Operation Christmas Child

In common-day America we hear and say things like, "I'm broke" or "I'm just trying to make ends meet."  What we don't realize is that we are SO blessed! Do you have running water in your house?  Do you own a car?  A house?  A tv?  If you answered "yes," then you are one of the richest people in the world.  Francis Chan points it out so well in his book Crazy Love (a book that I highly recommend):

"Because we don’t usually have to depend on God for food, money to buy our next meal, or shelter, we don’t feel needy. In fact, we generally think of ourselves as fairly independent and capable. Even if we aren’t rich, we are “doing just fine.”
If one hundred people represented the world’s population, fifty-three of those would live on less than $2 a day. Do you realize that if you make $4,000 a month, you automatically make one hundred times the average person on this planet? Simply by purchasing this book, you spent what a majority of people in the world will make in a week’s time.
Which is more messed up—that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we are rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves “broke” or “poor”? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich."

By no means am I trying to say that you aren't having a hard time right now.  Each of us is guaranteed struggles in this life.  What I am suggesting is that if each of us can think of others above ourselves (Romans 12:10), we will want to help those in need just like Christ did.  God cares for you and the burdens you are carrying.  He wants to carry them for you if you will only trust Him:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  - 1 Peter 5:6-7

I have a huge desire to create traditions for our family and want to teach Lucas what it means to serve others.  We decided that we are going to get involved with Operation Christmas Child.  It's such a great opportunity to bless a child that doesn't know what it means to receive a ton of toys at Christmas.  It's so easy too:  You simply take a shoe box, designate it for a boy or girl, fill it with gifts (they even give you recommendations), include a note letting them know you are praying for them and $7 for shipping and then drop it off at a location near you.  This is a tangible way to show a child around the world the love of God!  They even have a cool way to track where your box goes!  What a great opportunity to remember the many ways God has blessed you and share those blessings with a child in need!

There's only 1 week left to pack a shoe box for a child around the world, so let's get moving!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.    -Romans 12:9-13

It's the little things

So we made a purchase that I had to share with you.  You may roll your eyes when I tell you what it is, but we think it rocks!  Drum roll, please....we bought a water cooler.  Michael is sure that drinking tap water is going to give us cancer (ok, he simply brought up the fact that tap water has a lot of icky stuff in it) and Graham has a Twice the Ice machine that has UV filtered water that tastes oh-so-good, so we decided to bite the bullet and buy a water cooler. 

We found one at our local Wal-Mart that was inexpensive (and when I say inexpensive, I mean in the water-cooler world).  It fit nicely next to our washer and dryer in the laundry room, right off the kitchen. 

Oh, and did I mention that it dispenses super cold OR hot water?!?  Suddenly, making a cup of hot Constant Comment tea is so quick.  No longer do I have to wait that 90 seconds to heat tap water in the microwave.  :)  You may be thinking, couldn't you make hot tea in Michael's Keurig?  Yes, I could.  But then it would taste like coffee tea and that's not a flavor that I'm a fan of. 

We are all drinking more water (which is a great thing).  In fact, in one week we've already gone through a 5 gallon bottle.  Lucas is a big fan of the water cooler.  He likes to take his cup and set it under the dispenser and say, "I do it, Mommy."  Mr. Independent.  And dont' worry, the hot water button has a lock so that he can't use it.  We can even disable the hot water altogether with the switch of a button. 

We really like our recent purchase.  Are there any items in your home that you are enjoying or just make life easier?  It really is the little things...

Carter & Hudsy

After much excitement, precious Carter & Hudson (who Lucas calls Hudsy) made their 6-week early debut!  Christen found out she had pre-eclampsia, so the doctors decided it was time for those babies to come into the world.  God was so gracious to allow everything to go well.  Hudsy was 5 pounds, 10 ounces and Carter was 5 pounds, 2 ounces.  Not bad for 6 weeks early, huh?  They both stayed in the NICU for a couple weeks and Christen had to return to the hospital too.  It has been a dramatic time, but I'm glad to report that everyone is at home together now.  I had the pleasure to go stay with them last weekend and I have to tell you, these are some handsome boys!  Sweet babies too.  I'm a very proud aunt, but there's none prouder than Chase & Christen (ok...maybe Grammy & P-Daddy)...

Precious brothers!

Nap time

Carter Bear

Hudsy

Beautiful Mommy with her boys

Fun times with Grandpa, Gigi & Aunt Stephie

Grandpa, Gigi and Aunt Stephie came to visit from Houston for Lucas' 2nd birthday! He had so much fun with them!!!  He especially liked getting a new T-ball set, bas-eht-ball hoot, and books. 

Playing with the stuffed Ty toys Memaw sent

Lucas really likes to read!

Reading Chica Chica Boom Boom with Aunt Stephie.  This book was only upstaged by the book, Where's the Poop?

Gigi was chasing Lucas but...



Grandpa saved him!

Riding the horsey Gigi brought

Where's Lucas?

Lucas loves his Grandpa!

And Grandpa loves him!

Fun with Gigi

Sharing sweet kisses with his Gigi!

Bear with me...

Hello few faithful and patient followers!  First things first...yes, I broke my New Year's Resolution to create one blog each month but let's be honest...who actually keeps New Year's Resolutions? 

I love blogs.  I enjoy reading them anyway.  I don't know if it's a lifelong case of writer's block or the fact that everytime I sit down to compile something, I feel like what I have to say isn't that important.  But then I realize that many of you are simply friends wanting to hear about life, see photos of our adorable (sorry, I'm a bit biased) son and share everyday moments.

One of the blogs I enjoy reading offered advice on creating a great blog.  She said to write like you are talking to your sister.  Well, both of my sisters are tons of fun so we talk about all sorts of things.  I think I can totally do this...so here goes:

Our Lucas turned 2 at the end of July and we partied hard!  Grandpa, Gigi and Aunt Steph came to see me as well as our very-pregnant-with-twins Aunt Chrissy.  We had a Toy Story party at the park with several highlights:  balloons, great friends, bubbles, rock-angels and (save the best for last) CUPCAKES! 

Making Rock-Angels

Lucas has really started talking and repeating most of what he hears.  Recently, we were watching a Bible video about Moses and Lucas said, "Gog ket baby Mosek sate in baskek."  Translation: God kept baby Moses safe in the basket.  It warms my heart to hear Lucas learning about God and Jesus.  He has such a sweet spirit and we are so thankful that the Lord would bless us with this precious gift! 

Lucas has really started to sing a lot!  Some of his favorite songs are If You're Happy and You Know It, Jesus Loves Me, ABCs, This Is the Day, Jesus Loves the Little Children and My God is SO Big.  He also likes sports A LOT.  He and his daddy have enjoyed great bonding over the return of college football, the Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys (although it's difficult to enjoy the Cowboys here lately).  Whatever his daddy yells, he repeats:  "Touchdown," "touchdown!" "Backwards," "backwards!" "Home Run," "home run!"  Lucas loves his daddy and likes doing what daddy does.  Golf is still #1 in Lucas' mind though.  His Grammy and P-Daddy gave him a set of clubs for his birthday and he has gotten great use out of them already.  Anything with the word "ball" in the name is a hit with my boy. 

In my new hat Uncle Skeegs & Aunt Lindsey gave me.

Lucas is starting to spell a little too.  He can spell his name, "stop," and "exit."  He likes the ABCs a lot and came name all the letters with their sounds and counts to 11.  He loves to learn!

My favorite thing, however, are the sweet hugs and kisses Lucas shares.  He is such a love.  Oh, and I really love when he laughs real hard, scrunches his nose and covers his mouth with his hands.  Too. Precious.  My heart couldn't be more full.

Ok...so now some random things I would share with my sisters:

• Lucas and I went to a special reading time at the library this week which ends with a craft.  At our table was a mom and her two kiddos (both with beautiful blond hair).  The older child worked meticulously on their craft and I encouraged, "Great job!"and asked, "How old are you?" to which the child responds, "Four."  I replied, "Wow!  You're a big girl!"  Mom chimes in, "No, he's a boy."  Gulp...wow.  He had some of the prettiest blond hair with ringlets I have ever seen.  And, cut me some slack, it was down to his mid-back.  After apologizing and complimenting her son's lovely hair, I justified myself on the ride home by thinking, "that hair WAS really long..."
• I guess I'm growing in wisdom because I found 4 white hairs on my head last night!  I tweezed them out and thought, "Ugh!  There's another!"  After violently trying to pull the 5th one out, I realized it was actually one of the previously mentioned white hairs that had simply fallen from the tweezers back in my hair.  Now not only do I have white hairs, but my eyes are getting bad...

Wow, after writing such a lengthy blog, I guess I can do this.  Thanks for sticking with me!  Until next time (very soon, I promise). 

I made it!

So wow...looks like it's been a year since my last post. After many of you "encouraged" me to start blogging again, I decided to make it my New Year's resolution. I resolve to blog at least once each month. I'm telling you that so that you don't get crazy and expect a new blog every week. Geez, it's been a year. You know I've got to take baby steps getting back into this whole blog thing. It's January 31st, so I'm proud that I made it!

We have been so blessed this past year. Lucas will be 18 months next week and it feels like I was just pregnant with him. He is full of life and laughter. Some of his favorite things to do are:
- Spin in circles and get very dizzy
- Read books
- Run
- Laugh with Mommy and Daddy while jumping on the bed (just Lucas jumping, not us) ;)
- Sing songs
- Drum
- Play basketball or spike his football (although any ball will do)
- Loves giving hugs and kisses
- Clap for himself but will turn to make sure you join in with him
- Likes to identify animals and then make their sounds (especially the lion and elephant)

We are so grateful for God's grace and love and the joy that He gives us through this little gift. Michael is starting up with golf season and will travel with the teams most of the spring. We sure miss Daddy when he's gone, but it makes our times together even more precious!

Here are a few photos from the past year...I know, I'm rolling my eyes at myself too...