Family Life.

I am certainly in my element. I love this job. While the holidays have had us so busy the tree is not even up yet...(face hidden...I know, its bad) we are still having a great time. Luckily, we will be spending CHRISTmas Eve night over at my inlaws. We will be opening presents and celebrating at their house...(so I can get away w/ my tree not being up!! )

While I write this some of the children are dancing to Deliberate Kids...(click title)...what fun! I just have to share what has been happing the last couple of days.
The kids got out Clay's guitars. I only got a couple of pics...but considering where we come from, and how Clay and I met...this is cool.


Since it has been so cold, and the boys room doesn't have a heater, they often choose to camp out on or bedroom floor in the winter. Cean is quite the snuggler and this morning we caught this...shh...don't tell Cody...


Today is one of Cody's friends Birthday...and since Michael is coming over for dinner, Chloe and her friend Alishea made some yummy brownies. What is it with tweens, chocolate and messes?? What fun!!

Ok-well, dinner company is here...I must run!

My Student of the Month/UPDATES

Well, this actually happened last week, but with all the busy-ness of the season, it took me a while to get a picture of Chloe with her certificate.

Students of the Month are chosen based on not only academic performance, but on citizenship as well. According to her teachers, Chloe is a joy to have in class and is very intelligent, compassionate and kind. We, as her parents already know these things about her, but we are really proud that she is being recognized by her teachers for the efforts she is making. Way to go Chloe!!

UPDATES:
My keys and the $50 bill have been found and returned!! Praise God...it wasn't anything He coundn't handle anyway!!!
AND......
In case you were wondering, yes...we will be gettting to keep some baby rats. They will come home sometime before the Christmas holiday. Chloe's teacher has given her first choice of the babies since they were born here...and she has chosen the only two little girl rats...lets hope they don't come home pregnant!!! ;o)
I am sure we will be posting pics and updates!! They are really cute and furry now!
I'm out for now...time to get dinner started!!

USED!?!!!

Now that I see clearly, this has been a WONDERFUL day.
Let me start at the beginning.
Last Night:
I couldn't sleep. The Lord had me pray for an aquaintance of a friend. I do not know the girl I am praying for, but I prayed specifically for her. My prayers are led.
Today:
*I am missing a $50 bill. (I usually don't have that kind of money just sitting around, but I was saving the bill)
*My hand lotion I keep in my van is also gone. (not too big of a deal...but still)
*While working my volunteer shift at the Y my keys (yes, car keys, house keys...all of them) are gone. I have no idea where they are...stolen??? Doesn't matter...gone.
So, I call my friend...praise God, she can come help me. She drove me home to get my spare keys..yes, house and van. Then she takes me back to the Y to get my van.
I then took Cean to school, and went to pick of a friend's little boy. From there I went to the dollar store...when:
*With my spare van key, I get there, put the key in the cup holder.(with the door unlocked) then go get Jacob out of his seat. Did you know that when you don't have the key in the ignition, and you close the door on a Honda Oddysey the door automatically locks?? Even when your SPARE KEY is in the cupholder??? Yeah...well they do! (did I mention that my outfit today did not have pockets...pockets would have prevented the whole thing.)
So, I call the same friend...she is busy...call another friend...
RESCUED AGAIN. Now my valet key is in my hand, getting me into my car...and I laughed when they gave us so many keys!!
Now- let me tell you, up until now, this has been fairly stressful. That is until I realize what is happening...lets do some math...
Pray for a girl who is struggling, only to find out that what I was led to pray was correct...all of it! + a day like today...hmmm...no matter what numbers you use, the answer is correct. This sweet daughter of Zion is fighting for her life, and I chose to obey and fight with her and for her...The battle is confimed through my day today...
Paul reminds me that "We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12 NTL) In each case that my day was messed up, God provided...RESCUED!
I have seen stuff like this before...there is no doubt in my mind...so,BRING IT...I will continue to pray! God will continue to work and to move, and this beloved daughter WILL be pulled from the fire.

VICTORY!!

Oh, months of praying has paid off!!

This store opened less than a year ago, or maybe there-a-bouts. My biggest issue with this store is that it is less that 1100 feet from my children's elementary school. One block away...not only do parents have to drive their children by the store to and from school, but children who walk are passing by twice daily. (Not to mention the danger some of the clientel of this store posed to kids)
Now, this store was not very discreet. Flashing lights, products and maniquins (scantily clad) in the window made it very apparent to all, (including children who have to walk by) as to what is inside.
BUT...God is more powerful than the allure of this store!! With God's grace, the prayers of our community have been answered...without any noise from those of us who are unhappy with it being here!! There were no protests, no negative slams against the store (that I am aware of)...just a bunch of moms, praying that it would close...and for the safety of our children!!
GOD is GOOD!!!

FUN! with color

Well now, this is an adventure. We have never done this before! What FUN!
Tonight, we added a little (temporary) color to some manes in the house.
Cean, got blue spikes! Even though soccer is over, he is super excited to have blue hair. His team, after all was the Mighty Blue Lizards!

Chloe went with a pink/plum color. We streaked it through the front and just a wee bit in the back. She can't wait for church tomorrow and school on Monday...yes, I am washing all of the pink clothing she owns!!

Cait has the same color, just a slightly different style. Her hair is not as thick as Chloe's...but boy, does Cait pull it off...check out her fashion model pose!! (that girl!!)


Confession:
I actually tried to dye my hair the plum color a few weeks ago when a group of us girls went out to 80's night at a local dance place. We had a blast...my hair didn't take the color very well, but it looked cool while it lasted!! (no pics...sorry to disappoint!!) ;o)