Already #9

Let me repeat myself. AGAIN.

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

Today is Justin David Horton's 9th Birthday. Wow. I would be kidding myself if I said he wasn't SLIGHTLY excited! This kid has done nothing but wish that he was older since the time he realized he actually WAS getting older. Does that make any sense? He has always wanted to be "just" a little older. That comes from having an older brother, who of course, gets to do WAY more fun stuff. As much as I try and convince him that is OK to take things slow, he doesn't listen.

He, thankfully, is still just as lovable as he used to be...MOST of the time, and ONLY in the privacy of our home...his "cool" factor has gone up significantly this year, and he is way more into cool clothes etc., than Jared ever has been. He still wears his emotions on his sleeve though, and is very tenderhearted. Now, if we could just get him to deal with that better, we will be in business! It will come in time...hopefully....before the hormones hit!

Remember when....

AGH! His backpacks was as big as he was!

AND THIS:

Some girl is going to swoon over this cowboy someday. And I will slap her hand and tell her to get away from my beautiful boy. Just kidding. Well, sorta...unless she is respectable...then I might let her. Oh well, I do know that this growing up thing is inevitable...I will have to let him go one day. But for now, he is mine to hug and cuddle...even though HE is almost as tall as I am already!
I love ya buddy! Happy Birthday!

Out of the mouths of babes...

Travis and I have some interesting conversations at lunch time, just the two of us. As most of you know, this kid takes the cake when it comes to story telling, so I never know what I am going to get. Makes life vvvveeerrrryyyy interesting.

Yesterday, I decided to see what he would come up with when asked this:

Me: Hey Trav, if you could get up in the morning and do anything you wanted ALL day, what would it be?

Travis: (Belly laughing) WATCH TV AAAAALLLLLL DAY MOM!

Me: (Mouth hanging open) Seriously, son?

Travis: YUP!

Oh. Boy. I have a 5 year old with no aspirations to do anything but watch TV. Great. I guess we have our work cut out for us, eh?!!?!?!?!? :)

Straight out of Africa...

Well, my mother-in-law has flown the coop...to Africa. Kind of a long way to go to "get away", but let's just say she has gone with a purpose. That purpose would be to visit Hope Children's Home, in Uganda....innnnn....AFRICA. I still CANNOT believe that she is actually there! This is honestly the last place I would have ever expected her to go, but I just have to say that I am really proud of her for going. We were all a little skeptical when she said she was going to go, because she has struggled with certain fears and anxiety in the past, and has always been a little afraid of stepping out of her comfort zone. But, she was determined to overcome those fears with God's help, and by golly, she did! What an amazing testimony to what God can REALLY do when we just step back and let him take the reigns. She really cast all of her fears on him, and he cared for her. Not to say that getting there was a little rough, but hey, she is THERE and from the smile on her face, she seems to be enjoying herself! I am so excited for her and what God is going to do in her through this experience.
Our other dear friend Julie went along as well, and from the looks of this picture and what Rita said on her blog, she seems to have the same effect on kiddos over in Africa that she does here. Seems they flocked to her and have been her constant companions! She is one of our school secretaries and also the infamous "recess" lady...so she is quite at home playing with little ones.

I have the daunting task of "being Julie" while Julie is gone at the school, and let me tell ya, I just don't measure up! They all miss her ALOT!
So, I guess this post is to remind all of you that God can do ANYTHING if you just give him control of your life. I am glad he forgives me when I doubt that he can do that!

Do I REALLY have to reflect about 2009?!?!?

So I have been thinking that maybe I should reflect about 2009 a little...but UGH. I don't wanna. Aside from watching the kids grow and accomplish so much, 2009 can pretty much go on record as being one of the WORST I have ever had.

We have had more than our share of heartache, trials, tribulations, drama, woes...etc, etc, you get the picture.

BUT, throught is all, God has sustained us and provided for us, which, in reality, is all we REALLY need. RIGHT? His Grace and love is more than enough. I know that some days I have struggled to feel that, but when I put my "reflection" hat on, I can see evidence of it woven throughout. It warms my soul. Literally.
I have a lot to be thankful for...a roof over my head, food in my (needs exercise) belly, amazing HEALTHY children, a great hubby.
Here's to hoping that 2010 will be a BIG year of improvement...in my parenting, my faith, my marriage, myselft... and the list goes on and on.

CHEERS and best of luck to you in your goals for 2010!