HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and

give thanks in all circumstances!

1 Thessalonians 5::16-18

This past year has been filled with lots of lessons, trials, joy and waiting! We are learning to have joy in the midst of life’s unknowns and uncertainties. Even though we long to grow roots and feel settled, we still wait. We are still “camped-out” in OKC, rejoicing that God is with us, loves us and has a perfect plan for us. He has surrounded us with family and friends and has provided a wonderful home, School and Church family.

Emme is an official Pre-K student at Ridgeview Elementary. She loves life and is very independent and determined…which occasionally is referred to as rebellious and stubborn!

Gideon is adjusting to the life of a First Grader, with harder lessons, more homework and challenges. He has made amazing progress at Ridgeview, ended Kindergarten with all A’s and has been Star Student 3 times!

Keith continues to work for Family Enrichment Counseling as a Behavioral Specialist with underprivileged kids and their families. He doesn’t consider himself an “Okie” nor does he like watching football yet, but is learning to enjoy life here as he serves in the Church wherever he can.

I have joined the ranks of the unemployed, and am a “stay-at-home” mom…who rarely stays home! I cherish my 2 hours of quiet freedom, while Emme is in School, and try to cram in a Women’s Bible Study, exercising, grocery shopping, errands, and an occasional visit with friends. I love capturing our lives in photos and on our blogging, but spend most of my time just hanging out with my family.

We are sooo thankful for God’s love, provision, plan and purpose for our lives…and that He has made you a part of them!!! We love you!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Fun At The Farm…

 

What a fabulous night!!!

Beeper…

A Gorgeous Day!!!

      

Let The Feasting Begin!!!

Granny and her kitchen helpers!!!

We Love Granny!!!

On The Road!!!

We are headed to Clovis for Thanksgiving with Keith as our fearless, confident driver…he broke his prescription sunglass and this is his alternative!!!  What a guy!!!

Thanksgiving Treats…

 

I am sooo thankful for such fabulous, dedicated, loving, wise, wonderful teachers that are investing, teaching and equipping my kiddos.  The kids and I gave them jars of their favorite treats to express our thanks!  We love you guys!!!

Off To Church…

with a new addition to the family!

Saturday Continues…

But it is always downhill after the waffles and bacon!!!

Saturday Morning Waffles and Bacon!!!

 

BINGO!!!

Gideon had a blast at Turkey BINGO!  He sooo badly wanted to win, but had a great time anyways!!!  Emme’s enthusiasm was no where close to Gid’s, but she had fun playing with her friends and irritating her mommy!

Happy Birthday Ms. Stevens!!!

God's Work Isn't Finished

I love the Internet.  I spend way to much time on the Internet.  Many people wake-up with coffee; I wake-up with the Internet. 

My favorite devotional lately has been Streams In The Desert.  I have bought it, read it, given it away.  Repeat 3 times!  Yesterday, I stopped by to visit a friend who is ill and ended up going to my car, getting my current copy of Streams and giving it away…again.

This morning, I was in the process of ordering another Streams in the Desert and found it online at Crosswalk.com.  I also discovered a plethora of other devotionals…all online…all FREE!!!

This devotional was written by Elizabeth Cole and can be found at Crosswalk.com at HomeWord with Jim Burns

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. —Philippians 1:6

What a washout. He's forty years old. Adopted at an early age into great wealth, he rebels and rejects his adoptive family, murders a man, escapes with just his life and is on the lam for years. The day before God came to him in a burning bush, you would've looked at Moses and considered his life all but over. Any dreams he'd had in his younger years were long buried in the sands of Egypt. Grandiose plans for a full and rich career had certainly died right alongside the murdered slave driver. But then God called his name:  "Moses, Moses."

How often do we forget that our God -- the God whom we call all-knowing and all-present -- is far above our concept of time? While you and I see each other (and ourselves) only as we currently are, the Lord God sees us as we'll be. He knows the ending of our story and what we'll look like in all our divine, heavenly perfection. In the middle of today's failure…He knows what I will be. Still dealing with the consequences of past sin…He knows who I'm becoming.

This God who lovingly chose you before time began, who knew right where you'd be this day, has a purpose for you both today and tomorrow. God's work isn't finished! His intention is single-minded, His power unending, His commitment beyond measure. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Thanksgiving Celebration at School!

 

I love having lunch with Gid and getting to know some of the other parents, but was bummed there was no pumpkin pie.  However, 3 serving of apple crisp and some chocolate milk were pretty tasty!!!  This, however, just increased by desire for some REAL Thanksgiving food…8 more days!!!   

The Omniplex!!!

This morning, my plan was to exercise, go grocery shopping and run a few quick errands, then spend the rest of the day recovering from a totally packed weekend, cleaning up our pig pen and doing loads of laundry!

I managed to exercise and run a few errands, but as I was returning to the school to pick-up Emme, Melissa called with an invitation for lunch and a playdate.  It took me a total of 4 seconds to forget about the groceries, cleaning and laundry and join the rest of the VBC mommies at the Omniplex!

Emme had a blast running, playing and exploring with her friends, while we had a meeting of the mommies to discuss very important issues…

My focus was not capturing the precious moments the kids were creating, even though there were many!  My priority was to seize the reunion with Melissa and the other moms. 

Therefore…the following pictures are all I took of Emme flying through the air preparing to be the next gymnastic gold medalist!!!

  

Too cute not to share!!!

  

Thanks guys for an awesome afternoon!!!

My Blue Little Family…

Their coordination wasn’t planned, but very cute!!!

-isms…

Emme said, “Keith is a hero!  Heroes fix the World and Keith fixes stuff!”

 

Getting ready for bed…

Keith:  Why are you wearing Gid’s PJs?

Emme:  Because it makes him happy! 

At breakfast…

Emme:  Do you like my new socks?

Gid:  Those socks aren’t new.

Emme:  Yes they are!  They were new a long, long time ago!

Happy Birthday Sean!!!

We celebrated Sean’s 5th Birthday with great friends!!!

Lots of skating!!!

For the last 3 weeks, Gideon has been learning to skate in PE.  He was amazing, loves skating and was so excited to show-off his new ability!!!  Way to go Gid!!!

(Taking pictures in a dark Skating Rink really tested my camera’s abilities. I was pretty surprised with the results…not top quality, lots of noise, but not to bad!)

Birthday Cake!!!

The Hokey-Pokey!!!

Happy Birthday Sean!!! Thanks for a totally fun afternoon!!!