A few more snapshots

I can't believe we were engaged 18 years ago this past Sunday!! Boy! Does time fly!

Just when we thought Luke was finally growing...(I guess this Oak tree has a couple of 100 years start on him!

Two beautiful girls -- inside and out!

And finally...3 cannonballs!!!

Day trip to Charleston

These are a few pictures of our day trip to Charleston before I went to take my boards. I am a little sad because they do no include Brett. He was in school that day. It's just a "picture" of how our life is changing and growing. I guess this is a sign of things to come, as we plan for all of them to go to school next year (if I pass these boards). How blessed I feel to have had this trip with them and all the years we've had to home school and have "extra" time with our kids!

Preparin' to Preach

Just thought I would show you what a preacher that graduated from the University of Tennessee looks like when he's preparin' to preach! Betcha never knew that a great sermon requires your hat to be turned around backwards (it helps you to understand Greek better--I've heard)! Notice the protege on the left! Like father, like son! You gotta love 'em both!

WHEW!!!!....it's finally over!

I have finally completed my Southern Regional Hygiene Boards! I finished at 2:30 on Friday. Thanks to all of you that prayed for me! I was not nervous, except for about 5 seconds while taking my patient's pulse before I could begin. Remarkably, I wasn't nervous the whole week prior to the examination--that is the power of prayer! Thank you!!!

The time flew by so quickly. As I told Gene, all I can say is that I gave 100% and I don't believe that there is any way I could have changed things to have used my time any better. The SRTA testing agency did not seem to have it together very well (from the fist time I spoke with them on the phone, up until the moment the examination was finished). That proved a little frustrating, but I have made it through. I should have my scores mailed to me in the next four weeks. So, stay tuned to see if I passed or not. I am praying that I did, but I also trust the Lord's plan must be different if I didn't. He is in control and not me!! I am just thankful for the confidence that He provided during my test!And I am thankful for all of the many (mini) details that He took care of for me--especially in the final moments of the week last week!

Please pray for the lady that was my patient. We (Gene and I) were able to talk with her about MANY spiritual issues during the trip to Charleston. She says that she has prayed to receive Christ, but doesn't understand how to "access" the Christian life. She has absolutely NO Christian/ church background. So, it is very exciting to think about the possibility of being able to mentor/disciple somone who comes with no "fixed" answers, as many of us in church usually do. She is a blank slate ready to be taught!! Please just pray that this weekend wasn't "just talk", but that she will truly desire to know God and walk in His ways!

There is much to praise Him for today!!!!!!! "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to my God" Ps.40:3

Happy New Year's (a little late)

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Talk about a crazy night! We allowed each of the kids to invite one friend over EACH for a New Year's party/ sleepover! What we were thinking!?!?!?!?!
The kids had a great time! And too much junk to eat! Of course, Gene and I enjoyed the "junk", as well. It was a 2007 to remember! I'm not sure if we will do this again. Ummm... maybe Gene and I will just go out next year, alone!

YUM! YUM!

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I know that everyone is wishing that Hannah was their little girl now! Look at the awesome Strawberry Cheesecake that she made me for Christmas! Yes, I said Christmas. So, ok...I'm a little slow on the blogging. But hey! It takes a long time to eat a cheesecake. (who am I kidding?? It was gone in two days!)

Katie's Basketball Team

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Katie has had a great time playing basketball this year. Her game has greatly improved over last year. We are all amazed at how aggressive these girls are when they are playing. I think they must want to win or something :)

This is her team celebrating a win at Chik-fil-A a couple of Saturdays ago. Watch out UT Lady Vols--we've got one coming your way!!!

All the Way from Africa!

Our best friends, the Pirkles, have finally arrived from Africa! After serving in Missions there for two years, they have returned to work here in the states. We are all praying for the Lord to lead them to where He would have them serve Him next. But hey! Let's be honest...there has to be a little selfish praying going on here at our house! We'd love nothing more than to find out that the Lord would call them to this area (at least within an hour of driving)! Vance will be setting up an OB/GYN practice soon. So pray for the Lord to direct them clearly as to where He'd have their family move that would have the biggest impact on the Kingdom.

As you can see in the picture below, our children look like stair steps (and that's just the girls!). Elizabeth is oldest, then Rebekah, Katie, Sarah, and Hannah.

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The boys are cool just "hangin' out". This is Brett and Caleb catching up on life.

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And last, but absolutely NOT least...the youngest of our Pirkbey family--Luke and Phillip! Evidentally, they are trying to teach each other the latest "moves" since they last saw each other!! These two will keep you in stitches! We are cautious about their teen years! Susan and I are worried that we may have to go retrieve them from jail one day! Obviously, we're kidding!! Keep checking here for more to come of the Pirkbey adventures! I'm sure there'll be a camping trip sometime this summer!

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It's a beautiful day in the Nabor hood

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We'd like you to meet one of our favorite people...Mr. Nabors. He is one of the gentlemen that we have the honor of taking food to on our Meals On Wheels route. The kids have fallen in love with him. He is almost completely blind and has lost most of his hearing, but he always recognizes the kids. We started doing Meals on Wheels about a year and half ago. When Great-Grandma passed away in 2003, there was a great void in all of our lives, but especially the children's. Senior adults have a lot to give to the younger generations and we wanted our kids to know that life is valuable whether it is an unborn child or 97 year-old man. I am sure that Mr. Nabors will never read a blog, more or less ours', but I wanted to take a chance and let the rest of the world know about him.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is Grandma Ownbey's birthday and we just want to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"! We are planning to celebrate her day on Feb. 3rd. It will be a little late, but that chocolate cake is going to be worth the wait!! We love you, Grandma!!!!

Brett is doing GREAT!

Yes, I'm bloggin' twice in one sitting. It appears that my pattern of bloggin' will come in spurts, so get ready to read if you see something new and be patient if you pull up the same page for a MONTH, ugh! sorry about the inconsistency--it's been a little busy.

Many of you are asking about Brett. I would like to let him have a chance to blog his thoughts some time this weekend, but wanted to give everyone a small update.

He had a great first day yesterday! He was able to get into his locker each time--whew!! He found all of his classes and was seated on time--whew!! He made it through lunch and gym class--whew!! But best of all, he made a good friend on his FIRST day named Chris. Second best of all...he was excited to go back again today! So far, so good. Thank you all for your prayers and concern. It has meant a lot to all of us.

Hopefully, you can see his blog this weekend.

A Blessing in Disguise

I have been spending the last couple of weeks trying to finalize plans to go and take my boards for dental hygiene. I have spent the last two days examining my sister and having x-rays made, etc. Good news for her--she doesn't qualify, bad news for me. Actually, it's GREAT news for me...
Paula and I have experienced many years of struggles with one another, try 20 years to be exact. We have travelled down different roads, too numerous to count. But this week has taught me more than I ever knew about the Grace of God. He constantly pursues a love relationship with us. Why? I don't know. As He pursues us, I believe His desire is for us to pursue that love relationship with others, especially in relationships that He PURPOSELY place us in. I have struggled in pursuing that with Paula and have failed her in many ways over the years. But I am thankful for His grace---undeserved favor (blessing). His grace this week allowed me to loose a "patient" opportunity, but instead gave me a FRIEND--my sister! I have enjoyed talking to her on the phone and just visiting in the car on our trip to Asheville, catching up on "who" she really is ( a child of the King, His princess!). I feel like the scripture says in Joel 2:24-26--The Lord has restored (and will continue to) the years the Locusts have eaten away. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me in this relationship and for not giving up.
Paula, if you're reading this...I love you and I am excited to see how God is working in your life. I look forward to the years ahead as the Lord continues to mold our "sisterhood" into a relationship/friendship that truly reflects the love of Christ. Thank you for giving your time to me for this exam yesterday and just for being willing to be there for me. It meant more than you will ever know!