Kole's 4th Birthday!

We had your birthday this year @ Crossett Fire Station! I was so happy to have all our family here! Nana, Paps, Grandaddy, Mamaw, Uncle Kenny, Aunt April, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Luke! Also your friends Gage and Anna Kate from school! We toured the fire station and we even got to go in it for a spin around the neighborhood! Then we went back home and had cake and ice cream! YUMMY! You got Hal the Moose from Build-a-Bear, Cars game, Batman car, Kung Fu Panda movie w/ jammies, a wallet w/ some money, a crazy car, and an ESPN batting station. I can't believe you are 4! Hope you had a great day!

Thanksgiving Reflections

We are called so many times in the Bible to be thankful. No matter the circumstance, hardship, or situation, we should reflect on it and give thanks! This week during my quiet time God has shown me so many wonderful things I know I have taken for granted and forgot to thank Him. Here is my list!

1) My salvation! How truly grateful I am that I have a Father who knows every hair on my head, is aware of every tear I cry, and listens to me. Even though I am still sinful! He cares about my needs, loves me when I rebel, and gently seeks me when I am busy w/ life. He is my Abba Father, my Papa, my Jehovah-rapha, El Roi, my El Shaddai! I am nothing without you!

2) My husband! How blessed am I to have a husband who shares a love for Christ. We are so CLOSE! We tell each other everything. Lately I have been blessed to experience how protective and loving he is! And boy do we laugh!! Our communication is so key. We are each other's biggest fan. I love him so much!

3) My kids! God blessed me with 2 of the most beautiful, sweet, silly, and compassionate kids. Kole, you have this silly side but are so compassionate to others. You suprise me w/ your wisdom of Christ! Your teachers and our church are so helping you become the man God desires you to be. And Kate! My precious daughter! Spunky and sassy, you are so incredibly sweet even when the tantrums start! My desire for you is to fall head over heels for Christ.

4) My health! God has given me good health! I am so blessed I can be active and do the things I do. I love my job at the wellness center. I couldn't run if it weren't for having my health.

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.." Psalm 95:2a

Meeting Avalon

Ok, I had to post this picture because it makes me laugh! I went to Jackson, MS 2 weeks ago to Extradinary Women conference. We heard from speakers like Chonda Pierce, Karen Kingsbury (I got to meet and have her sign "Let Me Hold You Longer" which is a tear-jerker for a mommy), Thelma Wells, and Angela Thomas. We got to hear Mark Schultz and Avalon! I was so pumped to get in line to met Avalon! They signed my program, and then I got in a pic with them. The other female singer was not able to sign autographs. They told me I could be the 4th member, and I reminded them they wouldn't want to hear my pipes! It TOTALLY looks like I was "photo-shopped" in the picture! Makes me laugh! What do you think?

Kole's Thanksgiving Lunch

Wee School did a little program w/ the kids singing a few Thanksgiving songs and then did some scripture! I was so proud of you, sweetheart! Then we got to eat a great Thanksgiving lunch w/ ham, green beans, corn, rolls, and dressing. All mom's brought dessert! It was so DIVINE!! Kole even made the placemats! Kole, I am so thankful for you! What a precious bond you and I have as mom and son. You make me and daddy so proud of you! I am so glad you like school so much!(thanks Melissa for keeping Kate so daddy and mommy could spend time w/ Kole)

Keeping Up w/ Kate

Kate! You are a bundle of energy! You follow me everywhere wanting to do what I do! I was getting ready this week and you put on my headband and went around saying"Wook, Mommy, Wook!" And you would twirl. Precious girl! Love you to pieces! I also had to include the precious pic of you sleeping! This is the last in your bed, my princess. Next week you will move to your "big girl" bed and furniture. I want to always remember you like this!

Kole's Fall Festival

Yesterday I helped with other mommies at Kole's school with the Fall Festival. We set up games and each class came through to play! There was a pumpkin roll, fishing games, tatoos, bowling, golf, etc. Kole sure did like going to each activity! Thes kids were super funny! Kole said his favorite game was rolling the pumpkin.

The Shack

Have you ever read a book that changed your ideas or thoughts? Maybe it gave a different perspective for you? I am reading The Shack by WM. Paul Young. It is so AMAZING! I don't want to give away the plot, but it is one of those books you read and want to read again. The question it poses is "in a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question: WHERE IS GOD in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" I picked it up at Lifeway Saturday and have been hooked since! It has truly broaden my thoughts of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I have come away with life lessons and a deeper respect for the way God speaks to His children when they are hurting. The way God loves us is amazing! So if you want a good read, get this book! I recommend it to anyone who has suffered a loss, a bad trial, or you are going thru a rough patch. I have laughed, cried, gotten chills, and rejoiced! It is truly a story of God's grace and love for us!