Wrapping Up 2013

In 16 or so hours we will ring in 2014. I am ready. I love a new year, a fresh slate, a empty notebook full of blank pages to write a new story. And if I am honest, 2013 has been a year of growth. God's stretched me in ways that I am pretty sure I will feel for the rest of my life. I don't really feel the need to join a yoga class any time soon!

So as 2013 comes to a close, I want to give thanks for the things God allowed me to experience….

January- soul-friends Jason and Jaime Brewer and their sweet kids left us to live in PNG as aviation missionaries with JAARS/Wycliff. The first few months they were gone was brutal as we had little to no communication. Now, we communicate daily thanks to email and other modern technology. So thankful to have this connection. 

February- I tendered my resignation for the 2013-2014 school year. I loved teaching at KIDS Central but I am thrilled that God has allowed me this opportunity to stay at home! I am enjoying being more involved at church and ministry as time allows. I finished out the year strong with my first grade class and look forward to going back to teaching whenever God says it's time!

March- Our church hosted our annual Mission's conference. I am always moved and motivated during this time. This year's guest were so special and there were bonds made that will be eternal. Enjoyed a visit to GA to attend my sister's bridal shower. 

April- I had the opportunity to attend the Gideon's Pastor Appreciation Banquet with Bruce. What an awesome ministry and what a great work they are doing distributing God's Word around the world. It was impressive and also convicting to hear how many have received a copy of God's Word in their own language and to hear how great the need is still to reach the Bibleless nations. My sister got married so we made a quick trip to GA to celebrate with them.

May- We bought a new (used) car. We survived and finished school! The kids also tested for their BLUE belt in TKD.

June- We bought 2 acres of land…and this is like a dream come true. God has truly given me the desire of my heart. We're in the process of paying it off and hopefully 2014 we will break ground on our new home. We also hosted our annual VBS at church. Loved the outreach events and getting to see a long time friend, Joe Schmidt. 

July- Our family was on the road constantly in July….first camp for Savannah and Georgia for me. Crazy busy but good. My step dad had hip surgery so a friend and I went to help for a week. Fun…but exhausting!

August- We packed up again to head to Wyoming for a church missions trip. Great time of growth and outreach for our friends who pastor there. Fun time with our church family. Savannah turned 11 years old.

September- School started back! I started homeschooling both kids from home…first time ever! I've home schooled Savannah since kindergarten but it's been a very unconventional style. I'm liking this more traditional style. Enjoyed a quick visit with my sister. 

October- I survived blogging about all the beautiful things in my life. This was life changing as I have learned from my own life that some beautiful things come disguised and ugly, old and worn out! We hosted our annual fall festival at church and it was a huge success! God blessed as we ministered in our community.

November- Spent the month praising God for his goodness. Enjoyed a beautiful visit with my mom and step dad. A full house of church friends and family for Thanksgiving lunch. Loved it!

December- Filled to the brim with Christmas programs and events. All which I love. Many unfortunate deaths in our church family during this month, which certainly put the glorious HOPE that we have in Christ into perspective. 

What a year! Thanks God for all these gifts…and so many more!

What I've Loved About Christmas Break

I think more than any other time before I have enjoyed this Christmas Break...and being a creature of routine this has surprised me just a bit.

I've loved...

1. Spending time with my family (of course)

2. Sleeping in (of course...although that has a different meaning since I have Early Bird Tucker)

3. Mapping out some plans for remodeling out dated bathroom and picking out colors for painting our den.

4. Playing games with my kids...they are finally old enough not to get bent out of shape when they lose...makes gaming much more fun!

5. Cooking/Baking more

6. Cleaning the house from top to bottom and getting rid of stuff we don't need.

7. New Years Eve text party with girlfriends....our hubbies just thought they could keep us apart! LOL!

8. Watching Christmas movies

9. Celebrating Christ's birth with church family, my class, my family, our community.

10. And ....SNOW!...on Christmas Day!

It's been wonderful....and I really don't know how I can get back in the routine of school in 5 more days....oh well....I'll figure that out when it gets here!

Spring Break 2012

11 days ago the kids and I ventured out on our first ever cross country road trip with out Bruce. He was pretty anxious for us to drive to GA to see my family and after minor car trouble, getting stuck 5 cars behind a car fire in Alabama and horrible traffic, I kind of understand why! But, alas, we made it! Greeting us in GA was the welcoming committee of family...Andy, Amy (siblings), Pop and Jojo (stepdad and mom) and the three dogs...boxer pups Sadie and Clara Bell, and Maggie...the elder boxer.

We ate our fill of Papa Johns pizza and quickly understood there had been a reason my mom had brought all the siblings together...there was family business to take care of. She was ready to distribute the family pictures...our rather...she was ready for us to distribute the family pictures. So we spent the evening hours lovingly laughing as we divided up our childhood and even my parents childhood pictures.

Here's a few...but I assure you there will be more!!!

Here I am as the firstborn and only child...that only lasted 23 months...so I figure this is worth remembering....not to mention my mom's hair is AWESOME! And yes....it's all hers...I asked. 

Here I am again...when it was absolutely acceptable to be chubby.

My favorite elementary school picture....check out the tan and those hair ribbons.

And this picture is just wrong. But it certainly explains where my son gets it from....

Gotta love him!

There's much more news from our Spring Break trip. For now...I think I've left you with more than enough...perhaps even too much. Good to be back home!

Random Reactions from the Rugrats

A couple of really random things have happened that I want to be sure I document before I forget.

#1- Savannah talks to herself in the mirror. I was putting her to bed the other night and she said that I needed to turn my head while she talked to herself. So, on command, I turned my head (and then turned it back) and found her whispering to her image in the mirror. All I caught since she was whispering was "I knew you'd come back"...I'm sorry but I was snickering...I think a snort even escaped...trying to keep the laughter low key. What a hoot!

#2- Savannah begged for a "jammie" day today. Is that normal for a 6 year old? Maybe we've been a little busy lately????

#3- Tucker has slept passed 9am 2 mornings this week. What's up with that? Growing? Sick? Tired? Who knows! But I did enjoy the extra quiet time!!!

I'm trying hard not to miss the moments this year. What a blessing and delight these rugrats are to me!

Tribute to a Father

Today is the anniversary of my dad's death. It's been 18 years. I've now been without him as many years as I had him. Seems strange since those memories are so close to my heart. I've done a little reflecting over the last few years, about what I really miss the most by not having him here on earth. Here's a list:

1. I miss that he will never meet Bruce (my husband)
2. I miss that my kids will never know what an awesome man he was
3. I miss that my mom will not grow old with the man she gave her heart to in 1968
4. I miss that he will never be here to give me advice on how to raise Tucker...since he obviously knew something about raising a strong willed boy!--if you know my brother, you don't have to ask how!
5. I miss the thoughtful things he did, like bringing home a blockbuster movie and candy bars for family movie night.
6. I miss how devoted he was. I think he video taped every basketball game my brother, sister and I ever played...and we all played about 5 years....3 different teams.
7. I miss how he protected me from people and places that might bring me harm.
8. I miss how he kissed my mom at the front door everyday before he left for work.
9. I miss his hilarious sense of fashion...he was color blind!
10. I miss his dedication to things eternal...people, the church, the Word of God.

He was an amazing man. His son is the greatest example of who he was. My brother walks, talks and acts like him. Sometimes it almost feels like he's around when I am around him. What a feeling that is!

He's missed. Those who knew him- loved him, those who loved him...were blessed.

Fooey on the Flu

Both my sweeties have Type A Influenza this week. Tucker is recovering and is just about out of the woods....but, Savannah's just started yesterday..so we are still in for a few more days of flu type symptoms. One good thing is I have had plenty of snuggle time on the couch with both of them, but if I manage to avoid getting sick...then it will be nothing short of a miracle!!!!

Say a prayer for them...ok maybe the whole bunch of us could use a prayer!

My Kids Have the Greatest Dad!

Tonight was the Daddy Daughter Dance at the school in our area. Savannah went last year with Bruce and she wouldn't have missed it for the world this year either! Times like tonight make me incredibly thankful that Bruce is such a devoted father.
Tucker lucked out and got a movie night at home with me!