Every Girl Needs a Hat...

And yes, those are Christmas stockings. We are decorated for Christmas!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Mrs. Mel asked Olivia to sing with her for Santity of Life Sunday. Here is the video...

Olivia played shy for the rehearsal and we were very worried about the actual performance. But as soon as Mel said "Let's go", Olivia took her hand and off she went. The video doesn't show the tears coming down my face as I was bursting with pride and joy.

Our pastor praised the incredible women who choose life for their children and then choose christian families to raise those children. How thankful we are that we were chosen to be Olivia's parents!

Halloween Fun

We spent Halloween weekend with David's family for Beesh's Bienalle. Great fun was had by all! Here are pics of the Wizard of Oz characters;Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, the Wizard, Dorothy and her 2 flying monkeys (plus one slightly out of theme rock star). The little kids loved sleeping in the cabin and playing with Beesh and Manda and Wawen ( Steve, Amanda and Lauren to those of us who do not speak toddler). Alex learned Bocce' ball and played lots of football with Daddy. Beesh planned yummy food and lots of family together time. It was a great get away and the weather was perfect. Times like these always remind us of how blessed we are with family. I pray my children will always love seeing cousins and aunts and uncles.

First Hair Cut

Olivia had her first hair cut this week. Now I have trimmed her bangs myself but never anything off the back of her hair or anything in a salon. Her hair was getting really long and needed to be shaped up a little. I was secretly afraid that cutting her hair would prove that her curls were only a baby feature and would disappear. But we maade the appointment and went to see Mrs. Beverly. Olivia LOVED it, as you can see by the smiles in the pics. And, best of all, when a little length was taken off (about an inch), it sprang back into tight little ringletts. What a beauty!

A Dream Date

One of the blessings of ministry is that David has the privledge of presiding at the wedding ceremonies of some precious couples who were once in our youth groups. One such sweet couple thanked him with a gift card to The Melting Pot. We had never been there and is was the best meal ever. Oh my goodness, there are no words to describe the yumminess from the beginning the end. If you start with cheese, end with chocolate and somewhere in the middle you find filet mignon and lobster you have definitely gone to dining heaven! As good as the food was the company! David says we didn't date to get married, we married so we could date. As life gets busy, our dates are not as frequent as we would like. When we do get away, we love it. Our night at the Melting Pot was a dream date because Sam and Holly blessed us with a gift card and God blessed us with each other.

STAND UP and VOTE

It has been a while and there is so much to blog...but for now, just an opinion. It is my opinion and for the time being, I have the right to speak with freedom... STAND UP and VOTE. As Christians we need to stand up for what God says is right and just. You know my politcal convictions, this is not about party. This is about the course our country will take for the next 4 years, years that may change our country forever. I could start quoting voter guides and sermons about the issues, but by this time you know the issues. Now stop and think about what God would have you do in this election. Stop complaining that neither candidate is...whatever. There are only 2 choices (yes I know there are others but really, please you know what I mean). 2 choices folks for the leader of the free world...if the wrong choice is made, this may no longer be a "free world". Pray about this and act on what God leads you to do. Don't vote your party, vote your faith, your Lord's priorities, not your wallet's preference!
Thanks for endulging my little soap box.
Now, just a teaser for future blogs... a first hair cut, a dream date, Dorothy and the flying monkeys... Hopefully I will get pictures downloaded and more blog entries posted.

Happy Birthday Alex

My baby turns 12 today. I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday I was holding him for the first time. He was so tiny and handsome. He took quite a while to arrive (15 hours of labor) but so worth it. Alexander Kyle was a dream come true for David and me. We cherished every day with this perfect little boy. I made up a tune and extra verse to a familiar passage in a children's book. Every night I sang to him...I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be...Alex I love you and Daddy loves you, you're our sweet baby a gift from above.

Now, all these years later, Alex has gone through some pretty incredible changes with us and our family. All in all he has handled it pretty well. He is an amazing young man. I am so very proud of him and love him more than life itself. There are 2 little boys and 1 little girl who have the greatest big brother ever. And though he gets angry and upset with all the "babies" in his world, he loves and treasures them all.

Thank you God for blessing my life with Alex. Happy Birthday sweet boy, I will always love you!