Watsons

I watched...

2012-01-31T17:37:00.000-08:00

Kameron fall asleep tonight...and I wondered why I don't do that more often. It didn't take long. I asked her to close her eyes and she did...she folded her hands over her chest and breathed slowly...she only opened her eyes once...to make sure I was still there....smiled, whispered she loved me, an unusual thing for her, and that was it. She was asleep.

She's growing up so fast...she's just three, but as I was drying my hair this morning with my hair flipped over and hanging down she walked in between my legs and looked up and smiled...she barely made it through...I know it won't be long before she's too tall to walk between my legs. That made me sad...but thankful...thankful that God allows time to slow down sometimes...so that I can enjoy what He has given to me in that day, that moment.

A neighbor friend is losing her sister...and she is experiencing the unexplainable grace of God...a peace that the world doesn't know or can understand...and then I open the Bible tonight and God speaks of His grace...and how His grace allows us to believe and how His grace sanctifies us...

So, as I watched Kameron fall asleep tonight, I prayed for her...that God would save her and that she too would know and understand God's amazing grace.

2012

2012-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

May it be a Race of Faith

Hebrews 11:2
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A little bit of Christmas!

2011-11-28T05:29:00.000-08:00

Charlie is back!

and Snug has found a favorite spot to sleep :)

thankful.

2011-11-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

for all God has given, so undeserved, but in His grace, He gives many reasons to give thanks...

most thankful this Thanksgiving for His Word...that we can know God...in reading the Psalms the last few weeks, I get to know a little more of who He is...

He is the Holy One, a Just and Righteous Judge, His Statues are right and commandments are pure...His ways are Perfect. He is the King of Glory and Lord of Hosts, King Forever on His Forever Throne. He is the Rock, Unchanging, Constant, and Faithful Sustainer. He is Powerful, Majestic, the Maker of heaven and earth, by a word of the Lord they were made and they declare His glory. He is an Upright Warrior and Avenger. He is the Merciful Most High, Gentle, Generous, Defender of the weak, and full of Grace....Great is His goodness and Marvelous is His Kindness. He is the Beautiful Savior, Deliverer, Rescuer, Healer, Counselor, Advocate, Helper, Redeemer, Restorer, and Friend. He is the Fountain of Life, Living Water, Light of the world, our Hope, and the Truth.

He is my Shield, Protector, a Fortress and Refuge...my Hiding Place and Lifter of my head. He hears me and knows my heart and mind. He Teaches and Leads...He makes my ways straight, establishes my steps, and sets my feet on a Rock. He is my Salvation.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57

Happy Thanksgiving!

a book craft, by Erin

2011-11-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

favorite line: so if you are in pain, my dad will ask for your name and pray for you.

She asked where I was Friday night and I told her I was wrapping gifts, she asked if they were for her, and I said no, for boys and girls who won't get presents on Christmas, and she said, even if they're good? and i said, even if they're good, they won't get presents unless we send them one...
Operation Christmas Child sends a present with the Gospel...the greatest gift of all.

a book by erin on a saturday afternoon in villa's craft room...

Brooke's 'broken up club' and our SWEET concert

2011-10-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went out to dinner and just as we set down we got a phone call to come home to take Brooke to the ER. She jumped out of her swing so she could pet Snuggles and landed just right...breaking both the bones in her right arm.

We didn't need an x-ray. Her arm was obviously broken...looked like a goose neck. She was so brave! We told her about the broken bones we had growing up and she decided to make a 'broken up club'.

She loves her pink cast!

Went to the Shane and Shane concert and it was awesome, just as we expected. They are super talented...could be secular and mainstream if they wanted in a heartbeat, but they sing to Jesus and I'm so thankful they do. EVERY song on the new CD is awesome, but another one of my favorites is Liberty....this song is all about how Jesus sets us free. I can testify that this is exactly how I felt when Jesus saved me and how He continues to set me free from what the world says is important. Praise His Name!

The Lord is
The Spirit
Where the Spirit of the Lord is found
There is liberty
And the Spirit lives inside of me
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, now
There is liberty, there is liberty,
There is liberty

For freedom You set me free
And yes, I am free indeed
You rewrote my name
And shackled my shame
You opened my eyes to see
I am free

When the spirit
of the world comes
to kill me and enslave me I will say
There is liberty
For the chains of sin that once entangled me
Have been broken, now I'm singing 'cause I'm free
There is liberty, there is liberty,
There is liberty

For freedom You set me free
And yes, I am free indeed
You rewrote my name
And shackled my shame
You opened my eyes to see
I am free

The storm rolled in
It was dark in the land
As the Son of Man
Was crucified
You don't take his life
He laid it down
He paid the price
And shed His blood

It is done!
The veil is torn
He has won
And I am free
And I am free
And I am free
I am free

For freedom You set me free
And yes, I am free indeed
You rewrote my name
And shackled my shame
You opened my eyes to see

For freedom You set me free
And yes, I am free indeed
You rewrote my name
And shackled my shame
You opened my eyes to see
I am free

Erin's Baptism

2011-10-17T18:16:00.001-07:00

Erin was baptized on Sunday. She has waited a long time to let others know that she loves and wants to follow Jesus...and she got to share her baptism with all of her cousins. I cannot express how special that day will always be for Erin and our family. The pastor said she was the most excited little girl he had ever baptized :) We giggled because we knew she was beyond excited to be 'bapaptized' :)

She accepted Christ in the BSF John study almost 2 years ago...she was very persistent and I was hesitant because she was so young...but God is sovereign and He knows her heart and I definitely didn't want to stand in the way. She finished her discipleship book just a month or so ago and was really ready to let people know that she loves Jesus and believes He is God's Son and that His death on the cross paid for her sins and declares her righteous before God.

We are so thankful...here's her baptism in pictures...

Our prayer for Erin and ourselves, Colossians 1:9-11,

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened in all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

A note to Erin:

Erin,

It was an awesome day. You were so ready, you were glowing. You were so persistent in your desire to ask Jesus to live in your heart and I was so hesitant because I thought you may be too young...I still have a lot to learn about God's sovereignty...

The fruit of the Holy Spirit has been so evident in you...your soft heart, your love for Jesus and others, your boldness in sharing the Gospel to others, your unashamed worship, your desire and faithfulness to know and memorize His true Word, your kindness, your self control (that's hard with 2 sisters!), your conviction and sorrow over your sin...

And when you asked Opa this weekend if you could pray for him, out of nowhere, I was just blown away by God's goodness...your prayer of thanksgiving for him and what he has done for his family and his country was beautiful...

I know you aren't and won't be perfect, or anywhere near it (none of us are) :) but I'm so glad you accepted the One who is...

I love you,
Mom

Because He's God.

2011-10-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Shane and Shane's album was released this week! Favorite song on there is Because He's God. I would download it from iTunes if I were you, you'll thank yourself...it's awesome. I want my girls to know that Jesus is the way, the only way....not just the only way to heaven, but the only way to live a life worth living.

Oooo, Oooo
What if God came down to earth
Stepped out of heaven
Walked into your house
Said ask me anything
And you said I just had to know
How do ya get to heaven
And you were hanging on His every word
Cuz He is God, You believe because He's God
And He said

There's a way to go, an open door
For the human soul
You can come today
Jesus is the way
He's my only Son, He's the one I love
And I gave Him up for you to be saved
Jesus is the way

You know that God came down to earth
He stepped out of heaven
Walked into my world
And made my heart His home
And He said there is a better way
A life worth living
And I'm hanging on His every word
Cuz He is God, I believe because He's God
And He said

There's a way to go, an open door
For the human soul
You can come today
Jesus is the way
He's my only Son, He's the one I love
And I gave Him up for you to be saved
Jesus is the way

Ohhhh
There's a fork in the road ahead
That you are walking
It is wide and it is easier
But it leads to destruction
The other way is a narrow gate
Its the path less taken
It is hard and it requires your life
It's the pathway to Zion
The pathway to Zion

There's a way to go, an open door
For the human soul
You can come today
Jesus is the way

There's a way to go, an open door
For the human soul
You can come today
Jesus is the way
He's my only son, He's the one I love
And I gave Him up for you to be saved
Jesus is the way

There's a way to go, an open door
For the human soul
You can come today
Jesus is the way
He's my only son, He's the one I love
And I gave Him up for you to be saved
Jesus is the way

Oooo, Ooooo

Beach House and BSF

2011-09-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Cha Cha took us to a beach house in Galveston last weekend. It was fun! Erin and Brooke got to get out of school early (they loved that!). They got to see their first IMAX movie when we got there and then to dinner at Westend...a really good place to eat that was on the water and in the middle of a neighborhood of homes...it was neat and the food was yummy.

Schlitterbaun was fun...the girls loved the slides and Kameron hung out with Cha Cha and loved the lazy river :) Kyle and Cha Cha took the girls out to the beach and got in the water...I only got knee deep and Kyle said the expression on my face would be awesome for a post card (he was being sarcastic).

On the last night, I put in Soul Surfer (it was in the DVD player at the home we rented)...mistake. I don't know if Brooke will ever go into the ocean again.

Erin and Brooke are going to BSF with Kyle!! They love it!

All That's Left

2011-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Slowly drawn
Moths to the flame
We think we're strong
We think we're anchored down
Then it comes
The hurricane
Down come the walls
Up come the foundations
We've been building on
And suddenly we'll see

That all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we ever really had
And all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we'll ever have

So let us look
Into each other's eyes
And read the stories
Written there between the lines
And take a list of all the wrongs we keep
And tear it into pieces
Let mercy be the only thing we're harboring
'Cause eventually
We're gonna see

That all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we ever really had
And all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we'll ever have

This is why our hearts are beating
To love each other
As we have been loved
Everything else is a fleeting shadow
But love endures all things, believes all things
Hopes all things
Love never ends
Love never ends

That all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we ever really had
And all that's left is to love
That's all that we have
That's all that we'll ever have
All we really ever had
All we have in the end is love

Oh, the only thing that matters is to love
This is the only lasting treasure
Love endures all things, and believes all things
And hopes all things
Yeah, love endures all things, and believes all things
And hopes all things
(all that's left is to love)

Jesus is life.

2011-08-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

Outside of Jesus Christ, there is existence, but there is no such thing as life.

Jesus makes the good days better, the mediocre days full of purpose, and the bad days glorious.

Immense joy and pleasure will only be found when we stop compartmentalizing Jesus Christ and we allow Him to be center in all things.

The most moronic thing in our culture is that we already have stuff that does not satisfy us, but we believe if we get more of what already doesn't satisfy us, we will be satisfied. A life in pursuit of the glory of God is the only way to be satisfied.

Joy is found in His presence. Jesus does not own joy, He is joy.

~quotes from my favorite, Matt Chandler

John 14:6, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'.

John 10:10, 'The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly'.

John 15:11, '...that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.'

Psalm 107:9, 'For He satisfies the longing soul...'

we got...

2011-08-26T05:46:00.001-07:00

spirit, yes we do, we got spirit how bout you!!?

Brooke woke up at 5:45 am to get her spirit on and came down fully dressed :) then went to wake up Erin and she did the same. Both have had a good week at school and we're settling in and establishing a routine, sort of.

First day!

2011-08-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Erin and Brooke started school today :) Brooke surprised us. She held our hand up to the door and I thought I would need to help her transition into the room...but she wanted me to leave...wouldn't even pose for a picture :( Erin still gave us a hug and a kiss in front of her friends... :) They're so different, yet precious in their own way. Kyle and I laughed as we talked about the girls and walked Kameron back to our car. God is good.

Erin wants to know...

2011-08-18T10:55:00.001-07:00

just one thing before she goes back to school, 'will they recognize me!!?' Of course, we say, you're beautiful, with or without teeth!

Kameron is 3!

2011-08-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Our baby turned 3 today! She is so fun, funny and dearly loved. Aunt Rachel took some pictures of her, with her sisters, and the promised gift 'when Kam turned 3' :)

The gift's name is Maximus, after the Gladitor. Max was left for dead, but survived a chemical burn down the length of his back...during his recovery from his burns he contracted the parvo virus...he is well now and we're happy to have him!

The One You Need

2011-08-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey sweet daughter
I am so proud to be your father
Each day is like a gift from God

Hey, hey sweet daughter
There’s no music like your laughter
And your smile is like a rising sun

You know I loved you from the start
So come in close
Take my hand while
Daddy shares his heart

I wish that I could be your everything
Be the one to give you all the things you need
Sometimes I’m gonna let you down
But there’s Someone if you just believe
Be your hero like He’s always been for me
Darling, Jesus is the one you need

No matter what you walk through
He will always love you
Just the way you are
For there’s nothing in this world
That I’d want for my baby girl
That she’ll be happy ever after

The story of your life is still untold
I pray the King of all the Universe
Would make your heart His own

I wish that I could be your everything
Be the one to give you all the things you need
Sometimes I’m gonna let you down
But there’s Someone if you just believe
Be your hero like He’s always been for me
Darling, Jesus is the one

Who will never leave
He’s been there all along
All ready You can find to love

I wish that I could be your everything
Be the one to give you all the things you need
Sometimes I’m gonna let you down
But there’s Someone if you just believe
Be your hero like He’s always been for me
Darling, Jesus is the one you need

California!

2011-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

My first time and it was even better than I had imagined...the trees, flowers, homes, WEATHER (in the low 70's!) made me feel like I was in a different country! We loved it and Kelley and John were the best hosts...their hometown of Palo Alto is beautiful. They took us to a delicious breakfast in San Francisco, on to Napa and dinner at Morimotos (the Iron Chef's restaurant), then to Carmel for lunch, and ending with Pebble Beach...we got to listen to a man walk up the beach playing Amazing Grace on his bagpipe before dinner at Roy's :)

Lombard Street in San Francisco! eight turns in one block :)

Golden Gate Bridge out of our window :)

Alcatraz

our favorite winery, Schramsberg...our tour guide's toast, 'may your only pain be Champaign!'...

bottles of bubbly everywhere! floor to ceiling and 4 rows deep...all hand turned by a riddler...

the caves...loved the smell, reminded me of our jr. high girls locker room :)

the beach in Carmel...lots of art shopping and good food...

stopped here along our 17 mile drive in Pebble Beach...

Brooke marches...

2011-07-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

to the beat of her own drum...singing 'I want my burrito back' while coloring a Christmas tree and cutting out ornaments...

Kameron

2011-07-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

'I look great and have a pocket full of toys, in case I need to play.'

The Big Apple

2011-06-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

Rachel and I have helped lead the music, even though we can't sing, for VBS the last 3 years...it's a lot of fun! And this year, I got to teach Erin's first grade class too :)
New York City was the theme and we decorated our room with skyscrapers and Central Park :)

I'm so thankful that God allows me to teach little ones about Him. I can still see their eyes as we talked about faith and what it means to trust in Jesus. Faith is indeed a gift, given only by God...it's believing, trusting, and hoping in things we cannot see...

Faith: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Hope: For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24-25

graffiti wall...our kids loved vandalizing, on butcher paper!

We did our Bible study in Central Park

Rachel and I had fun making these skyscrapers :)

Keeping it nice...

the first graders...

the music team!

my first grader!!

Recital

2011-06-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Erin and Brooke love performing :) Check out their smiles!

Erin's done!

2011-06-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

with Kindergarten! She has come a LONG way since the beginning of the year. I almost can't remember all of her tears...and now she cries if she is going to be late to school because she'll miss handwriting! We took her out of school twice in May to take a trip to Florida and to San Antonio...it totally surprised me that I was persuading her to believe that Disney and the beach/lazy river would be more fun than school. So, there we have it. Erin loves school, just like we knew she would.

Isaiah...a letter from God :)

2011-05-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

We studied Isaiah this year in BSF and it was a hard study, but good. The girls have an awesome storybook Bible called, 'the Jesus Storybook Bible'...every story whispers His name. All the old testament stories will end with how the story points to Jesus' coming. It's awesome. Could not recommend a better book to read at night to your children. It will have them, and you, absolutely captivated :)

Here's Isaiah summarized in this Storybook Bible...I loved it and want to share it.

Operation "No More Tears!"
The Rescuer will come: prophecies from Isaiah 9, 11, 40, 50, 53, 55, 60

Do you know what your name means? Well, there was once a man called Isaiah, and his name meant "God to the rescue!"

That might sound like a bit of a funny name to you, but it was just the right name for Isaiah because God had a special job for Isaiah. You see, Isaiah's job was to listen to God and then tell the people what he heard.

Now God let Isaiah know a secret. God was going to mend His broken world. He showed Isaiah His Secret Rescue Plan: Operation "No More Tears!"

This is the message God gave Isaiah (it was like a letter God wrote to His children)...

Dear Little Flock,

You're all wandering away from Me, like sheep in an open field. You have always been running away from Me. And now you're lost. You can't find your way back.

But I can't stop loving you. I will come to find you. So I am sending you a Shepherd to look after you and love you. To carry you home to Me.

You've been stumbling around, like people in a dark room. But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase away all the shadows, like sunshine.

A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young girl who doesn't have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel, which means "God has come to live with us." He is one of King David's children's children's children. The Prince of Peace.

Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you! But He won't be who anyone expects.

He will be a King! But He won't live in a palace. And He won't have lots of money. He will be poor. And He will be a servant. But this King will heal the whole world.

He will be a Hero! He will fight for His people, and rescue them from their enemies. But He won't have big armies, and He won't fight with swords.

He will make the blind see, He will make the lame leap like deer! He will make everything the way it was always meant to be.

But people will hate Him, and they won't listen to Him. He will be like a Lamb- He will suffer and die.

It's the Secret Rescue Plan we made---from before the beginning of the world!

It's the only way to get you back.

But He won't stay dead - I will make Him alive again!

And, one day, when He comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy! The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole earth - as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will come untrue. Even death is going to die! And He will wipe away every tear from every eye.

Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for Him. Watch for Him. Wait for Him. He will come!

I promise.

Love, God

Poor Isaiah. He read God's letter over and over to God's people, but no one listened to him - at all. Ever. They didn't want to hear God's promise. They didn't believe it.

Did it sound maybe too good to be true? A story that ends happily ever after? Well, it does sound like a fairy tale, doesn't it? And, as anyone will quickly tell you, fairy tales aren't true.

Or are they?

Easter, Disney, and Swim Team

2011-05-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy time here as I'm sure it is with all in May :) We spent Easter and Disney with D and Cha Cha and started swim team. This year Brooke is on the team with Erin :) It has been so much fun watching both girls 'do their best'! Kameron is enjoying watching too...it won't be long before she joins the fun...

Easter baskets from Cha Cha are the best!

Nothing like going to three different parks your first day at Disney...smiles were only for the camera :)

D and Cha Cha made our trip really special, fun, and much easier :)

Lots of princess time at the character meals :)

Cha Cha is our Snow White!

Epcot Vikings :)

Cold water has been challenging!!!! Especially when you just sit in it for pictures...please tell me how you are supposed to get a new 5 year old to smile in these conditions :)

Hurricanes is so much more fun with all our neighbors on the team this year!

Brooke did both of her races...and gave it her all!

Happy on-looker!

Happy Birthday (cake)

2011-04-26T05:46:00.001-07:00

It's Brooke's 5th birthday today and we're celebrating! We love our BMW!!

More to come (post slumber party!)

Life...

2011-03-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Life keeps happening and the blog falls behind :(

This year has been a tough year...spiritually....lots of wrestling with God, that has led me to a wilderness...I know how I got here...not prioritizing a daily time with God, looking at circumstances instead of Him, being too self absorbed and too busy...

but, God is merciful and so gracious to gently keep showing Himself over and over to me in ways my stubborn heart just dismisses...

But two weeks ago, I could not, I was in awe of His power, love, and grace.

We flew to PA to see Mary. An emergency trip.

She is our 10 year old niece/cousin...she is so gentle, strong, caring, nurturing, kind-hearted, determined, beautiful inside and out little girl. She is one of six in her homeschooling, dairy farm living, hard working home.

My sister noticed a lump in her tummy...after laxatives, waiting, x-rays that led to a CT...Mary has cancer. A 9x9x9, softball sized tumor, pressed against her pelvic floor, spine, diaphragm, and began to slightly distend her belly...

Phil, her daddy, took her to the cat scan. When the results came in, he called Becky and asked her to meet he and Mary at a hospital 2 hours away from home. She asked what they had found and, because Mary was with him, he didn't explain and instead asked Becky to come to the hospital. She started crying and he reminded her 'our God is not asleep'.

Indeed, He is not.

Doctors were back and forth on whether they thought this massive tumor was cancerous...until the last blood analysis. So the docs informed the family that her four hour surgery would include time to put in a port.

Heart wrenching news.

...one of the three oncologist who 'broke the news' after an hour into the surgery, with tears in his eyes, told Becky and Phil that this tumor was cancer and it was huge...he was absolutely floored by Phil's response, 'okay, what's next'? 'Okay', he said in a bewildered voice? 'Yes, okay, we trust our God, please let us know what's next.'

We flew to PA the next day.

We were so sad, our hearts were aching, but God was with us and we knew it.

An incision that went from hip to hip, pale skin, a weak voice said 'hi' as we walked in and we saw her beautiful smile. Sweet Mary. I wanted to cry, I thought I would, but God's strength was made evident in my weakness...and there were no tears, but soon, real laughter, smiles, and peace, surpassing all understanding as the docs told us it was stage 3 (3 lesions on lungs and one on the diaphragm).

After 5 days, the original prognosis changed...with very good news...great type of cancer, excision curative (so no chemo!), and just blood work every couple of months is necessary for the next year...this could change as we await a second opinion...but what doesn't change is the undeniable presence and peace of God while we spent time in some very dark days...He is faithful, in the good times and in the bad.

Happy Trails!

2011-03-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

Erin loved performing in their Kindergarten program last week! She is a performer. She had big moves up there!! :) She also got to read on the microphone :) She loved every second!

LOL

2011-03-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was cooking dinner in the kitchen and I could hear the girls playing and talking in the living room...they were trying to figure out something.

Then Brooke pokes her head into the kitchen and runs back to the living room. I hear her tell Erin, 'I know what that smell is. It's our food.'

Anniversary and Our Valentines

2011-02-22T20:02:00.000-08:00

Kyle planned a surprise trip to Breckenridge and Cha Cha and D watched the girls...it was awesome. I didn't take very many pictures...room service, skiing, long breakfasts, uninterrupted dinners, couple's massage, and lots of relaxing :) So grateful...

100 days...

2011-02-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

of school! Erin dressed up like an old lady to celebrate her first 100 days :)

Kissing Cousins

2011-02-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

Drew and Brooke LOVE each other, most of the time :) At their preschool, Drew reminds Brooke that he is her 'husband' when she wants to sit with someone else at lunch. They make their teachers laugh...

and Brooke asked me today when she could take Drew on a date...

I told both of them, they couldn't date each other...they would just have to be friends :)

Erin's 6!

2011-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

She had a really fun week celebrating her sixth birthday! Erin left school early on Friday, picked up Brooke, and all the girls headed to Dallas to spend E's birthday with my friend Kelly. She had a manicure with her sisters...it lasted just a couple of hours before it looked like it does in the picture below, wore a cute new outfit Kelly got her, and saw Yogi Bear while we ate pizza...it was a good time!

Today all of her cousins had lunch with her at school and when we got home Brooke asked if she could buy a birthday gift for Erin with her piggy bank money. So, we did...a unicorn in a bag from Krogers :)

We love you Erin! You are a joy :)

Into the Streets...

2011-01-18T10:19:00.000-08:00

of Ethiopia! A 5k fundraiser on March 19th, Barbara Bush Elementary in The Woodlands! Mark your calendars and come run/walk with us for liquid gold!

Waiting.

2011-01-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

another awesome video created by a man in Portland who is creating the video for our Into the Streets of Ethiopia 5k run on March 19th! Mark your calendars and be there!! All money raised will buy formula for 4 orphanages in Ethiopia!!

Waiting on the Lord...

Before it hit the fan...

2011-01-05T19:06:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day...and then the next 3 out of the 4 pictured had strep!

Kam by far was the sickest. She had high fever for 4 days (103-104.5), inflamed bleeding gums, 1000 blisters/sores in her mouth, and topped it off with a case of strep. She was skinny and now she's really skinny. Her appetite is finally back, but her mouth won't let her eat :( Dad got strep and so did Brooke. Erin and I are well :)

a beautiful prayer

2010-12-30T14:03:00.000-08:00

in a song. Can't help but think of this hymn when I think about the new year...Be Thou my Vision...I love it...and it's first on this playlist :)

Be Thou My vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T18:09:00.001-08:00

The girls woke up extra early this morning and laughed when they noticed Santa ate some of his cookies but left some for them...and they were kinda sad that Charlie, our elf, flew back home.

We celebrated Christmas at the Watsons...enjoying one another, opening presents, and eating a heavenly feast :)

Jesus' birth amazes me....God humbling Himself by coming to earth as a baby, to dwell amongst us, show us how to live, and then being perfect and sinless, dying a criminal's death on a cross to pay for our sins.

Merry Christmas!

The Nutcracker!

2010-12-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

a note home...

2010-12-16T16:00:00.001-08:00

blessed...

The grace of God...

2010-12-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

I didn't understand the gospel for a long time. Most of my life, I could of told you that Jesus died and three days later He rose, victorious over sin and death, and that's the good news.

But I didn't understand that He did it all. I still thought I needed to do something. I needed to stop doing x and start doing y.

...and then my heart heard the gospel for the first time just a few years ago. From a passage in 2 Corinthians 5:21, 'God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.'

The word picture is this: When God looked at Jesus on the cross, He saw me (all of my sin), so that when He sees me, He sees Jesus. Jesus did it all...when He sweat drops of blood in the garden, it wasn't because He was about to be crucified, but because He was going to face the full wrath of God and pay the penalty of our sin.

Because of Jesus, there is nothing I can do to earn salvation and there is nothing I can do to lose it. Amazing grace...check out this new video!

getting ready for Christmas...

2010-12-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

the elf is back!

and he's watching for good behavior :)

the girls decorated their tree with their ornaments they make at school and church :)

Erin and Brooke are super heros!

and fancy nancy.

give thanks...

2010-11-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

"We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is 'good', because is it good, if 'bad' because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country." C.S. Lewis

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
for tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
for song of bird, and hum of bee;
for all the things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses,
while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns."
Anonymous

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good...."
Psalm 100:4-5a

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
H.U. Westermayer

"We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction." Harry A. Ironside

"You say, 'if I had a little more, I should be very satisfied. ' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." Charles H. Spurgeon

while you weren't...

2010-11-04T14:55:00.001-07:00

ASK

2010-11-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

Matthew 7:7...ask, seek, knock...

it's a toy story...

2010-11-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Rex, Hamm, Bo Peep, Buzz Lightyear, Woody...to infinity and beyond!

Isaiah...

2010-10-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

God's expectations are right, reasonable, and required.
God's standards are clear, right, and unchanging.
Ignoring God and His standards bring His judgment.

Grace thrives when we see how urgently we need to be saved from ourselves.

Seeing the majesty of God is beyond words of understanding.
Seeing the majesty of God opens our eyes to the magnitude of our personal sin.
Seeing the majesty of God, the magnitude of our sin, compels us to share the message of God.

The key to personal revival is the cross.

When you have faith in God, there is no need to fear people or circumstances.
Living by faith in God is a moment to moment choice.

Fear and faith do not co-exist.

in her spare time...

2010-10-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

she makes a grocery list for me :)

My List

I need apples, and cake, bananas, gummies, fruit roll-ups, eggs, sausage, oreos, and rice crispy treats :)

Her new grill...

2010-10-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

before

during

and after...

A friend called today and asked Erin to tell her about her appointment. Erin said she didn't want to think about it (relive it), so 'I'll tell it to you like it's a story' and then she began...

'Once upon a time, I was so excited! I was going to have a great day...I was getting out of school early and going to lunch with my mom! I was so happy. We ate lunch...had cookies....and then I got four teeth pulled and it turned into the worst day ever. The end.'

So, I underestimated the trauma of today's appointment. I thought it was no big deal. I explained to Erin she would get a shot and it would hurt for a second, while they were injecting, but then she would not feel anything...

The numbness freaked her out and it kinda went downhill from there.

I threw out the rule book...bribes, promises (even to get her a puppy), begging...nothing worked. She was on lock down. I called Kyle and asked him to come help...he did and finally she cooperated.

Super Saturday

2010-10-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Started with 10 for Texas...we ran the race together :) It was a good time and perfect weather! Hit a WALL at 7, but still had fun :) We ran this race in support of Christi Wetzel and brain cancer awareness. I think I enjoyed the race even more this time because it wasn't only about me :)

Rachel, Marcella, me, and Kim :)

Ended with a night with friends and our little ones :)

Davis, Sam, Erin, Drew, Kameron, Tyler, Colin, Brooke, and Harper (not pictured: Shelby, Madeley Jane, and Marshall)

wish you were there....

2010-10-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

last night was awesome...

steven curtis chapman...loves God, sings beautiful, meaningful music...

his son, caleb, rocked it last night and you really had to be there...he wrote a song after his little sister's accident...he opened for his dad with his new band and 'we will wait' was his last song. midway through the song, his dad gets on stage to sing the chorus with him...'we will wait' a father and his two sons (the other son is will and he plays the drums in caleb's band :) ) sang together this prayer to God...it was awesome...

scroll down and pause blog music and listen to this song...

buggy and concert...

2010-10-08T05:31:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was walk to school day...Kyle and Erin planned on taking the scooter, but it was dead. So, he harnessed the buggy to the back of his bike and Brooke and Erin got in to ride to school. Usually Erin would ride her bike, but they didn't have time for that...so the buggy was unusually heavy and because of that the center of gravity was off...Kyle turned at the bottom of the hill and the buggy flipped.

Brooke face planted into the concrete and she softened Erin's impact...poor girl...she is doing just fine but the left side of her face is swollen...

When Erin got in the house she asked me while she was crying/screaming 'mom! did you know I just did a front flip and then some log rolls?! I don't know WHAT I was doing in there [buggy], I just wanted out!'

cupcake's face...

We ended the night at the Steven Curtis Chapman concert...amazing. A highlight of 2010 for me...

Faithful

2010-10-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

I am broken, I am bleeding,

I'm scared and I'm confused,

but You are faithful.

Yes You are faithful.

I am weary, unbelieving.

God please help my unbelief!

Cause You are faithful.

Yes You are faithful.

I will proclaim it to the world.

I will declare it to my heart

And sing it when the sun is shining.

I will scream it in the dark.

You are faithful!

When you give and when You take away,

even then still Your name

is faithful!

You are faithful!

And with everything inside of me,

I am choosing to believe

You are faithful.

I am waiting for the rescue

that I know is sure to come,

cause You are faithful.

Yes You are faithful.

I've dropped anchor in Your promises,

and I am holding on,

cause You are faithful.

God You are faithful.

I will proclaim it to the world.

I will declare it to my heart

And sing it when the sun is shining.

I will scream it in the dark.

You are faithful!

When you give and when You take away,

even then still Your name

is faithful!

You are faithful!

And with everything inside of me,

I am choosing to believe You're faithful.

So faithful...

Though I cannot have the answer

that I'm wanting to demand,

I'll remember You are God

and everything is in Your hand.

In Your hands you hold the sun, the moon,

the stars up in the sky,

for the sake of Love, You hung Your own Son

on the cross...to die...

You are faithful...

Yes, You are faithful...

When you give and when You take away,

even then, great is Your faithfulness!

Great is Your faithfulness!

And with everything inside of me,

I am choosing to believe You're faithful!

Oh, oh, oh...

When you give and when You take away,

even then still Your name

is faithful!

You are faithful!

And with everything inside of me,

I am choosing to believe...

You're faithful...

she did it...

2010-10-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, when I picked Erin up from school, she told me her heart was pumping really fast and she was nervous because she wanted to ask the nice lady, who helps her get into my car after school, if she was a Christian. For the last few weeks, Erin has talked about her...she hopes to stand by her during car line because she's 'so nice and really cares about me'...Erin would get in the car and tell me about her and smile really big as she said, 'I think she's a Christian'.

So, last Friday she almost got the nerve up to ask, but got too nervous...I asked why and she said, 'because I'm afraid she may tell me no'...

and then this Sunday's verse was to be strong and courageous...

she evidently took it to heart and when I picked her up this afternoon, she told me that she was brave and she did it! She asked her and the lady said yes :) and asked Erin where she went to church :)

Erin said they will be special buddies...

I love...

2010-09-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Jesus, with all my heart.

Kyle Robert Watson :)

Erin's deep thinking...

Brooke's impulsive dancing when she eats ice cream...

Kam's new talking and serious conversations, especially when I have no idea what she's saying...

Mom and dad retiring here...

D and Cha Cha being the coolest grandparents any granddaughters could want...

Mimi school...

Sonkids teachers...really loving children, not just working...

BSF...

my Sunday School class, multi-generational...bridging the gap and learning from one another...

Ms. Betty.

my neighborhood coming together to pray...

Rachel and BJ living in Bobcat district :)

my friends...

praying with moms for our kids...

spinning with friends...

running with Rachel and Kim...

sermons by Matt Chandler and John MacArthur.

music by Shane and Shane...

cold water...and Dr. Pepper and Coke (the real thing, only)...

our comfy bed...

on that note, goodnight!

the charge, the plea, the verdict...

2010-09-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

God's Lawsuit against Judah (today, that's us)
Isaiah 1:2-31

The Charge:
As God's chosen people, this is how you are to live and you are not.

The Plea:
Change your behavior (repent) and do what is right.

The Verdict:
Be restored or be destroyed.

**Conviction of sin is the lance of the divine Surgeon letting the infection out.**

Because He is Good

2010-09-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Isaiah

2010-09-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

We started our Isaiah study today in BSF!! This is the verse that I think I'll have in my mind and on my heart this year:

The grass withers and the flower fades, but God's word stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

How very temporary life is, except for His word. It stands forever. I'm so grateful to be apart of something that is of eternal value!!

Favorite quote from the mind of a 3 year old (I'm teaching 3's this year!):

Teacher: Who's word is true? (supposed to answer God's, instead...)
Little one: MY DADDY'S! (with a how do you like that look :) )

Principals from Isaiah 1:1

Intimacy with God changes us and our influence in the world.

Knowing God intimately puts all of life into the proper perspective.

Go Bears!

2010-09-11T08:16:00.001-07:00

back to our old stomping ground!

are you excited?

2010-09-09T17:08:00.001-07:00

what?

I don't know!

okay, let's

go!

Good Morning!

2010-08-27T05:59:00.001-07:00

TGIF!

while e's away...

2010-08-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

b will play...

A gecko crawled into the back door when Erin left this morning and went behind the dryer...B looked and looked for him and then went to the pantry and came out with a fly swatter and said, 'okay, gecko, it's time to get serious'.

2 minutes later I saw her spinning in this chair and singing to her get well card from Kelly that sings (see middle right) bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay.

she said...

2010-08-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

e had a hard day...she held back tears until they put her in my car and she let them flow...

she said she did not have a great day...
she said I can't believe I was there until supper...
she said she asked the teacher if she could go home and it was still morning...
she said she asked if she could go home all day and the teacher kept saying no...
she said I missed you so much, I didn't know I was going to miss you so bad...
she said I'm not allowed to be silly...
she said if I hear one more rule, I'm out of there...
she said I can't believe you signed me up for this...
she said please call and cancel my reservation tomorrow!
she said I can't do this another day, and you said I have to do this for 13 years!
she said her teachers were not really nice (except for Ms. Riley), that they don't love me like you do...

went to dad's office, to berrypop, and tonight we keep telling her tomorrow will be better! friends brought cookies to encourage her and one, of our many sweet neighbors, had a party for all the little ones going to school yesterday, called to ask her about her day...she is feeling encouraged and confident that His mercies are new every day!

Off she goes!

2010-08-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

in the car with daddy...

she picked out her outfit :)

and is excited to make friends...

this is how our family began, and Lord willing, this is where it will return...

I can't help but think of the illustration James Dobson gives of preparing your children for independence...a kite analogy...how you work hard to get it off the ground and as it takes off for flight, the rope slowly slips out of your hand as your kite flies higher and higher...

Our baby goes to Kindergarten...

2010-08-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

tomorrow. I can't believe it. It's so exciting, but feels bittersweet. Bitter because I loved the endless days with her, her naivety, watching her play with her two little sisters, her excitement over small things, and carefreeness (maybe I just made that word up...don't know, back pain affects the brain) towards all things. I don't want those things to change.

But, when this sadness wells up inside, I'm quickly reminded of what is sad. Sad would be if Erin didn't grow up to go to Kindergarten...

So, I will let this moment just be sweet...not bitter...and with a thankful heart, I will let her go tomorrow and trust in the knowledge that God is with her when I am not.

update:
grocery shopping the day before school starts = nowhere to park and no ziplock sandwich bags left;
picking out outfit for first day of school with Erin = no more carefreeness

Over the Sun

2010-08-06T20:08:00.001-07:00

We are studying Ecclesiastes at church. It's awesome because it's so true. Solomon was wealthy, had more money than Carlos Slim Helu, and he sought out the pleasures of this life 'under the sun', but he finds the secret to life is hidden over the sun...a relationship with the God of the universe. All the other pleasures are like chasing the wind and cannot satisfy. Only God can. Listen to the song playing...Over the Sun by Shane and Shane :)

after nap...

2010-07-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

dazed and confused

media room

2010-07-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

Erin is creative. She's industrious. She improvises.

Kameron and Brooke are down for their Sunday afternoon naps and Erin is enjoying free time. Kyle and I are resting, but we hear noise coming from the dining room. We check it out and get a good afternoon laugh :)

a little bit of hair showing and we know where she is...

Kyle lifts the skirt...

and we can see her watching a movie on an old iphone in her media room...

UPDATE: Brooke wakes up from nap...

and Erin gets to share her inspiration with sister...

You're Beautiful

2010-07-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

I took pictures in my backyard last Saturday...the sky was glowing and a storm was coming...my heart was singing this song...

I see Your face in every sunrise

The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

The world awakens in the light of the day

I look up to the sky and say

You're beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night

Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright

We are amazed in the light of the stars

It's all proclaiming who You are

You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree

You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me

Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne

Soon we will be coming home

You're beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more

We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring

Your bride will come together and we'll sing

You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, I see Your face

I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

where....

2010-07-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

have I been? Christian Rap :) Preach it, rap it, live it, just don't waste your life!

Montgomery County Youth

2010-07-19T07:04:00.001-07:00

Our Sunday School class took on the 'transformation' of young teens and pre-teens rooms at MCYS on Saturday. Mark told the youth we weren't from the government, but from the body of Christ :) We believe in a big God, not a big government :)

Click here to see the before and after video.

2010-07-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Just listen to the song playing! Praising and Rejoicing in Christ alone this morning!! Happy Thursday!

In Christ alone

My hope is found

He is my life, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone , this solid Rock

Firm through the fierces, drought and storm

What heights of Love, what depths of Peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

my Comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness,

scorned by the ones He came to save,

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For every sin on him was laid

Here in the depth of Christ I live

There in the ground , His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This the pow'r of Christ in me,

From life's first cry, to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from his hand

Till he returns or call me home

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand .....

Big Tooth

2010-07-14T05:49:00.001-07:00

I was sitting next to Erin the other day and I noticed something in her mouth while she was talking to me. It was a big tooth pushing through out of nowhere. I asked her how long she had noticed it and she said for a few days she thought she had some apple crust/seed stuck in her teeth (she meant apple skin that sometimes lodges itself between her bottom teeth). She said she had been licking it for a few days. I was laughing at how she was describing this new alien tooth in her mouth. Dr. Oakley, can you help us?? Enjoy the pic!

Erin's first big tooth!

Reunion

2010-07-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad got everyone together for our Tower Reunion...up in Cannon Beach, Oregon with breath taking views and the most beautiful weather....

My grandparents marriage began and ended on the Mckenzie River. They loved the river, enough to name their first born son, my dad, after it...Michael Mckenzie. They were married in Mckenzie Bridge, lived on the River for sixty years, and asked the family to spread their ashes there upon their passing...

standing outside our cabin in the woods...

Dad speaking at his parents memorial service on the Mckenzie River...

family gathering to remember their love story...

Dad, Mom, and my brother...

Allice and Don's ashes...spread over the Mckenzie

Kam and Kyle looking at the beautiful, loud, clear, and COLD Mckenzie River...

family picture :)

oh yes, our Brooke Mckenzie...she was so proud and absolutely loved seeing the river she was named after :)

Saddle Ridge Ranch!

2010-06-25T18:14:00.001-07:00

Yee-haw!

The Show-deo :)

the carnival...Erin persevered through a long line and hot night to ride this bull :)

Wow, this VBS will not soon be forgotten. It started last week as we practiced our VBS songs and waited for Rachel's testing and results. Her results were good and quick...I'm so thankful for fast results even though our Beth Moore study had us write the words faith and wait and circle the common letters...then told us that 3/5 of faith is in the wait.

God so stretches me in these situations, but I'm thankful for them because He teaches me so much. I get to know and really believe that He is my everything...He is trustworthy, faithful, good, so full of mercy and grace, His Word is power, and that He not only loves us, but He cares for us too...

So, I will leave this post with this chorus from Saddle Ridge Ranch :)

I will cast my cares on the Lord

because He cares for me

I will trust in God no matter what

cause I know He will never stop

caring for me

happenings...

2010-06-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

dance recital...

the SBC...

swim meet...

lake house...

submersion

2010-06-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

Kyle went to check on the girls last night and this is what he found...

Brooke mummified in her sheets...

and then she woke up in the early morning hours, walked into our room, and submerged herself under pillows in the corner of our room to finish off her night's sleep...

SeaWorld

2010-06-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in San Antonio :) minus my bad attitude which turned into a "nuclear explosion" when my girls wanted french fries for lunch...I decided that I need to relax on some things, especially during a vacation...thanks Cha Cha and D for a fun trip and good memories for the girls :)

the beginning...

the girls loved the sealions....

feeding the dolphins...

looking at the sharks with Cha Cha...

and seeing Shamu flip...

Brooke and her daddy....

Cha Cha, E and B watching a movie after smores :)

Hello Blog...

2010-06-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

I've missed you...and my sweet husband has too, so I told him "I shall blog again"! I said that kinda like Mel Gibson screams FREEEEEDDDDOM in Braveheart :)

Erin is reading...it's so amazing...my mom taught her and watching Erin read to my mom is like watching someone receive the greatest gift they've ever gotten. It really is beautiful. She is also on the Hurricane Swim Team. When I signed Erin up and met the coach (yep, you meet the coach before the season begins...did I mention how serious swim team is around here??) I told the coach that Erin thinks she's a mermaid and then our first meet proved there were lots of other mermaids and they were faster! so funny...we have really enjoyed watching her. She has gotten faster and made the relay team a few weeks ago, but DQed her team when she decided to swim another 25 yards instead of getting out of the pool to let the other girl go...over achiever!

It's Brooke's world and we're just living in it...she really makes me laugh all day long...I'm always yelling at her to come over here so I can love on you...seriously, I can't get enough of her. When Kyle wants to go to Wells Fargo, she wants to go with him to the "piggy bank", when we see deer roaming at dusk, she sees "reindeer, ho, ho, ho", when we go to Berryhill's for lunch, she goes to "Blueberryhill", when we go see Mimi and Papa, she sees mimi and "papa the sailor man"...

Kameron is really growing up so fast...can't believe she'll be two in just a couple of months! She is my baby and I think she's starting to take advantage of me! She's a little lazy cause she knows I like to hold her...I love going into her room at night and rocking her...I'm having to stuff her long legs on either side of me, but she is still so rockable...but, may not be for long...on second thought, if you've ever read that book "I'll love you forever" and that old lady is rocking a grown man, that old lady just might be me one day :) Kameron really wants to be right there in the mix with her big sisters...she colors, laughs, and plays with them all day...

These are really good days and I'm thankful for them...we leave on Friday with Cha Cha and D for San Antonio! The girls are SO excited!

Ready...

2010-04-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

or not, here IT comes :)

Yep, the CBI sprint tri is here, this Saturday and I'm nervous :) Last year's race was so perfect...except the fact that I started running with my helmet still on...

I'm hoping to race with Rachel again this year, but you just NEVER know what can happen in the open water swim. I'm thinking I won't have a panic attack this year in the water, but who knows, I might...depends if I get kicked in the face again...and maybe this year on the bike I'll stay in Rachel's draft and maybe I'll be able to keep up with her in the run :)

I will take pictures and give a run down of the race...last year I finished in 1 hour and 31 minutes...I'm hoping to do it under an hour and a half this year...we'll see :)

Ready for it to be over!

I love Easter

2010-04-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

and wish it were not over. Beginning with Good Friday, Christ's death, and Easter morning, His resurrection proving His victory over sin, death, and hell and thousands openly celebrating this historic fact.

I had a verse in my head and on my heart this Easter season: He became sin who knew no sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him.

John MacArthur says that's the heart of the Gospel...God looks at the cross and sees me, so that when He looks at me He sees Christ...

D and Cha Cha and the girls after hunting eggs at their home :)

Erin posing and SO growing up...

Brooke who will not, but I almost believe cannot, stand still...

and Kameron who I like to squeeze...

my favorite preacher

2010-03-31T15:37:00.000-07:00

(mute my music and ignore the background music)

Randomness

2010-03-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Brooke makes me laugh. She calls the ATM/Wells Fargo, "piggy bank" and Kleenexes, "bless yous".

Kameron has a rash with no other symptoms and is becoming a very picky eater.

Erin is changing...into a little girl with a little more attitude and she is really into boys, already. In fact, when she thinks a boy is cute, she'll tell me she wants to talk to him but she's too nervous.

Kyle is working hard to "keep this boat afloat" :)

I'm getting too busy to keep a blog.

Junior League is starting to stress me out (just a little) :)

My legs are really tired and they feel like I could pull a muscle if I bend my knees. Is that normal?

Watched Total Immersion on youtube for an hour this weekend and relearned how to swim...I think my new stroke hurt my shoulder.

Easter is this weekend. He is Risen. He is Risen indeed!

Still loving every second of BSF.

I love the 2010 VBS music this year...can't wait to teach it to the little preschoolers.

I wish I didn't get so frustrated with my preschoolers...praying for patience and endurance.

Speaking of endurance, I hope I get some before the tri.

We have beautiful weather in Houston right now, but summer's a comin'...you can feel it.

I check Mckmama's blog and Nie Nie Dialogues every day.

I didn't drink caffeine for 40 days, my first cup of coffee was Sunday and it tasted very good.

I'm so grateful and perfectly content with what God has given me.

I love my family and friends...and want to make more time for them.

I can walk to my sister's house in five minutes. Love that.

My hair feels like cotton and that's not a good thing.

The botox in my face is wearing off...thank goodness!!

I have a weird infected finger and I think it's from the Y pool.

Can't believe how fast America is changing.

But no worries, I believe in a sovereign God.

Kyle drove to Friendswood to get a new heater for our pool :)

When we had the freeze it broke, and the repair man said 2875. I thought he meant $28.75, but he meant $2,875...Kyle found it for much cheaper on Craigs List.

Lots of summer trips planned and I'm excited about each one!

A random post is all I have today!

Cabo!!

2010-03-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

here we are...in cabo at Becky's house

their incredible home...

and kitchen

where we ate some of the BEST food I've ever tasted...

and a living room that opens up to the ocean...

we stayed upstairs...

but spent most of our time out here...whale watching all day long...

and went to dinner at Edith's which I thought was an indoor restaurant, but this was the ceiling...BEAUTIFUL :)

and they had ponchos for us...and we wore them because they made it "just right"

and here are our friends :)

just the fellas braved a little of the cold water...

we mostly played in the heated pool...

oh yea, and whale watched...

here's where Kyle and I stayed (one of the 5 most beautifully decorated rooms) with...

incredible views (this is the view from our room)

and then we went on a dinner cruise...AWESOME food and margaritas!!

and saw these guys and a couple of whales!

with these ladies...highlight of the trip...loved every second of the cruise...

and then said goodbye to Cabo...

We loved this VACATION...thank you Becky for sharing your beautiful Cabo home with us!!

how many times...

2010-03-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

have you washed a pull up? me, too many to count :)

wise words...

2010-02-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit and Peace

John 14:15-31

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God that points to God and reveals God.

The heart that is yielded to Christ will experience the peace of Christ.

Anniversary and Valentines...

2010-02-16T06:46:00.001-08:00

We went to Steamboat for our anniversary...it was BEAUTIFUL. Kyle and Spence have been best friends since their freshmen year at Baylor and his parents bought a home in Steamboat and moved in over Christmas...a ski in ski out, beautiful home...take a look...

welcome...

to the Spence home...

with wrap around balconies...

with views like this...

and from the room we stayed in...

skiing in and out...

and at the top...

with Spence and Kyle...

in a white out condition....

with a hot tub afterwards...

and a gondola ride to Hazie's...

and locals skiing down wishing us a Happy Valentines Day...

and hanging out at the base

sitting by the fire and watching the sun set...

and enjoying the beautiful view and our 9 years of marriage...

wise words...

2010-01-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Cross in View

John 12 (6 days before His crucifixion)

True honor accepts Jesus for who He is, not who I want Him to be.

To refuse the cross is to refuse Jesus.

Continuous rejection of Christ results in the inability to receive Jesus Christ.

40 Days Promotional Video

2010-01-27T13:53:00.000-08:00

**Scroll down to the bottom and pause my music :) **

we still have it...

2010-01-24T12:58:00.001-08:00

Erin is turning 5 on Monday...

2010-01-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

wise words...

2010-01-21T17:50:00.000-08:00

God is Glorified in Delays, Death, and Defiance

John 11

God uses delays to develop our faith...remember, God is never late, rarely early, but He is always on time.

Only God can give the dead life.

Defiance is silenced by God and God is glorified...will you bend or will you be broken?

Yes,

2010-01-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

he can.

"I've been to the mountain top"

2010-01-18T08:14:00.001-08:00

In Martin Luther King's last speech he said, "I just want to do God's will, and He's allowed me to go to the mountaintop and I've looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the promise land...so I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearful of any man, mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Every time I hear him I am deeply moved, as I'm sure many are...because he spoke boldly with beautiful articulation and peacefully fought for equality, an inalienable right...God given and an American right.

Will there be another man or woman like him? Speaking and peacefully fighting for another inalienable right again...a God given and an American right. Maybe there is and his name just might be Shawn Carney.

In the Psalms, God says, 'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb' and 'Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be' and written in our Constitution, 'endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' Maybe, if you take God out of the equation, and before high tech abilities could detect the heartbeat three weeks after conception, one could argue abortion was not illegal according to the Constitution. But, because we know when the baby's heart begins to beat and all the different stages of development, how can abortion still be legal??...webster says death is characterized by the permanent stoppage of the heart...on the contrast, life is characterized by a beating heart.

Shawn Carney began 40 Days for Life, an epic movement similar to the peaceful march and gracious influence of Martin Luther King on civil rights that brought about equality in America. The 40 Days campaign is motivated by love, has given life to thousands, gives us hope that we too can be unafraid, and that one day we will be on the mountaintop to see the promise land.

wise words...

2010-01-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Good Shepherd and He is God

John 10

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who willingly gave His life for His sheep.

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know their Good Shepherd.

Those who intimately know the Good Shepherd completely trust in Him.

Jesus' words and works prove He is God and our words and works prove in Whom we trust.

True and lasting security is in Jesus Christ alone.

Jesus cares for His sheep, every one of them...

Brooke's prayer...

2010-01-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

God,

Put mercy on me, because that is good.

The end

Friday Night Fun

2010-01-08T16:12:00.001-08:00

Kyle and I heard giggling from around the corner and we saw this:

Brooke pulling Kameron

all around the house

and Kameron holding on

and enjoying the ride!

this is what...

2010-01-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

Erin does to an apple, nothing left but a stem and seeds...

good morning

2010-01-06T05:20:00.000-08:00

and good morning to You too, Lord...

Stages of Faith

John 9

The beginning step of faith is stepping out into obedience.

God uses opposition to build our faith.

When you are convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, bold faith and worship will happen.

Going...

2009-12-31T09:07:00.000-08:00

Rogue.

Just started reading it. I didn't really care one way or another about Sarah Palin, but this book will light your patriotic fire, give you hope for America, and will sell you out for Sarah Palin. She is governed by convictions and 'the people', not politics.

You will also see why the left wing media hates her and tries to destroy her...because, in my opinion, liberals want to be the flagship for compassion and they are not compassionate for many reasons, but the most obvious, to me, is their view on life...if only you could ask the unborn babies and their mothers, almost all mothers regret and grieve over their abortion, I think they'd agree...

but Sarah, she is compassion...

Charlie flew home...

2009-12-24T20:32:00.001-08:00

tonight. He's our Elf on the Shelf. Named by Brooke, but always referred to as female. "She moved!" "She's cold." "She's gonna tell Santa."

We had a lot of fun doing this with the girls this year...even though it didn't improve behavior...pretty sure my girls names should be on the naughty list :)