Rainbows or Reefs?

Asher has been obsessed with flip-flops lately. Whenever Blake or I wear ours out, we always leave them by the door to our garage so they are there when we need them again. Asher has been fascinated by them lately and after much practice has learned how to put his foot into them correctly (all his piggies in the right places!) Now that he wears them around, we never know where they are going to end up. Thus we decided it was time for him to get his own pair instead of having to parade around in Mom and Dad's.

Here is Asher wearing some pretty large Rainbows... I think he needs some his own size!

"Yippee! Finally my own pair!" He was only a little disheartened that Mom and Dad chose a pair of Reefs for him instead of Rainbows like we have. We had to do a little bit of convincing while trying many pairs on, but the strap on the back of the Reefs finally made the decision.

Why I Love My Job

Well, there are many reasons. Actually, too many to list, but this last Friday I had the privilege of baptizing one of our Middle School students named Savannah. She was in the states living with her dad and stepmom and on Saturday morning she was having to fly back to Australia to live with her mom. She wanted to follow through with baptism and would not have been able to in Australia, so Amber and I loaded up the boys and headed to Falls Lake here in Raleigh. Savannah is shivering and I am wearing long sleeves because the high here last Friday was in the 70's. The water was just a tad bit chilly. It was well worth it. Please be praying for Savannah. Her dad is trying hard to get her back here with him full time. Pray that she would hold fast to her faith while she is away and that God would provide someone to aid her growth while she is in Australia.

Pullen Park

Some girlfriends and I took advantage of the beautiful day last Monday and packed up all the kiddos for a picnic at the park! We had a great time and got to ride the train, boats, and carousel! Last time we were here Asher was afraid to do anything but the train. This time he managed to ride everything although we did occupy a seat on "the couch" as Asher calls it, for our carousel ride. (He was a little intimidated by all the animals going up and down, especially since there was a lion and a tiger!) Asher's friend Ian is one of his favorite buddies and I had to do a little convincing for Blake to agree to let me post the picture of the two of them! Sometimes Blake tends to be a little more homophobic than he should be :)

A Sad Day

For Amber and I and thousands of others around the world, the news we received this afternoon was shocking and sad. Liberty University is a place that means a great deal to Amber and myself. It is where we met, fell in love and began our life together. Dr. Falwell played an instrumental part in our faith development, our marriage, in how we do ministry and now even in how we raise our boys. He will be missed greatly by our family.

There are many things that Dr. Falwell and I didn't see eye to eye on. Even during my time at LU, there were many times when things were said that would cause me to cringe, but one thing that never made me uneasy was his love for his Savior and his love for his family, church and students.

Even as recently as a few weeks ago Dr. Falwell made some comments in a convocation message that were disturbing to me, but because it was Dr. Falwell making the comments, I knew how to receive them and I could appreciate what was said because it was coming from him. Having been under his teaching for 4 years, I knew his heart and the love he had for the Gospel.

I am a better man, minister of the Gospel, husband and father because of the ministry of Dr. Falwell. The Hickman family will miss you Doc. See you again someday!

Happy Mother's Day

We've had a great Mother's Day weekend, complete with the royal treatment from Daddy yesterday and dinner out last night! He even called and lined up a babysitter for the boys! We went out to a restaurant called Firebirds and boy was it yummy!

We hung around the house for the most part today, but Daddy and the boys did manage to sneak in with some treats! Strawberries and a caramel apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!

...And what Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without a sunflower! Asher made this for me this morning at Sunday School. On the back it says, Mom you are my sunshine! How precious it that!

Welcome to our blog!

Let the fun begin!!!

After spending many months religously checking and looking at friends' blogs, we have finally decided to start our own! Now that we have started trying to keep up with technology and actually own a computer and digital camera (A happy mother's day present to me... thanks Blake) we are on our way. For all of our friends and family who are near and far, we wanted to keep you up to date on the boys and just our life in general. Especially with the coming addition to our family in August! Please bear with us as we are new to all of this and our blog may take on some unusual shapes and sizes :) Plus for all of you that know how techno- savvy Blake and I are much prayer will be needed!