Bennett's Second Birthday!

Bennett turned two today! That is so hard for me to say and even harder to believe! I just finished writing him a letter, something I do each year for the boys on their birthdays. They are usually 3-6 pages long and have teardrop stains on each page, however, tonight was different. The letter was still a good 4 pages, but void of the teardrops. This past year, God has shown us so much about His perfect timing and His perfect will. As hard as it is for me to know that my "baby" is now a little boy, I also realize that God has amazing plans for His life. There are so many things in his future, and God filled my heart with joy tonight not only for the amazing past two years, but also for the plans He has for Bennett's future. Corey and I desire more than anything to see our little boys grow into Godly young men who seek to serve God and love Him wholeheartedly. And so this is our prayer for Bennett today, that he will grow to learn more about God's love for him each day and that this realization would drive him to follow God all his life.

Lift This Ski Trip 2007

We've had several people ask how Caleb had done skiing this year so we decided to add these videos. This is Caleb and Bennett at Lift This in December. This was Caleb's first time to ski on his own, and he looked good and skied great. He learned not to do an "ugly X" because that will make you fall. He was a natural and I hope you enjoy the video!



Bennett wasn't able to ski so he got to go tubing with Aunt Michele and Melody. Here's his video.

Valentine's Day...in Pictures!

So, if you know me very well, you know that I am somewhat obsessive about capturing every special moment on camera. Sometimes this drives Corey nuts, but usually he goes along. I feel I must save these special family moments so that we will never forget them. So, here is our Valentine's Day (in pictures).

The morning began with the boys walking into the den where their Valentine balloons and Power Rangers were laying out on the table. I totally missed this moment and decided I must make up for it later in the day! We had pancakes for breakfast and went to playdate where I realized I had left the camera at home!!! How could I?!!! So, the boys and I treked back to the house before meeting Corey to go out for a romantic Valentine's lunch for four! He decided to take us to Applebee's in Murray...this was a real treat! We took some cute pictures of us with each of the boys (aren't you glad I had my camera!) So, as is my custom I asked our waitress to take a family picture for us...
Slightly disappointed that it turned out dark, I decided that I would try again later. Maybe use the timer once we got home. So, we laid the boys down for naps. After they woke up, I had planned on a Valentine hunt! Great in theory, but I forgot about the Power Rangers they had received earlier in the day. My Valentine's were no match for those guys!
So, the boys played a little longer and then it was time for our candlelight dinner. A GREAT chance for a picture of my three loves! And Corey even volunteered to take one of me with the boys! (Notice Caleb's face in the picture with me!)

So, it was almost bath time and I decided this was our last opportunity for a family picture of us all in our red and pink. The timer was our last chance. We HAD to have a great family picture on Valentine's Day! The following sequence is my last effort at forever remembering this wonderful day."Man, I didn't realize that timer was so fast! Didn't I put it on the longer time? Ok, hold on, one more."

"Uh, Bennett wasn't looking and Caleb is playing with the Power Rangers. Oh, and it cut off my head. Maybe I need to squat down in front of them."When we saw this one we laughed uncontrollably. Corey finally suggests I just get beside them...



Ohhh, look. Now wasn't that worth it!?!

White as Snow

Well, if you know anything about West Tennessee, you know that when we get even a little snow we get very excited! Immediate thoughts of schools being dismissed, snowmen, snowball fights and hot chocolate begin to flood our minds. And such a day was today! We woke to a light dusting of beautiful white snow...so peaceful, so pretty. We waited a while before deciding to venture outside, and by that time the snow had stopped. After about 30 minutes of struggling with layering the boys clothes, putting on gloves, coats and play shoes, we finally made it outside. At that point there wasn't much snow left on the ground. It was actually more of a muddy mess! After fifteen minutes or so, it was time to head inside and start getting lunch ready. Caleb on the other hand was ready for a snowball fight and couldn't understand why I wouldn't participate!

As I thought about it all this afternoon, the verse came to mind, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." I thought about the muddy mess we had created as we walked through the snow. Our tracks were all over the yard. It made me think about us as Christians, God has made my sins white as snow...why would I want to walk around in the muddy mess of sin? And yet I still struggle daily with being patient, unselfish and showing His love to those around me. The more I allow pride, anger and selfishness to exist in my life, the "muddier" it gets. So I was reminded today that only He can make my sins "white as snow" and my part in that is to daily surrender my attitude, my thoughts, and my life to the Holy Spirt.

Here are a few pictures of our adventure! Hope you enjoy them!

Why Twelve Stones?

Why is our blog titled "Twelve Stones"? Maplewood, our church, is in the process of a four-week family devotion, and one of the days this week was about A Memorial for Gratitude. The verses in Joshua tell of the story when the Israelites crossed the Jordan river. God commanded the leaders of each of the twelve tribes to pick up a stone and carry it across where they would be made into a memorial for generations to share with their children of God's faithfulness. How amazing is that! Even then God knew that we needed reminders of His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. So, since everyone else has started blogging, and I love writing, I decided to begin the Cain family blog! Finding a name was a challenge, but I thought this one fitting...we hope that this blog will be a way for us to share stories of God's faithfulness in our lives mixed in with those inevitable funny, sweet and unbelievable stories that come along with having two boys!

God's Providence and Protection

"God- His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM! For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. God- He clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect...YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE SHIELD OF YOUR SALVATION." Psalm 18:30-32, 35

I am so grateful that God was a shield and salvation during this time. It is amazing to see the pictures and devastation at Union and then to know that not one of the students' lives were lost! To God be the Glory!!!

It is hard to understand why this happened, however it is an opportunity for Him to be glorified and He knew that that like Job, Union would remain faithful and praise Him in the midst of all of this. Job 1:21, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised!" Job 2:10, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I cannot wait to see the amazing plans God has for each of these students. Already part of that plan is unfolding as they are spreading His fame and glory through their uplifting testimonies on national news and to individuals who don't know Him.

To my friends who are Union students, I'm proud of you, and I will continue to lift you up to His care in my prayers as you deal with the details of this devastation.