Time Out

Asher was in "time out" in his room yesterday. I heard some guitar music coming from his room, when I came to check on him, this is what I saw:

Does he know his Momma is a sucker for a cowboy? Or is he just that cute?

Letters to God

I found this beside my daughter's night stand.

Dear God,
Thank you so much for letting me try out for the travel team. Can you please let me get on the team? I know I am'nt very good, but can You help me with that?
Love,
Kenzie

p.s. I love you!!

Love her heart! She did make the team, and she has her confidence back. She totally feels like the Lord has given her this opportunity. I'm so proud for her, love to see her doing what she loves! I plan to keep this so that she can see that when she trusted God, He came through for her. I think it's good to set up modern day "altars of remembrance" of God's faithfulness in our lives. It helps us to remember His faithfulness in the little things, and reminds us how He can absolutely be trusted in the big things too!

Colton's Shiner

"I came home from school one day with a shiner on my eye...fightin' was against the rules and it didn't matter why..." so begins one of my favorite George Strait songs, "Love Without End, Amen". Well, that's not exactly what happened.

Last week, when Colton was playing out in the barn with a friend, I was in the kitchen looking out the window when I saw them come around the corner...it literally looked like someone had shoved a golfball up under his cheekbone. He looked deformed! It scared me to death! Apparently the handle of the wheelbarrow had caught his cheekbone/eye as he fell off a ladder in the barn. This is five hours later...

A closer look (swelling way down, but still pretty swolen)
This is morning, Day 2...he was mortified! Stayed home from school for that one...

Three days later...much better! Glad to report that he is on the mend...only permanent damage...mom's gray hairs (but even that can be remedied by a good hairdresser!) lol

New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, we were sitting around a bonfire with some friends making s'mores, and Jerry suggested that we go around the circle and each of us share what was the best thing that happened to them in 2008. I love stuff like this (and Jerry usually doesn't), so I listened intently to each person. Kenzie said that getting a puppy was the best thing, then Colton shared that his was scoring his first touchdown, then it came to Asher. He very confidently said, "What I liked best about 2008 was Cohton's babatism (Colton's baptism)." Well, there you have it. My year ended beautifully. My heart was full.

On a lighter note, what they were looking forward to in 2009 was Kenzie -playing in her first travel ball tournament, Colton - playing football at Covenant, and Asher - finally getting to play t-ball. We will have a busy, sports-filled year, but we ended 2008 and begin 2009 with an incredible sense of the goodness of God and His amazing gift of His Son, our family and friends. Happy New Year everyone!

More Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve pajamas...so that everyone will look good in the Christmas morning pics...some excited children eagerly awaiting the gifts of the next day. A treat this Christmas arrived from our Aunt Lori in Saudi. The kids love getting gifts from there because they are extra special treats from overseas. Kenzie and Aunt Lori have a special connection.

Bangles and bracelets...

head coverings...

the boys had fun dressing up (and mom is thinking great props for Allstars!)

The staff party...we have the best staff ever...Curt, Greg, Brad, Val, Torie, Nolan and their spouses...what an incredible team we are blessed with. PC wouldn't be without them. They strive for excellence each week in all that we do...not to entertain but to capture someone's attention so that God can speak to their heart. Amazing instruments in the hands of our Redeemer. PC staff rocks!
Greg and Curt try to battle it out wrapping gifts with one arm as they race the girls...they were good sports though, and no one went home empty handed!
Val and Holly clearly won the best gift wrapped with one hand tied behind their backs!

Our home was filled with much love this holiday season as we had several gatherings for friends. As we wrap up 2008, we are filled to the brim with God's blessings and goodness to us that we so do not deserve!