MaryBeth

A Special Award from the President

MWS was the presenter of this beautiful Pin and Certificate along with a letter from President Bush.  It is a Call to Service Award given to SCC for outstanding volunteer and civic service with his work through SHOWHOPE and Orphan advocacy.  Trying not to BRAG, but hey, a letter from the former President and a pretty pin....In the words of EYEORE  "thanks for noticing me" (said in a gloomy sort of way!)  This all happened in the historic Ryman Auditorium for the Nashville "United" show!  Apparently, Smitty has had the award for a few weeks now, looking for a good opportunity to present it.  Nothing nicer than a hometown crowd to share it with.  Thanks MWS.... and to my cute little volunteer.....I think you do awesome things...but we all know where it comes from.  Through our broken vases we can be poured out to be a living fragrance to all those in need.  Thanks again for all your love my dear blog friends.  Good Night!  And if you want to check out the work,  SHOWHOPE.ORG

A Sweet Memory with Granny in Paducah!

This is the last night of the "United Tour" with MWS, and it just so happens to be in Paducah, Steven's home town.  Granny, Steven's 96 year old grandmother won't be able to make the show so Steven and Caleb took the show to her!  They visited her in the nursing home and played all the hymns that Granny wanted.  Dorothy is her name and she has been and continues to be the prayer warrior/glue, for the Chapman family.  She gave Steven a hug to pass on to me, and has promised that if she SEE's Maria before we do that she will hug and kiss her tightly for us and tell her how much we so LOVED her for the time God allowed us to parent her (of course I know that Maria fully understands this now).  Thanks for your continued support as May is upon us.  So much to grieve and so much to celebrate.  I so appreciate you all on the journey with me.  Hug your kids tighter today for me and never forget what precious gifts they are from the Father above.  10 days to the wedding!!!!!  Can you believe that Caleb is getting married?  Stand by for more details coming.

IN-OUT-BURGER that's what I'm talking about!

Need I say more? When in California, do as the Californians do....

He's the Man...ager

On my way to LA to accept an award on SCC's behalf....The Children's Champion Award from the Children's Hunger Fund...We are humbled to be receiving this in honor of ALL the children in the world who are without parents and need to be cared for while they wait...To God be the glory!

All Dressed Up and Some Place to Go!

This time last year I was in another State with a friend helping her through her adoption journey.  Because I was on that wonderful trip with her, I missed my first dove awards since 1985.  Yep, I'm not a young one anymore!  I hated not being with my husband, but loved what I was doing. Bringing a little one home to their forever family!  Now I find myself sitting in my home all by myself, all dressed up, waiting on my ride to the Grand Ole Opry House where the 40th Dove Awards will be. I am excited to be going with my hubby of 24 years and am so proud of how he has walked our journey out this last 11 months.  He has been so broken but open and humble before God and his family.  The way he has led us through this most darkest of valleys has been inspiring to me.  I would not be where I am in my grief journey without Steven being right there to catch me when I fall.  In my humble opinion, he is husband and father of the year.  When the absolute toughest of situations was given to our family to navigate through, God totally knew that Steven was the man to lead all of us through the valley of the Shadow of death.  It hasn't been easy but at every turn or curve in the road, Steven has sought the wisdom of our Father in Heaven to guide us and hold us up.  I say this today to simply ask that you all pray for us as we go tonight to the Dove awards.  That we would honor God for the giftings that He has so graciously poured out on Steven.  That the entire Chapman family would be a witness to the Faithfulness of God.  Not that we have it all together and figured out, but that we are clinging to the only hope we have, the One who does have it all together and figured out, Jesus!

Thankful for you, my friends,

Mary Beth

Better Late than Never! Easter Memories....

I came across these pictures while looking for something else.  I thought since it was still so close to Easter that I would go ahead and post them.  These were taken in Florida in I believe 2005.  I will always cherish the pictures of all 8 of us together.  I am blessed to have these precious memories.  Maria, you will always be missed.  We all Love you....

HOME RUN!

The Straycats played their 2nd game of the season tonight and we won....BIG!  12-4 I think was the final score.  Shaoey played 2nd base again and did great on the defensive end of things.  Made a couple of great outs and then.....it happened.....after watching her strike out 2 times.....she was up to bat...top of the last inning....honestly, I just wanted her to hit it so bad....I prayed, God...just let her hit it....Well, she not only hit it, it went down the first base line and she just kept running....one thing led to another and she made it all the way around the bases....HOME RUN!  At least in 3rd grade girls softball that is what it is called.  In regular baseball, it may have been a single with a ton or errors, but hey, I like the term Home Run better!  Way to go Shaoey!!!!!  I am so blessed to get to watch you play with a huge grin on my face! 

Coffee Time! This is the Sweetest

Every morning when I get up, usually there is coffee brewing.  One of the many sweet things that my hubby does for me.  Even when he has to leave on an early morning flight, I'll come down stairs to a note on my coffee pot that tells me to "just push play"!  Well, if you think kids don't watch what their parents do... Your wrong!  I came down stairs a couple of days ago and what did I find?  A note from Shaoey with my coffee all ready to go....  Just push the button and I Love You was a pretty awesome start to my day.  What a KID!!!!!  And....the coffee was great!

Coffee for Mom

How cute is this...? Steven does this all the time in the mornings for me...well, he has been gone several days now and look what I found on my coffee maker last night! All ready to go! SHAOEY is takin care of momma!

Easter Morning...Two beautiful daughters full of Hope!