Andrew Alpaugh Blast From the Past

"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary Because it means you've made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings. ~ Author Unknown ~

Today we celebrated Bryson's 2nd birthday with a party at the Pavilion by the Cannon Station. We had one of the hottest days of the summer thus far! At least there were a few breezes once in a while. While we were thrilled with the way his Elmo cake looked we can all agree it did not taste as good as it looked! Very disappointed to say the least but oh-well! Live and learn. It did look spectacular- I'll give it that. We all rode the train, (even my 78 yr. old grandmother). It was a great time with family. He got to have all 3 grandmothers at one time to love on! Thanks to all our family for being there with us to make it special for him. He loved and enjoyed having you all there. Check out the pictures on our web album or click HERE.

we were blessed with our sweet baby boy Bryson. We love him dearly and are so very thankful to God for giving us another little one in our family. He is by far our most strong willed child- ha! ha! We didn't think it got any worse than Emily. Definitely a challenge sometimes but we have our good times too! :o) He has amazed us with his ability to learn new things. I never would have thought at this time last year that by this time this year he would be able to not only say all his letters but recognize them as well and tell us what sound they make. He also knows all the shapes and colors and can count to 14. He can spell his name and we're working on how to spell mommy. He absolutely loves music and one of his favorite songs to do is 5 little monkeys swinging in a tree. He also loves Elmo and Blues Clues. :o) It has been an exciting year and we look forward to what's in store for the "terrible" 2's! We love you sweet boy! We celebrated his birthday by taking h...

Once upon a time, I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the president. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was earned honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American president is an honor. I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the president in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner. The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen. "Sorry about that," said the president. "Andrew is very ...

Our church celebrated 4th of July a few days early with grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies, great music and fireworks when it got dark. Below are a few pics. I took while we were there.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgre...

This video was taken the summer Tyler turned 8 years old. He had just learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels and had his first fishing trip on the boat with my uncle and his daddy. If you'll notice on his cake it was star wars which he was very into at the time! Sweet memories! I love to watch this.

Yesterday Tyler's friend Justin had him over to their pool and surprised him with a guitar cake. (sorry- wasn't there so no pictures). After that we took him to Moe's for dinner and then to church for more mission trip training. Last one before he leaves Sunday for West Virginia. Please keep him in your prayers. After that we took him and his friend Mattie to see Night at the Museum 2. This was his main request for the big day. After we got home it was finally time for the BIG present and of course some more birthday cake. He got an ipod touch which I'm pretty sure was exactly what he wanted since he has hardly put the thing down since he got it. The pics. are on picasa web album if you'd like to see them.