Our Shepard

We went out last night to a VERY cold live Nativity display. When we got there they recruited Jayden as an extra Shepard. I had to laugh because he was busy playing with the donkey in the back and loosing his Shepard hat the whole time. On the way home I asked him how it was especially seeing a real baby in the manger (don't worry it was a heated manger). His response,"It was nice but I don't know why they didn't have me say something in the microphone like the other kids (who had practice lines)." I guess we know who our Christmas "ham" is!

An Early Christmas Present

First Kiss

Tonight was the Christmas Program at church. It was really quite good. The message was "we are getting back to the manger." It was a lot of fun to watch. However, I will never forget tonight because of one thing. Ashley and Jayden were the green bell together. They wanted to share the message that Jesus brings eternal life. Ashley was a lot louder then Jayden. She even had to tell him to talk. The one thing that I won't forget happened after they spoke. When they were standing on the risers Ashley slugged Jayden (he probably needed prompting again) then she leaned over and kissed his cheek. That was enough for Jayden he was walking on air the rest of the night. Merry Christmas Jayden and you didn't even need mistletoe!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Tonight we had two major events to kick off the holiday season. Kimberly had her Christmas Dance Recital. It was SO much fun! As soon as it ended Doug and I went to my work party. It was entertaining to see work friends having such a good time together. Bring on the holidays, I am ready to party!

November

Thanksgiving with the family included amazing food and lots of games!

October

We began the month with a celebration of my Grandma's 80th birthday. It was fun to catch up with relatives I hadn't seen since I was in grade school. The rest of the month was filled with hayrides and pumpkin hunts. The kids got more candy then a small village could handle for Halloween. We really enjoyed out time as a family. The biggest highlight was a small day picnic to Farewell Bend for a rock hunt. Jayden and I really enjoyed exploring shadows.

September

I have decided that this Fall was just too crazy to truly document. My Grandfather turned 95 at the beginning of September and we had a great celebration. I was working on getting a job at Washington Elementary and so life was dedicated to teaching. Sadly the end of this month my dear Aunt Gail died. She will be truly missed.

Kids

Today was an interesting day. I had an ah ha moment. After coming home from helping my 95 year old Grandpa get hooked up to continue recording his memoirs I began thinking. If I live to be 95 I have almost 60 more years to worry about getting all my pictures scrapped, why rush? Then after dinner it happened. We were all relaxing and I was sharing a CD story with Jayden when Kimberly and Ethan both got their baby albums out and started looking at them next to me on the couch. Then Jayden was like, "where is mine??" I have a little flip book of his first pictures so I let him look at that. Then he asked if he had more and I showed him the four pages I have done on his baby scrapbook. It hit me like a TON of bricks. That is why I need to "keep up." My kids care. The fact is they love it. Even at 11 and almost 12 they still want to know that I have their memories in easy reach for them to look at. So new challenge....I am behind again on this blog. Maybe no one really finds it enjoyable to see our simple lives. But I am convinced it matters to three little pieces of my heart and they are definitely enough of a motivator for me.

First Day of School

What to Do the Last Week of Summer

Our Summer IS Ending

Oh a Camping We Will Go

Technical Difficulties

I have been trying to get this updated and looking at all my work I realized I am so dyslexic. When I caught up May I went chronologically in order from top to bottom. HOWEVER then for June I worked in sections and did it the way they would post from bottom to top with the latest on the top. This is my work in process so I am not going back but if you are trying to read this as a blog heads up my May post might sending you into confusion. Oh happy day!

Not a Great Day but a Great God

So I am interrupting my catch up mode to vent. Today my verse of the day James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Then the devotional talked about how to build a muscle. To build a muscle you have to break it down. Of course this was a couple hours before my interview and appeared to be not meaningful for me today. GOD MOMENT! I did need exactly this verse and now I am working on the "consider it PURE JOY" part. I am very crushed in spirit because of not getting the job at Wilson. I felt so sure that it was God's direction that was leading that job but obviously God is bigger then my interpretation. Help me see the light is my prayer and despite my frustration let me be complete not lacking in anything.

June was a Jumble

Ethan's Birthday Party

We celebrated Ethan's 11th birthday a little early. Being a June baby it is hard to keep connected with friends. Ethan was so excited to have his buddies Simon and Mark to celebrate with along with his cousins Ashton and Terron and Luisa and Terry. The party was from a Galaxy far far away!

My May Madness

May for our family was incredibly busy. I made such an effort to keep this blog caught up and I am almost three months behind. SO I will get back on track! This has been such a blessing to me helping me keep a tangible record of our family.