YouTube video of Maria Sue Chapman with her Daddy!

I found this precious video clip while looking online for any updates on how the Chapman family is doing. It was on a blog site run by their manager friend, Jim Houser. It was filmed just about two months ago and it captures a cute and funny side of their little girl, Maria. I thought some of you might enjoy watching this...

Such a tragedy...

I don't know if you've heard, but yesterday the daughter of my all-time favorite Christian musician/artist, Steven Curtis Chapman, was tragically killed in an unfortunate accident at their home. Her name was Maria and she was 5 years old, their youngest adopted daughter from China. Most recently, Steven had written a very popular song entitled, "Cinderella", with lyrics inspired by recent precious moments Steven had with his daughters. The Chapmans have three biological children (a daughter and two sons) and three younger daughters who were all adopted from China. Sadly, yesterday the Chapman family was also going to be hosting a high school graduation party at their home for their son Caleb. Apparently, their other son, Will, accidentally tried to back out of their driveway and did not see little Maria directly behind the SUV before running over her. I can't even begin to imagine the feelings the entire family must be going through at this moment, especially their son, Will, who was driving the vehicle. My prayers are with their entire family and I hope that no one I know EVER has to go through this kind of a tragic loss of a child. Thank goodness for the family's strong Christian faith and for the hope they have in Jesus that one day they will see Maria again in Heaven. Below is a video clip of Steven talking about his motivation for the new song, Cinderella. It's also the first song playing right now on my playlist (track 03). What a touching little video clip this is to see, especially in light of what's just happened in their family.

Chad the Wolf Scout!

Following my husband's lead, I am posting a new blog about our son, Chandler, and his Cub Scouts graduation ceremony held at Fort Christmas Park, yesterday! I am a proud mama! "Chad" graduated from Tiger Cub Scout to Wolf Cub Scout! We had a wonderful time at the picnic and we even toured these old wooden houses at Fort Christmas that were built in the early 1900's, including the original Post Office for the town! I had never been to this park before, but I was very impressed with the unplanned field trip we experienced as we were taken back in time by walking through some old forts there, too! I felt like I was walking on the set of Little House on the Prairie. There were many posted signs around the entire park with lots of written history of the families who once lived in these old wooden houses there. The inside of the forts had all kinds of memorabilia from the 1800's-early 1900's, including rifles, loads and loads of various tools, wagon wheels, and lots of clothing and pictures in black and white of the many family members who once lived on the property. It was a fun history lesson and of course, there was also a section dedicated to the history of the Seminole Indians who used to inhabit that land. There were examples of their Indian clothing and shoes, as well as plenty of photos, too. If you are ever in the mood for a unique family outing that doesn't cost a dime, try driving out to Fort Christmas Historical Park & Museum! It's easy to get to and not very far at all from east Orlando...you just go down SR50 (east) and follow it as the road forks into SR520 and SR50...stay towards the left on SR50! A few miles down you will see the sign and Fort Christmas Rd. is on the left. It's right where the big Christmas tree is standing on the side of the road.

Big sister, Sierra

Here's Daddy officially placing the neckerchief around Chandler's neck at the ceremony...how cute!