Introducing..... Dr. Dan Slater IV!!!!!

I'm behind, I know! However, HERE IT IS!!! THE BIG DAYYYYY!!!!

We traveled the 7 hours back to Arkansas a few weeks ago for Dan's graduation from the University of Arkansas. This is when we found out that the boys will keep headphones on while watching the DVD player. While it was short lasting, it was a beautifully quiet ride when it happened! A couple melt downs and stops, and we made it safely.

Before moving from AR, my friend Julia told me that we would not want to miss Dan's hooding at graduation. Her husband completed his Ph.D a few years ago and is a faculty member at JBU back in Siloam where we used to live. That advise has stuck with me the last year, and I am SOOO glad we did it!

I thought it would be a proud moment, but I didn't realize how much it would hit me. When Dan's name was called and he was getting hooded, the constant tapping from two boys for more snack and "where IS Daddy, I can't SEE him?" comments, trying to take pictures without shaking the camera (since the flash was off) faded away for a moment. All the hard work that we both have put in these last years are actually coming to fruition! Dan with his Ph.D program, me at home with 3 babies/infants/toddlers in a new place where we knew no one. To put a cherry on top we have already found a WONDERFUL job for Dan at Union that he is fully enjoying! Praise God!

Seeing Dan walking out!

The opening - the Star Spangled Banner

Dan getting hooded!

(BTW the pictures didn't work well between the boys poking and my emotions were not keeping the camera steady)

Waving to us!

Meanwhile - 5 minutes later outside....

My little Hogs playing! The rest of the ceremony was at least another hour, so we stayed outside.

Jon - Dan's dissertation chair

The family! Dan's parents, Christian & Maria came from Missouri, and April even flew in from LA! We are all proud of Dan.

Proud Dad with his boy

We made it!

Congratulations Honey! I am so proud of you and all the work you have done to make sure you can provide for our family WHILE constantly working with your passion! I love you!

Sunshine Award

I have received my FIRST blog award from my friend at Carter's Chaos! Thank you, Edie!!!

The Sunshine Award is passed on to blogger's that inspire others and show positivity and creativity.

These are the blogs that I enjoy reading the most. They have great suggestions and usually make me smile! It's great to catch up on their blogs when I need a laugh, smile or a little inspiration.

1. My cousin, Jessica's at Books, Bucks & Beyond - a great coupon/money saving blog
2. My old roommate from college, Shawna's at Pieces of Me - a blog about her family of 4 kids, homeschooling, and just life
3. My friend since ???, Lori at Lori Bunk - a mom, youth pastor, sister and daughter - she does it all and inspires her readers spiritually to grow
4. My friend (and Lori's sister), Keri at Keri Sheerer - a mom to newborn twins and a toddler, and is just a joy to see her family grow!
5. My friend from childhood, Nina at Nina Bunk - a mom to two little cuties that has the funniest stories and pictures
6. My friend via my cousin (we have never met in person!), Wendi at Life in the Polar North Defrosts - a family's journey through infertility, adoption, irish twins and medical school
7. My cousin's wife Joia at Our Daily Post from the Emerald Coast - an Air Force family of 4 blog about life and crafts
8. My friend, Karen at Marriage Vitamins - I used to babysit her 5 kids and now they are all grown up!
9. My friend from Northwest Arkansas and the multiples club there, Mary at The Johanson Journal - her antics with super filly, girlie girl twins and another girl. I love all the pictures!
10. A stranger I have never met, but I want to be like her. Amanda at Kevin & Amanda. She is crafty, takes awesome pictures, sews (something I would LOVE to learn), blogs, creates fonts, etc.

Please comment and share any other great blogs that I may be missing out on!!!

For those that were nominated (or if you would want to do a post and nominate people), you should go and nominate 10 more blogs!!!

Here are the suggestions for the Award:

1. Put the logo within your blog or on your post
2. Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers
3. Link the nominees within your post
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5. Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

Waging the war against the flood....

Well, this was the weekend we rescheduled our camping trip because last weekend was thunderstorms, and tornado watches. We decided to reschedule AGAIN due to bad weather that was supposed to hit us Friday - Tuesday (at the latest). Good news is, it looks like it will be done by Monday (and our power has only flickered)! Bad news is.....

1. Since 3 am last night we have had 4 tornado warnings from all different storms
2. we had 3 boys in our room since 3 am
3. it has not stopped raining since last evening
4. there is flash floods all over Western Tennessee
5. Church is canceled tomorrow because of the weather :(

How bad can flash flooding be??? Here are some pictures to show you.... (borrowed pics from friends)

One of the 7 reported sinkholes in Jackson

Car hops will have to use boats rather than skates

Look at the buried cars!

A steakhouse in Humbolt just miles from our house

My friend's backyard

This sink hole has only gotten larger as the storms keep coming

We are supposed to get even more storms through the night and all day tomorrow. Please keep our area in your prayers!