Happy Anniversary to US!

I am so excited...... Our 2 year anniversary is on Tuesday and we have decided to get our gifts early! We bought a 26" flat screen TV for our bedroom!!!!! Eric can now play is XBOX 360 (his surprise anniversary gift last year) in HD! He is so excited! He is like a kid in a candy store! And I am happy to since the new TV is 6 inches bigger than the old TV.

BUT I AM EXCITED ABOUT MY GIFT EVEN MORE!

A WII! I have wanted one of these since they came out but I was sceptacle about purchasing one until we had the chance to play one..... Just so happens Katie bought Matt one for his birthday in Dec....... So we have had a Wii night at their house at least once a week since then! So needles to say we have had the opportunity to "try it out". Im still no gamer but the Wii is right up my ally! My husband has an XBOX 360 and I have been stuck in the stone ages with my nentendo 64..... I just cant help it. I love nentendo games! Mario games are so much more GIRL friendly........ and the new Wii is so family oriented! I have learned from going to Katie's that our living room now needs to be Wii proofed, so I will be doing this today. As well as playing my favorite game............. Super Mario Galaxy. This game is awsome! Eric says, "I would rather not frolick in the daisies" (this is what you have to do in a few of the levels to find the stars that you can trade for more lives) "but I will watch you" (which translates into- I will tell you how to play the game and then I will take it form you to HELP you get past one part and then continue through the end of the game). So my weekend may get interesting. This is when the NEW HD TV comes into action...... I will simply remind him that he can play his XBOX on HD and Im sure he will give the dang remote back! :)

I have a wedding to go to tomorrow and we will be going to JAMBOREE tomorrow night but Im sure i can sqeeze in some Wii action this weekend!

I could make a book...... YAY!

I was reading Nancy's blog the other day and I saw that she had a link to a page that was AWSOME! It would turn your blogs into a book! I would love to do this. It seemed so affordable too! I think at the end of every year I will turn this thing into a book and that way we can always have the memories. When we decide to have kids this site will be a great way for everyone to get a copy of the memories that we have enjoyed through the years! Click here http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook to see how great it is!

Damage.....Everywhere.

As you look at these pictures all you see is damage....... but I always try to remember that we didnt have any fatalities in the city of Prattville. We should all thank God for that! Clean-up began on Monday and will continue for sometime. This city has pulled together to help each other and it has made a BIG difference. A city that can help each other will also help heal each other! Several of of Church families have been damaged in some way or another. Please pray for these families.

~Mike and Elizabeth Manley and Matthias suffered the greatest extent of damage, with their roof being completely torn off, the back wall blown out, and many of their belongings ruined in the wind and rain. They were at home when the storm hit but escaped injury.

~Martha Aubert also suffered disastrous damage to her home. Her roof was mostly blown away and her windows shattered. She has suffered a total loss. Thankfully, she was not home when the storm hit.
~Sammy and Beth Huggins suffered significant damage to their home.
~ Mike and Donna Strickland suffered significant damage to their home.
~Others of our congregation who also suffered damage to their homes and/or vehicles include:
*Allen and Lynne Griffies

*Tommy and Anita Deason

*Lamar and Roselyn Grissett

*James and Verna Grigsby

*Cecil and Annette West

*Pat and Wayne CobbRobert

*Laura Culp
* William and Jeannie Goodwin are away on a cruise, but suffered damage to their home. Their daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Trace Watson live across the street from them and also suffered damage. They have had to be responsible for both homes and have two small children. They have been very appreciative of the help given to them during this time.
* Matt and Anna Lovell also suffered damage to their home in Highland Ridge.

The Hunter Hills congregation called the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief and they sent a truck load of food, water, cleaning supplies etc. They droped it off at the YMCA and it was up to us (Hunter Hills and Prattillve CoC) to distribute it on Tuesday. I was amazed at how many people from the two Churches were able to come. I would like to thank everyone for helping!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Tornado.... hits Prattville

We went to eat yesterday after Church and then we went home to watch the news. We were supposed to have volleyball practice at the PCA gym but Rusty Adair thought that it was a good idea to call it off and it was a good thing....... about 2:30 Eric and I started to watch the news and about 2:45 we were in the closet..... we listed as the rain and wind got harder and harder..... and then nothing..... complete silence until all of the sudden the sound of a train coming through our town......... it roared in and left everything in its path damaged. We were lucky we only lost power, cable and phone...... others were not so lucky. We got a call from Matt and Katie. They said that his parents neighborhood had been hit by the storm. After that our phones wouldnt work..... so we got in our car and went toward Lynne and Alan's house..... as we got to Sheila rd the police officers had it blocked off. Eric told the officer that he was a minister had had several families that lived in this neighborhood..... they told us that they could not let cars through because the roads were blocked but that we could park our car and walk..... so we did. Not 20 minutes after this storm came through we took off on foot to check on the ones we loved. After running in the rain we got to Griffies and they were ok.... they were shaken up but they were ok. Their yard and cars were severly damaged and their roof will need some work but they were ok.... not long later Matt and Katie showed up as well as the Missildine's. So we left on foot to go and check on other families..... It was weird their would be patch of homes gone and then their would be homes that were just fine...... we checked on several homes and talked to lots of people (some we knew and some we had just met). Then we heard that the Huggins were damaged and we headed that way. When we got thier we saw that their cars, roof and windows were damaged. They were picking up thier belongings (than once were kept in a storage bulding intheir yard) out of their neighbors yard.... after this we got a ride to the Manleys.... it had begun to get dark and you could see that thier roof was gone.... but when you stepped into the front door you realized that that they were missing much more....... you could see right through to the neighbors home.... most of their walls had fallen and some were gone. We all helped them pack what was left..... they didnt have much. While my heart had been broken for these people all day, when we got to the Manleys.... I was devestated for them.... I too know how this can feel. I lived in Orange Beach alabama when hurrican Ivan came through and damaged our home...... I saw neighbors whose homes had been flooded and I remember the cleeanup and all the damage that we had..... but we still had a home.... no matter how many times I have seen it in my community or when we did disaster relief work after hurricane katrina..... you never get used to it..... it always breaks my heart..... I woke up this morning trying to remember yesterday like I was trying to piece together a dream....... Please pray for all these affected and lend a helping had to those that you know have been affected. you dont know how much a helping hand, a warm lunch or simply an "I love you and we are glad that you are safe" means to a person who is in need of comfort in this time of tragedy. Below are a few pictures that someone took of Prattville Christian Academy here in Prattville. As you look at this just remember that this was a school and a gym..... but that several others lost their homes and all that they had. (I will try to get other pictures and post them soon).

Cute kids.....

Everyday when I get to work I check my email and look at everyones blogs to see if anyone posted anything the night before.... and I read all the new ones and then I check it again before I leave for lunch and then before I leave in the evening... I think I am addicted to this thing.... Thanks Jenny and Nancy... :) I dont know who all read it but its fun...... anyways on to the cute kids.......
Everyday I look at The Maddox Family blog and I check out Ian and Noah..... these kids are so cute..... Jenny takes the best pics of them...... and recently my sister-in-law started a blog and it has this pic on it of our Neice Helen.....this "red headed fireball" (as Kristy calls her) is so darn cute.... I just cant get enough of her BIG eyes and her CUTE smile! We were so lucky to be able to drive to Birmingham for her Birthday(thats when this pic was taken) when she turned 1! Her "Party Dress" was adorable..... and she wore her "Party Hat" so well..... When I look at this picture I see nothing but Cuteness......











Then their is Nathan.... our nephew....... He is past the "cute" phase and now that he is 2 1/2 for a boy I think we should say handsome..... but whenever I see this picture it alway makes me laugh........ and think....... thats a cute kid......

The picture to the left is my dear sweet Maggie... She is so cute! From a baby until now (1st grade) she is still the one that is close to my heart..... she lives with my Step-Mom and Dad and she will grow up as my sister (even though she knows were really aren't) and she will always have a special place in Mine and Erics heart..... She is a great kid..... even though she can be a little sassy and picky about her clothes...... but what little girl isn't.... she still minds well and loves everyone! She is shy in the begining but when she gets to know you she never stops.... ask Eric..... she didnt talk to him for a long time.... she refered to him as "HIM" as she pointed his way..... and would always say can you tell HIM.......as she pointed in his direction clung to my leg as though she though he would take her away forever...... but now she loves him and can't get enough of him.... she came and stayed a week with us during the summer and she had a blast... since i had to work she stayed with Eric during the day.... she even went on an overnight trip to GA with him....... I LOVE YOU MAGGS!

SURPRISE!!!!!

My husband just showed up at my work for another surprise..... He happened to be at Books-A-Million buying another Bible (to add to his collection that is already above 15) and he saw Joe Mugs...... and he thought that I would like to have a treat. So he got me a white chocolate mocha (iced)..... he hates coffee so I was surprised that he remembered my fave........ and brought it to my work.........YAY HUBBY! YOU ARE GREAT!

Happy Valentines Day!

I woke up this morning to a, "Happy Valentines Day..... I have to go get your gift". After a minute or two Eric returns with a card and flowers (Carnations).... They are so cute and they last so long! Then Eric said wait I have one more..... So I read my card (it was so sweet) till he got back. I can hear him getting closer to the room and he peeks around the corner (with the object still hidden) and says.... Ready? He came through the door with more flowers (these were of what we call the not real family). They were in this pretty brown pot and they were orange and red.... very exotic looking! We painted our living room over thanksgiving and it has a Medditeranean feel to it and I have been wanting fake flowers for this room..... every room should have some sort of plant or flower..... and he found the perfect one! YAY!!!!! He did such a good job! (I will have pics up soon)! Then he got back in bed while I went to get his Vday gift..... Since I am working and i have to leave before 7 am I did not have time to make breakfast so I bought breakfast. I warmed up a really big Bakery Style Cinnomon roll (his favorite) and put his card and gift on the tray. He had breakfast in bed and he got a RED tie! We will be going to dinner tonight and I am so excited!~

ENCOUNTER....

WOW! I want to start off by saying that we all had a BLAST and we owe it to Matt Griffies! He planned our get-a-way and we all really enjoyed it! I think it was much needed among the Young Adult group. We were able to spend much needed time together growing in the faith as well as just goofing off and getting to know each other better. Saturday morning most of us ate breakfast together.... since we had to wait an hour on our food we had time to "Chit-Chat" as Katie G. would say. Then we heard a Great lesson by Lonnie Jones and we enjoyed singing together..... after this we had free time and Matt had planned games for us to do on the beach. Then later we went to eat and we had another lesson and singing..... that night we had a group devo. and the next morning we got up for Worship and then we packed our bags....... hey Matt checkout is at 11 am right? lol (only the ones that attended would get this small but very funny joke). We hope to make this a yearly event....... as well as add others to the calendar so that we can all enjoy being with each other!

In the picture below we had to put on the rubber gloves, unwrap bubble gum (that was hard as a rock) and blow a bubble.... then pass the gloves along.....In the photo to the left Katie is trying to find the balls and put them in her bucket.... since she is blind folded she has to listen to her team mates to find them. The first team to have every member complete this task wins! I thought it would be easy but with everyone screaming (on both teams) it gets a little CRAZY..... lol

In the photo to the right Matt is finishing that darn banana! Each team had to have someone put it under their arms and hop on one leg down and back and and have 2 people throw it back and forth and so on..... then the last person had to eat it.... and the sand that was stuck to it!

The photo below was taken after we had shuved a pack of noodles in each persons head.... we had to race to see who could finish the pack the fastest (and you could only put them in one by one)..... Sorry Laura I was brutal with the noodles!

To the right is a picture of Eric and David Turner. Each team had to divide up into 2's and they had to make it down the beach and back withouth dropping the balloon....

Below is a picture of The Group!

A few of us went to play put-put.......We ALL had a great time!

Thanks Matt & Katie!

YAY it's Finally Friday!

This week has been sssoooooo LLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGGG! Sunday was hectic (see blog below). On Monday Eric and I did a 24 (actuallly 23) hr fast. We had nothing but water!!!! It was a detox and a way to jump start our "HEALTHY EATING". However, we are going out of town this weekend and I hope we can stick to the healthy part of the "healthy eating". Tuesday, Eric left for Birmingham at about 5:00 am or so because 2 members at Church were having surgery. I was left to grocery shop, clean house, and cook dinner (Nicole Pugh and David Turner came over to eat with us) on my off day. Wednesday was just a long day at work and then to Church. We went into the REVIVE class (since Eric has someone teaching the teens this quarter on Wednesday nights). WOW! I love being able to go in their sometimes...... When I leave I know its just what I needed. I love being around the teens and I love hearing my husband but I know sometimes its really good for the both of us to just be able to walk in a class and hear a lesson together. Especially at revive. I love that we get to sing the "devotional" songs and hear a great lesson that is so applicable to our lives! Rust Adair really put things into perspective. Then on Thursday Eric was out of town again.... He went with Brian to Mobile to check out camp (Gulf Coast Bible Camp) to do some planning for the week they direct during the summer. Then as soon as he got back he has basketball game in Montgomery so I did not get to see him until about 8:30 last night..... I also found out that my mom is changing her week of camp to the Montgomery week (this is the one I will be going to) so we can have the week together. She helps Eric and does crafts and the Gulf Shores Church will be joining us for Montgomery week this year so it only made since that she and my little brother attended the same week as they did. YAY! Today I woke up feeling great! Not just because it's Friday but because we leave with the Young Adults today to go to Panama City. We will be attending Encounter as a group and I am so excited! This will be the first thing that we will get to go on as a Young Adult group. We usually do monthly devos but something about getting away and having a retreat with other Young Adults just seems so wonderful. In Gulf Shores we did not have any young adults to do things with so Eric and I are really looking forward to this event. Like I mentioned before we LOVE our kids deerly but every now and then it is good to be able to do something for us that is spiritually uplifting! We dont have to worry about anything but ourselves and the lessons we will be hearing! I know this will be a great weekend for all of us! Yay for Matt and Katie Griffies who decided to take on the resposibilities of planning this event (welcome to our world lol)! So pray for all of us and that we will have a safe and uplifting weekend! I hope to have pictures up when we get back!

Super Bowl Sunday.... had fun but glad its over!

We brought back an "OLD" tradition with a "New" twist! Flag Football on Super bowl Sunday! We had 2 teams..... the teeneagers and the Young adults.....and Rusty Adair (he was the only one that showed up to play for the adult team so he played with the "young adults"). Eric played with the young adults and I played with the teenegers..... I was the "OFFICIAL SNAPPER". The young adults creamed us but hey we let them...... we felt bad. lol j/k Im surprised we didnt have to nurse any wounds but Im sure their are a few that are limping around today! After Church last night we had the teens and young adults over to our house to watch the game. We had 27 people in our house last night! WOW I think that was the biggest group yet! We ate dinner and watch the game........ and surprisingly nothing was broken and their were no spills to be cleaned up..... (We recently got new furniture and I have been wondering how our first big crowd would work out). BUT ALL IS WELL IN THE GRAY HOUSE HOLD!

My Husband is AMAZING!

I know what your thinking, "NO MY HUBBY IS AMAZING!" But mine really is! Yeasterday was the first Sunday of the month which ment that it was Erics turn to preach last night. He puts so much in to his lessons and usually ends up with about three of them before the week is over..... He will start one on Monday and study it tuesday and by Wednesday at Church someone says something that SPARKS his interest and he writes another lesson on Thursday. He will then study that one on Friday and I always hope that he doesn't change it again..... but he has been known to wake up early on Sunday and tell me he is going to the office and if he leaves without me it can mean that he thought of something in the middle of the night and has decided to change it AGAIN! This happend at least one Sunday morning and he was preaching that morning! I prayed though the entire lesson..... but everyone told him what a great lesson he had prepared and gave genuine smiles of appreciaition. When we left Church he asked me what I though of his lesson (as he always does after he speaks). I looked at him with a smile on my face and said, "It was Great!" He said no really, was it ok? I said no really it was one of your best ones yet! However, I think that this week may have been a first! He was sick Thursday and Friday and we were busy all day on Saturday so he was forced to only prepare one lesson for this week. lol But I say all of that to say, "MY HUBBY IS AMAZING!" He is about to be 23 and he has been in the ministery since he was 20 and he gives me goosbumps everytime I hear him speak! After 3 years I am still in awe at the work and time he puts into everyday of his life and everyday of this congregations lives! He is straight forward and will tell you like it is but he is very compasionate and caring! At the age of 23 he has been asked to teach at youth events and he now has two weeekends that he directs at Gulf Coast Bible Camp, and has even done Gospel Meetings (and was just asked to come back and do another one this year for a Church he spoke at last year)! All of this at 23! I fall more and more in love with him everyday and I thank God that the man of my dreams is a man that follows Christ each and everyday! I am so blessed to be able to "tag along" and help him in everyway that I can! I love seeing the joy that helping these teeanagers in their walk with Christ bring to my husband and being right their with him every step of the way! MY HUSBAND TRUELY IS AMAZING!