2015

     I started thinking this morning about my families blog and how it has been a very long time since I opened the website or even updated the information.  It is a reminder that life and family changes but Jesus reminds the same.  

     2014 has brought us many advantages and challenges.  
          -First trip to California
          -Purchased a travel trailer for lots of camping
          -My Dad had multiple seizures but is healthy today - seizure free
          -Teenager in our house
          -New cousin was born, Lily Henley, and I was able to witness the birth
          -Started construction on unfinished space upstairs in our house
          -Brianna started gymnastics
          -Hunter started "Student Leadership" at church
          -My Mom was 2 years breast cancer free April 2014
          -Daniel and Michelle announced they are going to be missionaries in the Philippines
          -Made new friends 
          -Learning to trust and have more faith in Jesus

     Looking back over 2014, I see the good and the bad.  I see the big and small things.  I see God's hands on us and how He guides us.  I see my kids changing and growing.  I see our life changing.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

      

Christmas Part 2 and New Years

Christmas was not complete until we got to see and spend time with Tyler.  He lives in PA and we miss him like crazy.  We enjoyed the day! 

Hunter, Brianna and Tyler = Trouble

Playing rough! 

I love you! 

Tyler is a blessing from the Lord.  He was born months early and only 3 lbs.  Children are a gift from the Lord!

Happy New Year!!! 

I have heard so many people talking about changing something in 2012.  Change is hard.  Change is a attitude of the mind!

New Years was so much fun.  It was filled with The Peters family!  We played games, laughed, looked at pictures and enjoyed each other company!    

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 Chocolate Cake Balls!  Yummy!

We hope everyone had a happy New Years!  May God bless you in 2012 and may we draw closer to Him in 2012!

Christmas 2011

Celebrate the Season!  Celebrate the Life of Christ!

It's been called the greatest story ever told, and it offers some of the greatest lessons ever to be learned.  Everything I need to know about Christmas I learned from Jesus!  The birth of Jesus is the Reason for the Season!  Joy to the world.  The Lord has come!

The weather here in North Carolina has not made it feel like Christmas.  It made me realize that Christmas is really all year long.  The Spirit of Jesus is all around.  Giving and Loving is what you make out of it.  Family time is so special to us.  Each and every moment is a memory in the making.  David was off work for a few days and we loved having Daddy home.  We hope your holiday was blessed!

My friend, Jennifer, at the Neighborhood Christmas Party.

Brianna with her teachers!  The class did a little musical program and it was fun!  Miss Averette and Mrs. Eaton are the best.  Brianna is learning so much.  She loves her Kindergarten year!

    Hunter with his best dude Chaz.  Fourth grade is amazing.  Hunter made the A/B honor roll 1st semester.  We are so proud of you Hunter.  Keep your head high and your nose in THE book!

Our new friend, Ms. Mary, she lives in the apartments where David works.  She has adopted the kids as her grand kids.  They went over to make Christmas cookies at her apartment.  Ms. Mary cooks for David and loves on him.  She is a angel from the Lord!

Family!!

Baby Alive!  My brother gave Brianna this wonderful gift!  Hehe!  She really drinks and eats.  She is Brianna's baby.  Brianna~You are going to be a great mother one day.  I hope the Lord blesses me with many grand kids.

Remote Control Helicopters YES!  He is still thanking us for the present.  The excitement is overwhelming.  Hunter~You are a delight.  I love your spirit.  You make life interesting!

Happy Birthday Jesus!  This is our birthday pancake.

Reading of the Christmas story.

We celebrated Christmas with Daniel, Michelle and the kids on Monday.  All the kids had a great time and played well together. 

We are celebrating Christmas with Tyler, my brothers son, today.  So more pictures to come!

  We are looking forward to the NEW YEAR!  2011 has went by very fast.  See you in 2012!

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."  Psalm 18:30

Christmas Cookies

Sunday we had a lot of fun making and decorating Christmas cookies.  Our neighbors kids, The Peters, showed up to help decorate and eat!! 

We love it when the neighbor kids come over!  No matter what the kids are doing we always have fun! 



Smile!  She loved the cookie!



Hunter's Best Friend, Luis



                               



I love these pictures of Hunter!  This is his true personality!  He is teaching Brianna about Christmas.  Hunter is ready to make our giant pancake birthday cake for Jesus!  Everyday Hunter is changing.

Brianna fixing her cookie!  She is so full of life!  I love that girl!  Never a dull moment with her!  She is excited about Christmas.  We have been learning the true meaning of Christmas!  She sings Happy Birthday to Jesus all the time.  We are ready to celebrate His Birthday!

Each year it seems that time goes by faster and faster.  Each day of my life I thank God for family, friends, kids, and most important giving His life for me!  Happy Birthday Jesus!

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

Luke 1: 31

Carving Pumpkins

We have never carved pumpkins as a family until last night!  I know I know you can't believe we have never carved pumpkins.  It was so much fun!  Brianna was dancing around, like she needed to use the bathroom, so excited!  Hunter kept asking is it time yet. 

Hunter was loving the gooey insides of the pumpkin.  Brianna was thinking I am not touching that.

David is a great artist and was a big help with the pumpkins!

Hunter carved his pumpkin all by himself.  He is so proud.  He is showing it to all the neighbors.  Brianna had help from Daddy but did some herself.  They want to make this another family tradition.

We decorated the house with spider webs.  The wind is having fun with them.  We were also boo'ed which is a goody bag that someone in the neighbor put on our front door.  There is a piece of paper you put on the front of your house to let everyone know you were boo'ed already.  Then, you boo 2 other houses.  So we did!  Hunter loved seeking up on the porches to put the boo bag out! 

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15"

At this time of year around Halloween I start thinking about Thanksgiving.  I think about what I am thankful for and what I need to be more thankful for.

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?  Thanksgiving to me in a time to give thanks for what you have and for what is yet to come.  God's indescribable gift to us is his own Son Jesus Christ!  I am so very thankful for Jesus Christ dying for my sins.  Below are some words about Thanksgiving to get us ready for the upcoming weeks:

T = Thanks

H = Harvest

A = Apples

N = November, third Thursday 

K = Kindness

S = Sweet potato casserole

G = Great food

I = Indians

V = Vibrate colors

I = I love turkey

N = Nap

G = Giving

North Carolina State Fair

North Carolina State Fair 10/2011

We had a blast at the fair this year!  I grew up going to fair and love making memories with my kids at the fair. 

Hunter and Brianna both love their father very much!  I love doing anything with David.  David is a great Daddy and husband!

I love it when love is displayed!!

Camping

We love to go camping!  We love being outside enjoying God's creation!  We had perfect weather the whole weekend.  Two other families joined us Friday night and then Saturday we had some friends come out for a few hours. 

This was the view from our campsite.  It was beautiful looking out across Falls Lake at the leaves changing.  In the mornings fog would be floating across the lake.  Breath taking. 

We are going back camping in a few weeks so more pictures to come!  I love our family time.  Just relaxing with no agenda.  Happy Fall!

Yard Sales!!!!

Brianna and I had the best Saturday.  We went to 8 or 10 yard sales.  Brianna was having a great time!  I was enjoying being with her and teaching her about yard sales.  You do not have to buy every toy...you do not buy things you do not need..you do not pay more than what something would cost you at a store..and many other teaching moments. 

After we got back Brianna decided to make her own yard sale!  Now she is very excited about people coming to our house and buying her things! 

Brianna, I had so much fun with you.  I look forward to spending a lot more time with you.  You are a beautiful person inside and out!  Love you lots, Mama

1st Day of Kindergarten for Brianna

Brianna's First Day of Kindergarten!  She was super excited and had a great day!  She is so ready for this year! 

By the time I finished all the paperwork the school needed she was hard at work:)  When I picked her up she could not stop talking about when she was going back, what she did, and how much she liked her teacher:) 

Thank you Lord for a great first day.  We pray for many more fun days:)

Roasting Marshmallows

The kids wanted to roast marshmallows so bad to make S'mores!  We used the vacant lot beside our house to make a campfire!!  We invited the neighbors, The Henderson's, to come out and join us!  All the kids had a blast!

Fun times:) Hunter, Dayson, JD, and Brianna

Dayson getting more wood for the fire.

Yummy S'more!  JD age 4! 

We love our neighbors.