Keith and Brook Days!

My Dear Husband,

On this day 13 years ago, we awoke to a wonderful day. A day to make a covenant before our closest friends and family. We said "I Do" in Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We had a most beautiful wedding. It ended in rain, but was the beginning of much sunshine :) I thought that I couldn't possibly love you anymore than that day. Yet today I sit here in awe of how our love has grown beyond measure. You are such a Godly husband and strong rock for me. Your leadership in our home, guidance, service and nurturing ways are more than I could have ever asked for or imagined. You are the Ephesians 5 man:
Ephesians 5:25-33 (New International Version)

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—
30for we are members of his body.
31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[b]
32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I am truly blessed to be called Mrs. Keith Alan Best. My Mom knew from the beginning of our relationship that you were a keeper. She was so right! It has been an incredible 13 years! It is an honor to be called your wife.

Orange Potatos 101

Wisdom on how to make orange potatoes from a 4 year old:

We were sitting at the table eating lunch today when Chesney says," Oh, I know how you make orange potatoes!" Mommy say's, "You do,how?" Chesney replies, " You cut open a white potato and pour orange juice on it. Then you wrap it up and put in the refrigerator until it turns orange."

Such a sweet moment my little chef!

Happy Birthday Nana

Nana, You mean the world to us. We praise Jesus for giving us you!!This scripture is a reminder of what you are to us:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)

4 Rose is patient, Rose is kind. Rose does not envy,
Rose does not boast, Rose is not proud.
5 Rose is not rude,
Rose is not self-seeking,
Rose is not easily angered,
Rose keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Rose does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 She always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Nana Rose never fails.


Praying that you have a wonderful, blessed day!! I love you! Brook

I Love you Nana Happy Brthday
Britton

What a great Nana we have! This day we thank God for your life and what an impact you have had on our family! I hope it is a great day! Keith

Chesney and Cade send big hugs your way today!!

WE LOVE YOU NANA!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Britton's first poem

Today, I am such a proud Momma!! Let me do some background explaining. We are going into our 3rd year of homeschooling. Britton, it has been such a neat journey to teach you how to read and to be a part of your schooling. I went into teaching knowing this is what the Lord wanted for our family, but I had so many doubts, worries, fears, anxieties, and most of all intimidation. My training is in nursing, not teaching. God has been so good to hold my hand as I learn how to be both your Mom and teacher. Its has truly been a blessing beyond belief. This spring Mommy and Daddy started evaluating what you have learned thus far and what we want you to learn. We received a homeschool curriculum catalog in the mail that had an article in it about classical education. Your Daddy made the comment that if he were the one at home teaching full time, this is the way he would teach you. Which made me sooo nervous. Daddy didn't push it on me, however what's important to him is important to me. The classical education seemed too hard for me. Surely you would need a doctorate degree to teach such things to your child. It just overwhelmed me. So, I went and checked out the book, A Well-Trained Mind. I've read it before and was completely intimidated by it then. I checked it out again, because it is a classical education mind set. Daddy and I read it together. I felt much more comfortable with it this time around. Plus I had Daddy's full support whispering to me that I was plenty intelligent enough to teach you in this way. As I prayed through it the Lord has given me such peace that this is His will for our family. So, I got on amazon and started buying books. We have slowly started into our new subjects. Britton, you normally resist change, yet you didn't. You just did your work as if you have been doing this same curriculum all along. We have only done 2 days of our language arts program, and you wrote your own poem. I'm blown away at this different technique and how it has affected you in just one week. I love it. I love that the Lord used your Daddy to lead us in this. I love that Daddy sat up with me even figuring out how to best organize our days and the small details of how to organize our notebooks. We have such a good God. Such a good Daddy. Such a good life. I thank the Lord everyday for letting me be your teacher. Im so proud of you Britton. Your first poem is phenomenal. Gram and Daddy both love to read and write poetry. I can just hear Gram saying in my heart, "He gets it honest, Brook"!

Father's Day Memories

This Father's Day was quite different than any other. Daddy preached at a sweet little church in North Birmingham. One of Daddy's hospice patients asked him to preach at their church. This church was a small black congregation. Did I mention the church was small? 8 pews only small;) Every seat was filled! We were told service was to last from 11am to 3pm, so we prayed fervently for excellent behavior from our kids. We took Nana along for some back up help, just in case. *wink* This day was the first day for Daddy to prepare a message to preach in maybe, 6 months or more. He was a wee bit nervous. We had an incredible experience. All greeted us with big hugs and kisses. We sang acapella for over an hour. One lady would begin a song and everyone would join in, then another would start a new song. The children in their church had many responsibilities. They would usher, sing special music, pass out bulletins. They were so proud of the jobs they had been given for worship. It was neat to see kids be so much a part of the worship service. Daddy started preaching around 12:45. He preached such a powerful message about a Fathers role in discipleship with his children and family. It was such an incredible message and service. Daddy wrapped it up around 2pm. The whole church bid us farewell with more hugs and kisses, each of us. Then they packed us up 6 boxes of "homemade cookin"!! It was some good cookin, all right!! We left around 2:30pm. The kids did better than great, and the service flew by. Imagine that! We headed over to Papaw Jim's house to eat our yummy food and wish him Happy Father's day. It was so good to see Daddy preach again!! Britton and Chesney loved the little church and asked if we could visit again real soon. I will never forget this incredible day. Good worship, good preaching, good food, and an awesome Daddy to celebrate!