Rainbow Cake...first go around...

Madison and Matthew Ray's birthday (and mine) is in just a few weeks. I have talked them into ONE MORE (maybe) joint party. So, I was trying to decide on what kind of cake to make this year. When I came across this I just had to try it. Well, this is my first attempt..hmmm...It tastes great..but needs a little work on the appearance for sure! It will help when I get some really cool food coloring from the states. It's a good thing I have more time to practice...I guess my family and friends will be having lots of cake for a few weeks...birthdays...gotta love 'em!

What have we been doing???

It's been a while since I have blogged but I have a really good reason....I promise! All schools here were closed for a couple of weeks due to the "most recent" flu going around the world. So, our school decided to send all of the school work home for the parents to homeschool their children during this "time off" to keep us from extending the year into the summer.
The kids did a great job and we worked day and night on all of their assignments...but I am TIRED...whew..that was A LOT! 3 different kids at 3 very different levels...let's just say I am EXTREMELY thankful for our school here and how it ministers to our family.
Here are the kids working really hard:)

A Day on the Nile...overcoming fear...

Today we went for an afternoon ride on the Nile River. We all enjoy this experience except for Madison. She has refused to go on a faluka for over a year now....she is so motion sensitive and is just petrified. Today we encouraged her to conquer her fear...it was tough at first but she finally did it! Afterwards we were praising her for how well she did and then asked her if she was ready to go the next time...her reply, "NO!" :)
Adam and Liz enjoying a relaxing time...:)
The fam...glad to have Madison back in our Nile pictures..
Love birds..

Meredith and Caroline..so sweet

Madison's Very First Spelling Test!

Madison has been working so hard in the first grade. You know that first grade is so much harder than kindergarten!! This year she has been getting accustomed to tests and lots of reading. Today she had her first spelling test...we worked on those words all week...this morning she left in confidence that she knew them all...and she did! She ended up missing one little thing...her "p" was backwards in one word but we will take it. She also made a 100 on her math! Here she is holding her good grades and wearing her new shirt and headband she got for doing so well. :)

Empty Nest (sort of)

Our last child has now officially entered kindergarten! It feels so weird for all of them to be in the same school at the same time. Matthew Ray had a great first day of school. When I picked him up he said, "That was the best day of my life EVER!" Hmmm...how should I take that?:) His teacher said that he was so good and that he was such a great helper. He also has taken up getting his and his sisters lunches and water bottles ready each day...he is a "tasker" and loves to serve..his sisters love to be served! :)
Madison was sure to show him the ropes of the school since she is a veteran now. I have to record this cute dialogue between me and Madison the night before the first day of school. I don't want to forget it!

Stacey: Madison, now remember...you have to listen to your teacher. You have to listen to directions. Make sure you REALLY pay attention.

Madison: I know...but Mom..you see, I don't always understand all of the words. For instance, if my teacher says, "are you allergic to something?" and I don't know what the word "allergic" is...now mom, I KNOW the word allergic but this is just an example...then I don't know all she is saying cause I am stuck on that one word.

Stacey: So, then that's when you should raise your hand and ask, "Mrs. S I don't know what the word "allergic" means."

Madison: MOM! I told you! I know what the word allergic means!!!!

Finally....the Party!

Meredith's birthday always falls right before school starts..which means people are just getting back into our city. This makes for difficult party planning so this year we decided to wait until everyone was back in town. So, tonight we headed to Johnny Rockets, goofy times at the mall and a sleepover. I love 13!!!! These girls were so much fun to hang out with tonight and it was BY FAR the easiest party to plan and have! At the moment all of the girls are back in Meredith's room hanging out and I can't even hear them...weird! :)

We didn't dream big enough...

The day Meredith was born was filled with excitement and joy but mostly those feelings were overshadowed by the unknown...what do we do now?...how do we change these diapers?...when do we feed her?...how often?...what do we do if she gets sick?...how were we to raise this gift God had given us?...what was she going to turn out like? We had many dreams, many ideas of how it would all turn out but I guess we just don't dream big enough sometimes...we never dreamed she:

would be a child born in Memphis, TN and eventually live near the real Memphis...
would be the most obeidient child we had ever met...
would bring complete joy to our family just by her presence...
would make our hearts literally warm up to see her smile...
would struggle with her decision to follow Christ but then come to a joyful ending of giving her all to HIM...
would be baptized in a hotel bathtub over skype with her home church...
would be considered "a peace maker and a friend to all"...
would be a HUGE social butterfly...
would be the best big sister ever...so patient, responsible and kind...
would be so aware and appreciative of her life and the opportunities she has...
would "fit" a piece of the puzzle for our ministry as a family...
would be able to adjust smoothly to moving a lot...
would live in Africa, 30 minutes from the pyramids...
would speak Arabic...
would wake up on her 13th birthday on the Mediterranean Sea...








We didn't dream big enough...but God knew the whole time. He knew her before she was even thought of...He knows her now more than we do....and we are dreaming of BIG, BIG plans HE has for her future!

Egypt's Extreme Make-over....DONE!

In May we started a room make-over project for the kid's rooms. We moved Matthew Ray to his own room and put the girls together. We had some amazing friends from FSU come and visit and they helped us tackle our project!!

This is how it all began....

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The finished product:

She's on the Move again...

Meredith has been busy visiting family in Arkansas and Tennessee. She was only able to send me three pictures of her time in Tennessee because of our time difference and because she has been on the move sooooo much!

Meredith had a great time at Uncle Jeff's and Aunt Micah's house. Here are the three pictures I have but I know I will be able to post more when she gets near another computer!



Today she is headed back to Florida for a while longer and then she heads back HOME!!! Hurry up, time....we are dying without her! :)

There's No Place like H...I mean...Grandaddy and Grammies!

Meredith has made it to Arkansas and according to Grammy..."She's made herself right at home like she has always lived here!" and "That girl can eat!" I guess she feels pretty comfy in her home away from home. :)

Getting ready....when did she grow up??
We miss that face around here! :(
Get her full, Grammy! Grandaddy, make her work in that garden! She needs to earn her keep!

Crazy Cousins

Meredith and Callie....just 9 months apart...get together at best once a year...seem to never miss a beat...and get crazier (and cuter) each time!

Catching Up

Meredith took her camera with her and she sent me more pictures today of her many adventures. Here she is with many of her "old buddies" as they caught up on old times at Calvary...sweet memories.
I can't believe how everyone has grown up so fast! (even you, Andrea!:)



Gotta have a gansta pose...it's in our blood (somewhere)

Miss Hollywood Goes to Arkansas

Meredith is now on her way to visit family in Arkansas and Tennessee! We are soooo jealous!

Logos Bible Giveaway

Logos Bible Software is giving away 72 premium bibles in the next year. Those of you that know me already know my weakness when it comes to nice bibles. Adding the Logos Bible Search Bar is one way to enter the contest. That is the reason we added this feature to our blog. Think of the advantages. Now you can spend time in the Word while you are catching up on the latest Dunavant adventures.

She's Worn out....in a good way! :)

I talked to Meredith today and she said, "I don't think I can handle one more person!" Now, don't take that wrong....she has just been loved on sooooo much and gotten to do so many fun things that she is just plain, worn out! Thanks to all of you who have kept her, taken her to do fun things and loved on her while she's been back "home!" She is having so much fun and we are thrilled she is with you!! :)
Meredith with the new and lovely Sarah Claire! I can't beleive she got to hold her first! Jason took her knee boarding!
A sweet reunion....we love you Mr. Mac!
Wow....these girls are so big now! I remember the day Amber came home from the hospital(looking like a little Indian baby:)...they have been like sisters since!
A trip to Wal-mart...wow...look how clean and organized! Only those who have visited us can imagine what I am talking about! :)
Bowling fun with the Kings!
And a good home cooked meal at her home away from home!