Hola!

Hey girlies!

I wanted to touch base with all of you and let you know that we are on the final countdown for our baby boy. The name game still continues and we don't have anything picked out yet. Narrowed down, but not agreed upon. Thank you for all thinking of us and continuing to care how we are doing. We still have many adjustments to work through but we are slowly finding our way here in Florida. Don't forget that we are only 2 hours from Disney and if you are driving to Disney and need a stopping over place, you are welcome at Casa de King. I can't wait to share the news of our little man's arrival. 13 more days unless he decides to come early!

I had to leave you with a funny picture of Beckham. Someday he will kill me for this! He loves sweatbands and wristbands!

Love you all!

Shannon

By the way, please consider doing the Esther study. It's soooo good!

Brooke, this is for you!

I am not crafty, Brooke will be the first to tell you that. However, every now and then I can pull a rabbit out of the hat so here is what I made for Claire to wear for the 100th day of school celebration.

I am growing so much in the Lord this semester. He is stretching me sometimes more than I enjoy, but I know the end result will be closer to who he has created me to be. I encourage all of you to make Him a priority. Find that time every day that you can sit in His sweet arms and learn from Him. Your life will never be the same until you do, and it will always be the same if you don't. I love each of you and I am praying that God will reveal Himself to you in a new sweet way this week. See you next week!

We honored Mira Evans and her soon to be baby boy! We had lots of fun and way too much to eat. We can't wait to meet the new addition! We love you Mira.

We usually always get the honor of trick or treating with Frankenstein!!!Some of our MUGG mom's kids. Back row Aven Burton, Ean Burton, Haydn Burton, Avery Land, Davis Burton, Caroline Coyle. Front row: John Henry Land, Livian Burton, Cade Burton, Parker Coyle, and Hannah Burton. They were quite a crew!!!

We had a great time on our mugg trip! I hope more of you can join us next time. In the picture below, Mira drew on a bathroom wall. Shame on her! We all signed anyway.

The crew: Julie, Kristi, Mira, Brooke, and Amy

I can't wait until we go on our MUGG trip this weekend. I will have lots of great pictures to share with the world. I found this one from last year, and wanted to share it with all of you. It's about the only tasteful one we took. Ha Ha!!!!! You can be sure that I will have the same jeans and hoodie on again this year.

Hey girls!! This Bible study we are doing has been so challenging to me. I am praying for all of you as we grow together.

Back in the day...

Greetings from Florida! I miss my sweet sisters there in Little Rock. Hugs to all of you!

I wanted to give this blog a new post that wasn't so sad!!!!! Here are a few vintage pictures that really have nothing to do with MUGG! Enjoy! Warning...there are many more where these came from!

Mary Evans and Bailey King

The first Dallas trip (JoEllyn, Kris, Jennifer, Elisabeth and Shannon)

Avery Land

Tim and Jill (sweet vest and penny loafers!)

Brody Ammons (He's always sported fabulous hair!!)

Claire Ballard and Bailey

Classic Hans and Angie (she's going to KILL me!!!)

Prayers for Steven Curtis Chapman's family

I was so saddened to hear about this. I instantly thought of the song on the MUGG playlist by Steven Curtis Chapman entitled "With Hope". Let's keep this family in our prayers.

Daughter of Christian Music Star Killed
By JOE EDWARDS,
AP
Posted: 2008-05-22 07:54:10

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 22) - The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected."It looks like a tragic accident," she said.Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.

In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter. Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site."After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing - our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site."We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'

The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.

In honor of Denise...

In honor of our dear "friend" Denise I've added a few tunes from Caedmon's Call! :)

Does anyone out there have a song(s) they want added to the playlist? Let me know and I'll try to find it.

On a sad note: I've not been able to find Denise's multi platinum hit: "Beauty, Brains and Cash"

I'll keep looking...

Prayer requests

Yesterday at church Greg found a piece of paper in my Bible that had a prayer request on it. It was one that I had given during our MUGG small group time. Seeing that request on paper made me think about how meaningful it has been to know that my sisters were praying specifically for me.

Is there anyone out there that has a prayer request that they would like to make known to the MUGG ladies? Please don't hesitate if you have a need or a PRAISE that you would like the other MUGGers to know about. If you have a request or a praise, click on comments at the bottom of this post. Even if you don't have your own blog you can just click on the anonymous box and it will still publish your comment or prayer request.

I saw one of our answered prayers at CAC Spring Thing on Friday night: Miss Sydney Pilgreen! She looked adorable in pink and was having a blast sliding down the inflatable slide. She and Tina both looked great!

Mark your calendars!

The Dallas Trip will be Dec 5-6, 2008. Do not miss it! It rocks!

Women of Faith Conference

Good 'ole Sandi Patty!


Nicole C. Mullen was AMAZING!

Oh yeah, the speakers were pretty good too! :)

Good times!

Brunch and Easter Eggs

Don't forget that tomorrow is the MUGG brunch. Also, the kids will be having an Easter egg hunt while in childcare. Don't forget to send 12 (?) filled eggs with your child. For more specifics on that, I guess you can call Rachel Thurman. If you have any additional info on this, or can clarify, please post...see you tomorrow!

Since posts are much more interesting with pictures, I am going to post a few of some MUGG ladies taken at the PV Ladies retreat this past fall. Enjoy!

Who let these guys in????

Women of Faith tickets

Contact me if you are interested in going to Women of Faith. My e-mail address is jcooper3356@sbcglobal.net or call me at 219-2096. If there are 10 or more, tickets will be $65.

~JoEllyn

Oops!

Correction: No Nichole Nordeman at WofF. :(

The singer is Nicole C. Mullen :)

Nicole started singing at age two and she’s been praising God with her voice ever since. The winner of eight Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, Nicole’s powerful ballads and danceable tunes will have your toes tapping before you know it. But there’s more to Nicole than dynamic vocals and skillful songwriting. “Hopefully, at the end of the day, they will not have just heard pretty music,” Nicole says, “but somewhere between the lines, pages, and phrases, they will have heard the whisper of God to the depths of their hearts." Nicole has worked to help free the Trokosi slaves held captive in Ghana, West Africa and for more than a dozen years she has sown into the lives of young girls through her Baby Girls Club, an organization that mentors young women. She even designs her own clothing. Nicole and husband David have four children. They live on a farm outside Nashville, TN.
Web site: www.nicolecmullen.com

Women of Faith Conference

Don't forget about the upcoming Women of Faith Conference! It will be held April 4th and 5th at Alltel Arena. The theme this year is Infinite Grace. Go to the following website for more info http://www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/littlerock/default.asp . Nichole Nordeman will be performing again this year. That alone is worth going! I think that someone here at PV was ordering tickets (was it Holly C.?). If you know any more details about the conference or would like to share your experiences from last year, please post! Here are a few pictures of several of us who went last year:

How have I not done this already?

Okay so I was looking through my pictures and found these from the first week of MUGG. How awesome are these ladies? Thanks girls for doing whatever it takes to make the rest of us laugh! Our lives would be so much less enjoyable without you gals!

Be there or be square!

Upcoming WINGS (Women In God's Service) conference sponsored by Harding University's Marriage and Family Therapy Program

February 22-23

"What's Real? Finding Truth in a Reality Show World."

Breakout group options:

Mythbusters (These sessions will examine false beliefs/myths.)

• "If I am a Christian, I Won't Have Any Problems"
• "Bad Things Don't Happen to Good People"
• "Super Nanny" (Panel of 4 moms)
• "Trading Spaces" (Belief that the grass is always greener on the other side and the way to solve church problems is by trading spaces and going somewhere else to look for the "perfect" situation.)

Survivor (These sessions will address tough times faced and conquered.)

• "Intervention" (Approaching someone who is struggling with porn, eating disorders, drinking, infidelity, an unhealthy relationship, etc.)
• "The Amazing Race" (Dealing with circumstances that are beyond our control and persevering when physical health or other challenges come our way.)
• "Starting Over" (Trying again when life and it's trials have knocked us down.)

Ultimate Makeover (Modesty, biblical beauty, scriptural perspectiv on the topic of discretion.)

• "What Not to Wear" (Modesty among women)
• "How to Look Good Naked" (Dealing honestly with focusing too much on outward appearances.

Don't miss these either!

"America's Next Top Model" luncheon runway show (a tongue-in-cheek perspective of modern day fashion.)

"A Moment of Truth" (Panel discussion of spiritual disciplines such as fasting, spiritual memory, meditation/solitude, etc.)

This is only a VERY brief description of some of the sessions you can attend. The cost is $15 and that includes a light supper on Friday night, coffee house, continental breakfast, luncheon and all presentations and classes. Babysitting is available for pre-registered participants. The conference will be held at the Family Life Center at College Church of Christ.

For more info goto www.harding.edu/Wings or ask me (Shannon) about it!

Sydney Pilgreen is in Remission!

I just got an update from Sydney's Caring Bridge link from Tina with the exciting news! Make sure that you go read it in Tina's words. Also, it sounds like in a month or so they will be back in the land of the living! I have missed having Tina's fun self around on a regular basis, and I know that she has missed being around! I am so thankful that God has answered all the prayers that have been lifted up on the behalf of their family. It has been a long year for all of them. Hopefully, that is all going to get better soon! Hallulajah!

Kerri Crocker

Don't miss Kerri Crocker tomorrow during MUGG! She came last year and was fabulous...Not a dry eye in the house! She has a brand new cd released a few weeks ago and is bringing a friend who will be speaking. Bring a friend with you! Check her out at kerricrocker.com.

Teacher's Needed!

Hello! I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year. Tara Richardson is looking for teachers who would be interested in helping administer benchmark exams for ARVA (Arkansas Virtual Academy). It will be the second and third week in April from 8A.M-3P.M. and it pays $75 a day. You must have a current AR license. If you are interested please contact me or Tara.

trichardson@arva.org
http://www.calendarwiz.com/arvacalendar

Can't wait until Wednesday!!
Thanks,
Lelah

FYI... I could use a prayer or two this week

Well my Girls, the day is fast approaching that I have known was coming since I was 15 years old. On Thursday morning, I am going into Baptist Hospital to have a hysterectomy. It has been a long time coming and really, I am ready to have it behind me. I have suffered for years from pain and have gotten to the point of having to take narcotics to get through the monthly cycle. Needless to say, it is time to go through with the surgery. I have some very mixed emotions going on in this already crazy head of mine, but I will spare you the details. I will get more in depth on my own blog space if you want to check that out in a day or two. Anyway, if you don't mind adding me to your prayer list the whole Ballard family would appreciate it. The next few weeks will be tricky to say the least, but hopefully uneventful if all goes as hoped. If you need me I will be on my couch and the phone should be close to my side. Thanks for your prayers and friendship and I will be back at MUGG when I can, but really have no idea when that will be. Also, a week later (Jan 11th) Claire will be having oral surgery to pull 5 teeth and do various other things. Please keep her in your prayers as well. Do we know how to ring in a new year or what?

MUGG Christmas Luncheon

If you were unable to make it to the MUGG luncheon last Wednesday, here are a few things that you missed.

Brooke almost set the church on fire. I know I heard someone yelling "stop, drop and roll!" I'm still laughing about that! Here is the aftermath...

Brooke and Mira presented "Top 10 Denise-isms":

Thank you to Brooke for coordinating everything and Mira for the beautiful table decorations. Also, thank you to Susan and Michelle, Karen and Vicki, and Linda for being the wonderful leaders that you are. We appreciate the examples you set for us as Godly women, wives and mothers. Looking forward to next semester's study! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Big D!

The 2nd annual girls trip to Dallas is in the books, and we are counting it as a HUGE success! If you missed it then you really missed some serious fun. The 10 of us left around 12:30 and headed toward the Big D. After interstate delays and potty breaks, we arrived around 6 PM and that is when the all out fun began! For about the next 48 hours, we laughed until our sides were hurting. We were able to define a Raunchy B, help Susan find a whole new fashionista side to herself, and figure out that we will never win dancing with the stars, but we did figure out that we know how to have fun! It is trips like these when you realize how awesome we have it at PV! Thanks to each of these ladies for making my weekend one of the best times of my life!

Lifehouse's Everything Skit

Brooke's talk and our small group discussion today reminded me of this video. It is so powerful! Enjoy!

Beth Moore link from today

If you have not already please connect from the link below to Beth Moore's blog. She has an amazing post on there today about faith. As always, she worded things so perfectly and it was exactly what my restless soul needed today!

Jill

You can still go...

Hey girls just wanted to put it out there that we still have room for two more on the trip to Dallas next weekend. If you want to come with us let me know. The cost of the rooms are about $50 and then gas for about $20. The rest of what you spend is up to you. We are leaving at noon on Friday and will be back mid-afternoon on Sunday. Don't miss out.

"Stuff Exchange"

Hey everyone!

Brooke wanted me to pass along some info about the "Stuff Exchange" that Michelle forgot to mention yesterday. For those who weren't there, next Wed. bring any of your stuff (toys, household items, Christmas decor, etc.) that you don't want anymore, and we're piling it on tables for everyone to sort through after Bible study. Take home whatever and however much you would like! The part that was left out - YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OWN STUFF BACK HOME!!! :) Michelle is going to donate the leftover items to Easter Seals for a Christmas store they set up for their teachers to shop in for $0.25 a piece!!!

So, go through your things and bring what you would like, and know that the leftover will go for a very worthy cause.

Thanks!
Amy B

Prayer Request

I just wanted to let everyone know that Stacey Stephens is going in tomorrow morning to have her baby. I will not be at MUGG tomorrow, so will you guys be sure and say a prayer for her and the baby. She had a pretty tough time with Kenzie. I just want it to be better for her this time around! Thanks so much!

Kerri Crocker

If you were in MUGG last year you may remember Kerri Crocker that came and sang to us and told her story. She is the sister of Sandy Ward. (Sandi teaches the four year old class on Sunday Mornings). I thought at that time that Kerri was super talented, and if the right people ever heard her she would make it mainstream. Well... yesterday on the way to Church I heard her song "I want to live" on B98.5's Sunday Cafe show with Jeff Matthews. I wasn't paying attention at first and just thought that I had her CD in , but then realized that it was the radio. How exciting!

Hey Girls!
Just thought I would give you a recipe that I love to make during the Holidays!
I call it Frozen Fruit Salad. You can make it low sugar, too!!

8oz. Pkg. of cream cheese Or 8 oz. pkg. of Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat)
1 lg. cool whip Or Lite cool whip
Large pkg. frozen strawberries (sm. pkg. strawberries & sm. pkg. raspberries or any fruit you like)
1 can crushed pineapple (drained)
4-5 bananas (mashed)
1 cup sugar Or 1 cup Splenda
Mix cream cheese at room temp. and cool whip-- Add fruit and sugar.
Freeze!
Thaw at least one hour before serving.

I sometimes put it in a cupcake pan but if time is an issue just put it in a 9X13 dish.
Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Join Us for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Please Join Hannah for the Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk
To Benefit the Arthritis Foundation
on
Saturday, December 1, 2007
at
11:00 a.m.
at the River Market Area

Someone asked me to post this on this blog. For any who do not know, my daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed early this year with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). The Arkansas Arthritis Foundation has a Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk every year to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. We have formed a team and are trying to help the Arthritis Foundation raise money. Here are some other details of the race:

The festivities actually begin at 9 a.m. with registration, fruit, orange juice, and coffee. You can also get your (or your kiddos) picture made with Santa. There is also a costume contest if you want to dress up with a Christmas theme. After the race, pizza, chips and salsa, and soft drinks will be served.

The cost to join our team (Little Hannah Who and the Grinch) is $20 which will get you some jingle bells for your shoes, a T-shirt, and a goody bag. You can also make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation if you so chose. The deadline to sign up online is Monday, November 26th.

To join our team go to http://LittlerockJBR07.kintera.org/littlehannahwhoandthegrinch826

We are SO excited about this and greatly appreciate any support you can give!

God Bless!

Jamie Keim

A good reminder

Something Denise said in the last Motherwise video has stuck with me. It went something like this...
Look around you...you'll be depressed
Look inside you...you'll be stressed
Look above you...you'll be at rest!!!

I LOVE that!! So true.

What are you Thankful for?

In a world where we have been so greatly blessed, it is sometimes hard to remember to be thankful. It is the time of year when our country will normally stop to take stock of what we have to be thankful for in our lives. But, I want to take a different approach this year. I want to not just be thankful for the good things, but those things in our lives that might at first glance make us feel like we are in Holland. (Thank you Michelle McClanahan for such a wonderful analogy!) I am going to list my things, and if you feel up to it you can give us yours too. So here goes.

Easy things to be thankful for...
Tim - You can't imagine how easy it is to be married to this guy!
Claire and Brock - They make being a mom the best thing ever! Hectic but wonderful!
My Family - It has been amazing being raised by such wonderful people. Randy and Sheila have always given me the joy of knowing that I am a part of something special. Ben, Vanesa, and all of the nieces and nephews have only made our family more complete than we could ever be without them.
My Friends- Never has there been a more special group of people that I call my friends. You guys all bring such unique things into my life, and I am more grateful for all of you than you could ever know.
PV - Do you ever go somewhere out of town and think "HOW do people spiritually survive here?" How awesome is it that we have our church? We are spoiled and God just keeps blessing us more every week!

Things that might look like Holland:
Claire's Developmental Delays - God works in mysterious ways! It is always amazing to me how God has taken something that has been so heartbreaking, difficult and at times maddening only to make it into something beautiful. To look back over these past few years and seeing the ways that God has revealed himself in our family is so fascinating. He has led us to places that I never would have chosen to go, but am daily amazed at his goodness. He has given me a ministry that a few years ago I would have never seen myself in. In his miraculous ability, he has even made me into a softer, more compassionate person along the way. Praise be to God for his wisdom!

Hard Time in the Construction Industry - Most of you know that Tim works for my Dad in his construction company. For the past few years, our business has not been what it once was, to say the least. Through this God has shown us repeatedly that he is in control, and will always grant us our "daily bread". He has also taught me to be content with "daily bread", and to always rely on him.

Health Issues - This year has not been the worst with my health that I have had to say the least, but it also has not been my best. It has made me aware of how blessed we are to have such amazing medical care in this country. It has also made me be so thankful for the times when I do feel good and prayerful for those who don't.

Okay, so this blog is getting lengthy so I will stop. Have a great Thanksgiving week. Be aware of all things in your lives, even the glimpses of Holland, and be thankful.

Love Ya Muggers!
Jill

For Your Information...

I am putting a link on the left to link to Sydney Pilgreen's caring bridge website. Tina regularly makes updates on Sydney's health, and we could know exactly what we need to be praying for.

Cortney

Make sure you clarify!

Sometimes kids learn things at school that you don't realize they are learning. For instance, how to use 911. Then for instance they decide that they need "help" and call 911 because they are hungry and Mom is still asleep. Should this happen at your house don't worry because they will call you back and make sure that you know that the call has been placed to make sure that all is well. I have the whole story on my blog, but wanted to make sure that when you teach your kids about calling 911, don't tell them to call it when they need "help". Oh my life!

Jill

How to be able to write on this blog

Hey girls we want everyone to be able to write on the blog. In order for me to send you the link I need your email address. You can send me an email at ballardjill@sbcglobal.net and that will get us started. I am looking forward to this getting going.

Dallas Trip Is Coming!

Okay girls we want everyone to join us! A group of 6 of us went last year and had a blast! We would love to have more come with us this year. We will leave about 12:30 on Friday December 7, and come home on Sunday afternoon. We spend most of the day Saturday at Grapevine Mills Shopping Center doing our Christmas Shopping thing, but there is a movie theater there as well for those who may not want to spend the day shopping. We eat out and never even glance to see if they have Chicken nuggets on the children's menu. We eat dessert and don't feel guilty, and we laugh until we hurt. Basically, we have a grand ole time. It isn't a very expensive trip because we split the hotel rooms evenly and pitch in for gas, but other than that what you spend is up to you. Let me know if your in really soon because I need to solidify the reservations. Don't miss your chance on a good time! Also, if you know of someone that isn't a MUGGER invite them to come too, as long as they can have fun.

Jill

Welcome!

Hello to all of you who are going to be joining us on this blog! I hope that this blog will be filled with great information for all of us to share with each other. I am creating this blog so that everyone who joins in and reads it will be blessed in some way. If you have a great tidbit that God has revealed to you, share it here. If you have a funny story to share, share it here. If you have a special need or prayer request, share it here. House Cleaning tips, recipes, mothering advice, mothering questions, whatever it is, this is your forum and we are all in it together! So check it when you check your email because you never know what your going to find. Blessings to you all!

If you want to be a contributor email me and I will get you added on. We want everyone to be a part of this blog! (If anyone knows of a way to do this without people having to email me let me know!)

Love that MUGGIN!
Jill