Horses, Hats and Tea Parties

While in Columbus for the wedding festivities, we got to spend some time with our sweet friends Kelly and Emily Hayes.  We LOVE the Hayes family, and it is always great to get to catch up, laugh, and of course, photograph the little monkeys.  Thank you so much Kelly for capturing such sweet pictures of my babies!!!

 And no photo session at Kelly's studio would be complete without something along these lines happening!!! Ella Kate insisted on her daddy, Aunt Emmy, the sheep, and the bunny wearing these silly hats. You have to love how they took direction from the 4 year old!!!!

Yes, We Are Alive

Well, it seems I have neglected the old blog over the last month or so. Please forgive me...all three of you that read it! The Nelson family has been on quite the whirlwind adventure since we last chatted. I will do my best to catch you up  from my trusty iPhone. 

Our sweet students and parents in Hattiesburg hosted a going away party for J. We had such a great time visiting and laughing! The students gave J an iPad and also a donation for Emma's adoption fund. We were shocked and appreciate them so much for all their generosity!

J is famous for creating music videos with the kids, so they did a video for him. It was pretty hysterical!! I believe it's on YouTube. 

A super huge thank you to our dear friends the Parsons for hosting the event and taking in 100+ extra people for the night!!!

The next day, we went to Picayune to celebrate Gideon Braddy's birthday. His sweet mama threw a mean Peter Pan party and we all had an awesome time!!

Sweet birthday boy and his delicious cake!!!! Also, please take note that josh was dressed as Captain Hook!!! I love a theme party!!!

We made it to moving day and said our goodbyes to Baracuda Drive. We are so blessed to have incredible families to help us along the way. The Nelson's kept the kids for a week while we got the house in order and my aunt Carolyn, mom, dad, and Haley were awesome to help get the house cleaned and ready for us. Thank you guys so much for all you did to help us!!!! We love you!!!!

To make moving a little more fun, we threw a wedding into the mix!!! J had the privilege to marry two of our students from Columbus. Bryant was a groomsmen in our wedding, so it was extra special to get to be a part of his wedding as well!!!

Things are going great in Jackson! This picture is from our first Sunday at Christ United. Ek said, "I'm going to remember this day forever!"  A little dramatic, maybe but it truly was an awesome day of worship and we are super excited to see all The Lord has planned for CUMC!

***when I get our Internet hooked up, I will be putting up some precious pictures that our friend Kelly took of the kids while we were in Columbus!!!

Changes

One of the blessings and the curses of ministry is being a part of so many people's lives.  Day in day out, we pour in to people and they also pour in to us.  Because of those special relationships, saying "goodbye" is such a hard thing.  It is bittersweet to say the least but trusting The Lord and His plan is our greatest desire.  Last week, we loaded a moving truck and headed back home to Jackson.  As much as I have loved the people in Hattiesburg, I am incredibly excited to be going back to the place that has been my home for the vast majority of my life.  J is now the Director of Student Ministry at Christ United Methodist Church and we are so thrilled to be a part of the amazing things the Lord is doing in that church.  We are blessed that J will be able to serve alongside some of his best friends in the world and I am beyond excited to be with some of my best friends in the world as well!!!  We have moved right back in to our home that never sold which is still such a strange feeling!!!  A couple of months ago, our renters asked if they could move out early.  We did not know that we would be needing the house because at that time, J had not even interviewed for the job.  The Lord knew though!!!  So, our renters moved out one day, and we moved in the next!! Fun times!

We are so very thankful for the time and opportunities we have had at Heritage.  We have grown and been stretched in ways that we never could have imagined.  We have been around some of the most passionate, Jesus loving, willing to serve like no body's business students that we will miss like crazy.  Our students have loved our family and will FOREVER be a part of who we are.  It is just such a special blessing and privilege to get to walk beside these students as they grow in to the people The Lord has called them to be.

We look forward to all The Lord has in store for our family and our church.  We are praying that He will use us in a mighty way to bring glory to His Kingdom.

P.S. I knew I better include a picture of the kids since that is the only reason anyone looks at the blog!!!

Friday Fun Day

Ella Kate and Elleigh are the best of friends.  They share the same birthday and have been in the same class for 3 years.  They love each other hard and argue just as hard.  They are so funny and so sweet to be around.  Today, Ella Kate had a much anticipated play date with her BFF.  We went and grabbed a little CFA for lunch and then headed to Kids Rule for some jumpy fun.  

 Walker and J came along with us and I think this little stinker had just as much fun as the girls!!!

Happy Friday!!!!

The 4th

Blessed is the nation whose God is The Lord. (Psalm 33:12)

Happy Birthday America!!!  God bless!!!!

Ella Kate's Paint Party

As talk of Ella Kate's birthday party began (about 6 months ago), she informed me that she wanted a painting party at Bristle's.  Ella Kate LOVES to paint and do any number of craft projects, so it was really the perfect fit for her party.

I think EK was more excited about seeing her friends from preschool since she had not seen them in a month!!!

 We were so happy to have Kay Kay and G in town and certainly appreciated their "Walker wrangling" help!!!!

Aunt Haley was a HUGE help and acted as our official party photographer.  She also made this PRECIOUS Happy Birthday cupcake chalkboard!!! She is quite crafty these days and got some new tools to make things out of pieces of wood.  So very cute!!!! Thanks Haley!

The kids listened so quietly as they got their instructions for painting their canvases.

 They all worked so hard too.  The finished canvases turned out so great!!

 The big kids had a fun time too!

 Cupcake Time!!! Last year, EK cried the whole time we sang to her.  What a difference a year makes!!! She LOVED every minute of it this go around!

 Walker thought the ice cream was the best part of the whole day.

 We loved getting to visit with Aunt Carolyn too!  My kids think she is just hilarious and they always have so much fun with her!

 Ella Kate was thrilled that Robert was able to come to the party.  And please look at this adorable pillow that his sweet mama made!!! She is so talented!!!

 Ummmm...this is what happened when I asked EK to take a picture with Taylor and Alden.  I guess this is a little cheerleading stunt???

My sweet Papaw was there today as well.  EK was excited to show him her garden at the house before the party.  

 We had such a fun day celebrating our sweet little 4 year old.  We are so thankful for her life and the chance to be her parents.  We love you Ella Kate!!!!

The Birthday Girl

Today, our little girl turned 4!!! We have had a full day of celebrating and there are tons of pictures to come, but I wanted to include this little survey like we did last year.  It is fun to compare!!! Happy Birthday Ella Kate!!! We love you!!!!

What is your name?  Ella Kate Nelson
How old are you? 4
What makes you happy?  my family
What is your favorite thing to do?  draw pictures
What is something you like to eat? chicken nuggets
What is something you don't like to eat? squash
What is your favorite animal?  flamingo
What is your favorite Bible story?  Jesus and the little children
What is your favorite TV show?  Doc McStuffins
What are you really good at? coloring and painting
What is your favorite movie? Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid
What is your favorite color? purple and pink
What is your favorite song?  "God of Angels Armies"
Who is your best friend?  Elleigh Keith
What do you like to do with mommy?  puzzles
What do you like to do with daddy? work in the garden
What do you like to do with Walker?  play with him
What is your favorite sport? the Bulldogs
Where is your favorite place to go?  the playgound
What is your favorite book? Moses
What do you want to be when you grow up?  a doctor