September Construction Update

Here are some pictures of where our progress on the building is right now! The stage in the sanctuary is complete, the classrooms and hallway on the education side of the building are fully painted. The siding is almost finished with the exception of two spots, and then it will be ready for paint. We have had several church work days over the last few weeks where we primed, painted, cleaned, swept, insulated, and hung siding. The roof is finally all on, so the sheetrock guys are now working in the fellowship hall and then will be on to the sanctuary! Tile has been picked out, pews, fabrics, carpet, pulpit, and alter table have all been selected and some ordered...it's hard to believe how far things have come in the last couple months! We're still on track for our Spring completion date.This past Thursday, some of our friends from First Baptist here in Paris came to help us get some of the final coats of paint on the classrooms. We were truly blessed by their loving service to the Lord through helping us! We are fortunate here in Paris to have a sweet fellowship between churches in our community...it is wonderful when we can work together to see the Kingdom advanced. Thanks so much FBC, Paris!

Another Fun Story Hour!

This week at story hour we studied apples...we loved Ms. Donna's demonstration of how an apple has a star in the middle when you slice it in half, the songs and craft were fun...But our favorite part this week was Mrs. Katie's idea afterward! Each Monday after we finish, our "playgroup" buddies go to McD's for lunch...Mrs. Katie bought apple pies for everyone! Thanks Katie...what a yummy idea!

Saturday Soccer Fun!

A few action shots from Caleb's soccer game last Saturday! Another great game!

Caleb's First Report Card!

Caleb got his first report card Monday! He did very well on all the school work and skills he should know and has also done very well behaviorally! We told him that if he had a good 6 weeks, he would get to choose a special reward...well, he has had his eyes on a Mr. Potato Head at Prater's Taters for a couple weeks. Here he is with his special treat...a 40 piece Potato Head set! He was so grateful and sweet...after he got it, Bennett was sad that he didn't get one and Caleb said that next time he will use his reward to get one for his brother...precious!

Ode to a Sunday School Teacher

This amazing lady standing with Jennifer and me is Mrs. Kathy Tidwell. We took this picture at the West Tennessee Pastors dinner at Union last week. We had a wonderful time reminiscing about the past... she was the pastor's wife at West Jackson while we were in the youth group, but even better, she was our Sunday school teacher when we were in high school. She and Bro. Jerry were such a blessing in our lives and had such high expectations for each of us. It always encourages you to do the right thing when you know that beyond even your own family there is someone expecting you to make godly choices. One of the things that impacted me the most was the summer before our senior year when she had us write down some things on the front and back of a note card and keep them as we faced tough choices that were ahead...she told us to write KEEP FOREVER at the top, and as far as I know, we all have! So, if you need a reminder on some good life principles, here you go...I pulled my note card out of my old Bible and took this picture today...it was a great reminder for me, too!1. Decision Making:

• When you make a decision ask...a) Will the decision violate any scripture? b) Does it take motivation away from my spiritual life? c) Can I ask God's blessing on it? d) Will it be a stumbling block for others? e) Would you want Jesus to see you doing this? f) Does it bring glory to the name of Jesus? g) Would I want to be doing this when Jesus returns?

2. Life:

• The most important thing is accepting Jesus...life will be incomplete without Him.
• Spend time in the Bible and don't be discouraged.
• Don't just read scripture, learn it.
• Stay involved in church.
• Try to be a model church member.
• Pray for your pastor (little did she know that 3 of us would be married to our pastors :)
  
• Be dependable, be committed.
• Be involved...teach Sunday school, choir, etc.
• Be a joy to work with.
• The Beatitudes...be like them.
• Spend time on projects that have eternal value.
• Be a friend to the friendless.
• NEVER make fun of someone.
• Be easy with others' feelings.
• Don't get YOUR feelings hurt easily.
• Sacrifice your wants for others' needs.
• Use Jesus' example.
• Harboring bitterness will destroy you!
• Find yourself a Christian man.
• Settle for nothing less than a perfect man.
• The best wedding gift you can give your husband is purity.
• Remain pure before God before and after marriage.
• As long as Mrs. Kathy is living and breathing, there is always someone to expect me to do right.
• No matter what else happens to me, God can use it.
• God sees ALL.
• Sin always takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay and costs you more than you want to pay.
• God uncovers the sin we try to hide and covers the sin we confess to Him.

Thank you, Mrs. Kathy, for loving us enough to take the time to share your life and impart your values on a group of impressionable high school girls! We love you and will always remember the lessons you taught us!This is a pic of the six of us...we live in four different cities, so we don't get together as much as we would like, but last year we all got together and went to West Jackson to worship...I'm so grateful for these amazing friends God blessed me with!

Bennett Starts Story Hour!

The first Monday after Labor Day is always very exciting for us because that is when Story Hour starts back! Bennett has been so ready for his "school" to start now that Caleb has started back. Well, week one didn't disappoint! We were so anxious to get started that Bennett and I were the first ones to arrive...so Mrs. Donna asked Bennett if he would like to hold the flag when it was time. He did a wonderful job...and took this task very seriously!Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but my story hour moms had my back and did a great job documenting the exciting day for me! Thanks guys! After circle time where Mrs. Donna shared about school and buses and we sang the fun "Wheels on the Bus" song, Bennett got to paint a yellow school bus...And then the best part of all came when we got to ride a real school bus! It was so much fun (I think they like it so much because it's the only time they don't have to be in a car seat!) Bennett's best buddy, Jack, rode with us.Thanks so much Mrs. Donna, Ms. Pam and Ms. Mary Lynn for all the hard work you put into making Story Hour so much fun! We're looking forward to another great year!

Caleb's Fall Cookout

Caleb's school had their fall cookout Friday! It was the first official event we've attended for his school, and it was so much fun! Jennifer and Fred were in charge of the event, so we agreed to help...the guys ran the grill while we ladies prepared the buns, beans, pickles, and utensils inside! The school had a fire drill during the preparation time that morning, so we had to leave the kitchen and go outside...and got to see Mr. Owens, Caleb's principal, land on the field in a helicopter!!! I think I was as excited as the kids! Then it was back to work...we prepared lunch for 1400 people! Whew! It was such a fun lunch...we had a picnic outside Caleb's classroom. He was so excited to have Bennett there to meet his friends. Caleb is doing great in kindergarten...it is hard to believe that Friday was the end of the first six weeks!

Maplewood Church Picnic

After our fun morning at the triathlon and afternoon of shopping we headed back to Paris for our church's annual picnic. We had it out at our pavilion at the new property...it is always so nice out there! We enjoyed a yummy dinner, wonderful fellowship and fun with friends. Corey shared a message about running the good race and then people went down to walk through the building to see the progress. The children also had a great time...there is an abundance of dirt to play in right now due to the construction. And the big kids had a great time playing football as well! We are so blessed by our amazing church family...it's always great to have a night to relax and fellowship together!

Cedars of Lebanon Triathlon

This weekend Corey and Fred participated in the Cedars of Lebanon triathlon. We headed to Murfreesboro Friday and spent the night with Pepaw and Grandma Sue. Thank you guys for a wonderful dinner...the lasagna was so yummy! Saturday morning, Corey left the house around 5:20 am, picked Fred up, and headed toward the race. The start time was 7:30, but they had to have everything in place by 7. Last year, this same race was the first tri Corey had ever competed in, and his goal was just to finish in under 2 hours. He was really excited about trying to improve his time this year. He ended up dropping 20 minutes from last year's race! His total time was 1:37:01. The race began with a 300 meter swim, 5 min. 14 sec., with a 2 min. 17 sec. transition to the 16.5 mile bike, 55 min. 40 sec., and a 1 min. 14 sec. transition into the 3 mile run to the finish, 32 min. 39 sec. I'm so proud of how hard he has worked this past month to build his endurance in his running and increase his speed on his biking! It is so exciting to be there cheering for him...I'm glad the boys enjoy it too! After the race while we were waiting on awards and times, we let all four boys swim in the pool. We headed to lunch with Nanny and Pepaw. Then we ran by the outlets in Lebanon for a little shopping with Nanny. Thank you, Nanny for the new pants and shoes! After an early morning and lots of fun, the boys were so tired...they took a good long nap on the way home to Paris for our church's annual picnic. Great job, Corey! We're so proud of you!!!

Caleb is starting to read!

I went to Caleb's school the other day to help in his class. As I was getting ready to read, his teacher asked him if wanted to read a book to me. So we went into the hallway, and he read a book called "My Bus"! It was so exciting, and he was so proud! He is becoming such a big boy!

It was also so sweet that when he got to choose a reward this week for all the stickers he had earned, he chose a frog for his brother (he had gotten one the first time and knew that Bennett liked it). It was really thoughtful and generous of him!

Labor Day Fun

This year for Labor Day were were able to enjoy the last Diamond Jaxx game of the season with family and friends! The girls + 2 headed to Jackson early for a little fall shopping. Then we grabbed lunch at the mall and headed to the game. We had such a great time...thanks mom for working out tickets for us! Yes, that is Ryne Sandberg...he was coaching the Tennessee Smokies!