Why We Love Boxers

I had heard and read about boxers a lot before and after I got Rocky. Through that and observing Rocky, I realized how intelligent and what a great breed boxers are. Well, Ty is definitely confirming that for us. Within the first two days of being with us, Ty has already learned "no" and its consequences as well as how to sit! 2 days! I mean I remember Rocky learning fast, but I had forgotten boxers learn that fast! So we look forward to all the things Ty will continue to learn. If any of you are considering getting a dog, we highly recommend a boxer. They learn so fast and obey so well plus they are amazing with children! Not to mention, their loyalty, energy when they need it, and the way they greet you when you walk through the door - shaking their butts and twisting their bodies in half!

Here's a couple more pics of Ty and Rocky.

Rocky II?

So people have been asking when we're going to try to have kids...well, since it's going to be a little while (I want to finish school and get my license to practice), we decided to get a puppy in the meantime!


So his name is Ty, not Rocky II. We thought we'd be a little more creative than the sequel titles. He is 7 weeks old and precious! Joey calls him two-faced because one side of his face is white and one side is black. Rocky's not too sure about him yet. I think he kind of annoys him right now because he just wants to play. The little guy did pretty well his first night in his big plastic truck box. He only whined for a few mintues and then slept all night without an accident! Hopefully it wasn't a fluke. More pics to come soon!

Joey's Birthday

Joey probably had one of the best birthdays he's had in a while. If you read the Turnbull's blog or the Owens', then you saw that Joey got to go white water rafting on Saturday and camping the night before. This is right up Joey's alley. He had a great time, hanging out with some great couples and being in his favorite place - outside. He also continued this outdoor adventure birthday on Sunday. Adam Turnbull's blog is about facing death on the rafting trip as he watched all of the others, including Joey, fall out of the raft and onto the rocks several times. Well, Joey continued this adventure of facing death. We went up to the Wildlife Mangagement Area a few miles from our house to pick blackberries because Joey wanted a blackberry cobbler for his birthday (he's not a big cake fan). It was great weather, and we rode the 4-wheeler around picking berries and trying to avoid the yellow jackets (which I am allergic to and Joey had already had a run-in with days before). So I kinda stayed behind holding the container while watching Joey pick the berries. I believe this was God's way of watching out for me because as I pointed out a place for Joey to pick some and he walked over to start picking, he calmly stepped back and told me to walk back to the 4 wheeler. I was confused and asked what was wrong as he was pulling out his machetti. I'm sure those of you guys who have seen Joey in action with a machetti or even his pocket knife know exactly what was wrong. He had seen a snake. He told me to stay back, that it was probably a copperhead or maybe not even poisonous one. He got a huge rock and dropped it on it and then chopped off its head with the machetti. When he picked it up, it was really scary because it was a rattlesnake missing its rattler. Therefore, it couldn't warn us to backoff, so thankfully I wasn't the one picking and that Joey has good eyes. I'm not very good at seeing snakes, and this is the second time Joey has saved me from one. The other time, he actually pulled me back as I was about to walk right toward it, then killed it with the weedeater. Anyway, I'm very impressed with my manly, Bear Grylls-type husband as Adam also talked about in his blog. It would have been nice if someone had warned us about rattlesnakes and blackberry bushes. Both of our dads asked us after we told them we had been picking berries if we had seen any rattlesnakes. Evidently this is common knowledge, so now we will be (well, Joey will be) wearing snake chaps when picking blackberries. Hey, the cobbler was great though, and Joey says he's just happy he ridded the world of one more evil serpent and that he does not care at all that rattlesnakes are protected in TN and AL (and I don't either)!

Forever God Is Faithful

I just wanted to let all of you in on what I experienced as the most comforting and hopeful memorial service. I know it can seem hard to believe that any memorial service could be anything but sad, espeically one that was for an individual who had messed up so many times and I'm sure hurt a lot of people (I became more aware of indivduals who were hurt when they commented on my previous post). Although I don't think it is helpful to say some of the things that were said in the comments, I do understand that some of the things Sam probably did really angered and hurt some people. I know his family would be the first to apologize for those things for him. This is one of the saddest things about addictions - that you end up hurting so many more people than just yourself. The hopeful and comforting part of Sam's memorial service today was that it was a celebration because Sam had made a profession of faith in Christ; therefore, he is in a better place and we can be comforted by our faithful God who will work this for His glory. We even sang the song Praise You In This Storm as well as Forever God Is Faithful. All of the ministers who spoke said some great things including that Sam was like the Prodigal Son who strayed from what he knew was right but that God was waiting for and running to him when he came home. Sam told several ministers as well as his family that he was so tired of fighting this addiction and the person it made him; he wanted to change so badly. God decided to take Sam home now, and I am faithfully trusting even though it's painful that God is going to use Sam's life and death to glorify Him and bring people closer to Him. Like I said, I know Sam wasn't perfect by a long shot, but neither are any of us. We ALL deserve death, but Christ gives us the gift (which we can't earn) of eternal life. This gift doesn't promise that we won't have to struggle with our sinful nature. I am the same as Sam, we all are. He struggled with an addiction that hurt himself and a lot of others, and I stuggle with a negative attitude, impatience, and pride just to name a few all of which hurt myself and others (which my husband can attest to). Therefore, we all need a Savior to keep challenging us in our weak areas and calling us to become more like Him. It was an amazing service to see Sam's whole family raising their hands, praising God. As much as I hurt, especially seeing pictures of Sam and I in the good ole days when we were little, I felt so much better after the service, feeling Sam's family's confidence which reminded me that God is here for us and will use this.

Praise You in This Storm

I'm stealing the Casting Crowns song title for the title of this post because I am praying that all of us affected will be able to ultimately praise God in the midst of a hard time. A very dear childhood friend of mine was killed tragically last night. Sam Frazier was one of the first friends I had when my family moved to Guntersville. He probably contributed a great deal to who I am today, especially my tomboy tendencies because he and I spent so much time together. His family was like my second family, taking care of me when my parents were gone and such.

I am not going to pretend that Sam's death was an accident and I don't think his family would want me to. Sam had been battling some demons in his life for a long time, and it finally got to him. None of the circumstances make it any easier, but I am already amazed at how the Lord is providing peace for Sam's dad, Rocky. When I called Rocky planning to comfort and encourage him, instead he consoled and comforted me. Rocky told me that this may have been God's way of relieving Sam from how tired he was of battling his demons. He told me that Sam loved me and to cherish all the memories I have with him. Rocky also told my dad that none of this will be in vain if just one person gets right with God or understands the danger of the drug lifestyle. To me, this is what Casting Crowns and Paul are talking about when they say praise Him in the storm and the tough times.

I am praising God for teaching me things in the midst of a storm. I am learning never to take for granted the concern I have for friends. We never know how much time any of us has, and if I have a concern about a friend's life and eternity I can't ignore it. I'm not beating myself up or anything, I just want to seize every opportunity God gives me to have an impact on a person and embrace His power as I do that rather than thinking that I could never say or do anything that would make a difference.

I will always remember the great times that Sam and I had together. Please pray for his family as they deal with this grief and pray that God will use this to work for the good of those who love Him as He promises. It is so painful right now and I know even more so for Sam's family, but I am so comforted to know that God holds my every tear in His hand.


I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

4th Weekend

We had some old friends from Perry and their precious children come up to visit us for the 4th. This really helped take my mind off of not getting to be with my family at the beach. We always have such a wonderful time with the Humphrey family and miss them terribly. Not only are they a wonderful friends, but they remind us of our old church where we met them which we also miss so much. Thankfully, God blessed us enough to meet them and has allowed us to continue a long-distance friendship with them. The first day they were here we went to the Creative Discovery Museum (where Joey had as much fun if not more than the kids).








Then we got to watch the firework show in Chattanooga on the river.



Joey also got to take Tanner and Taylor for a ride on the John Deere. Joey loved it because the next morning, the first thing Tanner asked was to take a ride on the John Deere again.



The next day, we went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo because Tanner absolutely loves trains and also to the aquarium.














Joey and Clint also put on their own fireworks show.




Taylor was a little scared - maybe she should be, Joey and fire might not be the best combination. We had a wonderful weekend celebrating our great country's independence.

Our Kind of Relaxation

I know it's not the most budget-friendly activity in these times of ridiculous gas prices (thanks for those taxes Democrat-controlled Congress), but we just can't resist. We live just a few miles from a State Forest and Wildlife Management area, so, of course, once Joey found all those trails, we had to go. So Saturday, we loaded up Rocky and some sandwiches in the truck and headed out.







Now that could be a perfect commercial for Ford or BF Goodrich. We also found a pretty nice lookout spot.




And, of course, we saw some wildlife. I'm not sure which Joey likes better - trail riding and mudding or finding deer.


Those are two little baby turkeys in front of that log.

And Rocky had a blast. He loves seeing wild animals, and he and Joey caught crawdads.