The "Red Box"
A new tradition began this year, simply because we have so many traditions. We gathered around the "red box" each evening. Inside it held all our evening traditions...a treat for each child or group treat (a movie, candy, snack, game, note, etc...), the reading of the advent and devotion (sometime activity), a piece to the Nativity, a Christmas storybook, closing with a prayer over each Christmas card received that day and a Christmas carol/hymn. It truly kept us focused on Jesus this Christmas as we counted down to the celebration of His birth!
First School Band Concert
Jacob rehearses before the program.
A quick picture before the first evening concert. Lilly insisted on performing, even not feeling so well...she sounded awesome!
This has been Jacob's and Lilly's first year of band. Jacob plays the trumpet and Lilly plays the clarinet. They performed wonderfully at the school's first band concert. One of the songs they performed was "Jingle Bells". The Christmas Concert was so glorifying and we are so grateful to the Lord for enabling our children to be apart of such a beautiful celebration...humbling!!
A quick picture before the first evening concert. Lilly insisted on performing, even not feeling so well...she sounded awesome!
This has been Jacob's and Lilly's first year of band. Jacob plays the trumpet and Lilly plays the clarinet. They performed wonderfully at the school's first band concert. One of the songs they performed was "Jingle Bells". The Christmas Concert was so glorifying and we are so grateful to the Lord for enabling our children to be apart of such a beautiful celebration...humbling!!
Thanksgiving Memories '09...so blessed!
Visiting with Aunt Jen-Jen's "Emi".
Painting burlap placemats with Aunt Mandi.
Playing football at Gramma's with Mike, cousins, and Uncle Rick.
Visiting with cousins.
Heart to hearts by a fire in the back yard.
Watching movies!
Singing songs!
Painting burlap placemats with Aunt Mandi.
Playing football at Gramma's with Mike, cousins, and Uncle Rick.
Visiting with cousins.
Heart to hearts by a fire in the back yard.
Watching movies!
Singing songs!
Our final "SKG" date with Lovely Lilly
One of our last SKG dates was a trip to Marietta for a SKG fashion show...looks like Lilly could have been in the show! Here she is during intermission...she is not shy!
It took a whole year to complete "Secret Keepers Girls, Eight Great Dates with Your Daughter". We did have 8 GREAT dates...the best! The final date included her Daddy. He took us to Chateau Elan for breakfast. He requested a private table and answered questions provided for him and gave Lilly a special necklace. The book may have ended, but our dates will continue. We now set a time each month (on the 11th) to have a special time together alone after all have gone to bed...just girl tea time! I thank the Lord for our relationship and pray that he continues to weave His love through us!
It took a whole year to complete "Secret Keepers Girls, Eight Great Dates with Your Daughter". We did have 8 GREAT dates...the best! The final date included her Daddy. He took us to Chateau Elan for breakfast. He requested a private table and answered questions provided for him and gave Lilly a special necklace. The book may have ended, but our dates will continue. We now set a time each month (on the 11th) to have a special time together alone after all have gone to bed...just girl tea time! I thank the Lord for our relationship and pray that he continues to weave His love through us!
Fall 2009...
Lamentations 3:21-25
This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I have hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.
Fall brought great joy and sorrow as we experienced the miscarriage of our fifth child. God grace is sufficient and we were able to receive not only great grace and mercy, but felt His LOVE through others all around us! He alone is our portion and our hope remains in Him!
Our most memorable family adventure this fall was hiking to the top of Stone Mountain during sunset. We took a moment to thank the LORD on the hike up. We arrived in complete darkness...only the lights sprinkled below. It was quite an adventure hiking down the mountain by lantern light! Johnny said that it was hard to walk down all those "nooks and crabbies" on the mountain! ~Great memories!~
Photo by Jake!
This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I have hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.
Fall brought great joy and sorrow as we experienced the miscarriage of our fifth child. God grace is sufficient and we were able to receive not only great grace and mercy, but felt His LOVE through others all around us! He alone is our portion and our hope remains in Him!
Our most memorable family adventure this fall was hiking to the top of Stone Mountain during sunset. We took a moment to thank the LORD on the hike up. We arrived in complete darkness...only the lights sprinkled below. It was quite an adventure hiking down the mountain by lantern light! Johnny said that it was hard to walk down all those "nooks and crabbies" on the mountain! ~Great memories!~Photo by Jake!
A "Wii" Family
Thanks to Grand Dad for a group gift for Jake, Lilly and John's Birthday...a complete Wii system!We loved having Grand Dad and Pop over to visit and to hand deliver their gift! We love you!We have enjoyed getting "Fit" and playing games together as a family!
Our neighbors thought we were LOUD before...hmmmm.
Congratulations Jake and Lilly Kate!
Lilly ran for Vice President and delivered an inspiring speech in front of the entire elementary school. The applause was great! She was running against five other candidates. All the speeches were sweet and inspiring! The votes were cast and Lilly came out on top! Her main theme throughout the campaign was serving others. We are so proud of you Lilly!
Jacob once again ran for class representative and once again was chosen. He said that when it was announced, he was so nervous/excited that he hit his head on his locker. Jake, you da man! We thank the Lord for his blessing and favor on our children as He provides for them to attend this awesome school...all glory to Him.
Annual Snake Day at Elachee Nature Center
This corn snake enjoyed exploring all AROUND Lilly!
Jake and Lilly have been to Snake day three times and have become quite comfortable around snakes. Mike and I ...not the case! They always say, "Touch it Mama and Daddy"...we just smile and decline! We are glad that they are educated on snakes since we have a variety around our home!
They always enjoy the crafts!
A juvenile rat snake...not so friendly in the wild( just ask Mike...well, he stepped on one).They grow to be quite harmless and helpful.
Johnny said it tickled in his shirt! He really enjoyed his first Snake Day! 
A HUGE boa constrictor! Yes, it is real!!
Enjoying Saturday mornings watching Daddy play tennis...
Our three sons...watch his every move...on the court and in life...
Our "crew" takes up the entire swing set!
Another Family Favorite...
We enjoy eating at "Atlanta Bread Company". We pretend that we are in another city...one where you can eat outside and walk instead of drive everywhere! So, we enjoy walking to nearby shopping(even to the mall) when we are dining there. Suburban Atlanta needs more outside dining and sidewalks! Our favorite salad is the Asian Salad, so I finally tried to duplicate it at home (doesn't look the same...I used spring mix)...where we can eat and then just play outside :)! Thanks Foil family for the homegrown watermelon!
Happy 4th Birthday Johnny!
Johnny has been talking about his special day since last year! His Birthday meal was homemade sloppy joes, corn on the cob, and fruit ...but he was too excited to eat...not one bite...not even a bite of cake! He is so cute...dreaming of all the plans!
We can't believe he is FOUR! He keeps us all laughing and sometimes crying :). He brings a lot of excitement to the table! He reminds us daily, to enjoy the small and simple things and adventure is found in everyday living! We have always prayed that John's PASSION will be in Christ and that Christ will be glorified through him! We love you Johnny!...our little boy that lives BIG!
A DQ cake was requested..."Buzz Lightyear" well...wasn't so easy!...had to
pull archives from the basement!
Little cousin Mitchell looks so excited too!
A DQ cake was requested..."Buzz Lightyear" well...wasn't so easy!...had to
pull archives from the basement!
Little cousin Mitchell looks so excited too!
Spiderman Bouncing Ball...a favorite.
He wanted a cool "boy" doll for the bathtub...no more Lilly's baby dolls.
A silly and interactive game...he really likes it!!
Jake's Birthday Chair may be shared for years to come...
a new design
will be in the works soon!
will be in the works soon!
Sweet boy...
so excited and enjoyed every moment of his special day!
so excited and enjoyed every moment of his special day!
A Birthday Tribute to Jake and Lilly Kate!!
This was the first year Jake and Lilly did not have the BIG Birthday party with all the traditions...we honored their Daddy with the BIG party this year! They each had a family dinner celebration and we celebrated in NYC. Here they are with a small cupcake to commemorate their special day with the extended family! They have always happily shared their celebration party and as you can see here...they don't even mind sharing a chair! May this tradition of celebrating together remain throughout the years and may they always remain close and live in unity with one another! Psalm 133:1 We love you both deeply! We rejoice as the Lord unwraps the plans He has for each you! Happy 9th Birthday Lilly! Happy 11th Birthday Jacob!
Our first broken bone!
Johnny broke this pinky finger this summer sliding on some "pants" on the hardwood floors??? It has since healed! Praise!! We are grateful to the Lord that this has been the only broken bone! No more sliding on pants!??? :)
Following in their footsteps...
Baby Michael is growing up sooo fast! Here he is playing the harmonica! He copies everything he sees these days...that is good and bad!
Look at that face!
Johnny brings excitement to all that he does...just like his Daddy! Here he is aerating the lawn with Mike. Precious!
Lilly's Tree Diary
Lilly is enjoying being back in school. She is working on her "Tree Diary" and will continue it throughtout the year. We will "post" on it throughout the year as well...she is lovin' it!
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