Orange Beach

After we left Grandma and Grandpa's house, we headed to Orange Beach for a week by ourselves with the girls. Some friends have a penthouse condo right on the beach and offered to let us stay for the week. What a blessing! We are amazed and full of gratitude for the kindness of our friends for allowing us to be here! Thank you "you know who"! Here are some pictures from our week thus far: The weather has been perfect and this time away has been such a bonding time for us and a time of solitude. We go home tomorrow night and will definitely miss our walks on the beach, playing with the girls in the sand and water and just relaxing! It's been nice to wake up to a view of the ocean and how calming it is. We introduced Sydney to the water this week and she had fun. She was pretty mellow about it all, but smiled nonetheless. We got a video of her swimming. Check it out below...Sofia, of course, is our little mermaid, so she will always love the water. She wants to get in the ocean, but we think it's just a tad bit cold, so we've been just getting our feet wet with her. We have been getting in the indoor pool and sauna though and she loves it! Here are more pictures:

Visit with Grandma and Grandpa Gray and Great-Grandma Townsend

We had a great time last week visiting our family in Florida! Sofia and Sydney really love their grandparents and had a great time playing with them. Sofia kept asking for "Pa" (Grandpa) whenever he left the room. She also got to spend time with Grandma in the garden picking vegetables and fruit from the fruit trees. Sofi also got to play with Grandma's lot of stuffed animals. She was in heaven! We also got to see Aunt Beth and Uncle Roger, Audrey, Michael and Becca and had wonderful dinner with the family. Spending time with cousin Becca was especially fun for Sofia. We love you all! Here are some pictures:

Sofia and Sydney

Off to see Great Grandma Townsend and Grandma and Papa Gray

Our little angel Sydney Amanda going on her first LONG road trip to see Great Grandma. Hooray!

See! What an amazing and large family from Atlanta. They are a great source of strength and comfort!

Sofia is already Sydney's "little mama." It's so sweet and cute how she hugs and kisses her everyday. She finally can say two syllable words and calls Sydney "bay bee." Nothing better!

Our family's honorable matriarch (on the Gray side) is doing remarkably well for her advanced age which is ever more limiting her mobility. Thankfully she is still sharp of mind and has wonderful memories and stories to tell. We were sad that she couldn't make the trip up to Birmingham for the blessing of Sydney, so we decided to take this time of unemployment to drive down and let her have some special time with her two great grand daughters. Of course my parents are eager to see them too. Oh, how adorable they are and how fast they are growing. Sofia is already a little girl.... no longer my baby.... or even toddler. I couldn't imagine life without my girls, including San.

Employment wise, I've broadened my search to include other industries. Please join San and me in praying that the Lord will open a door soon. I have faith and KNOW that all that is happening so that He can mold me into a better man.

Well, the girls are going to be getting up soon, and I better get things loaded for the drive. We love you all! Thanks for wonderful friendships! - Simon

Halloween Pictures

We've had so much fun celebrating the fall season this year thus far. We have enjoyed the fall colors and this nice cooler weather! It's nice that Sofia is old enough this year to appreciate dressing up and she LOVED saying "treat" to everyone (she can't say trick or treat yet, so she says "treat"). We went to three parties and had a blast at them all! Sydney was SO cute dressed up as a pumpkin like her sister. Here are a few pictures from Trunk or Treat last night (notice Simon's great decorations in the car...):

Comments from Simon

Warning: This is another infrequent but very long post by Simon. If you want to hurry to the pictures of the girls just scroll down. I'm sorry for writing so much, but my heart is so full and I want to share......

Hi everyone! I'm ashamed that San is the only one taking responsibility for keeping the blog updated. I've had a few friends ask me when would be the next update. It's so nice knowing that you're out there keeping in touch in this new technological age.

Anyway, I'm at the library where I should be putting all my effort in seeking work, but I couldn't let a quiet opportunity pass without touching bases with you all. You know, with Sofia I never have a quiet moment. She is such a daddy's girl it is incredible----I wouldn't have it any other way. I was worried that Sydney wouldn't be a daddy's girl too because I didn't get to spend as much time with her during her first couple of months. But, we are bonding in wonderful ways. I think San forgot to mention that we LOVE how she just stares into our eyes and seems to be communicating so much. Perhaps it's the sensitive romantic in me that would like to think my infant and I have special telepathic powers :-), but it seems that she does. It seems that she says "Daddy I love you, and thank you for giving me this chance to be here." Wow! What a responsibility and privilege.

I often think about the privilege it is to provide a safe and stable Christ-centered life for my girls. I know so many children without fathers or fathers that don't care or have no time, but who am I to judge but myself. I'm just so thankful for all the support and love we receive from so many. I won't be able to mention everyone, but I do want to make special note of just a few: Julie and Bradon Reynolds who just always make us feel like best friends. Julie just made us muffins for no reason but love and has gone out of her way to show her care for us. She even thinks about OUR needs when she is out shopping - thinking about what WE may need.

Ryan and Tammy Blankenship are the most optimistic and uplifting people I've ever known. They are wonderful friends. Bill Shields is one of the most considerate and consistent home teacher we've ever had. Margie Westenhofer (spelling?) is so consistent in visit-teaching San, and she brought us the absolute BEST pumpkin muffins. Then there's wonderful Liz Burkhardt! What a terrific friend who is always willing to help us anytime. She's the best "baby-holder" during church. I thought I would never want to let anyone hold my babies, but after having one infant AND Sofia.... I'm more than glad to have the help. Kim Fredrick, too, is most amazing in always checking on us, offering to give us a break, and simply showing true and sincere friendship.

And of course how could I not mention Mike Denkers. It's funny, he was the first person I met at the ward and he scared me to death. I was like avoiding him for weeks because he just has the air of authority, but now he IS the one man at church I love and respect the MOST. He's is true blue and sincere...a man of God! And of course Jamie i's absolutely THE BEST! She always lifts my spirits and encourages me and just makes me feel good about life. What a great person and special gift of the spirit, the spirit to inspire.

Last of all, and please forgive me for not mentioning everyone, there is the Bryce Willis family. I've never known such any family with so much energy and desire to love and foster others. Their level of sacrifice is inspiring. We have so much fun with joint family home evenings and love them dearly.

Everyone: We love you, and your loving friendship. Thank you for your prayers for my job search. I know that Heavenly Father will provide.

God bless you all! - Love Simon

PS: Julia, no puedo encontrar tu numero telefonico ni tampoco tu domicilio del correo eletronico. Por favor, ensenamelas de nuevo. Te hecho harto de menos y quiciera tanto hablar contigo. Ojala' todo este' bien contigo y con tu famila. Llamame o manda me un email como te sea conveniente, pero comuniquete conmigo cuando tienes tiempo. Te amo!