Thursday, October 29, 2009

Eli's Painted Pumpkin

by Holly

We bought a white pumpkin this year, for Eli to paint himself. Like a clean canvas for our little Picasso. :) It didn't take long for him to catch on and I'm very glad he was wearing nothing but a diaper! His hair, ears, legs, hands, diaper bottom and feet had black paint, as well as my legs and one hand. Oh, well, he had a great time.








Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Quarterback Jack

by Holly
Our 6 year old nephew Jared has been playing flag football for the last couple of months and loves it. He is the quarterback for the Longhorns, and no comments are needed on that please. :) I know I'm biased, but he is very good and this past Sunday threw his first completed pass for a touchdown. His specialty though is the quarterback sneak and has scored quite a few touchdowns! The coaches are good, teaching them teamwork, sportsmanship... and they don't keep score.
Jared on the right

Coming back in after a play

Watch that little boy in front- he is fast!!


Friday, October 23, 2009

Pumpkin Patch Fun- Part 2

by Holly


Canna and her youngest daughter Brianna while we were on the hayride out to the pumpkin patch. I didn't get a good picture of her older daughter Brooklyn.


Holly and Eli at the pumpkin patch. You walked around till you found what you wanted and the workers would come cut it off the vine for you. Pretty cool, except this end had been picked over and they were sparse. We found some good ones though.

Eli picked this tiny gourd before we knew what he was doing, but we laughed and told him he could have whatever he could carry. Not too big of a threat, his purchase was only 25 cents.

From the front, Brooklyn, Tyler, Jared, Teresa and Kelly with Eli making our way through the maze. Teresa and Kelly had the maps and were quite good at navigating. I fear we would still be there if I had been in charge!

Justin pretending to use his map. :) Really, we couldn't keep up with the turns as we were preoccupied with passing Eli back and forth. He got quite heavy through this ordeal!




Pumpkin Patch Fun- Part 1

by Holly

We took Eli to the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze near Shallowater a few weeks ago, and met Kelly and Teresa's family and our friends Jeff and Canna and their family there for an afternoon of fun.

Harder than you might think to get three little boys with minds of their own to all hold still and smile at the same time. Add to that that we lost the button to our camera that day and I was having to poke my earring down into it to get it to take a picture. Not too bad though!

Kelly helping Jared with the corn launcher. They stuff a half ear of corn down into the pipe and then aim it at hay bales decorated with non-Tech team logos. I think Jared hit the Kansas Jayhawk, but I'm not sure on that. He had a great time doing it for sure!

Jared, Eli and Tyler watching the bock-bock's. Eli's current favorite farm animal. :)

How precious is this? Jared loves his "Little Buddy" and watches over him as they walk around the pond.

Justin conquering the kiddie maze! Way to go honey! My brother looks on and laughs, as he got beat. It actually was a little difficult to do- you could only make right turns. Justin figured it out though, and I'm sure you aren't surprised that his analytical brain could do so.






Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Isn't this cute?!

by Holly

Teresa with Jared, Eli and Tyler before a Tech football game.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Birthday Party

by Holly

We hosted the September birthday party for my family in our home, which honored my Dad and my cousin Rusty. The same day, we babysat Jonas as his parents Paul and Sarah were moving to their new home! What a great day!

Eli and Jonas. Clearly Eli thinks he is in control of juice rations as he is a few months older.

My dad and mom. Happy Birthday Dad!

Looking at collage frames of our family tree. The next weekend was a family reunion at Lake Texoma and my aunt had put these together to share with the other families.

Michelle and Rusty, who Jonas became fast friends with!



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Update

by Holly

We did have a miscarriage, official this morning. I do not have to have a D&C and am thankful for that. God has prepared our hearts ahead of time so we have grieved and were not shocked this morning, but still very sad. Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Our Cool Crowd

by Holly

We ate at Texas Roadhouse on Sunday evening with Holly's family and had the best waitress. She was fun and joked around with the boys and was just great as a server. At the end of the meal she brought all the boys a pair of sunglasses which they thought was just too cool. Eli, Jared and Tyler, left to right.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Faith That is Real

by Holly

Steve Wiggins is a musician from California that we heard at the Marriage conference last weekend. Besides hearing his worship music during our general sessions, we also attended the class he and his wife Misti were presenting on "How the Bible Transformed Our Marriage". Good stuff on both ends. This is a song that we liked at the conference but have taken to heart this week as God works a trial in our lives.

"Faith That is Real"

Consider it joy when the trials of life are upon you
Remember: a promise is given to all who endure
Bringing wisdom, filling completely.

With a faith that is real, a faith that is true
The source of strength to carry me through
When what I believe is not what I feel, I hold on
With a faith that is real.

Tossed by the wind and the waves
I have been double-minded
Faithless and doubting, till you taught me how to believe
You are my anchor! Lord I can trust You!

With a faith that is real, a faith that is true
The source of strength to carry me through
When what I believe is not what I feel, I hold on
With a faith that is real.

Oh, Lord, I know its by Your grace, alone that You saved me!
And the good that I do is only because You gave me...

Chorus
Oh, Lord give me faith!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

A Few Things I'm Learning

by Holly

I don't often profess outright faith and Christian beliefs in our blog, but these are things I'm learning through recent events in my life and by attending the Festivals of Marriage conference this weekend in Glorieta, NM (which was fabulous and life-changing!).

1. If you aren't right with God, you don't have a chance at being right in human relationships.

2. God loves us too much to leave us where we are at. The trials in life are his efforts to make our character look more like his own.

3. If you find yourself being judgmental about a negative characteristic in someone else, its likely that you have the same characteristic.

4. Instead of being critical or complaining about someone else's behavior, take a moment and consider what your life would be like if that person weren't in it.

5. Don't underestimate the power of the following phrases: I'm sorry. I'm proud of you. I love you. I forgive you. Thank you.

Have a blessed day! I plan to!