Graduation

Wow, I can't believe that tomorrow my sisters twins will be graduating. Seems like just yesterday my sister found out she was having twins and shortly after that these little beings came into our lives. Next week, my brothers daughter will be graduating too. All this makes me feel older than I am. It also makes me so thankful that God has filled my life with such awesome people that I call family.

Where have I been?

Hi everyone!! Where have I been? I havent blogged in a while :) I am trying to get over a horrible stomach virus and get back to normal. This sickness had had a hold of me over a week and I am just now starting to get my energy up and keep food down. Today I went on a killing spree, for germs that is. I went on a Lysol spraying spree and tried to get EVERY surface I could think of: video game controllers, door knobs, remotes, computer keepboards, phones, handrails, the kitchen sink (not that isnt a joke, I heard that is one of the germiest places in the home. Almost as many germs as a toilet- EWWWW) sink knobs, toilets, light switches, the handle of the dog leash, carpet, arm rests, pillows, bed covers, the shower, countertops, gate handles, furniture and toys. Did I leave anything out?? If I did, I'll need to get more Lysol :)

Fireproof

This past weekend we rented the movie Fireproof. Chad and I have been married over 11 years but really enjoyed the simpleness of what this movie taught. We have been married awhile but we still learn new things about each other often. Fireproof was a touching look at marriage and how we can get into the daily grind and forget to nurture our relationship. No matter how long you have been married, little things are still very important. See this movie if you havent already, no matter where you are in life, love or marriage, it has a touching message about love that everyone will find meaningful.

Snow...FINALLY!

We finally got a little snow, enjoy the pictures!

Twelve Thousand Dollars

Yesterday, Lifepoint church "GAVE" away $12,ooo.oo to it's members. Yes, I said GAVE! We are in a series called Gametime and it has been focusing on creating margin in your budget, generosity and giving. Yesterday, we did somthing much different that usual, we took up offering in the beginning of service and not the end. Different yes but Lifepoint's known to shake things up a bit so I wasnt too concerned. Then after the message was preached, the ushers came by with tons of little white envelopes. In these envelopes were money in increments of 1, 10, 20, 500 and even 1,000.00. We were instructed to open our envelopes when we left to see how much money we had gotten. And then, we were instructed on what to do with Gods money in the envelopes. Rule 1- We couldnt give it back to Lifepoint (hence the offering had already been taken so we couldnt sneak the money back in!!). Rule 2-The money muct be used to bless someone else in the way God intended. Rule 3- We have to post our story on www.lifepointgivesback.org . So, Chad received 10.00, I received 100.00, Canaan got 20.00 and Katrina got 20.00. Not sure yet on how are are going to use it but we have decided to pool our money together to bless someone with 150.00. We are going to be praying over the next few days to see where it goes. Seriously, have you ever heard of a more generous thing from a church?

My little man

Today is Canaans 9th birthday. I can't believe he is already 9. We celebrated with a party (Saturday) at the Fredericksburg Fieldhouse. All the kids had a blast playing dodgeball and just running and playing. Since today was his actual birthday he got to pick where we would go for dinner. He picked UNO and made his own pizza.

Happy Birthday Canaan, we are so proud of you!

My Birthday

Yesterday was my 21 birthday (actually it was my 32) and we all went to Outback for dinner. YUM! We had a great time. Its hard to believe that I am 32 now.Thankfully I dont feel any older :) I have the greatest family in the world They treated me like a queen and got me some of my favorite perfume, Rapture by Victorias Secret. I am so blessed!

Surgery

I went to get my MRI results this morning. I have a torn miniscus in my knee that needs to be repaired surgically. Thankfully, it can be done with 2 puncture holes and not an open incision. It will be a out patient surgery on January 14th. As weird as it sounds, I am relieved. Before today they would say, well it might be this or that and we had nothing definitive. Now, they know exactly what it is and how to fix it. Be in prayer for me to have a quick and easy recovery.

MRI

Today was my MRI to check for a possible torn menincus in my knee. I was a little nervous because I am claustrophobic. Thankfully I went into the MRI machine feet first. That helped me to not feel "trapped" in in the tube. I was able to listen to music and even dozed off during the final few minutes. I go to the doctor on Wednesday for them to interpert the picture. If it is torn, I'll need surgery to repair it. Its a simple outpatient surgery and there is no incision, just 2 puncture holes. I guess we'll wait and see.

Weekend

Have you ever wished the weekend would last forever? I do, every weekend :) It's so nice to not have to worry about work, school and everything else that goes with the weekdays. I like to wake up, have a nice cup of coffee then just hang out with my family. Its especially nice in the winter because in the summer, Chad works every other weekend. Summer and Spring are my busiest weekend times. We have to worry about getting to softball/ baseballs games, practice and other events. So, I'll enjoy the next few months of lazy weekends until sports start back up again.

Adelia Marie

On Tuesday November 25, our close friends Jared and Shelly welcomed a second daughter into the world. Adelia Marie was born at 4:23 PM and weighed 7lbs 11 ozs. I spent the day with them at the hospital on Wednesday and she is SO cute. They have stayed at the hospital until today because her biliruben levels have been elevated. Tonight will be her first night at home with her Mom, Dad and big sister Avery.

Thanksgiving

Well its over for another year. We had a wonderful time at my in-laws. We spent the day eating, playing Wi and eating more. Thankfully, the Wi gets you moving and your not just sitting on the couch with your pants open because they are too tight. I ended up getting a stomach bug Thanksgiving night and, ummmm, lets just say the food was much better on the way down then back up- EWWWWW!! I dont think I'll eat turkey for a LONG time.

Decorating our tree..

We put our tree up this week. Traditionally, my family puts our tree the week prior to Thanksgiving.

Halloween 2008

Heres my zombie skateboarder and my Diva....

Sunday Napping

I caught the puppy and Chad sleeping this morning after breakfast. The only difference in the 2 of them is that Copper woke up when the camera flashed :O) Just like when our kids were babies, we would nap with them on Sundays :) Now we're lucky if we dont have to tie them down to get some quiet time at home. Would'nt trade it for the world!!

Holidays

So its only a few weeks until Thanksgiving. My parents are on their way here until after the first of the year. We are sure to start putting up the Christmas decorations, baking and wrapping gifts. I love this time of year because you can spend time with family, eat yummy stuff and just be together and celebrate. The holidays have always been a special time of year for me. My Mom and Dad used to go all out on the decorations and presents. My parents always made Christmas memorable and wonderful. I just hope my kids feel the same!

Smartest kids on earth

You know how most parents think their kids are the smartest, cutest, etc? I have proof now on the smart part. Katrina got an invitation in the mail yesterday inviting us to come to a event that honors kids in Spotsy for perfect SOL scores. Katrina scored a 600 (perfect) on her 5th grade SOL's. I know Canaan will be just as smart when he takes his. Now, if I can prove they are the cutest, funniest, nicest, friendliest, compationate, sweetest, etc........Better run, I have my work cut out for me :)

President Elect

Okay, so the US voted and Obama will be our next president. I wont lie, we voted for McCain. Now we have to come together and stand behind him. Whether or not we agree, we have no choice but to stand behind him now becuase the people of our country voted. Lets put the election behind us and move forward.

Also, forget racsim and remember that God loves us all. He's color blind, He knows no boundaries on race. Can't we be the same?

And the answer is.....

The endoscopy report is in, Copper swallowed a....

11 Awesome Years

Wow- has it been 11 years of marriage already? It seems like we just walked down the aisle yesterday. I am more in love with Chad now than ever before. He has been an wonderful husband, life partner and not to mention, an awesome father. There is no one I would rather spend this life with than him. He's been my inspiration to grow spiritually, to love unconditonally and to be the best wife and mother I can be. If I can give any advice on marriage it would be to hold your spouse high with respect and love him unconditionally during whatever life throws your way. Most importantly I would say, make God and the cross the centerpiece of your lives.