whew.

Just when we think our life can't get any crazier, it does!  We had a rough weekend, but we survived!  We picked up our new boys on Friday and they're doing well.  Andy is the leader of the two--he's the stubborn, too-smart-for-his-own-good dog.  Emmett is the more laid-back, scaredy-cat, and "blissfully dumb" one!  haha  For never seeing the inside of a house before, they're pretty great dogs.  Both are afraid of the stairs... so when we want/need to take them downstairs, we have to take them outside!  We've got to work on that before winter!  And speaking of outside--now that they've both gotten used to the air conditioning and wonder of inside, they don't like spending too much time outdoors where it's hot.  They do their business and bolt for the door.  Andy has had 3 'accidents' in the house--I'm pretty sure he's just stubborn and hanging onto the last bit of his will.  He was punished for those 3, and has since gone outside every time.  Hopefully that trend will continue.  Quiet, clueless Emmett hasn't had ONE accident--he is pure sweetness!  He does have trouble getting into his crate though.  Both boys have slept through the nights in their crates downstairs since we got them.  That's been wonderful.  Both are catching onto the Innotek Pet Fence that my wonderful husband installed last weekend.  Both boys have been zapped a couple of times, but they're learning fast.  Poor Emmett got confused earlier yesterday and got on the outside of the boundary accidentally and got zapped a little.  He retreated to the front porch and had to be coaxed off of it for the rest of the day.  This morning they were both running and playing happily within their boundaries.  It's a big yard with lots of space to cover.

We seem to have a little ant problem outside and had a company come and spray this morning.  The boys are good watchdogs--they barked even before he rang the doorbell!  I definitely feel safer with them here.  With everyone in the neighborhood gone to work during the day, it's nice to have a little extra security!

So, another thing to sigh about... Grayson is 11 months today.  My, how he's grown.  It makes me a little sad to think about!  He's uber-fussy lately because he's getting some more teeth.  He's been running a 103 temp since yesterday, so we've been chugging Tylenol and teething tablets.  The 'nice' thing (can you really say anything is nice about teething?!)... anyway, the nice thing is that he just wants to be held and cuddle all day.  Normally, he wants to stand and bounce and do anything but cuddle with me, so I'm enjoying that at least!  If he feels better this afternoon, we might head over to Mark and Marilyn's to swim for a bit. 

Well, that about does it.  I want to eat something while Grayson's napping, so I better get on it!  Have a great day everyone!

Hungry for love

I know you all have been waiting patiently for us to post, so I figured I'd reward you today!  It's been a busy time here at the Gupton household, but we're slowly getting things unpacked and arranged.  It's amazing how much stuff a family can accumulate.

I recently heard a song on the radio that I've become quite fond of over the past few weeks and it's called "Lead me" by Sanctus Real.  It talks about leading your family to know and trust God, and to love God and people and not things.  I look around and see all of this stuff in our house, and that's just what it is--stuff.  I've realized as I've been sifting through all of it that not one thing in this house brings me as much joy as even changing Grayson's poopy diapers!  As stinky as he is sometimes, I love him with all that I am and would do anything for him.  The same goes for Brandon.  Without him, our family would not be whole.  I praise God for his willingness to love, lead and provide for our family--what a responsibility!  We will give it our all to raise Grayson in a loving, Godly family--to not leave him 'hungry for love'.  This house and everything there is in it is nice, but we make it a home... God makes it a home.  And we must never forget.

a treat for everyone!

Yesterday I had a photo shoot here, so I took the opportunity to shoot some more pics of our little man since the stuff was already set up...  hope you enjoy!  Candid ones are first and then the ones we'll be framing are last.  (you can also click on them to make them larger!)

wanna come on a picnic?!

WHY must you take so many pictures, Mama?!

~ready for fireworks~

~pretty blues~

~stars and stripes~

~curiosity~

~bathtime~

~sweetness~

Hope you all have a great weekend!  We're off to Kentucky to meet some babies!

our summer so far...

Tonite is going to be a short one folks!  Just wanted to share some video taken from our summer so far:

This one was taken in MO in my Sister's back yard--


This one is from our new back yard--



Grayson's new favorite movie (we didn't let him watch much because it was bedtime though)--


Grayson playing with Grandpa when they were here last weekend in one of his July 4th outfits--


Grayson doing what he does best!


Hope you enjoyed them!  Good night everyone!

Emergency Post for Prayer!

Baby Luke whom I introduced you all to yesterday has unfortunately taken a turn for the worse today.  PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM TO BE HEALED BY THE POWER OF CHRIST!  HIS BROKEN LITTLE BODY CANNOT TAKE MUCH MORE.  HE NEEDS EVERYONE'S PRAYERS--GOD WILL HEAR THEM AND HE WILL ANSWER!

John 16:24  Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy!

Matthew 21:22  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer!

Jeremiah 33:3  Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things!

1 John 5:14  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us!

Matthew 18:19  Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven!

God tells us over and over in the Scriptures that He WILL answer our prayers!  Believe it!  Luke needs us to believe!  That tiny baby needs God's hands of protection over his little crib.  Pray for the doctors and nurses that are caring for him right now for them to have great insight and judgment.  Pray specifically that the blood thinners that Luke is on now will help his poor, bruised body. 

Look at that sweet, angelic face!  God created this boy and he is beautiful!  Please be a prayer warrior for this precious angel!

thankful

Yesterday a friend of mine asked me to pray for one of her friends who just delivered their first baby boy in Louisville.  Unfortunately, their little guy was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and has already been through one open-heart surgery in his short week of life.  He's due for at least 2 more in the future, but there's no real treatment/cure for it other than a transplant, which carries its own list of ramifications.  I am gladly joining in prayer for this little man and his brave, God-loving parents.  Honestly, I was in tears reading about what they are going through and they are our age.  I can't even imagine...

God has blessed Brandon and I beyond imagination.  Sometimes I wonder why some people seem to have it so much easier than others.  Just when you think you've had a terrible day (just like when I fell down the stairs with Grayson), there's always someone out there getting the crap beat out of them--like the news that your baby son might not ever see his first birthday.  Reading stories like the Sextons and their son Luke and seeing that they are completely putting their faith in Christ to do a miracle and save their son makes my faith seem puny in comparison.  But the amazing thing is that Jesus doesn't care!  He is the same as He was when He walked on this earth--powerful and mighty are those hands!!  I rejoice in His strength and know that He can heal baby Luke.  I will pray that His will be done and I hope you will too.

I know many of you have been following this journal of our crazy life.  Most of the time it is merely a calendar of events and lacks depth.  But not today, my friends!  Isn't it amazing how a tiny little baby that we don't even know makes us re-evaluate how we think?  God works in mysterious ways.  I'd give anything for the Sextons to not have to go through this trial, but I know (and they know) that God has a plan and nothing is impossible with God.  NOTHING.  As I held Grayson today, I praised God over and over for letting me take care of him for a little while.  I know that Grayson is God's and he is merely on loan, but what a blessing he is in our life!  It amazes me as I watch him learn new things and makes me wonder even more about God--we are made in His likeness!!  What a miraculous being Grayson is--all of little toes and those sparkling, mischievous blue eyes.  How blessed we are that he was born healthy!  How easily it could have been us in that ultrasound room, receiving news that took our breath away...

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you give us each and every day.  Thank you for loving us even when we are not thankful.  Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be parents of such an amazing little boy.  Your boy.  I am amazed at how much you must love us in order to entrust him to us.  How much you must love us in order to let your Son die just to be with us.  I could not do it.  Tonite, I pray Your healing hands on little Luke.  I pray that you heal his broken heart and bring peace to his Mommy and Daddy.  Be with the nurses and doctors and specialists and help them make good decisions and do Your work on Luke's fragile body.  Love them and protect them and bring them joy and rest.  Amen.

If you are interested in following the Sexton's journey, you can find their blog here:  http://lukesexton.blogspot.com/  I'm sure they'd appreciate any prayers!

Good night--

a whole new world!

Wow.  So I'm so far behind I don't even know where to start.  We haven't had the internet or tv for a week now, so I feel completely disconnected from everything!

We are in our new house now!  The most wonderful thing happened yesterday--3 deer visited our back yard while I was feeding Grayson his breakfast!!!  It is SOOO nice to wake up to birds chirping and crickets than to loud, obnoxious college students and cars on the highway.

We got our painting done (master BR, Grayson's room and the office).  We got our washer/dryer from hhGregg (it's a long story, but we'll NEVER be shopping in Best Buy again--what a HORRIBLE sales staff!!).  Grayson is working on his FOURTH tooth now!  He has 2 on bottom and the right one on top and the left one is almost through as well.

Uhm...  that's all my poor little brain can come up with right now.  It is just too tired.  Night, night everyone!