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You've probably all heard that Google Reader is no more as of July 1st.  I know I'm not the only one who is pretty torn up over the loss.  So anyway, I'm pretty sure that along with Google Reader, Google Friend Connect will be done away with, too.

So, to stay connected to my blog, I would love for you to follow Murrill's Pearls via BlogLovin!  Just click the little box below and you'll be all set up!  Thanks in advance:)  

Home

I have the CNN app on my phone and I've been really contemplating deleting it lately because, seriously, I can't take much more bad news texted to me randomly throughout the day.  The tragedy in Boston has been heartbreaking and the subsequent manhunt completely disturbing.  This week alone, our world has suffered so much pain.  From earthquakes, to bombings, to major explosions--peoples' lives have been completely turned around.  My heart is heavy, my prayers are many and my longing for heaven has only been compounded.  

I was talking to Mark about the state of our world and how scary it all is and he told me something that I will never forget.  He said, "You know, Steph, we are only safe in Jesus."  It's so true.  This world is a frightening place and we may never feel comfortable or safe in it.  In fact, we aren't supposed to be comfortable here.  This isn't our home.  We weren't made for here.  It's so reassuring to know that.  To hold it in our hearts and rest assured that He's coming back to take us HOME!     

Road Trip!!!

I had been saying since January that we would be heading to Oklahoma for a visit in April, and then all of a sudden it was April and we had not made a single plan.  What to do?  Well, Mark had been talking to Brandon about going to a Grizzlies game and when Bran was able to score them some free tickets, we realized it was the perfect time to go.  We decided to head to Memphis for a few days and then on to Tulsa.  So, last Friday, we packed up the van and started out on our spur of the moment road trip.  

It was lovely traveling weather.  Seriously, Tennessee is such a beautiful state to travel through!  

Traveling Companion #1 

Traveling Companion #2 

We arrived at the Baughman's late Friday evening, and made it in time to celebrate Brandon's b-day with a group of their Memphis buddies.  It was fun to get to spend some time with the people I feel like I already know.  On Saturday, we headed to Church where we were blessed to hear Mattie Belle's very first special music performance!  She played "When the Saints Go Marching In" on the piano.  She did a phenomenal job and I'm not going to lie, there were a few tears shed on my part.  I remember holding that little person in the hospital after her birth and now she's performing songs in church...unreal!!!  

After Church, we were treated to an afternoon at America's top rated zoo.  It was so fun.  The kids had a blast.  Sadly, it was the only time I pulled out my camera, but here are a few shots from the day...

The Birthday Boy

This kid is so independent!  

The weather was nice and warm, and the kiddos enjoyed cooling off in the mist area.  

They seemed to like the area, as well.  

My babies are no longer babies!!!

My Rosie Posey Girl

Mattie Belle...What a BEAUT! 

I got this on my phone on the way home from the zoo.  She was so sleepy, but so totally content.  This kid loved the zoo.  

She also loves Lila!  They really are two peas in a pod.  

These two are pretty tight, as well.  Here they are picking up some donuts on Sunday Morning.  

And since I got zero pictures to prove Kay and I were even there, I'm posting this picture of us as kiddos.  We were just prepping for our future careers as mommies.  

We had originally planned to head to Tulsa on Sunday, but we were having so much fun in Memphis we decided to stay another day.  We got up early on Monday (well, early for us) to begin the next leg of our trip.  I don't know why I didn't use my camera, but all of the following pictures are from my phone and aren't too great.  

We were so excited to get the chance to meet our newest nephew, Greyson Bo!  He's just precious.  

I'm looking pretty rough here and I'm wearing my old man sweater, but I'm pretty content holding that little sweetheart.  

Cousins! 

Mark looks good with a baby, huh?! 

Fighting sleep

I love him! 

I don't hold very popular beliefs when it comes to gun control for where I'm from and where I live.  Guns are pretty important to the people of Oklahoma and North Carolina and here I am, totally anti-gun.  I did however have a fun time with a bb gun.  It's probably best that I'm not into guns, as you can see how completely ridiculous I look attempting to hold one.  

My parents watched the girls so Mark and I could go on a date night.  We went to eat at a really nice Asian restaurant with Stephen and Michelle.  Apparently, I ate something that I'm allergic to, because by the time I got home, I was completely covered with itchy hives.  You name it, it was red and itchy.  Not the perfect end to date night :(

HIVES! 

We took Mark to the airport the next day, so he could get back to work.  The girls and I will be hanging out here until Wednesday, and then begin the long journey back home.  Here are a few highlights from the last few days...

This has been Kiki's favorite outfit as of late.  She really loves those shoes.  

We went to visit Mumsie!  It was so good to see her.  She is seriously the sweetest woman on the planet.    

Mumsie loves her great granddaughters!  She's looking pretty amazing for 94!!!

It's not an Oklahoma visit, if we aren't in a closet at midnight for a tornado warning:)  

Yesterday

So, I know I already just posted tons of pictures tonight, but I took a few pictures of the girls yesterday and I wanted to post them before I forgot.  Forgive me:)

Cleaning Out my Phone

I was just looking at a few pictures and videos on my phone and thought I would share a few from the last few weeks...

She loves to try on everyone's clothes.  Here she's wearing a few pairs of bloomers, the wrong way, of course.  

Close up of her fashion sense.  

I came downstairs to finding her just relaxing on the the coffee table.  

Sabbath School boat riding.  She wasn't sold on it.  Halfway through the song, she jumped ship and came running back to mama. 

Look what Kiki got in the mail a few days ago...A shirt from Union College!  She wears it with pride! 

The girls showed off their ballerina skills today.

This one cracks me up of Rosie.  Pure joy! 

Such sweetie pies! 

So my friend Natalie texted me this picture (sorry so blurry) of myself from 5th grade and I got so inspired by those amazing bangs, that I went and got some cut:)  I decided against a perm, though.

Here are my new bangs.  I've actually had them for about a month and I'm starting to get the hang of them again.  I always freak out right after I get bangs cut, because I don't know how to fix them right away.  But, then they grow a little and everything ends up okay.    

This video is just to show you how fast Kiki slides down the stairs.  This actually isn't one of her faster ones.  It cracks us up!