I apologize for my lack of writing on here! I have had several people mention there has been no update...hint hint!! So I got the hint and I am now updating. We are now officially moved into my parents house and that has been great! I know for some people that would be a very difficult thing to do but for us we consider it a blessing. We truly cherish the time that we get to spend with them! And of course saving money is always great too! :) School is going great for Phillip. We are in his last full semester before he begins his clinicals next year. He is very excited about that part as he will be putting into practice everything that he has learned so far! I wish I had pics to post but I am the worst at remember to take pictures of events and things! I will try to be better! It definitely makes it more interesting to look at a blog!! :)

SOLD!

Yes folks, thats right! Lord willing, on September 26th, we will close on our house! It was on the market for 10 days before God brought our buyer along. Everyone has been telling me how lucky we are but its not luck people, its GOD! Phillip and I are truly aware of God's awesome provision of a buyer so quickly during these hard times. We truly know it was a God thing and we are so thankful. I am posting some pics of our precious first house together that we will miss dearly! It has been a great home and we have many great memories here that we will always hold dear. We have to be out by the 1st of October so now the fun part of packing begins. Yeah! For me, this more than my 25th move and Phillip is getting up there around 10 so we are experienced packers now! Please pray for us in the coming days as we prepare for this new phase in our lives. For now, we will be living with my parents to save some money and go from there. For those of you wanting our address at my parents, its 2000 Homestead Drive, Mesquite, TX 75181. More to come soon!

Vacation...what we wait for all year it seems like! Just a week away from the usual day. A week away to refresh ourselves and renew our spirits. A week to spend with family and loved ones having fun and enjoying ourselves. A week to make memories that will last for a lifetime. Thats what we did this past week. Get away from life and take a break and be a family and we had a blast! We spent the week with my family in New Braunfels, TX and enjoyed the river and Schlitterbahn, the largest waterpark around! We had a great time and it went too fast as always. Below are a few pictures of a fun week that will definitely be one we remember for a while!


Aunt Beffy and Aunt Erin with Alyssa


The Whole Gang


Chillin down the river...


Alyssa with her babies


Ashlynn being busy and Kylee with her crazy hair...


Bryce and Erin

The Girls...Pops and Gigi with Connor and Alyssa
Erin and Me

Been a bit...

Sorry its been a bit since my last time on here. Not too much exciting things going on. Phillip is finishing up his last few tests for this semester!!! YEAH!!! One more full semester and then we start clinical's next year. He will be done before we know it. Pray for him during this last semester. He is growing weary of being in school and I know he is looking forward to getting out there and using all this knowledge he has been given. Pray for him to finish well. Also, pray for us as we decide where to do our three clinical rotations. The first one is two months long which he will do here in Dallas at a hospital. The next two are four months long and we are still determining where those will be done. Pray for God's leading in our lives at this time. Also, another big prayer request is for the sale of our home. We will be putting it on the market within the next month. Its hard not to think about how bad things are right now in the housing market but I know that God will sell that house when its the right time and not a day before. Pray that we would be patient and trust in Him during this time. Would love to hear from any of you. Send me an email at bethanyjoy03@yahoo.com. Better run! Love you all!

A Night with Steven Curtis Chapman...

On Friday night, Phillip and I had the awesome opportunity to go and see Steven Curtis Chapman in one of the first concerts that he has given since the death of his precious baby girl Maria on May 21st. And in my opinion it was a night to remember. According to Phillip, I have been obsessed with this man since that horrible day. His story has touched me in so many ways I just can't get enough. For those who have followed him throughout the years, you are well aware of this mans accomplishments. He has over 50 dove award, 5 emmys, and over 40 number one hits. God has truly blessed him with an amazing career. And through it all, he has been as humble as the day he started over 20 years ago. His heart and passion for God are so evident in this. His love for the Lord just seeps through his pores and shows in his eyes! On Friday, he came to this event by himself. He has no band with him. It was just him, a guitar, a keyboard and us. And he shared from the depths of his heart what God has been showing him since that dreadful day two months ago. He shared of the day Maria came to know the Lord only a few months before she went to be with Jesus. He also shared her beautiful and orchestrated adoption story. And finally, he shared of how they are making it through these dark days. God has given them a daily grace to walk as they are and Steven believes that its because of the prayers for them all over the world. You see, the world is watching and has been since this happened and with all their might, they are trying to show the world that they are grieve but they grieve with a hope. Steven firmly believes that Maria was not robbed of one day and he anxiously awaits the day that he will dance with her again. I could go on and on about the things that he shared! It was truly awesome! I know for me personally, it has really challenged me to live every moment as its my last and live it to the fullest! Steven's faith has been tested in a way that he never imagined or never wanted but his faith has remained steadfast in a God that is faithful and caring and in control of each and everything in our lives!!! Wow! What an awesome God we serve! Thank you Steven for an amazing night of worship and for sharing all that God has done for you!

Happy 1st Birthday Kylee and Ashlynn!

It seems like yesterday that we found out that Holly was having twins and that they were identical girls. The excitement and the unknowns were huge!! Twins! We have no idea where these precious girls came from. (Yes, we know God gave them to us, but genetically speaking). God blessed Holly with a wonderful pregnancy and two very healthy girls. They have been such a joy and a special addition to our family. I can't believe it has been a year! They have grown so much and changed each day. For most, they are hard to tell apart if you don't spend much time with them. It amazing to me how God can create two individuals how can look so much alike yet be so different. Here are a few differences that I have noticed over my time with them.
Ashlynn Joy is quite the personality. Early on we thought she was going to be the quiet one. She would sit back and observe and watch her surroundings. She wasn't very vocal at that time either. Boy how have things changed!!! She's quite the talker these days! When Mommy says no no, she quickly responds na na right back. Her sister Kylee used to dominate and take things away from her and Ashlynn would just take it and look for something else to play with. Not so much anymore. Now she grabs that toy right back and gives her sister a little shove while she is at it too! She has the most beautiful smile! When she smiles, her face and her eyes light up! Her precious grins melt your heart!
Kylee Faith is a sweet little girl. Well, most of the time anyways. She started out opposite of her sister in that she was very vocal and into EVERYTHING! She still into everything these days. Quite the curious one. Alot like her Aunt Beffy. She was the first to crawl because she just couldn't wait to get into things and explore. One of my favorite things about Kylee is her love for her blankie! I have made all the kids blankets but she has taken to hers the most. She can be screaming her head off but when she sees that blankie, her face lights up and she smiles a beautiful smile and she starts squealing! She buries her face in it and the world is ok. The most precious thing you have ever seen. She is the lovey sweet one of the two. Still somewhat of a cuddle bug. She too lights up with her smile but what I remember most about her are her squeals! She gets so excited she just has to let it out and let everyone know how happy she is!
So now you know a little bit about the birthday girls if you haven't had the chance to meet them yet. I know God has great things for them and I can't wait to see! Girls, Happy Birthday! Your Aunt Beffy loves you more than you could possibly ever know and is so proud to be your aunt! You are beautiful girls and s0 very special to all of us!

Friday night fun with family...

Spending time with family is one of the things I enjoy most. It doesn't have to be anything extraordinary that we do when we hang. Just something fun and together. Being friends with my siblings has been such a blessing. I mean, we are raised as siblings but that doesn't mean that we have to be friends. I have the honor of being friends with both of my siblings. What a gift! Unfortunately, Holly and Greg are far away. Bryce and Erin are nice and close and we always enjoy hanging out with them. This Friday was nice and relaxed. We had dinner, ice cream at Dairy Queen, and a movie at their house with the dogs! Fun times!!!

Obsession and Boastfullness...

If you know me well at all, you know that I absolutely love my babies! And yes, I am aware that they are not MY babies but they might as well be. I have been called obsessed before and thats ok by me. The way I see it...there are worse things to be obsessed with! Being an aunt has been one of my greatest joys yet. Even though I don't get to see them much, I still talk to them on the phone and talk to their mommy everyday to get updates and funny stories. That way I feel somewhat connected to them.

As most of you know, talking on the phone to a toddler can be interesting. Connor will get on the phone if he's not too busy watching tv. He's like his mom and his Pops in that sense...when he's watching tv...the world ceases to exist. I usually ask the questions while he gives me answers. He's so matter of fact...gets that from his dad. He just started t-ball and loves it. Then comes little Alyssa who I like to call "Ms. Thang" and that she is! She is almost three and is always making us laugh. She usually babbles on about who knows what but the just the sound of her cute little voice is enough for me. And I can always understand the most important parts...hi aunt beffy...love you...and my heart is now content. The twins are obviously too young but I usually have Holly put the phone to their ears just so they can hear my voice.

Speaking of Holly, I must take a moment to boast of my sister. When we found out Holly was having twins we wondered how she would do it. I mean, how would anyone do it? Four kids under the age of four! Thats insane! Yet God saw something in her that we are all now seeing and are absolutely amazed by. She is one of the most amazing moms I know! As all kids do, they run her ragged yet she goes on about her day and do a superb job at it too! Being a mother of twins is something you never understand until you are around someone who has them or you have them yourself. Its absolutely exhausting!! Mom and I come back every time and wonder how she does it! We stand amazed that she has the energy and the ability to do what she does. God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave those girls to Holly and I am so thankful that He did. So Holly, here's to you, the best sister I know and the most awesome and amazing mother to four beautiful kids!

Anyways, gotta run for now! More to come! And yeah for Friday's!!!

Joining the blog world...

So yes, I have decided to start a blog. I have given into the pressure. I have no idea who will read it or if anyone will at all, but here goes a try. I figure most people want to read about kids and of course we don't have any yet so that might be a holdup for some. But I figured I could write about the exciting adventures of our life whether it be the small things of everyday or the big exciting news we have to share. And no, we don't have any to share right now for those of you who are wondering. Seems like from the first day you get married, everyone reads into everything whether it be a comment you make, sickness, or the dreaded weight gain that comes with marriage. And what do they all think it is related to???? PREGNANCY!!!! See I got you skimmers attention didn't I??? :) Trust me folks, you will know when we are going to have a baby! There won't have to be a guessing game that comes with that! You will know! Right now we are just trying to get my sweet husband through Physical Therapy school. That's the goal! And a goal it is! December of 2009! Some semesters are easier than others. This one has been exceptionally great. A lighter semester means a much happier and more available husband. Good for me! Now the last one....well not so great. Very rough but we survived and of course he did wonderfully! Now I think I kind of know what my mom felt like when my dad was going to seminary way back when. Course they had Holly by then and I came along during that time. So maybe I can't fully understand but I can at least somewhat feel her pain. I always remember hearing the missionary wives talk about the seminary days and they would laugh and wonder how they ever survived. At the time, I never understood what they meant but now I do. Its a growing experience for any marriage as you are pulled and tugged in many directions. I keep telling Phillip...a short term sacrifice for a long term benefit...thats how I see it anyways. Oh, and the meaning behind the title. I am sure many of you have heard Randy Travis' song "Forever and ever amen". Well, thats our song and I think its a perfect description of us! You should listen to that if you haven't ever heard it before. Great lyrics! Anyways, I guess thats it for now. I better get back to work! As for what to expect from this blog...well...guess you will just have to come back and see! Life is full of surprises and funnies! You never know what I may have to tell you about! Later!