Thursday, March 31, 2011

Preserving memories easily...what do Coke products have to do with it???





When we had our first child Addison we were picture crazy. I was on top of things. There were pictures being snapped daily, hourly, sometimes I think she may have mistaken the camera for a member of the family. She now puts a pouty look of disgust on when she sees it coming, much like the look I guess I get when I 'say to much' or 'ask too many questions'. Another way the camera is much like a loved one. Well ,I had the first 2 years of her life documented via very expensive albums, printing of pictures and tons of time lost doing so. The priority became less of a priority until I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm in more of a predicament now that I suddenly have 2 more children and even less time. I'm pretty sure I am actually negative time if that is possible.

ANYWAYS, on to my point. Not too sure what your drink of choice is but I am embarrassed to admit that I am pretty much keeping Coca Cola in business these days. I am addicted to Diet Coke. It started shortly before the boys were conceived. I lived a life of good health and large quantities of water. Nothing else. Then it happened. Pregnancy caused me to become an addict. Caffeine in pregnancy...blah blah blah ( I know I cut back!) I can't share how much I take in a day now because its simply ridiculous....lets just say Diet Coke rocks my world. Its a good friend these crazy days with the adjustment to much less sleep and sometimes none.

ANYWAYS.....back to my point. Coca Cola has this rewards program that is amazing. Inside each box or under each cap is a code. Create an account with www.mycokerewards.com and enter them. Its that easy. Each product and size has a different point value. Gather up points and use them on a huge variety of free and discounted stuff. Here's the awesome part. They partnered with www.snapfish.com and offer an 8 by 11 photo book ( as well as other snapfish products)that you make right on their site for 285 point worth and you ONLY pay the shipping. You pick all the pictures, the colors, the layouts, you can even add text and special effects. Presto!!!!!.....gorgeous album made and shipped to your door!!! SO these days I don't bother with time consuming documentation of the kids. No more guilt either :)

I am all about spending every second I have with them and it being real face to face time. Always looking for more ways to do so. They are only small once and God
has given us this awesome task but only one chance to do it. Whats more important?...making memories with your kids or documenting them? Now we can do both! Enjoy your carbonated beverage today :)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tiny lives...Gods word in action




This was a note my mother composed shortly after my two sons were born. It touched me. Its refreshing to hear someone speaking beautifully about life, the simple things, instead of the nonsense we find ourselves drawn to everyday. I want to view all the tiny blessings in this manner. They too often go unnoticed.

My Addy......Matt 18:3

by Deb Hughes Moore on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 9:42pm

Jesus said....... “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

(Mat 18:3)

What in the world does that Scripture mean? How do we become as a little children? In the last month or so I've been thinking about this particular passage. I can't think of children without sharing about my most favorite little girl; her name is Addison Lee. I call her Addy. She's a beautiful little person.

Over the last month Addy has navigated numerous changes due to the long anticipated arrival of her baby brothers. Her little heart remains happily open while fully embracing this time of transition. Addy continues to be full of grace as she enthusiastically participates in the JOY filled chaos surrounding her & new brothers Andrew & George. Although it's a wonderful journey truth be told her little world is in constant flux. While observing her in that place, I'm fascinated. I watch my Addy and begin to connect the dots about childlikeness.

I believe a child is a perfect example of how we are to be with God. It’s so simple yet perfect. God would truly like for us adults to be like children.

So what are little children like?

Addy paints the picture beautifully for me.

Addy is dependent and trusting. Her hope is not in herself. Addy has faith daily that her needs will be met and that she will be provided for. Addy completely leans on, depends on someone MUCH bigger than she each day. Moment to moment she rests, she finds peace knowing someone else has her best interests at heart.

Life is not perfect for Addy, nor is Addy perfect (although I certainly believe she is) even in the midst of difficulty or challenge she approaches life in a much less complicated manner than most of us do.

Addy loves magnificently. Addy forgives quickly due to her childlike ability to just let go. Addy keeps very short lists. Addy rarely holds bitterness. She's proficient at moving on to the better thing while pouring out love unconditionally on those who occasionally disappoint her. She fully understands love is important. Addy knows Jesus and she communicates His love daily for those who cross her path.

Jesus uses children as the example and goal for us to strive for in our Christian journey.

I want to be like Addy. What a beautiful desire to become more childlike in God's terms. Life is much more beautiful and simpler there.

I'm grateful to a loving God who knows exactly who to use to get my attention quick......

I love you Addy.


Thank you Mom for this beautiful note and thank you for loving my children so deeply.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Theres a new boy in town.


Theres a new boy in town. Our friends, The Macks, up the road from us just welcomed their first child a week ago. Baby Eli. They came to visit this past Saturday and I got to get in the first of many snuggles with this new precious life.


This is the first photograph of the neighborhood 'buddies'.

It was so mind blowing to hold this very tiny little thing and realize that my boys were both smaller than this just a short time ago. Its amazing how quickly the time goes by. Its painful how distant that time feels. Do you even really remember what it felt like? Sad really. When you are in the trenches with little new lives it can be so overwhelming and you think for brief moments thoughts like:
how am I going to do this?
will this get easier?
can I be a good Mom?
Then....time flies and your babies grow. They smile. They start to have a voice. They thrive. Then you realize ( most likely in the middle of a sob fest) that you are ok, your doing great, you are good. You're a Mom. You understand
your own Mother.


These kids will soon be in school together and I know all too well that I will blink one too many times and this will be true. I know this because the little girl in this picture was a new life just yesterday. She was born quietly on a thursday night, I kissed her,put her to sleep and she woke up a beautiful four year old. At least it feels that way.

God gives us this parenthood experience to teach us. The love you feel, the burning in your chest when you look at your child peacefully sleeping is exactly the love that Christ feels for you. How amazing to be given these gifts and finally the understanding of how loved we are by God. How purposeful our lives are. Pretty fantastic if you ask me.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

8 weeks ago...

The boys are now 10 weeks old but I wanted to share this session from weeks past with you. Life is so good.


Let me just catch you up here. When the boys were two weeks old we wanted to document this time in our lives. We had this amazing young woman come and photograph our family. The morning was full of crying, exposed breasts for feeding, a wild uncooperative 4 year old ...one word.... dis-function. When the woman left I was actually discouraged , thinking 'there is no way we got a single good one'. I was wrong. She performed a miracle. Not just that. My home was in utter disarray and when you look at the pictures you would never know it. She performed a miracle here with her camera. I suggest you ask me about her.

Here are just a few. Welcome George and Andrew and a HUGE congratulations to big sister Addison Lee. We are bubbling over with love and appreciation for the amazing Miracles God has entrusted us with.


Its strange to see myself holding these two precious babies knowing that they were inside of me just 2 weeks before.

A partner for life. Couldnt ask for a more loving father for my children. Truly a gentle giant.

Precious and perfect.


They couldnt be any more different than they are. Their personalities are already shining through.


Not much better than a half naked little baby. Double the love and double the flailing arms and legs hungry for food and attention.


My sweet George.


Sweet Andrew

Still not exactly sure what I did to make God love me so much as to give me ALL of this. Our God is POWERFUL and LOVING. Pouring His grace on us all the time.

Have a blessed day.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Psalm 128:3

...and then there were five


I am not a blogger. I am a Mom. I am completely in the dark here but I think I might actually be a bad mother for not having a blog as of yet. Well...here I go. We are the Greggs and I am going to make a sincere attempt at this. Wish me luck, patience and a free moment here and there.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24