Happy 2013!

Oh how I have missed the mental escape that comes with tapping my fingers on a keyboard to share the mundaneness of our simple life, but I hope to be back. We had some computer glitches to which I could post for the last 6 months but I am hopeful. Hopeful for a new start. Hopeful to share the silliness of home and the richness of what my Father continues to teach me. So instead of rehashing the last 6 months, I will share our 2012 highlights: 1- Chad has completed his D Min class work 2- Owen played his first soccer season this past fall and loved it 3- Griffin and Tate shared the soccer field with each other on the same team 4- I have continued to homeschool a now 4th, 2nd, and Kinder 5- Tate's eye sight has strengthened enough to go without a patch, hence putting "pirate Tate to rest" 6- Griffin has celebrated Christmas toothless again! Last year it was his bottom teeth, this year he only wanted his "2 front teeth" -after swallowing one while playing football 7- we visited family in NC, at Hilton Head, and also in Gatlinburg, TN 8- Chad has also finished chapters 1 & 2 of his dissertation!! Woot-woot (3 more to go) 9- most afternoons our yard is the neighborhood hangout where trampoline dodgeball or football take center stage. 10- We spent a wonderful day with Great Grandma Emmie celebrating her birthday- just weeks before her death..

Wrestling for the Goodness

Today was a hard day in our home. I wish I knew what made today harder than normal, but I'd like to think it had something to do with the fact that we all were missing Daddy! Daddy left this morning at 4am to travel with his youth group to minister to children in Haiti for the week. For whatever the reason, the boys were way more aware this year that daddy's presence in our home is gone. Their threshhold of patience with each other was nonexistent and we were just snippy with each other. Ever had those days? I truly prayed this morning for my attitude to be abounding in love, but sad to say, that went to Haiti with Chad;-) Thankfully my sweet Father wrestled me back in line as I read these words:

I am with you, watching over you constantly. I am Emmanuel; My Presence enfolds you in radiant Love. Nothing, including the brightest blessings and the darkest trials can separate you from Me. Some of my children find Me more readily during dark times, when difficulties force them to depend on Me. Others feel closer to Me when their lives are filled with good things. They respond with thanksgiving and praise, thus opening wide the door to My Presence. I know what you need to draw you nearer to Me. GO through each day looking for what I have prepared for you. Accept every event as My hand-trailored provision for your needs. WHen you view life this way, the most reasonable response is to be thankful. Do not reject any of My gifts; find Me in every situation.

So, even after a hard day of transitioning, I'm choosing to be thankful for: -a cool summer day -clean dishes -boys that vaccuum -a safe trip for the Haiti bound -time to quietly study for school next year -teachable moments -picnics by the pool -time of the Living Bread -snuggles with T when the pool is too cold -friends for O and G to play with -learning the frustrations of each child and meeting them where they are -watching a high school soccer game -seeing a girl do a flip throw in (boys thought that was SUPER cool) -grateful hearts -ceiling fans -creamy jalapeno dip -a friend to call and check on me -my willingness to share what I've been wrestling with today I'm learning it's good to wrestle with God. He wants to hear my needs, my admitting short-comings, and my devotion to press on towards His goal-but the process is never fun and easy. At the end of today though, I can say that goodness prevailed! With a grateful heart-

On to Webelos...

THis little man has grown up so much through scouts, and I'm so proud of his accomplishments! He is advancing on to Webelos, which means We Be Loyal Scouts. He is loyal, hard working, and becoming a hambone:-)

At rank advancement they received a new neckerchief(is that a word) and will be getting a tan shirt to go with it.

Griffin's 3rd soccer season

Here is the whole team with Coach Dash, Coach Mike and Coach Austin! Go Wolves!! They had a great season, had fun playing and learned lots about passing as a team and using the whole field.

Griffin loved learning more of the game from Coach Dash. His has a British accent that was super captivating, but more than that he loves soccer and is a great teacher.

These 2 guys had so much fun together on the field. They both worked at passing, assisting, and playing together. Austin's is one of Griffin's best little buddies!

Tate's 1st Soccer Season

This was Tate's 4-5yr old team, minus 3, that he loved playing with this season. Coach Chad and Coach Angela were a great helping guide this team up and down the field.

Getting his 1st trophy was sheer delight for this little athlete!

Cravin' Caving!

The "before" picture all clean

400 feet below ground...loving the mud, darkness, and a group of 10 boys in their element: My favorite one!!

A beautiful underground world:

Tucking it in after a full day...sleeping with the bats...

Owen and I went caving in Chattanooga at Raccoon Mtn this past weekend with his troop. About 20 parents and kids were in our group, and we had a blast. As Owen said at about 200 ft below, "I was born for this!" :-) After 3 hours of army crawling, jumping, climbing, splashing, and looking for bats and salamanders, we climbed out, kind of got cleaned up and set up camp. We got to sleep in the cave and that was really thrilling, but I ain't gonna lie, I was sore the next morning. But memories were made and fun was created...good times!!

B and Phia

B waiting to cheer on Owen

This was B's "little snack" - made Jen and I both laugh:-)

Silly Phia

The best egg hunt...Tate brings me the eggs!