Florida

After my sister lost Andrew all I could think was how much I wanted to be there with her. It wasn't that I thought she couldn't handle the loss without me, I could tell just by talking to her over the phone that she was relying on God for strength, was surrounded by friends and family who care for her and that her husband James was being the strongest support and back bone he could be for her. I wanted to be there because Im her sister. Because if I were in her shoes she would be here for me. Despite the fact that I am six inches taller I am her baby sister and she has ALWAYS taken care of me, even when it meant sacrificing things she has wanted.
As I've said before we are so different in many ways and so similiar in others, all sisters are. But one thing is certain we are bonded, a bond that is strong, a bond that makes you weep and hurt for each others pains and losses as if they are your own. All of that said I wanted to be there with her, to do whatever I could, whether it was cook or clean or do laundry, watch mindless tv and just sit by her, stay up late making her laugh, or helping her take care of her son Corbin. I just knew I needed to go.
So I did. Kev was beyond supportive, we managed to come up with the money for one plane ticket which meant Sof and I would be flying to Fort Myers while Kev played the roll of Mr mom to Av all week. Several of our friends were kind enough to keep Av while Kevin was at work...we can't say thank you enough to Erica, Holly, Sarah and Lindsay for all their help! I worked all last weekend (36 hours in 3 days on night shift) then slept two hours before Sof and I had to catch our flight.
My sweet friend Sarah got up early and stayed with Averi while we left for the airport. We got to the airport with an hour and a half to spare. Security took FOREVER (I know I would rather them be meticulous then get blown up lol) but I still had twenty five minutes to get to my flight, needless to say I was booking it tho. I got to my gate with fifteen minutes to spare, and my plane was pulling out to leave, who knew planes could leave early, I was ready to cry! They got me a flight that would leave in five hours but was landing in Tampa instead of Fort Myers. I called Kev who offered to come back but we were at the indianappolis airport and I knew he would have to go to work. Bless Sofies little heart, she was SO good, she took a little nap in my arms and laughed and played while we waited it out. She was also GREAT on the plane with little crying, we actually both caught a nap!
We got to Tampa and boy was I glad to see my sisters beautiful face, she really is beautiful. We spent the rest of the week doing just what I set out to do. I helped clean a little, helped with some laundry, cooked yummy soup, watched way to much TV, played and played and played with my handsome nephew and swam. Sofie was a champ depite apparently being allergic to florida and getting a nasty heat rash! It was a good time. I felt better actually seeing my sister and knowing she was ok and I hope having my there provided some comfort!

Here is a great picture Ruthie caught on her phone of Cor and Sof...

Happy nine months...

Sofi Pearl you are nine months this month! WOW! You are so happy. You laugh, well more cackle at everyone! We literally cant walk through a store without being stopped several times because people love to chat with you and your smiling face! You are a crawling machine and pulling up and "cruising" while holding things everywhere. Walking is not far in your future I think! You are still a mommas girl and love to be held and cuddled. You love to be rocked to sleep by your daddy and he enjoys those moments! You are pretty consistantly sleeping through the night and are eating all sorts of fun foods! You love to follow your big sister Averi around and pull her hair or steal her toys when you finally reach her, she is trying to be a good big sister but is struggling with the concept of sharing. You are such a blessing "miss P". We love you!

Sofie standing in her bed... this is the face we wake up to every morning, are we lucky or what!

Andrew Patrick Murphy

My sister began bleeding and went to the doctor. She had lost the baby. They had to induce labor and Andrew Patrick arrived at 2am saturday morning. Ruthie and James were able to hold him and the nurses dressed him and took some pictures. My sister seems to be doing ok and I plan to leave on monday to go see her for the week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Andrew Patrick will be missed, we are all mourning his life and trying to understand why such things happen while at the same time trying to praise the Lord and seek him out for comfort. We believe Andrew is now with Jesus and look forward to meeting him someday.

Three beds, two and a half bath, and a bonus room over the garage where Kev will work from home during the day.

The house we had originally picked and thought we were going to rent, the owner decided to sell instead. For about an hour we thought we were homeless! After momentary freak out I jumped on the computer and began looking again.
I called about a very pretty house, began talking to the owner and throughout the conversation we realized he went to the church Kevin attended in Murfreesboro and knew our friends. Not only did he know most of our friends but he likes them and said since we were their friends the house was ours if we wanted it. He helf it for us, we walked through on thursday and signed the lease! WOW God works in wonderful ways. The first house was better then we escpected but this one blows it out of the water! Praise the Lord for he is soveriegn!

Haiti

My brother Jon and his girlfriend had the amazing opportunity to visit Haiti for a small mission trip. They flew in on a small plane with Air Mobile Ministries, a Florida based mission group currently focusing on water purification in Haiti. Lauren was able to do clinic work at the tent cities (large cities full of those made homeless by the earthquake) while Jon was able to focus on the water purifiers.

If your interested in helping please visit Joe Hurston's website @ http://www.airmobile.org/

New house!

We have found a house in TN! It is bigger and better then what we thought was in our price range so we are thrilled! We are starting the packing process this week which I hate since we just moved six months ago! We are excited and feeling blessed, can't wait to actually move in and start decorating!