A Birthday Baptism

This past Sunday, November 22nd was Dan's birthday. As with all birthday's in our house, it's a special day. This birthday, however, was an extra special day. Jacob, our oldest son, was baptized at our combined campus service. Dan was honored to baptize him. As I stood in the wings taking pictures, a thousand things rushed to my head. I thought about the day he was born, the day he was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder and the day the doctor told us he would not be normal. I thought about the many nights we cried and prayed for him.. not only for this day but for many days to come. I thought about all the days I watched him grow and mature to the boy he is today. He is a joy! Today, he's very normal, loves people, has a heart for the Lord, and a great blessing to me every day!! I had prayed for his salvation before he was born, and it was amazing to be able to pray with him when he made the decision to follow Christ. I was blessed to be able to walk with him and witness his declaration.... I was beyond words.. I am also grateful for a husband who is a great example to him... in all ways. Joy was bursting from my heart and it was a wonderful feeling!! Happy Birthday to my awesome husband of almost 16 years..... and so proud of my boy who was obedient today to the call of his Savior, Jesus Christ! AMEN!!

Unit on Jamestown

This year for history.. we are studying "Early American History" and next semester going onto the "Revolutionary War." The boys and I just did a fabulous study on Pocahontas and Jamestown. They have worked extremely hard on these replicas and I was really proud of them for attempting it. I think they look awesome! Now onto Pilgrims.. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Last Football for the Year

The boys were selected about three weeks ago to participate in their Highview All-Stars league. We traveled to Owensboro Kentucky this past weekend for a weekend full of football! Talk about FUN! We are so proud of Jake and Jar. Jar's team came in 3rd place overall... not too shabby! Jake's team won the Championship... he carried the ball, got his first interception, caught the ball and made several tackles! Dan, Jar and I were screaming like crazy people! Can I say I was so proud? Yes.. I can!
This was a perfect way to end our football season for the year.. Three- Four nights a week of practice and Saturday games since July... All WELL WORTH IT.. to see my boys play this weekend! To grow in their love for the game, and learn a skill, character, perseverance, teamwork, and hard work......and to grow up be men!!! I love being a mom and I love them even more.
Jakes team with their trophies

Jar's team

With the Championship Trophy

Celebrating after the big win and interception

New Do!

Bekah got her hair cut yesterday.. I love it! She looks soooo grown up though! Don't you think??

HERO PAPER

Rebekah recently came home from school with a paper she had written on a "hero" in her life. I would like to let you read a little bit of it.

....."I am lucky enough to live in a home my mom works so hard to keep clean. She loves me enough to take time out of her day to love and take care of me. She works extremely hard to provide us with plenty of food and a good, clean, warm house to live in. She's a wonderful mom and will always love my family and me. My mom is very smart. Whenever I ask her a question about life she can answer it. My mom is the smartest woman I have ever known. My mom never lets her pride take over all of her responsibilities. She works hard to give me a good life. She is a wonderful person. My mom is someone I can look up to as an example of a Godly woman who works hard to provide for her family. I hope that someday, I'll be able to be a wonderful mom, wife and servant , just like her."

After crying... I hugged her! She got an A... on the paper, and always in my heart!

Ella's Dedication

This past Sunday was a special day in our house.. "baby dedication" at our church. I can't say enough how blessed we are to be at a church that loves babies, and children. It's always a blessing to be able to commit to raise our "inherited" child in the ways of our Great Lord and Savior! We committed, as a family, once again, the fifth time to teach Ella the ways of our Lord and to raise her in a way that would be pleasing to Him.
Ella was precious.. she couldn't have been better. She smiled on cue and loved the attention from our pastor (notice the picture) our pastor said she was just like Daddy!
Micah was a champ and stood very still.. a great accomplishment for him... I have to confess that I started praying at 7 that morning and put his patch on while he was still sleeping.. so .. what can I say... prayer works! We are blessed.

Trick or Treat

Halloween this year was full of fun! The kids had a ball carving pumpkins..this was the first year that Jake and Jar did their own without my help.. and they did an awesome job!! Trick or Treating was fun and lots of candy has already been eaten. Bekah went as someone who doesn't like mornings, Jake and Jar went as the Manning bros..VERY COOL, and Micah was, of course, a pirate, last was Ella as a Louisville Cardinal cheerleader. They were really cute.. if I do say so myself. We traveled the neighborhood as usual.. and then went to the fire station for free hot dogs and chili... YES, I KNOW, were cheap! Happy Halloween!