Happy birthday, Micah!

 

Happy birthday, Mighty Micah!  We are so thankful to have you in our family, and to call you our son.  Every day, you make us so proud, bring us such joy, and show others your caring heart.  It is a delight to be your mommy.  May God richly bless and keep you as you continue to grown into a man who loves the Lord.

Run, Daddy!!!

This past Sunday, the kids and I watched as Curtis crossed the finish line in his first half marathon.  More significantly then that, we watched him work hard towards his goal, push through and injury, not give up, and obtain a goal that he'd set for himself.  

 

 The above picture was taken after we arrived to the race location, shortly after I explained the term, "crack of dawn" to the kiddos.  Curtis and I got our day started at 5am and by 6am all six of us were bundled up, heading to the starting line.

Curtis had been training with a group of people who were also racing in the Armadillo Dash.  They all wore shirts from our local running store, Brazos Running.  His shirt happened to match the Brazos running shirt I already had!  Don't we look cute in our matching shirts?!

 The kids were so excited to cheer their Daddy on!  I gather several different ideas for posters, and the day before the race, the kids and I made the signs, with help from a friend.  Making posters seems like such a simple gesture, but it really gave the kids a way to be involved and feel like an encouragement to Curtis.

 The call came for the 1/2 marathon runners to line up, and the kids and I headed to the stands to see him off.

 After we saw him start, we headed to the car to warm up, eat breakfast and kill some time.  On our way to the finish line, we had a moment to pose with an armadillo.  Who wouldn't want to take advantage of that?!

 

 At the beginning of his training, Curtis was hoping to run the 1/2 in just under 2 hours.  Just a few weeks into training, his calf started giving him some problems.  He had to back off his training, causing him to feel like he wouldn't be able to break 2 hours.  So the kids and I lined up, hoping to see him cross that finish line in less than two hours....

 AND HE DID!!!  His official time was 1 hour 55 minutes 18 seconds!!!

I'm so very proud of Curtis and this accomplishment!  I admire his diligence and hard work.

Notice my shirt change?  I had a friend help me make a shirt that said, "My husband can run 13.1, can yours?"  Curtis had seen it on line, but I convinced him we wouldn't be able to get it in time and that it was way to expensive.  I surprised him at the finish line, wearing it.  The plan is that he'll have a similar shirt when I finish my first half marathon.

Gulp.

Spooky Story: by Timothy

"Want to hear a spooky story?" my snuggly three year old sweetly asked.  When I confirmed that I did indeed want to hear a spooky story, he put his little flashlight under his chin and began, "Once upon a time there were three brother.  Their names were Micah, Benjamin and Timothy.  Their names were Batman.  And they traveled to sand castles.  In the sand castle was an evil witch with a blue diamond."

The end

Not really.... here's another

"Once upon a time there were two boy names mommy and Timothy.  And their names were Spiderman and Bathman.  And they traveled to an evil dessert where there were green guys.  And they fought the green guys and the green guys died.  Then there was an evil queen with a diamond.  And they killed the queen."

The end

He's still going around, telling various spooky stories to anyone who will listen.  

Everything I need

"... And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you." Exodus 31:6

This year, for the third (or maybe fourth) year in a row, I'm doing a One Year Bible.  Maybe this will be the year I make it to March before I get so behind I quit.  So far, so good!! 

Today, as I was sitting outside Scotty's House, reading the Word, I came across the above verse.  God had just finished giving Moses the Ten Commandments as well as instructions for the building of the ark, the ark of testimony, the mercy seat, furnishings, clothing, and more.  I've spent several days reading through all the details that had been recorded about these items.  And I was struck with two thoughts.  #1 Why is this included in the Word?  #2 Wow!  This must have been a big deal and a lot of work.

When I read the above verse, I was struck with how God asked so much of His people, yet provided them everything they would need, down to the ability of the men, to make the things He'd required of them.

And then I was reminded that God has given ME the ability for every task he's set before me.  Even during the times when I feel overwhelmed, unsure of myself, uncertain of how God will use me, I can see that He has and will continue to equip me with the abilty for every good work.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

How blessed I was this morning to be reminded that I am equipped for EVERY good work.  Whether it's being a one car family, homeschooling, taking care of three extra kids, making a meal for another family, being a loving wife... I am equipped!

It's much easier to face the day when you remember that. 

2012: Another Year with Mr. Right

 It's lame and cheesy and cliche... but it's also my blog, so I can be lame and cheesy when I say that Curtis is absolutely the love of my life, and my very best friend.  2012 could have ruined us.  But it didn't.  Just like unplanned pregnancies, the death of a parent, getting married too young, having children with major medical problems, financial woes, and depression didn't ruin us.  By the grace of God, and because my husband is a faithful, good man, we are stronger and more in love than ever!  I'm so thankful that he was by my side as we walked through the trials of 2012.  I'm also glad that he was by my side for....

 ...celebrating silly made up holidays like Valentine's day with a smile on his face, even though I make a way bigger deal out of that silly holiday than he would like.

...rejoicing in our children's birth and God's grace in giving them another year.

... physical challenges.  He knows how hard to push me, to help me achieve my goals, while encouraging when when I feel like a failure.

 ... worship.  I'm proud of the man of God that he is and the way he leads our family in worship.

 ... fun nights out!

 ... sunsets and sunrises.

 ... moments of family fun, like blowing our diets to eat donuts with our kids.

 ... dancing, something new we tried in 2012, and love doing together!

... celebrating special occasions with friends, and having moments to remember how far we've come.

 ... my first time away from all 4 kids.

... purchasing our second house, and making it into a home.

Here's to another fun filled year with the love of my life!

2012: Party Time

I love parties!  I especially love planning and throwing parties for four of my favorite people, my kiddos.  2012 was a good year for parties!

In February, Timothy turned 2.  His party was a Bobo (sock monkey) party, celebrating his love for his favorite stuffed animal.  I enjoy thinking outside of the box, challenging myself with new themes, and a Bobo party was a perfect challenge.  I chose bright colors, accented with a few sock monkeys, and picked monkey themed food (monkey bread, banana muffin, and donut holes that I wanted to call monkey balls, but Curtis wouldn't let me).  The kiddos made their own sock puppets, blew bubbles, and just had fun with each other.

In March, Micah turned six, and requested a science party.  My mom and I had so much fun getting ideas for favors, experiments and decorations.  Hooray for Pintrest!!  Micah really got into the role of scientist, making an adorable "scientist face" for pictures.  Micah and I built a volcano, which we blew up at the party.  We had lab coats and goggles for all the party goers, and had a blast making slime, oobleck and lava bottles.  For the finale of the party, we made Diet Coke geysers!  Our little Aggie Scientist had a great day!

In May, Agent 005, Benjamin, turned 5.  For this Secret Spy party, I got to stretch my party planning abilities to come up with activities for all the spies attending his party.  We started out the party by fingerprinting all the agents, then having them go to the disguise station.  Once all spies were accounted for, we began spy training, which consisted of working through a laser field, marshmallow shooting, and bomb containment.  After snacks, the spies received their mission, and put all their training to work.  The party ended when the spies found the stash of cash ($100 bill pinata).  My parents were especially helpful in creating the mission for the little spies.

And finally, in June, I got to put all my girly party planning to use when Elizabeth turned 8.  She requested an Alice in Wonderland tea party.  My favorite part of her party was her!!  Some friends had a precious Alice costume, which they let us borrow.  Using Alice's dress for inspiration, the main colors for the party were a bright blue with red accents.  The theme was fun, sweet and whimsical!  The lovely ladies decorated top hats for the tea party, enjoyed sweet and fruit with their tea, then headed outside for a game of croquette.

Party planning is a hobby for me.  I enjoy taking something my kids love, and giving them a memorable day.  My desire is that they can see in a tangible way how much I love them! 

Happy birthday, Timothy!

Today we celebrated Timothy's 3rd birthday.  I can't believe that my last baby is three!!

What an amazing, crazy, scary, whirlwind day it was when Timothy joined out family.  The above pictures isn't even taken on his birthday!  It was taken the day after, in the wee hours of the morning.  Curtis was sleep deprived and trying to juggle care for our other kids, making sure I was doing okay, and visiting our preemie in the NICU.  Though Timothy's birthday wasn't anything we have wanted, The end result was the same.  The day he was born, we knew he completed our family.

 

First birthdays are big in our family!!  And after a crazy birth, a birth defect, a cleft lip repair, and just the general craziness that life as a family of six had brought, we were ready to celebrate!!  Timothy fun, sweet spirit was a delight to many.

 As a new 2 year old, Timothy loved his Bobo (a sock monkey) and we had a blast celebrating his second birthday with friends at a Bobo Party.  I love two year old boys for a couple reasons.  #1, I know that once 2 1/2 rolls around, we're in for some adventurous and challenging times.  But the main reason I love two year olds is because you can see, sometimes for some of the first times, the kind of person your child is becoming.  And I really loved 2 year old Timmy.

And now, today, we celebrate our little boy's birth.  He's continues to be a sweet whirlwind in our lives, continuing to make our family feel full and complete.  Though there are times I don't know what to do with him, there is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't know what to do without him in our lives.

Happy birthday, sweet boy!  May you continue to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men!

2012: The year of the runner

While 2012 will probably always be remembered as the year was found ourselves being investigated by CPS, and navigating the horrible waters of having a child sexually molested, there were, of course many bright spots.

And, even though it's the end of January, I'm going to do some themed posts about what I loved about 2012.  Because God is good.  God is faithful.  And we're still standing!!!!

2012 was the year I really fell in love with running.  Curtis has always been a runner.  I remember when we would have fights during our courtship or engagement, he would run off the stress and frustration that he was feeling towards me.  And to this day, when I can tell that he's getting a little cranky, I'll tell him, "Go on a run, and come home happy, please."  Works like a charm.

Since Curtis was already an avid runner, it's no surprise that he started our Year of the Runner off with a bang, completing the first, the longest, and the most challenging race.  The Tough Mudder.

Once I was sure that he would live through this accomplishment, I suddenly found myself drawn to these mud runs that I knew nothing about.  So, I signed up for a Warrior Dash.  The day didn't go at all as I was expecting, but I did it!!

As the weather warmed up, my running slowed down.  All my memories of running in the late spring and early summer are memories of me trying to run away from my problems, talking with God, crying out to God for help.  I'm continually amazed by how God allows us to cry out to Him, and thankful that I found that opportunity in running.

Since my sister, Shannon, had just come home from Austrailia, and my other sister, Megan, and I were all going to be in Kansas at the same time for the first time in 18 months, we decided to do a 5K to commimerate the event.  We even had shirts made.

This 5K wasn't about our time.  It was about my sisters and I having the opportunity to do something together.  And I had a blast!

At the beginning of the school year, there was a shooting here in College Station.  For our quiet community, it was quite a shock.  As only a quiet little community can, we rallied together for a Family Fun Run.  Our entire family participated in the 1 mile run, which happened to my our kiddos' first experience running a race.

Though Benjamin quickly learned that he does not have a love for running, it was a fun time for our family, and a great cause.

Later in the fall, Curtis conquered ANOTHER Tough Mudder.  Seriously, the man is a beast!

And on a lighter, more colorful note, I participated in a Color Run.  Seriously, it's the most fun you'll ever have when running.

It was a GREAT running year for Curtis and I!!  But last year has nothing on 2013.  Here's what we have on our calendar for 2013.

On March 3rd, Curtis will compete his first even half marathon (without mud :-)) as he runs in the Armadillo Dash.

On March 23rd, I will run in the Girls Just Want To Have Fun 5K.  I'm excited for this race because though it will be fun, I've set a time goal for myself, and intend to run the entire course.

On April 13th, Curtis and I will race together, along with several friends, in the Fightin' Texas Mud Run, the first local mud run.

We don't have anything else officially on our plates again till the fall.  Then, I start to work towards my goal of running a half marathon, on December 8th.  The BCS Marthon/Half Marathon has a couple races leading up to the half, which I plan on participating in.  There will be a 10K on September 28th, a 10 mile race on November 2nd, all leading up to the half marathon.

And rumor has it, that Curtis and I, along with his college room mate, Daniel, will be doing a Tough Mudder in October.  We'll see if I feel like squeezing that in, along with all the other races I'll be doing.

Here's to a healthy, fast, injury free 2013, full of new adventures in racing!