tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89906831367086098202024-03-13T08:33:39.216-05:00how could it be any better than this? melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-69553709006224014512014-10-01T21:45:00.000-05:002014-10-01T21:45:40.091-05:00Back to School I started last spring researching curriculum and trying to plan for this school year. I'm kind of a nerd that way. I really enjoy researching. I like knowing all my options so that when I choose something, I know that I know that I made the best choice. However, I was so wrapped up in choosing just the right stuff for my school girls, that I didn't take into account the big game changers - Bodie and Sadie. I knew having a baby would change things, but I just assumed she would nap much of the morning. And I certainly didn't know my sweet little boy was going to change from a toddler into a full grown all out BOY over the summer. Complete with the sweet sweaty stinkiness that I wouldn't change for anything. <br />
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So we've spent much of the first month of school tweaking things and figuring out what works. We've gone on a lot of walks in the middle of the morning because that is the only way to regain my sanity. We call it exercise. We've dropped some of my well-researched "best choices" and opted for some simpler things that aren't as amazing, but they get done. We have very full days - our school day lasts much longer than previous years - but it's been good for me to slow down and meet the needs of the little ones and not worry so much about getting done by noon. <br />
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Our typical day starts around 8am. I eat before they get up, so while they are eating breakfast, I read a Bible story. Right now we are reading through <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/the-childs-story-bible/catherine-vos/9780802850119/pd/5011?dv=c&en=google-pla&event=SHOP&kw=children-0-20&p=1179710&gclid=CNT16qbWhMECFUMF7AodYxAAGA" target="_blank">The Child's Story Bible</a> by Catherine F. Vos. It's a little over Bodie's head, but it's just right for the girls. <br />
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Since Laney is in Kindergarten this year, I wanted her to do a calendar activity each day so she can learn days of the week, months of the year, count up to 100 Day, etc. It turns out her big sisters really wanted to do it too, so I made a <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2012/09/elementary-daily-learning-notebook.html" target="_blank">Daily Learning Notebook</a> for each of them. They all like this and while they are busy figuring out the time, weather, date, etc, I can usually clean up breakfast or take care of Sadie's needs.<br />
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While we're all still at the breakfast table, we pull out either science or history and we all do a lesson together. I've been trying to do science on Tuesdays and Thursdays and to do history on M/W/F.<br />
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For science this year we are using <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/science-in-the-beginning/jay-wile/9780989042406/pd/042406?event=CPOF" target="_blank">Science in the Beginning</a> by Jay Wile. So far I am thrilled with how easy it is to use. It is geared toward Kindergarten - 6th grade, so I can easily use the same lessons for everyone. There is an experiment with every lesson, so every time we do science we also do an experiment. So far, all the experiments have been easy, using things I already have around the house and they all WORK! The girls each have a notebook that they write or draw a picture in each day about what they learned. I don't dread science now and that is saying something! <br />
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For history we are using <a href="http://www.truthquesthistory.com/store/products.php?categoryParentName=Books&categoryName=American+History+for+Young+Students+II&itemId=36" target="_blank">TruthQuest</a> American History II for Young Students. This is our second year to use this curriculum and I can't say enough good about it. I love history and this approach allows me to tailor our lessons according to our interests. If the kids show a lot of interest in a topic (i.e. Sacagawea), we can spend 2 weeks learning about her. If they aren't so much into a topic (i.e. The Stamp Act), we read one quick story about it and move on to something else. This curriculum does require frequent trips to the library to get lots of books about history topics, but that is a good thing in my opinion and the kids enjoy seeing our library bag filled with new books every couple weeks. <br />
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That is the part of the school day we do together. After that, we usually have a break to do chores, take a walk, take Bodie to Mother's Day Out on T/Th, go to the grocery store or library, or whatever. <br />
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Then around 10-11am, we start our individual subjects. Everyone has their own math, language arts (reading for Laney) and thinking skills. This part of the day has been a challenge for me because I feel stretched in so many directions. I think that is part of the reason why I feel like my brain is going to explode some days. I try to teach them to not interrupt when I'm working with someone else, but the sweet little stinky boy doesn't get it. That is why we signed up for Mother's Day Out, even though this mother is having her days in. <br />
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So the girls have a schedule or list of what needs to be done each day and they work through it at their own pace, putting a check on each thing as they get it done. It includes piano practice, time with Bodie or Sadie, exercise, chores and school work. <br />
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In the afternoon, we have lunch, rest time, reading time and whoever isn't finished with school finishes. The rest of the afternoon is free time. And that is our typical day of school. <br />
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Laney's First Day of Kindergarten</div>
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I can't believe my little Laney is a Kindergartener. She is so ready and so eager to learn. She is the only one who asks for more when I tell her she's done for the day. Just today I noticed she was walking around pouting and I asked her why. She said it was because she wanted more school to do. Normally her day includes math, reading, handwriting and thinking skills. Her front tooth next to the tooth she busted out last summer is very loose. I can't wait to see her sweet little toothless smile. <br />
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Tatum's first day </div>
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of 2nd grade</div>
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Tatum is growing so fast right now. Sometimes I look at her and I can't believe how tall and independent she has become. She wakes up in the morning ready for the day. She is tender hearted and hilarious. Her day includes math, piano, reading, language, phonics and thinking skills. She is also a big help with Bodie. She loves her time with him and he loves it too. <br />
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Avery's first day of 4th grade</div>
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I am really thankful for the total change I've seen in Avery so far. She seems to really enjoy her independence this year. She is taking math and spelling on my laptop, which has been such a blessing to both of us! She also has language, piano, geography, Psalms study and thinking skills. She loves to sit Sadie in her lap while she's doing her school and talk her through each problem. She is a wonderful help to me. <br />
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Bodie's first day of Mother's Day Out</div>
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I am so crazy about this little guy. He is rough and tough, but has such a tender heart. He loves big hugs and his trains and cars. He is a sweet big bro to Sadie and loves to get her swing going really fast. He likes to sing "Let it go" with his sisters and he still really enjoys wearing princess dress-ups. He also likes his new Spiderman costume. He fills my days with laughter. <br />
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I work in the nursery at church and this is my "work shirt." Sadie got a matching onesie from our church in her newborn goodie bag, so the girls made sure we matched one Sunday.<br />
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Sadie is 6 months old already. Since this photo was taken, she is now sitting up all by herself. She has two teeth on the bottom and I can feel two more on top about to pop through. Ouch! She has a dimple just like Tatum, eyes like mine, hair like Laney, fingers and toes like Avery, a forehead like Brian and a smile like Bodie. It has taken awhile, but she is finally sleeping through the night from about 8pm - 6am, give or take an hour. Her morning nap is not too predictable yet, but she naps in the afternoon around the same time as Bodie. She has just started eating solid foods the past few weeks. So far she loves carrots, zucchini and refried beans. She tolerates sweet potatoes. She does not like applesauce. She strains her neck to see where her brother and sisters are. She adores them. She is so loved. melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-67757081886648195842014-09-18T22:05:00.004-05:002014-09-18T22:05:57.805-05:00the real Elsa and Anna<em>Let it go.</em><br />
Why does that song resonate so deeply with me? I find myself almost crying as I watch Elsa walk up that snowy hill and design her dream castle of ice, all the while singing about her new found freedom. I imagine how it would feel to really be Elsa. Not the beautiful princess that every little girl wants to be. But a girl who lived in constant fear that you are going to hurt someone you love. You would never want to or mean to hurt them. But you know you might, because you have so little control over your own condition. Imagine Fear screaming at you every minute of your life - "<em>You are better off alone. You don't belong. You are a danger to others. You were poorly made. Your life is of little value. You are destined to be broken. You will never defeat this. Your situation is hopeless</em>." I can only imagine the list of lies she would be bombarded with. And her parents advice only made it worse - "<em>Conceal it. Don't feel it. Don't let it show</em>." So she did what she thought was best. She cut her closest loved one out of her life. She believed the lies and acted accordingly. <br />
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As I watched Frozen yesterday for the 13th time, it hit me for the first time - one reason Frozen has been such a successful movie is because Elsa is such a relatable character. Many of us feel isolated, fearful and anxious as we live out our day to day life. Fear controls us and all our decisions. The idea of breaking free is so bright and beautiful but we don't know how to get there. <br />
Finally Elsa escapes and we all know and love how she expresses her new found freedom. But she quickly realizes she's not really free because fear followed her. <br />
As believers, we know that the way to get freed is to put our trust in Christ... once for our salvation, then daily afterwards for our freedom and peace. Disney makes no mention of our Redeemer and Deliver, but the end of the movie spells out what heals us - "<em>an act of true love</em>."<br />
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." <br />
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Elsa froze Anna's heart. She didn't deserve Anna's love, but that's the very reason Anna willingly gave it. Anna's act of true love turned everyone's lives around. She sacrificed her life for Elsa and that changed everything. The fjords melted, the flowers bloomed, the sun shone and Elsa's ice powers were changed from a curse into a blessing. Anna's act of true love is a picture of what Christ did for us. As is fitting for a children's movie, the heroine came back to life at the end. Christ gave His love and it cost Him His life. But He didn't stay dead either. He came back.. <br />
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These are my very random deep thoughts about Frozen. It is a redemption story. God speaks through Hollywood whether they know it or not. I don't know if the writers of Frozen knew how beautifully their story points to the Savior of the world. But I'm thankful to have this movie show my little ones the power of sacrificial love as the only thing that can heal, repair, fix, redeem, save the broken, sometimes including ourselves. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear..." 1 John 4:18<br />
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At the end of the movie when the credits rolled, I heard another verse of "Let it Go" that I hadn't heard before... "<em>I know I left a life behind but I'm too relieved to grieve. Let it go, let it go...."</em> <br />
Amen. May I never grieve the things I've left behind in pursuit of freedom and peace.<br />
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melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-55001680058046715692014-09-14T22:31:00.002-05:002014-09-14T22:31:47.044-05:00More catching up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One more highlight of our summer was swim team! This was our 3rd season. Each year we've added one kid to the team and this year it was Laney. </div>
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This is our favorite coach. She taught Laney how to swim last summer and this summer she got Bodie swimming across the pool all by himself! Hopefully he will join the team next summer. </div>
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Here's all our Copperfield Dolphins. The sweet team store lady even had a onesie made for Sadie that had a big green C on it. She wore it proudly to all the meets. </div>
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Between races, there is plenty of time to be goofy. Tatum came over to our tent to show me that her Ariel's head had fallen off, but no worries - she has been resurrected with a huge Tatum head! </div>
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This Daddy loves his baby girl and she lights up when he talks to her. </div>
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Another fun random summer story... We happened upon 4 baby cottontail bunnies at a newly constructed park near our house. They were hopping all around the playground equipment when we got there. Our girls and friends quickly caught them and convinced me we needed to keep them as pets. So we brought them home with us and I started researching how to care for cottontails. Well, it turns out all the internet sites I found advised not to keep them as pets, as it could be fatal to them. So we went back that night and let the bunnies go into the wooded area near the park. We felt sad leaving them there, almost like we were abandoning babies in the woods, but as soon as we walked away, we looked back and saw several larger rabbits and mice running all around, so we felt like our bunnies would find their mama soon. <br />
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My parents blessed us with our own piano! My mom has been teaching Avery and Tatum on Skype for over a year now. They have both improved so much and they both love to play. My mom felt like our digital piano just didn't do justice to the beautiful songs the girls were learning to play so she came to Houston one day to go piano shopping and found us this beauty! It was delivered late one night, which is why the girls are in their PJ's. The sound is so beautiful! I love to hear it throughout the day.</div>
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Another fun memory that I didn't get a picture of was our week in San Antonio. Avery and Tatum went to His Hill day camp for the week and my mom and I kept the 3 little ones busy all day long shopping, swimming, napping and playing. Those naps we took in the afternoons were so sweet. All of us passed out for a couple hours each day, even Laney. It was the week right before we started back to school, so it was nice to be away from home that week to get my mind off school stuff. <br />
Next time, all about our adventures in getting back into school ...melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-40779271979443625292014-09-13T22:08:00.001-05:002014-09-13T22:08:40.462-05:00Catching upI'm back. <br />
I was re-reading my blog last week trying to remember how many months old Bo was when I started feeding him solid food. As I was reading, I realized how priceless this blog is in remembering all the sweet and funny episodes of our kids' childhoods. I am so overwhelmed with life sometimes, but I truly enjoy writing about our kids and what God teaches me through them. So here's hoping I will keep on enjoying this and it won't add to my never-ending to do list!<br />
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First of all, on the 28th of March we welcomed Sadie Blyss to our family. She is so loved. </div>
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She was our littlest baby, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz. We decided to be surprised with her, so we really had no idea whether she was going to be a she or a he. I can honestly say her delivery was the most exciting and memorable of our kids because of the suspense leading up to her birth. And the pure bliss and excitement when I heard everyone yell, "It's a girl!" </div>
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Sadie means "Princess." Brian heard it while we were pregnant and we decided right away that was our favorite if it was a girl. We debated quite a bit for her middle name, but I really loved "Blyss" and Brian finally agreed when he saw it spelled with a "y" instead of an "i." </div>
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Bodie's expression is so perfect for this moment of his life! FOUR sisters!!!</div>
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On Easter Sunday, Sadie & I stayed home from church. She was still so tiny. But when the rest of the crew got home from church, we had a little photo shoot in the backyard. I love these sweet memories of our tiny little blessing with her big brother and sisters who love her so much!</div>
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The boys</div>
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We got to go to Foxfire with my family over the summer. It's a beautiful place out in the hill country right on a river. This was our 3rd summer there and we look forward to it more each year. It's so relaxing and peaceful to just watch the kids catch critters in the river, swim, fish, eat yummy fish and the best part... no cell phone service out there. <br />
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My brothers came for a short visit and the kids were thrilled to see Uncle Martin and Uncle Matt cruise up on their motorcycles. <br />
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Tatum and Nana</div>
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That's my sweet Mommy and Daddy</div>
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We got to pick peaches on our way home. We had enough for a peach cobbler and a batch of homemade peach ice cream. YUM!</div>
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The kids loved catching crayfish in the river, which their daddy loved using as bait. </div>
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Those were so yummy</div>
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Painting rocks</div>
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We also got to take a trip to Galveston with Brian's family.We stayed in a townhouse that was a short walk from the beach and from a couple fun swimming pools. The kids loved catching and playing with the tiny frogs that were all over the place. There was a lot of seaweed on the beach so we didn't spend as much time there as we did at the swimming pools. Bodie got stung by a jellyfish on his belly the first night we were there. Thankfully the next day he was fine. <br />
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Sadie spent a lot of time strapped to me. </div>
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Mud monster Laney</div>
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This was Sadie's first swim, so everyone wanted to have a front row seat to see how she would like it. </div>
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Arghh!</div>
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This girl wanted to play football in the pool all day long. She loves being sporty. </div>
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Sadie is so happy to be with Avery. And likewise. They are inseparable. </div>
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We love our cousin Tara (and Theo) but he's too little to swim yet too! </div>
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What a little trooper! She just goes with the flow and smiles and coos and laughs at all the crazy noises and faces she sees all day. Sweet Sadie, you are such a joy. More about you soon. <br />
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melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-47295108157273760932013-05-14T21:30:00.000-05:002013-05-14T21:31:38.132-05:00Our fun weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't know how this weekend was going to turn out because there were so many unknowns going into it. But God gave us a super gift in the way He made it work out. Laney & Bodie were invited to spend the weekend celebrating cousin Tara's 4th birthday in Austin, so Brian & I were able to spend the entire weekend with our two big girls. We drove up to The Woodlands for the KSBJ 30th anniversary concert. We listen to KSBJ most of the time we're in the car so we know a lot of the songs they play. We especially love Switchfoot, so we were excited to get to see them live. </div>
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When we got there, the lawn was completely packed. We found a spot for our quilt about 20 feet from the back fence. We couldn't see the bands. We couldn't even see the stage. But we could hear the music. The concert started at 5pm with the opening bands, For King and Country, Chris August, and Family Force Five. We knew our favorites would be much later that night. So we just started rolling around and wrestling on our quilt. </div>
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I looked up and a man knelt down next to me with a microphone. He said he was Sterling from KSBJ and asked our names. Then he asked us where we were sitting. I didn't catch on to what was going on, but Brian said "we're sitting in the very back of the lawn!" Then Sterling said "how would you like to move up to the KSBJ luxury box seats?" We couldn't believe this was happening to us! It felt surreal as we folded up our quilt and took our kids ALL the way through the lawn to the front of the concert. The girls had no idea what was going on. In fact, I think they were pretty disappointed we had to leave the lawn. :)</div>
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P.S. We are on the radio right now!!! If you listen to KSBJ, when you hear their recap of the concert, listen for when you hear a DJ say "how would you like luxury box seats?" Then you will my voice and Brian's voice saying "Thank you so much KSBJ, We love you KSBJ, etc etc." It's weird but fun to hear our voices on the radio every day now!!!</div>
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Here we are in our luxury box seats. We had a waiter that came by and offered us a menu. We saw several people walk by that made us feel like we were definitely out of our league. But we were so excited!!!</div>
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From these seats we got to see Francesca Batestelli. She was so beautiful and I loved hearing her talk about her life and how God had showed her His love. Her husband is her drummer. She was wonderful! Then there was a surprise guest - Amy Grant! She started with "Baby, Baby" then "Sing Your praise to the Lord." The girls had a hard time understanding that she was one of my favorite singers when I was about their age! Tatum just asked me today how old Amy Grant is if she was one of my favorites when I was little. I told her that is a very good question. </div>
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We were so excited when Switchfoot came out. We loved hearing "Your Love is a Song," "Mess of Me" and "Dark Horses." The girls caught on pretty quick - they were singing at the top of their lungs and having such a great time. They sang a lot of their oldies too. Then during "Restless," the lead singer started walking out in the audience right toward us! Then he stopped right in front of our section. He sang the whole song right there. We could've reached out and touched him! So here's our buddy John Foreman...<br />
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After Switchfoot, there was another surprise guest - Steven Curtis Chapman! He sang "Divin' In" and "Cinderella" then he said he was going to try a new song on us (all 16,000 of us) that he had never tried before in front of people. He butchered it! Then he broke a string on his guitar! But he was so funny. We love him!<br />
Then there was an awesome preacher, Jeff Bethke, who gave a great message about how church is supposed to be the huddle, not the game. Then Mercy Me came out to finish the night. When the concert was finally over a little after 11pm, both girls were out cold. Brian & I were still in awe of how God had blessed us! We loved every minute of it! <br />
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It was a wonderful way to celebrate our big girls' birthdays. We also got to stay at a beautiful resort in The Woodlands, play in the water park, collect shells from the pond there and eat some great food. It was such a memorable weekend. </div>
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A few more photos from recently... Avery's Leonardo Ninja Turtle that she wanted so bad for her birthday. Now she has all four turtles. She doesn't really play with them, she just uses them as decorations on her dresser. She thinks they are cute. </div>
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Avery and Tatum both learned to ride without training wheels over this past winter. They have spent many fun afternoons riding their bikes on the greenbelt behind our house. Avery's old bike had a chain and a pedal that were always falling off. So we were excited for her to have her own new bike!<br />
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Here's Bodie and Matthew in their sweet Mother's Day shirts. </div>
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And here's my Laney on Muffins with Mom day at preschool. </div>
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<br />melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-28763420145650658902013-05-04T23:30:00.000-05:002013-05-04T23:30:06.860-05:00Bluebonnets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tatum will be 6 in a little over a week!</div>
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Laney is 4 going on 16</div>
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These kids are growing up too fast! It seems like just yesterday we were setting up baby Avery on that same blanket in that same field to take her picture with the bluebonnets. Now she's 8 and God has blessed us with three more! </div>
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My big 8 year old!</div>
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When you ask Bo how old he is, he says "I'm four." I try to correct him and tell him he is 2, but he won't have it. He insists he is 4. I have so many stories about him I don't know where to start. So for now, I'll just say, he wears one piece pajamas with the hidden zipper to bed every night for a reason.<br />
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<span id="goog_1394573928"></span><span id="goog_1394573929"></span><br />melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-25602808947217064942013-05-01T15:14:00.003-05:002013-05-01T15:14:59.446-05:00A few random photosThis baby squirrel was our pet for about 24 hours. We saw her playing on our driveway and she came right up to us and let us hold her. We named her Sadie the squirrel. I researched a little about how to take care of baby squirrels and all the research said the best thing we could do for her is to help her find her mama. So we kept her one night, fed her pedialyte from a medicine syringe and soft grapes, which was so cute. She was thirsty! The next morning we set her on a towel on a flat place in a tree and let her call for her mama. She did call and eventually her mama came. She was the sweetest thing and we still think we see Sadie every time a squirrel walks by our driveway. <br />
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One of these things is not like the others...</div>
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We took the kids to the Aggie softball game a few weekends ago. Since Avery & Tatum are playing again this spring, they really enjoyed watching the college girls play. They are both fascinated with how to bunt. They were having so much fun, it turned silly pretty quick. </div>
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This was right before Laney's spring preschool program. She mostly stared at the other kids during the program, but she did sing a few songs and she sure did look cute! <br />
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Here is our annual Easter picture, we were all so hungry and ready to eat lunch, but I wanted to get a photo first or else there would be pizza sauce all over the younger two. So they were working hard to smile big and get it right the first time. Hence the huge cheesy grins. <br />
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We did see some beautiful bluebonnets on our way out to College Station a few weeks ago. More bluebonnet photos to come...</div>
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melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-65155746924196969942013-02-26T23:37:00.001-06:002013-02-26T23:37:49.782-06:00Driving AnxietyI have no cute stories or pictures today... just some thoughts on my driving anxiety. <br />
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It first hit me when I was pregnant with Bodie. I was driving down 290 and all the sudden I felt PANIC... my heart was pounding, I felt light-headed and I could hardly breathe. I thought I would go unconscious and drive off the highway and die. Since I was pregnant at the time, I told my doctor about this experience and he sent me to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist made me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours to see if he could record one of these heart pounding panic attacks. I didn't know at the time it was related to driving... that thought never crossed my mind, or else I would have driven down the highway with the heart monitor on and I'm sure it would've happened again. Anyway, nothing happened so I got a clean bill of heart health and was left to wonder what was wrong with me.<br />
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It didn't happen again for several months. Then it happened again as I was pulling out of our neighborhood onto a fast, busy road. The same panic... can't breathe, heart pounding, light-headed, eyes blurry and feeling like i'm going to pass out. I panicked and pulled off into another neighborhood where I could drive really slow. I weaved my way back home and gave up on running any errands until Brian could drive me. When I got home, I googled "panic attack while driving" and the results assured me this was what I had. I tried some of the suggestions given, such as counting backwards from a very high number, so that your mind is busy and can't be afraid. So I would count out loud while driving "796, 795, 794, 793" etc. You can imagine how strange my kids thought I was. <br />
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Anyway, the panic attacks started happening almost every time I was on a highway or going faster than 35 mph. I would have to pull over and try to reason with myself... "I know how to drive. I have been doing this since I was fifteen. What is wrong with me?" I started saying No to things I knew I couldn't drive to. Some trips took me twice as long as they should have because I would stay on the access roads the whole way. My sweet Brian went out of his way to be available to drive if we needed to go somewhere that involved the highway. <br />
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I started to sense it was a spiritual thing, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I was being attacked in this way. How strange to be afraid to drive. <br />
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I asked God why and prayed for Him to help me get over this fear. He reminded me of when Paul asked God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh, and each time God said, "My grace is sufficient for you. For My power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) So maybe this is my thorn. It is humbling to have such a weakness. <br />
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I am not writing this from a place of victory. I am writing this from a place of struggle. However, I do know the truth. I have learned that much of my anxiety (not just driving, but with any fear I have) is because I AM TOO IMPORTANT TO MYSELF. That is the sickness I suffer from. <br />
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Tonight as I drove down 290 (because being at Beth Moore was worth it), I prayed again. Instead of fearfully begging God, "please keep me safe. please help me not to pass out." I prayed, "God I know I'm important to You, but help me not be so important to myself." My shoulders relaxed and I felt His pleasure. It still wasn't easy driving down the highway, but the struggle was manageable because I knew the truth. <br />
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"<em>Hallelujah, we are free to struggle. We're not struggling to be free. Your blood bought and makes us children. Children, drop your chains and sing</em>." Tenth Avenue North - the struggle<br />
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<br />melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-13433410480743140722013-01-12T16:51:00.002-06:002013-01-12T16:51:37.085-06:00Laney's 4th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tomorrow is the actual day, but we've been celebrating all week. We started with her very first haircut. </div>
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She loves her new cut. We loved her beautiful long hair, but were ready for a change. We are enjoying how easy it is to wash and brush, and I'm having fun doing lots of cute short hair hairstyles with her. Like cute pigtails!<br />
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We met our friend Hallie at the park and had cupcakes with her, since she was going away the night of Laney's party. <br />
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Laney really wanted a slumber party for her 4th birthday. It just so happened our church was having a preschool fun night the same night as her party, so we loaded up our crew as well as cousin Tara and friends Rylin & Selah and had a blast dancing and eating French fries with the GiGl team at church.<br />
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Then we came home and had a tea party, cupcakes, dress ups, karaoke, and watched movies. I was amazed only one fell asleep watching movies. The rest stayed up until 12:45AM, when I finally decided it was time to get into beds. <br />
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To add to the excitement of the evening, Tatum lost her 4th tooth! <br />
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This morning, we played more dress ups & painted nails. The big girls orchestrated a re-enactment of Cinderella. Then we got dressed and played on the driveway. <br />
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This new trike was Laney's birthday present from us. She also got a new Cinderella that lights up, an Abby Cadabra tea set,, a princess memory game, and Tinkerbell movie. <br />
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We love you, sweet Laney!melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-79506186118491155202012-10-31T01:06:00.002-05:002012-10-31T01:06:52.856-05:00Can't think of a good title<br />
I haven't known what to say or how to say it for awhile, but I'm going to go ahead and try anyway.<br />
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We are doing really well now. If you would've told me a couple months ago that I would be where I am now, I wouldn't believe it. Sometimes God leads us slow step by slow step through seasons of life. Then apparently sometimes God decides to take us on a few flying leaps to get to our next season.<br />
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Life was humming along as usual all summer. We found out we were expecting our fifth child. We felt super excited, along with a healthy amount of concern for our finances, homeschooling, room arrangement, etc. But we knew God had blessed us with a new life and He would take care of the details. <br />
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It's hard to know how to sum it all up. I could write pages about that last week of August and all the painful memories, but I wouldn't know where to start or how to end. At my 14 week checkup, we found out our baby's heart wasn't beating anymore. As we explained it to the kids - Jesus decided to take our baby to Heaven.<br />
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We didn't get to find out if it was a boy or a girl. We both had a hunch it was a girl so we named her Grace. We figured when we get to Heaven, if find out he was a boy, we'll change it to Grayson. I believe with all my heart that our child is sitting with Jesus, getting lots of attention from great-grandparents and eagerly waiting to meet us. It makes me think of Heaven even more as my home, knowing my precious child is already there. <br />
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A friend reminded me of this - our ultimate goal as parents is for our kids to spend eternity in Heaven. Although I would give anything to still be pregnant and get to have our baby here, we've attained the ultimate goal for this child and that is awesome.<br />
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As I struggled to try to get back to normal, I prayed Psalm 139:23-24 ... Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.<br />
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I feel like God has been so merciful to gently open my eyes to things I have been blind to my whole life. He has changed my thinking and healed hurt I have held onto for decades. All in the past couple months. I don't think I would've been open to hear all He has had to say if I hadn't felt so needy. I can see that He used our miscarriage to humble me and prepare me to move ahead with Him. <br />
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These are some of the things God has used in my life the past couple months. <br />
1. "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo<br />
2. "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers<br />
3. Steven Curtis Chapman's words & songs at a conference at our church - "When love takes you in"<br />
4. Matthew West concert<br />
5. Matthew West CD <br />
6. "Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman<br />
7. "What's it Like to be Married to Me? by Linda Dillow<br />
8. My friend Kelli<br />
9. My mom & dad<br />
10. My Bible<br />
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To anyone else's eyes it looks like a random assortment of topics - Heaven, prostitution, adoption, forgiveness, mercy, letting go, marriage issues , etc. But to God it wasn't random. He brought each of those truths into my heart to set my feet upon a rock. I probably don't need to go into details in how He opened my eyes in each of those areas, but I do think it's neat how He has answered my prayers about organization.<br />
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I read in James 3 one morning recently that "disorder" is listed among "every evil thing." (v. 16) For some reason, that stuck out to me. God is organized. He made the world function with consistency and everything He does is at the right time. So surely He would want to help me bring all the loose ends of my busy life together in a manageable, consistent, organized way.<br />
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I wrote these specific things down in my journal, asking for God to help me know how to bring order to these places. <br />
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1. Cleaning house/chores<br />
2. Exercise<br />
3. Keeping in touch with family/friends<br />
4. Menu planning<br />
5. Grocery shopping<br />
6. Our school schedule (getting Avery to practice piano, MATH!, activities for Laney & Bo, group time, etc.)<br />
7. Practicing Awana verses with kids<br />
8. Getting rid of things we don't need<br />
9. Internet time/blogging <br />
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It's not that I don't do these things. It's just that these are the things that I do randomly or last minute when the need becomes desperate. I long for an organized way of doing these things, but I just didn't see where those things fit on my busy life's calendar. I needed divine inspiration.<br />
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Over the past two weeks, I have been stunned as God has pointed me to a specific slot of time in our routine that I can comfortably fit these in on a regular basis. Well 7 of the 9. I'll keep listening for those last two. God cares so much. <br />
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So we started 2nd grade and Kindergarten this year with Avery & Tatum. Homeschooling is truly a treasure I had
never planned to find, but I am so thankful the Lord let me stumble
upon it and open it up! Avery is studying US History & Geography, Math, Spelling, Reading, Handwriting, Grammar, Bible and Art. Tatum is working through Phonics & Reading, Handwriting, Math, Art and listening to History with Avery. All 3 of the girls are in Awana, so we use that as part of our Bible curriculum.We are just starting Astronomy as our science for the year.<br />
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Tatum is almost done with her Kindergarten requirements. I'm pretty sure I'll have to order 1st grade for Christmas! The girl LOVES math. When she finishes her assignment, she asks if she can do more math! She learned to write letters very early and she continues to enjoy writing tasks. Reading is a struggle right now. I can tell it wears her out more than any of her other subjects. But she is doing great and is half way through level one of All About Reading! <br />
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Avery's reading skills have taken off this year. She amazes me with her ability to decode words. She loves to draw and create. She can draw things at the age of 7 that I cannot draw at the age of 34. I love to watch her creative little mind work. Her main struggle is with writing. I've been researching nonverbal learning disabilities and am finding that many of the modifications suggested for kids with NLD are working tremendously well with Avery. It is such a blessing to be able to give my sweet girl the education she needs and to watch her thrive.<br />
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Avery & Tatum are playing softball on a little 8U team. Brian and I are having so much fun playing with them and watching their skills improve. We keep saying to each other, "This is <i>really</i> fun!" We are truly sad the season is almost over, but hopeful there will be more seasons to come.<br />
<br />Laney is going to preschool a couple days a week. Many of her little friends from church are also in her preschool class and her Awana Cubbies group, so it's been fun for her to see the same faces several days of the week. She is a great helper with Bodie in the mornings. She plays with him in the gameroom or outside while the big girls are doing school. Sometimes they watch Sesame Street together. Bodie calls her "sissy." She likes to come inside and "do school" with us sometimes. She still sticks to me like glue. <br />
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Bodie goes to preschool one day a week and spends one morning a week with Gigi. That way the big girls and I have a quiet house two mornings a week. He is sweaty and rough and so stinkin' sweet I could gobble him up. His favorite word is still "ball." His favorite toy is a ball. When we practice softball in the backyard, he will spend an hour hitting softballs off the tee with a real bat. No plastic bats here. He wants the real bat and the real bright yellow softballs. He is big and strong, which is proving to be difficult as he is entering the terrible 2's. <br />
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Here's some photos from our past few months...<br />
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All the cousins at a pumpkin patch - Avery, Tara, Laney, Bodie, Tatum, Matthew & Isabella </div>
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(Isabella is my sister-in-law's little sister)</div>
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Tatum lost her 3rd tooth! She pulled it all by herself! </div>
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We had a fall festival at church a couple days ago. Here's Superman and... </div>
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the three princesses... Cinderella, a Southern Belle, and Sleeping Beauty!</div>
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Here's our softball girls</div>
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Laney was invited to a birthday part at the Pink Pokka Dot, a boutique where they do your hair, nails and makeup as part of the party. They also have a closet full of princess dress-ups you can change in and out of as often as you like. Here's my little Cinderella after her makeover. <br />
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Then she changed into the Belle dress...</div>
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We went to the Oil Ranch with our home school group at church. It was a Monday and there was no one there! It was so nice to have the whole place to ourselves. </div>
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My friend Justina, took these great pics of the kids</div>
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I just found these pics from the 4th of July parade in our neighborhood. </div>
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And here's a picture I just found from March. My sister-in-law took this at my Paw Paw's 90th birthday party. As we get older, my brothers & I rarely have pictures taken together, so I treasure this one of the three of us together with Paw Paw. This is my oldest brother Matthew, PawPaw, my middle brother Martin and me! </div>
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<br />melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-85469719515167994192012-06-30T00:03:00.002-05:002012-06-30T00:03:37.253-05:00Family Vacation to UtopiaWe just got back from a great week in the beautiful hill country near Utopia TX. We did a lot of relaxing, reading, swimming, fishing and eating! We saw a lot of wildlife (a tarantula, water snake, bats and giant grasshoppers in one day), as well as beautiful birds, deer and rabbits. I especially loved getting to spend time with my parents every day. We haven't gotten to do that in a long time. We ate every meal together, played games, read books, cooked meals and just talked together and it was just what I needed. Since Brian's blog tells the story so well, <a href="http://krackdawg.blogspot.com/">here's the link</a> and I am going to wrap this up! Thanks Papa & Nana for a wonderful vacation and we look forward to the next time!melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-38200540545700748832012-06-16T18:40:00.003-05:002012-06-16T18:40:42.138-05:00Photo Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatum's class sang "Tony Chestnut" at her spring performance. I had never heard that song before, so it cracked me up to see her sing it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She also graduated from preschool this spring. I can't believe her preschool days are over. We started her homeschool kindergarten curriculum toward the end of April, just because she was so eager to "do school" with Avery. It is so fun to teach her because she is such a quick learner and quick worker. She zooms through her work so fast, I'm pretty sure we're going to be done with her Kindergarten by Christmas. But that's just her... she loves a challenge and usually rises to it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHV41zPl8o4/T9z8f94P6tI/AAAAAAAACLE/0lnTxi-g_Uc/s1600/april-may+2012+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHV41zPl8o4/T9z8f94P6tI/AAAAAAAACLE/0lnTxi-g_Uc/s320/april-may+2012+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Avery & Tatum's birthday present, Papa & Nana took all of us to the mall to get the girls ears pierced. We went ahead and got Laney's done too, so hopefully we are forever done with ear piercing. We learned a few lessons. Laney's age, 3, was the right age to get it done. She had no clue what to expect and it was over before she knew what was happening. Barely any tears. Avery, on the other hand, knew what to expect, and freaked out like a crazy woman. We almost left without her having it done. Tatum stepped in when Avery was freaking out and was very brave. Tatum didn't cry at all. She just smiled real big through the whole thing. After watching her two little sisters do it, Avery decided to try again. I did have to hold her in my lap and physically restrain her, but she did cooperate as best she could and we got it done! Hooray... all the girls in our family have pierced ears now and we will have fun sharing earrings. For their starter set, Avery chose her her birthstone, Tatum chose purple flowers and Laney chose pink flowers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodie is 14 months and such a boy. His favorite word is "ball" and he always has either a ball or a sword in his hand. He is now really good at walking, sliding, climbing, giving high fives, bumps and kisses. Whenever we go outside, we call him the "sweaty beast" because he is covered in sweat within 5 minutes. I can't even put into words what a joy and blessing it is to watch our little guy grow and learn new things. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JELzZyX8coo/T9z85n7k85I/AAAAAAAACLY/p5wlRhyXFIE/s1600/april-may+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JELzZyX8coo/T9z85n7k85I/AAAAAAAACLY/p5wlRhyXFIE/s320/april-may+2012+080.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took my camera outside one day while the kids were all playing. I love all the creative ways they spend their time outside. Here's Laney making some mudpies. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatum on our new rock wall Brian built to add to our play fort. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSyAjZNoZ6E/T9z9Jt1wYAI/AAAAAAAACLo/DSTsk3qRXfA/s1600/april-may+2012+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSyAjZNoZ6E/T9z9Jt1wYAI/AAAAAAAACLo/DSTsk3qRXfA/s320/april-may+2012+093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big sister</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Vdcy7xRllM/T9z9Tg00GAI/AAAAAAAACL0/fR8orPATOY4/s1600/april-may+2012+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Vdcy7xRllM/T9z9Tg00GAI/AAAAAAAACL0/fR8orPATOY4/s320/april-may+2012+103.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Laney pushing me on the glider.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RS4aOquS0RY/T9z9fR-pTGI/AAAAAAAACL8/ikhjNgaElHo/s1600/april-may+2012+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RS4aOquS0RY/T9z9fR-pTGI/AAAAAAAACL8/ikhjNgaElHo/s320/april-may+2012+114.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three of the girls like to be Bodie's little mamas, but I think Laney is the most naturally gifted with a mama's heart. She is always wanting to care for him and help him do things. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6EoszwCxuM/T9z9msBIt3I/AAAAAAAACME/-_Q0CpNyKY4/s1600/april-may+2012+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6EoszwCxuM/T9z9msBIt3I/AAAAAAAACME/-_Q0CpNyKY4/s320/april-may+2012+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatum loves collecting chalk dust. She colors real hard to make lots of dust, then collects it in some little container. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-j_SAunS2o/T9z9zQt9RNI/AAAAAAAACMQ/dGANBE0_tjk/s1600/april-may+2012+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-j_SAunS2o/T9z9zQt9RNI/AAAAAAAACMQ/dGANBE0_tjk/s320/april-may+2012+143.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love having our friends, the Spenn kids, over one day a week. It is truly the highlight of our week. We are usually so busy I forget to take pictures, but I got a few while we were having a tower building contest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_xepY0dZEU/T9z996oSmqI/AAAAAAAACMY/drCe2AtTKjQ/s1600/may-june+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_xepY0dZEU/T9z996oSmqI/AAAAAAAACMY/drCe2AtTKjQ/s320/may-june+2012+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the morning of May 16, I woke Tatum up really early and invited her to come downstairs with me before any one else. I let her choose what she wanted for her birthday breakfast... cinnamon crescent rolls. Happy 5th birthday, my sweet sunshine!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNIDS0HzcsY/T9z-VqMnzYI/AAAAAAAACMk/yOWYUhaKdCE/s1600/may-june+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNIDS0HzcsY/T9z-VqMnzYI/AAAAAAAACMk/yOWYUhaKdCE/s320/may-june+2012+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sweet friends, the Kindles, came to visit us a couple weeks ago. We had such a fun time catching up. Even though we only see each other once a year, we feel like they are family. We always feel like our time with them is too short. Our kids had so much fun playing together and Brian & I love the time we get to spend relaxing and catching up with Brandon & Jennifer. This family is a gift from God to us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy kids!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laney & Kate... the sweet 3 year old princesses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim team has been such a good thing for Avery and our family this season. When she joined the team in April, she couldn't swim across the pool without holding on the lane rope at least 10 times. Now she is swimming the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly in swim meets and doing awesome! We are so proud of all her hard work! And we have said over and over how much fun it has been for our family to get to know our neighbors during practices and meets. Tatum is excited to be on the team next year and we are looking forward to many more seasons of cheering for the Copperfield Dolphins! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ready bench</td></tr>
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We took the girls to Sea World to celebrate Avery & Tatum's birthdays. My mom & dad joined us, as well as our sis-in-law, Jenn and neice, Tara. It was such a fun day! In the penguin encounter, they had a penguin out in the lobby walking around right next to us! It was so fun to see one so close! We loved feeding the dolphins and the sea lions. The shows were wonderful and everyone, even Bodie, sat still and watched them in amazement. Later, that evening, my parents took Laney & Bodie home and Jenn & Tara wanted to go back to the kids area, so Brian & I took Avery & Tatum on all the "big" rides. Since there were no lines that late, we rode Journey to Atlantis back to back several times. So fun! And Avery was tall enough this year to ride the Steel Eel so she and Brian rode that twice.... her first real roller coaster ride. <br />
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Now we're gearing up for our last week of swim team and our divisional meet next Saturday. Then we are taking a vacation with my parents to the hill country for a few days to spend some time relaxing by the river. We are so looking forward to getting away for our little vacation! Tatum just started taking gymnastics, which she is loving. And Laney is going to try ballet & tap later this summer. Between all the fun activities, we are still homeschooling a few days a week, mostly just for fun. The girls enjoy "doing school" and I do too.<br />
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Brian is not teaching summer school this summer, so he is home with us most days. We have enjoyed doing a few field trips and hanging out with him so much. We took the kids bowling a few weeks ago, which was hilarious and fun! He is such a super dad and I am glad to have these few weeks with him home with us everyday, joining in with us in our every day activities. He is right now telling the kids to get ready to go fishing so I better end this post. :)melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-12615734870825403782012-04-10T22:09:00.005-05:002012-04-10T23:27:30.410-05:00DYSO and Easter<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Happy Easter! He is Risen!</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whc1pVw9YGQ/T4UA8ugHnvI/AAAAAAAACKo/3Ax10S3_cI8/s1600/Easter%2B018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whc1pVw9YGQ/T4UA8ugHnvI/AAAAAAAACKo/3Ax10S3_cI8/s400/Easter%2B018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729987144173723378" border="0" /></a>We went to the zoo last weekend, and I let Brian do most of the photography so I don't have many photos, but I could not pass this one up. This giraffe was so friendly... it stuck it's head right into this crowd of people and almost licked a few kids. You can see Brian holding Laney and Avery up there right underneath it's head. Once the security guard noticed, he made everyone back away until the giraffe wandered off back into his habitat.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vigIJr_59aA/T4UA9HkWxYI/AAAAAAAACK0/oUPIZgXh51I/s1600/Easter%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vigIJr_59aA/T4UA9HkWxYI/AAAAAAAACK0/oUPIZgXh51I/s400/Easter%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729987150902379906" border="0" /></a><br />Avery & Brian made this little red sports car for the Sparky Drive-in last week at Awana. I think she might have been the only one with a windshield, so she was very proud of that. There were a lot of cute cars. The Sparks got to watch "Cars" and eat popcorn while sitting in (or beside) their homemade cars.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTLNcFFnZ0w/T4T9Xkck75I/AAAAAAAACJs/-CmZE6SN8yU/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTLNcFFnZ0w/T4T9Xkck75I/AAAAAAAACJs/-CmZE6SN8yU/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729983207284469650" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xEqocV_A-v8/T4T9YNVnP5I/AAAAAAAACJ0/vpkjQxrjySk/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xEqocV_A-v8/T4T9YNVnP5I/AAAAAAAACJ0/vpkjQxrjySk/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729983218261114770" border="0" /></a>Here's Avery & her friends watching "Cars." You can see all the cool cars around the room.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYgo9VEtur8/T4T9YTGI_KI/AAAAAAAACKE/2GdrmzsEQ3c/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYgo9VEtur8/T4T9YTGI_KI/AAAAAAAACKE/2GdrmzsEQ3c/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729983219806829730" border="0" /></a>Here's Bodie and his buddies watching the movie too. Since I keep the one-year-old nursery on Wednesday nights, these are my little munchkins that I get to hang out with every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. They love the buggy... and it is a lifesaver!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfxOkrcjZK4/T4T9ZEKzpkI/AAAAAAAACKQ/I6Ei0veM5RQ/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfxOkrcjZK4/T4T9ZEKzpkI/AAAAAAAACKQ/I6Ei0veM5RQ/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729983232979740226" border="0" /></a>Tatum loves this dress. We have been blessed with wonderful hand-me-downs from a couple friends and this dress was in one of the bags we just got. It's silky and shiny and she looks and feels like a princess when she wears it. She asked me to take her picture when she wore it last.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHOM6l_jp9s/T4T9ZgDkqCI/AAAAAAAACKc/VKL0ZPYwvfw/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHOM6l_jp9s/T4T9ZgDkqCI/AAAAAAAACKc/VKL0ZPYwvfw/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729983240465590306" border="0" /></a><br />Here's our little one year old with his mullet. It just hit me out of the blue one day that I need to get him a haircut. You don't really think about haircuts when you have baby girls because you just want to let it grow, so it was a new thought to me to need to get our baby a haircut.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Goa3e2cl4MY/T4T7I4VoKgI/AAAAAAAACIw/7Ia95C6msGQ/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Goa3e2cl4MY/T4T7I4VoKgI/AAAAAAAACIw/7Ia95C6msGQ/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729980755902736898" border="0" /></a>Here's the side and back of the sweet little mullet.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVnrrSHzZIs/T4T7JsubreI/AAAAAAAACI8/ov8-ytWvth0/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVnrrSHzZIs/T4T7JsubreI/AAAAAAAACI8/ov8-ytWvth0/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729980769965420002" border="0" /></a>He was a very good sport about it. He sucked the life out of his paci and kept his focus on the Elmo movie, and he did wimper once or twice, but overall the experience was a surprisingly good one.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFI5vTBp1xI/T4T7J5x5iTI/AAAAAAAACJI/3_DPgID3TOU/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFI5vTBp1xI/T4T7J5x5iTI/AAAAAAAACJI/3_DPgID3TOU/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729980773469620530" border="0" /></a>I asked her to give him a faux hawk, so here she is styling his new 'do.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76FF4_LAGEA/T4T7KRVJy9I/AAAAAAAACJQ/dgGvFbHkLOg/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76FF4_LAGEA/T4T7KRVJy9I/AAAAAAAACJQ/dgGvFbHkLOg/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729980779791502290" border="0" /></a><br />Tada... he looks like such a big boy now. And the back of his head is the spitting image of the back of Brian's head, except for the hair color difference. It's so funny the way genetics works... the exact same hairline and shape of head as his daddy.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FVG15BU8FQ/T4T7Kl3THoI/AAAAAAAACJc/Bw5BxLX72C0/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FVG15BU8FQ/T4T7Kl3THoI/AAAAAAAACJc/Bw5BxLX72C0/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729980785303428738" border="0" /></a><br />Avery & Tatum have been practicing for a couple months for Dance Your Shoes Off, which was held last weekend in front of City Hall. It was so hot and so crowded, I admit all I wanted to do was dance our shoes off and get the heck out of there. But it was so awesome to see so many kids out there praising the Lord with dance and singing (and shouting) "He's alive, He's alive inside us and we will rise up." It was a memorable day for us.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rulrxR_3orQ/T4T42fGVkhI/AAAAAAAACIM/F48s72xb72Q/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rulrxR_3orQ/T4T42fGVkhI/AAAAAAAACIM/F48s72xb72Q/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729978240866816530" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqwn9t10OhU/T4T41z-dNUI/AAAAAAAACIA/baVpSCwWIck/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqwn9t10OhU/T4T41z-dNUI/AAAAAAAACIA/baVpSCwWIck/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729978229291038018" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzSZnXlKbP8/T4T41Ri0EfI/AAAAAAAACH0/tvm4axhPFao/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzSZnXlKbP8/T4T41Ri0EfI/AAAAAAAACH0/tvm4axhPFao/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729978220048290290" border="0" /></a><br />They wore brand new shoes to do the dance, then at the end they all took their shoes off and put them in these huge containers to donate to kids at various ministries our church serves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvhOIESJsDY/T4T421ipbOI/AAAAAAAACIU/BYu0IEkrlus/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvhOIESJsDY/T4T421ipbOI/AAAAAAAACIU/BYu0IEkrlus/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729978246891138274" border="0" /></a>And we couldn't resist a little dip in the pond.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NILg-wbxusM/T4T43SytVjI/AAAAAAAACIk/M9t7JL7GfHk/s1600/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NILg-wbxusM/T4T43SytVjI/AAAAAAAACIk/M9t7JL7GfHk/s400/DYSO%252C%2BBodie%2Bhaircut%2B043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729978254743131698" border="0" /></a>If you've never seen the video of the adult version of Dance Your Shoes Off, it's pretty neat. You can see it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KX2-J6uS-o">here</a>. And here's the video of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqXarghmNyU">Kids version</a> last weekend. You can see the backs of A & T at 2:21, but you kinda have to know what to look for.<br /><br />I have probably watched the DYSO video from last Easter 10 times and I still get chills every time I see it. I think it's a miniature taste of what Heaven will be like. Thousands of very different people, young & old, singing & dancing to Jesus together. It was really fun for our family to get to be a part of it this year.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-71016217287977550292012-04-08T00:29:00.005-05:002012-04-08T00:39:28.845-05:00We're a Homeschooling FamilyMy friend Jennifer invited me to write a guest post for her blog.... you can read it <a href="http://thekindlecrew.com/2012/04/guest-post-from-a-homeschooling-family/">here</a>. She also has so many words of wisdom to share on her blog and lots of fun ideas for crafts, recipes, etc. And I love all her photos of her sweet kids. So take some time to look around at The Kindle Crew while you're there!melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-45054225467786226972012-03-25T23:43:00.009-05:002012-03-26T01:45:15.671-05:00Beginning to walk...Bodie took his first steps yesterday, at one year and 3 days old. He started out the morning taking two steps and falling into me. But we kept practicing. Every time he made it a few steps to me without sitting down or falling over, I raised him up in the air and we all cheered for him, and he thought he was the champion of the world. By last night, he could go about 6 steps on his own! I'm so excited for him... mostly because I know he will enjoy getting to be a part of what the girls do, but also because it will give my poor arms a break from carrying him everywhere!<br /><br />This past Wednesday was his 1st birthday. Since we already celebrated his birthday before, we didn't do much on the actual day, except I did make chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. He had two smash cakes for his birthday. We did one in SA with my family last week.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx17X23kOy0/T3ANnNuyZ2I/AAAAAAAACG4/K7TfI5jMazY/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vx17X23kOy0/T3ANnNuyZ2I/AAAAAAAACG4/K7TfI5jMazY/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724090093739861858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then we did one with Brian's family here in Houston.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfd-MmIbT84/T3ANnVvhm9I/AAAAAAAACHE/fkCtpmi9-tI/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zfd-MmIbT84/T3ANnVvhm9I/AAAAAAAACHE/fkCtpmi9-tI/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724090095890439122" border="0" /></a><br />He is one lucky boy, getting two birthday parties! He enjoyed both thoroughly. Our girls didn't dive into their 1st birthday cakes nearly as eagerly and aggressively as he did. They were dainty and delicate with theirs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Avery...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sblgxgo3aF8/T3APbfb6B0I/AAAAAAAACHQ/9p9POIHfyKA/s1600/100_0648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sblgxgo3aF8/T3APbfb6B0I/AAAAAAAACHQ/9p9POIHfyKA/s400/100_0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724092091357333314" border="0" /></a>Tatum (She barely touched her cake!)<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snjBjhGqlr0/T3APc7R2_FI/AAAAAAAACHc/pVkxEDo_eQU/s1600/100_1664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snjBjhGqlr0/T3APc7R2_FI/AAAAAAAACHc/pVkxEDo_eQU/s400/100_1664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724092116011252818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and Laney...<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMH_BZDYJmo/T3APea1jQfI/AAAAAAAACHk/c_367hGRO2c/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMH_BZDYJmo/T3APea1jQfI/AAAAAAAACHk/c_367hGRO2c/s400/IMG_1647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724092141662323186" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great spring break. We drove to Aggieland to see a baseball game in the new Blue Bell Park there. They now have the option of lawn seats, which are on either side of the bleacher seats. It was so fun to just sit on our big blanket and watch the game and let the kids roll down the hill and play. The Aggies didn't play very well, but it was a fun experience. We got some Layne's after the game and drove around a little bit. We drove by my old apartment and Brian told the girls that was where he kissed me for the first time. Tatum said, "So you got married <span style="font-style: italic;">there</span>?!?" Ha! We'll save the conversation about kissing for a later date. For now, we'll let them think you kiss for the first time when you get married!<br />On our way out to College Station, we passed by our spot where we always take our bluebonnet pictures, so Brian suggested we get out and take some. Bodie was a pretty good sport and we got a few cute ones, but the crazy lady in me does wish their outfits coordinated better. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2JaSjwG7P0/T2_5kkcQtUI/AAAAAAAACFk/XxTd9v_pwg8/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2JaSjwG7P0/T2_5kkcQtUI/AAAAAAAACFk/XxTd9v_pwg8/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724068058064008514" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w13SAZKYU44/T2_5kISvudI/AAAAAAAACFY/defHGXxSOFc/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w13SAZKYU44/T2_5kISvudI/AAAAAAAACFY/defHGXxSOFc/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724068050507905490" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kb8aCBUgUY/T2_5jrY_2LI/AAAAAAAACFM/bofCfAnlw4Y/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kb8aCBUgUY/T2_5jrY_2LI/AAAAAAAACFM/bofCfAnlw4Y/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724068042749499570" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLRYA_eNbv0/T2_5jCUcrXI/AAAAAAAACFA/KfHiKgFbbqg/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLRYA_eNbv0/T2_5jCUcrXI/AAAAAAAACFA/KfHiKgFbbqg/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724068031724563826" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFgnA4L0U0M/T2_5lFL56MI/AAAAAAAACFw/UFte_Xuh7t0/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFgnA4L0U0M/T2_5lFL56MI/AAAAAAAACFw/UFte_Xuh7t0/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724068066853775554" border="0" /></a><br />We also went to San Antonio for a few days to help celebrate my Paw Paw's 90th birthday. My cousin and his family live out in the country on a beautiful piece of land covered with bluebonnets. It was such a fun night, catching up with all my cousins, aunts & uncles. I got to thinking about Paw Paw... I wonder how it must feel to look around at a large group of people and know that all of them are there because of you... not just to celebrate you, but because they were all birthed by you, or married to someone birthed by you. It made me miss my MeMe so much. I came back to Houston and cherished my photos of my grandparents. I spent an entire quiet time last week just crying out to God because I miss them so much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Paw Paw and Bodie, born 89 years and 4 days apart.<br /></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NI9l2P6rXB4/T2_2cgVFnFI/AAAAAAAACEY/o2DReLfR5qs/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NI9l2P6rXB4/T2_2cgVFnFI/AAAAAAAACEY/o2DReLfR5qs/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724064620986342482" border="0" /></a>These bluebonnets put our Houston ones to shame. Here's my mom with the kids. My sis-in-law took some family photos of us at this same spot, so I'm hoping we will have a "keeper" of the 6 of us from this spot.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UY8Eg96csk/T2_2dBK-4BI/AAAAAAAACEo/_N4aXPCcnIA/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UY8Eg96csk/T2_2dBK-4BI/AAAAAAAACEo/_N4aXPCcnIA/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724064629802328082" border="0" /></a>Here's my two cowgirls practicing their "Yee-haw."<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Dwfw1n8MQ/T2_8JpUfWMI/AAAAAAAACGc/jETYJk2nUHs/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Dwfw1n8MQ/T2_8JpUfWMI/AAAAAAAACGc/jETYJk2nUHs/s400/feb%2B2012%2B017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724070894052006082" border="0" /></a>And Bo trying on Daddy's cowboy boots.<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5UbnVX2vp8/T2_2dsSuvzI/AAAAAAAACEw/TFVf9vfnTRA/s1600/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5UbnVX2vp8/T2_2dsSuvzI/AAAAAAAACEw/TFVf9vfnTRA/s400/bluebonnets%2B2012%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724064641377550130" border="0" /></a><br />We were invited to throw out the first pitch at the Cy Falls home opener a few weeks ago. Brian was so excited to be back at the field. Although we are both glad Brian is where he is now and no longer coaching high school sports, we do miss the family at Cy Falls. Brian will always be an "Eagle" deep down inside, no matter where he works.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NGWr8wJ_Bs/T2_8IM12aTI/AAAAAAAACF8/4EFqQeqD6M4/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NGWr8wJ_Bs/T2_8IM12aTI/AAAAAAAACF8/4EFqQeqD6M4/s400/feb%2B2012%2B010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724070869227432242" border="0" /></a>Last time we were here, this boy was kicking at my ribs, eager to meet the world. Brian was very proud to introduce him to all the teachers and kids we saw.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4JjHMXAy1Q/T2_8IgSWc6I/AAAAAAAACGI/3ywSjkUhZeA/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4JjHMXAy1Q/T2_8IgSWc6I/AAAAAAAACGI/3ywSjkUhZeA/s400/feb%2B2012%2B012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724070874447246242" border="0" /></a>Our sweet friend, Ms. Evelyn, brought the girls a goody bag to enjoy during the game, complete with M&M's (all in Tatum's teeth!) and bunny ear masks, which they wore proudly most of the game.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqxEvZat2w/T2_8Ja9ZNnI/AAAAAAAACGU/Mh_uRVv1-JQ/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqxEvZat2w/T2_8Ja9ZNnI/AAAAAAAACGU/Mh_uRVv1-JQ/s400/feb%2B2012%2B014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724070890197038706" border="0" /></a>We are enjoying our 3 new pets... Camo, Dot & Spike. We adopted them as a result of one of Brian's fishing adventures. This is them the first night he brought them home. I can't believe how much they've grown in the past month! They are almost twice as big now. They live in a much bigger tank now in our schoolroom and they do a good job of entertaining us. Camo is not afraid of us, but when any of us put our face right up to the glass next to Dot or Spike, they jump off their rocks into the water and swim to the opposite side of the tank. They are amazing little creatures, designed by an amazing Creator.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gHKGxKl9n4/T2_8KHGzmDI/AAAAAAAACGs/Z3hmW4Q76-k/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gHKGxKl9n4/T2_8KHGzmDI/AAAAAAAACGs/Z3hmW4Q76-k/s400/feb%2B2012%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724070902047676466" border="0" /></a><br />Here's our official birthday photo of Bodie on March 21, 2012, his 1st birthday.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWTHUI7ko4w/T2_2by1UbnI/AAAAAAAACEE/vFKimq0mMFM/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWTHUI7ko4w/T2_2by1UbnI/AAAAAAAACEE/vFKimq0mMFM/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724064608773500530" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3yQMo-Rxks/T2_2cZvDPMI/AAAAAAAACEQ/YVuZNiBcrCs/s1600/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3yQMo-Rxks/T2_2cZvDPMI/AAAAAAAACEQ/YVuZNiBcrCs/s400/bodie%2527s%2B1st%2Bbirthday%2B091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724064619216190658" border="0" /></a>I still sometimes pinch myself because it's so amazing and fun to have a little boy.<br /><br />We went to a nursing home a few weeks back to "play with" the residents... we did a little craft and played ball with them... they sat in their wheelchairs in a circle and they could either kick or hit the beach ball to anyone else in the circle. Tatum was the queen of that game. Anyway, I was sitting next to one sweet lady named Lois... the girls were around me and Bodie was sitting on my lap facing her and reaching his hands out to her. She started crying and told me, "You have a million bucks."<br /><br />That scene has played over in my head a hundred times. I can still hear her voice saying those words. It's true. I do have a million bucks. I may not have much money, but my children are gifts from God and they <span style="font-style: italic;">do </span>make me so wealthy. I am rich with hugs from little arms and kisses from little puckered lips, colored pictures and drawings that say "Mama" on them, wilting flowers from our backyard given to me with love, four sets of little eyes that light up when they see me, four little voices that call me "Mama"... I am richly blessed indeed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" 2 Cor. 9:15</span>melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-91731169670931679032012-02-26T19:50:00.005-06:002012-02-26T22:13:12.483-06:00Eleven Months<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0Sx5QNL7m0/T0rjQ2dq05I/AAAAAAAACDo/NTm9dRG24Pc/s1600/february%2B2012%2B019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0Sx5QNL7m0/T0rjQ2dq05I/AAAAAAAACDo/NTm9dRG24Pc/s400/february%2B2012%2B019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713628955910263698" border="0" /></a>It was hard this month to get him to sit still in this pose. He is very busy now. Trying to walk has become one of his favorite activities lately. And sitting still is definitely not.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di_dOq4cigk/T0rjRG5vgNI/AAAAAAAACD0/Lxj5HsJoofM/s1600/february%2B2012%2B033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Di_dOq4cigk/T0rjRG5vgNI/AAAAAAAACD0/Lxj5HsJoofM/s400/february%2B2012%2B033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713628960322978002" border="0" /></a>These two are glued at the hip. He loves her attention. It is sweet to watch him develop a different relationship with each of his sisters. He lets Avery carry him anywhere and he is usually very happy with her. He likes Tatum because she knows how to make him laugh with her silly faces and noises. Laney is usually content to just sit next to him and give him toys and talk to him. He is a blessed little guy having such attentive sisters who want nothing else but to play with him all day.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bdTEZt4-Pw/T0rjQnwPXvI/AAAAAAAACDc/jW_1SDmEols/s1600/february%2B2012%2B036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bdTEZt4-Pw/T0rjQnwPXvI/AAAAAAAACDc/jW_1SDmEols/s400/february%2B2012%2B036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713628951961624306" border="0" /></a>This was one of our little science experiments... letting colors from pen marks climb up a piece of coffee filter paper dipped in water. It wasn't the most amazing experiment, but it was fun to do it together. Avery went to one of her friends' Mad Science birthday party a few weeks ago and in the party favor bag was a bunch of fun simple science experiments for kids, so we've been trying them out.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAnl867Cj8k/T0rjQZxv6RI/AAAAAAAACDQ/ZG84YLOkNwM/s1600/february%2B2012%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAnl867Cj8k/T0rjQZxv6RI/AAAAAAAACDQ/ZG84YLOkNwM/s400/february%2B2012%2B007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713628948209854738" border="0" /></a>Here's Brian and Avery at Daddy-Daughter Date Night at church last weekend.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaB_-v8MXSk/T0rjQPCyMEI/AAAAAAAACDI/IrZGi220JbA/s1600/DSC_5881.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaB_-v8MXSk/T0rjQPCyMEI/AAAAAAAACDI/IrZGi220JbA/s400/DSC_5881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713628945328517186" border="0" /></a><br />Laney got tubes in her ears on Thursday. I was so excited about it that I really didn't feel too nervous. We had it done at a surgery center rather than a hospital, which made it very low-key and easy. We were the only ones there that whole morning... it seemed like they opened up the facility just for us. Laney did really well through the whole thing. She did scream when I handed her to the doctor. I knew that she would not go with the doctor unless he picked her up and took her. It took a little longer than usual because her ears were filled with such thick snot that he had to get two different vacuums to suck it out. Brian met me there and we waited about 20 minutes until the doctor came to get us. As she came off the anesthesia, she was a crazy lady. Squirming, thrashing around, screaming and crying. They told us it was normal, so we just tried to keep her from hurting herself or us. Finally she opened her eyes and started settling down, so we were allowed to take her home. She cried and fought her seat belt the whole way home like it was a snake trying to attack her. It was pretty crazy. I fed her chips & queso with apple juice when we got home and she starting acting more like herself. After we relaxed and read a few books together, she seemed completely back to normal.<br /><br />We have been watching her closely to see if we can truly tell a difference in her hearing. So far I've noticed two things. I haven't had to repeat myself to her once. And Brian & I both agree... she has a new twinkle in her eye. It's hard to describe, but she is just happier now. And so am I.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-41998379003819781122012-02-07T21:40:00.004-06:002012-02-07T23:22:07.806-06:00So how's homeschooling going?We now have two days under our belt. I have felt like I was crazy at times, but I have also found myself genuinely thanking God that He has made us a homeschooling family. This was not in our plan, but if I have learned anything about life, I have learned that when my situation becomes uncomfortable and I feel God start to pry away layers of junk around my heart, it always turns out good when I trust Him and obey.<br />We withdrew Avery from school last Wednesday. It was a very hard day for me. I cried my eyes out several times. I can't really put into words why I was so emotional... I guess it was the finality of admitting our child is different. I had so many mixed emotions going on inside me that day... relief that this decision had been made, thankfulness that all the pieces had fallen into place, fear of the unknown world of homeschooling, sorrow for her missing out on the fun times she would have had at school, but mostly relief that the battles were over.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQVa5OGeRgY/TzH75WK3JzI/AAAAAAAACCw/DkHrS08ZXv0/s1600/jan%2B2012%2B027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQVa5OGeRgY/TzH75WK3JzI/AAAAAAAACCw/DkHrS08ZXv0/s400/jan%2B2012%2B027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706619165477381938" border="0" /></a>So last weekend, we re-arranged the furniture in our study and made it into a pretty cool little schoolroom. I bought a few educational posters for the walls. I bought a math curriculum. I bought a lesson planner. Everything else we are borrowing from friends or just making do with what we already have.<br />So yesterday was Day One. Laney stayed home from preschool because she wasn't feeling good - that's a story I will tell more of later - so my plans for a quiet house quickly disappeared. But we still got everything done we had planned. Math, Reading, writing, history, spelling, phonics and storybooks. Today we added science and Bible. Tomorrow we are planning to add piano and baking. We probably won't do every subject everyday... I plan to do Bible, math & reading everyday for sure, then the rest I will throw in a few days each week.<br />Today all 4 kids were home all day. I discovered several challenges I hadn't anticipated, but I also discovered the greatest thing about homeschooling ... immediate feedback. In just two days of homeschooling, Avery is already writing her letters and numbers way better just because I have been telling her immediately when she writes something the wrong way.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXIjxYg2dig/TzIEbUPkyBI/AAAAAAAACC8/hEuCaasIGYw/s1600/feb%2B2012%2B002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXIjxYg2dig/TzIEbUPkyBI/AAAAAAAACC8/hEuCaasIGYw/s400/feb%2B2012%2B002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706628545168853010" border="0" /></a><br />So onto the story about Laney... Since before she turned two, I have been concerned about her hearing. I would walk into her room when she was still in her crib and she wouldn't turn to look at me and I sometimes had to call her name several times to get her attention. Our pediatrician said it was "selective hearing." He said the fact that she speaks and understands instructions means that she doesn't have a significant problem. Even though I didn't completely agree with him, I didn't think there was anything I could do with her so young.<br /><br />So fast forward to this year. I knew at her 3-year old check up, I wanted to talk to our pediatrician about her hearing again. This time, since she had a pretty bad ear infection and he knew our history of concerns about her hearing, he referred us to an ENT.<br />So I took her to the ENT today. First, an audiologist put us in a sound booth and did a hearing test on her. She had headphones on so I don't know all the sounds she was hearing, but there were several times I heard a sound and she didn't respond. So when we came out, the audiologist said she does have significant hearing loss. But the good news is, her ears are filled with fluid so hopefully when that is cleared, her hearing should be fine.<br />So next we saw the ENT. Right when he walked into the room he said, "So you know you have a deaf child, right?" Oh my, I had no idea it was that bad. He said the fluid in her ears may very well have been there for a whole year! She may have had several ear infections over the past year and I never knew because she didn't run a fever or act like she felt bad. My poor little Laney all this time, we've known something wasn't right, but didn't know it was that bad. She can't hear consonants, so in most of her words, her vowels are right but her consonants are off. I can understand most of what she says, but sometimes I need Tatum to interpret. Tatum always knows what she is saying.<br /><br />So we are planning to get tubes in her ears, hopefully this week or next. It's immediate and easy. He said the surgery will take a total of 6 minutes. When she wakes up, she will be able to hear! I can't wait to see her little face as she hears things she has never heard before. I am hopeful that her new ability to hear things will help her have the confidence to try new things and reach out instead of clinging. I am excited for her to "get it" the first time rather than the seventh. I am excited to teach her how to say words correctly. I am so excited for her.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-62087587417689842652012-02-01T21:28:00.005-06:002012-02-01T21:36:58.254-06:00Guess who lost her first tooth?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjW7Ra6M8UY/TyoDij2-t-I/AAAAAAAACCM/w3LrbAUx65M/s1600/jan%2B2012%2B018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjW7Ra6M8UY/TyoDij2-t-I/AAAAAAAACCM/w3LrbAUx65M/s400/jan%2B2012%2B018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704375770294433762" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seems like just yesterday she was just getting all those teeth!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCS6tj39bDY/TyoD9CuwWDI/AAAAAAAACCk/ESa3WfKzIpo/s1600/100_1636.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCS6tj39bDY/TyoD9CuwWDI/AAAAAAAACCk/ESa3WfKzIpo/s400/100_1636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704376225258035250" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How on earth can she be turning FIVE in just a few months?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzE5vcqQChs/TyoDjERRE7I/AAAAAAAACCY/95aAI8xKcEU/s1600/jan%2B2012%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzE5vcqQChs/TyoDjERRE7I/AAAAAAAACCY/95aAI8xKcEU/s400/jan%2B2012%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704375778994623410" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Princess Tatum, we love you!<br /></div>melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-27952511329526337282012-01-26T20:03:00.002-06:002012-01-26T20:17:58.727-06:0010 months<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkNYdN3s2k8/TyIHNDeZjRI/AAAAAAAACA4/TDyBzXHsu8A/s1600/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkNYdN3s2k8/TyIHNDeZjRI/AAAAAAAACA4/TDyBzXHsu8A/s400/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702127999056973074" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He doesn't like to sit for too long anymore...<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgJyNLEn1Ko/TyIHNxyu9RI/AAAAAAAACBE/svJ2P7dFhG8/s1600/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgJyNLEn1Ko/TyIHNxyu9RI/AAAAAAAACBE/svJ2P7dFhG8/s400/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702128011490293010" border="0" /></a>I don't know who gave him the necklace to play with, but I'll admit I put the skirt on him... I just couldn't resist how well the red matched his shirt and his rosy cheeks!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeH-KQooCSU/TyIHM3w2buI/AAAAAAAACAs/U_tmyWGBLuY/s1600/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeH-KQooCSU/TyIHM3w2buI/AAAAAAAACAs/U_tmyWGBLuY/s400/Bo%2B-%2B10%2Bmonths%2B005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702127995913137890" border="0" /></a>This boy lights up our days and brings us all lots of laughter and joy. He is such a cuddly and sweet boy. I just can't say enough about what a gift from God he is to us.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-76302194754393483622012-01-21T14:08:00.007-06:002012-01-21T23:04:22.312-06:00Laney-Lou is THREE!<div style="text-align: center;">Laney turned THREE last week.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpIG9mU4eQ0/TxswFNvTf8I/AAAAAAAACAg/qg-StRXkEnA/s1600/january%2B095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpIG9mU4eQ0/TxswFNvTf8I/AAAAAAAACAg/qg-StRXkEnA/s400/january%2B095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700202619513044930" border="0" /></a>We had all the family meet at Chuy's, her favorite restaurant, for lunch. Then everyone came over to our house for cake and ice cream. She was not in the greatest mood. She naturally has a shy, timid personality. I have learned if I rehearse things with her before they happen, she generally does better, but that is not always the case. So she cried when everyone sang happy birthday to her... I think that is mostly because she doesn't like having everyone's attention on her. She would much rather be a wallflower than be the center of attention. She wouldn't blow out the candles, even though I had practiced with her beforehand. But her sissies were happy to help her out with that. She wouldn't open her presents, but again, her sissies were more than happy to tear into them. The theme was Rapunzel and she got her own stuffed Rapunzel and some fun princess things. She also got some new books and a big girl booster seat for the car, which she loves!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fQOjNy7xso/TxswEC69yvI/AAAAAAAACAI/qjqto3xiOdM/s1600/january%2B129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fQOjNy7xso/TxswEC69yvI/AAAAAAAACAI/qjqto3xiOdM/s400/january%2B129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700202599429294834" border="0" /></a><br />When I took her to the doctor for her 3-year old checkup, he found that she has a double ear infection and a lot of fluid in her ears! She never complained that her ears hurt and I never saw any signs of it, except for her less-than-pleasant mood. The doctor said he would expect a child with that bad of an infection to be writhing around in pain... guess she has a pretty high pain tolerance. So we started an antibiotic on Tuesday and I can already tell she is feeling better. She is still in the 95th percentile for height and the 75th for weight at her age.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejX7uzXGhUU/TxssapjbDsI/AAAAAAAAB-0/umevcqXhMhQ/s1600/january%2B139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejX7uzXGhUU/TxssapjbDsI/AAAAAAAAB-0/umevcqXhMhQ/s400/january%2B139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700198589710143170" border="0" /></a>We had a wonderful Christmas, although it flew by too fast! I can barely believe it's already been almost a month since we celebrated. A few of the highlights were...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Avery's own camera<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90CLPnfGffc/TxssbiOViqI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/zdqoeD9nRzE/s1600/january%2B027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90CLPnfGffc/TxssbiOViqI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/zdqoeD9nRzE/s400/january%2B027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700198604922522274" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tatum's Rapunzel wig<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joZESa9MWwo/Txsscv6lRqI/AAAAAAAAB_k/ZYbzw3k473U/s1600/january%2B033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joZESa9MWwo/Txsscv6lRqI/AAAAAAAAB_k/ZYbzw3k473U/s400/january%2B033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700198625777632930" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and Laney's Rapunzel dress (and cool shades)<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqIKgF9LULc/TxswDugYQfI/AAAAAAAAB_8/p6beDHmGFlA/s1600/january%2B052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqIKgF9LULc/TxswDugYQfI/AAAAAAAAB_8/p6beDHmGFlA/s400/january%2B052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700202593949073906" border="0" /></a>We got to spend some time in San Antonio with all of my family. It was nice to just unpack and relax there for most of a week and visit with childhood friends and my family. We also celebrated in Houston with Brian's family. The kids enjoyed lots of play time with their cousins, Tara and Matthew.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1j76wYpf-4/TxssbSbmkjI/AAAAAAAAB_M/BwFjEYoxsR8/s1600/january%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1j76wYpf-4/TxssbSbmkjI/AAAAAAAAB_M/BwFjEYoxsR8/s400/january%2B007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700198600683196978" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matty & Bo lookin pretty cute in their coon-skin caps!<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4iNgjqjCcU/Txssazwrb6I/AAAAAAAAB_A/yoWXiS7AIzc/s1600/january%2B083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4iNgjqjCcU/Txssazwrb6I/AAAAAAAAB_A/yoWXiS7AIzc/s400/january%2B083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700198592450097058" border="0" /></a>They have been getting a lot of enjoyment out of their new John Deere. I am glad to have something fun that they can all ride in together. Don't worry - I walk right next to it when Bodie is in it so I can rescue him if he decides he wants out. He is usually pretty happy to sit back there in someone's lap.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34f7o7BvANI/TxswDCbv7GI/AAAAAAAAB_w/knXoamiukYM/s1600/january%2B106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34f7o7BvANI/TxswDCbv7GI/AAAAAAAAB_w/knXoamiukYM/s400/january%2B106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700202582118493282" border="0" /></a>We loaded it up and took it to Bear Creek Park on MLK day... they had so much fun driving like maniacs all over those fields. Lots of wide open space is good when teaching a 3-year old how to steer a vehicle. Avery & Tatum took to it right away, but Laney with her timid personality, was very reluctant to even ride in it at first, much less try to drive it herself. But finally right before we were going to load it up and go home, she slid over to the driver seat and with one hand holding mine and the other hand holding the steering wheel, she stepped on the pedal and started zooming along. After a few minutes of helping her steer, she got the hang of it and loved it.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--op8v3rzgcE/TxsqsBHpplI/AAAAAAAAB-c/vRjsV0Lhpuo/s1600/january%2B166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--op8v3rzgcE/TxsqsBHpplI/AAAAAAAAB-c/vRjsV0Lhpuo/s400/january%2B166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700196689070630482" border="0" /></a>Bodie loves to swing. His little face lights up and he starts kicking his legs and just giggles the whole time.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-om4jgXFmc/TxsqrxVk8CI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/XsrZje9Bm5g/s1600/january%2B153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-om4jgXFmc/TxsqrxVk8CI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/XsrZje9Bm5g/s400/january%2B153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700196684834074658" border="0" /></a>This little one is definitely a mama's girl, and I absolutely love that about her. She always wants to be within five feet of me wherever we are.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--crPcaT3WhY/TxsqrYoyiVI/AAAAAAAAB-E/3p1FXCDhFOU/s1600/january%2B163.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--crPcaT3WhY/TxsqrYoyiVI/AAAAAAAAB-E/3p1FXCDhFOU/s400/january%2B163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700196678203771218" border="0" /></a>And this one is getting so tall and strong. She is so smart and such a hard worker. And she is still the sunshine that brightens our day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDCYG_RVTHA/TxsqrIrwPMI/AAAAAAAAB94/8_ceflgDH8g/s1600/january%2B173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDCYG_RVTHA/TxsqrIrwPMI/AAAAAAAAB94/8_ceflgDH8g/s400/january%2B173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700196673921236162" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I look at these faces and I can't thank God enough for these gifts.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1r0GtKLNt8/Txsqshlj8pI/AAAAAAAAB-o/sR4Yjo4nkuM/s1600/january%2B144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1r0GtKLNt8/Txsqshlj8pI/AAAAAAAAB-o/sR4Yjo4nkuM/s400/january%2B144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700196697786020498" border="0" /></a><br />We are making some big decisions right now, particularly about our kids' education. It's funny how God gently leads us small step by small step to places we would never have dreamed about just a few steps before. But when you trust Him for one thing, it becomes easier to trust Him for another and another and so on.<br /><br />I was a working mom just 8 short months ago... I mean a "working outside the home" mom... because honestly I am more of a "working" mom now than I have ever been. Anyway, God opened the door and led us to step out in faith at just the right time and for me to resign and stay home full time. That was a major leap of faith for us. Amazingly, it has worked. It hasn't been easy... we've had to sacrifice things that we still miss terribly and I feel like I deserve a degree in accounting with all the time I spend tweaking our budget to make it work. But we have had the privilege of watching God come through for us over and over and over. Things have just worked out. That's the only way I know how to say it because on paper it makes no sense.<br /><br />Anyway, now we are feeling like God may be gently nudging us to take another major leap of faith, something we never truly considered and quite honestly terrified me until just recently... homeschooling. Did i really just type that? It still looks a little intimidating to me. But it also looks like the salve that God just might use to heal some aches and discomforts in our family. And I'm getting pretty excited to begin the journey.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-56628128030631339802011-12-22T09:40:00.010-06:002011-12-22T11:34:45.140-06:00Christmas parties and 9 months for BoWhat a full December we have had! I am thankful that most of my Christmas shopping was done during October and November, so by the time December got here, I was pretty much done with shopping and I could relax and enjoy all the fun events we've been a part of... Christmas parties at the girls' schools, Christmas programs, Craft night, looking at Christmas lights, baking and giving edible gifts to people, collecting donations for the needy in Houston, playing with friends we don't get to see very much, etc.<br /><br />Tatum & Laney were very excited to celebrate Christmas at their little preschool. Laney's class had made special reindeer shirts with their footprint and two handprints. She looked so precious in her little handmade shirt!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKCHGQ_aRDg/TvNVzD_a5UI/AAAAAAAAB70/rZJcWjDyW5g/s1600/december%2B11%2B009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKCHGQ_aRDg/TvNVzD_a5UI/AAAAAAAAB70/rZJcWjDyW5g/s400/december%2B11%2B009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688985090032067906" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tatum loved getting to meet Santa. She gave him a big hug and told him what she wanted for Christmas.<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIhk9RE-D7k/TvNVzRbzW4I/AAAAAAAAB8E/Y5k3NX5uiFc/s1600/december%2B11%2B028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIhk9RE-D7k/TvNVzRbzW4I/AAAAAAAAB8E/Y5k3NX5uiFc/s400/december%2B11%2B028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688985093640772482" border="0" /></a>Laney was terrified of him. This was about as close as her teacher could get her to Santa. Notice all the kids standing around looking at him and Laney clinging to her teacher for dear life. Her teacher had specifically asked us not to "rescue" our kids if they started crying, but to let the teachers try to calm them down. So I stood there with my camera and tried really hard not to laugh as I watched Mrs. Martin try to pry Laney's fingers off her clothes. In the end, Laney's class did get their picture taken with Santa, but she was sitting in Mrs. Martin's lap, a very safe distance away from Santa.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-higpcyn_LfE/TvNV0HfIaII/AAAAAAAAB8M/q0oLBe2-07Q/s1600/december%2B11%2B016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-higpcyn_LfE/TvNV0HfIaII/AAAAAAAAB8M/q0oLBe2-07Q/s400/december%2B11%2B016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688985108150249602" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tatum did a great job painting her Christmas tree ornament.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsS8dfFVvC0/TvNV0gQjSRI/AAAAAAAAB8k/qI7hxPMeryo/s1600/december%2B11%2B031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsS8dfFVvC0/TvNV0gQjSRI/AAAAAAAAB8k/qI7hxPMeryo/s400/december%2B11%2B031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688985114799982866" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Laney calmed down once lunch arrived and enjoyed her pretzels and pizza.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FthT-AX7_w0/TvNV0Z9IfvI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/gVwiLdJdCaI/s1600/december%2B11%2B030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FthT-AX7_w0/TvNV0Z9IfvI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/gVwiLdJdCaI/s400/december%2B11%2B030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688985113107922674" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They each got a new book in their party bags as well as gifts from their teachers and art work they had done.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqJMbQp8LC8/TvNYIr01SbI/AAAAAAAAB88/8wYz6Dn8_Rg/s1600/december%2B11%2B037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqJMbQp8LC8/TvNYIr01SbI/AAAAAAAAB88/8wYz6Dn8_Rg/s400/december%2B11%2B037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688987660525586866" border="0" /></a>I love this excited look on Laney's face when she pulled out these two presents from her party bag. One was from her to us for Christmas and one was for her from her teachers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AezxZV0wFE/TvNYIXboThI/AAAAAAAAB8w/Zp3td5-i_us/s1600/december%2B11%2B035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AezxZV0wFE/TvNYIXboThI/AAAAAAAAB8w/Zp3td5-i_us/s400/december%2B11%2B035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688987655051169298" border="0" /></a>We got this pumpkin costume in one of the boxes of hand-me-downs we just received. Tatum was all over it, even though it was a size 12-24 months, Tatum strapped the whole costume on and wore it most of one day. I don't want to post immodest pictures of my girls, which is why I am only posting the headshot below, but just for humor sake, picture long, bare-legged Tatum with a baby's pumpkin costume strapped on, prancing around the house. This girl knows she is cute and funny, and makes the most of every opportunity to make us laugh.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqkAwKXtyx4/TvNYJOwHk6I/AAAAAAAAB9I/ZKYS_-ybM-I/s1600/december%2B11%2B065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqkAwKXtyx4/TvNYJOwHk6I/AAAAAAAAB9I/ZKYS_-ybM-I/s400/december%2B11%2B065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688987669901054882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Avery with the see-saw statue in front of her school<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XT0swh-Gdw/TvNTvub5IPI/AAAAAAAAB7c/SEqA1pX3YPo/s1600/december%2B11%2B042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XT0swh-Gdw/TvNTvub5IPI/AAAAAAAAB7c/SEqA1pX3YPo/s400/december%2B11%2B042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688982833683046642" border="0" /></a>Avery loves Mrs. Van Pelt... she has been such a blessing to Avery and our family. This was at her school Christmas program... she is wearing the beautiful dress my mom made for her two Christmasas ago, which was a little big for her then, but fits her beautifully now. She looked like a Christmas present!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46MDTsIyRgk/TvNTu9gRubI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/yZ8GoZU87gM/s1600/december%2B11%2B043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46MDTsIyRgk/TvNTu9gRubI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/yZ8GoZU87gM/s400/december%2B11%2B043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688982820548098482" border="0" /></a>Tatum can entertain herself forever with puzzles, legos, blocks, etc. She came up with this idea of making lots of little Christmas trees with her blocks and she was very proud to show me her beautiful project.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uv8Ls0GXow/TvNTukih9eI/AAAAAAAAB7E/gnEgGMLAvP8/s1600/december%2B11%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uv8Ls0GXow/TvNTukih9eI/AAAAAAAAB7E/gnEgGMLAvP8/s400/december%2B11%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688982813846664674" border="0" /></a>Bodie just couldn't handle playing Groovy Girls any longer, so he passed out right in the middle of the floor amongst them. Poor guy, he is destined to spend much of his childhood surrounded with pink, baby dolls, dress up dolls, and all things princess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEtZ7Lb06qw/TvNTuUjHXLI/AAAAAAAAB64/tms8VkWTT6w/s1600/december%2B11%2B003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEtZ7Lb06qw/TvNTuUjHXLI/AAAAAAAAB64/tms8VkWTT6w/s400/december%2B11%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688982809554148530" border="0" /></a>The girls in their head coverings acting out the Christmas story, starring Tatum as Mary, Laney as "Jofis" (as Laney calls him) and Avery as the angel Gabriel.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5o6Ja-DsZOM/TvNTv2_5Y3I/AAAAAAAAB7k/dcss2kFVTF4/s1600/december%2B11%2B049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5o6Ja-DsZOM/TvNTv2_5Y3I/AAAAAAAAB7k/dcss2kFVTF4/s400/december%2B11%2B049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688982835981542258" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday our little man turned 9 months! This first year of his life is flying by too fast! He is still in the 90th percentile for his size, measuring 29.75 inches and 23.5 pounds.<br />Back when Tatum was a baby, Brian's Grandma Kratky sent us this elf costume from NY... each year, one of the kids is just the right size to wear it, so this year it's Bodie's turn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpPL9ziXTs8/TvNRf0xIJvI/AAAAAAAAB6c/BrheLQyNx_Q/s1600/december%2B023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpPL9ziXTs8/TvNRf0xIJvI/AAAAAAAAB6c/BrheLQyNx_Q/s400/december%2B023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688980361481561842" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am in love with his new toothy smile... one on the top, two on the bottom and many more all over his mouth seem to be very close to surfacing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usORWz2I1XM/TvNRfosFPJI/AAAAAAAAB6M/c6Jy3TxF4qM/s1600/december%2B014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usORWz2I1XM/TvNRfosFPJI/AAAAAAAAB6M/c6Jy3TxF4qM/s400/december%2B014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688980358239173778" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He looks angry, but he's actually laughing really hard here...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gIf10FFE3Y/TvNRfQRQU6I/AAAAAAAAB6E/Uo1TpOGanxU/s1600/december%2B011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gIf10FFE3Y/TvNRfQRQU6I/AAAAAAAAB6E/Uo1TpOGanxU/s400/december%2B011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688980351684203426" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a precious, funny, cuddly little boy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1pDi9tVC5w/TvNRfOrW_fI/AAAAAAAAB54/dFuDB9AbPAU/s1600/december%2B013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1pDi9tVC5w/TvNRfOrW_fI/AAAAAAAAB54/dFuDB9AbPAU/s400/december%2B013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688980351256821234" border="0" /></a>The boys in the family sure are growing up! Matty (our nephew) turned ONE on Sunday and this was at his birthday party. Bodie is 9 months and Tyson is 8 months. We all just gather around and watch these 3 little boys play together... right now they all just sit (Matthew can crawl, but he is still pretty easy to keep in one place).. but next Christmas will probably be quite different with the three of them running around together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbYPAn_Z6pM/TvNRg6ACgbI/AAAAAAAAB6o/_GIqj6cfRI8/s1600/december%2B003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbYPAn_Z6pM/TvNRg6ACgbI/AAAAAAAAB6o/_GIqj6cfRI8/s400/december%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688980380066152882" border="0" /></a>This week we are enjoying lots of together time, which has also been an opportunity for our sanctification. But we are thankful for the ways God has gently led us and taught us and how even now He is revealing hidden things to us as we seek Him in all the details of our lives.<br /><br />I've been studying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Lives-Integrity-Words-Prophecy/dp/1415825882">Daniel</a> lately, so I'll close with Daniel's song of worship after God revealed to him King Neb's dream and it's interpretation:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">He raises up kings and also brings them down, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">He provides both intelligence and discernment, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">He opens up the depths, tells secrets, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">sees in the dark - light spills out of Him!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">You made me wise and strong. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And now you've shown us what we asked for. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">You've solved the king's mystery."</span><br /><br />May our Sovereign God reveal hidden things to you this Christmas!melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-25974304083006746812011-12-09T17:09:00.005-06:002011-12-09T19:51:06.764-06:00Bodie - 8 (and a half) months<div style="text-align: center;">Here's our 8 month old... now already half way to being 9 months!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya778M6jdMg/TuKWe8dcM8I/AAAAAAAAB5g/jyQHmAxmK0I/s1600/dec%2B009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya778M6jdMg/TuKWe8dcM8I/AAAAAAAAB5g/jyQHmAxmK0I/s400/dec%2B009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684271138064839618" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The adoring sisters are always wanting to entertain him and make him laugh...<br />he is a blessed little guy, for sure. Laney likes to call him "Bodie Lukey" and he always gives them the biggest smile when they say any form of his name.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpxXYP0nPQI/TuKWeUTwEOI/AAAAAAAAB5U/BQNtb5OKQa4/s1600/dec%2B016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpxXYP0nPQI/TuKWeUTwEOI/AAAAAAAAB5U/BQNtb5OKQa4/s400/dec%2B016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684271127286780130" border="0" /></a>At 8.5 months, Bo, you are cutting two bottom teeth and at least one top tooth... I think the other top one is coming very soon too. You are wanting to crawl so bad, but right now you only get up on all fours and rock back & forth, then bellyflop to the ground again. Thankfully you have a pretty long reach and can grab things way farther away than I would expect. You can also roll around to get across the room and you also like to scoot backwards to get places. Your hair is growing longer so it doesn't stick up anymore :( and your eyes have turned into a very pretty shade of blueish-brown. You have become a great sleeper the past few weeks (finally!)... you go to bed around 8 and wake up around 6:30 - 7. You still take a short morning nap, about 1 hour, but you take a LONG afternoon nap, which is wonderful. Yesterday it was 4 hours! But usually it's around 3 hours. You wear 18 month clothes because you are such a tall boy already. Your little face and eyes light up when your daddy gets home from work. You and he already have some deep manly understanding of each other. It's precious. But when you are upset or hungry or tired or just bored, you are so happy to see your mama walk in the room. The crying stops, you get a big grin on your face, and you start to flap your arms like you're trying to fly up to meet me. You have started singing in the car with the rest of the choir... sometimes we all go silent so we can hear your beautiful grunts and ga-gas. You are eating 3 meals a day, although not always with the rest of us. Some of your favorites are carrots, yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, pears, squash and bananas. You are loving the new-found freedom of finger foods, and we are loving it too. You are a joy to our family and we all think you are the sweetest little boy ever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1Q_YIs-Bps/TuKWfpJAz9I/AAAAAAAAB5s/7WV0bIH_O7k/s1600/dec%2B011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1Q_YIs-Bps/TuKWfpJAz9I/AAAAAAAAB5s/7WV0bIH_O7k/s400/dec%2B011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684271150058754002" border="0" /></a>melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-70598362853400526622011-11-22T14:22:00.004-06:002011-11-22T14:55:02.786-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!Last Sunday was a special day for our family. All four grandparents - Papa & Nana and Grandad & Gigi - and Uncle Brandon & Aunt Adriana joined us at our church for Avery's baptism. Brian was so excited that morning. He and Avery both could hardly wait for church to start. I didn't get a picture of the actual baptism because I was video-taping, but here they are right before church started.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GynygGSkvvE/TswIQQU_InI/AAAAAAAAB4w/beVqZmnUeIg/s1600/nov%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GynygGSkvvE/TswIQQU_InI/AAAAAAAAB4w/beVqZmnUeIg/s400/nov%2B007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677922305561272946" border="0" /></a>We all enjoyed Chuy's for lunch that day. Papa & Nana gave Avery a new Bible cover with little tabs to put on the pages so she can find the books easier. She loves carrying her Bible around and flipping through her Bible so easily with the tabs, highlighting all her favorite verses with her new highlighters. Gigi & Grandad gave her a beautiful James Avery cross necklace engraved with AEK, 10-26-11 (the day she accepted Christ) and John 3:16 (her favorite verse). She has worn it every day since she got it.<br /><br />I'm very late to post some pics of my cuties on Halloween. We decided to "light the night" from our driveway this year. It was the best Halloween we've had. Brian carved "God Listens" into one of our pumpkins and we taped stickers to all our candy that said "Taste and see that the Lord is good." The girls played in the driveway all evening while we visited with neighbors. It was such a great night. Praise God for taking back an evil holiday to bring glory to His name. Hallowed be Thy Name!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the two Buzz Lightyears<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk8sEGFfLVg/TswGWuOS87I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/7OXQ82x3HNE/s1600/halloween%2B013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk8sEGFfLVg/TswGWuOS87I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/7OXQ82x3HNE/s400/halloween%2B013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677920217642234802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Minnie Mouse<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TWRg19GG2Y/TswGWYku5_I/AAAAAAAAB4I/umXFOu6zQ-Q/s1600/halloween%2B016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TWRg19GG2Y/TswGWYku5_I/AAAAAAAAB4I/umXFOu6zQ-Q/s400/halloween%2B016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677920211830761458" border="0" /></a>Our table we set up on our driveway with our pumpkins, the "Pumpkin Gospel" book and our candy. The girls also used the table to paint with their water colors. Brian gets credit for the sign! :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wxzCqpTz8/TswGVXUt_SI/AAAAAAAAB38/OuzHvFxXxB8/s1600/halloween%2B018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wxzCqpTz8/TswGVXUt_SI/AAAAAAAAB38/OuzHvFxXxB8/s400/halloween%2B018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677920194315287842" border="0" /></a>Here's Cinderella, Jessie, Buzz and Minnie Mouse<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dScJ4RlyTrM/TswGVNhIebI/AAAAAAAAB3w/Noo1_NhpNRQ/s1600/halloween%2B008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dScJ4RlyTrM/TswGVNhIebI/AAAAAAAAB3w/Noo1_NhpNRQ/s400/halloween%2B008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677920191683000754" border="0" /></a>Cinderella & Minnie painting on the driveway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qi3Tius2PG8/TswGX-FGGkI/AAAAAAAAB4g/SDVLM_2Kii4/s1600/halloween%2B015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qi3Tius2PG8/TswGX-FGGkI/AAAAAAAAB4g/SDVLM_2Kii4/s400/halloween%2B015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677920239078480450" border="0" /></a>Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family!<br />We hope to see lots of you over this holiday season!<br /></div>melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-77979345357817859552011-10-28T19:15:00.011-05:002011-10-30T22:16:38.584-05:00Pumpkin Patch, Avery & Answered prayer<div style="text-align: center;">Bodie turned 7 months last week. Here's our little cutie. I am having lots of fun putting him in cute boy shoes now that it is cooler outside.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BZKavtTCY/TqtNiuRUw_I/AAAAAAAAB18/5a6qcbeGo0c/s1600/october%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BZKavtTCY/TqtNiuRUw_I/AAAAAAAAB18/5a6qcbeGo0c/s400/october%2B012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668709814907487218" border="0" /></a>Peace out: Avery and her BFF Rylin on 60's day at school<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--odfV0DxWkE/TqtNiXZsNWI/AAAAAAAAB1s/vZ9T3blMLsc/s1600/october%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--odfV0DxWkE/TqtNiXZsNWI/AAAAAAAAB1s/vZ9T3blMLsc/s400/october%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668709808768562530" border="0" /> </a>The Bode-ster at the pumpkin patch last weekend<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGqAfTEbSqg/TqtL5Aq6NNI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/sG7rUmQbxno/s1600/oct%2B036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGqAfTEbSqg/TqtL5Aq6NNI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/sG7rUmQbxno/s400/oct%2B036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668707998780503250" border="0" /></a>The girls with cousin Tara...<br />it was such a beautiful day and this pumpkin patch was just right for our group.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RWXHHLekaI/TqtL4WhREDI/AAAAAAAAB1E/qPew3tOImCE/s1600/oct%2B003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RWXHHLekaI/TqtL4WhREDI/AAAAAAAAB1E/qPew3tOImCE/s400/oct%2B003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668707987465769010" border="0" /></a>The boys... Brian & Bodie, along with Uncle Brent and Grandad<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qda0BDZedLc/TqtL3ggGs9I/AAAAAAAAB04/UdfRitdVJrw/s1600/oct%2B034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qda0BDZedLc/TqtL3ggGs9I/AAAAAAAAB04/UdfRitdVJrw/s400/oct%2B034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668707972965381074" border="0" /></a>Future model... Tatum is always up for a challenge and she very determinedly tried until she got her little pumpkin to balance on her head<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRufM7821oU/TqtL5kFzMBI/AAAAAAAAB1c/rgD_k8u2N10/s1600/oct%2B056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRufM7821oU/TqtL5kFzMBI/AAAAAAAAB1c/rgD_k8u2N10/s400/oct%2B056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668708008288530450" border="0" /></a>My sweet hubby knows my love language... it's chocolate chip M&M cookie cake. I had a great 33rd birthday. Eight little munchkins sung Happy Birthday (it was tuesday so we had our friends there) and we had <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">three</span> desserts... I had made a rainbow cake for myself since I knew we were staying in that night, then my sweet friend Bethany made us a pumpkin pie, along with a yummy dinner to feed all the kids that night so I didn't have to cook on my birthday, then Brian brought home this yummy cookie cake. So we all went back for seconds (and thirds) on dessert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_D8t2Hx84I/TqtL3W4AREI/AAAAAAAAB0s/-rRflcF4juA/s1600/oct%2B073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_D8t2Hx84I/TqtL3W4AREI/AAAAAAAAB0s/-rRflcF4juA/s400/oct%2B073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668707970381268034" border="0" /></a>We went to see <a href="http://www.team-impact.com/">Team Impact</a> at our church last week. After all the feats of strength, one of the men gave his testimony then asked anyone who wanted to, to say the sinner's prayer with him. Afterwards, when he asked for people to raise their hand if they prayed the prayer, Avery's little hand shot up in the air. So Brian stayed in our seats with the three little ones and I went with her up to the front with everyone else who had prayed the prayer and went to a room with counselors. One of our friends ended up coming over to counsel Avery. He talked her through her decision. I tried to keep my mouth closed to let this play out however God wanted it to play out without me interrupting. It was a moment I don't think I'll ever forget... hearing her answer the questions in her sweet little voice. Hearing the truth coming from her mouth. Knowing that this child God entrusted to us believes in Jesus and is choosing for herself to give her heart to Him.<br /><br />So even though Avery prayed the prayer with me about a year ago, I don't think she really understood it until Wednesday. She was excited and beaming and so convinced of her answers to the questions. So we believe Avery gave her heart to Jesus and was saved on Oct. 26, 2011. When we got in the car to go to church that Wednesday night, we were just going because we thought our kids would enjoy watching some big strong guys break baseball bats and chop cinder blocks in half. We had no idea God had arranged to draw His child, our child Avery, into His family, once and for all in that place.<br /><br />She was very excited when our children's pastor called the next day to ask if she wants to be baptized. We were planning for her to be baptized in church today, but found out a few days ago that after Brian is ordained as a deacon on Wednesday, he will be allowed to baptize her himself! So we are planning for Brian to baptize Avery in church in two weeks! I can honestly say I would never have dreamed that would happen, but I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to our family.<br /><br />Just today, God answered three very specific prayers I've been praying. It's so exciting serving a God that listens and comes to the rescue.<br /><br />First, I am supposed to give a talk at our women's retreat in a couple weeks, just a 30 minute breakout session. God already showed me what He wants me to talk about, but I haven't been able to actually write the talk and every time I sit down to get my thoughts together, I feel like my mind turns to mush. Literally, I feel like my brain is mashed potatoes. Finally I realized that that is the enemy and God is not a God of confusion or mush. So I stayed home from church this morning with Bodie, who has been sick, so it was a good morning to stay home from church. And I prayed specifically that God would let Bodie take a long morning nap and that He would give my brain clarity and focus so I could write my talk. He totally did. When Brian & the girls got home around lunchtime, Bodie was still asleep and I had just finished writing my closing thoughts. Answered prayer.<br /><br />My brother and his girlfriend came by to visit us today. I love my brother and was so glad he would finally get to meet Bodie. He has been living in Washington DC and hasn't made it here since Bo was born. So I was very excited to have Matthew & Tracie come visit. We had such a great time catching up. Answered prayer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle Matt & Bo<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4dNxcmhYE/Tq4NrzDvB_I/AAAAAAAAB2o/psXEG8aZ2H0/s1600/octobre%2B004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4dNxcmhYE/Tq4NrzDvB_I/AAAAAAAAB2o/psXEG8aZ2H0/s400/octobre%2B004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669484026997442546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1jrtZGl-nk/Tq4NsJIgCAI/AAAAAAAAB20/P9V1iOAuAGA/s1600/octobre%2B006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1jrtZGl-nk/Tq4NsJIgCAI/AAAAAAAAB20/P9V1iOAuAGA/s400/octobre%2B006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669484032923011074" border="0" /></a><br />We are paying out of pocket for Avery's learning center fees... long story short, it's expensive and we're tight as it is, so I wasn't exactly sure how we were going to pay for November. I've been praying for God to provide and give us wisdom with our money. So tonight I received a check from someone who told me that I had taught her something. That instead of using the money to buy a "fishers of men" themed gift, she wanted to use that money to put "fishers of men" into action. So she gave us the price of the gift she was going to buy, which was the exact amount we need to pay for November. Answered prayer.<br /><br />This has been an encouraging day. God has reminded me over and over that life is not about the mountain top experiences. It's about living out the daily task, the mundane, the everyday stuff with a Christlike attitude. Doing the next thing, however small, makes me feel His presence with me, sometimes with even more authenticity than those "high" times.melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990683136708609820.post-56632139972353109752011-10-11T10:08:00.006-05:002011-10-11T21:08:09.915-05:00Hodge Podge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsO2Sg7h3tk/TpRhRAp2aqI/AAAAAAAAB0M/wxRvExNLBUw/s1600/october%2B006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsO2Sg7h3tk/TpRhRAp2aqI/AAAAAAAAB0M/wxRvExNLBUw/s400/october%2B006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662257576372759202" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BmkNxBiveM/TpRhSL_d8mI/AAAAAAAAB0U/kGmk0teG4fk/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BmkNxBiveM/TpRhSL_d8mI/AAAAAAAAB0U/kGmk0teG4fk/s400/DSC_0116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662257596596089442" border="0" /></a>We had Bodie's parent-child commitment at church on Sunday. I think there were about 21 of us there with babies ... when we first starting coming to church here I think the nursery caregiver had less than 5 babies regularly coming each Sunday. She was pretty sad there were so few babies coming to church. Well in the past year, there has been a baby boom at our church ... such a blessing to have the nursery packed with babies and needing to expand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq3HqlyW8aQ/TpRhQf0_rMI/AAAAAAAABz8/MZs7Df9G5-Y/s1600/october%2B004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq3HqlyW8aQ/TpRhQf0_rMI/AAAAAAAABz8/MZs7Df9G5-Y/s400/october%2B004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662257567561133250" border="0" /></a>Bodie means "shelter" and Luke means "bringer of light." Brian heard the name Bodie while I was pregnant and it quickly became his favorite. I really liked it too, but it took me a while to be sure that was the one. We have both always liked the name Luke, so it was pretty easy to decide what his middle name would be. And yes, we know "Bo" and "Luke" are the names of the Dukes of Hazard, and that's okay with us. He is a gift from God and we are enjoying our gift so much!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Three little girls having fun trying out all the ATV's and boats at Bass Pro.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xntyvfFJPx0/TpRhQHkAWEI/AAAAAAAABzw/SsPpF7JhX70/s1600/october%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xntyvfFJPx0/TpRhQHkAWEI/AAAAAAAABzw/SsPpF7JhX70/s400/october%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662257561047423042" border="0" /></a><br />A neighbor down the street put this wagon out in their front yard with a sign that said "I'm free to a good home." The girls were so excited to get out of the car and pull the wagon all the way back to our house. Avery got dish towels and cleaned it up, then they played with it all afternoon. The people who live in that house have no idea how much their old wagon is loved now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Eljw3Oltk0/TpRd6M1zmDI/AAAAAAAABzQ/ITg_a8ZU1lU/s1600/sept%2B2011%2B018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Eljw3Oltk0/TpRd6M1zmDI/AAAAAAAABzQ/ITg_a8ZU1lU/s400/sept%2B2011%2B018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662253885972256818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1fq79PZ-6o/TpRd5jQCdMI/AAAAAAAABzA/HzLEnXWx1yM/s1600/sept%2B2011%2B019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1fq79PZ-6o/TpRd5jQCdMI/AAAAAAAABzA/HzLEnXWx1yM/s400/sept%2B2011%2B019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662253874807993538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QooJeq9yJ10/TpRd5fNnPsI/AAAAAAAABy0/ablq0jDERJk/s1600/sept%2B2011%2B010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QooJeq9yJ10/TpRd5fNnPsI/AAAAAAAABy0/ablq0jDERJk/s400/sept%2B2011%2B010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662253873724079810" border="0" /></a>Little man in the princess coupe<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ioFZUTGTAmY/TpRd7Ik0CmI/AAAAAAAABzk/i_ko5wdToG4/s1600/sept%2B2011%2B027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ioFZUTGTAmY/TpRd7Ik0CmI/AAAAAAAABzk/i_ko5wdToG4/s400/sept%2B2011%2B027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662253902007110242" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyhuprDb-0/TpRd7NzUUGI/AAAAAAAABzY/pnXfNk9kVB8/s1600/sept%2B2011%2B028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyhuprDb-0/TpRd7NzUUGI/AAAAAAAABzY/pnXfNk9kVB8/s400/sept%2B2011%2B028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662253903410122850" border="0" /></a>I am starting BSF this week. I've been hungry to be in a Bible study again, but hadn't heard of any that would work for our schedule, or they were already full when I looked into them. Anyway, a friend invited me to try BSF last week and it turns out they have a spot for me and for Bodie! I've always heard great things about it, but never had a chance to try it myself. So I am eager to jump in and start digging into Acts this year!<br /><br />I made my first batch of homemade baby food yesterday. I don't know why I never tried it before, but it turned out to be really easy. I made three separate batches of sweet potatoes, squash and carrots... I steamed it, pureed it in the magic bullet, then froze it in ice cube trays. For a very small price, I now have three freezer bags filled with ice cube shaped baby food. It was so gratifying to feed Bo his first bowl of homemade carrot baby food, and he loved it! I'm excited to try some more foods next week.<br /><br />Brian was invited to be a deacon starting in January. He had his first meeting on Sunday and found out several other guys that we are friends with are going through the process with him. He will be ordained in November then serve three years on and one year off. It's so neat that God opened this door for him to have a specific place in our church to serve.<br /><br />That's about it for now. Happy Fall, Y'all!melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.com1