Wordless Wednesday

Parenthesis, Pictures, Quotation Marks, and a Couple of Ha's!

This boy is a MESS!

My little guy is getting so big. He will be 9 months old on Sunday. He needs to slow down and quit thinking he is bigger than what he is. He is pulling up, clapping, waving, hugging, kissing, and saying Da Da. I don't expect him to say Mama anytime soon. I've always been last!
Carter "whooping up" on my dad.

I love how Carter and Haley are keeping an eye on each other.

I don't think I can say it too many times....I am so glad that Jeffrey is home. I know, he has been home since September, but I'm glad he is home! Don't I have some good looking boys? Carter was asleep. We don't wake our kids up. If they are sleeping, let'em!

We've been busy at our house remodeling. We got tired of talking about making our den our bedroom, so we did it. Boy did we do it! So glad it is done.

Because our den was just a big open room, we built a closet. It was our first (and last) drywall job!

We let the boys help. Like how Carson painted his name on the drywall?

I absolutely L-O-V-E my new walk in closet!!!Since we got a new bedroom, the boys got "new" rooms too. Each guy has their "own space" as Carson put it. We allowed them to choose their own paint for their rooms. We didn't paint Carter's room. When he is old enough to choose a color, we will paint it. Of course the boys wanted to help. Their mama made bigger messes than they did. No one looks behind doors right? Good! No one will see the paint drops and smears!

Carson painting in Colin's room

Colin's "new" room (our old room)

Carson's own spaceOn Veteran's Day, Roy Swisher, a teacher at Colin's school(friend of ours from church), had his pinning ceremony before the school. He is reintering the Army to be a Chaplain. He leaves for CHBOLC in January. Roys' wife Jan came to my house when we did the Esther Bible study.

Colin got to "dress up" before his classmates in some of Mr. Swisher's gear.

There were some distinguished guests there. We met and got a picture made with our Congressman, Ed Whitfield. Colin thought he was famous!

When we finally got the house back in order(ha!), we put our Christmas tree. Colin and Carson were really into actually decorating this year. Carson had a built of a meltdown though when he found out that we were putting our angel on top instead of a star.

And what good is Christmas time without baking cookies? Colin "decorate" (smeared icing with his fingers), while Carson ate!
Because I have lots of free time (another ha!), I volunteered to be the Club Calvary coordinator at church. Club Calvary is group of kids from 3rd to 6th grade. I am in charge of planning monthly activities for them. Our first venture.....

We took them to the Hardin Planetarium for a viewing of The Star of Bethlehem.

In November, we also purchased item and packed and wrapped gifts for Operation Christmas Child. I was so proud of Colin and Carson when I took them shopping. They were so eager to pick out items and really looked for things the other kids may like.

Ginger helped Carson with his package. He was so into it.

We are in the process of getting Colin signed up for Upward Basketball. They changed our local program this year, so we decided to try the church league. Unfortunately, they aren't doing it in our town this year. Jeffrey found a league in Portland, TN, so Colin will be playing there. He is really excited about it.

We are also planning for the "Griswold Family" Christmas Party. We will play a dirty Santa game, let the kids exchange gifts, and eat some good food.

With that being said....

I bought the kids an Advent Calendar last weekend. They are enjoying taking the mini books out and reading them. The books are then used as ornaments. I want them to truly understand what Christmas is about. We enjoy Santa Claus at our house, but we talk about he is just an extra fun part of Christmas and that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus' birth and how that is the greatest gift of all. And you know, it is. Without Jesus where would we be? I know that I am thankful for the gift of Jesus in my life, knowing that because he was born, and lived, and died for ME, everyday is a precious gift. When I make a mess of things, he cleans up after me. I love my Jesus.

My heart hollars with joy, like Gladys Herdman, "Hey, unto you a child is born!" It is the greatest news there was and is.

Cardboard Testimony Video

Cardboard Testimonies

This morning our church did a cardboard testimonies presentation.It was such an awesome service. Jeffrey couldn't be there due to drill, but his was on the screen.





My front said, "Sought Christ for my children."
On the reverse:




Colin's reverse side said, "Saved and Baptized in 2008.

Mike and Vanessa had the kids from Children's Church to participate, a nice surprise for all. Carson's sign said, "There is courage in His name."

There were just so many testimonies brought forth today from those who have been hurt, hardened, bitter, lonely, worried; from those who have miscarried, lost children or siblings to suicide, and spouses. It is amazing to see what God has done in their lives.

Welcome Baby Haley

No, we didn't finally have a girl! This is Miss Haley, Jeff's new cousin. She is so precious and has the sweetest cheeks, just like Colin!

Life As I Know It

BUSY.

But if you know me, that is nothing new.

I am thankful that fall has finally arrived. I love the summer months, but I love the cool weather, changing leaves, and a good sweater and pair of jeans. Sometimes I wish I was hip enough for some of those furry boots!

I am thankful for a good group of fourth graders. If only they could see their potential. How do you make a child actually care? I haven't figured that one out yet. We talked the other day about effort and they admitted they put more effort into sports and extracurricular activities. I asked the questions: What good is your name on a plaque if you can't read it? What good is a big paycheck if you can't do the math to keep up with it? All I can say is "DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS."

I am thankful Jeffrey is home. Yes, he has been home since the first of September, but I'm still so thankful. He has been going nonstop since he got home. Drill, funeral, his dad's emergency surgery, Drill again, job promotion, remodeling our den to make it a bedroom, Atlanta, and drill this month. Maybe soon we can have some regular ol' family time!

I am thankful that my children seem to have an easy time learning. That is something I prayed for while pregnant and I continue to pray for their intelligence. Over the last 11 years, I have seen the tears of kids that just can't get it. They try and try, but nothing!

Carson is loving preschool and is so eager to share his new found knowledge. Colin is in a pull out group with the district GT coordinator and has started Fall Super Saturdays at WKU. He is taking an art class this time. Carter, oh gosh, is almost 8 months old. He has mastered crawling, has two bottom teeth, can pull up on anything, and is trying to figure out how to walk.

I am thankful that I have Jesus. YES, OH, YES! Sweet Jesus! He gets me through each day. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't been spending as much time with him as I should, but I know he patiently waits for me. I hope I was able to honor him by my work with our recent block party at church. I hope I am able to honor him when I begin teaching the kindergarten Sunday School class this week. I hope I am able to honor him Sunday during our cardboard testimonies. I hope I am able to honor him through the way I live my life.

When I started this blog, I wanted to be able to share my relationship with Jesus in hopes of inspiring some of you to become closer to him. I also wanted to be able to share my life as a military wife. But I can't put this blog before Jesus. It is bad enough that instead of praying or reading the Bible, I choose to watch 10 minutes of TV before falling asleep at night.

Unfortunately, the busyness and chaos of life sometimes makes us get our priorities mixed up. Lately, I've come to the realization that I've done that. I'm trying to get back on track and be the Christian woman God has planned for me. No, I haven't committed these huge sins, but I haven't been spending the time with God that I need to.

God has burdened my heart with three people. Please pray for me as I try to witness to them. Pray for them to have open hearts as well. I have two totally different relationships with these people, 2 coworkers and a close friend. Witnessing is hard for me because I think I am a better writer than speaker. Sometimes I say some pretty stupid stuff. My pregnancy hormones once caused me to tell my students not to act retarded. Man wish I could have proofread that mistake! Maybe I should just write them letter or send and email! HA!

Also, please be in prayer for my sweet friend Gennie. She is to deliver her 3rd baby girl, Haley, tomorrow morning. I can't wait to meet this precious baby!

I'm off to enjoy a hot cup of coffee on this chilly fall evening and spend some time with my boys (if they wake up from their late afternoon naps before bedtime).

Mama's Birthday Breakfast

Colin really wanted to make my breakfast for me on my birthday. He made me a some butter with a little toast!

A Carter Fix

Happy Birthday To Me!

Sorry if the title of my post seems a little conceited, but I think birthdays are big deal, even my own. Each day is a blessing and I don't intend on wasting them!

I love that my birthday falls during Fall Break. It gives me time to spend with the boys and we usually celebrate more that one day. (BTW: Carson's birthday is during Spring Break and Colin's is during Summer Vacation so we celebrate big then too).

I took the boys to Gigi's Cupcakes. I was disappointed that there was nowhere to sit, but oh, not disappointed in what we found! I still haven't eaten my cupcake yet. Hoping to devour it tonight!

Jeffrey preached at church (what a special gift) and his cousin Josh and his wife Sara came to hear. Afterwards we went to the Chinese restaurant. We found out that Colin, Carson, and Carter will have a new cousin to play with in April (another cool birthday gift). We are so excited for Josh and Sara! After dinner, we went to Nannie and PawPaw's house for ice cream cake! YUM!

Today, Hilarie and I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese's for a little fun.

Carson has this cute little SkeeBall technique going on!

Aftewards, we took the kids to church and let them play on the playground. Carter loved the swing.

Carson chose a Dinosaur Excavation Kit for his prize. He and Colin had a good time finding the dinosaur bones.

I had a wonderful birthday. A blessed birthday. I got to spend it with my family. I am healthy and God provides for me in every possible way. What more could a girl want? Think I'll have that cupcake now!

We've Got Some Catchin' Up To Do

Life for us is business as usual.



This week was CRAZY to say the least. We had a four day school week with testing, an assembly, and homecoming. I was so excited to win a $100 gift card from Wal-Mart during the assembly. They just came to thank us for what we do and drew the names of 10 teachers to win a gift card to use for their classroom. Colin was sick on Friday, but his daddy carried him to the square so he could still watch the homecoming parade. Nothing like small town Kentucky during football season!



The past few weeks have been spent visiting with Jeffrey's Uncle Wayne and Aunt Mary in the hospital. Wayne had been sick off and on since the first of June. It was a struggle for him to make it through the Relay for Life event then and he just continued to have ailments. Unfortunately, Wayne passed away Wednesday evening and was laid to rest yesterday.



The service was beautiful. Dr. Copass and Bro. Powell did the service at the funeral home. Jeffrey did the graveside service. I was proud of him and just awed by how God is using him. Never in a million years would I have thought that his first military funeral would be that of his uncle.



Yesterday was also our 11th wedding anniversary. Although a bittersweet day, I was with people I love and care for. I am so blessed that Jeffrey's family took me in as one of their own when we started dating in 1991 (yea, you can do the math). They have always showed me love and kindness and been there for me. They were there supporting me 11 years ago on our wedding day. I'm blessed that I could support them yesterday during their difficult time.



We did have an anniversary date. We went to Sam's Club, Shoe Carnival, Khols, and Starbucks with no kids! We seriously considered seeing a movie, but figured that tired parents in a dark movie theater would probably end up snoring.



I look at my husband and I am amazed. Amazed at the man he has become. Since surrending his life to Jesus, he has pursued the will of God. Jeffrey is a people person. He has that personality that draws people to him. What better type of person to be used by God??? I simply adore and love this man. I know he loves and adores me (what wife wouldn't kill to know how her husband truly feels about her?). He is a family man. Yes, he enjoys an occassional round of golf with the guys, but he loves to play with his boys, take them to museums, or play catch in the back yard.



As his wife, I hope I can make him say that he is proud to be married to me. I hope he feels blessed to live his life with me. I hope that I show him day in and day out how much I love, appreciate, and respect him.