Happy 13 Years!

13 years ago tonight Eric and I met! Little did I know that I was meeting the man I would spend the rest of my life with. Thank you Stacey and Jeff for introducing the two most pathetic people that you knew (LOL) and to Applebee's for being a great meeting place. How ironic that Eric and I do not really care for that place.

Hey Stace, IRON BUTTERFLY!

Lost...Need Thoughts!

So tell me your thoughts, o fellow losties!! Even you lurkers! (JESSI!)

Prayers for area churches

There have now been 8 church fires in Tyler and the surrounding areas. Please be praying for all the churches in this area. Pray that the churches who have been targeted can be re-built and satan will not prevail. Pray that these people can be caught and this will stop. Pray that whoever is doing this can come to know the Lord. My heart hurts that people are doing this to the Lord's home.

Thankful..Oh So Thankful..For

-a sweet note from my 10 yr. old who wishes we could spend more time together.
-3 adorable children in their new glasses.
-money to pay for the glasses.
-a night to watch "American Idol" together but really just being together.
-dinner with friends over.
-"Squeezes" after prayer with a good laugh to follow.
-a great dinner last night prepared by my nanny and mom. Thanksgiving in February!
-my nephew being ok and a pop who loves him so much it hurts him.
-children who ask to be tucked in, sung to, and prayed with. Even our 15 yr. old.
-fun experiments in ELO that I can bring home and share. Yes, even the 15 yr. old.
-Lost and it's crazy writing that brings me happiness.
-a friend who will talk to me about chickens because she gets it.
-a teacher telling me what a gifted writer my son is.
-movin' on up in swimmin'
-a dad who wants to have lunch with us.
-a husband who loves me for me and tells me and shows me.
-a friend putting together a special time at lunch. So needed. Thank you!
-friends who will listen to me talk about issues even when I keep going on..and on
-sweet bows in a little girls hair that brings back memories.
-new life.
-blogs of special friends. You are a great coach!! Don't doubt that!
-friends who want to spend time with us. Amazing. We are so boring.
-friends who love children who need it so much. Happy Birthday! I hope dinner was good. And that you got your wine! ;-) Ask your daughter.
-hats on a sassy little girl.
-painting toe nails.
-talking about friends and their boyfriends with my daughter.
-watching pop and the sassy one dance together.
-having a grand laugh over Desmond being Jesus.
-a Friday night performance.
-discussing how wonderful our Savior is and how only He can bring us from the depths of depression. Thank you Lord for how You are working in all our lives.
-my life. How can I not love it?

From the park...To Snow?

Yep, from the time I last posted about the great weather it snowed. Not anything to really write about but really? Crazy!

We have had a busy week. Not busy crazy but busy being a family. The kids have had all their activities, swimming, ballet, basketball. Abi had her first sleepover! Well, that wasn't Caden. And it took a lot of convincing to have her invite someone other than Caden. Andrew did well in his b-ball game Saturday. Let's just say it's a learning year. Chelsea was busy with friends mostly this weekend. We did not get pretty looks last night while doing our calendar time when we suggested (told) her that she needed to have friends here this weekend or stay home. Oh well. I am not trying to win Mom of the Year. (well, not by my kids vote anyway!)

My sister came in this weekend! Due to everyone being sick but us we are the only family who got to see them. Lewis is adorable!!!! Love him! He is so proud of his cup holding abilities. I do have pictures and one day we will find out how to do this picture thing. She has a secret but I can't tell yet! LOL BUT YAY!!!!!!

Abi decorated our bedroom with roses the other day. It was so sweet. My nephews Jaxon and Zack came over the other night for a while with their mom. It was great to visit with them. I do not think we have seen them since Christmas. We talked to Nathan and Jacob on skype this morning while they were at my mom's. I have seen all my nephews now! I didn't get to see little Isabelle because nanny was hogging her! My nanny is down but has caught the cold also. We hope to visit with her more before she leaves.

So nothing really exciting except Jessi's news but I can't talk about that so shhhh....!! Chelsea is performing this Friday in the half time show but is only allowing us to come. Stinker. I am sure that family will sneak in somehow. She will never know. ;-)

She's Baaack!

Chelsea that is! We picked her up at 7 this evening for our 2 weeks. So far, so great! We all sat down as a family and planned our week, during commercials of "Extreme Home Makeover" of course. Right now she and Abi are unpacking her things and hanging them up. Love these times!

We had a low key day. We were actually all ready for church 20 minutes early so we went to the store before church to get our paper and the little things for lunch that I always forget. Our pastor is wrapping up a series called, "Heal a Family, Heal a Nation." It's based on the life of Joseph and his family. It's been so eye opening. You can download the sermons from our church website. (http://www.longviewfbc.com/) We are involved in a great E&E class called "Intimate Marriage." Eric and I love this class so far. We are working through it and the issues that arise when we read through the material. I highly recommend it.

We watched our Tim Hawkins video during lunch. So funny!!! The kids played outside while I read the paper and napped. My brother Christopher called around 3:30 telling me he was in town with his girlfriend. Talk about spontanious! The kids and I went to visit them then the kids went to Awana's.

Quote of the day:
While watching "Makeover" one of the ladies on there said the family was "geniuly sincere." Chelsea said,"Wow, I wish I knew big words like that."

Happy Birthday Laura C.!

You look awesome for being 26 years old! Thank you for choosing to spend your birthday evening with us. We hope you have a fabulous year!