Biographies

We (Laurie Lovejoy Hilliard and Sharon Lovejoy Autry) grew up in the rural North Texas town of Whitesboro. This was the place in which most of our early memories were made with our dad Hank, mom Rita, and older brother, Chris. We have a very close family whose name best describes the predominant atmosphere in our family -- "Lovejoy". Not only was our home filled with love and joy, but these were also shared with many others in our church and community. Our parent’s consistent faith greatly influenced our desire to know the Lord at an early age in our lives.

Our parents encouraged our talent for singing at an early age. Many hours were passed in the car by singing favorite songs. All three of us children developed an ear for harmony very early. Our church music director, Dajuana Neal, also encouraged us to sing. We were both singing in church before we were tall enough to see over the podium. We both enjoyed the opportunity of participating in the Texas Baptist All-State Youth Choir during our high school years. And I (Laurie) continued singing in college with the Hardin-Simmons Choral as well as taking private voice lessons. We have realized that God has blessed us with the ability to sing and have used this gift at every opportunity He has given us, whether it be caroling on Christmas Day to shut-ins or singing "Happy Birthday" for someone at a restaurant. It has always been a joke in the Lovejoy family that before the Lovejoy kids could get married, the spouse-to-be had to pass a singing audition!

Today, I (Laurie) am not only a musician but a wife and mother. My husband Charles and I met at Hardin-Simmons University and Elmcrest Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. After graduation in May 1989 with degrees in Social Work, we were married in September. Three years later we began attending the University of Texas in Arlington where we received our Masters of Science in Social Work degrees in 1994. My professional experiences have included child protection services, home health social work, and perhaps my most rewarding times in hospice care.

We enjoyed our life as a couple for 5 years before our first child was born in the fall of 1994. I now enjoy being the mom of an 11 year-old boy, Alec, who thinks exotic sports cars are really cool. He has a great sense of direction and wonderful map skills. Alec has a very sensitive and compassionate spirit. Our 9 year-old girl, Abby, loves riding horses, doing hair (hers or anyone elses), playing with her brothers, sister and cousins, and spending time with mom. She too is compassionate and caring. On July 18, 2000 we had our "00" baby - Avery Anna who is also a joy to parent! She is 5 and a half and has just learned to ride a real bicycle. Then in May of 2005 we added the last boy "bookend", Addison Andrew. He is such a joy to everyone!

Alec and Abby were both baptized in January 2004. Each had received Christ as their personal Savior at different times prior to their baptism. I am realizing everyday how precious each moment is with my children. I am constantly striving to use the opportunities to love them, reflecting God's love and train them in a way that would reach their hearts.

Now for MOM #2, I (Sharon Lovejoy Autry) received my teaching degree from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas in 1993. Throughout that year, I began dating my best friend, Pat Autry. After a two-year friendship but only one month of dating, we were engaged and married six months later on December 18, 1993, the same day I was to graduate from college. Pat continued as the high school band director in Whitesboro and I spent the next three years teaching at the elementary school.

When Pat and I found out we were expecting our first child, I resigned at the end of the school year to become a stay-at-home mom. Brittlea ("Brit-Lee") Elizabeth Autry was born in October, 1996. She is now a very energetic young lady who loves animals of all shapes and sizes, planning things to do with our family, as well as reading (with Mom) and math (with Dad)! In February 2000, we welcomed Crislynn Kate into our family! Crislynn loves to talk and stays busy building playhouses wherever we go. She makes everyone smile because of her cute words and ways. Just ask her grandparents! In May, 2002, just 3 months before we left on our first tour, Davis Patterson was added to the bunch. This little big man loves to run, jump, play any games with "ball" in the title. He brings so much joy and energy to our home.

The words to the songs we have written were inspired by our experiences with our own children. What a blessing it is that we not only get to do what we love -- singing, but we also get to sing about the ones we really love . . . our precious gifts from God!