Where's the Pictures?

Travis and I usually never get each other gifts. We just take whatever Christmas money we might get and go shopping together. It's fun for us since we don't normally have extra spending money to blow. But, this year Travis broke the rules. He bought me a new camera. Mine was dropped a couple of months ago,and it hasn't been acting right since. I've enjoyed it, so far, but still have kinks to work out. That's also why my last posts don't have pics....I can't find where they are on the computer and Travis isn't here to show me!! Don't worry, I'll add them later!

Life-long Friends

For the many places that Travis and I have lived, we have met and become friends with lots of people. But because of the craziness of life and circumstances, we have not kept up with many of them. There are a few, however, that we have maintained relationships with. One family is the Coffelts from Pryor, Oklahoma. We all met in college, and our paths have continued to cross over the years. A bonus is that Pryor is kinda in the path from here to Oklahoma. So, there have been a few times when we had a little extra time, that we will stop and hang out with them for a while. This was one of those times. We left Travis' family on Saturday afternoon and were in Pryor by 7pm. James is a pastor there and their church services are on Saturday night, so when we got there we attended their church. It was wonderful and refreshing.

We then ate out with a group from the church, and then headed to their house. We already had Sunday off from our church so we were set for a night of playing and catching up. Little did we know that it would be 6:30 AM before we would see our beds! We all slept in, of course, and then spent Sunday relaxing.

Later that evening, some people from their church came over and we just sat and had our own worship time with guitars, mandolins and a piano, oh yeah, and James' new toy, some new kind of drum. It was really fun.

Then we hung out playing Apples to Apples, Fact or Myth, and Rock Band. Travis and I were the only ones to score 100% on our parts!!! lol. Anyway, one more late night (3am for me) and we woke up to leave for home on Monday.

We are so thankful for lifelong friends like James, Jamie, Riley and Rance. I feel so loved to know that God places people like these in our lives to refresh us, make us laugh, and that we can come into their home and feel like we never left! Can't wait for the next time!

Look at me, I'm Baking!

For the past few years our families have drawn names. We did with my family, but somehow time got by and we didn't with Travis'. We weren't really sure what we were supposed to be doing, so I just thought I would do something "creative" for everyone. I wasn't sure what, but I had went over to my friend, Betsy's house who was making goodies for all of her family, and I was inspired! So, I purchased some pretty Christmasy plates and made some yummies for everyone at Christmas. There were some things I had never tried before, but I thought they turned out pretty good! I just might like this baking thing, who knows!

3 Christmases

After having Christmas with my family on Sunday, Christmas continued for us on Christmas Eve. We spent Tuesday getting ready for the trip to Oklahoma and for a family Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. The kids woke up early, of course, and we read the Christmas story and opened presents. They had their stockings and some stuff from other people, but the one family gift we got was the Wii. They were very surprised and we hooked it up immediately! We then got ready and made our trip to Oklahoma to be with Travis' family. We all stayed in the same house so that we could wake up together. We opened presents, first thing, and then spent the rest of the day playing with our stuff! It was nice to have everybody there. The kids enjoyed getting to spend time with everyone. Part of Travis' gift to his mom was to purchase a new faucet for her kitchen and install it. He worked very hard all day Friday, but he got it done! He has become very handy over the past few months! I was very proud of him to do that for her.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! On to the New Year!

Wow! Am I behind or what!? The family that we were staying with over Christmas did not have internet at the house so there are so many things that I want to share with you!!! But I am not going to put it all in one blog so be sure and go back and read everything!!! Happy Reading!

Happy Birthday to my good friend, Betsy!!! Hope it's a great one!

Out on the town

There was a tradition that was beginning in our family. It was to go out and buy each other's presents, eat out, and then do something as a family (probably a movie). But we are trying to make things different this year. For one thing, my kids do not need more STUFF! So, in an effort to do this, we only bought 1 family gift. Well, that takes away the need to go shopping. But they did need winter coats! So, last night we took off and went to Branson. We shopped (and bought) coats, ate at Cracker Barrel (per Tyler's request), and then went to Shepherd of the Hills and drove through the Trail of Lights. Travis and I had been there before, but it had been many years. It took us about 1 hour and there are tons of lights. It was a really good evening with our family, and now, thanks to our new coats, we feel ready for the cold weather!!! Bring it on!

Alternating Holidays

Growing up I never knew the "perils" of alternating holidays with your relatives. Both sets of my grandparents lived in the same small town, so we always got to see everyone. I didn't know it another way until Travis and I got married....and our parents didn't live anywhere close to each other. O, what to do? So, for 14 years we have spent one holiday at one place and the other holiday at the other family's. It has always worked out, so we just continued. Only since we have lived in Missouri again, has it worked out differently. My parents live very near by and my sister does, too. So, on the years when Christmas is with Travis' family, we just try to squeeze a little family time in wherever there is time left over! We did just that this past weekend. My mom and my sister's family were nice enough to come and visit our church to see the kid's program. Then that afternoon we exchanged gifts. We decided this year to only buy for the kids and it worked out perfectly. Then, while the kids played with all of their new goodies, my sister and my mom helped me prepare food for our church dinner that night! The day seemed full, but it was nice to spend time with everyone!

Good Day

This was a really good weekend for me and for our church family. I feel some really cool things happening in our church, and days like this always make me smile. First of all, yesterday we had our dress rehearsal and pizza party, and then today we had our Christmas program, "What's Christmas to You?" We had tons of visitors at the program, and the kids did a wonderful job! They always amaze me at how well they pull things together! I love these kids! They're so great!



Then, tonight we had our Church Christmas Dinner. You can't go wrong with that! Tons of food, good fellowship! It was good just seeing our church family hanging out with each other! Days like these are good!

Birthday with Betsy

I had a great day today! I took my friend Betsy out for her birthday. I wanted to do something cool that we had never done before, so we went to a place called Firehouse Pottery. I knew that she would like it because she's got this creative side and she likes to paint. It was really cool, a little overwhelming at first, picking out which project you want to do. Then, you have all these paints, and stencils, and tracings, and on and on....anyway, once we got started, it was fun! We havent' seen our final projects, they have to be fired. But it was fun! Then we went to lunch and had a really good visit. It's days like this I am reminded of how wonderful it is to have friends. I wish now I had pics, but I don't! I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did, and I am so thankful for our friendship. Her birthday is actually Tuesday, so HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETSY!

Caroling at St Johns

Ok, just like I promised. Here are some pictures from the caroling trip to the hospital. I wasn't sure what to expect and neither did the kids, but we sang our hearts out. Up on the pediatric floor, we weren't allowed to go into any rooms, but we had a few doors open up and some kids and parents peeking outside their rooms to listen in. We then, finished up and discovered that we had some spare time, so we went downstairs to the main lobby. That was cool too because the accoustics in there was really awesome! We had some people stop and listen, and even received a little applause! We took 12 kids with us, plus me and Kelly. There were some kids that couldn't go because of the strict rules about the health of everyone who visits. I love going on these MOBILE weeks. It's just The Word in action.

On the other hand, Tuesday when we went to Convoy of Hope, we arrived to find a note on the door that there would be no more volunteer dates for the remainder of the year! We were all disappointed, but we didn't let that deter us from heading over to Braum's for some ice cream!!!

Next up, the Christmas Program! This Sunday, 10:30am!....deep breath!

Santa Claus vs Jesus

I grew up in a Christian household. My family has always celebrated the wonderful story of Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior. We read the Christmas story from the Bible every year before we open presents. As a matter of fact, I don't even remember believing in Santa Claus. Don't worry, I'm ok. sob*sob*....Anyway, so when Travis and I got married, and especially when I became pregnant with Tyler, we started really thinking about the whole Santa Claus vs. Manger scene conversation. So, our first Christmas, we did no Santas. We just decorated with angels, snowmen...that kind of stuff. We did have a tree, but that's it. Then one day, I heard someone tell the story behind Santa Claus, or St Nicholas. It totally explained that St Nicholas was a real person. He was very rich, and he did give presents to needy children. And, the kicker was that the reason he did all of this is because he was also a Christian. He had a relationship with the Lord that led him to act this way! Since then we have discovered that it's not Santa Claus vs Jesus, it's St Nicholas BECAUSE of Jesus! It's just sad that the world has missed or maybe purposely twisted this story to meet a more marketable image and story. In the end, we have enjoyed telling our children this story in addition to the nativity. They just think that's cool that even Santa Claus recognizes who Jesus is! You can read the full story at www.stnicholascenter.org and go to Who is St Nicholas?. Enjoy!

Christmas Open House

We had such a good time at our Open House this past Friday. For the past few years we have been opening our house during the Christmas season for our friends and family to come over and visit. It's kinda like our present to everyone. Thank you to everyone who came and shared in this special time with us. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Hanging out with Jackson

Last week Travis and I got to hang out with our buddy, Jackson. Jackson is getting ready to be 3yrs old in January. We haven't got to see him as much as we'd like lately, and he has sure developed a huge vocabulary! It was so great to hear him speaking in full sentences and completely communicating with us! We took him to BassPro and saw everything there was to see. This second picture is of him eyeing a small 4wheeler! Hint, hint, mom and dad!

I am so excited about a couple of things that are coming up in the ministry of our church. Tomorrow night we are headed back to CONVOY OF HOPE. We always have a good time there, and we leave feeling a real sense of something bigger than ourselves. The other thing is on Wednesday, our Troop 4:20 kids are going to ST JOHN's pediatric floors to do some CHRISTMAS CAROLING. This is very cool to me because it is going to be kids ministering to kids. This is going to be a very special time for all of us, and I am already feeling God blessing us before we even go! You will be sure that I will post pics later!

Who do we think we are?

I just got finished reading my book!!! Yea! For me! I am not a reader, but when it is something that really captures me, I can't put it down. "This Present Darkness" was one of those books for me. And I am so glad that I finished it because the ending was awesome! For about the last three pages, my heart was racing and I was crying. There are times in this book when everything seems so out there, like this wouldn't ever happen, but then there are those moments when I was like, "Yeah, I know!"

It has got me to thinking. I have this, who do we think we are? attitude. I think we have been programmed to think that we just live our own lives and what we do only affects us. Every man for himself. I am just taking care of my own. I think it's more complicated than that. God uses us, when we are willing, to complete His plan. And those previous attitudes are not just only in the world! I think Christians get stuck thinking, "Hey I'm saved, what do I have to worry about?" And that's great, but what about the person standing in line next to you, or your neighbor, or your family. Are they ok? I think we are missing out on some very important aspects of the Christian life when we only live for ourselves. We have got to get out there and use what God has given us to reach out to the world around us. I love the thought that God cares so much about us that He is intricately planning our lives...placing people in our way to develop us into the one that He wants us to be, one that can be used by Him.

It makes you look at your life, you know. Like, "what am I doing"? Am I being effective? Is my life meaning something in the grander scheme of the Kingdom? Not that Salvation is not enough. It was and is THE PLAN for everyone, but God also wants us to live life to the fullest. Not just get by. Having this new "filter" on my life makes me look at everything I do. If it's not productive, according to God, it's going to get put aside. I don't have time anymore to fill up on things that don't matter.

The Deed is Done, It's Official!

Ok, it's official! Tucker is 6yrs old. Although we weren't sure he was going to make it! He told the waitresses at Red Robin that if they didn't sing to him, he wouldn't be 6! We all survived the restaurant of choice (we were afraid of McDonald's!) and it was a good night for the family. We started the day this morning with a special trip to his class to take his birthday snack! He really enjoyed having me and Travis there. Travis also volunteered as a WatchDog for the day, so he was around all day! Don't you love it when your kids are at the age when they are excited to have you around and they think you are cool?? Later tonight, we tried to go to Bass Pro and visit Santa and all his workshop, but we were not prepared for the wait! We got there and were getting in line and it was 5pm....the guy was going to give us a "pass" to see Santa at 6:30! Needless to say, we did not stay! Maybe another time! But the dinner was good, and I don't think I have any babies anymore!!! It's ok...I'm prepared to look for the blessings, no matter what age they are!