Vlogemotions and Working Linky!

Ok you asked for it so here it is! Carey doing a Vlogemotions post VERY much against her will, as you will see. I am very proud of her for doing it even though she really didnt want to. I tried to coach her as much as I could and she did GREAT in my opinion.

Make sure if Mr. Linky is still not working to leave your link to your blog in the comments section of this post so others can enjoy your Vlogemotions post! Hopefully Mr. Linky will have his problems ironed out soon.

For those of you first time vloggers, here are the rules:

1. Post the Vlogemotions button above so that those who come to visit your vlog post can link back to The Fort to see others. You can grab the code from the left sidebar.

2. Post you vlog (video blog) and share the strongest emotion that you felt during the week.

3. After your Vlogemotions post is up, come here and link up at Mr. Linky below.

4. Visit the other vloggers and LEAVE NICE COMMENTS!

5. Have fun this carnival is a BLAST!!!



Love and Prayers,

1. Maria @ Conversations with Moms 2. April @ Straight from the Heart 3. Beth in NC 4. Yaya 5. Jill @ Blessed Mom of 8 6. Sparkette @ Our Lil Kilowatts

7. Pam @ Your Gonna Miss This 8. Faded Pictures and Misprinted Lies 9. Wendy 10. Heidi @ Sacred and Profane 11. Tarah @ Eyeglasses and Endzones 12. Mimi @ He and Me 3

13. Sherri Watt 14. -stephanie- 15. Christina @ We 5 Kings 16. Liz @ Loving Mom 2 Boys

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Vlogemotions

For those of you first time vloggers, here are the rules:

1. Post the Vlogemotions button above so that those who come to visit your vlog post can link back to The Fort to see others. You can grab the code from the left sidebar.

2. Post you vlog (video blog) and share the strongest emotion that you felt during the week.

3. After your Vlogemotions post is up, come here and link up at Mr. Linky below.

4. Visit the other vloggers and LEAVE NICE COMMENTS!

5. Have fun this carnival is a BLAST!!!


Love and Prayers,

To Cut of Not to Cut!

Take the poll!

We have been struggling with this decision for a while now. Cutting Will's hair. You can help by answering the poll in the right sidebar and letting us know in the comments what you think!

We know that if we cut it he will look all grown up and his curls will be all but gone. This is just so hard to stomach. We like his little boy look, but also know that he would be allot more comfortable in the Texas heat without it. So we go back and forth back and forth. To cut, or not to cut. That is the question of the day. Will you answer it for us?

This pic is a little outdated and his hair is even a bit longer now. I will post a more recent pic tonight or sometime tomorrow so watch for that and make sure your vote and comments are counted. Tell us what you think and why!

Love and Prayers,

Monthly Miracles

For those of you who are new to The Fort, once a month I feature a blogger who has experienced either an angel or a miracle. A miracle is defined as a supernatural event that cannot be explained by medicine; an act of God.

If you have a story that you would like to share please please do email it to me. My email addy is listed on my profile page. I can even run it anonymously if you like as many of these events are very personal. If you haven't yet read my miracle story in which started this all, please feel free to do so it is listed here. If you do, please read it in its entirety as it is very personal to me and was very difficult to write.

This month I feature a story of a Grandmother of a very dear friend. Jill known to many of you as Sneaky Momma and her husband Lane Sneaky Daddy have been great bloggy buddies for quite some time. I am honored to feature Jill's story here in this way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



My grandmother (Memaw) passed away in the Fall of 2003. Her health had been declining since the death of my grandfather in 2002. She had cancer. It was something that we didn't really know the full scope of until two weeks before her death. When hospice was called and death was just around the corner, our entire family camped out in her living room; all 16 of us. Her final days were spent surrounded by those on earth that she loved the most, and who loved her the most.

About three days before she died, my grandmother started having ’visitors’ that only she and her cat could see. Their eyes would mirror one another’s as they tracked whatever was in the room. I’ll never forget sitting by my grandmother’s bedside when she excitedly bolted upright in bed. She grabbed my hand and held it tightly as she said, “Do you see him? Do you see him?” When I told her that I didn’t, she said, “Oh, Jill, I wish you could see him. He’s the most beautiful man I ever saw!”

Memaw wanted to tell us all about the man. She said that he was dressed in all white. Sometimes he would come in and sit in the room with us. Other times, my bed-ridden grandmother would see him with our family members in other rooms of the house. Once she told me that the ‘most beautiful man’ was sitting on the couch in between my uncle and my cousin. Sure enough, when I left her room to check, there was a space on the couch in between my cousin and my uncle, large enough for a man to sit in.

Her visitor never spoke. According to her, he just smiled and smiled. When she would speak of him, her eyes would be open wide in amazement. You could tell that she definitely saw something, something peaceful, something wonderful.

She also spoke several times of the door at the end of her bed. She said that it was a small door, a glowing door that she wanted to go through but couldn‘t yet. Nervous glances would dart across the room, as we all understood what would happen when it was time for her to go through that door.

My grandmother passed at home, surrounded by her three children. We are so grateful for the angels that visited us as she prepared to go to Heaven. I can only imagine the reunion that took place as she was reunited with my grandfather and my cousin, who died many years ago. It will be a long time before we know for sure who the most beautiful man was, but I have a real good guess.

I’ve given a lot of thought to what she was really wanted to know when she asked me, “Do you see Him?” I wish I could have that conversation with her now. I want so much to share Him with her in the way she wanted me to. I see Him now in ways that I never saw Him while she was alive. I want to tell her about how I see Him in my children and the goodness that is my husband. How I see Him when I reflect upon the memories that I have of her and my grandfather, in the actions of my parents, and the words of my sister. My heart aches for an adult relationship with her, to tell her how much I love her and appreciate all of the things she did for us.

One of these days we will have that conversation. Of that I am certain.


Make sure to stop by and see Jill at Sneaky Momma and let her know how much you appreciate her sharing such personal moments in her life, especially if this story has touched you as it has me.


Love and Prayers,

Kayleigh is with Jesus

Many of us have followed this dear families journey and it is with great sadness in my heart that I tell you she lost her fight.



It is also with much happiness that I share that she is no longer in pain, and most importatnly is with our Lord.

Please visit the Freemans site and let them know that they are in your prayers. You can get there by clicking on the button above.

From The Fort to The Freemans:

We love you and will always have you in our prayers.

Kayleigh's life has touched so many. Her journey has meant so much to so many in such very special way. She will NEVER be forgotten. Her life will continue to live on in all of us.


Love and Prayers,

Vlogemotions Round II and Winner!

Ok. My apologies for doing my vlog while I was deliriously tired. Bags under my eyes, acting crazy, the whole nine yards. Hey, at least it was real right?

Anyway, make sure to post the Vlogemotions button below on your vlog post and then add your URL to Mr. Linky. Please add the actual URL to the post instead of your main URL, and do so after you have posted and you know your vlog is working.

Again, make sure to check out the Writers Workshop at Mama Kat's. You can get there by clicking on this link. Make sure you enter your vlog post this week in her Mr. Linky also as it applies to her Writer's Workshop as well. As she told her readers.... "you have my permission to double dip." :)

Also make sure you grab the Badge of Courage award from the left sidebar. You can post it to your blog to let your readers know that you are a Vlogger, and you have courage!



Congrats to our winner! She REALLY wanted to win! I guess the more you hope the better your luck.

Happy Vlogging!

Love and Prayers,

Wordful Wednesday - Photo Shoot

I'm sure most of you can relate to this post. These are the kinds of things that happen when I'm trying to get good shots of my kids. They are all titled.


I gotta pee!



I'm scared of this!



This!



I hope you enjoyed my misery. I did get some good shots on this day if its any consequence. :)

Make sure you come back tomorrow for our newest version of Vlogemotions!!!! You will NOT be disappointed. And for all of you who didn't get to participate the first week, we look forward to having you join in this week!

The winner of the video camera will be announced late tonight when I put the post up for tomorrows Vlogemotions. So get your emotions ready. I can't wait to see them and I'm sure your readers feel the same way! Also don't forget to grab the courage award if you vlogged last week! It's in the left sidebar if you want it. You certainly earned it!

To view more Wordful Wednesday's go over to my friend Angie's at Seven Clown Circus!




Love and Prayers,

Giveaway and Awards

My good friend Cari at Beauty and the Little Beast (A.K.A. Two Under Two Whew!) is having a great giveaway for a basket full of goodies all made in Seattle. It has a value of over $70 but she keeps adding to it as she finds things so who knows what its worth now.



Cari has been a very faithful friend of The Fort and I am happy to share her blog with you. Please stop in and visit her and let her know that you are also a friend of The Fort.

I also wanted to thank Carey @ Life in the Carpool Lane for this awesome award she gave me for her Earth week that she recently did. Its a Mother Earth award for doing things to help keep our planet green. Thanks so much Carey, I love your blog as well as all you are doing for our planet.



Then I also received the Queen of all things Awe-Summ award. This award was given to me from my friend Melissa @ The Erickson Looney Bin. Now I am for sure no Queen, but I will take an Awesome award any day. So I'm just going to visualize it as a King of all things Awesome. Ok? You don't mind right?



Anyway so I'm suppose to list 7 reasons why I'm Awesome. I'm opting to skip that part just as Mimi did. Then I am suppose to give this award to 7 people whom I think are also awesome. Weeeeell that's impossible since I know WAAAAY more than 7 people who are awesome. So here is how its gonna go. If you are a follower of The Fort then you are FOR SURE very Awesome! So anyone listed in our followers at the top consider this YOUR award. You are SO awesome and we are so honored to call you our friends. Please accept this award and display it proudly.

Reminders:

Make sure you join in the fun with Vlogemotions again this Thursday. The first week was a HUGE success and it is only going to become more fun as more people play!

If you would like your blog to be seen here, just add a link to The Fort on your blog and add yourself as a follower on the Blog Frog widget in the right sidebar. This will give you exposure here at The Fort, as well as give us the oppotunity to get to know you better.


Love and Prayers,

Vlogemotions Carnival and Camera Giveaway

So here it is for your VIEWING pleasure, the first ever Vlog Carnival Vlogemotions. So get your vlog post up and add this button to it. You can grab the code from the left sidebar. Then make sure you come back here and enter your URL addy in Mr. Linky so everyone can see your Vlogemotions!

I want to again thank my great friend Hollie at The Drama Mama for designing the button on the fly. It came out great! In case you didnt already know, she is the one responsible for all of my site design here at The Fort.

To commemerate the start of our first ever carnival we are giving away a video camera! Thats right ANOTHER one. This one is made for vlogging as it has an LCD monitor that can face you as you film yourself. Great for vlogging right? I thought so. Check it out!



This Jazzy little number can even record up to 60 minutes of video with a 2 GB sd card, and it has a flip USB connector so you can plug the entire camera right into your computer for quick downloading.

Here is how you enter:

You must be a follower of Fort Thompson and blog about Vlogemotions. Then just leave a comment on this post that you have done so and your entered! Easy as that. One lucky persons name will be drawn via vlog by one of my kiddos and announced soon. So help get the word out about this fun carnival and win a video camera at the same time.

Have fun viewing all of these great vlog post. Some will be funny, some will be sad, but they will all be VERY much worth the look. Also PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment of encouragement to each vlog you view as it did take quite a bit of courage for many of these bloggers to post in this manner. Let them know how much you appreciated and enjoyed it even if you normally wouldnt do so. You will be surprised at how much it means to them.

Happy Vlogging!


Love and Prayers,

Taylors Barn Door

A few days back Taylor lost the last of her front two top teeth. It was a little sad as this is just another reminder to us that our little girl is growing up. Here is the video from this momentous occasion.





Taylor,

We are so proud of the courage you show in the face of adversity. This tooth was nothing for you considering all you have been thru. We know you will handle your upcoming surgery the same way. Your mother and I are so proud of the young lady you have become and love you beyond words.

Thank you for the smiles, laughter, caring and love that you show us everyday. We love you so much.

Mom and Dad

Prayer Request - One of Our Own

Michele and Tony Tomecko have been Prayer Soldiers here at Fort Thompson for a while now. While we normally find ourselves praying for others it is on this day that I ask you to pray for one of our own.

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of the birth of Nick and Kenny. Twins born at only 23 weeks gestation. They both weighed in at only 1 lb 7 oz. at 12 inches in length. While Kenny continues his journey, Nick was called home to be with our Lord two days later.

Please keep this family in your prayers on what will no doubt be a difficult day. Their family has touched us in a special way, and I know they will do the same for you. Please visit Michele and family at The Tomecko Echo and tell them you came from The Fort. All comments and prayers you leave them are greatly appreciated.

My Twin Pregnancy from michele tomecko on Vimeo.

Kenny still needs our prayers as he lives with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, lung disease, hearing loss, and eating problems just to name a few.



Again, please visit the Tomecko's and learn more about this amazing family and their story.

Please join us in praying for one of our own.

Love and Prayers,