Forever In Our Hearts

A December Hello!

In the middle of us trying to "fix up" our blog I decided to make it go as private so that we could work on it without everyone seeing it look weird.  Not knowing when and if we will ever find the time to finish what we wanted to do we decided to open it back up for viewing.  Now a big apology to our friend and family who have told me that they miss seeing pictures of the kids on here.  We would love to keep things very current and always have lots of pictures and updates.  We started blogging when I realized I didn't have the time to scrapbook anymore.  It was so easy to just put pictures on here and I have really enjoyed looking back with the kids at family pictures from a few years ago.  That is what I thought a blog was supposed to be about.  When the school year started we decided we would post all our fun and educational stuff on our homeschool page so we could look back year after year and remember all we did related to school or actually related to life  in general.  Then comes August with a stressful pregnancy and before I knew it September had rolled on by and we were well into October.  As I was starting to feel better and trying to manage daily life around here the unimaginable happened and we found out that our sweet baby had passed away.  For days and even weeks everything was a blur.  I kept thinking is this what grief is I don't believe I am actually going through the "grieving process"  but now as I look back at it I was right in the thick of it and just didn't know it.  I've had much time on my hands with sleeplessness so I have jumped right back into reading blogs about others, I think just so I could momentarily forget the pain I was filling.  Something funny I have come to realize is that there are at least a million blogs out there that talk about being a godly woman and mother but I just can't read them all after a while it becomes boring with the same old stuff, not that I don't want to be a godly wife and mother.  There is a lot of good info out there but what I plan to do is just go back to a few of those encouraging women that help point others in the right direction.  I've listed a few of my favorite well know blogs in the past.  There are many to read but I must plan my time wisely.  So for me I will try AGAIN to guard my time.    I will read those few I found years ago and also people that I know "in real life" not just blog world. I have read that some people stay on the computer for hours all day long.  And just like now at least 10-15 minutes are gone that I should have been making cookies.  So off to make cookies and enjoy these last few days before another Christmas has passed.

Vision Forum is Having a Giveaway!

In case you don't already know.   Vision Forum is having a HUGE giveaway!!  Vision Forum has a variety of Christian books, wholesome movies and encouraging Cd's for the entire family.  All of the kids (plus mom and dad)  has something Vision Forum sells on their Christmas list!!!

Head on over to any (or all) of the following blogs to win some BIG gift certificates to Vision Forum....

Smockity Frocks
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Generation Cedar
Raising Olives
Life In A Shoe

Note:  Each of these blogs above are having this giveaway.  Hurry and head on over to all of them and enter!!

Wordless Wednesday

Our loss DANIEL ELIJAH PARRIS -OCTOBER 29, 2011

It is with such sadness and heartbreak that we write of our precious loss.  Our sweet baby boy that I carried within me for 19 weeks was delivered stillborn on Saturday afternoon.   Most that read our blog from church already know about this but we also know of others from different areas that keep up with our family and we ask that you pray for us.  Not sure if anything else will be posted about all of this for some time.  I'm sure there are many different phases of grief to go through. He was loved and wanted so much.  We are thankful for the time that we had with him. 

Trying to get back to blogworld

We are trying to get back to the world of blogging but with so many things to catch up on where to start?  I had wanted to start off the school year with lots of pictures and do a little about school each day.  I thought it would be a great way to remember our school year better.  After a few days all that good morning(half day) sickness set in so pictures didn't seem quite as important.  Now I guess I'll just play catch up with some summer pictures and go from there.  I have actually missed scrap booking and really need to start back with that. Blogging or Scrapbooking, so many choices.  For now I think I will just do some picture posting.  I love to look back over the blog with the kids and remember all our fun times and see when they looked younger only by a few years or so.  Now to plan what pictures to post out of about 1000. 

What Some People Will Do For Free Food....

The Parris and Duncan family met up at Chickfila on cow appreciation day  dressed up like cows and received free food.  It was so much fun!! 

The Parris' and our friends the Duncan's all dressed up like cows!

This was such a fun activity we can't wait till next year.

Missy

I still have a lot of blog posts to catch up on what we have been doing this summer which are coming soon.

There Is A New Addition In The Parris Home......

..... her name is Honey. Isn't she so cute?  She is ten weeks old.

As you can tell by the picture, all the kids love her.

 Here is a picture of Stephen.  Just because he's so cute. 

Missy

She Turns 3 While He Turns 2

On May 23, Sarah turned 3! The picture below is her dancing to a musical Rapunzel card she got and absolutely loved.  We celebrated with tacos and a princess theme. 

Sweet
Adorable
Radiant
Active
Happy

On June 19, Sam turned 2!!  Sam had a cowboy/ toy story  theme  and had hot dogs one of his favorite food.

         Silly
         Amazing
         Marvelous
       

Sarah and Sam are 13 months apart and  even though Sarah is older Sam is an inch taller.  Recently people have been mistaking them as twins. 

We love you Sarah and Sam!

Missy

Happy Independence Day!!!

We Hope You Have A Great 4th Of July!!!

Here are some quotes from our founding fathers...


It cannot be emphasised too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christian; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.


~Patrick Henry
Governor of Virginia



Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth...nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God.


~John Hancock
Sighner of the Declaration of Independence

The Parris Family

Morgan's Braces Are Off!!!

Morgan got her braces off .! After almost two years of wearing braces, she finally got them off. On July 7,2009 she got them on and on June 16, 2011 she got them off!

;

So now she can eat her favorite sweet jelly belly beans!!!

Missy

David Phelps

A week or so ago I posted a song from Luke Garrett and made a comment about David Phelps maybe having to "take a back seat". I want to play on the word "maybe"; I didn't say he had to. Ha! Ha!
I love to hear David Phelps sing and he probably is my favorite. His voice is warm and not squeaky. I'm posting this video to honor him. I did some research on you tube and found this video. After the reprise David hits an F5. I have to say that is very impressive. You can play the note on your keyboard with his voice. It will be the F note in the 5th octave range. Some facts about David:
Age: 41(I'm 6 months older) - heeee, heee!
He has 4 children
His wife is Lori and they've been married for 12 years
He has been with the Gaithers since 1998


This is for you Munck girls.

Our Mother

"M" is for the million things she gives us,

"O" is for all the obstacles she overcomes with us,

"T" is for all the tears she sheds over us,

"H" is for her heart of gold;

"E" is for her everlasting Godly spirit,

"R" is for how she remembers us at all times.


My "Missy" is truly a Proverbs 31 woman. I will never be able to repay her for all she is to me and our children. God gave me the best, and I will never deserve her.


Happy Mothers Day Honey!!!

The Proverbs 31 Woman :
10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.	Her Character as a Wife
13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. works joyfully 14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. 16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.	Her Devotion as a Homemaker
20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.	Her Generosity as a Neighbor
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.	Her Devotion as a Homemaker
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.	Her Influence as a Teacher
27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."	Her Effectiveness as a Mother
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.	Her Excellence as a Person

One Of The Greatest

Luke Garret has to be one of the greatest tenors in Christian music.

David Phelps (one of my favorites) may have to take a back seat to this pioneer.

Luke has been singing for over 20 years. His travels have taken him to every state in the union as well as to Asia, South America, the Middle East and Europe. He has sung for numerous Presidents, various denominational national conventions, state conventions, evangelism conferences, music conferences as well as for the local church, various charities and prison ministries. Pause the music player below and sit back and worship as you listen to one of his greatest songs "Arise".

Arise 

Ken Ham

From all the information I gather; this is the BIG reason Ken Ham was kicked out of the Cincinnati Home School Convention.
You listen and see if any Biblical "Sound" Christian would disagree with him. I also don't think Ken Ham's "spirit was unkind"
as he addresses the un-orthodox teaching of Peter Enns, but Great Homeschool Conventions sure thought it was.
God help us!

Listen to This

One thousand Gifts Week 4.....

30. "For thou Oh Lord are a shield for me, the glory and the lifter of my head"

31. Cindy and Shirley helping with Stephen- this little guy is really loved at church.

32. Saturday night and a nephew for serving our country

33. Family time on Friday

34. Sewing for Sarah

35. Hearing Sarah sing Jesus Loves Me in her sleep

36. A beautiful sunny weekend

37.  A six year old with missing teeth

38. Josiah talking to his sisters about books(so excited he loves to read).

39. Conversations on the phone with another homeschool mom.

40. Having a daughter who gladly helps her mom on the computer.

41. Samuel loving the outside

42. Hanging clothes on the line.

43. Bargain shopping with Katie.

44. Safety from the storm. Thank you God for protection!

45. A bag of Dove chocolates from my simply adorable husband.

Karen Peck and New River-Brian Free and Assurance

Last Saturday Morgan,  Katie and I went to a concert at South Cleveland Church of God.  We got to see Karen Peck and New River and then we saw Brian Free and Assurance.  We met our friends Cindy, Beth and Maria there and we all had a great time.  We heard some beautiful songs old and new.  Katie heard a new song (well actually new to her) and I think she is going to try to sing it at church soon.   I got a chance to talk to Karen Peck and she was just as sweet as she could be.  She is a homeschool Mom and just graduated her oldest.  He was also with the group and played guitar.   Outside it was a huge rainstorm and you could hear it too it was so loud.  On the inside we were enjoying some great songs.  We hope to hear both groups again sometime.

One Thousand Gifts

One Thousand Gifts Week Three.....

19. Making brownies with Josiah
20. Making cheesecake with my 3 girls to put with the brownies
21. We had to dig the breathing machine back out.  So thankful that we don't use it as much with Jacob as we used to but also thankful that it quickly helps him when he does need it
22. Staying up late reading good books with hubby reading his book across the room
23. Pink fingernails and toenails on Sarah-so cute
24. Time to pull out the spring and summer clothing totes
25. Swinging on the deck with the kids
26. A beautiful day at the park with friends
27. A gift from my husband with a love note attached
28. Rocky horse for Sam and Sarah to play on
29. Dad brought home another gift for Stephen from a church member.  We are so blessed by our church family blessing us with gifts and being so excited for us when we add to our family

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

***********************


This St. Patrick's day we went to the park with some friends.   We had so much fun! There were four moms and 20 kids there.

Here is a picture with only some of the kids.

There were so many girls there (aren't the twins cute?)

All the kids decided to play red rover.  I didn't get that close of a picture they were running too fast.

******************

We are going to start reading the Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson tonight as a family.  Morgan found them at the First Baptist Library and wanted to buy them with her birthday money.  They have such good Irish history in them so we thought tonight would be a good night to start (to learn more about this series you can go HERE.)

I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

MISSY

♥ Wordless Wednesday ♥



Slave?

Ask yourself as a Christian:
Do I go where my Master says I can go?
Do I talk as my Master wants me to talk?
Do I act like my Master wants me to?
Do I really have a Master??

Very  respected pastor and author John MacArthur gives us some insight.

Blog Under Construction-New Things Ahead

In our spare time we have been doing new things to our blog. It is currently "under construction" and changing a little bit here and there. Morgan has been investing some of her free time learning the ins and outs of blog design. She enjoys learning new things and this one is definitely something that you can put a lot of time into. We hope to be updating our Family page soon also. Here are a few things we are planning to do when time allows.  1. Right now Morgan plays piano and is also instructing Josiah, Katie and Jacob on the piano. Sammy is teaching Josiah some beginning guitar and Josiah just got his own guitar to learn with. Morgan and Katie have become very interested in the Irish Whistle. Sarah loves to sing lots of songs and anything from the musical Sound of Music. Samuel mostly just likes to dance to the music. With all this music going on we hope to add pictures of them with their instruments and also let you hear some of it too on our Music page. 2.As far as our homeschooling page we want to expand on what we do and also post pictures to remind us of all we've done through the year. 3. For our What we believe page we want to clearly share our beliefs and also expand on our family worship time together. We also may throw in things about our church on this page and all the exciting things that are going on there. Thank you to all of you who visit with us and we hope that our family is a blessing to you. Now if we can just get all these things accomplished! We are excited to see what God has in store for us this year.

Missy

1000 Gifts

One Thousand Gifts Week Two...

10.Hiccups and Giggles from a two year old princess

11. Screams of excitement from Sam when he sees that daddy is home.

12. My oldest son becoming a young man and wanting to help his mama.

13. Games of chess being played over and over.

14. Sisters that laugh all the time.

15. Words of kindness and encouragement from wiser women.

16. Late night baby sounds I hear across the room.

17. This same baby that is finally sleeping through the night

18. A blue eyed boy that has the sweetest smile

 ...Be thankful to Him and bless His name.~Psalm100:4