Sadness and Hope

We have been burdened with sadness and can hardly put into words how we have felt, and are feeling, about the news of Blake's younger brother Brad being diagnosed with cancer. We pray for healing and we cling to the promises of God's holy and perfect Word:

"...according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phillipians 1:20-21

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7

The night before Brad's surgery to have his spleen removed, Blake went to Brad's house to join him and some other family members in prayer. When Blake came home, one of the first things he told me was that Brad said, "I have never been so close to the pearly gates and I couldn't be more excited!" Brad's salvation is real. We could have no greater joy than knowing that in the midst of this terrible time.

We anticipate being with our family during this season like never before as we savor the blessing of one another, celebrate the birth of the One who died so that we could have life, and love on Brad.

Gingerbread Houses

We have had lots of fun with gingerbread...we have made 2 gingerbread houses and 1 lovely gingerbread girl:). Our first attempt at a house was using a kit that came with all the pieces, however, it didn't last too long. We constructed it around mid-morning and after naptime Montana went in the kitchen to check on it(which consisted of tasting the icing, I believe) and I heard a crash. So, we decided to make a little one using graham crackers and a small box as the base to insure the icing could be licked and it wouldn't collapse!!

Our first creation using the kit...good job girls!
Our second "graham cracker" house
Gingerbread girl...Sage begged to eat her and Montana refused to take a bite so she is still standing in our kitchen next to her house.

Decorating gingerbread house #1

So much fun!!

Snow?

Can you see snow flurries in the background? It did snow the first weekend in December but didn't stick at all...it was beautiful to sit inside and watch!!

Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus:)

In an effort to entertain themselves(a pretty good effort, i must say) while we were watching the SEC Championship with Blake's brothers, Montana and Sage pretended to be Mary and Joseph!

Manger Puzzle

I bought this puzzle last year on clearance after Christmas and it's been a hit! Last week when we opened it, Montana did it all by herself while Sage was napping!! She wanted a pic:)

Woops...

I forgot this one. This is Sage's class walking in and getting in their positions...before the meltdown:). Aren't they cute as could be???

A Performance to Remember!

The 2s, 3s, and 4s performed songs they have learned throughout the year since Community Bible Study started in September. I was so excited to see them on stage and see Sage in her first "performance." Well, her sweet friend, Anna showed her where her mommy was and she lost it! I mean lost it! She ruined everyone's video footage with her constant cry for "MOMMA!"...we will look back at the video and laugh for a long time!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving is so overwhelming. God has saved me, given me a husband who never ceases to amaze me(mostly positive), two beautiful, healthy little girls, and family and friends that fill us with love and encouragement way beyond our need! I could go on and on too! We just have so much to be thankful to our Provider for...

As Thanksgiving grew near, we started our trip on Friday before and made it just in time for my nephew, Tristan's, 3rd birthday party! We stayed in Baton Rouge for the weekend and got to go the the LSU game!! I don't have pics from that but here are a few I took at my parents during Thanksgiving week! We kept busy and enjoyed good food and family:).

Turkey cupcakes...hand-crafted by the little ladies
The "big" kids table
Waiting patiently for dinner

This was Tristan's little party Lyn had at my parents...his 3rd party...he was a good boy this year:). We brought back some old birthday party games from our days like drop the clothes pin in the jar.

Aunt Blythe(Stephen's new bride) made this awesome Lightening McQueen cake...so impressive!!

Sage had food in her teeth and it was hilarious...her daddy seems to get food stuck in his teeth frequently so maybe she got the gene;)