Add Another Place Setting

These are two of my friends, Kim Petrone and KC Pummill. I met both of them through our Beth Moore Bible Study and am so, so thankful that God has given me several good friends here in Arkansas. They are both examples to me of giving, Godly women...who are also so much FUN!


Tonight KC hosted a party for the Junior League's new cookbook, Add Another Place Setting. We got to sample yummy food from the cookbook and there were also lots of tips for hosting parties. Many of the tips are from KC and you can see from the pictures that she has an incredible talent for decorating and adding beautiful details to everyday life. She also has a unique gift for making guests in her home feel special and like they are worth celebrating. Her house has looked this great EVERY TIME I've been there. I have no idea how in the world she does it! And where does she hide the clutter and stacks of papers on a daily basis? My friend, Jill, informed me that papers go in files. Oh. People really use those?

Welcome Baby Mia!

Mia Alexandria Kenny was born at 1:15 this morning...almost a month earlier than her "due date!" Welcome to the world, precious girl. We've been waiting for you and already love you! Congratulations, Qiana!

Don't Waste Your Life

I fell asleep last night listening to this talk by John Piper. I would encourage you to take a few minutes today to read it or listen to it. I'll warn you, though, it might just change our lives.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/RecentlyAdded/1858_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/

I wanted to go find out about his book (Don't Waste Your Life) because we watched the memorial of our friend, Tennyson McCarty, last night by video. (www.tennysonmccarty.com) Tennyson is probably the best example of someone I've known personally who has really lived this out. His life really is astounding to me. Tennyson had the energy and talents of ten people: he was a fierce college athelete, an intellectual student, had a magnetic personality, and was good-looking. He could have done anything with his life and been very wealthy and accomplished. When an injury kept him from going to the NFL, he chose to go to seminary at Fuller and eventually started a ministry travelling to college campuses all over the world. He was an illusionist and would draw large crowds with his tricks in order to show people that is was really deception. Just like many things in this world are deception--but there is One who came to reveal the Truth! He always carried a deck of cards with him and would use it to draw people in to conversations about God whether he was on an airplane, in Starbucks, or at his high school reunion. He was kind, generous, humble and was always "prepared to give an answer for the hope that lay within him." He was so bold and, yet, so sacrificial. I was amazed at the number of comments on his website by people whose lives have been radically changed through his influence. He did not waste this life on things that do not matter! He accomplished more in 32 years than 98% of us do in a lifetime. What will you and I do with this life?

Deep within I fear that I've been seduced and have become sedated by the comforts of this culture. It's hard to escape it. I know that being a mother to my children in an incredible ministry, but I don't want to waste the fleeting time I have to influence them, either. What will I do with this life? What will I do with today? Life is fragile. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

Thanksgiving

This is my awesome family! The older I get the more and more thankful I am that God placed me in this famiy. We love to celebrate holidays together. Our tradition is spending Thanksgiving weekend at my parents' house on the Little Red River in Heber Springs. We had a fun weekend full of decorating gingerbread houses, playing games, visiting, hiking up Sugar Loaf Mountain (the dads and kids hiked while we cooked), and we ate a delicious Thanksgiving feast of Cajun Peppered Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, rolls, baked fruit, and pie. Mmm-mmm.

When we arrived, my sister's husband presented each of us with a copy of his first book!!!! Wow! What an accomplishment! It is self-published for now while he decides what to do next. I can't wait to read it...in my "free time"!

Another one of our traditions: decorating gingerbread houses. Our family has been doing this since we lived in Germany in the 80s. The big kids decorated their houses while the little kids napped.

Sheridan modeling the finished products.

Mimi handing out awards for each of the gingerbread house. This is Rebekah and Lauren celebrating winning the "Looks Good Enough To Eat Award." I have to brag on my niece, Rebekah, for a minute. She is the oldest grandchild in our family (my sister's oldest) and is going to college next year. Most importantly, she loves the Lord, has unwavering integrity, and a kind heart...but she ALSO is brilliant, hard-working, a competitive soccer player, is a National Merit Semi-Finalist (and possible Finalist) and scored a PERFECT SCORE on the verbal section of the PSAT!!!! Can you believe that?!?! The girl is going to get full scholarship offers left and right! I'm so proud of her!

Thanksgiving (Continued)

Stratego!


Playing "Guitar Hero"


Justus found a hat! I love watching my kids play with their cousins!

Uncle Dave with Audra and Sheridan

Ben and Justus

Wooo Pig Sooie!

Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Arkansas Razorbacks play the LSU Tigers. Not only is this a college rivalry, it is also a family one. My mother's side of the family is from Louisiana, and for two weeks before the game there is all kinds of taunting back and forth between the family! This year, Arkansas beat #1 ranked LSU 50-48 in triple overtime!!! It was an incredible game! My Aunt Debbie graciously called to congratulate us after the game...we responded by "calling the hogs" into the phone!!! We couldn't resist rubbing it in a little!


Before the big game, we spent the day hanging out waiting for the game! Erin and Lauren hung out on the dock and Lauren caught this fish by herself!


Playing Spades

Aunt Jennifer brought watercolors for the little kids. What a great idea! Titus and Audra loved it!

Titus' Birthday (Continued)

Here's the continuation from Titus' birthday party:

Audra and Gramps. Dad said that Audra loved the go-carts! He was surprised at how fast they went and that she didn't get scared or ask to stop. He said that she just kept sinking lower and lower in her seat!

Ian Murphy and his "Pa"! Chris was recovering from working all night in the ER, so his Dad brought Ian. I thought that was so thoughtful!

The Neufeld boys!

Scott & Titus racing DJ & Wyatt. I think DJ...oh, I mean Wyatt...won the most tickets (over 600) from the video games at the party! ;)

Jesse and Zachary Gray

Even More Birthday Pics!

Bill and Clay. Aren't all these Father-Son pics great?!?!

The racetrack cake! In the past, we've always downplayed presents, so birthdays always equaled birthday cakes and the kids get so excited about them. Titus finally noticed this year that other kids get birthday presents for their birthdays and asked if he would get to open presents, too. He was very excited that he would! He received so many fun presents and kept telling me throughout the day how thankful he was for them. I was so pleased that he was so appreciative.

Titus showing off his new goalie skills. Gramps drove all the way up here from Heber Springs and picked up Titus' cousin, Ryan, in Clarksville on the way. It meant so much to me that they would come up just for Titus' birthday party. Titus adores his cousin, Ryan, and after the party they came over to our house and spent the afternoon wrestling in our living room. Titus loved every second of it and kept asking Ryan to "pound" him (picking him up, throwing him on the couch, and body slamming him)! Then they went in the backyard so they could try out Titus' new soccer goals from Mimi and Gramps! Thank you Mimi & Gramps! What a FUN day!

Titus' 5th Birthday Party!

We celebrated Titus' birthday today and it was such a FUN day! It was pretty perfect, really. As soon as he woke up this morning, he came into my room and this is the conversation we had:
Titus: "Mommy, is it my birthday?"
Mommy: "Yes! Isn't that exciting? (Singing) Happy birthday to you..."
Titus: "Yeah!" (jumping up and down) "NOW am I 5 years old?"
Mommy: "Yes."
Titus: "Yeah! Mom, now I think I can run faster than I ever have!"
Mommy: "I bet you can!"
(With that he wound his arms back, made the sound effects of a rocket, and blasted off out of the room to show me.) LOL!
Titus: (coming back into the room) "Mom, do I go to school now?"
Mommy: "Well, not quite yet...but you will still be 5 when the school year starts next August."
Titus: "Mom, I think I can draw a circle better than I ever have before!!" (drawing a circle in the air with his arm)..."Yeah! I'm so excited it's my birthday!"

Titus was so funny all morning. He was so excited to be 5 and to have his birthday party. (Disclaimer: his birthday is actually the 20th, but we're celebrating as if today is the 20th.) After we all got up and got dressed, we went to Titus' soccer game. I think he finally found his niche in soccer. Up to this point, he has shown more interest in reading the player's numbers or watching from the sideline than actuallly playing soccer. Today, they let the boys play goalie and Titus loved it. He was very good at it and kicked all three goal attempts away. He was so proud: his face beamed and he pumped his arms in the air! When it was time for him to come out of the game, I went over to give him a "high 5" and he told me, "Mommy, I'm better at soccer now that I'm 5 years old." Adorable.

After the game, we went straight to his birthday party. We had a Father-Son party at the racetrack. (Audra and I crashed the party.) It was a blast! I think the dads had as much fun as the boys and it brought me so much joy to watch the dads and their sons playing together. The party started off with a game of Laser Tag and Titus has been talking about it since then. That was his favorite part of the day.

After that, they headed out to the go-cart tracks:

Gentlemen, start your engines...


(Click on pictures to see them enlarged.)

DJ and Wyatt Harris getting ready to ride the go-carts.

OK, these dads were all so competitive on the go-cart track! It was hilarious! I thought my Dad and Jesse Gray were going to take each other out several times passing each other! In the picture above Scott and Titus are getting ready to pass Ian Murphy and his "Pa"!

(To Be Continued...)

Operation Christmas Child

This is a picture of Titus and Audra delivering our Operation Christmas Child "shoeboxes" today. Samaritan's Purse, under the leadership of Franklin Graham, is one of my favorite ministries to support (www.samaritanspurse.org). We sent four boxes: two for girls Audra's age and two for boys Titus' age. The entire way to deliver them, Audra snuggled with one of the stuffed puppies and said she was giving it to "Erin". I guess that is what she imagined the girl would be named. I was amazed at what a good job she did giving it up to put in the box and take inside.

On Tuesday, I showed the kids an Operation Christmas Child video online to try to give them a better understanding of what we were doing. Then I made a lofty attempt to take all three of my children shopping in the toy section of Target, without buying anything for them. It reminded me of why I don't do this! :) I can no longer fit all of my kids in one cart, so I put Justus and Audra in mine and let Titus push his own cart. It was a sight! My baby Houdini kept getting out of his seatbelt and trying to stand up, Audra wanted to reach out and hold every stuffed animal, and Titus' new-found freedom (in the toy section) may have been a bit much for him. It was all I could do to keep him next to me and not distracted by all of the toys. I could have used about three more appendages...and two more doses of patience.

As soon as we picked out our first item to go in the boxes, Audra desperately needed to use the potty...which is on the opposite side of the store. They don't allow carts in the bathroom, so I had to attempt to hold Justus with one arm and help Audra with the other. By that time, it was time to leave so we could get to dinner at a friend's house on the opposite side of Fayetetteville. Ok, so the shopping trip wasn't completely productive, but I think the kids got the idea and Audra got to pick out stuffed animals for the girls.

Titus wanted to know if these children were like the little boy on Polar Express. Wow! I am amazed that he made that connection and remembers that detail of the movie from a year ago.

I enjoyed going back (by myself) and picking out items for the boxes: toothbrush, toothpaste, hand wipes, gum, crayons, rubber balls, balloons, flashlight with exra batteries, socks, musical instruments, a stuffed puppy and play jewelry (for the girls), and a monster truck (for the boys). I also included a letter from our family and prayed for each child as I packed the boxes. I hope they are a blessing to them and that each box will deliver the message that God cares for them and that they can trust Him to provide.

Happy All The Time

Tonight Audra had her very first dance recital. Actually, it was an end of the semester preview so parents could see what their daughters had learned so far. Audra's class did a dance to the song, "Happy All The Time." As soon as she got on to the stage, she saw me and called out, "Hi Mommy!" (Snicker, snicker from the audience. "Isn't she cute?") Then she burst into tears! So, while all the other little girls danced and leaped to "Happy All The Time", Audra stood up there frozen and cried into her skirt. The entire song! (If you click on the pictures, you can see a larger picture and fully appreciate her facial expressions.)

After her song, she climbed into my lap and I tried to show her how all the older girls danced with such happy hearts because they were having fun and worshipping God. She didn't fully recover until we were half way home when she began laughing and singing at the top of her lungs: "Upright, Downright, Inright, Outright Happy All The Time!" Scott and I just laughed...she was only 30 minutes late! Her sanguine display from the backseat would have been adorable on stage!

As I write this, I am reminded of something Beth Moore wrote in the Bible study I'm doing this year: "one of the most powerful mood changers God had ever taught me was to open up my mouth and say, 'I choose joy. I may not feel it, but God has appropriated it and I choose it." I suppose we'll have to keep working on that one! ;)

Justus' 1st Haircut

While Titus and Audra were at Kids' Day Out this morning, Justus went with me to get my haircut. He had fun eating crackers, sitting in my lap, and swiffering the floor with his pj's. He looked like a fur ball by the time it was over! Shannon loved holding and playing with him, but at one point remarked, "Ashley, what is this? Your baby has a mullet!" I think she felt sorry for him and offered to trim it up. So, here is Shannon trimming her moving target.

Bed Head!

Kumon

I'm not very artistic and I often forget about doing crafts with my kids. In the past it seemed like a lot of work and a lot of mess with little interest from Titus. When we were in Colorado my friend, Anita, said her kids love these Kumon books. I got a couple of them for Titus and Audra and they LOVE them. They spent over an hour today contently cutting, pasting, and placing stickers on these pages. They are such fun activities. I highly recommend these books.

This is what they look like if you are interested in looking for them. I found these at Target. There are several different ones to choose from.

Pumpkin Bread

I was inspired by my friends Jean and Judy from Colorado to attempt making pumpkin bread with the kids. Thanks for the recipe, Jean! Titus has been asking if we could make pumpkin pie (because we read about that in those same pumpkin patch library books). I'm a huge fan of pumpkin bread, so I decided that would be a good substitute. We're having our community group from church over tomorrow for dinner, so I thought we could make pumpkin bread for dessert and this would be a fun way for the kids to participate in serving them.


Whoa, Nellie!!! I tried to show the kids how to grease and flour the pans, but Titus floured himself, instead.

I never bake desserts. I had no idea the kids would have so much fun baking. They loved taking turns measuring, pouring, and stirring all of the ingredients. I was intrigued by how long it captured their attention. The only stressful thing (for me) was that my kitchen was coated in flour by the time we were finished. Maybe, they just need a little more practice.


Mmmm. Yummy. We devoured one of the loaves of pumpkin bread as soon as it came out of the oven. Then we had it again for breakfast--it tasted even better the second day. Is that like serving your children chocolate cake for breakfast? On Judy's blog, one of her friends replied that if you bake something in a bread pan, it can be considered a health food. I love that philosophy! Pumpkins are a vegetable, right?

Nature Walk

Beth and Nathan Saferite came over to play this morning and afterwards we went on a "nature walk" to Founder's Park to collect leaves. My kids would be the ones still in their pajamas. At noon.

Audra and Nate loved kicking, throwing, and playing in the leaves.

Peek-A-Boo!

Thanks for coming over to play, Beth and Nate!