I don't want to forget....

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! I wish we could send everyone we know a card but that would be practically impossible. I wanted to share a few pictures from our photo session at the farm last month. My talented friend Sarah Pitts took these. She brought her husband, Matt and kids with her and it was so much fun spending time with this family we admire. Matt grew up at FBC Keller and Keith had a part in their wedding. Matt is now a pastor in East Texas and we're so proud of how the Lord is using him and Sarah. :)  Here are a few highlights of 2017. January: EK turned 11 and EJ turned 2 April: Keith and I went to San Antonio for a few days. Keith had meetings and I spent time with some other pastors wives.  May: I celebrated my 40th birthday! (Still seems surreal at times.) We bought a farm in East Texas.  June: EK graduated from elementary school. We celebrated my inlaws 50th wedding anniversary. July: Keith and I celebrated our 14...

Look at these cute cousins! What a blessing it is that we live within a few miles of each other and get to see each other weekly at church. :) Thanks Mimi and Pops for the matching outfits. 

I was asked to speak to a group of moms with babies through school-aged kids a few days ago on the things we are doing to teach and train our kids to know and love the Lord. It was really good for me to consider what we are using, have used and new resources I'd like to add. I want to be intentional about teaching the kids about God because if I don't plan, it won't happen. However if I'm not careful it becomes routine and almost something to check off a list. From time to time, I think we, as parents, need to evaluate what we're doing, how it's working and what needs to change. The goals I have for my kids change periodically (sometimes weekly) as I see where their strengths and weaknesses are. (Sometimes those areas of weakness are a struggle for me too.) Teaching them the gospel message is a continual thing. I want them to know about the Bible but I also pray it will change their heart. While some days are much better than others, my main purpose is to teach ...

Tuesday was finally feeling like autumn so I picked up EK from school and we headed to the pumpkin patch in Flower Mound. We've gone almost every year since EK was 10 months old. I realize that AC isn't as excited about it now that she's 10 but she's a good sport for a few pictures. She also knows her younger siblings like it. EJ was VERY excited this year. She was willing to pose almost each time I asked too. EK was happy to be outside. No tears!  AC and AK did the big kid haymaze and then I asked AK to take EJ through this small one for kids under 5. For a few seconds I was worried he forgot he was supposed to stay with her. (I could see him but not EJ.) They made it out together a few minutes later so it was a success. Ha!

Last week Keith and I spent 4 days in the northeast part of the country. It was fabulous for a couple reasons. First, I love any time I get to spend time with my husband. I love my kids and am thankful to be a stay-at-home mom, but was so thankful for a little break to just be a wife.This phase of having younger kids and adding AK to the homeschool mix has been harder than I expected. It was so good for my attitude to have a few days off from the busy routine.  The scenery was beautiful. Being in New England made me a little homesick of upstate NY. You take it for granted when it's what you grow up with . Sadly the trees were only beginning to turn. (We'll just have to go back.) We were in the car quite a bit on Tuesday and Wednesday and got to see a lot of New England. We flew in to Burlington VT to meet with Wes Pastor who planted Christ Memorial Church outside of Burlington and started NETS  . He took us around the northeast to see the church plants and meet the pastors....

This beauty turned 10 on September 6th. I can't believe she's a decade old and it is crazy to think she'll be old enough to vote in 8 years! Time sure goes by quickly. This girl is smart, hardworking, observant, kind, funny and generous. She usually thinks of ways to earn money so she can spend on others and I love her for it. (Her mama was not so thoughtful at her age.) She loves to help others and is a great sister (most of the time). I'm thankful for the helper she is to me and I love that she likes to hang out with me. :) I hope that's always the case. She can't wait to be old enough to work in the nursery and babysit.  Some of her favorites color: blue-violet hobby: reading food: chicken pot pie or ravioli song: The Apostles' Creed by the Getty's thing to do with Mom: play card games thing to do with Dad: go to the farm When I grow up I want to be a mom. 

This handsome young man turned 6 a few weeks ago, right after we started school so that's why I'm just getting around to posting. Things are BUSY here, but good. AK is growing up. He's a smart and thoughtful kid. He's a great brother to the girls (most of the time) but he also LOVES any chance to play with his boy cousins and friends too. He's got a lot of energy so I'm reminding myself of that a lot as we start this Kindergarten journey at home. He's different from AC and that's ok. :) He's funny and such a goof ball at times but also is very caring of others. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he'll say a pastor. His favorite color is green. (He insisted on green icing on his birthday cake.) He loves to eat cereal for breakfast and his favorite meal is chicken pasta salad. He loves to play video games and legos. His favorite sport is baseball. Colson is his best friend. He thinks he's really good at lego creations. If you...

First day of 5th grade for EK. New campus, new teacher, new friends. We got to meet her teacher last Thursday and she seems really nice and excited to work with EK. A few kids from Eagle Ridge are in her class so at least they will be familiar faces. I'm also hoping she'll see her cousin occasionally in the halls and some other sweet kids from Eagle Ridge. I've been praying diligently for her school year, her teachers, her ability to transition and learn this year, etc. Always praying for her safety and that everyone will treat her with respect and kindness. :) AC is a 4th grader this year. We started our homeschool year today too. We're easing back into our routine this week as I try to figure out 2 different grades (4th and K) and a 2 1/2 year old. Ha! This girl was excited to get started this morning. I'm thankful for that! We'll start a Wednesday co-op later this month where she'll take 2 classes (math challenge and chocolate molding). This bo...