So sad....

Rev. Brian Allen Hamrick, 32
FORT MYERS - Reverend Brian Allen Hamrick, passed away Friday, April 24, 2009, at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers, after a brief illness. He was 32. He was born on Dec. 14, 1976, in Richmond, Va., the son of Janet and Wayne Hamrick. Brian graduated from Monacan High School in 1995, James Madison University in 1999 and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2002. He married Katherine Smithley of Newport News, Virginia, on July 10, 1999. He served as pastor of Fairfields Baptist Church in Burgess, Va., from 2002 to 2006. He then answered a call to become pastor of First Baptist Church of Clewiston, where he served from 2006 until the time of his death. He was a member of the Administrative Committee of the Big Lake Baptist Association and a member of the Nominating Committee of the Florida Baptist Convention. Brian was a devoted husband to his wife, Katherine, and loving father to his two sons, Nathan and Luke. He is also survived by his parents, Janet and Wayne Hamrick of Powhatan, Va.; his brother, Mark (wife, Alison) of Richmond, Va.; mother-in-law, June Smithley of Newport News, Va.; and brother-in-law, Jon Smithley (wife, Amie) of Pinckneyville, Ill. Uncle Brian is also survived by five nieces and nephews. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins. A funeral service was held at First Baptist Church of Clewiston on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, officiated by Associate Pastor Joshua Vincent, Worship Pastor Dr. Todd Buck and Reverend Brian Robertson. Funeral Services will be at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 Huguenot Rd., Richmond, Va., Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m. with Rev Joshua Vincent, Rev Brian Robetson and Rev Steve Tyler officiating. Graveside Services will be Saturday May 2, at 11 a.m. in Peninsula Memorial Park, New Port News, Va., with Rev Joshua Vincent and Rev Jon Smithley officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a college scholarship fund for Nathan and Luke in memory of their father. Donations may be sent in care of First Baptist Church of Clewiston, 102 Ventura Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

I knew Brian, or "Ham" as we called him, through the BSU at JMU. He was such a caring and thoughtful person, and a lot of fun to hang out with. We served together as president and vice president of the BSU. Rick and I attended Brian and Katherine's wedding. His kids are close in age to ours. This is such a shock and a tragedy, but we know Brian is with Jesus.

Little Dukes Too!

I'm trying to teach my kids that other schools besides Virginia Tech exist....for example, a great one called James Madison University!

this little outfit was Abby's

Abby sporting her JMU shirt for purple day at preschool
Thanks Samantha for the shirt!

Prayers for Stellan

I read lots of blogs by moms around the country. I ran across this one about a month ago and have been "keeping up" with baby Stellan. He is having heart surgery tomorrow....if you are reading this, say a prayer for this sweet baby boy. Here is a link to his mom's blog:
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/04/i-was-hoping.html

Hippy at the Clinic

Abby's class went to the "Teddy Bear Clinic" at St. Mary's on Tuesday. Of course, Abby had to take Hippy. Hippy had to have a cast on his arm and stitches in his foot.

Abby making Hippy "rest" after his ordeal.

Hippy's cast. His sticker says "brave patient".

The band-aid is covering the stitches.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Abby got a kite in her Easter basket....

Easter 2009

Abby and I made a bunny cake.

Andrew likes his Easter basket!

Abby and her basket.

Rick and I didn't get really dressed up--we had nursery duty!

Andrew's first Easter.

Abby loves her dress!

The only one we got of the two of them. Andrew wasn't really into getting his picture taken.

11 Months Old

This is so hard to believe! In just one month we will celebrate Andrew's 1st Birthday!

At 11 months he is cruising all around. He will occasionally let go and stand and has even taken a step or two. He still loves playing with his truck or anything else with wheels. He takes about an hour morning nap and sleeps about 2 hours in the afternoon. He is ready for bed between 6:30 and 7 at night and sleeps about 12 hours. He still wants a bottle every 3 hours and is not interested at all in a sippy cup! We have started giving him table food and he loves it! He eats bananas, cantalope, peaches, chicken, peas, carrots, string beans, corn, and of course Cheerios.

Happy Easter!

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Words and music by William J. Gaither.

Good Friday

On a hill far away
stood an old rugged cross
an emblem of suffering and shame
and I love that old cross
where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
'til my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Thank you, Jesus.

In Honor of American Idol....

So this week the contestants sang a song that was a hit the year they were born. I decided to look up my birth year and find out what was popular....

From the pop charts...
The Bee Gees with "How Deep is Your Love", "Night Fever", and "Staying Alive"
and from the movie Grease, "Grease" by Frankie Valli and "You're the One that I Want" by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.

From the country charts...
"Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" by Waylon and Willie was the big hit of the year. Other songs by Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, and Crystal Gayle.

Can you guess the year I was born????

Spring Break at Maymont

Wednesday afternoon we decided to head over to Maymont. They were having all kinds of extra stuff for spring break.

We saw animals.....
Abby didn't get too close to the goat.

She did a little better with the duck.

We went on a hayride.

This is what pulled us along.

Abby and Daddy enjoying the beautiful weather.

Andrew and Mama having fun.

Finally, it's time for the Moonbounce.

My Hokie Boys!

Dear God

Last night, right after dinner, Abby started asking us for something to drink. We told her she had to wait until bedtime (she always has water then) because she did not finish her milk at dinner. We did her Bible Story, which was about people who were mad at Jesus. Then she said her prayer, which went something like this: "Dear God, thank you for everything and everybody, and for people who don't know you and are mad, and please help me get a drink"
Rick and I were laughing so hard we were almost crying.

Hippy in NYC

Abby showed me a "picture" on her pretend cell phone.  She said, "this is Hippy in New York City. He went with his dad to see the Yankees.  His mom didn't go because she likes racing not baseball."

Can you tell there's been a lot of talk about baseball and the Yankees' first game in our house?

Bring on Spring Break

Abby officially started spring break today. I am hoping she won't get too bored...she was very upset when we told her no school this week.

On Tuesday I signed her up for a Romp N Roll day camp. We have playgroup on Friday, and hopefully Rick can sneak away on Thursday for a trip to Maymont. I also bought one of those bunny-shaped cake pans so we can make a bunny cake. But I forgot to buy eggs so we won't be making it today. When I told Abby, she offered some of her plastic egg-hunt eggs to the cause. Good idea, but that wouldn't taste so good!

Two Little Bunnies

Abby and Andrew enjoyed meeting the Easter Bunny at the mall yesterday. This is a picture of a picture but you can sorta see it. They also really loved the bunny ears they got.

Fun with Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs from Stephanie Whittington on Vimeo.

To enlarge the screen, right click and select Full Screen.