Odds & Ends

Austin has taken to driving the mower with goggles & headphones. He is really good:) Matthew normally doesn't care to work, so he plays. Today he wanted to stay and work! They did a great job.
Thanks for the wood boys!

A small snack after working! Didn't want it to spoil supper, but they ate every bite. I asked them how they did today at school....both very strongly said "great"!

They are now watching monster truck races that pap dvr's. They love them! They choose a truck and root for it to win! Names like "grave digger" sort of scares me, but so far I haven't seen or heard anything too bad!

On another totally unrelated note, I loved the words of the song on Sunday. I have now heard it on KLove many times. The lines (chorus) that says something like:

"You are more than the choices that you've made...you are more than the sum of your past mistakes....you are more than the problems you create (these words may be quoted incorrectly:) .......you are remade!" I love these words for me, you and anyone that is concerned that their past is NOT behind them. It is....Jesus has forgiven, and it is forgotten. You are remade! Thank God for second (and third) chances.

Saturday Night with my Favorite Kids!

Guess which hand pap?
No, it's THIS one....hee, hee, hee......

Matthew playing nicely with his legos.....with pizza face:)

Austin taking time out to color a picture for each of us with all the colors in the lines.

Playing with pap.

At Atlanta Bread Co. this morning, having our usual whole grain bagel breakfast sandwich, Becky texted asking what movie we went to see last night (Lex. Green, Morning Glory). I know I need to join WW but I would miss our wonderful little drive down the road for this yummy bagel breakfast with ice tea. This is the cleanest little restaurant and we use a baseball team card where we get one free. We get egg, ham or bacon & swiss or provalone cheese. Back to Becky, I asked if they wanted us to watch the kiddos tonight so they could go out. She texted back they were on their way! No, they didn't come until suppertime and they got a "free" babysitting night out. When there was just Austin, we kept him most Sat. nights and our date was on Fridays. I believe this went on most weekends when MJ arrived and much less frequent since we now are a family with three:) Love them, wouldn't change one thing, but pap said it best this morning...."bring them on, one at a time"!!

The kids have been perfect tonight. Sweet, no spills, no crying, no pinching, just good playing together, alone and with us. They ate well, got into PJ's well, and just been a joy to have. Love them!

Thankful

You may say 2011 hasn't been too good for Becky & family so far. To begin, Jason hadn't felt well at our house on Christmas Day, then on Maggie's 3rd birthday, Dec. 28th, I received a call around 10 to say I needed to come over while they went to the ER. They went and got some relief from his pain only to wait out the passing of a kidney stone. This involved rest, drinking a lot of water, and another trip that week to the ER. Another few days of the same and he was feeling pretty bad. Thankfully this past Tuesday (I believe) he passed it! Went back to work on Wed. & Thursday then on Friday as he was on BG Parkway, the envoy slid (it was snowing) and he went off the side of the road. His SUV tumbled over on it's top and he got out the broken window. Last night his ankle was sore, at the time of the accident, he was bleeding from a few small cuts on his head, but other than being sore today, he is fine. That is a very big praise. How blessed our family is! Thank you God....2011 has been very good so far.

For keeping Jason safe so that he can listen to this precious boy. This is Austin's first book he has read to nana. He is in Kindergarten and just beginning to read although he has sounded out words for a long time.

First Week of 2011

On Tuesday at school we had our annual "regift" exchange. I chose the box that held the UK beverage container above. It was a fun gift and one I actually liked and have used already!
This is a picture missing Tricia:(

How many days I sit on my back patio, looking out at the yard, flowers, birds and pond? More than I could count.....now I have to be content knowing spring will come again!

Happy New Year!

Since our kids were young, we have been playing Rook with our close church friends. Early on, at 9 or so, one of the dads would take all the youth group kids to the bowling alley, or wherever they were to meet up with Brewster. Then we would see the NY in with many rounds of cards. Now, all our kids are grown, and have kids of their own (most of them do, not all). They are making memories with our grandchildren while we are celebrating with a lot less noise. Some of our children are unmarried and celebrating with friends of their own. Others have plans that just don't "pan" out and hope that the NY brings better tidings. I know my SIL, Jason, didn't celebrate this year with his friends and I'm sure he hopes next year he is well. My son, who was doing something nice for another, left his car in a "no parking" establishment and in the 15 mins. he ran inside to check things out, his car (along with others!) was towed. The gas station attendant said the towing company were crooks and he one of the many caught. Anyway, this messed up plans to meet up with friends as he had to go retrieve his SUV. So, I'm sure he will hope this is not an indication of the year to come but a lesson learned. Whatever way you celebrated, may this year be all you want it to be. May the God who made us, loves us beyond all understanding, keep us in His care. Watch over us, give us wisdom and lead us in His way.