Lauren's Life: May 2011

On May 6, my brother-Josh, Stephen's brother-Nathan, and my brother's fiancee-Juli, graduated from college at Southeastern. I already had planned for it to be an emotional day for me but finding out about Mom's cancer the day before made it even more emotional! They graduated from the same college Stephen & I graduated from five years ago and there were so many memories that came with that day. I've always been the "overprotective" big sister and just thinking about my little brother graduation from college, getting married, and entering the "real" world is almost overwhelming. I was the sister that yelled at the kids in Little League baseball when their pitch hit my brother who was at bat ... I was the sister who asked my brother a million questions, making sure no one was being mean to him at school ... I was the sister who sat on the edge of my seat at all the soccer/basketball/baseball games while Josh was playing ... I was the sister who interrogated all the girlfriends and made sure they knew that they would answer to me if they hurt my brother ... I still am the sister who prays for my brother all the time and calls him often to give him all the advice I feel like he should have (whether he wants it or not :) ) I'm so thankful that Josh surrendered to the Lord's will and went to Southeastern. He had been working at a church in LaGrange (about 40 minutes from us) for two years and that is where he is going to continue to work. I'm so thankful he & Juli will be close to us and I know the Lord has great plans for their life.

It was even emotional for me to see Nathan graduate. I have to say, from the time I was introduced to Stephen's family, I've always felt like I belonged. They are such a blessing to me and I love them with all my heart. Nathan is so tender-hearted and compassionate and I just love being around him. He lived with us last summer while he interned at our church and I loved it. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use him.

I was so proud of Juli and being able to see her graduate. When I think how awesome it is that God brought her all the way from California to a little college in North Carolina and she ended up meeting my brother and will soon be his wife, it just amazes me. I always wanted a sister growing up ... the Lord already gave me a wonderful sister-in-law, Maria (Stephen's sister) and now I am getting another one! I am so thankful to have Juli in our family and look forward to spending many family vacations and holidays together and letting her and Uncle Josh babysit Lily Kate ALOT!! :)

We were so excited to get to see Stephen's family and to have them stay with us that weekend and to finally get to meet Juli's family from California. It was defiantly interesting trying to have a two year old sit through a graduation service but we had lots of arms to pass her around to. :)

I love Stephen's brother, David's face in this picture ... :)

Enjoying time with Grandaddy

Getting ready to get their diploma

Sitting with Lalee & Pop

Congrats Josh!!!!!

Your sister is so proud of the man you have become!!!

Way to go Nathan!!!!

We love you Uncle Nay Nay

Yay for Juli!!!!

You did great!!!!!

Josh & Juli

My wonderful family! :)

Josh & Juli with Papa & Gran

Josh & Juli with their nieces

My sweet Kimbrell family :)

All the kids ... we all have SO much fun together and I just LOVE it!!!

Me & my "little" brother ... I love him & I'm so thankful for the friendship we have!

SO thankful for the wonderful day the Lord blessed us with ... great memoires!!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the texts, emails, messages, etc in response to my post about Mom. I can't even begin to express how much it means to me to have your prayers and encouragement. This whole situation has defiantly been teaching me how to be able to help and encourage others when they are going through tough time because I know how much I have need encouragement! Thank you, thank you!!!

Well, I wanted to do a recap of some events that we had going on in April. I was excited when I finally found an extra cord to my camera to hook up to my computer while I was cleaning out my garage ... and I also had a few reminders (thanks Keri) that I actually had a blog! :) Be prepared ... I'm including lots of pictures and fun things that I want to be able to remember ! :)

On April 1, we had a teen activity to Monster Truck Rally at the RBC Center in Raleigh. I had so many people ask me at church if I was going on that activity and if I would even enjoy it ... let me just say, I LOVE Monster Truck Rallies!!! :) My love for them started back in college-Stephen was a youth pastor for 3 years while we were in college and so he took the kids to two Monster Truck Rallies while we were there. Right before we were going to go the first time, I was so mad that we were going. I thought it was going to be boring and that there was just going to be a bunch of rednecks there. So, I packed a book to read and wore a cute outfit with pearls (I was going to bring a little class to the place ;) ) and I was expecting to despise the show. Well ..... once I got there and the show started I LOVED it!!! I mean, like screaming and yelling for the trucks love it!! And so, when Stephen announced we were going again I was SO excited!!

Lily Kate's BFF, Noah spent the night with us one Friday night while Chip & Amy were out of town. They had SO much fun ... and kept me really busy! :) They were so sweet together and I couldn't help take a few pictures of them together!!

Geting ready to watch Toy Story 3

You better watch it Noah!!!! :)

So, so precious ... best friends!

Lily Kate and I stayed with the Coghill family one night while Preacher was out of town to help with little baby Matthew and all the other kids. We had a great time and Lily Kate LOVED getting to play with all the Coghills.

Such sweeties!

Matthew is just so adorable and such a sweet baby!!! Love Him!

On some Sunday mornings Lily Kate will ride on the bus with her Daddy while I am practicing the music before church. She loves riding on the bus with her Daddy.

Making some good memories with Daddy!

We had a great Easter weekend. On the Friday night before Easter, the Register family came over and we had a little egg hunt in the back yard for Lily Kate & Noah. Stephen had mowed the grass that morning and then it rained that afternoon so there was a lot of wet grass in the yard when we went out there later that evening. So ... of course my little priss pot would not walk in the grass with sandals on, I had to get her closed toe shoes, and then she wouldn't pick up an egg that had grass on it. But, they were still so cute together finding the eggs and then checking out the surprises inside!

Someone is excited!! :)

Love the ears, Noah!!

We went to my parents house for Sunday lunch on Easter and Lily Kate got 2 Easter baskets and had another little Easter egg hunt. Of course, out of her two baskets, her favorite item was the chapstick!!

Getting some help from Pop

She had to wear closed toe shoes on this day too ... ha! :)

I just LOVE this picture!

Pictures with Uncle Josh & Aunt Juli

All the girls! :)

Lily Kate with Pop & Lalee

Stephen spoke at Southeastern's Spring Banquet on April 29th. I was so grateful to get to be there because it was Josh & Nathan's last banquet. Plus, we got to see all of our kids from Pleasant Acres. The theme was "Twilight in Central Park." Everything was decorated so nice and it was a wonderful banquet. The junior class did an awesome job putting everything together. We had such a great night ... I kept on having to remind myself that I was a wife, mom, and adult and not a college student having fun. :) (Special thanks to Julie for keeping Lily Kate ... she had SSOO much fun!)