Perseverance...

Steve began the daunting task of the outdoor Christmas lights at 10:30am Saturday morning. He finished the task at 5:00pm after a trip to the store to buy more, numerous blown fuses, replacement bulbs that were non-compatable, frozen fingers, and a myriad of other obstacles. One of the character traits that I admire in my husband is that he is a man of perseverance...he finished the task. In the end, we all agreed it was well worth it. The house looks beautiful, especially at night.


It is difficult to tell from the photo, but he has an extension pole that he uses to hang the lights on the arch of the house, that prevents him from having to get on the steep roof.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for (in no particular order):
1. My Savior, Jesus Christ
2. Our three children are healthy
3. Dance Parties (we have lots of these!)
4. My husband
5. My extended families (mine, in-laws, and church family)
6. Room Time
7. The beach
8. The Freedoms we enjoy in America
9. The mall
10. Warm, gooey, chocolate chip cookies
11. The Bible
12. Make-up-especially mascara and blush

While writing this list (standing in Joshua's room, with a crayon on the back of a coloring page), the kids asked what I was writing so I explained to them this is a time to stop and reflect about things we are thankful for. They both wanted to write a list. These are totally unprompted:
Joshua is thankful for:
1. our house
2. that he is learning to read
3. that it is almost Christmas
4. that his Papaw took them to see Madagascar and let them spend the night

Lydia is thankful for:
1.her pink pig
2.her stuffed pumpkin
3.her cousins-Matthew and Julia
4.books

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Fall Tree

Now that fall is here, our Galatians 5:22-23 tree has become the 2 Corinthians 5:17 tree. I wanted our tree to reflect the changing of the leaves outside. Each week the kids get to put on a leaf that has the name of a Bible character on it. We then read a story about that person each night. It is important for our children to see the people in the Bible as real folks who had real struggles and real sin in their lives. Two of the guys we have studied thus far are David and Moses, both were murderers-both felt justified in their acts..."The heart is deceitful above all things..." (Jeremiah 17:9). Yet God loved each of them, and through Him, they became Godly men who were able to do great things. In fact, David was called "a man after God's own heart." Just as the leaves are changing outside, so God changes the heart of man. Our theme verse is, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Christmas Photos

I love our Christmas pictures this year. The girls were excited to be in matching dresses. They all did such a great job at the portrait studio...it is truly amazing how motivating red slushies from Target can be! This one with the book was not even posed, the photographer just handed them a book and started snapping shots.

Fall Leaves

The kids had a blast playing in the leaves, I must have raked this pile 10 times! There is a short video below, the resolution is poor because I took it with our regular camera.

Halloween

We had a great halloween. The kids enjoyed trick or treating and we got loads of candy!