Happenings in my Home, 2009

Reflecting on the highlights today, here's just a few that come to mind (in totally random order):

. four different campuses on the first day of school . k gets her driver's license . m knocks out her two front teeth . k plays flute solo for 9th grade chaffin choir concert . family vacation to destin . k makes the shs majorette line . c learns to play percussion . j gets a grand slam in a big game . russ has a successful duck season . k gets her braces off . i turn forty . c competes in spelling bee and 6th grade track meet . j conquers his 'r' problem thanks to a wonderful speech teacher . k is voted a sophomore homecoming maid . c plays qb for 7th grade football . k teaches kids how to swim . conway boy wins american idol . shs plays in championship game . k and c parasail . c makes all-stars in baseball . c surpasses me in height . j is patriot of the month . k makes all-state in high school swimming as a freshman . k makes the difficult decision to leave competitive swimming after 6 years . c goes to his first dance . new baby cousin arrives . j makes straight a's . 6th grade fishing derby . many summer hours spent at eastgate pool . i start teaching 2 and 3-year-olds after teaching youth for 15 years... haha there's not much difference :) . baseball, baseball, and more baseball . c plays point guard for 7th grade basketball . too many sleepovers to attempt to count . c gets first job as a 'pool boy' for neighbor . i spend way too much time behind the wheel . k learns to wakeboard . j and m's first razorback football game . m learns to swim, sort of . precious time spent with cousins . big cedar lodge . 6 years at our beloved church . 13 years we have called ft. smith home . 17 years of marriage . bible study fellowship . new schools = new friends for k and c . youth camp . new neighbors . many ministry opportunities right in front of my eyes . witnessing, at least so far, my two teens choosing the "right" thing over the "popular" thing (thank you Lord) and praying my younger two follow suit .

... so thankful for God's blessings in 2009, may I not take one single thing for granted! I'm so ready for 2010, I pray it will find me faithful!

Merry (White!) Christmas

We had a wonderful celebration of Christ's birthday ~ the first "white" Christmas I remember having since we've lived here! The kids were so excited to see the flakes start falling Christmas Eve. Later, Russ and Kristen braved icy roads at midnight to get some packages delivered to a local family. I think that experience was the most valuable gift my daughter received this Christmas, and I praise God that she and her dad got to make that memory! The next morning we read the Christmas story, exchanged gifts, and played in the snow. After having our morning together, we bundled up and headed to Springdale to be with our extended family. It was such a great day, I really didn't want it to end. I love having my kids home during Christmas break, and I'm trying to soak it all in before January 4, when schedules begin to rule our home again! Here's a few pictures that represented our day ~

* Proud Patriot *

Congrats...

... to my nephew David, #24, and his Shiloh Saints! They won their 4A state championship game against Lonoke 56-20 last night in Little Rock. We are so proud of him and all that he contributes to his team, both on and off the field. He is only a sophomore, so hopefully he'll have two more incredible seasons ahead of him.

The dance...

Well I get a little emotional with "firsts" and "lasts"... Friday night was a "first"... Clay attended his school's Christmas Dance - as a 7th grader, this was his first one. He had a great time and I don't think I embarrassed him TOO bad with my obsessive picture taking. :) He met up with his friends at a home for snacks and pictures, then went to the dance, then out to Chilis for dinner with about 20 friends. Afterward, I was hoping for a complete run down of everything (like I'm accustomed to from Kristen!)... but no... I got "yep, it was fun." And that's it. I had to slowly pry little details out of him over the next couple of days... guess that's how it is with boys!

Clay and his date Logan -they looked really nice :)

Yep, they're 7th graders...

Group shot

Just the guys... Ty, Christian, Clay, Luke, Andrew, and Rush

Thanksgiving '09

We had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving in Waldron. Russ's aunt and uncle have hosted this holiday ever since Russ was small, and it has steadily grown in number over the years! There are 15 kids total, aged 3 months to 17 years, between Russ, his two brothers, and his two cousins! Lots of blessings to count for sure...

40 Candles?

Yeah, I know it's just a number, but it still feels strange that this is my age now! I had such a wonderful birthday a couple of weeks ago. My husband made it special by whisking me away for a night away to shop and eat, then attend the Ark/Miss State game the next morning in Little Rock. With all the responsibilities here, it's a major feat to get away by ourselves, even for one night! I'm excited about what the 40's hold... I can't help but realize, by the time #50 rolls around I'll have a 14, 18, 23, and 25-year-old! I better enjoy one day at a time :)