A very special day

Hello Chadman!  I'm remembering a very special day.

Twenty-two years ago, Dad and I made a long, rough, long, uncomfortable (for me), long yet greatly anticipated trek to Barnwell Birthing Center.  Dad was genuinely worried that I was going to have you on the side of the road when I asked him to stop part way out there in the middle of nowhere to answer the call of nature!  You weren't calling...quite yet.  A mere one hour after our arrival time, you made your grand appearance!  You were adorable from the very beginning and have blessed our lives beyond imagining.

Party time!  We decorated your birth room with a welcome sign and a friend drove your brothers to join us for a birthday party.  Out came the homemade hats, balloons, cake and gifts for all comers!  Bowing our heads and holding hands we thanked God for His magnificent handiwork and His grace to add another dear one to our home.   We haven't stopped celebrating that beautiful, joyous day.

Dad gave you your first bath right beside my bed while I held your hand.  Your brothers took turns holding you.  Ryan so tenderly and carefully held you while just beaming in anticipation of another buddy to adventure with!  Cole held you close with twinkling eyes and cooed in his little deep, gravelly voice and then proceeded to roll you off his lap when he was through!

I know you've heard these remembrances over and over again, but they are worth repeating and enjoying.  We love you and miss you and are eager to have a family celebration when Ryan returns!    

Have a wonderful birthday my wonderful Chad.  Remember who breathed life into you and gave His life for you.  Be entirely His.

Summer is going, going, going...gone!

Hello dear ones!

So where has this summer gone?  Swim practices, swim meets, swimming, pool parties, a lake visit, one glorious week at the ocean, more pool time, house plans, foundation digging, workout, workouts and more workouts, time with family and friends, watching the cutest baby ever grow and get cuter and of course more swimming!  Yes, my fingers are a bit wrinkled and prune like (not from age...as if you didn't notice all the H2O time, tsk, tsk, tsk).   I'll have you know, Julia's are more pruny than mine.  She lounges daily at the pool pretending to work for hours and hours.  She is ever, ever so slightly tanner than I.  It's hardly noticeable to anyone.  Really.

Once again, my summer has flown by and I'm left asking, "Where did it go?"  It has been a wonderful, event filled season.  All family members have taken trips but Ryan wins the award for longest and furthest from home.  Alright already Ryan!  You won, you can come home now Mr. Competitive!  You have vacationed in that exotic, warm, sandy location way, way too long.

School starts on the 20th for the baby of the family.  Julia is registered for Adelphi Christian Academy AP English and will be starting her college transcript with two classes at USCA as well!  Can you believe guys, that your baby sister is taking college classes?

Now will you all move back home and drive her to class and sit with her while picking your teeth with large, sharp, deadly looking knives and then escort her to Adelphi with the same provisions and finally whisk her home to her mamma who will be waiting with warm cookies and milk?  Ok, ok, more realistically, raw veggies and a fruit smoothie.  For all of you.  Your rooms are ready.  Hurry home.

Yet another water loving Nickell!

Haiti memories.

Beach house fun!

Yes, even Claire swims under water without holding her nose!

I love you all and may God bless you in all you do and may you each be a blessing to all those around you.  "Wherever you are, be all there."  Even though I love it when we're all together, I know God's hand has put us in these different places to do one thing.  Glorify Him.  So, in Qatar, Haiti, Clemson and Aiken, wherever you have been planted, I adjure you;  

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things

To Him be the glory forever. Amen

Romans 11:36

Blessings,

Dee