Noah's Ark Closing

Well, Kade has really learned to love his daycare. The teachers are wonderful, the environment is great. However, today I stop in to bring Kade some mommy milk and they asked "have you received the letter"? I knew it couldn't be good. Yes, financial hardship has caused them to close their doors at the end of December! I immediately started sobbing. I felt sick to my stomach. I mean, this is the place my dad camped out at to get me a spot. Infant spots are almost impossible to come by in this town. Not to mention, these poor women find out a couple of days before Thanksgiving that they are out of a job in the new year. It's so sad to see this happen to all of them.
I left the daycare devastated. I had no idea what I was going to do, but as Laura told me ...I couldn't panic. You see, in Sunday school this past Sunday we learned about Paul writings in Timothy that speaks about the need to prepare for difficult times. He used the analogy of a soldier or a farmer or an athlete and how the preparation for hard times is what is most important. We have to be ready to deal with things that might come our way. This preparation is diving into His word so we can be ready to pull out His words of comfort when needed. I'm not saying there was any kind of competition, but this moment felt like I had been defeated in some way. I panicked and didn't immediately say "Ok, God, what do you have for me now". "There is meaning in this and you have a greater plan". I just asked Laura to pray for me. As I was heading back to work, I figured I would stop in on this one daycare on the way. After breaking down to the Program Director who must now think I am crazy, she said she would take my little bundle of joy in January! Wow, in a matter of about 15 minutes, God had answered this prayer! I mean, why do we doubt? Although I will miss the girls at Noah's Ark and never forget the love they have shown my precious baby boy and the comfort I have experienced knowing he is in wonderful hands, I look forward with confidence that my God has greater plans for my baby boy that we might can't see right now.

Big Road Trip and a Demon Deacon

Chad got Kade a tie-dyed wake forest shirt at the B-ball game and Kade was excited!

Wake Forest...beautiful campus!

Brandi and Chad-O...excellent host and hostess!

This is the lobby of ISP where Chad works. Looks like a terrible place to work.




Looking down a street at Duke


Demon Deacon

Well, Leslie and I made a week long trip to visit a lot of residency programs. Although the meal presentations were a bust, we did make some great connections that will hopefully lead to some new docs in P-cola. We took along the Kadester and had wonderful nannies along the way...Thanks to Amanda and Brandi! Kade did amazing in the car. He only really pitched one little short fit on the way up. I wanted to join him since I had food poisoning or something equally disturbing that made me pull over 6 times before getting into Atlanta. Yuck. After my fabulous doc called in some phenergan in Montgomery, it was uphill from then on.
Atlanta, Winston-Salem, Durham and Chapel Hill were the places we visited. We want to pause and praise God for the lullabye CD Darcy gave Kade, the praise baby DVD that Jenn gave him, and the octopus that Sue gave him. For without these items, it could have been a different trip. Yeah for each of you! And, Leslie was on duty much of the way to ensure each of these were functioning properly and Kade had a smile. A nauseated belly required me to be upfront much of the time. Unfortunately, I don't have any pics in Atlanta with Brett & Amanda but we had a great time. Here are a few from the rest of the trip.

Go Ga Tech!

We had a great time this past weekend watching Ga Tech play FSU in Atlanta. Best part was seeing my little brother and his wife, Amanda. Way to short of a trip. We had a fun dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and the restaurant sang to Cole "happy birthday". So cute. Leslie and Shawn went with us, which was such fun. We had to stop in Auburn for some Mellow Mushroom along the way. I love that town!

Halloween!

So, Halloween was way more fun this year now that I have little man to dress up without his permission. Donald Trump was a hit. Check out some of the pics. He even fell asleep on the job at the end of the night. The Lukester was lookin' sharp in his cowboy hat. The pictures are backwards. It starts at the bottom with the hair doo Leslie and I fixed for him.

Shout out to my Original Special "K"

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 128)

We went to the beach this Sunday to take some pics for Christmas cards, and this is one I snapped that I will share. We had a wonderful weekend as a family, not so good with the football. However, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation and admiration of my husband, Coach Kevin Jay Rollins. He is one of the most passionate individuals I know when it comes to their career. He works extremely long hours day in and day out with very little financial rewards as anyone that is a teacher/coach can relate. Coaching is truly a calling and my friends, it is his. I couldn't see him doing anything else. Not only does he teach high school kids all day and help shape the lives of the future generations, he works almost an equally long amount of time coaching young men in the hopes of instilling character and well, let's be honest, win some ball games. Most importantly, he wants to influence these young men and hopefully make a difference in their lives. That, he does. I am truly blessed and grateful for his hard work, dedication and love for what he does day in and day out. I love you Kev, wife.

Hebrews 13:20-21 ~ May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Running Scared 5K

After the run

The Donald


Me and Janice all bedazzled in our sporting gear

Janice, Kade and I conquered the Running Scared 5K in Orange Beach, all dazzled up. The first half of the race was great until we hit the bark trail with a stroller. I mean Phil and Ted's designed a great one, but it felt like pushing 50+lbs over the bark with a swamp on both sides. Then, the mosquitoes came a swarming, Kade started screaming nonstop, so I had to carry him the last mile! Geeze. As soon as we crossed the finish line, he was fine. Of course. Well, we will come more prepared next year. Otherwise, we had a wonderful time and it was a nice change in scenery from our usual races. Dressing up is always fun. Look at The Donald. We will fix his hair better on Halloween, but isn't he dashing? Love, Trump.

Kade and his first pumpkin patch!

We stopped at the pumpkin patch in Clanton on our way home from B'ham. It was quite the set up. There were kids everywhere and beautiful areas for pictures. Here's a few.