My Birthday

Yesterday was my 33rd birthday. I told Izabell that all I wanted for my birthday was to sleep in. I asked her to please play in her room if she woke up before me. Well, she did. Sort of. I heard her come check on me several times, and she played right outside my bedroom door for a while. When I woke up, she came and snuggled with me and said, "Aren't you glad I let you sleep in, Mommy?" She told me she was so excited it was my birthday because she loved cake and presents. I told her we weren't having cake and presents. She looked devastated. "Why not?", she asked. I asked, "Well, did you get me cake and presents?" She looked at me for a while, told me she would go wrap some presents and then left the room. I later went to her room and found that she had wrapped some boxes. Not in Christmas paper, but in Birthday paper. That's pretty significant because I spent most of my childhood not knowing the difference between my birthday and Christmas, but my mom always made sure to wrap my Birthday present in birthday paper. Anyway, I opened up the first box and it was the musical jewelery box Rachel had given Izabell for Christmas. Not an old worn out toy, but a brand new present. I said, "Izabell, this looks just like the music box that Rachel gave you." She said, "Yeah, except I don't have one anymore." That's the best birthday gift I have ever received. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, thoughtful daughter.

Gingerbread men and God

Izabell and I made Gingerbread men today. I love gingerbread men. They're cute, they smell good and you can dress them how ever you want. Anyway, as I was moving the prettiest one from the cookie sheet to the cooling rack, I dropped him. I said, "OH NO, I broke my baby boy!" Izabell laughed, made fun of me a little and then we went on. But it got me to thinking about the similarities and differences in making gingerbread men and God creating us. Ginderbread men are made up of the same stuff and come from basically the same mold. We are made up of basically the same stuff, but we don't have a mold. We may be similar in shape, but we are all so different. Then I'm thinking about how many I dropped and broke. The difference there is that, when I break them it is purely accident and ruins the cookie. When God breaks us it was all part of the plan and usually ends in healing.
There are many more comparisons that went on in my head, but I am stopping before it gets weird. However, I encourage you to take what you know about God and what you know about gingerbread men and think on it for a while. If you don't know much about baking, get a cook book. If you don't know much about God, get a bible.

I can be so creative. I am still amazed at myself over how great this dresser looks. I wish I had taken pictures of it before I painted it. Izabell, Ben and my mother are the only witnesses as to how ugly it was.
I painted the shelf to match and next, is the toy boxes turn. If Santa brings her the new big bed she wants for Christmas, I will do it, too. Can't wait to get the whole room re-done. This is so much fun it almost makes it easier to deal with the fact that she is growing up.

Preschool Christmas Program

We had our Preschool Christmas Program tonight. If you think getting 40 three and four year olds together to perform is easy, I encourage you to think again. But it was worth it. They were all precious. Izabell got to wear her jammies and sing "Must be Santa". I somehow managed to stay sain and actually feel pretty good about how things went. I even got my picture made with Santa!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving

This picture is of one of the biggest blessings in my life. But she is only one of the many things that I have to be thankful for. I was blessed to be a part of an outreach program at church. We packed and delivered meals to over 100 families in Clarksville. I cannot get out of my mind how blessed I am after seeing so many families struggling so much. I don't know why God blesses me above and beyond what I will ever deserve, but I thank him.

Worship

Jessica took Izabell and I to see Leeland in Little Rock for Halloween. This was the greatest treat because that's one of our favorite bands ever. It's also special because Jessica used one of their songs, "Hey" in her wedding after I introduced it to her. It's one of the best songs. Anyway, Izabell loved it and so did I. I am also thankful that I have a five year old who loves to worship God. This picture was taken of her in the Upper Room after I had rehearsed with the girls and a sound check was done. The mics were left on because it was only about 30 minutes until worship service began. All of a sudden I hear, "Holy, Holy, Holy" coming from overhead. It was my angel singing. She sounded like an angel to me.

My Punkin

I love carving pumpkins. I love the smell, the feel and, of course, the look of a beautiful pumpkin. One of God's wonderful, simple creations.

More Birthday Party Pics

I am so glad she's not really blonde.

Here's Izabell enjoying supper while lounging in a log.

Izabell, Able and Lauralie roasting marshmallows.

Izabell wants a big brother so bad. She sucked up every second she had with Triston.

Birthday Party

We had a birthday party for Izabell and her cousin Elizabeth today. They both got Hannah Montana wigs along with many other Hannah items. They played ball, had potato sack races, ate cake and hot dogs, and roasted marshmallows. Oh, and played in the dirt. A lot.
The last picture is of all of Mom's grandkids except for Rachel. We didn't have her this weekend.
The most exciting part of the night was the trip home. Ben and Rickey had left early to go hunting. Well, I was the one who got the deer (with my car). Nobody was hurt and the car only suffered minor injuries, but the irony of the situation almost makes it worth it.

My Baby is 5!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is my Five year old Izabell with all of her new birthday clothes. And look, she has a bow in her hair.

Chelsea

I am so thankful that we celebrated Chelsea's 26th birthday today. Each year we have a family reunion at the beginning of October. This year, it fell on Chelsea's birthday. The kids made her a banner and she had her very own cake. I think she enjoyed it. Also, all of her kids were there together.
The middle picture is of Chelsea and her oldest and youngest. Aren't they beautiful? The picture of all of the kids with the lion cub was taken at New Blaine Trading Post Friday evening. There were some guys from Florida with an "African Safari." It was small, but the kids enjoyed it and they got to pet the lion. It's been a busy weekend, but I am blessed to have had it.

Zoo

Izabell and I went with the church group to the zoo Sunday. It was a really long day and I am still trying to recuperate. I got to see the gorilla and tiger. Izabell got to pet the elephant. It is the same elephant that I got to pet when I was small. I wish we hadn't been so rushed, so we could have enjoyed it a little more instead of rushing from one thing to the next. But we did have some fun and I am glad that we got to experience it.

Horse Riding

I had to be in training today, so Izabell went and spent the day with Joy. This is what she did while I was gone. She was so proud to tell me, "I made the horse go and stop all by myself." Doesn't she look so grown up?

Miss Personality

I have a hard time with her, and sometimes wonder if I will eventually win the war. However, it's never boring. Izabell has more personality than any four year old should be allowed.

Roofing

This is the ariel view of my home. My husband took this picture from the top of the scaffolding that he is using to fix the other house's roof. I love my husband very much, but there are some things that I cannot and will not do for him. One of those things is climbing up there to help. If you would, please pray safety over him as he finishes the roof.

She did it!!!!!!!!!

Izabell can swim!!!!!!!!!!! Well, sort of. She has been working really hard for the past few weeks to go all the way under. She practiced in the pool and in the tub. Well, she finally did it last week. And now I can't keep her above the water. She is almost swimming underwater. She can even go under without holding her nose, which I could never do. I realize that this is not that exciting for everyone, but I am thrilled. And so is Joy, who has been working with Izabell the last two summers to get her over her fears. Good Job Izabell.

Best First Day Ever

We had our first day of school today. It was the best first day I have ever had. Thank you God. I think that once we get past a few potty training issues with the younger ones and a few behavior issues with the one that lives with me, we will have a great class this year. I even got a gift from one of my students. I've never gotten a gift at the beginning of the year before. I usually have to wait for Christmas. Let's pray that tomorrow is even better.

My Girl

I love to cuddle with my girl.
We have a lot of fun together.
I'm not sure how she got so funny.
Pray for us because we will be together as teacher and student for the next 9 months. All day. Every day.

Gift

I'll never be able to thank God enough for this beautiful gift.

Power Lab

This year's VBS was great. It was a Power Lab theme and we learned about how "Jesus gives us the Power". The kids loved it and wonderful things happened. Thursday we had many, many children respond to an invitation to accept Jesus as their savior. I also know of at least one adult who accepted Christ after serving at VBS. I love to witness God's wonderful works, and He was definately at work that week. Thank you God.

A few weeks ago Izabell attended the Butterfly dance camp in Paris, AR. For one week, we went to Paris each day for two hours and she learned different kinds of dances. My favorite was Hula. I think she liked them all. Then, on Saturday, they performed at the Butterfly Festival. We both really enjoyed it.