Howland Family

http://norrisupdates.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-first-update-in-two-months-is-sad.html

Brian's High School Reunion

Brian graduated high school 15 years ago (wow!). I would call him 'old' except I am not too far behind him! To celebrate,we went to Auburn this past weekend for a gathering of his former classmates. I wish I had a picture to post of Brian while in high school. He was voted 'Best All Around' his senior year - he was friends with everyone! A current picture with a few of his classmates is below:


We spent the rest of the weekend with Peppy. We went to the Auburn Women's Golf Tournament so Morgan could see what a golf tournament is like in person. Thankfully both the kids were super quiet (Matthew even took a nap).

GO AUBURN!

Peppy, Matthew, Morgan, and Mr. Derby the Scarecrow (Peppy and Morgan spent Sunday morning putting him together)

More pictures are below:

October 2008

Picture Update

We went to the zoo last week with the Norris clan (and their Mimi and cousin Coleman) - as usual, we had a great time!








Morgan also met her 'idol' Hello Kitty! She was so excited to meet her - she didn't want to leave!


We also went to Jackson's baseball game last weekend. Morgan hung out by the fence and flirted with the boys.....I think we are in trouble.

The cross we bear

I received this as an email post yesterday - it really made an impact and I wanted to share:

We complain about the cross we bear
but don't realize it is preparing us
for the dip in the road
that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God’s always ready, to answer your call.....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.

Please Pray

Brian's Uncle Bill (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/billhowland) was recently diagnosed with cancer. It has been a short and extremely tough battle. Last night he had a stroke and is no longer able to write or speak. We just ask that you say a prayer for his family, especially his wife and children, who I am sure are devastated. We pray for strength, healing, and no more pain for Bill.

An Over Due Update

It has been quite a while since we have posted. We have been busy traveling and visiting family that things just haven't slowed down much for us.

Earlier this month we went to Colorado. I had a work trip so the kids and I spent ten wonderful days there. Brian joined us for a few days at the end of our trip. We had a fabulous time swimming, going to the park, eating at Morgan's favorite restaurants (Chuck E Cheeses, McDonald's), and enjoying wonderful Colorado. We even saw some of our close friends...there just never is enough time to do everything and see everyone though!!

Last weekend we spent time with Brian's family at a corn maze. It is rare that Brian and his cousins are able to get together so we made use of the great weather and the fall season to have some fun. More pictures are below.

Thank you all for the prayers you have shown us and our family during some difficult times. My mom has started chemo and is tolerating it well. We pray this continues and that the TUMORS GO AWAY FOREVER (at least shrink so the doctors can get them OUT). Please keep the prayers coming as she still has a long road ahead. Your support and prayers give us strength and encouragement.

Brian's Uncle was also able to start chemo - he is in a considerable amount of pain though. We pray he is able to keep fighting through the pain until the medicine has time to work. He wasn't able to join us at the corn maze last week but his two wonderful children - Will and Lauren - were able to.

Both Morgan and Matthew are doing great. Morgan is all 'three' and is still challenging us in every way imaginable (all in a good way). She loves to read books and play games (I don't know how many times we have played candy land lately!). Morgan has discovered matching games on our iPod/iPhone and that keeps her entertained very well while in the car or traveling (yeah!). She is also beginning to understand how words are formed and loves to spell her name (M O R G A N) and E L M O. She also started ballet a few weeks ago. Hopefully we will have a recital at the end to share :). We probably will enroll her in gymnastics soon as she loves to do summer-saults in the living room and will climb on everything without any fear (I on the other hand in freaked out that will fall and knock out a tooth!).

Matthew is 7 months and already has his first tooth! It has been a painful process for us all, but we hope Matthew will start tolerating the pain better (especially at night!). I have a feeling that we will see more teeth very soon! Teeth are a good thing though because he loves the little solids that we have given him - breast milk and mushy baby food just isn't enough in his eyes! Matthew also loves to wave. We were at the zoo today and I caught him waving at several people as they walked on by. Some even stopped to wave back :)

Some pictures of our last month are below. We hope to see or hear from you all very soon!!

Lemmings * Howland * Norris visit to the corn maze

Colorado September 2008

Matthew - six months

Morgan - 3 years