via email in April when my grandfather died, but we have not had much contact since. Even though I feel like I know what is going on now....it is not a real relationship. It is pretty much her venting about Shane, Heather, and her own illness. The worst part is that I still feel sorry for her. She has not once asked how I was doing or what was going on in my life....she simply talks about her own problems....and I continue to email. I am really not sure why....sometimes I think it is guilt and other I think it is pity for them. So I guess this is my vent!
On the upside... normal, everyday life is great. Busy Busy!
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

I need a Drink!

Well, maybe a drink and a vacation. This has been an insane week. My grandfather fell, in my yard, on Friday. Of course he was doing something I told him not to...it sounds like I am talking about one of my kids, but no. His willingness to help is of course always appreciated. We just found out today that he has a "mashed vertebrae". So...he has not been able to drive since the fall and is in alot pain. Since my Grandmother can't drive and now he can't....it puts a small damper on them. They are so scared of being a hindrance on people and of losing their independence. This is my first full contact dealing with ailing grandparents and I am struggling.

They have always been my rock, my oasis, and my stability in life. It so upsetting to not be able to help them more. All I can think about is losing my other Grandfather in April and how challenging that was.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Mom's Day Out: The Answer to My Prayers

Mom's Day Out start this week and I cannot tell you how excited I am. I have been looking foward to it all summer. Now, don't get me wrong, I love staying home with my kids, but I need a break. What will I do with my time? 5 whole hours of "Me Time"....
The kids are just as excited as I am... everytime we pass their school... they cheer.
We are still as busy as ever, with little down time. We are trying to plan the twins birthday party, which is depressing at times. It is so hard for me to believe that my babies are going to be four. The whole first year of their life was such a blur and I feel like I don't remember as much as I should. John is having a hard time deciding what kind of birthday cake he wants and what he wants to be for Halloween. (Spider Man, General Grievous from Star Wars, Dash from the Incredibles, Batman....just to name a few) Clara Grace on the other hand has never changed. She will be Alice from Alice in Wonderland for Halloween(which Mimi is making) and she will have a Cinderella and Prince Birthday Cake. Rainey has also made her mind up about Halloween....she will be Jack-Jack from the Incredibles. That is if I can find a costume. I think she is more interested in the fact that he is a baby. She is a little obsessed with babies at the moment. She wants one desperately. She also wants to watch home movies from when she was a baby constantly. Anyways....More to come....

Program shells out 8,000 pounds of free food
07-25-2008
It's not often that lines gather outside Anniston's First United Methodist Church on a day other than Sunday — much less with shopping carts. Thursday was an exception.

Crazy!
I am on the front page of the paper and William on the next page.
Our church started giving out free gorceries as part of a program called Groceries of Grace which is sponsored by the Susanah Wesley Society. We gave out 2000 lbs of food divided into 50 full grocery bags.
William, the kids, and I divided all the bags and handed out the bags. It was our second month to do it, but we had over twice as many people benefit from the program this month.
It is an awesome ministry that we hope will grow in the years to come!

Needed: Prayers for William
William started getting sick last Friday night. He has not been able to eat and has felt awful. We actually spent all day Monay in the hospital. The doctors have ruled out his heart and now think that it is an ulcer. So now we are trying to regulate is meds.
Needed: Prayer for me: So Vacation Bible School is this week. It has been awesome, but we have had alot of late nights. John and Clara Grace get to go to a real class and Rainey helps me with the Bible Stories. We have done some really cool things: walking on water, healing the blind, ect...
So, as of now I am doing my job, William's job, and taking care of the kids!
Pray for rest, decreased stress, and William's health!

Ichthus. What an amazing time. We got to see David Crowder Band, Casting Crowns, Leeland, Family Force 5, and Needtobreathe....just to name a few. Justin Lookadoo, who we had seen at Behold in January, was our favorite speaker. He actually had someone skydive in ontop of the crowd of about 20,000!~ It was incredible! With the exception of Friday night, the weather was great. Friday night got cancelled due to severe storms. I will say that I have never been so hot for so many days in a row...I will say in my entire life! Thank goodness we did not camp out. We got to go home to air conditioned dorms at Asbury College! I don't camp... we will just leave it at that. I think the exhaustion of it all kept me from worrying about my kids as much. I missed them terribly and was so excited to see them come Sunday. Now it is time to wash clothes!

Packing for 5 People

So it is amazing how much stuff has to be packed for 5 people. Three of those being small children. How many times will the kids wet their pants, how many times will they have food all over their clothes, will it be hot, will it be too hot, hat, bathing suits, sunscreen, and list goes on.

So we are leaving the kids for 4 nights and almost 5 full days. Why do parents have so much guilt about leaving their children. I am not speaking for William, not that he won't miss him. I think it is a Mom thing. Every night when I talk to them they will say they miss us and want to see us....it breaks your heart. I love my kids with all I am, but , honest to God, I need a break. I don't think that this trip is going to be the break I am looking for, but I know it will be easier than traveling with 3 little kids.

We are going to Ichthus...pronounced ik-thuse...it is a Christian Concert with a ton of different bands and key note speaker. (David Crowder Band, Casting Crowns, Toby Mac, Family Force 5, MXPX, Justin Lookado, Leeland.....) We are staying at Asbury College in Kentucky. All I can think about is the heat. I will probably be more tired when I get home than now. I know it will be a ton of fun though and can't wait to leave tomorrow.


http://www.ichthusfestival.org/

Intoduction

William and Jennifer met when they worked at SouthTrust Bank in 2002. After a year of akward flirting and secret crushed, we had our first date ( March 2, 2003). Falling in love did not take much time. We decided to elope via an email conversation while we were at work. We left on a trip to the beach on a Friday and came back the next Tuesday...married!!! ( Ocotber 14, 2003) No one could believe it ... yes, people asked to see the marriage license. We did not tell anyone what we were planning. By February we found out we were pregnant and by May we found out we were having twins. We had a rough pregnancy, but on September 21, 2004, John William Murray Jr. and Clara Grace Murray were born. Within 3 weeks we moved to Cullman and started a life there. Seven months later...guess what.. we were pregnant again. On March 6, 2006, Rainey Elizabeth Murray joined the clan. I hope for more kids in the future, but it may take William a while to agree. We have had many blessings, as well as many trials. Love can endure anything . So, William got a chance to have his dream job...only it was in Anniston(my hometown). With faith in Christ, love for my family, and excitement of a new career...we moved to Anniston. Later to be known as ....The smartest decision we have ever made, with the exception of having babies. William is the Youth Director and the Contemporary Worship Leader for Anniston First United Methodist Church. We love being apart of this church family..as staff and as members. There are so many opportunities before us and we can't wait to embrace them. Nothing is surprising to us anymore.
Our purpose now is to raise our children to love the Lord, be Fishers of Men, show the love of Christ in everything they do, respect authority, love each other, and always find therir way home. The life that we have been blessed with is amazing. There are many times I want to pull my hair out, but for everyone of those moments, there are hugs, kisses, and I Love Yous that out weigh the rest.
1 Corinthisns 13: 4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails

Jeremiah 17: 7-8
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."