I am thankful for another wonderful Thanksgiving week that the Lord allowed us to enjoy. Everyone was safe, healthy and here. You never know when it may your last with someone. So thankful for all the memories. God is good!
Kirsten is in nursing school and we are so proud of her. She loves the boys so much and they really love her. She had a "project" for the boys to help her with. They were all excited and love to feel "important".
She had these developmental things she had to do with a 5 year old, a cute little one was chosen, indeed. Then, she had to teach a child how to properly scrub in. Thus, a cute little 7 year old to fill the spot. She had to take pics of EVERY step and she has to do some kind of photo album thing. Anyway, I won't bore you with all the pics but guess what one of Houston's tasks were? To draw a person! Boy, have we had practice with that lately!ha(see previous posts for all his artistic ability). This time, he did follow directions and only drew "a person" not two little boys. This one was kind of big and round and I think he may have been drawing me due to all the pound cake and stuff I've eaten this week.ha
Levi did a great job also by following all the steps of proper hand washing. Who knew it took all that scrubbing? And this whole time I thought the boys were so healthy from all the germs they keep on their hands and have become immune to.ha They definitely have enjoyed the last few days with friends and family. There is no telling how many yards those little legs have ran while playing.
Proper sneezing and coughing during flu season.
Scrub, Scrub, Scrub.
WE LOVE YOU KIR-KIR and our Tucker so much! We will help in ANY way we can, ANY time!We had "the bestest time ever" per Houston! And we really did. What a blessing to have everyone healthy and close. Food..check, Hugs and Kisses...check, Round 2 on Food...check, Lots of laughter and memories...check, Place #2...check, Round 3 on Food...check, cleaning up for about 50 Bozemans...check, Round 4 for just one more piece of cake..check, planning our next great meal and get together..check. LOVE this time of year! Thankful for ALL that makes it what it is.
STILL Windy.
So, we changed locations. We're not the sharpest tools in the shed sometimes, but when it comes to a Momma gettin' a good picture, look out. Levi said one of the things his Momma was thankful for was "ALL them pictures she takes."ha
KK and Jeremy
Grandaddy and MawMaw with the girls.
Blessed beyond measure! Enjoy the day. Make wonderful memories. Think of those less fortunate. Pray for them. Hug and kiss those around you. NEVER take for granted one second. NEVER forget from whom all blessings flow! HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!
Houston received another belt last night! He has been so successful thus far. He "Chun-Geed all by myself, Momma!" He was so proud of himself. They each had to do this new "thing". It had 19 moves and they had to do it one at a time. He did it. He was surprised and so was I. He does fine with the group but they haven't done it by themselves before. However, for the stripe test, they have to do a lot of things on their own. A new belt for Houston AND Isaiah. Isaiah has been enrolled for over a year but last night was his last night. He has a new sibling on the way and he loves baseball, so they thought this was would be a good stopping point. We are so proud of both of them!
Houston noticed right off that this new belt was orange. NOT his favorite color or anyone's favorite color around here. He loved it but you could tell he was a little hesitant about wearing it. It's so funny how they learn so early the "forbidden teams or team colors"! He told Josh last night, "I only have to wear it for 2 stripes and then I get another one. That'll be alright, I guess." We got so tickled. YAY Houston-Son!!
We put up CHRISTmas decorations this afternoon and much to our surprise, we found another lovely sketch. Houston had recently drawn on the back porch. Now he has used one of our front porch columns as his canvas. Luckily, his Dad was feeling "merry" today and not like a Scrooge.
It's so funny how all of his drawings have 2 little boys~"It's me and my Bubba". Too cute.Not only are we all crazy about the holidays around here but this time of year means "Hunting Season!" As you know, I live in a house full of men. Camo, hunters orange and the dirt scent body wash and "cologne" are their wardrobe for now. They love hunting, me not so much, but we all love time at "The Shak". Drive up and you see smoke clouding the sky around a curve or two and you smell it! YUMMO!! There's nothing like the grub my Grandaddy cooks up at "The Shak". We had our first meal Monday and it was just us. I had other plans but when my Grandaddy asked Sunday if we wanted to cook Monday all plans changed immediately. It gives us time in the great outdoors. Something my boys don't get to experience like Josh and I did while growing up. Wondering through the woods, peeing outside and using leaves(ha), finding all kinds of critters. LOVE IT!! But most of all, treasured memories with my Grandaddy, one of my most favorite people in this whole wide world. A man of few words, but a smile and heart as big as the sky. He looks forward to this time every year. I hope he's around for many, many more seasons to come. Because after all, this is the most wonderful time of the year.
Levi with one of his many critters.
You think he liked the ribs?
Behind the cloud of smoke.
My Rugrats
Little Rugrats with Grandaddy(aka Master Chef)
I am thankful for Sunday afternoon naps! Silence, slobbery pillows(for some reason I only do that when napping),and sweet dreams! And for that I am thankful. Nitey-Nite!
I am so thankful for the giggles I hear in the other room. Giggles, lots of them. And for that I am thankful.
With my husband of 11 yrs. 6 mths. and 3 days. He ask me out on a date. Which was the first time in a long time. I'm so excited! Dinner and a movie, just he and I. Woo-Hoo!! I do believe it has a little to do with a movie he has really been anticipating, but I'll go along with it.ha Oh, remember those Friday night jitters before a date? Checking yourself in the mirror one last time before you leave. A little more RAVE #4, a little ooh too shimmery pink lip gloss, and a last minute spray of your Mom's Avon perfume? Thank Goodness I don't go through all that anymore and I'm really thankful I can now afford better hairspray!ha SO excited about my night on the town with the love of my life. He sacrifices so much for us. We do focus a lot or I should say almost all of our time on "family things" but couple time is so nice every once in a while. Just a thought....hunting season opens tomorrow. Think he may be buttering me up for all the time in the tree stand? If so, that's ok. Any time with my main squeeze is fine with me. Oh it doesn't matter, I still so love this man!
I am so thankful for holiday breaks! How many times did people tell me that my world would really change when the boys started school?! Boy were they right! Yes, school is good for them. Yes, school is necessary. But Yes, school can get old!! Even for the parents. Don't you get tired having school dictate our lives, sometimes? You will be here this many hours, days, a year and you will have this much time with your family. I know we have to have rules and submit to authority and all, but I do wish we had more "family time" in America. Which some people would choose to enjoy and others would choose "not". Don't want to go there, that's one I could get on my soapbox about. SO, going to make the best of it over the next "9 Days, not just a week Momma, but 9 days!" Josh has also took a week of vacation so we will all 4 be home together, LOVE IT!! If I slack on my "Daily H3 Posting", please forgive me. I have woods to explore, things to bake, nights staying up late to watch Christmas movies with the fam, days I may not even get out of my jammies, and all that family fun stuff~ Which would not be possible without holidays breaks. And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for beautiful Christmas lights. I absolutely love to sit and stare at the tree. What is it that's so captivating about a lit Christmas tree? It is so relaxing and my mind floods with memories. We may not have had a lot when I was growing up but we always had enough. Never went without, never worried about anything and never wondered if I would be taken care of. We moved a lot but Mom always put up a tree and wherever we were, she made it home. Couldn't wait until she put up the tree at Christmas. I still can't wait until trees go up. I did get ours up yesterday. Not completely decorated but just the lights would be enough for me.
What about MY light? Do people feel a warm soft glow when I'm around? Do they feel I've been with Jesus? Hope so. What about yours?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
I am thankful for a dry, warm place to stay on these wonderful, crisp weather days! Not so much the little payment book that comes with it(ha) but a place to call home is priceless. LOVE this time of year and the coziness of home. And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for my brother and sister! How in this world did God make 3 people so absolutely different yet all 3 of us were raised by the same 2 Christian, loving, compassionate parents? It is really amazing. Our looks are somewhat similar but none of us look just alike. Our personalities are all different yet all of us I think are "normal". I really use that word loosely when it comes to my brother!ha The memories we share, the love we share, the values we share all make us who we are. We do share all of this yet we live separate lives while we see and view life in our own perspectives. God truly is amazing and the sibling relationship is one of life's greatest loves. And for that I am thankful.
Over the last couple of months, Houston has really developed a desire for "art", of any kind. Whether crayons, markers or paint, he has been "all up in it!" He draws throughout the day and on my frig is his wonderful display.ha I have always tried to get them to do their "projects" at the kitchen table or on their outside table or their desk in the playroom. I try to keep an eye on them somewhat, when these tools are in their hands. However, not so much this week. Which then led to this cute little drawing.
Awwww, how cute! He's really getting good at these cute little guys. But, his Dad didn't think so. You see this was done with a Sharpie. Not only with a sharpie, but on the cement porch that Josh poured and slaved over while building our house. Surely it will wash away over time. It was just so cute I had to take a pic. in case it does wash away. But don't think so, not any time soon, that is. At least they were not life size.(heehee)
Awful close to the brick, which would have really set Josh off. ha Whew!!
All A's for my little man! So very proud of him. He continues to thrive and excel and we couldn't be more proud. We have also been very healthy thus far, thanks to The Good Lord. He's only had 2 absences and that is a plus for us. We usually have been out with a sinus infection by this point in the past. I'm loving his enthusiasm for learning. He really wants to be perfect and make 100's on everything, but he is learning, he's only human. So blessed by having Mrs. Davis and she has been so good for Levi. I hope he continues to do well and stays interested in "school stuff". The "1" in conduct is our main goal and he has also achieved that! My PawPaw would be so proud of him.
I am so thankful to be a stay-at-home Mom. I have been truly blessed with this privilege. The Lord has always provided and never failed us once. The joy of seeing almost everything my boys have done or do is priceless. To be able to put them to bed, get them up and everything in between, is something that I look forward to every single day. I knew from an early age that I was not "career oriented". I could've cared less about going off to college or even going close by for that matter. I knew however, that at least a "little degree" would be nice to be able to fall back on. As soon as the opportunity presented itself for us to start a family, I did not hesitate. I'm so blessed and spoiled but I hope to be instilling memories and values in my children that they will forever hold dear. And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful that I know who holds tomorrow. I will not be shaken for I know God is in control. He will never leave us nor forsake us. His love is true and constant. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And for that I am thankful.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things." Matthew 6:34
I am thankful for ALL the promises in God's Holy Word. "All his promises are yea, yea." If God said it, he meant it and that's just the way it is.
"For in my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL come again and receive you unto myself. That where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3
ONE of my favorite promises. And for this, I am thankful.
I am thankful for stinky laundry. Josh and I went in different directions yesterday. Josh and Levi went to Jasper. Houston and I had Karate and Wal-Mart to do in Fayette. Josh and Levi had gotten back a little earlier than we did and had "stripped down" in the laundry room. I ask them to try to undress in the laundry room and go to their rooms to put on pjs, etc. Saves me a little time and a lot of huffing and puffing up the stairs. Anyway, Houston soon followed with his stripping while I unloaded Wal-Mart stuff. When I opened the laundry room door, I could've almost swore a cloud of fungus and sweat came floating out! It was awful!! Sweaty school socks and shoes, sweaty work uniform and boots and sweaty Karate suit and Under Armor, makes for some stinky laundry. However, after the big gasp and "Oh my gosh!", I suddenly smiled and thought how thankful I was~ for odors and all.
I had just seen a crippled precious little boy about the age of my Levi at Wal-Mart. It absolutely broke my heart. However, his spirit wasn't broken for upon his face was the biggest most precious smile and "Hey!". Houston still at the "Staring Stage" couldn't take his eyes off him. Which gave me the chance to remind Houston how thankful we should be to be able to run and play and do Karate with no "Specialness" or pain. Then the stinky laundry reminded me how thankful I should be that ALL of us are healthy and able to do absolutely all the sweaty activities our little hearts desire. Stinky Laundry~And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for Midweek Prayer Meeting! If you are exhausted, strung out from the hustle and bustle of life, how refreshing it is to go to the House of The Lord on Wed. night and get refueled! I always leave feeling better than the best massage in the world or something extra special!! That's just what a touch from God is, EXTRA SPECIAL. And for that I am thankful.
I'm so thankful for NO SCHOOL DAYS!! Love when we can eat breakfast at 10 or when we want too or stay in our jammies all day if we choose. Watch movies, watch cartoons, eat lots of junk and all that fun stuff that I don't do as often as I should. I love just being home with my boys. And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and McDonalds french fries! A little crazy I know, but these have to be 2 of my favorite foods. Both are so unhealthy, fried and full of calories, but you only get to live once. If I had a last meal preference, these would be one of my vegetables and one of my desserts!ha I can't help but think, these will have to be present at The Marriage Supper of The Lamb.(heehee) Which then makes me ask the question, Should I be thankful for my cellulite and elastic waist pants?! If so, then I am. Happy Eating during this Holiday Season! I SO love to eat, especially this time of year!:) And for these things, I am thankful.
I am thankful for YOU! Thankful that I have family and friends who love us. Who are concerned about our well being. Family and friends that would help me out in any way they could, if I asked. Family and friends whom share the same name, passions, or desires.
I'm thankful for Sundays in the South. Family, friends, church, singing, preaching, Sunday dinner, Sunday naps, and all that comes with a Sunday in the South. I'm really thankful to sit on the same pew as my Grandaddy whom we prayed for, for many years. His name is now in The Book Of Life with mine, And for that, I am thankful.
I'm so thankful for Saturday mornings with the boys. Usually Josh is here too and we all wake up with stinky breath together. They don't see my unconcealed zits, wrinkles, or even my mismatched jammies. And for that I am thankful.
I'm thankful that when I feel like I have failed in so many areas of my life~ my Sons prove me wrong. Thank you Lord for their unconditional love. And just to think they are made in the likeness and image of you, our Heavenly Father!:) "For this child I have prayed."
I'm so thankful that when you go to spend the night with your parents(like last night), you feel like a child again. You sleep in a comatose state, because you have no worries. Your Mom and Dad can still save the world and shield you from everything. And for that I am thankful.
Thankful that God doesn't make any mistakes and forgives us when we do!!
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions(mistakes) from us."
Psalms 103:12
Love Mrs.Bowling's H3 group. Enjoying it even if I don't actually see any of you. But I can feel you! Feel your prayers, your compassion to be a better Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Woman, etc. So, I too will list daily what I'm thankful for. If you look at it, the Lord gives us absolute, unconditional care and love 24 hours a day/7 days a week. How shallow of us to only thank him occasionally but approach him daily with wants and needs. So, Lord I'm thankful for so many things and I will take the time to just sit down and escape the hecticness of life for a few mins a day this month to truly show you my gratitude. This will not require much thought at all, look around the very next breath or step you take was ordained and allowed by our Heavenly Father.
November 1~SALVATION!! The privilege to worship God in public with no persecution.
November 2~The joy of Monday morning. NO blues all good!!:)
November 3~The feel of my husbands arms and whiskers as he leaves for the morning, my Levi's first words for the day "Good Morning, Momma, Can I wear my boots today?" as he tries to rub his eyes open , and my Houston's "Momma, come wipe me, I did it again, ooh-wee!"
Levi and Houston recently had some boys over. Right up Josh's alley. More to play and kill in some XBOX360 game they have!ha No, he loves to have the chance to act like a child again.ha We had the most fun, the more the merrier!
THIS went on for hours!!
Boy have Santa questions been flooding their little minds for the last couple of weeks. I have always let them believe in Santa. When Levi has asked if he is real before, I just simply reply with "Well, what do you think?" He would then say he thought he was and I would leave it at that. But this year its hard to convince him. When he asks and I ask him what he thinks, he replies with "Well, I'm not sure." OH NO!
Today they had Santa pics at school. They had a little letter to give him when they take the pic and he wanted to know "if it would really do any good, since he's probably not real." Oh my boy is growing up. And then this question, "Well, Momma is the High School taking pictures too?" "Uh, I don't think so." "Well, if he's real then they should be taking them too, because if he's real to us he's suppose to be real to everybody right?" Oh my goodness, how will I answer, then it hit me. "Well, honey, they are so busy at high school and they have so many more classes than ya'll, it's hard for them to take the time out of their schedules for that."................."Well....maybe, I guess. Bye Momma, I Love you. You and Bubba have a good one!" And out the door he went. It just may be the last year we pull this one off.
Houston recently got another stripe on his belt AND broke a piece of wood!! I could not believe it! First try, right in half! He is truly enjoying Karate. It has been so good for him. He looks forward to it every week. We go 2x a week and that's just right to fit in to our craziness. Although, football has come to an end and Levi decided to not play basketball, the holidays are coming and Karate alone will be enough. LOVE being Mommy to these boys. So proud of them.
Levi won an alternate in the Pee Wee Homecoming Court. We were Rookies and I had no idea they did all this stuff for Pee Wee's. He DID NOT like it at all. He was so embarassed! He told his Dad to get that silly stuff off he had a game to play. I didn't go on the field for this because I didn't know I should because I didn't know they did all this, hence, I didn't go! SO, the pics are not the best but I still got a few. He has such a shy disposition and I have no idea where it came from! Anyway, here's one of the 3 Kings from around here.
Did you ever think you could love some little something so much?! My heart overflows with all the joy they bring me every day!
A couple of weekends ago, Josh and Houston had some one on one time. We ALWAYS do things as the whole family but days like this are good occasionally. Houston truly enjoyed himself. Josh said he was great and it was so easy to take him this year. He was surrounded by Bozeman men and felt right at home. Josh, my Dad and most of his brothers all went clay shooting. They were at a pretty lodge where Houston could just run and rip with his cousins that came. Here's a pic I snapped before they left. I can't believe he is going places without his Momma already. Lord help me, I'm getting the baby bug again with all this growing up so fast stuff!!
My boys are always cracking me up with their little mixed up phrases and such. Last night, another family member got her words mixed up. I'll not call her name because that would just be wrong, but I do have to share. We passed by Bevan Chapel last night and they were having "Trunk or Treat". The vehicles were all decorated,lots of kids running around, looked real fun. Then this particular person said, "Oh, how fun. Their having "Junk in Their Trunk" this year." Loud laughter was heard for miles. Even Levi knew what that meant. Houston then asked what it meant and Levi filled him in. "A person with a big ol' bootie. They got alot of junk in their trunk." Houston got so tickled. I wouldn't dare call this person's name or I might be known as one of those daughter-n-laws that every unfortunate MIL talks about!ha Then she replied "Well that could work too, because they do have a lot of Halloween junk in their trunk." It was so funny. I thought Josh would bust a move, I mean bust a gut. LOVE to ya Nana!
Well, we wrapped up our season yesterday with a loss to Fayette, 26-14. But boy did our boys play hard!! It's almost impossible to compete with 4A schools but somehow they have really hung with them! Levi's first year,I would have to say, was a success. He has really come a long way from his 1st practice and I couldn't be prouder. I truly believe he will only get better and better as the years progress. Funny though, how people already talk about the things they do wrong at the innocent age of 7. But that's another story not even worth our family blog page. Pray that God will continue to use him and ME as an example to others when the deadliest weapon of all begins working, the tongue.
Much appreciation to our Coaches!! They did such a great job! They all played an important role but I would have to say Josh had the hardest of all.ha Keeping up with 25 players!!!How many times they went in, if they have went in, tying their shoes, fixing slobbery mouth pieces, etc. ha But he did have help with some of those things. He truly enjoyed himself. And to think that Levi is forming friendships that will last a lifetime is so amazing! Houston, too. He has enjoyed having the chance to play and get muddy and Momma not caring because she was so caught up in a game!ha Looking forward to next year already! This was the first time a Berry Pee Wee Team had made it to the playoffs in a LONG time! Go Wildcats!!
So, not too many more football posts for ya this year. Oh I know, you're really gonna miss them!ha I do have a few more and tons of other stuff and pics that I have just been too busy to post. Will catch up real soon hopefully! Love to you all!!
