Happy Birthday Tyler!!!

7 years ago on August 22nd we welcome into the world a sweet precious little boy that would complete our family. His due date was 8/30 but his brothers were 2 weeks over due and our doctor told us that there was a possibility that he would be too and since they were so big that he would probably be bigger (9lb 3oz on 1 and the other was 9lbs 13oz) So he suggested that we had induce him early and that we could pick when. All we knew we wanted it on a Thursday so Eric would not have to take off alot of time. We didn't tell anyone what we were doing but Eric's parents and that was only cause they were keeping the older 2 for us. So we headed off to the hospital at 6:30am and got set up in our room. Since this was my third I got put in front of others to have the good drugs to take away the pain everything going great. I had a great and easy delivery couple of pushes and he was out.. But he was not crying, they had to get the NICU in there to suck out all the junk out of his lungs. We had a great doctor that was smiling at us and telling us the whole time that he was ok. I could see the nervous look on Eric as I was trying to hold it together for him.. Within the hour he was all check out and he was healthy and was the sweetest spitty imagine of his daddy.. He came in weighing in at 8lbs 1oz and 19 1/2 inches long.. He was the smallest of the 3 but now he is the biggest of the 3 turning 7 year today and weighing 76 solid lbs. We had names picked out for a girl and if a boy we were going to name Jacob Levi but at the time Ryan play on a baseball team w/ 6 Jake or Jacob so the day we found out he was a he and not a she I cry cause I felt Eric wanted a girl and also cause I didn't want to name him Jake and Levi didn't sound right w/ the other 2 names.. So after assuring me having a boy was ok and we could change the name I was ok.lol... Tyler was actually a name I thought of for the other 2 but didn't and Eric thought it was a cool name so we were going to name him Tyler Jacob at first and call him TJ but we decided that him and his daddy needed the same middle name and we name him Tyler Eric Glover.



Tyler has been such a sweet spirited child in the beginning I wonder about that consider he would not sleep unless you were holding him or on his stomach which was a no-no, he stayed sicked w/ respiratory problems up until he was 2 which only 1 doctor out of our group said he would since we had that panic attack in the delivery room all the others said it was not related maybe that is why we only want to see her. He has had tube put in his ears his abnoize (?) taken out and believe it or not he still has his tonsils after all the strep thoart he has had. But since he was 2 1/2 he has been great w/ not much sickness at all.



I did get spend a year at home with him when he was 3 and I was truly thankful for that.I miss those Tyler mommy days now especially since he has grown into being a daddy boy through and through. He looks like his daddy and acts like him too... He is a very special little boys to us. His best friend beside his daddy is his brother Stephen which by the way didn't want him at first cause he was a boy and not a girl so he would not really have much to do with him but on most days his order is daddy and mommy and Stephen has to fight for 2nd. Ryan is also a good big brother to him but "Bo" gets down on his level plays with him. Stephen did tell me one time that he was going to make sure that Tyler was 10 worst than him and sometimes I think he is doing that, they have alot of similar esp an hour before bed him is his hyper time and then with in 10 mins he is out like a light, his humor, confidence, the ability to get under Ryan skin they are 2 peas in a pod sometimes... Watch out when they get together...



Tyler loves God/Jesus you can't say 1 without the other, his sweet thang that he just adores is Macyi he met last year in his K-5 class (which another thing we did hold him back a year cause of birthday being the week school started back one of the best things we ever did). If you want to see him really smile with the dimples and squint eyes just say Macyi, he loves karate, football and soccer and is excited to to play baseball next year, he is friends with everyone, but is shy until he gets his comfort level and once that happens he can be loud and all boy. His daddy says he takes after me w/ all the talking he does. He is solid when he was 1 his daycare nick name him Tank cause they would build blocks and he would knock them over, he is not scare of most things except for spiders, don't think he likes sheet on the bed cause he takes them off all the time, loves to build things w/ his daddy, playing basketball w/ Bo, play the playstation w/ Ryan and curl up w/ mommy. He didn't want a brother or sister until last year and now we don't want our kids to be 7 yrs apart again but he prays for a baby sister. He is smart and loves to learn, you might not think he is listening but he is, can be hardheaded (that his daddy) only gets ill if tired (another daddy thing). Funny, handsome,outgoing and caring.. We love you little man and you have made our family complete and entertaining for the last 7 year. Love you lil man!!!!!!!

Savannah

July 14th 2001 I married the man of my dreams. We had a beautiful beach wedding and honeymoon in Charleston and that was our last vacation alone.. We had plan to go to Charleston the next year for our anniversary but I was pregnant with his little mini me. So for the last 8 years we have not been able to take another anniversary trip until this year. I booked the room back in January but with the economy the way it is Eric lost his job but in the same week he started helping out another guy then we went to WV and came back and he lost that but God is always good and the next week he was working again so up until the week before we didn't know if we were going to be able to go or not. Like I said, God is good!!!!!


My sister lives in Evans, GA which is about 2 1/2 hrs away and her and her family kept Tyler for us and the Ryan & Stephen went to their dads. So after work on Thursday we headed to Evans to drop Tyler off with the Wamack's.. We live in a house where I am the only female he was going to a house for at least a day he was the only male then my brother in law, great nephew and on of the girls boyfriend came and saved the day. I am sure he would have been ok being the only male though, he gets spoil there and he loves it. He got to watch what he wanted to, play his DS, go swimming, eat all he wanted, play with some of the funniest girls and plus Aunt Lisa spoils him. He had such a good time that every time we called him he told us we could call him back on Sunday but we couldn't come and get him until Monday. We picked him up at 4 on Sunday and he was MAD at us and didn't talk to us for an hour on the way home. I have to say he had a good time... Thank you Wamack's!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got to our hotel about 10:30 on Thursday night after riding some long dessert roads an wondering about gas and food we were ready to settle into our room and sleep that first night. I think that is the earliest I have gone to bed in a long time but I was sick with some stomach bug and he had been the day before. We had a great night sleep..

Friday we got up early and hurry to get ready to see could go and get in line for our reservations for Lady & Son. We finally headed out the door about 9:00, 30 mins later than I wanted to. We didn't know our way around, never been there our hotel was right when we came in so we didn't even know the area what so ever so we were blind leading the blind and we didn't listen great to the directions soooo needless to say we were headed in the wrong direction, headed back in the right to turn around and go back the wrong way until we finally ask somebody so we go to the line at 9:30 and not to many people came behind us so I was worry the whole time we would not get in that day.. We got one of the last 11:00 lunches and it was 10:15 when we got it so we had 30 mins to kill so we decided which trolley tour to take and look in a couple of stores right there. At 10:45 we were back out front like we were told to be and this lady comes out to let us know the food is ready and she bang on the pot yelling "Come and get it". The food was WONDERFUL Eric is still wanting more chicken and the ho cakes were great, the corn, the fish it was allll good... We came out stuff as pigs... For lunch it is like $11.95 for the buffet all you can eat and then a dessert and drink you can't eat that cheap around here for that really and the food be that good...

After lunch we went to take the trolley tour of the city. The guy told us they would send a shuttle bus to come and pick us up and about 5 mins later a white stretch limo pulled up.. That was our shuttle bus we felt high class and got to see the city in a fast way. If you are ever there and see a white limo trust me move out of the way.. The trolley tour was great we got to learn the history about the city, the squares, the didn't houses like Girl Scot and the one from Garden of Evil and the best part we learn where things were including River Street.. After that was over we did the River Boat part of it (we did a combo)and I have to say this was really just break to ride on the boat and here about the ports. I would do the trolley again but not the river boat but we had coupons for both. It was soooooooo HOT that after that was over with we went back to the room and shower and got re ready and headed to Spanky's on River Street to check out their chicken fingers and honey mustard everybody told us about. They lived up to what people said, I am wanting some more of that honey mustard it is more honey than mustard. It was a cool place to we got to seat in the room they were doing karaoke but Eric had a bad headache so we called it a night early again and left and went straight back to the hotel and he went to bed while I read my Twilight book..

Saturday we got up and walked around the Market to check it out and then we left and drove out to Tybee Island to eat at Crabshack and let me say that place had a great atmosphere we sat out on the patio by the water w/ trees growing up through the deck, cats roaming around, over looking the water and playing Jimmy Buffet music. Everything is boil or steam and they have these huge sampler platters with all kind of seafood on it but we just got shrimp and devil crab and it was great. On our way out we stop off at the alligator farm they had and check them out. With belly's full we took off to the beach. We had brought all of stuff with us to chill out for the rest of the afternoon but with taking our time at the restaurant, trying to find parking and storm look like it was coming in we just walked out to the pier and took in the people fishing and talked to some nice people and then we went for a walk on the beach.. The only draw back to this was I didn't research the lighthouse to much and we pass one coming over the bridge and I thought we had to take a boat tour to it. I didn't find out until we got home and saw Katie Mumpower pictures that you didn't have to take a boat tour it was right there at the other end of the beach that we pass coming in and out (yes, The Mumpowers were there in Savannah same time, same hotel, same floor, only 11 doors down and we NEVER saw each other.. We went a day early so when they were doing Savannah we were in Tybee and when they were in Tybee we were headed home.. I didn't want to intrude on their family time and they didn't want to intrude on our alone time but I do wish we could have met up for at least one meal or something) Anyway, we headed out of Tybee and decided to go to Uncle Bubba's but my GPS took us to some house so we couldn't find it. We went back to Savannah and went back and tour the squares we wanted to see up close after that we went back to the hotel rested and got re ready and went back to Spanky's and afterwards we went shopping at River Street and took in all the local street performers on the river. We were in a store and we kept hearing boom, boom we looked out and it was fireworks so we went out and enjoy them. I love to people watch and I love to be right there at the water so we sat there for a couple of hours and listen to the go playing the sax's while people walk by. He was playing all kind of theme songs from the wedding march, 3 Blind Mice and The Freaks Come Out At Night. It was fun to watch all the peoples reaction.

Sunday we got up and loaded the car and went to another part of Savannah to a place called Byrd Cookie Company that Deb Thompson told me about and said they were famous for their key lime cookies. I love that store with all the platters, gifts, spices, sauces and the best part cookies. They had them all out to taste, my favorite were red velvet and chocolate key lime.. After picking of goodies we headed to Evan's to get our boy and come home..

We had a great time all in all and have our reservations made for February. Can't wait to go back... This time we will see the Lighthouse and I am for sure we will eat at Lady & Sons, Spankey's and Crabshack and maybe this time we will find Uncle Bubba's or make it to Fannie's.. I will definitely be bringing back more cookies..

A little side note, my friend Johnna went the very next Friday to Lady & Son and while they were in line to get there reservations they notice another line and to come find out Paula Dean, Bubba and their boys were there doing a book signing.. She got pictures with them.. I wonder if she ask for the recipe for the chicken and ask where Bubba's restaurant was??

Day6-Youth Students

Both of my boys are in the DAY6 student choir and I have to say this group of kids are amazing. From August until June they practice so much to go out on a choir tour to different places for a week and share their faith through worship, witnessing and working hard. I got the privilege to go a couple of years ago and it was a great trip and last year it seem really great with everything that happen in Washington but this year I was blown away with this group of kids and decidation and the fire I saw come back with them and the unity. They went this year to Cleveland TN to sleep on floors, eat bag lunches, paint houses or put new roofs on them and while they are doing that they are witnessing to the families and others around them, back to shower and eat dinner and then off to go sing at rescue mission places, retirement centers, Church's it is all day affair. Then back at the church at night they had student lead devotions and then they all had a chance to tell everybody what their God moment of the day was (trust me I couldn't get through these w/ out crying). Then when they got back I have been hearing all the kids talk about the trip, seeing their FB status messages and messages to each other, her girls in my Sunday school class saying they can't stand to sit at home and do nothing they want to go out and live that week everyday, seeing students changed by this trip it has been amazing.


We had a homecoming concert the Sunday they came back and they show pictures from the trip and I sat there with tears in my eyes seeing the glow on their faces and tell the hard work they were doing, the praying they were doing together and witnessing to where one group drew out an illustrations for a child to understand. Then when they sing they are just wonderful for youth choir, they bring the worship into a place. Sarabeth was honor for allher dedication to teaching this group of students. It was well deserve. Thanks go out to SB, Bucky and all the other leaders that help make Day6

Rachel one of the girls sum it all up and brought what it all meant.. Phil 2:1-5

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, If any comfort from His love, If any fellowship with the Spirit, If any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest , but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...

What if every day we look for God moments and we just jump into them. We don't have to go out of state or country we come in contact every day with people and there are people right under our eyes that need help... God uses this group of teenagers to teach me so often...

We have another group gone this week to Centrifuge at North Greenville College and the parents were invited come Thursday to share the Lord Supper with them and then after to hear about some of their God moments. Some that stood out to me was Stephanie Simon sharing the gospel when she was at a place they weren't suppose to afterwards hearing that about 8-9 of kids 9 and up coming up and wanting to know more. Also, another bible was giving away at this camp to a little boy that as soon as he got it he went and started reading it. Then kids telling what God is teaching them about their self about witnessing more, doing more, being more thankful, knowing we have a new sister in Christ that gave her life over on Tuesday night cause she wants Jesus in her life... Parents were able to share what we have been learning this summer and from hearing parents can't find their kids cause they are in their room doing a quiet time, off with the church somewhere and hearing former students say they know the works that this group can do, just on and on. Of course I didn't come out of there without tears.. NEVER stop praying, don't ever give up on a student or anybody cause in God's time He will bring all things to light for you and He will answer your prayers.

About the giving of the bible these are not only 2 trips that a bible was given away last year on choir tour another gave hers away, in WV last year at Powerplant another student did. On choir tour an adult gave her bible away that she had forever. Could you do that??? I hope that if that time ever came by that I will have no problem giving mine away. When you know these students are going on a trip if you want to get a pocket size bible and give to them to give away to somebody that doesn't have one, maybe even put a prayer in there for that person.

Get to know these kids and pray for them... By the way, they have been invited to come and sing at the ChoralFestival at First Baptist Spartanburg in August and SB has been ask to led a workshop for doing a student choir.. This is a great honor for both and speak volumes of what this group is..dedicated and ready to share their for the Lord.

Red White & Boom

Ok, I just realize when I went to upload pictures for my 4th of July post I had missed to other post so now I am out of order... Oh well...

Eric and I had never been to Red White & Boom and our friends Kim & Scott invited us to go their style which is go up to the top of the parking deck and watch the fireworks so we took off and went w/ them... It was fun even though I didn't have a chair (yeah wait until you see my chair it will be the little cooler, my husband got everything out of the car for me). I was surprise at all the people up on top of the parking deck there was even one group that had claim a corner and had a picnic table and the whole tail gate style going on.. Need to remember that for next year. Before we went we met up at Monterrey's for dinner and The Darwin's came and met us too. Ginger was not feeling good so they didn't go out to Red White & Boom but we took Jake w/ us and so he could see the fireworks. On the way home Brewster was close and we forgot about DQ so we just ran by Wendy's and got frosty and call it night... Can't wait until next year.. Thanks for the invite Kim, we always have a blast...

July 4th Gaffney Style

Eric & I were trying to decided what to do for the 4th and my wonderful good friend Ginger invited us to her parnets house. Well, as we do every year at Christmas I told her that I didn't want to bust up in her family dinners and like every year at Christmas she reminds me if she didn't want us to be there and they would not invite us... But I was still unsure but my phone rang one night and the only reason why I answer it was cause the boys were at camp and I didn't know maybe they had borrow somebody phone to call home.. but no it was Mrs. Waters... Ginger's mamma... Inviting us to their 4th of July festives... I couldn't tell her no so we happily accept and went.. I even try to make 2 new reciepes Cornbread Salad and a Strawberry Shortcake dessert in a truffle bowl... We spent that morning over at my friend Kim house hanging out in her pool while they were at the beach and then that afternoon the Darwin's came and got us and we went to Gaffney... Now if you remember this is not the time to be around Gaffney cause they had a killer on the loose and Ginger's mom lives within 3 miles of all the kilings so at first I was uneasy but there was so many people there and cops around I didn't think he was coming to the Water's house.. We had tons of good food, great fellowship, lots of laugther (esp when Eric slip fell down the path to the zip line), good times w/ friends of all the ages.. We ate, some of the men played horse shoes, the kids rode around on the golf-cart (or as Tyler says go-cart) w/ Ginger cousin they went and saw the goats and feed them she let them "drive",then we headed to Ginger's brother that has pretty cool woods had a nice path to a zip line the kids went and rode on, then hung out his gargage and Ginger even got up on the stage and dance for us..lol, while some played air hockey. Then we went back to her moms and while we clean up the kids do the pop cap things out in the drive way... It was a fun time and we are glad that we went. We love the Darwin's and Water's family, they have became like family to us... Not sure if we will every get invited over for food again after the MOUNDS of food that Eric ate that night.. Maybe a visit but not sure about food..lol..

Whoa, my toes hurt BAD!!!!

Well, my devotion this morning really step all over my toes or should I say my whole feet and not just little baby steps but big elephant steps... After I read this I thought of myself and how true this was and but how much I want to be like in Nehemiah and read His word for a quarter of day and then worship Him for another quarter. Why, can't I? Well probably cause I am on Facebook, watching TV, reading my Karen Kingsbury books or smut magazine (yes, I am guilty I read InTouch, US Weekly and People BUT I am better than I use to be I use to buy all 3 every week and now I might get 1 every so often more so when I travel than anything else).. Our computer has been down for the past week (the reason for no posting of the West Virgina trip or July 4th)and I have read entire Karen Kingsbury book, cleaned the house and kept it clean (all except the bedrooms)and flip channel after channel cause there is only so much Micheal Jackson that you can watch (one hour was enough for me).. So instead of doing all of that this would be the perfect time to get into the habit of reading my Faithbook, I am sure there are alot of good postings in there. After you read this let me know if this also step all over your toes.. Maybe we could start reading our Faithbook and post on Facebook our favorite verse, what we learn, what we are reading, whatever jumps out or you want to share...I pray for my days to also include networking w/ God cause He is BFF. My post today will be going to read Psalm 119


Faith Book
8 Jul 2009
Susanne Scheppmann

"They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." Nehemiah 9:3 (NIV)

A new addiction slipped into my life recently - Facebook. Internet social networking slid in quietly and unobtrusively. Each day I found myself reading and posting a bit more. I learned how to create my visual bookshelf, so my "friends" could check out what I was reading. I linked my blog. My time seeped into Facebook like grains of sand slide through the hourglass.

My addiction soon took a turn for the worst. I began to put off my personal quiet time with God until after I had Facebooked. Sadly, scripture seemed boring next to my friend s' postings. Strangely, the mundane posts intrigued me. I had fallen under the spell of social networking.

Then one day, I dragged myself away from my laptop. I had Bible study that night and needed to finish my lesson. The lesson pointed us to the book of Nehemiah. I read, "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." (Nehemiah 9:3, NIV).

Yikes! They read God's Word for a quarter of the day, then spent another quarter of the day in confession and worshiping? These words haunted me the rest of the afternoon. When was the last time I spent that much time with God? How much time did I spend on the Internet? I felt a deep conviction about my Facebook addiction.

I determined that day to read my Bible, my FaithBook, before I turned on my computer each day. I would network with God, before networking with my friends. When I made this decision, I saw scripture jump back to life. God's Word spoke to me with a freshness that seemed as if He had just posted it Himself.

The addiction stopped. Oh, I still enjoy Facebook and other social networks, but I have learned to keep them in proper perspective. Psalm 119:59-60 sums up my new intent: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands" (NLT).

Will you join me in the commitment to spending time in God's Word before time spent on Facebook?

Dear Lord, I recognize that I spend too much time on the computer. Forgive my inattention to Your Word. Help me each day to place You first in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Listen to Today's Radio Show for more about spending time with God.

Pierced by the Word by John Piper

Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann

For more from Susanne, visit her blog as well as her resource page

Application Steps:
Today, take notice of how much time you spend on the computer for personal enjoyment. Decide to make your quiet time with God a priority. Read Psalm 119 and then ponder the benefits of time spent in God's Word.

Reflections:
Do I put off my quiet time with God in lieu of "social networking?"

Am I willing to commit more time to reading the Bible?

How can I begin to keep my life in a healthy balance?

Power Verses:
Exodus 24:7, "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, 'We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.'" (NIV)

Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is hear d through the word of Christ." (NIV)

Joshua 1:8, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (NIV)

© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

Hidden Treasures

Hidden Treasures
25 Jun 2009
Susanne Scheppmann

"And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name." Isaiah 45:3 (NLT)

Secrets. Riches. Mysteries. Treasures. These words bring spine-tingling excitement. Around the world, Pirates of the Caribbean became an unexpected blockbuster movie. The Indiana Jones DVD series, after over twenty years, sells consistently as a top gift item. Adventure novels prevail in the bestselling book lists. The hope of finding treasure enthralls us.

This applies to followers of Christ as well. We read in Matthew 13:44, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hi d it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field" (NLT). When I read this verse, it makes me ponder the last time I felt excitement over the kingdom of God. To be truthful, my excitement is usually based on the "performance" of God in answering my prayers.

However, the Lord doesn't promise to answer every one of our prayers as we expect. But He does promise to reveal treasures hidden in darkness. Sometimes our seemingly unanswered prayers are the secret riches that God wants to reveal to us. It reminds me of lines from the old Garth Brooks' song, Unanswered Prayers. "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers…Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

Instead of acknowledging this truth about prayer, I find myself waiting and watching for the expected results of my prayers. What I should be doing is seeking God for who He is. God told the patriarch Abram, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very gre at reward" (Genesis 15:1, NIV, emphasis added). So God, Himself, is the great treasure that I need to unearth. He has promised we will find Him when we search for him with an intentional attitude. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV).

Today I desire to change my shallow-hearted expectations of God. I want to seek Him and His Kingdom as if I am an explorer on a treasure hunt. Right now, I choose to know God, seek Him, and treasure Him.

Dear Lord, teach me to search for the hidden riches of Your Kingdom. Help me to seek You with an excited heart. Remind me that the answers to my prayers are only the beginning of a relationship with You --You are the treasure! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann

The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer

For more from Susanne, visit her blog as well as her resource page.

Application Steps:
Today when you pray, intentionally ask God to reveal Himself to you in a new way. Ask Him to reveal to you "treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches." Begin a journal of God's revelations of Himself to you.

Reflections:
Am I disappointed when my prayers are not answered in the way I expect?

How can I better search for the secrets and treasures of God's Kingdom?

Do I believe that the Lord is the greatest treasure?

Power Verses:
Colossians, 2:2-3, "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (NIV)

Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)

Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.