any guesses?

Can you guess which room this could be?  Room update in process...

Missions Monday - Lowthorps

I do not think you have to go abroad to be on the mission field. I think it is actually harder to minister to people in our own back yard than across the world.  I know I have done both. 
Our really good friends, the Lowthorps have become missionaries in the town of Georgetown.  They gave up their two-story house to move into a local apartment community to become a CARES team.  They are the hands and feet to the apartment community.  Any time a new person moves into the community, they welcome them.  Each month, they host various fellowships, outreaches and various events to create a community within the apartment complex.  This past month, Pam collected clothes so the children could have a back-to-school clothes swap.  They host monthly events for the single moms including free babysitting.  I think it would be an amzing opportunity for a young married couple, although they do it with their two children.  I love to see what they are doing each month and get updates b/c we are on their prayer team.  I am so blessed to call you friends!!

Thanks Cameron

Cameron and Kayla gave LE a tea set to paint. It was the first thing we did when we got home Monday night. Unfortunately, we cannot wash it or the paint comes off, but LE soon figured out that just means she gets to repaint it. Thank you for our special keepsake.

three princesses

birthday dinner

LE got to choose where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner, was it any surprise we spent the evening at Chuck E. Cheese? If you have not signed up for their e-mail specials you should. We got a large one topping pizza for $10 and 22 tokens b/c it was her birthday. Can't beat that for birthday dinner? Happy Birthday Sweet girl!!

imaginations

I walked into the hall to discover the girls playing with their dollhouse furniture on the floor. I asked the girls why they were not playing in their house - "They are on vacation and this is the hotel."

back to school weekend

This past weekend was back to school weekend at church. All of the elementary kids come into the sanctuary and sing. Then, Pastor Joe prays over the children and all of the teachers, school staff and administration. He also prayed for all of the homeschooling families. Out of all the children, I actually they led LE right into where I was taking photos, so I got to see her praising.

first day of homeschool

Last night was our first official night of homeschool. We are going to do school when Daddy gets off work for the time being, b/c we want Daddy to be a teacher too. For the first 10 days, we will be learning about creation and each day learn about what God created. On day 1, we learned God created the light and separated the day from the night. We cut out a number 1 and began making a time line. We also "illustrated" a picture for our creation book of what the separation looked like. Then, we played games with the letters A&B's. LE already knows her letters and sounds, so she helped Bella learn about the letters and the sounds they make. It was a great night. It was a really fun night. We are all so excited about this new journey.

Missions Monday - Cristina

This is my sweet friend, Cristina who so graciously opened her home to Merissa and I while we were in Bucharest last fall.  When we were there she told us about one day wanting to be married, but knew if that was what God wanted it would happen in his time.  Since we left she has met the man of her dreams, a missionary to China.  They are getting married this November and are preparing to leave next week for China.  Please lift her up in prayers.  Romania has a much better relationship with China than the states as it was once a Communist country.  Romanian missionaries are better received.  I know she is excited about the new chapter in her life and I know God has amazing things for this couple!

the gifts

LE got some great gifts for her birthday. Thank you everyone for thinking of her. She said it was her favorite part of the party, I mean what 5 year old would not say that?!

lego creations

Our first lego creations - Bella- a red convertible, Le - a house, Daddy - Slave One. Did you have any doubts?

tea party

We celebrated LE's 5th birthday on Gigi and PopPop's back porch with our family.  According to LE, it was fantastic.  She chose the theme, decorations, invitations, cake, and drinks.  It was very low key as my mom collects tea pots and made all of the desserts.  I went to the local resale shops and found tea cups & saucers - 50 cents each for the children guests.  I filled the teacups with ring pops and candy necklaces for favors.  We made pink cupcakes and cake, pink lemonade, chocolate covered strawberries and sugar cookie wands.  It was a fantastic party.

I'm 5 today!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
We love you so much!
-Daddy and Mommy

lego store

The lego store has opened at a nearby mall and the RFF could not be more excited. We already have made one trip for family night. Each of the girls and Daddy got their first kits. There is an 8-foot tall Buzz Lightyear and a Woody too. There is a wall of legos for the diehards who have had that little piece sucked up by Mom's vaccuum (no names being mentioned)

ears pierced

As a child, I did not get my ears pierced until I learned to read, that was my "reward". In all honesty, I just wanted the girls to decide when they were old enough if they wanted their ears pierced. It is super cute on babies I know, but there was never any doubt my girls were girls as babies, so that was not a reason. I remember it being a big deal when I was big enough to go with my mom to the jeweler and pick out my earrings, I wanted the girls to have that same experience. A few months back, when LE was beginning to learn to read, she brought it up and asked if she could have her ears pierced. Granny found out and asked if she could take her to have them done. Last weekend, we were in Kerrville and Gran met us at the mall and told LE her birthday surprise. LE was ecstatic, that is until she got ready to have them done. Needless to say, it was not the experience I dreamed about sharing with my girls, but we got one ear pierced. We actually had to leave the store b/c of the tears and go back later with Daddy. Daddy makes everything better and we now have to ears pierced. When LE saw the pics of her crying, she asked me to not show anyone. So here are her before and after shots. Let's just say, I am pretty sure Bella will wait until she is a teen before she has her's done. Guess, I see why mommies take their infants in for the process so early.

Missions Monday - Staubers

Our really good friends, the Staubers are now the pastors of Celebration XaiXai in Africa.  Almost 2 years ago, I got to see the ground being prepared for the church and yesterday the church opened it's doors to the community of XaiXai, Mozambique.  I wish we could have been there, but I know it is in great hands with Mel and Diane and their kids, Rachel and Matthew.  Please pray for them as they continue on this journey.  Pray for their strength, comfort, and protection and His favor.  We love you guys!  BLESSINGS!

Silver Sneakers certified

I just passed my first class for certification to teach Silver Sneakers at the gym.  Silver Sneakers is the senior's exercise classes.  I can teach the muscular strength and range of motion class.  I have to practice teach and co-teach for a couple of weeks, then I can earn my own class.   Tomorrow morning, I will take the Silver Splash which is water aerobics and the cardio circuit which is the advanced class. 

Missions Monday - Momzilla

This is one of my favorite blogs to read - http://sandrachesterman.blogspot.com/.  Last month, she blogged a very open-hearted entry about the finanical hard times that missionaries are going through.  Actually, it is what gave me the idea for Missions Monday.  She is an incredible Mom and the lady who chose me to pass out the thousands of presents at the Christmas party in Swaziland.  It is one of the highlights of my life and to think she gets to see these faces every day.  I would love to see her bank account increase because of this entry, but if nothing more will you stop what you are doing right now and pray for her.  Pray for her finances, her protection, encouragement, rest, joy, and all of the children she impacts daily.

Happy Birthday Mr. House

We recently were invited to celebrate Mr. House's 100th birthday.
We moved into the house next door in 1978, and it is hard to believe we have known him for over 30 years.
In his 70's he was still riding a motorcycle for transportation. He swam the Guadalupe River daily for exercise, ran daily and had a wash-board stomach that would make a 20 yr old jealous (yes, he was oftern shirtless in his backyard). He has been such an inspiration to me personally on so many levels. He is an amazing man of God first and foremost. His Bible is open on his kitchen table almost every time you walk in his front door. He spends every Sunday with his family (after church). He was still going to youth retreats well into his 80's and possibly early 90's. He still co-leads a Men's Bible Study. His is in great shape and it wasn't until about 5 years ago that I ever knew him to be sick and that was b/c he had to have knee surgery - AT 95. We are so blessed to know Mr. House. He is a true blessing and example to us all.

Gigi visit

I am not sure how Landry talked her into it, or how Ben was able to get pictures of it, but Gigi jumped on the trampoline. She was in town for a conference and stayed with us over the weekend.  Bella was too worn out to jump. 

tori box - update

The girls and I finished our box last night.  We had to buy a pkg of 18 wash clothes, extra bars of soap & toothbrushes, so if you make a box let me know and you can have some of our extras.  The total cost was less than $30 (I opted for a little more expensive doll).  We purchased all of our items from Wal-Mart.  We aleady had stickers, so that is not included in the cost.  Let me know if you are in our area and we can split shipping costs.

Missions Monday

I am going to begin blogging about some incredible people doing incredible things for the Lord.  I hope to share with you a missionary every Monday, but not sure I know 52 ministries, so will share as I can.
With the economic times as they are, missionaries and non-profits are getting hit hard.  Children's Cup based out of Louisiana is no different, and unfortunately the ones who are suffering are the children.  This amazing organization feeds thousands of kids each day.  They are raising up the next generation of children orphaned by AIDS in war-torn areas such as Mozambique.  As I blogged about last month, they are accepting Tori boxes for the children to return to school with and scholarships for the children - tuition, books and uniforms for $150. 

early birthday present

 We had been looking at getting LE a trampoline for her birthday this year since we finally have a big enough yard. On July 4th, our really good friends, the Flowers called and offered us a free trampoline. It needed to have a bar welded, but other than that was in great condition. PawPaw had it fixed for us and it has already become our favorite past time.