One more thing....

Will lost his tooth on Monday night!!! It is his 4th tooth to lose (2nd one on his own). The tooth fairy brought $5. He was very excited!!!

It's Snowing!!!

Look at the fun!!!

I got Will out of school at lunch time today because of the weather. He told me I got the "Best Mom" award because I took him out of school AND he got Chick-fil-A for lunch! I didn't want him to ride the bus home so I picked him up!

"Is it Christmas yet?"

That is the question that comes from Jake's mouth every morning. We're working on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. When asked yesterday what Christmas was, Jake replied "It's when you get presents!" I wanted to crawl in a hole! That is everything I didn't want him to think it was. I have failed as a mother! So...to redeem my parenting skills we had a discussion yesterday about what Christmas was, why we celebrate it, and why we GIVE presents. It was one of my "teaching moments" that we have in the car. Will and Jake listened to me (b/c they had to...they were trapped in the car) and I thought they understood what I was saying. My parenting license was redeemed...so I thought. Last night while working on our family Christmas canvas, the question was asked again, "Why do we celebrate Christmas, boys?" Jake said, "Because we get presents!" I was crushed once again! Then he and Will spit out some "churchy" words where every answer was "God", "Jesus", "Church"....and so forth and so on. What is worse? The "churchy" words that are regurgitated because they know that is the right answer or the "real" feelings they have toward Christmas...that it is when they get presents. Hopefully, by the time Christmas gets here they will UNDERSTAND (in their heart) the true meaning of Christmas...
Until then...they are excited about the presents!

Thanksgiving Miracles!

What are you thankful for?

Jake is Thankful for this...

So very Jake!

Check it out....

My friend, Kris, posted her response to my "Etiquette" question.
Check it out:
www.krisdmurphy.typepad.com

She has some great insight!!!
Wow!!!

Etiquette

Why is it that when someone is going through a difficult situation or loss we want to run the other direction? I believe it is because we have no clue how to respond. What do we say? What do we do?
I've decided to start collecting information from friends who have dealt with significant loss or difficult situation. What would have helped them? What could people have said? What should you NOT say? What should you NOT do?
So, maybe I'll know how to be a better friend. Maybe I'll know how to truly "Love Thy Neighbor". Isn't that what we are called to do?

Here are our husbands at the Wedding Celebration...not quite as fun for them but they were good sports.

By The Way...

Just wanted you to know that soccer season is officially over. The boys now have their trophies and our Saturdays are going to be much calmer (well, maybe not with the holidays approaching but we can always dream!).

Jake wasn't able to go to his soccer party last Sunday night because he threw up the night before. We had a "make up" soccer party as a family Wednesday night. He was able to pick what we ate for dinner and we went out for a special dessert (Baskin Robbins) that night.

Will's party was Tuesday night (at Village Grill...our favorite restaurant in Highland Village which we go to way too often). We had a great time but he threw up after the party and was unable to go to school the next day. Aren't you glad you know that info?

Anyway, the boys both had a great season, won most of their games, and made great friends in the mean time!

Old Memories....

Sophomore Year



















Freshman Year (me, Kami, Robin, & Eileen)



Ok...last night got me reminiscing about college (especially my roommates) so I thought I would post these pictures....

Eileen: I met Eileen the first day of school. I went into her room to introduce myself because she was next door to me on the 5th floor in Collins. She thought I was crazy. We went to eat at the Student Union Building. On the way there, I greeted everyone we passed. She asked if I knew them and I told her no. She really thought I was crazy!! We became great friends. She didn't forget I was crazy but embraced it. Eileen went on to be my roommate my sophomore year and then for 2 years after college. She taught me how to be responsible and how to be a good friend. She now lives in The Woodlands with her husband, Jay, and their two precious baby girls, Mary & Kate.

Kami: I met Kami through Eileen. Kami was the reason Eileen was at Baylor (they had met in High School while Kami lived in Marin County, California...long but cool story). Kami was so much fun and was as boy crazy as I was (which I didn't think was possible)! We were great friends and also lived together my sophomore year. She was an "unofficial tri delta" and I still think some DDD's thought she actually was a member. Kami taught me so much. She taught me to endure through all things, to be strong, and to have fun!!! She now lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Jim, and their two beautiful children, Jackson and Katie.

Fall Festival and Julie's "Wedding Celebration"

Hopefully not a picture of things to come in their future....















Jake with Olivia...Is she not the cutest???















Me, Kami, & Eileen

So, today was exhausting but fun. It started at 7:45am when I headed to set up for Will's school Fall Festival at the Pumpkin Patch. I was on the "Games & Prizes Committee" (thank you Sara and Angie!). It was FREEZING COLD!! I had 3 layers on plus gloves and a scarf (ok, Melissa...I know it is colder in Iowa but that is why I live in Texas!!).

The Festival started at 11am and it was a great success. The kids had a blast and it was fun seeing everyone.

After cleaning up the pumpkin patch, I got home around 3:30pm. I immediately jumped in the bath (hoping to relieve my aching feet and back) and then got dressed. Julie (my pledge sister from Baylor) got married (eloped) in September and she had her "Wedding Celebration" tonight. Eileen and Kami (college roommates and dear friends) were there too! It was fun seeing them!! I also saw lots of sorority sister and other Baylor Alumni (didn't remember too many names, though...which I blame on lost brain cells due to giving birth to two children!). Jeffrey was TOTALLY bored but did enjoy the 80's cover band (which was great...we need to go to Ft. Worth sometime to hear them again!!).

Birthday Slide Show

Life After 40

Just wanted you to know..."there is life after 40", and Jeffrey knows that now. Here is a picture of our family "camp out" (well, more of a 1 1/2 hour hike + smore cooking + 6 hour drive + junk eating + Jake puking excursion). More pictures to follow!

Does God live at La Madeline?

I know that is a funny question but...I really think He does. I know he lives everywhere but He sure does bless me there. Do you have a place where you feel close to God? For my husband, that is the mountains. For me, if I can get to the mountains...God is definitely there however, the mountains are far away. La Madeline is where God is to me in the MOST tangible way. I know that sounds crazy but amazing things have happened to me at La Madeline.

1. I met Steve Ferrar there. He is a writer who wrote some amazing books and really made an impact on how my husband treats me and my kids. I was able to thank Steve for letting God use him.
2. I've held bible studies there. There were some amazing "real" times where we struggled with whether or not we believe God is who He says He is.
3. I've had countless lunches there with friends where God has blessed the conversations. You know those good conversations where you laugh and cry together? I love those!!!
4. I've watched other women study the bible there and encourage one another there from afar.
5. I've had some of the sweetest prayer times with God there.
6. I've learned so much about God during my studying there.
7. I've had a date with Will there. What a precious time!
8. I met an amazing godly woman named Helen Hosier there. She was the sweet lady I met yesterday who saw me studying my bible and asked if she could sit down beside me. Of course, I welcomed her and enjoyed talking to her. She has written over 60 books and blessed me with our conversation.

So, God meets me at La Madeline. I really feel like it is an annointed place (not to mention the food and iced tea bless my tummy!). It is my place where I can be alone with him and He can meet my needs. I long to be there more than anywhere else on this earth because He is there. I don't say that to be preachy or holier than thou. I NEED Him and He is there. I really don't think it is really La Madeline but it is my quiet place amongst all the chaos where I can rest in Him. Where is your La Madeline?