What A Week We've Had...

WOW! Busy - Busy - Busy!!! That barely describes our recent weeks! As you know, we had Alyson's First Birthday Party LAST Saturday, the 25th. "Princess" themed and all Pink, Purple, Green, Silver and White decor! A beautiful Party for a beautiful Girl!
The Wednesday BEFORE her Party, we were in charge of the Children's Dept. Annual Halloween Alternative at Church... "Fall Fest '08"! Aly went as a 'French Poodle' and of course it was a PINK costume!!! (Is there any other color more suited for a 'Princess'? LOL)
(Additional photos of the Event at: http://www.sskidz.blogspot.com/)
Monday, following the Party, Aly decided she was ready to WALK and without the aide of adults, toys or furniture, either! She had been trying for several weeks and finally GAVE IN and off she went!!!
The Wednesday AFTER her Party, our Church began their Fall Revival with Rev. Nelson Purdue. We helped Mama and Daddy with some of the music and Aly was able to attend her first ENTIRE (meaning every service held... she was there! LOL) Revival. This past Spring Revival, she attended many nights but, we gave her a couple of breaks being as she was only a few months old at the time. She seemed to enjoy this past week, especially being with Bro. Purdue! In addition to our hectic week and to the time change, she's way off her routine at the moment! Hopefully, we'll get her back on track real soon, though! (LOL)
(Fall Fest '08 - Dipping our 'Bobbed-for-Apples' into ooozy Caramel Sauce)
Well, it's time for us to focus on the Children's Christmas Musical, now and we request MUCH prayer for the event, especially the process between here and there! The title this year is, "Christmas Eve at Hope Haven" and we pray it will be one of the most meaningful Programs we've performed in the past several years!
For those interested... here is the much anticipated "1st Birthday Photo Album"! http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlysonDawn1YrOldOctober302008#
ENJOY!!! Due to being so busy, never knowing what condition our computer is in from moment to moment, needless to say, there are not as many photos posted as we had hoped for. However, Ronda (http://www.indianaenglands.blogspot.com/) has posted a few extra pictures on her site, as well!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET OUT AND VOTE TOMORROW AND BE CERTAIN YOU VOTE FOR BIBLICAL STANDARDS AND FOR THE 'RIGHT'!!!

GOD PLEASE BLESS AMERICA ACCORDING TO YOUR HOLY WILL, WE PRAY! AMEN...

It's Back to Business... With a Few Pix from Our 100th Celebration Service!

Here's a Photo Album link for you:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/The100thNazareneCelebration#

Well, my dear and wonderful husband was able to figure out our silly computer and get it up and running again! Thank you Greg, once again you saved my life and the life of our computer!!! (BTW! Vonnie, the picture posted below, was obviously not of our computer, if it had've been Greg would have had an even BIGGER job saving THAT one!!!!! LOL)
We had a wonderful day together on Sunday... the International General Church of the Nazarene celebrated their 100th 'Birthday' and our local Church went all out for the occasion!
Along with many of the Church congregation, our family dressed in 'period' clothes from the 1908 era and had a ball doing so! Even little Alyson Dawn had an adorable smocked-dress with beautiful trim... she looked like an absolute doll!
On our stage, we had a modified replica of the original "Camp Meeting Tent" (along with the old-time 'Camp Meeting Fans'), which took place in Pilot Point, TX in 1908. At this Camp Meeting, the official beginning of the Church of the Nazarene, as a national denomination had a little over 200 churches and 10,500 members scattered across the U.S. The Church of the Nazarene, now as an international denomination and 100 years later, includes congregations in about 150 countries of the world. The 13,500 Nazarene churches around the world now have a total membership of about 1.5 million.
During our Morning service, the Choir performed several songs in honor of the era, Pastor Bailey took in several new members, preached a wonderful sermon on 'Heartfelt Holiness' and the congregation shared Communion together.
Following the service, we had an ALL-Church Balloon Launch with 'tagged' balloons commemorating this very special Event. Then, the NEW Church members, a few friends, family and the Church Staff enjoyed a delicious meal together!
That evening, a Concert by "Forgiven", was the perfect ending to a perfect day... We praise the Lord for His goodness, to our local Church family and for placing the desire in the hearts of our forefathers so long ago, to begin a denomination founded in true HEARTFELT HOLINESS!
As you can see, we're still experiencing trouble with our photos, but we trust ya'll enjoyed taking a peek into our 100th Celebration...

WOW - Where Has the Time Gone?

We can hardly believe it... Alyson Dawn is already 6 1/2 months old!!! Where has the time gone???
(The pix above were taken this morning in PJ's and playing in her play-pen...)
Many many things have taken place in her life since our last BLOG, that's for sure! The day before Mother's Day she said, "Mama", for the first time! (Perfect timing, huh?) She rolls over (and over and over and over) now. She's eating all sorts of 'yummy' veggies and fruits in addition to her cereal and milk. She laughs all the time (unless she's hungry, dirty or sleepy)! She loves to be read to and played with... she likes interactive books the best. She plays the piano with Memaw and Papaw, if they stop playing she'll pick up their hands putting them back on the keyboard, for more! She 'sings' quietly and 'preaches' as loudly as she can when she's playing around the house. She LOVES music and can already 'keep up' if there's rhythm involved! She loves to "practice" standing and sitting up... makes her feel like a REAL big girl, I guess! She chews on everything she can get in her mouth (even if it isn't a chew toy)! She has her first tooth!!!!! It 'showed up' on the day of her Papaw's Birthday Party... so, the whole clan were able to celebrate with her, on that one and the next tooth is well on-the-way to coming through, as well. She had her 6 month check-up yesterday and did a GREAT job!!! She had to have 3 shots, as well as the 'liquid' shot (for Rota-Virus and did she ever more 'wail') BUT, since leaving the Doctor's office she has been a perfect angel!!! Not fussing one bit!!! We even spent some time shopping after the appointment and not a single tear!!! (FYI: She's just under 18 lbs. and right at 28" long, already!) Greg and I are having as much fun just being with her as she is with all her toys, family and the whole wide world around her!!! Did I mention that she is one VERY nosey little girl??? She almost breaks her neck trying to see everything and I do mean EVERYTHING!!! lol
Well, I suppose I've bored ya'll to death with all of this BLABBING so, I'll let you go for now! (I'll BLOG again soon, though!) Take care, all... and get out to enjoy this beeeeeeautiful sunshine!!! ;-)

Country Girl at Heart... You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

2 weeks old ~ November 2007

4 months old ~ March 2008

TODAY (while listening to COUNTRY music!)

We've decided to broaden Alyson's musical interests... we've gone from Lullaby's, Church Music, Toddler/Children's Music and Classical to COUNTRY!!! We were wondering what she would do with it and BOY! SHE LOVES IT!!! lol
What can I say??? I've always been a country southern girl at heart, so it only seems right that my little offspring would feel the same!!! After all, she has my southern blood running through her veins, right? It's what I've always wanted, a TRUE southern girl at heart for my very own! And of course, she'll soon be saying, "yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir and no sir", as well!!!
Oh well... We just thought ya'll might like to hear the latest in musical news as far as our Aly is concerned. We'll be trying 'other wholesome' types of music with her soon, but doubt very seriously that we'll have the same outcome as we have with COUNTRY! She's grinning and 'jigging' with it right now, as if she knows what "getting into it" is all about!!! lol
Obviously, this is our first BLOG of April and we're NOT looking forward to the April showers ahead, but we ARE looking forward to the May flowers that will soon appear!!!
Just a little FYI! We're also looking forward to getting into our house in ONLY about two weeks! We can hardly wait!!! Because of this move, our BLOGS may get off a bit, but we'll try to keep ya'll up-to-par as often as possible! Pray for us that the move will go smoothly - never tried this with an infant before!!! lol