second season down

after the last soccer game we had a brunch and award ceremony.

  the kids were totally juiced and doing a drum roll on the table.

all that work finally payed off!

one last pic of the team...

i forgot to show you

our latest cake.

we had to make it in two pieces to transport it to dallas:

we also made rice krispy pops to match.

and did i ever show you our logo? 

major props to our friend brad wofford for his artistic ability and creativity

here it is...

let me know what you think!!!

Treasuring Two!

he's still the epitome of the Jekyll and hyde kid, 

but you're never at a loss for crazy!

he is in a tight running for the loudest voice in the fam.

and he gets the award for MOST ADVENTUROUS!

but man, he can steal your heart when he slows

down long enough to use that raspy voice 

to say something super-dooper sweet!

and he gives the best running start hugs!!

Allie's Birthday

OH MY, OH MY!  could our little girl really be SIX???

she use to fit on my chest... sigh.

poor thing was sooo sleepy from trick-or-treating the night before, but we still woke her up with balloons!!

 and then, off to mcdonalds (her choice) for bday breakfast.  our girl may be in school, but family still comes first.

we opened some gifts...

she got a travel bag with a set of foam rollers,

a grey sweatsuit with hand stitched flowers and owls,

and the continually asked for friend for strawberry shortcake, lemon meringue. 

 we took her to school about 30 minutes late, but she was armed with her birthday cookies. she wanted butterflies for the girls and circles for the boys.

 we ended the evening eating pizza, watching tangled and, of course, rolling her hair!  :)

happy sixth birthday sweet girl!!!  you are a beautiful gift and we LOVE you so very much!

Trick or Treat

i will let the pics speak for themselves!

 

our friends, the wallace's, invited us over for chili and fun before trick or treating. this is their precious Cinderella.

more friends!

daddy and his little turtle

a group shot of most of the kids just before venturing into the neighborhood.  we had a sweet foster baby in the photo... we hope she is a permanent part of the family soon and then you can enjoy her beautiful face too!  ;)

we ran into allie's friend, maggie, at the end of the night.... two little cheerleaders!

Defeating Discouragement

so life throws things our way and, honestly people, we just don't have any control over it.  i live my life as if i'm in control (a completely ungodly and un-biblical way of thinking, mind you), but in reality the creator of the universe is the only REAL controller.  

tonight i find myself discouraged and longing to defeat that beast before it swallows me whole.  

where do i turn?  

Nehemiah... anyone that knows me well, knows that i am IN LOVE with that book of the bible.  many years ago the Lord opened my eyes to a myriad of truths buried in that amazing book and there hasn't been a book of the bible to win my heart like that since.  HA!

Chapter four addresses beautifully the task of slaying discouragement.  i'll do a lackluster job of paraphrasing it, but i encourage you to check it out your self.  

here are the mandy notes: 

many of the Jews have been carried off to Babylon.  a few survivors are still hanging out in Jerusalem, but the walls are demolished and therefore the city is venerable and unsafe. Nehemiah's heart goes out to his people and he hops the first donkey to Jerusalem to check it out for himself.  as with many jobs, there are enemies stirring up trouble for Nehemiah and the Jews.  they are ridiculing the people, their faith, and their ability.

but listen to their response:

v. 6, 9 "So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart....we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."

and then when their strength faltered (v 10) Nehemiah steps in and leads...

he stationed people at the exposed places with weapons, surrounded by their family (those they cared about the most) and encouraged them, 

"Don't be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

the scripture goes onto say that from that day on the builders wore their sword by their side as they worked.  so press on, friend.  wear the sword of the spirit (eph 6) and keeping building! do not lose heart, do not fear... REMEMBER THE LORD!

lance's birthday (oct 29th)

well, it's official, for the next six months... lance will be as old as me and the "i married an older woman" comments will cease.

no, but really, this past week we were able to celebrate the life of a GREAT GUY!

it began with him coaching an 8 am soccer game... man, how things change.  caleb scored 3 goals in honor of his dad's 33rd birthday (or so we like to say).

then, it was off to dallas.  the kids helped me make him a very special birthday cake...

the special part being the orange hidden inside.  go pokes!

and, as if there weren't enough good things for his special day... the cowboys went and spanked the baylor bears.  it's ok, i'll take one for the team... let the ridicule begin!  congrats cowboys and thanks for making my man's day!

that evening, my FABULOUS sister watched all four of our kiddos (plus her 2) so that we could see a movie and eat dinner out.  we watched money ball... great flick... go see it and ate at freebirds at 9:30 at night.  we felt YOUNG again... for three hours anyway!  :)

his birthday gift is coming soon.  he wants a bike and we are letting him combine birthday and Christmas together to pick out the one he wants at REI!

happy birthday, babe!  we love you!  we're proud of you!  and we couldn't ask for anything better in a man, a husband, and a father!  you are IT!!