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Alexis took her turn and rode the famous Barefoot Landing Bull in Myrtle Beach.

Enjoy!

Eight years ago, my wife and I were living in Kinston, North Carolina when a little 5 pound 15 ounce baby girl came quietly into the world two weeks early. Her name is Alexis Joy and she is our joy. When I first held her I began counting her fingers and toes, then I told her I loved her and she stopped crying. Her eyes were dark brown and her hair was thin and dark.

Her mother smiled and cried as the doctor first handed Alexis to Carrie. Our first child was here and we were officially parents.

That night I held my precious baby girl and realized she was now wrapping me around her finger. Her beautiful eyes and her gorgeous smile were taking over my life in an amazing way.

I held her for several hours telling her over and over I loved her more than she would ever know. When she began to cry I would gently kiss her forehead and tell her I love her and believe it or not she would quit crying.

Since July 7th of 2000, my world has been different in an amazing way. Alexis has been the joy to get me through the day as I look at her face an see her innocence and compassion. Her innocence is the innocence of a child but her compassion is that of an adult. She wants every person around her to be alright in life; whether physical, emotional or spiritual. Her view of other people is amazing because she sees no color, no wealth, no poverty, no dislike; she sees people.

I love me little girl.

Her is a video of a friend from college, Paul Mays, singing My Little Girl at a wedding. Take a moment and listen.

Alexis…you will always be our little girl. We love you!

The sound of falling water fills the air as my two fishing partners and I make our way through the drizzling rain and the tall ferns to our little fishing spot. For several years, Alexis and Emma have spent time with me throwing a line in this still small creek. Today, the rains have caused the current to carry the water at faster than usual speeds.

As we equipped ourselves with the latest Berkley Trout Turbo Powerbait, we dared the fish to bite our hooks. We dared and dared as we continually tied to keep one line in the water at all times. If you are a parent who has ever taken your children fishing, you understand. For me and my fishing partners to get one line  in great, two lines is amazing and if we ever get three lines in at one time the Lord might come back — But today we did! Three lines in the water and two brook trout caught. Each trout was about 9 to 10 inches long and beautiful in color.

Fishing at the cabin is a fascinating experience. The water is calming to the soul; the land is God’s precious gift to man and the trout are a glimpse into the creative power of the Most High. My fishing partners make each fishing trip, no matter at the cabin or at home, most amazing. Their sincere appreciation for the gifts of God show through in each word.

May God grant each of is the excitement children provide in our lives! May God have mercy on our souls as we live day by day in a busy world filled with busy people. May God continually grant us the peace that passes understanding.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! (Psalms 127:3-5)

The past two days have been flooded with memories, fables, tales and great times. The family and I have our enjoying a few days in the beautiful hills of West Virginia. As we make our trip we are spending a few days visiting family and friends in southern West Virginia. Our time has been spent with family and friends filling each minute with stories of the past, some true and some exaggerated, but all of them good!

My mind grows each time I am here. I realize my heritage runs deep in these West Virginia hills, but the love of friends and family extends far and wide. My family and I are blessed with people in our lives how make us better. Even thought we do not get to see all of them as much as we would like, we are extremely thankful for the times we have together.

More pictures will be coming, but here are a couple pictures to share:

Thanks for Reading!

Emma rides her bike without training wheels.

My youngest brother has achieved another milestone in life — graduation from High School. Here are some pictures of his graduation party.

The North - South Game

Check out the pictures of the softball playing kid. She plays with an intense attitude topped off with a smile as a hot grounder bounces off the ground toward her. She swings the bat with eloquence and fury. As the aluminum makes contact with the leather and her feet carry her as fast as they can to first base.

Her name: Alexis

Proud Parents: Chris and Carrie

Proud Sister and Brother: Emma and Caleb

Here is the slideshow for Nan’s funeral. Photos were collected and set to the music of Alan Jackson’s Remember When. We hope you enjoy!

We love you Nan!

Tonight I write to you from a hotel room in Canton, Ohio after many hours on the road considering what I will say tomorrow. My mind is filled with so many thoughts, volumes of books would do well to contain them. While the thoughts of our family is saddened by the passing of Frances D. Graber (Carrie’s grandmother), we rejoice in the knowledge she was a Christian and she is now in a glorious place awaiting the saved who are still here.

Frances D. Graber, known as ‘Nan’, was a testament to right living. Her life was not her own, but it was lived for everyone around her. Nan spent her life looking out the the interests of everyone she met. Her heart was as big as those in Hebrews 11, but she would never tell you. She never bragged, except on her family. She never told stories to make herself look good, because she knew Jesus. Jesus lived a selfless life so Nan could have an opportunity to walk in his steps and reach that heavenly home one day. Nan was a Christian and her life told her story and it lives now in the hearts and souls of those she touched.

While I had a hard time holding back tears at Mondays service in Summerville, SC and I will have a difficult time  holding more tears tomorrow, it will be much easier because Nan was a child of the Father! So, to my grandmother-in-law, Nan Graber, I do not say ‘Goodbye” for I will see you again; I say to you “see you later!”

“You collect my tears in your bottle, you write them down in your journal.” (Psalm 56.8; thanks Greg!)

Nan Graber left this life tonight. Our lives are filled with joy because we had Nan in our family but they are sad because she is not here. Though she is not here, she is a Christian and the better land is hers today, thanks to the price our Savior paid.

God bless.