The Dickey Family

Exciting News!

2008-11-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Missing in Action? No, not really - just very busy!!! My camera died a few weeks ago (after we got back from our Florida trip), and I feel totally lost!!

However, we do have some wonderful news! The Lord has given us the awesome opportunity and responsibility of being the parents to Jackson Riley for the last three years. He is the delight and joy of our lives. Every day holds new adventures and new paths that we must cross, but we wouldn't trade him anything in the world! We are so very excited to announce that we have another little blessing on the way!!! This is a big answer to prayer for us! I have had a few complications, but the Lord has helped and everything is looking great! We are expecting our little bundle of joy in May! Please keep praying for us as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives!!!!

Wonderful World of Disney

2008-09-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a wonderful week in Florida. We were providing the music for a staff retreat that Dr. David Gibbs, Jr. and the Christian Law Association team was having. While we were there, we were able to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom. We had a blast!!!

This is the entrance to Disney World - it was absolutely beautiful!

Jackson wasn't sure what to think about the real Cinderella, although he loves to watch her movie to see "Guss Guss". We had to ask Cinderella if Guss Guss was staying out of trouble! :)

I think this was probably one of Jackson's favorite things! He drove a Go-Cart (with Daddy's help, of course).

This was Mommy's favorite part. We visited Minnie's country house. I loved all the pink and purple.

This was Minnie's mailbox.

Jackson sitting in Minnie's Sunroom

This is in Minnie's kitchen - we were watching popcorn popping in the microwave.

Minnie's Oven - she was baking a birthday cake for Mickey.

My cousin, Lindsay, showing Jackson around in Minnie's tea room. Those cookies sure did look yummy!

Next door to Minnie's country house was Mickey's country house.

Here is Mickey's bedroom.

Look at all those shoes!

Mickey's couch where he watches football :)!

Here is Mickey's kitchen - he really needs Minnie's help in there because Donald made a HUGE mess! :)

Jackson and Mommy riding the Dumbo ride

What a fun day!!!

Be Thankful

2008-09-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

This is something I came across the other day. It's a letter that a lady submitted to Ann Landers to be published. It's pretty convicting!

Dear Ann Landers: I hope you will print something a friend in Australia sent me.
I think it's perfect to run on Thanksgiving. -- Bee in Fairfax, Va.

Dear Bee: Please send my best wishes and warm thanks to your friend in
Australia. Here's the thoughtful piece she sent:

Things to Be Thankful For:

·Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.

·Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.

·Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.

·Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.

·Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.

·Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.

·Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.

·Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.

·Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.

·Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you're alive.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom

2008-09-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

Breakfast In Bed

2008-08-30T20:37:00.001-07:00

There are very few pleasures in life that are more enjoyable than having a nice breakfast in bed (I personally LOVE to have coffee in bed). Jackson loves to be with us in our bed. He'll say, "Mommy, can we just go cuddle for a little while in your bed?" Now, when it is time to actually go to sleep, he would much rather be in his bed. He will have it no other way. Jackson absolutely LOVES his bed!!!

He is at such a sweet age, and it is so fun to watch him enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I can't believe that he will be turning THREE next week!!!! Time flies when you are having fun.

We love you all! Hope you have a wonderful week....

P.S. And for all of you who are wondering - yes, it is cereal, but no - there is no milk :) I'm not THAT crazy!!!!

Sweet Family Time

2008-08-08T07:55:00.001-07:00

In July, we went to Murfreesboro to be with Jonathan's family. It is very unusual for us all to be together because we all live so far apart now. My in-laws and Justin and Kim live live in Murfreesboro, TN, we live in Alabama, Jason and Rebecca live in California, and Jeri Lynn and Matt live in Kansas. We had a blast, but I am sure of one thing - Paw Paw and Mammy's house will never be the same :)! Any time that we are able to be together is always so sweet! We love you all!

Four Wonderful Years

2008-07-31T06:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Jonathan and I celebrated our fourth anniversary. I found myself reflecting over the last four years and wondering, where all the time has gone. So much has taken place over the last four years - finishing our degrees, working together in Tennessee, the birth of our precious little boy, Jackson, the big emotional move to Alabama...the list is so long, but it has been wonderful. When I think back on how Jonathan and I met, I realize how much the Lord really cares about every detail of our life! I stand so amazed!

Our first meeting was when I was in high school and Jonathan was travelling with the quartet from Crown College. My mom is a musician and has a special appreciation for beautiful music, so when Jonathan started playing the piano, she tapped me on the leg and said, "that boy can play the piano!!!!!" Well, we had a great time that evening. He played the piano and I sang, we went out to eat with the whole group, but needless to say, we were in very different phases of our life. I was planning on attending Bob Jones University to major in Music. It was one of those - he is a very nice guy, but our paths will probably never cross again situations.

Well, the summer after my senior year of high school, I had already packed up all of my things, paid the first payments at Bob Jones University, and was preparing to move, when my mom became very sick. It was a long hard decision, but my family and I decided that it would be best for me to stay home and work and go to school - at least until we knew all that was involved with my mom's illness. I prayed long and hard about it, and decided to take a Music Scholarship at the University of Alabama. The University was just a few blocks from our church, so I was able to be as active in our church as I had always been and still go to school. The first semester went great, but by the time the second semester rolled around, I was becoming restless. I knew there had to be more - the Lord had something bigger planned.

My dad sat down with me one day and said, "Leah, I think I know the perfect place for you". He was going to Crown College to speak at something and he asked me to go with him. It was really quite amazing because the moment we drove up on the campus, I knew that this was where I was supposed to be. I quickly became involved in the music ministry and my path led me to Jonathan. We began to arrange music together, plan the music out for the ministries of the Temple Baptist Church and Crown College, and play for many weddings, funerals, and other events. What a fun time we had!!

It wasn't always pleasant, trials came. We broke up for a season, to make sure that our relationship was the Lord's leading, and not something that we had orchestrated ourselves or felt pressured to do. The Lord was faithful, and he led us back to each other.

The other day I was reading through some old journals and found a list of things I wanted to find in a guy (written before I even went to college), and I was so amazed at how the Lord had given them all to me - and more! In Jonathan, I have found my soul mate - a godly man who leads our family as he feels the Lord's leading, I have found my partner in comedy - we absolutely love to laugh, I have found a man who is extremely sensitive to the needs of our family and wants us to have the best that he can provide, I have found a man who loves beautiful things, a man who shares my love for music, a man who is a wonderful daddy and who shares the same desires I have for our children......The list goes on and on.

What a journey we have been on, but honey, I am so thankful that we have taken every step of it together. Jonathan, I love you, and I thank the Lord for giving me the most wonderful gift in the world - You! Happy Anniversary!

Beach Vacation

2008-06-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our vacation, and I thought I would share some of the memories we made. What a sweet time we had!

Recent Days

2008-06-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

We recently had the Faith for the Family Revival Crusade here in Birmingham, Alabama. We were so excited that Pastor and Mrs.Clarence Sexton and one of the Crown College Trios were able to come and help us with this meeting. The revival was an amazing event - I believe the first one of it's type here in Birmingham. Ten Baptist churches in Birmingham got together to sponsor this event. It was held in an area conference center, and the building was packed out every night. All of the church choirs joined together to form one big conference choir. The whole meeting was a blessing, and I will have to dedicate another post entirely to it. Cody and Ruth Sturgill also came as the sponsor family for the trio and we had a blast with them.

Here are some pictures from our wonderful visit.

Pastor Sexton and Jackson playing with Lincoln Logs

Jackson and Ian playing the flutes while my Mom directed them and Jonathan played the piano. It was too funny!

The Crown College Trio

Jackson and Ian practicing on Saturday night for their big debut on Sunday!

Fun at Jason's Deli

Cleaning up from the Revival Meeting - My Dad was pulling them on the chair cart.

Hope you've enjoyed the pictures...we're packing and getting ready to go to the beach next week!!! YEA!!!

If I Had My Life To Live Over

2008-06-10T06:24:00.000-07:00

If I Had My Life To Live Over
Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out she had a fatal disease.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ... But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

Cheap Entertainment

2008-06-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard Alabama Hot Dog Twinkle played on the ruler? It's very interesting!

Jackson's prized instruments

Here, Jackson is practicing playing the "kettle drums" while his Daddy directs him. Jonathan was actually practicing with the pianist and organist for the Faith for the Family Crusade in Birmingham next week!

I'm sure this was during the interlude.

Jon and Jackson are hiding from the monsters in the choir room.

LeGrand and Jackson playing in the fountain at the Summit while I shopped (I bought that duck at Bath and Body Works for $1...my brother says it was the best $1 we ever spent :).

What a fun day!

I Hab to Practice Ebery Day!

2008-06-04T06:44:00.001-07:00

We have a little music lover on our hands!! Jon and I both are very passionate about music, and we pretty much always have it playing, or are playing it :). Not long ago, my mom took Jackson to a symphony concert and he was TOTALLY fascinated! He knows the names of the instruments and loves to identify them when we are listening to music. He'll say, "Mom, is that a tuba or a baritone? Are those kettle drums that I hear?"

He watched us with all of our end of the year recitals and concerts and learned the drill...you bow, play your piece, then bow...Well, now, he loves to give his own concerts. He is currently trying to decide what instrument is his favorite, but for now, he has decided to master the flutaphone. He has two people to accompany him, so someone is always available. Daddy's specialty is Jesus Loves Me and Mommy's is God Made the Animals and I See a Flower. He told me the other day, "Mommy, I hab to practice ebery day...then, when I get big, I can play in a big concert!" Here are pictures of one of our latest "Home Concerts".

He had to sit down to work on a difficult passage :)

Mother's Day

2008-05-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is such a sweet time. When Jackson woke up Sunday morning and told me Happy Mother's Day, I said, "Jackson, thank you for making me a Mommy!" He said, "Thank you for making me be the little boy!" :) It was too cute.

Jonathan and Jackson gave me three pieces to add to my ever-expanding blue and white collection. I have collected these pieces since I was just a little girl. Thank you, Jonathan and Jackson for making my 3rd Mother's Day so special! I love you both!

It Was Your Life

Before I took a breath
Before I took a step
Unnumbered prayers were spoken, spoken just for me
And as I rested peacefully, there in your loving arms
You dreamed of what tomorrow would bring
And what my future would be
You watched me as each tiny step grew stronger
You guided me through choices I would make
And even though I didn't know the road I'd walk
Your steps would always light the path I'd take

Your hands reached down, to lift me when I'd fallen
Your arms would hold me when I felt afraid
Your eyes could see right through the dark and stormy clouds
And point me to a brighter day
Your steps would set a path that I could follow
Your words of love, my broken dreams could mend
Your heart of love would always show me Jesus
But it was your life that led me to Him.

My childhood days are gone
And time keeps moving on
It seems as though the months, the years
Quickly slip away
The life of faith you offered
Examples of God's love
Is the life I long to share with my children today.

Your hands reached down, to lift me when I'd fallen
Your arms would hold me when I felt afraid
Your eyes could see right through the dark and stormy clouds
And point me to a brighter day
Your steps would set a path that I could follow
Your words of love, my broken dreams could mend
Your heart of love would always show me Jesus
But it was your life that led me to Him.
And it's still your life that leads me -- to Jesus.

Allergic to.......LIPSTICK???

2008-05-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Today, Jackson got into my mom's make-up bag and found LIPSTICK!!!! He put it in the appropriate place and then decided to color all over his cheeks and a little on his forehead. Ok...so, we are allergic to chicken, soy, eggs....you know the list, but LIPSTICK?? He whelped up and was sooo miserable. Hopefully this was a good lesson for him and we won't do this again ;)!

LeGrand's Graduation from Crown College

2008-05-06T17:36:00.001-07:00

This weekend we all went to Knoxville to see my brother graduate from Crown College. My dad was able to speak at the ceremony, so that made it really special for us! Here are some pictures of our weekend. There are many more to sort through, but these are just a few for now.

Fun at the Lake and the Park

2008-04-25T13:26:00.001-07:00

Today we spent the day with our friends, David and Emily Ratje. David just turned three in February, and he and Jackson are best buds! We went to the lake to feed the ducks and the turtles, then we went to Target (gotta work shopping in somewhere :), and then we went to the park and had a picnic. They had a blast and are napping right now, so I thought I would post some pictures.

What a fun day!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

2008-04-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it has almost been a month since my last post. Well, actually, I can. We have been busy little bees lately, and I have completely lost track of time! April 4th, we celebrated Jonathan's 28th birthday. It was actually pretty funny because two weekends in a row we had major tornadoes in Alabama. In fact, half of Jonathan's birthday was spent in the church basement dodging the bad weather :). Gotta love living in "tornado alley".

Then, the next week Jonathan took a group of our high school kids to Bob Jones University to participate in the AACS National Competition. Our high school choir won third place! We were extremely proud of them! Jackson and I stayed home, and by the end of week, there was one little boy in Birmingham who was reaaaaaaaally missing his daddy!

Last week, we were excited to be able to go to the Crown Bible Conference in Knoxville, TN for a few days. We had a blast! It is always really fun to get to see old friends and "catch up" a bit.

We are hoping for a calmer weekend, this weekend. Jackson has had a terrible time lately with his food and environmental allergies. The breathing treatments are in full swing, and I have a feeling they will be around for awhile. We can tell that he is feeling pretty rotten. We pray for wisdom daily. I am very thankful that he is becoming aware of things that will make him have a reaction, and he is able to tell other people. In fact, we were in Wal-mart the other day, and he decided to tell the lady that was behind us in line what he could and couldn't eat. He said, "I can't have peanuts...or eggs...they make me berry berry sick. I also can't have lots of other stuff 'cause it makes me really itchy." Then he said, "Can you have peanuts and eggs? Can you have chicken, or will it make you just a little bit itchy? I can have chicken, but it makes me itchy sometimes. I have to eat chicken sometimes, though, because it will make be big and strong so I can play basketball like Uncle LG." It was pretty cute.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

2008-03-31T18:17:00.000-07:00

Friday is Jonathan's 28th birthday. Jackson and I decided to post some pictures in honor of him. We love our daddy very much and hope he has a wonderful day! Happy Birthday Darlin'!

Easter 2008

2008-03-27T06:22:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of our Easter weekend:

Jackson's Easter picture (I took pictures of all the children in my Sunday School class on Easter and we are going to do a special Mother's Day project with them.)

Kaki (my mom) and Madilyn Hodge - Madilyn's first Easter!!

Ella Brooke Hayenga and her mommy, Lindsay - Ella B's first Easter too!!

Jackson practicing to sing with the children's choir in the Easter Cantata

Jackson wasn't really in the mood to take a picture (see the face?).

He had to get an attitude adjustment from Kaki so we could start the day off right! (I took this picture from a distance and turned the flash off so he would know I took one. I think he will find this to be pretty humorous when he is about 16 years old.)

Jackson and his friend, David Ratje

Double Trouble

He's ALL boy! An outfit isn't comlete without a baseball hat (he always manages to have one!!!).

Too Funny! For those of you who have seen Jeri Lynn's blog, I think Jackson and Hope are "extra" kindred spirits. They both have a unique love for sunglasses!

The Big Hunt

Our Saturday at the Park

Spring Break Fun

2008-03-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

This week our school is on spring break, and what a wonderful reprieve it has been. The flowers are blooming, the grass is turning green, and we are having a BLAST...well, most of us are having a blast. I have been cleaning out closets, getting out summer clothes and putting up winter clothes...you know how it goes. It is always exciting to rediscover shoes and purses from last season that you forgot you had!!!

A few weeks ago we bought a new van. Van? Yes, I said, "VAN". I struggled with our decision mostly because I didn't feel old enough, nor did I think we had enough children to qualify for the "Mommy Mini-Van Club". We have prayed about what to do about our car situation for a year and a half. My car was fifteen years old, and Jonathan's car was twenty-eight...yes 28 years old. We drive about 30 minutes to work everyday and to church on the weekend, so we decided it was finally time to buy a new, more reliable car. We drove up to the car lot that we were looking at and had finally decided that we were going to purchase a Honda Pilot...then we saw it. We decided that before we purchased our car we should probably explore all of our options. We had never driven a mini van. Would we like it? Probably not. "We'll just test drive it", Jon said. Then something mysterious took place, we both fell in love with it, and more importantly, the Lord provided it for us.

So...with Spring Break quickly approaching, and Jonathan realizing that he would have a little extra time on his hands, he decided that he was going to fix the air conditioning in my old car (that he now drives). I was thinking, "How hard could that be? He's done some pretty complicated jobs before, so this will be a piece of cake." Boy, was I wrong. We looked up the job on the Internet and every site we saw said that it would take a full week to fix, and that it would cost about $5,000 to have a Mercedes shop to fix it. I later learned that he had to replace the evaporator, which is in the center of the car. He had to take off the entire dash of the car and then work is way to the inside from under the hood. When he took the steering wheel off, Jackson said, "Oh no...Someone took Mommy's driber off!!"
I am thankful that my husband has the skills to do jobs like this, and that he enjoys doing it, but am I ever relieved that I don't have to do it. I think I would cry!!!

Here are a few pics of his recent project:

The New Van

Our Cute Little Decal

Well, I hope all of you are having a great Spring Break. All I have to say, is that summer is quickly approaching, and the beach is SOOO calling my name :).

My Latest Adventure

2008-03-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! I know some of you are going to pass out. It has been almost a month since my last post, and then today I manage to fit TWO in!!! Can you believe it? I just couldn't resist. I had to tell you of my consignment sale extravaganza this weekend. Yesterday, my cousin Lindsay (Kluth) Hayenga and I decided to load up the kiddos and go to two really big children's consignment sales. Man, did we have a blast...oh yeah, and we got some good deals too! The first sale we went to had a item I just couldn't keep my eyes off of. I have been looking for a new chair for Jackson's room for awhile now, and I finally found it!

This just shows you how crazy I am. We checked it out and the girl wanted $50 for it, but just like all church consignment sales, Saturday was half price day. It was in really good condition and was worth every penny of what she was asking, but I just couldn't bring myself to pay full price for it when there was a possibility that I could get it cheaper. So...I took a risk. We left Friday afternoon with just our clothing items, and I decided I was going to get up really early and GO GET THAT CHAIR!!! The sale started at 9:00 a.m., so I got up very early and was at the church by 6:45 a.m. (after I stopped and got some coffee, of course). But WAIT!!! I'm not the only crazy duck out there...I had company. Before I even realized it, there was a line forming (did I mention that it was snowing???) We stood outside for almost two hours, but it was well worth it! I got my chair for $25 and some other little odds and ends that I just couldn't pass up.

Here are pictures of our shopping extravaganza.....

Here's the chair in the church gym.

Jackson's Room

Jackson and Ella Brook - Trying to be good!

Gotta get in all those kisses!

These are just some recent pictures of our daily life...

Mommy and Jackson on the world famous "Galleria Mall Caraself"

See...we DO get snow in Alabama!

Jackson having fun with his bike.

Jackson's new love - "Spit-fire Robert"

"Mommy, you'd better watch out - I'm gonna POW YOU!"

Close up of the Cowboy!

Reading at Papa's House

Yes, We're Still Alive

2008-03-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

Jackson and his friend David Ratje after a long Sunday at church.

"When I eat all my food and get big and strong, then I'm going to play basketball like Uncle LG!" - JRD

I know, I know, I've heard if from many of our friends, "Leah, are y'all still alive?". The answer is yes, but sometimes barely :). We are in the middle of the most hectic time of the year for us, so needless to say, blogging hasn't been on the top of our priority list. Our Christian school is in the middle of the ACEA Fine Arts Competition. Last weekend was the Elementary Competition and next weekend is our Jr. and Sr. High Competition. My mother usually does most of the work, but this year, my parents were speaking at a couples retreat. Guess who got the fun job of taking care of many, many 4th - 6th graders all day? You guessed it! Jon and I! It was alot of fun, but we were all glad when they were back home with their parents. Did I mention that we left the school at 6:00 A.M. with all of those 4th - 6th graders? You should have heard us, "Do you have your band instrument? Where did you put your money? Is that gum that I see in your mouth? If you don't stop jumping and barking like dogs, you will be in serious trouble." Then, the last big hurrah was ordering, paying for, and eating supper at a fast food restaurant in the middle of a huge thunderstorm. Jon and I were the ones singing, "Rain, rain, go away...come again some other day...we just want to get home today....rain, rain, go away."

Overall, the day was very rewarding. The children did very well and we took home many, many titles. Fifteen, of which, were first place! :) Jonathan's parents came to help us with Jackson, and boy did he have a blast! He just loves to drive Paw Paw's big truck, and Mammy always brings all the chocolate kisses a boy could ever want!

Mammy and Paw Paw took Jackson to the famous "Galleria Mall" to ride the "Caraself".

"Buckle me in, Paw Paw, so I don't fall off!"

"Caraself Fun"

The flu is very, very, rampant this year, in Alabama. Schools are closing because of too many absences, and we know several people who just can't get over it. They have had it for weeks! Jonathan had it a few weeks ago, but praise the Lord, Jackson and I have stayed Flu Free!!! Could it be all the Lysol and Clorox that is being used in our house???

Easter is just a few weeks away, and we are trying to finish up the Easter Cantata. Isn't Easter really early this year? Oh well, just more time to wear white shoes and fun sandals.

We love you all! Thank you for not giving up on us! We're still here :)

Happy Birthday Beau Lott!!

2008-02-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

Jackson just wanted to wish his dear friend, Beau a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I can't believe that little Beau turned THREE yesterday!!! I remember the day he was born. I even held him in the hospital! It was such an exciting time!

Beau, we hope you have a wonderful day, and get all the "Thomas the Train" stuff that your room (and your Mommy's) can hold!!!!!

We love you guys! These are pictures I have already posted, but wanted to post them again in honor of our little Beau!

Happy Birthday!

Our Trip to the Mountains

2008-01-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

It seems like it has been forever since my last post. So much has been going on that I don't really know where to start. We went to Knoxville last weekend to see LeGrand play basketball on Friday and Saturday. We had so much fun seeing all of our friends. We stayed in a cabin in Gatlinburg and had a blast. We rented the cabin for my parents for Christmas and when they got there to check in, the weather conditions were so unpredictable that the owner of the cabins didn't think they could get up the driveway....so he gave us an upgrade to a five bedroom house! It was pretty amazing. LeGrand was able to get some time away from college and we had a wonderful time just being together. This is a quick post because Jon is sick right now with the flu, so I must go take care of him.

Here are the pics! Hope you enjoy!

Jon and Jackson built us a really cozy fire! We enjoyed it so much!

The fire Jon and Jack built.

Jon found some time to relax and refresh.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the pool table that was in the basement. Jackson called it "Hitter Ball". We were a little concerned at first because when he first saw the pool table, he picked up a ball and threw it at the glass doors that went out to the deck. Papa then tried to show him that you only "roll" and "hit" these balls - THEY DO NOT BOUNCE!

We also spent some precious time with our dear friends, Tim and Kelsey Lott. Beau and Jackson had a blast playing "trains" :).

Our sweet friends Joel and Suzanne Douglas came to visit us a few weeks ago.

The Wonderful Galleria Mall

2008-01-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

It's so much fun being a Mommy. I just had to share something really funny Jackson said in the car the other day. We were riding in the car heading to the school so I could teach violin and we passed by one of the biggest landmarks in Birmingham....the GALLERIA!! It is a wonderful place of endless shopping. Jackson, needless to say, has spent many hours in there :). From his carseat, Jackson crossed his arms and said, "Mommy, do you stink (think) you could talk to my Daddy about somepin (something)?" I said, "Sure honey. What do you want me to ask him?" He said, "Do you stink you could talk to him and see if we could go to 'dat Galleria mall?" I started laughing really hard because he knew that if anyone could get Daddy to go to the Galleria, it would be Mommy. Later, I realized that he thought that the "carousel" (a.k.a. a carouself) in the mall that we frequently ride, was called the "Galleria", and the buildings were just the "mall". He is such a delight and a continual source of laughter. His favorite song to sing right now is "Twelve Men Went To Spy in Canaan". Our favorite part is when he says, "what do you STINK they saw in Canaan...10 were bad and 2 were good".

Another one of his favorite things to do at the mall is to eat ice cream. These are pictures of Jackson feeding me his ice cream cone.

I just thought this was pretty cute. Jonathan found a $250.00 kitchen faucet on clearance for $50.00. YEAH!!! Here is Jackson "helping Daddy work". He always wants to help...sometimes it's a good thing, and sometimes it's not. Like when he comes to you while you are cooking and says, "Mommy, I didn't put it in my bath water...of course, I run in my bathroom and find beautiful Christmas ornaments floating in the water. I'm sure you know how that goes.....

Here is another picture of our latest catastrophes :). Jackson collided with the table in the nursery and had a brusied and swollen nose. We originally thought he had broken it, but it is much better now.

We are very excited about coming to Knoxville this weekend! My brother LeGrand (a senior at Crown) has two basketball games - one on Friday, and one on Saturday. We decided to take a few days off and come with my parents to see him play. Maybe we'll get to see many of you! Have a great week!

Holiday Fun

2007-12-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. This year was especially fun for us because Jackson was sooooo excited about all of the sights and events. It's pretty amazing how quickly he has grown up.

This year, at our Christmas Cantata, Jackson sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before the children's choir did their little program. He is really too young to be in the choir, but Mrs. Garrison, the director, helps us out by allowing him to participate so Jon and I can work with the adult choir. I was on the front row of the choir (I could see him on the t.v. monitor), and Jon was on the front row of the auditorium. When the children were standing in their places, Jackson, who was holding a microphone, said "That's my Daddy, ebrybody". I was a nervous wreck, of course, thinking of all the possible things he could do....like jump off the step and run through the auditorium like my brother did, or start crying when he saw us....my mind was racing! Jonathan, on the other hand, was getting all emotional when he realized that Jackson was in the same choir that I was when I was a little girl (with the same director, at the same church....) It was all really neat. They sang through the song once, then Jackson said in the microphone, "Let's do it again", so they did!

The weekend before Christmas, Jonathan and I went and spent some time in a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA, with some of our dearest friends, Jesse and Olivia Courtney. It was a fun time of rest and relaxation. Thank you Jesse and Olivia for the fun and the memories! We had a blast! We went shopping in all of the little antique shops and we found a cute little lamp in one of them that was 70% off. I got an amazing deal! I love to hunt for treasures :)

This is the sweet little cabin we stayed in.

When I saw this picture, I said, "Jon, welcome to my world!" I think this was a first for him....His 6'4" legs always touch the ground!

Our Treasure

Sunday, December 23, was my Dad's 50th birthday. We actually celebrated it with a surprise party at our house a week before. We invited the church staff and the deacons to our house on a Saturday night, then my brother and I had to try to convince my dad to come to my house and watch a movie. He was not a happy camper because it was Saturday night, and he had some last minute preparations to make before the Lord's day.....but somehow, we got him there and he was TOTALLY surprised. It was so much fun! Happy Birthday, Daddy!

On Christmas Eve, Jonathan and I finished up some last minute shopping and gift wrapping, and then had a fun and relaxing evening. We went out to eat at The Olive Garden, and then went back home and relaxed and waited for Santa to come.

All Jackson wanted for Christmas was a bicycle and a potty...not that he's the least bit interested in going "potty" himself, he's just in love with the idea of it! Jonathan and I told him that Santa didn't bring bicycles or potties to little boys who still had their pacifiers. So........Jackson worked and worked, and has finally gotten rid of his pacifier. On Christmas morning, he woke up to his new big boy bicycle and a potty (among other things). What a sweet day we had!

This is a picture of Jackson's first "Christmas Tea" at Kaki and Papa's house.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We love you all!

The Sights and Sounds of Christmas

2007-12-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's so hard for me to believe that Christmas is almost here! Actually, it's been Christmas at our house for a while now. In November, we started looking at our calendar and realized that if we didn't put our tree up before Thanksgiving, it didn't look like it would get up at all - school Christmas concerts, Christmas parties, Christmas banquets, Christmas chapels, Christmas cantatas....you know what I mean. The list goes on and on. So, we decided to put up our tree and do the inside decorations the week before Thanksgiving. However, we kept our blinds closed at night when we turned our tree on so that our neighbors wouldn't think we had TOTALLY lost it! We did wait, however, until after Thanksgiving to put up our outside decorations.

Jackson has really been excited about Christmas this year. It's been alot of fun. He loves to sing "Happy Birthday", so we've been singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" several times a day. He goes to our children's choir practice on Sunday nights while Jonathan and I are working with the adult choir. Last week, they were singing "Away in the Manger", and when they got to the "asleep on the hay" line, he asked the teacher, "Why'd they put that baby in the dirt?" We have explained to him many times that the baby was Jesus, and he was sleeping in the dirt because he didn't have a bed or a house. It's really exciting to watch him understand and start putting all of the pieces together.

We're also still at the easy stage where I can do most of the shopping with him with me. There is still one special surprise we have to get when he's not around :)He absolutely loves to see all the Christmas decor in the stores. He gets soooooo excited! I thank the Lord everyday for the opportunity to be his mother. He is such a delight.

We love you all and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!! We will post more as our Christmas adventures unfold :)

Here is a picture of our Christmas table. We wish you could all come have Christmas dinner with us :)

Thanksgiving Holidays

2007-12-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving Holidays. We had Thanksgiving "Lunch" at our house, and this year, my parents and Jonathan's parents were all there. My brother, my grandmother, and a long time family friend, Mary Carolyn Zellner at with us also. Jonathan's parents went back to Murfreesboro, TN on Thursday night and they took Jackson back with them. This was his first stay alone with Mammy and Paw Paw, and boy, did he have a blast. The whole ride to Murfreesboro, he kept asking Paw Paw, "We're not going back to my house....right?....We're going to your house????" Then, Paw Paw said he would look out the window and say, "Bye Mommy..."
Thursday night, since we were "childless", we had some of our bestest friends over and had a movie night! It was a blast!!!!

THEN......FRIDAY MORNING.....WE SET A RECORD.....
For the first time in his life, my wonderful husband woke up at 3:30 A.M. and went shopping with me. We were at the mall by 4:15 A.M., and we had so much fun! We were done shopping by 10:30 A.M., went to eat breakfast, and then spent the rest of the day relaxing, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Friday night, Jon and I went to Murfreesboro for a special surprise!!!

On Saturday, we had a surprise retirement party for Jonathan's dad. He retired from the United States Military after 34 years of serving our country. Paw Paw, we love you, and are thankful for all you did to keep our country a wonderful place to live.
Jackson and Paw Paw had a blast driving the tractors and riding in Paw Paw's BIG truck (we know it's Mammy's too, but Jackson always calls it Paw Paw's truck).

The holiday season is a busy time, but I am thankful for the opportunities we have to be with family and friends....to love on them, encourage them, and tell them how thankful you are for them.

We love you all!!!

Thankful for Family

2007-11-15T16:40:00.000-08:00

I was teaching a voice lesson today, and was helping one of my students pick out some songs for her Senior recital. We came across this song (it happens to be one we used at our wedding), and I knew all the mothers out there would love it. Everytime I sing it (or in today's case, teach it) I get really emotional. The older I get, and the older Jackson gets, the more emotional I get - sound familiar?

I am so grateful for a family who loves the Lord, and for parents and grandparents who are willing to serve Him. I am also very thankful for my husband's parents, who sought to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They raised a wonderful man, and a nurturing father.

We Love You All!

It Was Your Life

Before I took a breath
Before I took a step
Unumbered prayers were spoken, spoken just for me
And as I rested peacefully, there in your loving arms
You dreamed of what tomorrow would bring
And what my future would be
You watched me as each tiny step grew stronger
You guided me through choices I would make
And even though I didn't know the road I'd walk
Your steps would always light the path I'd take

Your hands reached down, to lift me when I'd fallen
Your arms would hold me when I felt afraid
Your eyes could see right through the dark and stormy clouds
And point me to a brighter day
Your steps would set a path that I could follow
Your words of love, my broken dreams could mend
Your heart of love would always show me Jesus
But it was your life that led me to Him.

My childhood days are gone
And time keeps moving on
It seems as though the months, the years
Quickly slip away
The life of faith you offered
Examples of God's love
Is the life I long to share with my children today.

Your hands reached down, to lift me when I'd fallen
Your arms would hold me when I felt afraid
Your eyes could see right through the dark and stormy clouds
And point me to a brighter day
Your steps would set a path that I could follow
Your words of love, my broken dreams could mend
Your heart of love would always show me Jesus
But it was your life that led me to Him.
And it's still your life that leads me -- to Jesus.

Fun in Georgia

2007-11-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

We have had a very full but fun week, then again, aren't they all? My brother, LeGrand came home from Crown early to have surgery on his broken nose. While he was home, we made some really sweet memories. He is doing much better and should be able to play basketball again in another week or so....I think that is going to kill him.

Then, this past weekend we went to McDonough, Georgia, to be with the McCoys for "Friend Day" at their church. Wow! We had a blast! On Friday night, we went to the People's Baptist Academy state football championship game. Jackson was in heaven -- he is all about football right now, especially Alabama football. We don't go many places without his Alabama hat. The only problem was that he thought he was supposed to have a football too. It was pretty cute. We stayed near the football field and the rest of the weekend he kept saying, "the game is over....guys, the game is over..."

On Saturday we went to the Tanger Outlets - one of my favorite places and spent most of the day there. On Sunday, we thoroughly enjoyed the services. The people were such a blessing and encouragement. We played and sang in both services. It was truly a refreshing time.

We're home now and ready for more company!!! COME ONE, COME ALL!!! The Dickey Family Hotel is up and running and has several vacancies. :)

Catching Up

2007-10-27T10:15:00.001-07:00

Today, I have been busy "catching up" on things around the house that have needed to get done. The weather here in AL has been in the 80s, so needless to say, we haven't gotten out all our winter clothes yet. Last week it got pretty chilly, so I decided that it was time!!!! It's not that big of a deal for me or Jon, but with a baby - OH MY WORD! It's so interesting trying to figure out what fits now, what will fit later, what we have already missed wearing.....you know.... When I do projects like this, I always think of my sister-in-law, Jeri Lynn, who has to do this times eight!

Last weekend, my bestest college friend, Meredith McCoy came for the weekend and we had a blast!!! We went shopping and did other "girly" stuff. It was so great to spend time with my wonderful friend. On Sunday morning and Sunday night she sang with me and Jon in a trio. It was really fun. When she left Sunday night, Jackson was really bothered that she wasn't here. I told him that Aunt Meredith had to go home to her mommy and he said, "....but she can stay here with my Mommy." He's really fun! He's been sick for the last week, but it's just his usual stuff....allergies, croup....

Last night we went to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to celebrate my grandmother's 86th birthday. She is such a cute, godly lady. She loves to do nothing more than spend time with her 5 children, many grandchildren, and many many great grandchildren. We had fun "pampering" her and making her feel really special.

Well...I have some more work to get done, so I better go for now. Have a great day!

New Blogger

2007-10-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I will join the world of blogging. All of my friends are bloggers and I am pretty much one of the last ones joining the group. I really enjoy being able to keep up with everyone and their children!

The Dickeys are doing fine! We are living in Alabama and are working at my dad's church in Birmingham (Glen Iris Baptist Church). Jonathan is the Minister of Music and he oversees the music on the radio stations and the television stations. He also has found a new love - teaching! He has taught piano for a long time, but he is in his second year of teaching Jr. High English. The kids love him, and I'm pretty sure he's having fun. Jackson is growing like a weed. He turned two in September and is constantly talking. He loves to play basketball, throw the "feetball" (football) with Daddy, and sing. He is the delight of our life and we are enjoying everyday with him. I am working part time, and I am also teaching violin and the lower elementary music. I am also helping my mom with other areas of our music program. I love, love, love to cook, and still find plenty of time for shopping, going to the park....you know - those fun "Mommy" things.

Thanks for stopping by. I think I'm going to really get addicted and have lots of fun!

Here are recent pictures of our trip to feed the ducks at Star Lake.