A 4-year old lazy chair

Now, the chair is not really 4-years old, but the person sitting in the chair is 4. Last time we went to Toys R Us, shortly after Christmas, Brooke was intent on buying this pink chair. I had to post some pictures of her in it, because she just looks so "comfy" (as she would put it). Thanks, Aunt Kari, for the gift cards!

Thanksgiving in January

I wanted to post some of the pictures that Gary has recently taken in our backyard. We have a "bluebird" that frequents our trees, and Gary gets much practice in photographing him. I was amazed this past week as I was reminded of the fact that we have been here in Ventura for three years now. It has flown by so fast! I am also very thankful for several things, and I wanted to share them.

First, I am thankful for the city in which I live. I think there is a place on earth specifically for each individual, and I am thankful that I have found my "home sweet home."
We love living in Ventura! As I drive the boys to school each morning, I am still overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains and the majestic glory of the Pacific Ocean. I am so thankful to drop my boys off at a school where they are free to learn about God and enjoy their friends and environment. Then I pull into campus, and I thank God for my opportunity to do what I love, and to serve Him in doing it. So, each morning, even three years later, I am still so very overwhelmed.


This past week, I was also reminded how thankful I am for my health and for my husband. Brooke has been very sick, and I hate seeing her in pain. Gary has been so patient to be up with her every night, and to "wait" on her each day. My blood sugar got low at school one day, and
the paramedics were called. Again, I am so thankful for the Lord's constant watch over me. Everything was fine (after a few minutes and a few injections of glucose), but I was again reminded how fragile life can be. Gary, again, was so patient in coming to pick me up, and not make me feel bad about the whole incident. Thank God for patient husbands.
It has been a long yet busy week, but in the end, I can only say, "Thank you, Lord!"

Our Little Princess

Brooke had her annual pictures taken this past week, and I wanted to share some of her best portraits. We had them done at JcPenny's. This was the first year (ever) that she did her pictures without shedding a tear. Yeah for being a big girl :)

Upwards Basketball Season Begins!

Andrew's team is made up of first and second graders. Unfortunately, none of his friends from church are on his team, but it will be a good opportunity for him to meet some new kids. He is coached by our family pastor's wife and son, for which I was very glad (they are a special family). Andrew is so much fun to watch on the court. He is not very aggressive. However, he did make one rebound that he immediately returned for one basket. Way to go Andrew!!!




Wesley's team has just 6 members, so he is able to play most all of the game. He was great on defense and in making baskets. Dad is his assistant coach, so I get to be the photographer and watch the kids. They had a super game, and every single player demonstrated great sportsmanship and great effort!

Nothing like getting kicked in the mouth!

This is how Andrew looked when he got home from school today. I learned that, after I dropped him off in the morning, he was playing outside on the tire swing, and .........well, I am vague on the details, but Andrew ended up losing a tooth and having one very loose tooth. Thankfully, the lost tooth was one that was already loose. He is quite the chicken, though, and does not want anyone touching his loose tooth. As I write this, he is eating breakfast, and I must say is quite the master at being a "side chewer."

Time with Gramma and Poppa

Thank you mom and dad for flying out to see us over Christmas break. It seems like we all play a bit harder when they are with us. Mom and Dad have to go home and take a rest from their vacation :) The pictures above show activities including the following: Poppa and Brooke having tea, Gramma riding Wesley's bike, Poppa playing with the legos, Gramma with the boys on the tire swing, and a good game of pickle with Poppa and dad.

Day trip to Santa Barbara

We took Gramma and Poppa on a day trip up the coast to beautiful Santa Barbara. We did some shopping in the downtown shops, ate lunch at an old fashioned diner, and spent some time at the wooden park (as the kids like to call it). It was ironic to me how that Gramma kept getting cold. How does someone from the mid-west get cold in 60 degree weather without her coat on????? I told her it was the cold air from the coast. Needless to say, mom got her jacket when we got to the park. Enjoy the pictures of our fun day!!!

Christmas Pictures---Take 1

A few pictures from Christmas Day at our home. After stockings, breakfast, and the Christmas story, the kids enjoyed opening their presents from Mom and Dad and from Mamaw and Papaw. Brooke loved her tea set, Mamaw! We had tea several times Christmas day :) One hi-light of the day was when Gramma and Poppa flew in later in the afternoon, and we were able to enjoy Christmas dinner and more presents that evening. Presents are not the most important aspect, but no one can deny that it sure is a big part of the fun. Andrew kept saying, "I love my presents, but I love Jesus more." He said it several times; I guess he wanted us to know that he had not forgotten the reason for the season!

Merry Christmas Sunday

I love the Sunday before Christmas! It is good to see everyone (the kids particularly) in their Sunday Christmas clothes, and everyone is normally in a festive mood. The kids were able to sing in a children's group in both services this morning. I had a hard time focusing on Wesley since he was in the back row. As Andrew said, "I like singing on the stage." If I don't get a chance to wish you this again before the actual day, "Merry Christmas to you all!" Thank God for his special gift of Jesus Christ and for the many special gifts he blesses us with every day.

Look who is four!

Happy Birthday #4 to my favorite girl in the whole world! Brooke is my spark of joy, my challenge, and my "girl", and today she turned four. She enjoyed the cards and presents on the table this morning.

Nothing like a baby that can laugh and clap. When it comes to babies, who can have too many????

We had fun at Fo Fo Figgily's a large indoor playground with slides, basketball, ball pits, firetruck, and climbing walls. Brooke was unsure of going down one of the bigger slides at first, but once daddy helped her out, she felt brave enough to do it on her own.

After finishing at the playground, we stopped at the mall and Brooke spent some of her birthday money at Build-a-Bear---a pink one she named Brooke Jr.

Cake time! Happy Birthday to our princess! We love you, babe :)