Thanksgiving

Twelve Things To Do Before December

There are so many things that need to be done for the holidays that I'm hoping to get at least twelve things done before December...

Order our Christmas cards

(Thankfully our family picture has been taken! I feel so good already!)

Give the house a good deep cleaning

Take the kids to get their hair cut

Buy Christmas pajamas for everyone

Go pick out our Christmas tree and decorate the house

Ask Josh & Zack to hang our Christmas lights up on the house-for their safety...I don't want them on the roof in the snow! 

Plan a Christmas Bucket List of all the things I want to do as a family this holiday season and then put it on the calendar

Plan the Christmas Gift List...all those to shop for and what to bless them with

Begin buying Christmas presents NOW!

Stock the pantry with plenty of Christmas baking essentials

Have the packages being shipped to our CA family ready to go-I always get so stressed about getting those boxes of presents together and making sure it gets sent early enough that they will make it there before Christmas Day

Pray...spend time with Jesus because HE is my only source of peace and joy. I want my focus on Him during this wonderfully busy time of the year.

Church Fellowship & Baptism

Anita really blessed the kids while she was here...first making Allie some new doll clothes

Making gingerbread houses with the kids...

And making rice crispy pumpkins for our church fellowship meal on Sunday night...

People testifying why they want to get baptized...

Lots and lots of food for the fellowship meal afterwards...

Acts 2:42

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Happy Birthday, Danny!

Last weekend we celebrated Danny's 19th birthday!

Danny, we love you and are so proud of you!

Baby Grace

Please pray for my sister, Michelle and her husband Matt. 

Today their daughter Grace was born early at 19 weeks and went to heaven.

We are all extremely sad and grieving the loss of this precious baby girl. 

I appreciate your prayers for our family.

Girls in Pink

she decided to layer her clothes because of the weather...even her tank top is hot pink!

and these two sweet nieces in pink

Paige & Maggie

November Update

Marcus' football season ended the first Saturday of the month when their team lost in the playoffs. He had a great season and a lot of fun. It was awesome to see him improve in his skills. I think the best part of watching him was seeing him encourage and inspire his other teammates. He is a passionate football player.
After the game I took the boys to sign them up for winter basketball that starts right after Thanksgiving.

We've had many guests come to stay with us over the last few months. Recently our friend, Paul, who was actually Josh's youth pastor years ago, came out from our mother church to spend a weekend at the beginning of the month with us and preach at our church.
Right now we are blessed to have more family here...Anita and Tori.

I have been working very hard at planning our children's church ministry, schedule and classes, as well as putting together a monthly newsletter for our church.
I also attended my first perinatal conference over the last three days because of my involvement in NICU parent and family support. It was incredible.

We had our first parent teacher conferences with Rob and Allie's teachers.
Nothing but good things to report!

Rob absolutely loves school. He is doing exceptionally well in all subjects.
Allie is having fun. She excels in math and has grown so much in her reading.

Today Josh is teaching Rob how to rake the many leaves scattered across our backyard.
Rob is hoping to go into business in our neighborhood someday raking leaves in peoples yards. So, Josh thought he better show him how its done...
Rob just came in for a quick break and said he doesn't want to do it anymore as a job.

The First Snow

What we woke up to this morning!

A visit from Grandpa Young & Grandma Dianne

They came at the perfect time to see a performance
by Allie's first grade class at school

This is one of my greatest childhood memories...watching and listening to my dad play the piano. When I was little I would dance around the living room and sing along to the songs he played.
But, this piano is extra special...it was his when he was growing up. You couldn't imagine my surprise about 4 years ago I walked out to my driveway to find a big unknown crate shipped from North Dakota--it was this amazing piano!

Rob was enjoying Grandpa's music and in awe of how good he is

Allie was taking mental notes as she watched
Grandma Dianne make one of her beautiful baby blankets

Rob & Grandpa shooting some hoops in the backyard

A beautiful morning at Marcus' football game

Out for a delicious lunch before Grandpa & Grandma drove back home