Praying for our Town

Tuscaloosa was hit yesterday by a monster of a tornado, a one mile wide EF5, to be exact. The devastation is difficult to believe. The tornado went through the center of town destroying everything in its path, including our beloved Krispy Kreme, where Ellie and I love to sneak away while Daddy and Sadie Kate nap on Sundays. The tornado came through about 6 miles south of our house and about 1 mile from where Mark was at work. Watching the tornado come so close to Mark was such a helpless feeling. The girls and I huddled in the closet praying for God to protect Daddy from the storm. I have to admit, hearing a 5 and 2 year old pray for their daddy to come home safely was more than I could handle, and the tears started flowing. After the prayer, Sadie Kate said, "Momma, why do you have mad eyes?" Guess I didn't hide it very well. Please join us in praying for our town and especially the families of those killed or missing.

What's left of "the donut shop" as Ellie calls it.



Store is gone, but the cups are still in the holders...

The church behind this is in rubble...oh, the power of the cross. 


Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

A Good Friday, Indeed

What a week! Sadie Kate was sent home from daycare Tuesday with a fever that just kept getting higher. I took her to the doctor and all tests were negative. I stayed home with her Wednesday (she missed school picture day) and she had no fever and seemed fine. She went back to daycare Thursday and I got a call before I even arrived at work saying Sadie Kate was vomiting and "stuff" and someone needed to come get her. Thank goodness for understanding bosses, co-workers, and Mimi!! I don't want to think about what we would have done this week without my mom stepping in and taking care of a sick, sick little girl. Mark and the girls were all off today for Good Friday so Daddy was left on nurse duty. Thankfully, the vomiting has stopped, but the "stuff" still lingers. Here's a sad little picture of a sick little girl...

We have horrible luck around religious holidays...it always seems someone has pink eye, a stomach virus, or a sinus/ear infection that keeps us from church. Seriously, over the past 5 years, we have missed either the Christmas or Easter service every year! Now that the girls are getting old enough to really understand what these holidays are truly about, Mark and I really want them to experience it at church. Which brings me to my next picture. Ellie brought this picture home from daycare Thursday and was so excited to tell us all about it. She said, "That's my Jesus on the cross. He died to save me from my sense. He's watching over Daddy, Momma, Ellie, and Sadie Kate. Do you like it? Oh yeah, that's the rainbow for the promise God made everybody. You know, that He won't flood the world again. I drew it 'cause of the promise Jesus and God made to live in my heart. Do you like it?"

My heart absolutely swelled in my chest, tears filled my eyes, and all I could say was, "Yes baby, Momma likes it alot." I pray God will continue preparing her heart for a saving knowledge of His mercy and grace and I pray that she will always call him "my Jesus".

She's at it Again!

It seems as though every time I sit down to add to the blog, a "Sadie Kate" story comes to mind. Maybe that's because Ellie is a much calmer, content 5 year old who prefers dressing up and reading to mischief, or maybe Sadie Kate is just enjoying every day of being 2...either way, here's another "Sadie Kate" story.

As I was approaching Sadie Kate's room at daycare, I heard her teacher, Miss Megan, saying,"Sadie Kate, your momma is gonna have a sad face when she sees this note." My head hung and that exasperated sigh rolled out of me (which has become all too familiar). I walked in and my precious little one be-bopped right past me and saying, "Let's go get Ellie Mayo". I stopped her, got bits of the story from Sadie Kate, and the whole story from Miss Megan. So, what did she do, you ask? My darling, precious, angel told her absolute favorite trade-in-for-momma teacher to "Hush your mouth". We don't say that at home, so I'm quite curious as to where she heard that, but that's an issue for another day. Needless to say, that cute little angel had to make a sad, sad phone call to Daddy and an "I'm sorry" picture for her teacher...after a "trip to the bathroom".

And She's Only 2!

The following is a true story...I could NOT make this up!

Mark gave the girls a bath, helped them with pajamas, then supervised the brushing of the teeth. He went to put the wet towels up and stopped to talk to me in the kitchen. Seconds later, Sadie Kate came in with a glow bracelet in her teeth and glowing spots all over her pajamas. I grabbed her and headed off for bath #2. About 20 minutes after the second bath, Mark and I were finally getting the beds and books ready when we heard, "You're gonna be in a bunch of trouble when Momma sees you!" Mark and I locked eyes, shared exasperated sighs, and ran down the hall toward trouble. This is what we saw...

Yes, that is sunscreen!

So, without a word, Mark walked over to the tub, turned on the water, and thus began...bath #3! Just in case you're curious...Dawn works wonders!!!

Spring is Here!

I can't tell you how much the Mayos are loving this weather - minus the pollen! The past two weeks have found us flying kites, planting seeds, shopping for sandals, not to mention an Easter egg hunt and 4 birthday parties. We have absolutely loved playing outside until the last minute before dark. Ellie is riding her bicycle like a champ and Sadie Kate is loving her "four wheeler".


Nothing like a grown man and a Princess kite.





Resourceful!!!



A strong wind = success!

She doesn't seem to mind that she's stuck in the grass.



Poor little caterpiller ...