HAPPY THIRTEENTH BIRTHDAY, B2!

Today we celebrated B2’s 13th birthday.  Here’s 13 of our favorite things about B2:

1. He always has a smile

2. He brings us great joy

3. He is very kind-hearted

4. He is sensitive toward others

5. He is very thoughtful

6. He makes us laugh

7. He enjoys playing football

8. He enjoys playing basketball

9. He doesn’t give in to peer pressure. He’s his own person!

10. He likes to be the class clown

11. He is very helpful

12. He is (and has always been) mission-minded

13. He loves Jesus!

Love that smile!

Handsome!

For his birthday dinner, he chose to go to Red Lobster.

{I will insert picture here}

Then, the kids had dessert at Jamba Juice (remember the drink I told you about in my previous post? Yep! They had to try it and LOVED it!)

Briley,
I will always remember the day that you were born. It was quick but very stressful. Your heartrate dropped with every contraction. I was so relieved when you were finally born and you were fine. You were such an easy baby, and not very demanding. You were and have always been a very pleasant child. We have called you “Smiley Briley” ever since you learned how to smile! You bring a lot of joy to our family and we love you so much!!! I love how you have always had a heart for missions, especially since you are from China! I am so proud of the young man you are becoming.

……I can’t believe that I now have TWO teenagers!!!

“The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.” Proverbs 20:7

Thanksgiving

I LOVE the holiday season! The weather is cooling off after a long, HOT summer. Hubby has done a fantastic job decorating the house, again! He’s so good at making our house look festive!

We headed to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving celebrations this year. Thinking that we would miss alot of the holiday traffic, we decided to leave Tuesday night, after Blaine’s basketball game.  As we were coming up to the ramp to get on Highway 6, I began to question whether or not this was a good time to leave. As far as we could see to our left and to our right, was cars! The longest line of cars on a highway that I’ve ever seen!!! I couldn’t believe that all of these people were trying to get out of town on Tuesday night! We decided to brave the crowd and continued on. After moving 2 miles in 30 minutes, we realized, these people were going to the bonfire! Once we passed the exit for the bonfire, traffic was normal and we moved at a normal pace!  For this, we were very THANKFUL!

Wednesday was a day of a quick trip to Lawton with Mom, cousins playing, and getting ready for Thanksgiving lunch.

Thursday, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Grandma Taylor’s (Great-Grandma to some of you), then we went to Elgin to visit the Landers’ family! We visited with Todd’s mom and oldest brother, Scott and two of his kids (the other two kids had already left). Later, we went to visit Keith and Cindy (second oldest brother), and their two daughters (we missed seeing the sons who were visiting other relatives). 

Friday, Mom, Jenn, and I braved the Black Friday crowd! We left the house at 6:00am and set out to conquer mom’s shopping list! We hit several stores and found many great deals! We went to the mall for lunch (where I saw my long time friend, Christine and her family) and met up with my sister-in-law, Christy. We made purchases in a few more stores, then headed back to Cache. We got home at 4:30pm, I quickly showered and changed, then left with Todd and the boys to go watch Thunder play some basketball in OKC. That was so fun! (Thank you, Uncle Billy and Dad.) We all had a great time!

Saturday, we hung around the house, washed clothes and packed suitcases while watching OU shutout OSU 27-0! What a great ending to a crazy season! That evening, we headed to Sanger, TX to see Todd’s brother (just older than him) and family. We were able to see Stacy, Cathy, Chance and Alyssa. Bryce had already gone back to Norman for the OU game.

Stacy has two boys and a girl and we have two boys and a girl. When the kids were all younger, it was amazing to me at how much alike the kids personalities were (ie. our oldest and stacy’s oldest, etc.). Well, after not seeing them for a couple of years and spending just a short amount of time with them, things have not changed. They are very similiar still! Many aspects of their personalities are alike. This one freaked me out a little – Stacy’s oldest, Chance, and our oldest, B1, love gummy bears. Both like to put them in the freezer! So, Chance shared with my boys about the White Gummy Bear drink that you can order from Jamba Juice (even thought it’s not on the menu.)

On Sunday, we headed home. We really enjoyed all of our visits and it all seemed to go by so quickly! I am especially glad that Todd was able to see all of his brothers and that we were able to help Mom get almost every bit of her Christmas shopping done!

Now, we are home for 3 weeks before going back. We are hoping to see a few of our friends as well as family on our next trip. 

Oh, and did I mention, that B1 will have his permit when we come back! Yeah! I know! It can’t be happening!!!

Football has officially ended!

Congratulations to the BCS high school football team! They competed well, and made it to the second round of playoff games. They played a great game, and was winning until the beginning of the 4th quarter. I’m very proud of the team!

We met CHUCK NORRIS!

Last night, Chuck Norris was at the Post Oak Mall signing copies of his new book. We waited in line for 3 1/2 hours before we were able to see him. K and I had to leave for a little while to go to her volleybal game. By the time she finished (and it was a nail-biter to the end, but the Hurricanes won AGAIN!) and we drove back to the mall, we were able to get back in line with Todd and the boys (thank you, nice security man).  I was very sad that they wouldn’t allow me to take a picture while Mr. Norris was signing, but it brought great joy to the hearts of my children to shake the hands and speak to Mr. and Mrs. Norris.

…I wonder if we’re related? We must check into this! He is from Oklahoma and we have Norris’ in our family. Wouldn’t that be SO cool?!!!

KBTX Video

As we are leaving the mall, B2 says, “My hand is already mutating into something awesome!”

Fact:  When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Fact:  Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas.

Fact:  Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Your Kindness Quotient

by Max Lucado

I read this today and just had to share it. This is exactly what I tell my kids every day! ….and, a reminder for me never hurts either!

How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family–e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee–without being asked?

Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?

Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).

And, here is a challenge–what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you…. If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36)

Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.

Since He is so kind to us, can’t we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don’t know me, Max. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don’t, but He does. He knows everything about you, yet He doesn’t hold back His kindness toward you. Has He, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?

No, He is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you His ambassador, His follower, even His child. Why not take His cue and believe in yourself?

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth His kindness. And He’s a good judge of character.

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Fall, where are you?

Here is the forcast for today, October 29, 2009

I don’t mind the rain….except that I’d really like for the BCS MS football team to be able to play their last game today.  (It looks like we’ll be ending the season the way we started it…… IN THE RAIN!)  What I DO mind is the temperature! Really?!  80’s all day? I wish it would at least cool off below 70. I’m so ready for cooler weather. It is almost November and we still have summer-like temperatures. And, the humidity. Don’t forget that! The humidity makes it even worse.

I really don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining. God is so good to us and has blessed us so much! We love so many things about Bryan, but the weather is not one of those things. It’s hard to start getting into the holiday spirit when it’s 80 degrees outside. I just want it to cool off.  Who knows! Maybe we’ll have cooler temperatures by January.  Maybe.

I hope you all have a blessed day. And, if you are in an area that has cooler temperatures, I am jealous!

“then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains…”  Deut. 11:14

Middle School Football

After their win last night, the BCS Middle School Football team is now 6-0!  They have only been scored on ONCE and that was by St. Mary’s (West) last week when BCS won 34-6. 

Our defense is ON FIRE!  It is so fun to watch this team play! My boy, #53, is enjoying every minute of this experience!

WAY TO GO EAGLES!!!

 

The Eagle 10.09.2009

Brazos Christian Middle School 32, Snook 0: Kenny Honnas scored on runs of 24 and 16 yards and had a fumble recovery for BCS (6-0).

Brandon Bollin, Riley Garner and Cooper Owen had touchdown runs of 42, 47 and 14 yards, respectively, for the Eagles. Justin Duewall caught a pass from Cooper Wright for a PAT conversion.

John Gillett, Briley Landers, Bollin and Duewall each had fumble recoveries.

BCS hosts Anderson on Thursday.

Pre-Game Entertainment!

A few weeks ago, “someone” had a little trouble with the run through….

At this point, I was afraid he was going to get trampled on!

Nothing like a little pre-game entertainment!  Oops!
(This “someone” assured me that he did NOT do that on purpose!)

I could only sit there and shake my head…… while the crowd laughed!

Who’s kid is that, anyway?

“though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:24 NIV

(Thanks to Tracy for sharing your pictures with me! You do an AWESOME job!)

It’s Fall

It’s Fall and the weather just might be cooling down a bit! It’s been rainy all weekend and looks like we might have rain all week. With the rain comes a little cooler weather (mid-70’s to mid-80″s), although it’s still muggy!

BCS middle school football has been incredible. They have played 5 football games, and the first 4 teams did not score on them at all! This last team they played, the opposing team only scored one touchdown. My B2 is amazing on the defensive line! He breaks through the line just by pushing people out of his way. He will get to the QB a few times each game. Coach Sanders is doing an awesome job with this team! B1 has made great improvements this year!

Here’s what The Eagle had to say about this game: Brazos Christian’s Briley Landers blocked a punt and ran it in for a touchdown in the Eagles’ win. Landers also had a sack.

Another great effort at a loose ball!  Did I mention that they played their first 4 games IN THE RAIN?!!!

BCS high school football has been exciting in a different way. Their games have been more of a nail-biter type games. B1 doesn’t see the field much, which is normal for a freshman. We are really looking forward to seeing him on the field alot more. He is very talented and has alot of passion for the game.

 
Look how many guys it takes to get #28 down!

It is so exciting for me to watch my boys play football! Yes, I’m the mom in the stands that you hear cheering for her son!

K started volleyball practice last week. Her games will begin next week. She, too, has made great improvements in her game. I can’t wait to see how her season goes this year! She is so excited and I love her enthusiasm for volleyball.

Last weekend, B1 attended his first Homecoming dance.  It’s still hard to believe that I have a high schooler! The parents of the 9th graders had a dinner for the class, then we transported them to the school. The kids all had a great time. Miss Kelly was also visiting that weekend, so she helped us send him off. Our time with her seemed very short and we are looking forward to her return visit very soon!

We are all looking forward to next week! My parents are coming to watch the kids play, then my sister and her kiddo’s will spend the weekend with us! We are so excited!!!!

“We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.”  1 Cor. 4:12