He Keeps Me Singing

One of the first hymns I ever learned was “He Keeps Me Singing” on a car ride to my mamaw’s house. My dad taught me the first, second and last verses (in true Baptist form) during the trip. I went with my dad several Saturdays during the spring and summer to help work in his garden there. It was about a thirty minute trip each way, so learning a new song was the perfect way to keep me entertained. I have video evidence that I was a bit of a dramatic child. I loved to sing on camera. I loved to welcome people to my world. I wanted them to know everything I loved… like the lamp in my parents’ bedroom that I showcased in one video. “It has three brightness settings!” I exclaimed about three times while showing the audience how it worked (while dressed in a pink, sparkly leotard in full hair and makeup). Oh my!

I remember being so excited to get home and teach my younger brother this hymn I just learned. I forcefully taught my brother every song I learned as a child. I just felt like he needed to know them too. I might as well admit here that there is also video evidence of me grabbing and holding my brother in a not-so-tight headlock and making him sing a duet to a song about a woodpecker. I loved spending time with my brother and I loved that he was my co-star.

Last Saturday, my brother, Jeffrey, got a new co-star when he married the love of his life, Faith, in a beautiful, meaningful ceremony. We ended up celebrating for 12 hours straight with the wedding, cake reception, a dinner and then dancing the night away. Jeffrey’s band played as part of the celebration and it was fun to watch our family and friends cheer them on as most have never seen his band play live.

I never really got emotional throughout the wedding weekend. Everyone was just so excited and happy for the two of them to officially be husband and wife. I definitely did not give an emotional toast at the rehearsal dinner. I had to make it comical because if you open the flood gates on this girl there’s no turning back. Let me continue on the comical route, Jeffrey, and fill you in on a few more things: 

•  I still can’t make machine gun noises, so you would STILL kick me out of your G.I. Joe sessions.
•  I am proud that you know what a carport is now.
•  I am still jealous that you won a coloring contest and got a free Easter basket full of goodies.
•  I appreciate that you love the song “Thank You” by Boyz II Men as much as I do.
•  I would still buy you a Maggie Moo’s milkshake, no matter the cost.
•  I am secure in the fact that I am still creeped out by E.T. You are too, right? Right?
•  Thanks to our full Ghostbusters gear as children, I still “ain’t afraid of no ghosts!”
• I am still waiting on your encore performance of “We are the Champions.” It was good in the 5^th grade talent show and I am sure it would be good now…tissue paper roses and all.

I can’t even describe to you what a tremendous blessing my brother has been and continues to be. Not only is he my brother, but one of my best friends. We have always had so much fun together that I never wished for another sibling. Now I have a new sister and I love her. I love her most of all for loving my brother. She understands him. She appreciates him. She believes in him.

I pray that Jeffrey and Faith enjoy life to the fullest. May they remember that marriage is something that is precious in God’s eyes. When honoring their marriage, they will display the forgiveness and joy that God designed marriage to portray. May they remember that their home is not just a pit stop between work and activities, but a place to find rest and enjoy each other’s company. May they reflect the love of Christ to each other and to those around them.  May they remember most of all to seek the Lord first “in all of life’s ebb and flow.”  

HE truly is the only one that can keep them singing. 

And now a few photos:

The Tarkinton's Year in Review: 2011

January 2011

Fun Things:

Brought in New Year at Benihana’s with friends

Attended the Sugar Bowl-Arkansas vs Ohio State-in New Orleans

Attended the annual Store Sista Reunion in New Orleans  (Alana)

Enjoyed a visit here in Mount Ida from Lisa, Amy and Annaston

Celebrated upcoming birth of Baby Bennett with an owl/woodland-themed baby shower

Not-So-Fun Things:

Travis came down with the flu one day before leaving for the Sugar Bowl (he went anyway)

Driving to New Orleans twice in one week

Getting stuck in snow and ice in Texarkana on the way back from the Store Sista Reunion (Thank you, Mr. Chris Daniel for rescuing us)!

Alana came down with the flu while stuck in Texarkana

February 2011

Fun Things:

Got to stay home on Travis’ birthday due to snow

Had a father/daughter date at the annual Oak Grove Valentine Banquet

First wedding shopping trip with Shonda and her bridesmaids

Celebrated Benjamin Bibles’ 2^nd birthday with cookies & milk

Hosted the first Devos:Live, my new ministry for teenage girls

Hosted my first Beauticontrol spa party-such a fun and uplifting women’s event (Thanks, Leah!)

March 2011

Fun Things:

Attended Brooke’s 80s-themed birthday party

Celebrated the birth of Evelyn June Bennett on March 15^th!!!

Attended Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival

Attended Faith’s beatnik-themed birthday party

Celebrated the upcoming wedding of Shonda & Trent with a shower full of family and friends

Not-So-Fun Things:

Alana not repeating her March Madness bracket win

Alana having her first kidney stone

April 2011

Fun Things:

Camping with friends at Lake Ouachita

For the first time ever took a week of vacation with nothing planned

Attended Beth Moore Live

Watched Travis’ sister, Shonda, get married in a beautiful ceremony on April 30^th! Thankful for our new brother-in-law, Trent Hamilton!

May 2011

Fun Things:

Celebrated Sarah’s birthday by painting pottery, dinner and games with friends

Celebrated wedding anniversary #3 on May 17^th

Won $50 in free gas from the KENA radio station in Mena

Started the summer at Camp Ozark 

 

May 2011 – August 2011

Fun Things from the summer at Camp Ozark:

1^st session girls made me watch the Justin Bieber movie and I actually liked it!

The Wop was the newest dance craze

Harry Potter night

Working with amazing people

Not-So-Fun-Things from the summer at Camp Ozark:

When the Coke delivery goes terribly awry including one pallet of 72 (2-liters) falling, rolling and spewing down the steep, Chow Hall hill.

July 2011

Fun Things:

Ended up in Hot Springs with 3 of my closest camp friends on July 4^th and ate the biggest meal ever at the Olive Garden

Attended Travis’ 10-Year high school reunion

Not-So-Fun-Things:

Realizing we were the only ones from Travis’ class that did not have children. We are so behind! 

August 2011

 Fun Things:

Celebrated our friend, Jarrett, who was started grad school in NYC later that month

Girls’ Trip to Fayetteville with Sarah

Fan Day in Fayetteville

Celebrated the engagement of Alana’s brother, Jeffrey, to Miss Faith Laska!

Alana started back with AWANA having so much fun with her Sparks every Wednesday

Not-So-Fun-Things:

Waiting in the sun for hours to get Bobby Petrino’s autograph

September 2011

Fun Things:

Attended Razorback game in Little Rock

Travis played his second-ever golf scramble and won with teammate Don Quigley

Traveled to San Antonio for a fun time with Camp Ozark and Camp War Eagle staff

Traveled to Devil’s Den State Park for a fun weekend with friends

Not-So-Fun-Things:

Finding out 30 minutes before the Arkansas vs. Alabama game that your Devil’s Den cabin tv will not be airing the game

Sitting in the back of a van on the way to San Antonio that felt like a rollercoaster ride

October 2011

Fun Things:

Attended the Bibles’ Fall Festival complete with a cakewalk, fishing game, bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving and yummy fall food

Attended Alana’s 10-Year high school reunion

Traveled to Mountain View with both of our families for a 3-day weekend in a cozy cabin

Not-So-Fun-Things:

Realizing you have been out of high school for 10 years

November 2011

Fun Things:

Adopted our first puppy, Charlie, who is now a very spoiled puppy

Attended the beautiful wedding of Will & Lauren Sisco

Traveled to California for an 8-day road trip which included visiting some of Travis’ family for 3 days

Thanksgiving with our families

Alana celebrated her 29^th birthday!

Not-So-Fun-Things

Potty training a puppy

Realizing your puppy really likes to eat mulch

Leaving our family in California (we loved being there)

Travis’ idol, Regis Philbin, “moving on”

Having a medical procedure on your 29^th birthday

December 2011

Fun Things:

Attended my 29^th birthday party (Lisa Frank theme) thrown by my friends

Hosted our first annual Christmas Open House

Spending Christmas with our families

We pray that God protect your coming and going during 2012 and may your families be abundantly blessed.

Love, 

Travis & Alana Tarkinton

Licks and Chews,

Charlie Regis Tarkinton

Sugar and spice, and everything nice!

Dear friends,

A momentous occasion is upon us! My fabulous friend, Jen, is about to have a baby!!!!!

Her due date is March 12. She starts maternity leave tomorrow. The next time I will get to see her, she will be a MOM!!!

Let me just take a moment to let you know why I am so excited about Baby Blank (Yes, we do not know the name, yet. It has been exhausting trying to get it out of them, but we have been patient and they have stood their ground):

1. Jen and Cody both have fantastic families. Even though I have not been around them for any lengthy period of time, I can just tell you--they are great! This baby will grow up among smart, witty and hilarious people. 

2. Jen has a blog. My blog-stalking will grow more intense as baby milestones occur! 

3. Jen and Cody have been making beautiful things for this little girl. I can't wait to see them put into action! Check out the afghan in this post or the sentimental quilt in another post! 

4. Jen likes theme parties and will raise her daughter to like theme parties. This makes me happy.

5. There was a rumor that the baby's first Halloween costume will be a polar bear! Who doesn't love baby polar bears?!?

6. Cody can make delicious pies for Jen and the baby (when the baby can eat solid food).

7. All in all, Cody and Jen are going to be wonderful parents. They are two caring people who will raise their daughter in a home filled with love. They will teach her so many things about the world. Cody will teach her about the relevance of comics and superheroes, cooking and how to dominate on the basketball court. (I've heard from credible sources that he's pretty good). Jen will teach her arts and crafts, a love of glitter and all things sparkly, how to make delicious banana bread and how to shop the library sale. There are SO many more things I could mention, but I'll just stop here for now. 

8. Who doesn't love a baby?!?!

I am excited to see each and every one of our friends meet the newest addition to our group. We are all so ready for her to get here and fill our hearts with the warmth and joy that only a new baby brings!

"For you, o Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of your hands." Psalm 92:4

Many prayers for a safe delivery and a happy & healthy baby! We Love You!

F-O-X

In honor of Valentine's Day, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite lines from my all-time favorite movie, "You've Got Mail." Enjoy!

Kathleen Kelly: I could never be with someone who has a boat.

Joe Fox: I have a boat.

Kathleen Kelly: Oh.

Joe Fox: Which clinches it; we'll never be together.

Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.

Joe Fox: You told me.

Kathleen Kelly: They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

Joe Fox: Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.

Kathleen Kelly: Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdale's to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.

Sweet T turns 28!

Today is my husband's birthday! After celebrating with his parents last night, we woke up to this:

We just received word that we will not be going into the office today due to the road conditions. So,we are going to work from home (which I am obviously doing right now) and enjoy watching the snow fall. I am pretty sure the flakes keep getting bigger!

Anyhoo...back to Travis. He's older today. He's wiser today. I hate to admit this, but even though I am the older one, he is wiser than I am. Here are a few things you should know about him:

1. He works all the time (even when on vacation out of the country).

2. He loves the Arkansas Razorbacks.

3. He has been my friend for 10 years and my husband for 2.75 years.

4. He is REALLY good at directions.

5. He likes camping. 

6. He wants a Siamese cat.

7. He loves to travel.

8. He cleans up quite nicely.

9. This is his famous "picture face."

10. He loves this guy.

I hope your 28th year is a blessed one and full of fun adventures! Happy Birthday Travis!!!!