Pastors Oasis and Senior Conference 2014

We are so blessed each year to be given the gift by our Church of attending our annual Pastors and Wives Oasis in Branson.  Not only are the sessions very encouraging and inspirational, we love the fellowship with other pastors and wives.....and sometimes friends who happen to be in Branson at the same time!  That was the case this year, when Christopher and Ana French were there and joined us for a delicious meal at Joe's Crab Shack

Paul and Mary Mooney, Aaron and Jenae Polok. The Frenches, and Jeff and I

 A picture of the Pastors and wives from our State Association:  Aaron and Jenae Polok, Jeff and I, John and Alisha Herring, Tom and Brenda Lewis, Paul and Mary Mooney, Fred and Mary Vogel and Brad and Joanne Wieneke

 A definite highlight was having Sandi Patti sing for us at our wonderful Banquet

 We were thrilled that Aaron and Jenae won the Disciple Guide Youth Workers Cruise.  Central Baptist College were the ones that made this gift possible

 And then the last of October, we were once again blessed to attend the National Senior Adult Conference in Branson.  We had a smaller group than normal this year from FBC, but still had a wonderful time. Paul and Mary Mooney, Jennifer Shoemaker, Shelva Jean Sleeper, Judy Hall and Jeff and I.

Already looking forward to Pastors Oasis 2015 and Senior Adult Conference 2015.

A big thank you to Disciple Guide for hosting these wonderful events each year and again to First Baptist for providing the means for us to attend.

Eisley Elizabeth McCrary

Rachel and Jonathan's little girl, Eisley, was due October 2nd.  However, due to the fact that she measured 7-10 days early each exam, the doctor felt certain she would come early and if she didn't, they set an inducement date of September 26th so that she wouldn't be too big.  She didn't come early, so Rachel was admitted to Mercy, Rogers on the morning of the 26th.  We had spent the night with Andy and Carman, so arrived at the hospital shortly after Rachel was "hooked up" excited and ready to begin the labor process.  Jonathan took this picture and so that's why he's not in it.  He definitely played a vital role in the birthing process and we are very thankful for him!

Jonathan's parents had come late on Thursday night and stayed at the kids, so they let Copeland wake up his normal time, then brought him up to the hospital.  Papa is entertaining him.

 Andy, Carman and the girls came in the middle of the day to join the watch party.  There was a nice waiting room on the labor and delivery floor that we spent several hours in.

 Uncle Drew reading to his nephew

 After nine long hours (although much better than the 19 hours of labor Rachel had with Copeland), we got the text picture that Eisley Elizabeth was here:  5:02 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 15 ozs., and was 20" long - healthy and normal.  Praise the Lord!!

 Momma was a trouper!  The epidural didn't work for her, so she had her baby girl without the help of pain meds, and did great!

 Grandparents and baby brother got to see her first.

 First picture of the new McCrary family of 4!

Papa's first hold (but definitely not his last!) 

 DeDe's turn

 We are in love all over again!!

 Now Beba's turn

 PawPaw and Beba's first granddaughter

 Aunt Carman, Laine and Ellie with their niece/cousin

 Uncle Drew with his first niece

 Uncle J.J.'s turn

 Aunt Jen's first niece

 Jennifer pulled up a picture of Copeland at birth on her phone....we sure thought as newborns, they looked just alike (although not so much days later)

 Our four beautiful grandchildren!

 One last picture on the 26th before we went back to Andy and Carman's for some sleep

Uncle Michael and Aunt Lindsey and their baby boy Owen got there late (but did go to the hospital after the rest of us had headed home).  This picture below, however, was the next day.

 On Saturday, while still at the hospital, we had to get her dressed and a bow in her hair! 

 A picture with our McCrary grandkids before we headed back to Kansas on Saturday

The kids got dismissed in the late afternoon Saturday.  So glad their first evening at home was a quiet one (in contrast to the very scary one we had with Copeland--with tornado sirens and an hour + in the bathroom)

 A sweet picture posted by Aunt Jen on Facebook after getting her home

 This picture was taken on Oct. 2nd, the day she was due

 So cute.....she went for her first doctor's visit on the 2nd and was declared healthy and well!

 Her daddy took some newborn pictures when she was 6 days old.  This was one of my favorites

 I wasn't able to stay with Rachel the first week like I did with Copeland as we went to the Pastors and Wives Oasis in Branson.  So Jonathan's parents took Copeland home with them for the week and Jonathan took off work and stayed with Rachel and Eisley.  I am so thankful for their church friends/family that brought meals to them each night!

  I was anxious to get back down there as quick as I could.  So I headed down for the day on Friday....the one week birthday of this precious girl.

My heart just melts to see my girl holding her girl!!  Doesn't get any sweeter!

 Lil' Sister!

 Rachel had found this picture (laying below on the purple cover) of her as a newborn.  We think there is a similarity to Eisley.  You can't see in this picture, but Eisley has a good head of dark hair as her momma did.

 Rachel Ann (close up of the picture above)

 Before Copeland went home with his grandparents on Sunday, the kids got this picture of the two of them.  He's got his lips puckered to give his little sister a kiss :-) but I don't think Sissy wants that kiss!

 Copeland is now home and the family is complete.  I love these pictures taken of big brother and little sister!

So much fun ahead!

 

 AHHHH!!!

Eisley, you are already so greatly loved.  We are very excited that you are now a part of our family and we know many wonderful days are ahead of watching you grow and enjoying each moment of your sweet life!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for once again blessing our family with the miracle of another child/precious grandchild!!

Our first time for all 3 Grandkiddos to stay in Galena with us

 Jeff and I recently needed to go to NWA on a Thursday for a surgery of one of our church members.  So I sent an email to Carman and Rachel asking if any of the grandkids would like to come home with us.  I was thrilled when they said yes to all 3!  Rachel and Jonathan thought it would be nice to have a "child" free weekend before their baby girl comes as it will be a long time before that happens again for them and Carman had some projects she wanted to finish up and knew she could do that easier without the girls underfoot.  So after the surgery, we picked up Copeland and then went and got the girls!

They seemed as excited about the visit as we were :-)

 We got home at "nap" time but did let them play for a while

 

 

 

 

 After naps, they were playing with the costume jewelry

 Yes, even Copeland - ha!

 Thursday night, Jeff went to the first Galena football game, so the kids and I had the evening to ourselves.  They got their pj's on

 and then we watched Beauty and the Beast.  I wish the videos I took were good enough to post - but they weren't.  I loved watching all 3 of them dance to the music!

 Friday morning - getting some cuddle time before we started our day.  Morning time is always my favorite with the babies as they like to be held and are so lovable.

 Fully awake now and ready to play.  They sure do love each other.  Carman kept Copeland the first year of his life while Rachel taught and that has developed a sweet bond between them.

 I was pretty proud of myself -- got them fed and dressed by 10!

 Friday afternoon - nap time again but Laine is old enough now she doesn't usually take a nap but has "quiet" time to read/rest.  Although 2 of the 5 days I had them, she did fall asleep :-).

 After naps but while Copeland was still sleeping, the girls got their fingernails and toenails polished

 Then our little guy woke up

 Friday night, I fixed one of their favorite meals - spaghetti and yes, I let each one feed themselves.  A mess, but it cleaned up -- and they all got baths!

 All nice and clean and so sweet!

 Papa reading to them their bedtime Bible story

 Saturday morning.  In honor of our beloved Razorbacks playing that day, we dressed in our cheer outfits

 

 

 Bob the Builder...aka Copeland Ware

 I love, love these pictures of them!

 

 It had been a rainy morning, but by afternoon, the rain had stopped, so we took the kids to a church member's house to ride their Shetland Pony.  This is at the house before we left.

 

 Laine's turn first

 then Ellie's

 And lastly, Copelands.....thanks Kayleen for all the trouble to let the kids ride a horse!

 Sunday morning -- I was really worried about getting the kids and myself (plus a dish for lunch) ready and out the door by 9:30 (Jeff always leaves  by 6:30-7 so wasn't there to help) - but I did it.  Even arrived a little early for Sunday School!

 After church

 For Sunday lunch, we joined the Hall family at Leigh and Dave's.  The kids loved the swingset:

 

 

 Monday, I met Carman halfway and exchanged the kids. Since Rachel is babysitting a 2 month old baby girl, Carman also got Copeland and took him to his Momma.

I was one exhausted DeDe, but wouldn't trade a minute of it.  I love, love each opportunity we have to spend time with those precious blessings!  Thanks to Andy, Carman, Rachel and Jonathan for sharing their children with us!

 Then on Saturday, Mom and I returned to NWA for Rachel and Eisley's baby shower.

Laine was the only grandchild to attend so had to get a picture of this cutie.  The table was so cute and the food was all delicious!

 Our girl is having a girl!!  So excited for her (and Jonathan)!

 Our family (niece Kristin came in after this picture was taken)

 Eisley got lots of cute outfits (and diapers) -- the two things Rachel was really needing for her

 

 The girls at Metro do this for most of their baby showers -- the hostesses buy oneies in lots of sizes, templates and material and then the guests are asked to choose a pattern/material and iron on the onesie.  Neat idea!

 Laine's hadn't dried yet when the pic was taken so that is why the dark pink - but it dried and was so cute for her first creation!

 

 And so we now wait (rather impatiently) for Eisley Elizabeth to be born.  She originally wasn't due til October 2nd, but has measured a week plus early all along.  So she will be induced next Friday, September 26th (unless she decides to come before then).  We are so very excited to welcome another precious grandchild into our family and already love her dearly!