The Springtime News in Pictures

I'm saving the best for last here, so if you don't have a lot of time, scroll on down.

With Spring comes one of my favorite flowers--bluebonnets.  When we went south for Easter, the bluebonnets were not out yet. I was a little bummed that we wouldn't see any and that we wouldn't get our annual picture.  Then we found some right here!  And they were gorgeous! 

Spring also means baseball at our house.  I have learned to enjoy it.  I even look forward to Opening Day.  (Yes, that is capitalized because it is an official celebrated holiday--at least in our house!)  Little league happens a little differently here, and SweetBoy has moved up a league to kid pitch and that is different.  SweetDoll is still waiting to hear when they start, so for now it is just SweetBoy playing.  He is playing some really good defense and has gotten several hits so far.  Play ball!

So here is the big news.  Two years ago, SweetDoll began to understand what it meant to be a Christian--that God is the only true God, Jesus is God's Son, Jesus took care of our sin on the cross, He rose again, He lives in us, and we will be with Him forever in Heaven one day.  Last week she decided to tell everyone and show that she was a Christian by being baptized.  So this last Sunday, our family came in to celebrate this very special occasion with us.  Our pastor said parents smile and are proud when their babies are born, but it is even more so when they become Christians.  I believe that is true.  One of the sweetest moments was when SweetDoll came back into the sanctuary after being baptized, SweetBoy met her half-way with a big hug--he was pretty proud of her too. (He held her even before I did when she was born, so it was appropriate that he got this first hug!)  We had four generations present and it was a sweet celebration!

After lunch we had a few gifts for SweetDoll.  She gave her brothers hugs for the necklace they gave her.  I missed the first one, but I got these!

Thanksgiving

Wow! What a week! We visited 3 different towns, 14 hours of travel. And saw a lot of family including all 5 great-grandparents, all 4 grandparents, all aunts & uncles and 1st cousins, and a lot of great-aunts & uncles, and cousins--some that we don't often get to see!

First we went to SweetHeart's hometown for the weekend. Mamaw always celebrates Thanksgiving on the Sunday before. It was great fun to be with family and cousins again. Here is our last name family. And we are going to be an Aunt and Uncle again! SweetHeart's big brother and his wife are expecting again. That will make the cousins the dirty dozen...or something like that!

The leaves were amazing to play in, and of course, we didn't have to show them how!

YUM! Mamaw's chocolate cookies!

Then Monday was my Granddad's 80th birthday. We met my dad's siblings and some of my cousins and their kids at Grandma and Granddad's house for a birthday party. We don't often get together so it was a lot of fun to visit and play with them for the day.

Here are three generations of my last name men that were here. (My generation is missing.)

Here are four generations of my last name women that were here.

SweetBoy got Papa, and Cousin C got his grandpa to play a game of ping pong in the basement. I think the big boys laughed and enjoyed it more!

SweetDoll and Cousin J had a blast playing together!

There were seven of the 11 great-grandkids here today (and there are two more on the way!)

My kids had school Monday (we took them out early for the party) and Tuesday. Then it was off to Granny and Papa's house for Thanksgiving! My brother and his wife were in from the east coast so it was special to have them home. My cousin and her family came too, so there were cousins for my kids to play with here too!

SweetTate and little Cousin K had too much fun playing football!

And it snowed! A really pretty, HUGE flakes snow! The kids had fun playing in it with Dad.

Uncle J gave the kids some gifts he brought back from his trip to China. Those are really cool! And Uncle J and Aunt E let the kids go on a scavenger hunt for their Christmas presents from them (since we won't see them at Christmas). Those were a hit too! My brother got a picture of the group. I'll have to share that when I get it. Here is a picture of four generations of us girls.

This season of giving thanks I am really thankful for family. We are so blessed to know our extended family and have a good time with them. I know that is not necessarily a given. And through the month, we asked the kids what they were thankful for. They said things like God, warm bed, play set, family, friends, animals...all of which, and more, I am grateful for too. Over at Beth Moore's blog she asked what we were thankful for that surprised us most. At first I couldn't think of anything. But the more I thought about it, I'm thankful for our move. I never thought I would say that. Yes, I miss being close to family and friends. And I miss the familiar and have had to learn a new area. But I have my husband, friend, and my kids' dad back from a stressful situation and I'm thankful we are here.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too! Now it is off to decorate for Christmas!

Now where were we

Ah yes, a season of thanks. The last thing I wanted to put on my list, at least for now, is my family. And it is still relavant because in the last month we have seen more of our aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, and friends than we have had the opportunity to in several years. We've met new little cousins too! We had a good time visiting, playing games, and catching up with extended family. It is such a priviledge to be part of a wonderful family--on all sides. We are so blessed, and I'm so thankful.

Between holidays, SweetHeart and I made a trip to the coast for a conference. It was nice to get away, but it was as cold there as it was at home! We have literally been from one end of the state to the other!

It has been such a busy time with mile-long to-do lists, as I'm sure you know. Now I'm thankful for a few days of rest before it is back to the routine of school and stuff.

I do love Christmas and didn't mean to skip over it here, I'll share a little more but right now my hubby wants to watch a movie. I'll get the popcorn!

Thankful for my kiddos!

1. The Word of God


2. living in the USA


3. change


4. living in this time period


5. disposable diapers!


6. friends


7. teachers


8. great deals


9. health


10. house


11. income

OK, you knew it was coming. But I just had to wait until one of those days when I could write out of true thankfulness and not trying to convince or remind myself amongst refereeing that this is a blessing! (And I better hurry and get it down!) I love their excitement about the little things when they discover them for the first time. I love their smiles and giggles. I love watching them learn and grow, when they can reach something for the first time. I love their hugs and sugars. I love that my touch or voice can calm them down. I love that they make me laugh. The latest is shopping with the little ones and SweetTate asked for goldfish. We made our choice of packages and he said with everything in him, "I wuv this one!" (That was much more enjoyable than the last time we were in Wal-Mart and SweetDoll's flip flop came off and SweetTate threw it up. It was inches from landing on top of the top row of the canned veggies! God knew I would never have been able to reach that! I can laugh about it now, but that day I was not laughing!) Through it all, I am thankful and I am so incredibly blessed by three wonderful gifts!

Thanks--pass the tissue!

1. The Word of God
2. living in the USA
3. change
4. living in this time period
5. disposable diapers!
6. friends
7. teachers
8. great deals

Today I'm getting over a cold and I'm very thankful for cold medicine and Puffs! I slept good last night so today looks brighter!

I'm thankful for our house and steady income. For so many these days, that is not a certainty. I'm thankful for a warm, safe place to be, for my kids to come home to, and to invite friends to. It is not a mansion by any means, but it is what God provided and we are so blessed.

More thanks

• Word of God
• living in the USA
• change

What am I thankful for today? Several things have come to mind...

living in this time period. I am so glad I have a dishwasher, washer AND dryer, and a microwave! I can not imagine trying to get everything done by hand! And a vacuum cleaner! For Jen it is her hairdryer. For me I think when I'm vacuuming because I can't hear the chaos going on around me. The disadvantage in that is it is usually just once a week! (Today is a cleaning day, can you tell?)

disposable diapers! I almost put it in the previous one, but I think they deserve their own bullet point!

FRIENDS! Over the weekend I had the privilege of getting together with some high school buddies. We had a good time visiting and going to the football game. God has blessed me with some good friends back then and now!

My kid's teachers. Last night was open house at school. I am so thankful for the great job SweetBoy's teachers do preparing him for his future. When he was born, I began praying for the best teachers for him. Who knew that would lead us here! But they are great! The principal isn't too bad either! ;)

Great deals! I have been couponing for about a year now, but I love free stuff! The Preacher's Wife is having a book give away this week. And then she had a link to a jewelry give away from Ellinoelle Designs this week too! How fun!

That is the list so far. I'll be back later with more!

Thankful for change

What am I thankful for today?

1. The Word of God
2. Living in the USA
3. Change

Change has been a buzz word the last year or so, and I never in a million years thought I would actually say I was thankful for change! When we moved to this house, SweetBoy's birthday party was 5 days after we moved. Just before the party, Mom unpacked the trinket box in the living room. We put things on shelves fast and furious and that is pretty much how they have stayed! My husband on the other hand seeks change. He looks at me and says, "Are you ready to move?" I offer to change the furniture around just to satisfy his itch for change!

God knew we would need change and He planned the change in the seasons and weather. I was afraid we would not have a very colorful fall, but the trees this week are showing their magnificent reds, oranges, and golds! It is beautiful! And I am thankful for the change! I'm ready for cooler days after the hot summer, and I'm ready for refreshing rain.

Not all change is good or wanted. And changing just for the heck of it or because it is a problem some other place but not here, is frustrating! Whether it is a move, a change in family dynamics, a change in leadership, or change in season, it is good to know that somethings rarely change and Someone never changes! I am thankful for my God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning--no matter what that morning brings. And if He brings change into my life, it has a purpose.

Just in case you were wondering...this is not an endorsement of the president-elect's change he has been selling all campaign. Honestly, I am feeling a little down about the decision that has been made by our country. Only because I don't agree with the things he stands for, it has nothing to do with his race. But today is better, and these ladies had some wise thing to say about the situation: Lisa on the disapointment, Amy on teaching our kids, Beth on what to do now, Jen with a practical solution--chocolate! And yes, I have hope and believe that God has a purpose in this change too.

Thanks for the vote

These are in no particular order, but here is what I am thankful for today...

1. For the Word of God
2. That I live in the best country in the world

Today SweetDoll and I were discussing the election and why it was a big deal to go vote, and why I was choosing the presidential candidate that I was choosing. It made me realize, again, what a priviledge it is to live here. To have organized, fair elections, where each one has a voice in the decisions made. To know that even if the one I choose isn't elected, God is still in control. (Check out this great reminder of that fact from Beth Moore on this election day.) And I have the freedom to believe in the One True God and worship Him in this country. What a priviledge to live here! Thanks to all the military men and women who made it possible and still make it possible. And thanks to their families!

Season of Thanks

I heard this idea a while ago, and I might actually do it this year. Let your kids cut leaf shapes out of different colors. Then everyday (or when I think of it) in November, have the family write something they are thankful for on a leaf and decorate the house/room with the leaves. In this culture of gimme and over-abundance, I want to focus on the blessings we do have.

So today what am I thankful for?
1. God's Word--that it is so helpful, relavent and applicable to my life today! That it is a love letter to me from my Creator. That I can depend on it and He never changes. That it has all the warnings I need to know to live successfully, and is full of the wonder of God. But not all the wonder...there is always more to discover. Amazing!