Jul. 20, 2008 - Mission trip to Mexico

Brett just got back from taking a group of teens to Mexico. Rebecca and Kara were able to go. This was thier fist time going on a mission trip. They went with Mission Discovery. They stayed at a church camp in Texsas and crossed the border everyday to Reynosa, Mexico to build a house and help with Vacation Bible School.  Rebecca and Kara both gave thier testomonies during Vacation Bible School.

Here is the group headed to Texas at the airport.

Here are the girls with some of the kids they built the house for.

Rebecca and one of her new friends, Najelli.

Here you can see the new house and the old house to the left. The family lives right next to the church, although they are not yet Christians.

You know you know somethig is true and then God just brings some scriptures to my mind. Here are some verses I was thinking about while the Brett and the girls were gone.

I was thinking about how Jesus said in Mathew 10:42 "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

Mark 9:41 "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

Matthew 18:1-6 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

I was thinking about how important it was that they did this good work in Jesus namd, not just in the name of being a good person or even being an American. They represented the love of Jesus to that family.

Also I was thinking how you can bond with any child in any part of the world and that is why Jesus talked so much about coming to Him like a child. As we grow we get stupid. We become prideful and self reliant.

Ok so enough of my deep thoughts. :)

It is so great for me as a mom to hear the stories and see how the Lord used this trip. Short term mission trips had a huge impact on my life. I am so glad that Brett was there with them. I want to go next year!

Here is a two minute video Rebecca made for the trip on YouTube:  Click Here

Here is a more detailed story on Rebecca's website: Click Here

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Jun. 22, 2008 - Fun at VBS

The kids had a great time at VBS or "PBS" as Faith calls it. The theme was the Avalanche Ranch, Wahoo!!

Faith had fun with her new friend, Katy. The funny thing is they have been in Sunday School together for years but for some reason they clicked this week at VBS.

Ethan had fun with all the boys. He is all boy. He seems to already not like his picture being taken.

My older kids were helpers this year. They lead the younger kids in songs and worked with them in the games and crafts.

Brett was there all week helping out with the games. It was fun watching the kids run around with thier pastor.

Pastor Brett and Pastor Jim hanging out with the kids.

It was fun to watch Rebecca and Kara bonding with the kids.

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Jun. 1, 2008 - Joel's Birthday

Joel celebrated his 11th birthday with three mini parties. When we were in Orlando we went to the Lego Store of course and he got a ton of legos with his birthday money. This is a must for us when we are near Downtown Disney. He got started right away putting them together while we were at the hotel. He got Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Both boxes were over 1,000 pieces. He has a real gift with visual directions. I could never do it. (No pictures from vacation. Too busy relaxing)

When we got back we surprised him as a family with cake and presents.

He had Daniel and Josh over and they went to an arcade and out to dinner.

Another cake!

Ethan had fun with the "big boys".

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Jun. 1, 2008 - Found out what the kids do when I am at work

I was downloading pictures from the camera and found lots of interesting photos. It seems Faith is a popular model in our house. She pretty much does whatever the girls want her to. Too cute!!

OK is this supposed to me? A bit young to be reading about Benjamin Franklin, but oh yeah she is homeschooled!

Even Bentley gets in on the deal.

Ethan has some fun with the girls too.

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May. 29, 2008 - Ethan graduates from Pre-K

We got back from the homeschool convention/vacation to attend Ethan's graduation from Pre-K. He had a great year and it was a great program with all the kids singing on stage and then getting a diploma from the teachers. It was neat for me because even though it was 11 in the morning on a school day, Ethan's whole family was there. Brett and I, my mom and all the kids. I guess it is unusual to see school age kids there, we got a lot of attention.

Ethan and miss Debbie. (Faith will have her next year)

Ethan and his buddies, Kurt and Conner.

My handsome men! Ethan loved dressing up and wearing a tie!

They had a pizza and a pirate party after the graduation.

He had him make a balloon sword, of course!

Kara wanted to try out the hat!

Ethan said it was the "best day ever"! Good cake too!

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May. 24, 2008 - Homeschool Convention

We went to the annual Florida Homeschool Convention in Orlando. We took my mom and all the kids. We had a great time and stayed for a extra few days for some family time.

I hit mostly workshops related to the high school years and workshops dealing with learning disabilities/dyslexia.

My favorite purchases were the book called College Without Compromise click here and Sequential Spelling. Seq. Spelling was written by a man who is dyslexic himself. I will be using this with Joel this summer. Here is a link to the site. They have a ton of things you can download for free if you join the non profit organization. AVKO Educational Research Foundation

A great book for any of you with teen is called Do Hard Things by two homeschool teens, Alex and Brett Harris. The idea is for teens to rebel against the low expectation that our culture has about the teenage years. Here is a link to the blog the twin brothers have. Click Here

I am really glad that we went. I bought a lot of CD's to listen to later for the workshops I was not able to get to. Always a good time to pray and ask the Lord for direction for the next year.

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May. 16, 2008 - Another Praise

Faith has been wearing glasses since she was about 12 months old. This has been a real challenge for us as parents as you can imagine. I cannot even count how many pairs of glasses we have gone through over the years.

I have been questioning whether she had the right prescription as she never seemed to see better. To make a long story short we were finally able to get a second opinion. Faith bonded with the doctor right away, which never happens. He did not feel she even needed glasses! He was not sure if he the glasses have changed her eyes through the years or if she was misdiagnosed after having her original surgery. Either way we were so happy. You should have seen her smile when he told her.

Now we will follow up every six months and see what happens. Even a small break is appreciated, until she is older and able to handle the responsibility of them.

Brett had retina surgery to prevent retinal detachment this week.  This was very emotional and painful for him to go through. The Lord was faithful and Brett did well and after he healed he also got new glasses. He looks quite dashing in his glasses.

This has been the week of good news with our eyes.

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Apr. 27, 2008 - I have to celebrate!

Ok I just have to share. Many of you that read this know my struggle with weight, so I am so excited that I bought a pair of size 12 jeans last night!! I have not worn anything below a 14 since having children. The largest I have worn was a size 22, that was about a year ago. Really a battle and not sure it will ever be easy for me, but I am having fun shopping for clothes.

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Apr. 25, 2008 - My concert going girls

Recently my older daughters have been going to quite a few concerts with friends from church. They both got to meet some pretty famous artists.

Here is Rebecca and Natalie Grant. She got to go back stage and meet her. She is pretty famous in Christian music. Dont they look like sisters?

Kara met one of the lead singers from Eisley. They are very popular with the "youngins". By the way, I am old. Brett was sucha good dad, he took them to the concert because I had to work. Oh and, ...he is old too!

They look like sisters too!

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Apr. 25, 2008 - Build a Bear

My mom and Rebecca celebrate thier birthdays together every year. This year they decided to go to Build a Bear. They were jealous of Faith going for her birthday (oops never posted the pictures) so now was thier chance to go.

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Apr. 25, 2008 - Easter egg fun

SInce I am showing pictures from March I thought I would add some of the kids  decorating Easter eggs with Aunt Elaine. She has a tradition of getting the supplies and decorating with them. Thank God for her because it would most likely not happen without her.  Ethan and Faith had fun hunting for them with Rebecca, Kara and Joel. Bentley helped out too.

Me, not skinny yet, but working on it.

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Apr. 25, 2008 - Rebecca's Birthday

OK so I am a bit late for to post this about Rebecca turning 14 back in March. She decided to have a few families over for a cook out at the house. Hard to believe she is 14. We had lots of fun. I did not do well with my diet. We had smores!

Rebecca and Savannah

My gang all in one photo, a miracle!

Our wonderful friend Cheri made her a delicious cake! Here is faith enjoying her dessert.

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Feb. 3, 2008 - My little fishermen

A friend took Brett and the boys to a good fishing spot and they had a great time. The boys baited thier own fish and barely had the hook in the water and they had a catch. They caught a ton of fish, just for fun, and then let them go.

I just love the happy face on Ethan.

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Jan. 2, 2008 - Brett's family

We got to spend time with Grandma Donna and Grandma Mildred for a bit on Christmas day. The kids love seeing them.

Grandma Mildred is an amazing woman. She is 96 and a blessing to everyone that knows her. A wonderful woman of God.

Brett's mom is always an encouraging grandmother and we love the time we get to spend with her.

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Dec. 25, 2007 - Christmas Day

Every year I say I am going to cut back at Christmas to only three presents or so for each of the kids. Somehow it never happens. With Brett and I and other family members shopping it always grows.

I was thinking recently how we love to give gifts to our kids and have fun surprising them and watching thier faces. I was thinking how God loves to give to us and that inate part of parents is actually from our Heavenly Father and that He is the same way with us.

I picked a few pictures from Christmas showing the highlights. We had a great time with my mom and Brett's mom and grandma. The kids were all very excited and thankful.

Even though Joel gets legos every year he still gets so excited. He heads to his room when we all have finished opening presents and we dont see him for a few hours. He is very fast. This one is the biggest he has ever done. Wish they were cheaper so he could build more.

Here is Faith is a new her new ballet clothes watching a special DVD and dancing on a special princess ballet floor mat. She is very serious when it comes to her dancing. Her facial expressions were great.

Rebecca is super happy and a bit surprised with her Ipod Touch

Kara got an Ihome to listen to music in her room.

Ethan's favorite present was the kitchen for Faith and him to play with together. The fake food is the best part.

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Dec. 24, 2007 - Opening Christmas Stockings

Our kids cannot wait to open thier stockings. Brett does all the shopping for the stockings and he gives great gifts. I keep teasing him we need to buy the kids bigger stockings because he gives so many great gifts, from candy and movie theatre gifts cards to something special for each child.

Rebecca was pretty excited about the Old Navy/Gap gift card.

Kara was excited about gift cards to Starbucks.

Ethan and Faith got gift card to Chuck E Cheese. Oh boy, my favorite place.

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Dec. 21, 2007 - Making Christmas Cookies

Brett wanting to make Chrismtas cookies this year. His mother always made candy at Christmas. He has carried on the tradition for many years, which our neighbors and friends love. But this year due to our work schedules we only had time for cookies.

The kids, even the older ones love any Christmas crafts.

I love the concentration Faith has. The tongue is very important you know!

Ethan and Faith blowing on the cookies so they can eat them.

The best part is the eating!!

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Dec. 20, 2007 - Ethan and Faith's christmas Program

Ethan and Faith had a Christmas program at school. The director of the school read the Christmas story from the Bible and the kids all sang Christmas songs. They both did a great job. They were not nervous at all and the highlight was learning to sign Silent Night. They are gowing up so fast.

Ethan was one very cool shepherd.

Ethan like seeing Santa at the end. He wanted to sit in his lap. Faith...well not so much.

Nana is always there cheering them on.

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Dec. 17, 2007 - My little Super Hero

One of Ethan's friends gave him a book that came with a costume and he loved it. He took his super hero costume very seriously. He is all boy.

And Faith....well we call her Captain Underpants. She just does not like clothes.

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Dec. 15, 2007 - Fun with The George Family

Our good friends came to visit from North Carolina and we took all the kids to a movie. It was great fun going with that many kids but I would recommend waiting for Alvin and the Chipmunks on video.

Adrianna and Rebecca playing for piano. Adrianna is so cute you just want to eat her up. She was here long enough to bond with us this time. Yeah!!

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