Well, I Guess We Know How THAT Went

Catching the ol' blog up in August? ...not so much. 

I have blogged a little bit, however... just somewhere new.

The kids and I (or just *I*, so far) are keeping a chronicle of our (new and improved) school year on a blog that I created over here.  If you are interested in keeping up with that part of our life, check it out.  

And maybe, just maybe, I will somehow get back to this blog and catch us all up on my family's daily life.  I miss it, and I still look through it every so often.

Here's one little tid-bit of an update (while I'm here chatting with you)... Allie had wanted a new puppy for a LONG time.  I asked her to wait until summer to get one, so she could help take care of it.  As soon as we got back from our (heavenly) summer vacation in June, she was anxious to look for a pup.  We found super-cute, super-sweet little, baby ShihTzu at a rescue and adopted her.  Allie chose her name - Norah Jonas - (remember her love of the Jonas Brothers?), and the whole family has fallen in love with her.  Well... almost the whole family.  I am not sure that Corey would admit it, but I think he kinda likes her too.  

So, here is Miss Norah Jonas in her bloggy debute (at least on THIS blog)...

Isn't she just adorable?!?

Catching Up April: Easter Morning Photos by Corey

This year on Easter we did something different than ever before.  Our pastor asked for all that could come to the evening service to do so to make room for those that don't typically come to church on Sundays other than holidays.  So we did.  I don't think that I have ever slept in on Easter or hung out in my PJs/ swimsuit all day, but I did this year... and I kinda liked it.  

Anyway...

Corey was up before the rest of us on Easter morning and spent some time on the back patio.  He caught this little varmint stealing out of our bird feeder... and I thought that they were some really cool photos.

  

Catching Up April: Hard Rock Cafe & A Mavs Game

Our April began with a night out to downtown Dallas.  We ate dinner at The Hard Rock cafe then went to a Dallas Mavericks game.  It was a great time spent together as a family.

~ Jack at The Hard Rock Cafe ~

~ Jack & Allie getting ready to go cheer for the Mavs ~

~ Jack watching the pre-game ~

Cooper's favorite part of the game... the snacks!

~ Allie ~

~ me & my boys ~

Cooper was having a bad "allergy day" and was worn out.  By the end of the game, he was asleep in my lap.

Catching Up March: Misc. iPhone Photos

With the wonderful invention of the iPhone came a gazillion more (not so clear, but equally loved) random photos of our family.  Here are a few (and I stress the word few) that I imported in the month of March. 

We spend a lot of time at Barnes & Noble.  We love the atmosphere and the books there!  And this spring, Cooper's reading has just blown me away.  He is reading SO well... and at just 4 years old!

The kids started swimming in the "big pool" (not just the hot tub) in March.  It was still WAY too cold for me!

Cooper and I spent a lot of time at the park as we waited for the big kids to get out of school or their activities this spring.

Allie made some really cute headbands and we enjoyed shopping for her new room at IKEA.

He still falls asleep on me sometimes... I adore it!

~Corey's 41st Birthday~

He spent almost the entire day in the backyard.  His favorite place this spring!  Then, the weekend closest to his birthday, the kids went to Waco to spend the night with family, and Corey & I got to go out on a nice date to a Brazilian steakhouse. 

We still had some days that it was cold enough for stew.  (Remember the Snow Day post?)

We spent a lot of time on the trails in our neighborhood.  This was "recess"on a homeschool day... and it is the closest thing to a photo of why I homeschool.

~ Spring Break - The kids and I loving the soft, green grass between our toes ~

Allergies attacked Cooper for the first time this spring.  This was a night at the ballpark.  His eyes were totally normal when we got to the game, and they looked like this by the end of it.

~ Jack homeschooling in the backyard ~

~ Me and my Sky-Bo on the hammock in our backyard ~

Matt Chandler: "Can Faith Survive?"

And while you are looking at videos from Life Today shows, here is a clip of the episode that my pastor, Matt Chandler, was on.  I have learned more about faith in the midst of a storm from this man than anyone in my life.  I am so thankful for his preaching and for the Lord's work that he and his family are allowing others to watch in their very personal lives.  There are several clips of him on YouTube, and I would highly recommend them to anyone that is suffering, wondering where God is in the midst of your storm, or just wants to hear phenomenal preaching.

Something that I heard another pastor at our church say in the beginning of Matt's trial with brain cancer that absolutely blew me away was this... We must develop a theology on suffering before we need it.  I had never thought of that before.  Never.  It is a process that takes wrestling and searching and that is almost impossible to walk through gracefully in the midst of tragedy.  If I had heard those words before 6 years ago, I am certain that I would have handled the blows of life completely differently than I was able to.  My prayer for my children is that they will have a firm theology on suffering before they need it - as it is inevitably going to come - and they their lives will be a testimony of God's goodness and grace... even when it does not make sense.

Angie Smith: A Short Life, But a Lifetime of Love

Here is a clip of the show that I mentioned in the last post.  I think that you can find the whole episode on James Robinson's website.

Catching Up March: Going To A TV Show Taping

Late in March, my dear friend, Elizabeth, and I went to a taping of the TV show Life Today with James & Betty Robinson.  Elizabeth and I read the blog of a woman named Angie Smith.  She & her husband Todd (from the Chrisitan music group, Selah) were coming on Life Today to talk about their story of loss and faith that is documented in her new book, I Will Carry You.  I cannot tell you how much Angie's blog, Bring The Rain, and her book have encouraged me over the last several years.

~ me & E ~

I love this lady!

It was so interesting to watch the behind the scenes of TV show making.

Angie's Book.  I highly recommend it!

Every time that I log into Angie's blog, this song is playing.  It is amazing to me how someone that has lost so much can honestly claim such words to be true.  But they are.

"Bring The Rain"
by Mercy Me

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty 

Catching Up March: Jacob's Baby Dedication & A Selke Egg Hunt

On March 28th, our family got together to celebrate the current baby of the family, Jacob Allan, as his parents dedicated him to the Lord and committed themselves to raising him in a Godly home.  The dedication was held in their home, and it was perfect!

Allan, Emily, & Jacob

After the dedication, all the cousins enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt.  I love this real-life photo of them!

~ Allie ~

~ Jack ~

~ Cooper ~

Poppie drew a family tree.

~ 2 turned into 6 and 6 has turned into 20 (so far) ~

~ me and my girl ~

Catching Up March: Opening Day Of Baseball

I think that last spring was Jack's 11th season of baseball... and Corey has coached him every time.  His Opening Day game was soon after Cooper's.  My parents came to watch them both, and it was a great day.

~ Poppie & Gibbie with the baseball-playing grandsons ~

Catching Up March: Opening Day Of T-Ball

This year Cooper moved up from Blast Ball to T-Ball.  Corey was still his coach.  Watching his first game - where every child was completely oblivious to what was supposed to happen - was the highlight of his season for me.  It was SO cute... and funny!  I just love this little boy so much!